Key Largo Offshore Fishing
There are many different species of fish available here in Key Largo. Due to the numerous varieties of fish species, the techniques used also differ substantially. Over the decades, fishing techniques have been refined to reach a superb level of excellence. Offshore fishing is extremely popular here in Key Largo area. Various techniques are used such as deep sea fishing, trolling, deep dropping, reef fishing, sandballing and many others. The type of technique used will depend on the area fished and the kind of fish species being caught. You can hope to catch numerous offshore fishing fish species like dolphin fish, tuna, marlin, wahoo, sailfish, grouper, snapper, cobia, swordfish etc.
Deep dropping techniques
The main concept behind offshore fishing is to troll for certain pelagic varieties of fish like marlin, tune, dolphin fish, wahoo etc. One of the common techniques used for catching bottom fish species if deep dropping. Fish species like snapper, snowy grouper, tilefish etc. are most commonly caught with this technique. The depth where the fish are available can range from just a couple of hundred feet to as much as thousands of feet below! This deep sea fishing is common for fish, which thrive in the crevices or cracks deep under the sea. Usually various power-helped tackle and electric reels are used for catching these fish. You could use just one rig or a set of 15 hooks together, also known as chicken rig. Due to extremely strong currents during deep sea fishing you may need large quantities of lead to lower the rigs into the bottom. Typically, sash weights get used since they have a unique cylindrical shape and so are not as likely to hang down in the bottom. Various live baits especially squid are used for deep dropping techniques.
Reef fishing technique
Reef fishing is primarily carried out near the coral reefs of Key Largo area. It comprises usage of dead as well as live baits, which are anchored over one spot or drifting over reefs. This kind of fishing is primarily performed in sheltered and calm waters. The depth is usually 6 to 30 feet (much less when compared to deep dropping). Various fish species caught using reef fishing techniques include grouper, snapper, kingfish, cobia, sailfish etc.
Sandballing technique
Sandballing is a very popular fishing technique used here in Florida Keys to catch the yellowtail snapper. The technique comprises mixing of menhaden chums along with sand and oatmeal. Once the mixture is prepared, a ballyhoo piece measuring one inch is placed with the scale and skin on top of the hook. The sandballing mix is then kept around the bait, thus resulting in a ball measuring 3 or 4 inches. Once the sandball is made, open up the ball over the spinning rod and then toss the ball into the waters. This ensures the ball reaches the appropriate depth without having to use any extra weights.
Wreck fishing
Wreck fishing is another popular technique used to fish species found in drop offs or wrecks. Typically, artificial lures or live baits are used to catch these kinds of fish species. Heavy leaders are used to load the bait into the bottom along with the hook. Typically fish used as live baits include blue runners, speedos, skipjacks etc. Dead baits are either cut into half or butterflied.