April 17th

We had tough conditions this week with high winds and another cold front.  Offshore fishing has been picking up though.  I've seen a lot more dolphin hitting the docks and we're still catching sailfish close to the reef.  I did a few inshore trips to keep it calm, and we caught a few big kingfish, mutton, mangrove and yellowtail snappers, groupers and sharks. The winds should come down this week, and I do have a few spots open if you want to get out fishing.  I can be reached at 305-923-6977. Thanks. Capt Taylor

Dinner and something big.

We had a great half day trip yesterday fishing pretty close to home.  The two Megans said they wanted to catch some eating fish, but also something big.  They got their wish with some big Mutton snappers for dinner, and a nice manageable sized Jewfish.  It wasn't over though.  After our first big shark pulled the hook, sending Megan 2 flying onto her butt, our second stayed on.  We threw the anchor and chased it down, the girls and their boyfriends all taking multiple turns on the reel.  After about 45 minutes we finally got it close and could see it was a large tiger shark in the 8-10 ft range. We got it up to the leader and took some pics before releasing it.  Great Job Megans!  If you want to pull on one of these heathens I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor

April 7th

Tarpon trips are getting more active in Key West.  We found some hungry fish this week and put a few in the air.  Offshore our current has gone away but the blue water has pushed in over the reef.  We still have a few sailfish around but not the big numbers we had.  I had a great day offshore Thursday live baiting with Shawn Fitzpatrick.  At first all we could find was bonitas, but we scored big with a nice wahoo around 40 lbs on a deep wreck. There were big schools of amberjacks and we could see sharks following the boat, but Shawn wanted no part of them.    We moved shallower and finally found some blackfin tunas in the 20-30 lb range.  The first few were eaten by sharks, so we had to switch the 20lb mono rigs to heavier 40lb braid to try to get them in quick.  We got set up and it was game on.  We put a few in the box and made our way back home.  I did a bottom fishing trip yesterday since the breeze picked up and I had kids on board.  We had decent action with mutton, mangrove, yellowtail snappers and sharks.  If you're looking to get out fishing I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor

Happy Easter!

We had great weather and fishing over the holiday weekend.  I hope everyone had a great Easter!  I had family trips both Friday and Saturday who wanted to keep it calm and catch some dinner.  We did great on both trips catching multiple big mutton, mangrove, lane, and yellowtail snappers.  We also released a big red and nassau grouper and caught a few big sharks.  We had a big kingfish in the 40 lb class on also, but he got away close to the boat.  Offshore the fishing was also fantastic.  The sailfish are still going strong with some boats catching double digits.  There have been blackfin and skipjack tunas, dolphin, and a few wahoos around also.  The afternoon trips have been steady for tunas up until sunset.  If you are looking to get out on the water, I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor

End of March fishing report

The wind has returned to Key West and a lot of boats are stuck to the dock.  People are always hesitant when we have these gusty conditions.  It should get much better by Friday this week.  The sailfish have been consistent when we can get out there.  I did a tv show shoot with Capt. Mike Weinhoffer and Capt. Rob Fordyce with "The Seahunter" Monday afternoon.  The guys had a nice afternoon going 3 for 5 on sails. The sharks and bonitas ate up a bunch of baits also.  Inshore we have had good action with snappers, groupers, and a few hammerhead sharks.  The tarpon bite is also good when the wind comes down.  If you would like to get out on the water, I have some spots available.  Call me at 305-923-6977  Thanks, Capt Taylor Williams

Sailfish and more!

We had some great weather and fishing over the Saint Patrick's holiday.  On Saturday I took Gunnar and his family inshore fishing. The girls wanted to catch a shark. Weended up catching a big hammerhead, a few small sharp nose, and a big nurse shark.  We had a ton of action with snappers, groupers,  kingfish and cero mackerels.  We did fight a big bull shark for a while that ate a mackerel also. The sailfish bit really good on Saturday, so Sunday we headed offshore.  I took Bronson and his fiancee Mary out for sailfish and we ended up going 2 for 3 on them.  We saw a few more freejumpers and one that was between 2 fish we had hooked at one point, but we just didn't have the perfect conditions of Saturday.  We caught a nice sized mahi for dinner and called it a day. I heard a few boats did well later in the afternoon, and the tunas have been better later also.  It looks like we're getting another cold front tonight and some wind for the next few days.  The sailfishing should get better once the wind goes back to the east.  Also the tarpon fishing has been good with the warm weather.  It should also get good again once this north wind blows through and we get back to high 70s. If you would like to schedule a trip, I can be reached at 305-923-6977 or email any questions to Tay87@aol.com.  Thanks! Capt Taylor

Windy Day Options

 This week we've seen some cold windy conditions, but it didn't keep us from having some great action in calm water.  There are always a few hidden protected areas to fish. If the winds are out of the north, we fish close on the south side of the islands and vice versa.  We had great action with some big mutton, mangrove, lane and yellowtail snappers.  We released a lot of sharks, including one big bull shark we had to chase down. We also released a kingfish in the 40 lb range and some nice black, red and gag groupers.  The groupers aren't legal to keep in the south atlantic until May 1st.  The patch reefs have been very active also with big jacks, bluefish and porgies also. Its been a great way to catch a bunch of fish and dinner without getting beat up lately.  If you are looking to get out, I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor

March 12

We had some great trips both offshore and inshore this past week in Key West.  We caught some nice blackfin tunas up to 25 pounds, bonitas, mahi mahi, and a couple of sailfish.  When the winds were too strong, we stayed inshore and caught a bunch of lane, mangrove, yellowtail and mutton snappers, porgies, groupers, mackerels and sharks.  The groupers have to go back until May 1st, but the snappers are plentiful right now. There are a lot of ballyhoo up on the shallow patch reefs, and they are great baits for larger snappers. Inshore the Tarpon have arrived.  They have been picky with all of the dirty water in the harbor, but do bite on the outgoing tide when it warms up. We're getting another cold front today and I don't expect to be fishing for them until the temps go up and the winds come down.  If you're looking to get out, give me a call at 305-923-6977.  I have some free days each week, but am filling in the gaps each day.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor Williams

March 5th

We've had a late cold front come down this past weekend dropping the temperatures into the low 70s and the winds continue from the north at 15-20 today.  We had some great days this past week catching tunas, sailfish, and a few dolphin out front, while the gulf was good also with big kingfish up to 45 lbs, snappers, groupers, jacks, barracudas, and a handful of sharks.  The tarpon fishing was good until the winds picked up again.  It should get better this week as the winds shift back around and come down. The color change out front is beautiful and full of bait.  The moon has just passed full, and fishing should steadily get better this week.    If you're looking to get out fishing this month, I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor Williams

February report

The winds have come down and the warmer weather is starting to return.  This week I did a few trips out to the reef and did well on snapper, grouper, oodles of mackerels and kingfish, a few tunas, and a few picky sailfish.  The blue water has been slow with  few dolphin and  weedy conditions.  If you like action, the reef has been the place to be.  There are tons of ballyhoo getting chased by everything that swims.  We have seen the big pelagics up in as shallow as 10 feet chasing bait.  It is really exciting to see a big tuna or sailfish crashing bait on the shallow reefs.  If you want to come chase some fish, give me a call at 305-923-6977.  Thanks! Capt. Taylor

January 26 wind report

Another front has blown us out for a few days.  The weather went south a couple nights ago and it looks like this weekend will be windy.  The shrimp boats are hiding out in front of Key West on the south side, biding their time like the charter boats. It can be frustrating turning down trips, but I'd rather have people come back than go on a rough crummy day.  Hopefully this wind will blow through by next week and we can all go back to fishing! If you would like to get out next month or beyond, I have some openings.  I can be reached through email on the home page or call 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor

Great fishing this week

We finally had a break in the wind this week, and I was lucky enough to have a few charters booked during the beautiful weather.  The fishing was great!  We caught tunas up on the reef and offshore, snappers, groupers, kingfish, jacks, sharks, and had a shot at a sailfish yesterday.  Thanks to everyone who has come down fishing after the hurricane, it has helped out tremendously.  Hopefully the next cold front won't be as bad and the fishing and weather continue to be good!  If you're looking to get out I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor

January fishing

So far this year we have seen some windy and rainy days.  The cold that has overtaken the US has reached us finally, and the fishing conditions are changing.  Our temps have been in the high 50's in the morning to low 70's in the afternoons.  As the cold push weakens our winds will turn more southerly and warm.  It should be back into the high 70's in a few days.  The fishing has been good for the few people venturing out.  The reef is still active with lots of baitfish, and offshore there have been blackfin tunas and a few sailfish around.  I have a few spots open this week if you're looking to get out.  I can be reached at 305-923-6977.   Thanks, Capt. Taylor

Christmas and New Years

The fishing continues to be good in Key West.  The reef has been the place to be with mutton, grey and yellowtail snappers, mackerels, groupers, sharks, jacks, and an occasional sailfish or tuna.  The offshore fishing has been a little better this week, but the boats doing well are going quite far to the west.  Inshore fishing has been good also with bottom fish and a few big kingfish mixed in.  We nabbed this 40+ pounder in a channel this week close to home.  If you are looking to get out on the water, I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks and Happy New Year!  Capt Taylor

Mid December fishing report

Last week started off cool and has ended hot.  Temperatures are back up to 80 and there isn't another front coming for the foreseeable future.  The last few fronts did change up the fishing a bit.  We have been catching more kingfish on the Atlantic side, and the gulf is full of bait fish schools.  This combined with the dirty water left over from hurricane irma makes the bottom fishing really good.  We had some nice catches of yellowtail, mutton and mangrove snappers, combined with king, spanish and cero mackerels.  Also on the rough days, we tried fishing closer to home and the channels produced some nice fish.  Muttons, yellowtails, grouper and porgies kept us busy just a few miles away from the harbor.  These trips are a great way to spend a half day as there is hardly any travel time, and there is a lot of action.  

Offshore has been slower.  There have been a few sailfish up on the reef, but the dirty water has been a hindrance for us and them.  There have been a handful of pelagics caught out in the blue water but this time of year the reef and out to 300 feet is the place to be.  If you are looking for a trip around the holidays I have some open dates.  I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks and Merry Christmas!  Capt. Taylor Williams

December fishing report

We finally have some cooler weather in Key West.  This should start moving fish down both coasts into the keys for our "wintertime" fishing.  Temps will stay cool today, but return to the high 70's in no time.  Lately the reef and inshore have been the place to be.  Lots of big yellowtail snappers continue to bite, with occasional groupers, muttons, mackerels and sharks. Offshore has been slow, with most of the boats reporting few bites.  If you're looking to get out, I'm available later this week.  I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor

Boatyard Blues

Just wrapping up a few things in the boatyard today and we'll be back in action.  Fresh bottom paint, wax, zincs, oil and filter changes.  One small leaky trim line to do and she'll be complete.  Fishing continues to be good while I'm spotted with bottom paint.  There have been more tunas offshore the last couple days. The reef and inshore bottom fishing continue to be productive as well.  If you are looking to get out I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks! Capt. Taylor

Reef action in November

The reef continues to be excellent in Key West!  Lots of big yellowtail snappers are biting with an occasional grouper, mutton, grey, and a multitude of sharks.  Offshore has been slower, but a few wahoos have started to show up.  Key West is still not as busy as usual, and the keys are still in the process of cleaning up and rebuilding.  We need as many visitors as possible this season, so come on down!  The weather has been great and hotel prices are as low as I've ever seen.  The water is starting to clean up nicely for diving as well.  If you would like to reserve a day, I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt. Taylor

November fishing report

We've had our first few cold fronts in Key West, keeping the temps down a few degrees.  There are still some tunas and dolphin offshore with an occasional sailfish.  The reef has been excellent when the current is moving.  We've had some days with a mixed bag of yellowtail, mackerels, tunas, and an occasional shark if someone wants to pull on something big.  We had a shark steal a big yellowtail on a lure, only the shark got greedy.  A while later we dropped a live ballyhoo down for a big grey snapper, only to have him get grabbed also.  The shark finally let him go and when we got the fish to the boat, the lure we had lost earlier was stuck to the side of the snapper!  If you would like to get out fishing, I can be reached at 305-923-6977. Thanks, Capt. Taylor

Since the Hurricane

It's been over a month since hurricane Irma came through the keys.  We were very lucky in Key West, only having a few houses damaged by falling trees and wind.  People a little further up the road, mainly from big coppit key to marathon fared much worse.  Some are still sleeping in tents in their yards, trying to figure out what to do.  My family and I evacuated and made it home safely.  Our yard and most of the town was a mess, but a few weeks of chainsaw noise cleared it up quickly.  Key West is open for business, and Fantasy Fest is only 2 weeks away.

Fishing has been decent since the storm.  Offshore there are some dolphin and tunas.  The reef bite has been good when the tide is running.  Lots of nice yellowtails and ceros around.  I have mostly been commercial fishing with a friend to stay busy.  No charters on the books until next month, but my boat is ready to go.  I just need to replace a cup holder that blew away!  If you're looking to get out on the water, I can be reached at 305-923-6977.  Thanks, Capt Taylor