Dolphin And Tuna In April

Today, in the morning, I led an excursion off shore on the Atlantic side of Key West to fish the Gulf Stream. We reached the color change at a depth of about 130 ft. My clients managed to haul in an assortment of species, including a Blackfin Tuna, a Bonito, as well as a Sailfish. I was baiting the lines with live Herring and Cigar Minnows. We also managed to bring in two Dolphin Fish (also known as Dorado in Latin America), which is a great sign that the spring Dolphin season is about to hit full swing. I saw some Dolphin near the surface and immediately set my anglers up with light tackle rods so that they could cast in front of them. This plot worked; the anglers hooked a 32-lb. bull as well as a 20-lb. cow.

We also enjoyed my first excursion over to Permit Reef. This pile of rocks, sitting in about 50 ft. of water, attracts scores of spawning Permit every year around this time. Utilizing green peelers for bait, my party caught 7 Permit on light spinning rods.

I'm taking the Coolcast out to follow the shrimp boats that attract trailing Blackfin Tuna tomorrow.

Tight lines and trophy trips,

Captain Damon Santelli