Even with the high winds we have managed to gind decently calm water holding lots of fish. Inshore and patch reefs are full of big lane snappers, yellowtails, mangroves, and of course the out of season groupers. Offshore is a little funny this year. The tuna have showed up, and the mahi seem like they are going to stick around this winter. Some days have been a bit slow in the deep blue water, so trolling the reef has provided us with plenty of mackerel action.
Even with the high winds we have managed to gind decently calm water holding lots of fish. Inshore and patch reefs are full of big lane snappers, yellowtails, mangroves, and of course the out of season groupers. Offshore is a little funny this year. The tuna have showed up, and the mahi seem like they are going to stick around this winter. Some days have been a bit slow in the deep blue water, so trolling the reef has provided us with plenty of mackerel action.
Even with the high winds, we have managed to find decently calm water holding lots of fish. Inshore and patch reefs are full of big lane snappers, yellowtails, mangroves, and, of course, the out-of-season groupers. Offshore is a little funny this year. The tuna have shown up, and the mahi seem like they are going to stick around this winter. Some days have been a bit slow in the deep blue water, so trolling the reef has provided us with plenty of mackerel action.
Even with the high winds, we have managed to find decently calm water holding lots of fish. Inshore and patch reefs are full of big lane snappers, yellowtails, mangroves, and, of course, the out-of-season groupers. Offshore is a little funny this year. The tuna have shown up, and the mahi seem like they are going to stick around this winter. Some days have been a bit slow in the deep blue water, so trolling the reef has provided us with plenty of mackerel action.
we've had some warm weather, so some good lobster catches on trips. The patch reef fishing is still very strong, with nice catches of yellowtail snapper and cero mackerel
we've had some warm weather, so some good lobster catches on trips. The patch reef fishing is still very strong, with nice catches of yellowtail snapper and cero mackerel
Here are a couple of updates Solid Cero and Yellowtail snapper bites on the reef this morning in key west. Those should hold around for another month. We've had a good run of some nice warm weather in Key West temperatures getting into the high 70s low 80s. Still a lot of good lobster going on lobster season for two more months. we have been having some exceptionally good weather in Key West, highs have been in the low 80's the offshore fishing has been a little slow. A few wahoo, tuna and scattered mahi being caught. I've been diving...
Here are a couple of updates Solid Cero and Yellowtail snapper bites on the reef this morning in key west. Those should hold around for another month. We've had a good run of some nice warm weather in Key West temperatures getting into the high 70s low 80s. Still a lot of good lobster going on lobster season for two more months. we have been having some exceptionally good weather in Key West, highs have been in the low 80's the offshore fishing has been a little slow. A few wahoo, tuna and scattered mahi being caught. I've been diving some and get lots of lobsters and Lionfish
Inshore on our 24' the reef has been on fire with almost every species of snapper. A ton of black grouper have been caught because the season is closed. Couple of monster sharks including a monster (10+ft) hammerhead. Cobia are starting to show up, but Im yet to catch a keeper cobia (yet) this year. The offshore bite has been hit or miss, but when it's good, it's gooooood. Just this week we have caught multiple species of tuna, sailfish, mahi, and we are targeting a full moon wahoo tomorrow.
Inshore on our 24' the reef has been on fire with almost every species of snapper. A ton of black grouper have been caught because the season is closed. Couple of monster sharks including a monster (10+ft) hammerhead. Cobia are starting to show up, but Im yet to catch a keeper cobia (yet) this year. The offshore bite has been hit or miss, but when it's good, it's gooooood. Just this week we have caught multiple species of tuna, sailfish, mahi, and we are targeting a full moon wahoo tomorrow.
February 2025 The offshore bite around Key West is absolutely red hot right now, with blackfin tuna and cobia stealing the show! Blackfin Tuna Frenzy The blackfin tuna action has been nothing short of spectacular. Schools of these torpedoes are stacking up along the edge of the reef and in deeper blue water, particularly around the humps and wrecks. Anglers live baiting with pilchards, threadfin herring, and small blue runners on light tackle are experiencing non-stop action. The key has been to chum heavy with live baits, creating a slick that pulls them right up to the boat. Once they’re...
February 2025 The offshore bite around Key West is absolutely red hot right now, with blackfin tuna and cobia stealing the show! Blackfin Tuna Frenzy The blackfin tuna action has been nothing short of spectacular. Schools of these torpedoes are stacking up along the edge of the reef and in deeper blue water, particularly around the humps and wrecks. Anglers live baiting with pilchards, threadfin herring, and small blue runners on light tackle are experiencing non-stop action. The key has been to chum heavy with live baits, creating a slick that pulls them right up to the boat. Once they’re fired up, it’s game on! Fish in the 15–25 lb range are common, with some larger bruisers mixed in. Light fluorocarbon leaders (20-30 lb) and small circle hooks are doing the trick, providing an epic fight that tests every inch of your gear. Cobia Crash the Party While targeting tuna, surprise visits from cobia have added to the excitement. These fish are cruising the same wrecks and structure, often trailing behind rays, sharks, and even alongside the tuna schools. They’re aggressive right now, smashing live baits like pinfish and pilchards without hesitation. Anglers are reporting cobia in the 20–40 lb class, with some true Key West giants pushing beyond that. Keep a pitch rod ready with a live bait hooked up because these fish often appear out of nowhere, especially when you’re chumming heavily. Tips for Success: • Chum Heavy: Live chumming with pilchards keeps both tuna and cobia around the boat.
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Our trip was with Dave. He was super knowledgeable and got my wife and I on some great fish. We had never fished before, so his patience was appreciated!
Jordan is an absolute Master of his craft. His understanding of fish is unparralled. Honestly its like he is one. The yellowstone was blown out due to heavy rains so we audibled to a 17 mile float on the Lower Madison. We fished a new and totally unique set of techniques fishing indicators with crayfish pattern followed by a nymph. He told me exactly when to mend, when to let the flies drag a hair, and when to re adjust with a new cast to get the perfect action on the flies. I missed a lot of big eats and landed some beautiful (and fat) rainbows and browns! Back at the ramp no one had the succes we did. I learn so much from Jordan everytime im out there. Can’t reccomend booking a trip with him enough.
One of the things I wanted to be dang sure I did while I was there was fish the Yellowstone in a drift boat, and was lucky enough to get it done. With lots of fishing travel under my belt you never know how it will go and in this case the plan came together and it was a good day to be alive.
The Boss and I met our guide Nathan at the ramp at 8:00 and it was not long before we were on the water. The Boss and I are really fly fishing neophytes with lots to learn and Nathan was a perfect guide and teacher for our day on the water. He has fished those rivers for 35 years, was patient, technically proficient, and just an overall good guy to spend the day with.
As I noticed in the park there were lots of grasshoppers and it turned out to be our plan for the day. In my case catching any particular fish on topwater is the bomb, and we spent most of the day fishing larger hoppers with a smaller floating “something or other” on a dropper around 8″ behind. And it was so interesting to see the fish react. A few smashed it, (At least for a trout.) most barely slurped it under, and others could not resist rolling on it, or just taking a look. It took me a bit to get the hang of setting the hook like you need to and after a while I managed to toss a couple of small rainbows completely over the boat. It really was a new way to fish for us and it took a while to get the hang of it but I intend to put those lessons to work in Colorado when I head there this fall. Since this was our 5 or 6th run at it the Boss commented that each place and method was different, it is all part of the learning process.
I probably went about 10 for 20 with one whitefish, the Boss struggled. So late in the day Nathan put us on a nymph rig with an indicator. (Or as we regular folks call it, a bobber.) He wanted to be sure the Boss caught a fish and she finally boated a rainbow and a native whitefish. But the Boss was happy just sitting in the back and enjoying the day and the view, but I give her credit, she kept casting like a trooper. He was so patient as we tangled, crossed, casted like the rookies we are, and he just continued to act like the professional he is. (Except we all laughed like crazy when at one point when we were thrashing multiple messes he said; “Stop casting!”) Of course I told him I would trash him here so let me do it now – One of the best guides to spend the day with I have had the pleasure to fish with. So take that homie. From the Great Barrier reef, Belize, Colorado we have fished with our share and today was one of the best all around experiences we have ever had.
The fishing was not fast by any means, but the bite was consistent. I was not surprised by the number of refusals with the traffic and it being late in the season. Nathan made several fly changes during the day until we finished the day with the nymph rig and put the last couple in the boat. He worked hard to put me on a little bigger fish and his efforts were appreciated. Probably if I would have bullshitted less and fished harder I might have boated one of the better fish I missed, but I could have cared less as numbers were not the reason for the day.
Being a Saturday there was quite a bit of traffic, but it is a big river, and when compared to Froggie’s on the weekend no big deal. Of course we had a few incidents where both guides and the public cut us off, or were just plain were clueless. (Sound familiar you coastal boys?) As you know one of my rules to live by on our busy waterways – Be nice, be the bigger man, and just because you have the right of way let them go. Nathan naturally lives and practices that making our day on the water pleasant and fun and he is a credit to the profession. I can be pretty hard on guides.
It really was comfortable fishing from the drift boat. The Boss loved the safe manner he operated and being able to stand up and cast from the leaning post, or whatever it is called. I learned a lot about the drift boat and how it preforms on the water. As we accelerate our search for our place in the mountains Montana has made the list. Of all the places I have fished Montana gets an A+ for the access available to the public. (So thanks Nathan for offering to be my new best friend and take me fishing all the time if we end up in the area. At least I thought I heard him say that!)
And a big thanks to Jonathan of Captain Experiences for booking and following up on our trip. The home of Damn Good Fishing Guides, this site has guides all over the country and they lived up to their name when they hooked us up with Nathan. Nathan guides out of Bozeman, Montana, fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and a couple of other great Montana rivers. Nate, the owner, kept us informed with a full written itinerary, with constant follow up both before and after the trip. It was a professional job all the way around. So if you are looking for a guide anywhere, or wanting to fish the Yellowstone area, give Jonathan a call and he will put you with the best. Overall a first class trip.
So when it is all said and done it was a great way to spend a day along with our park expedition. And here is a taste of what is next, as soon as I organize all of the park stuff.
We saw almost everything we wanted to this trip and were so fortunate to see the wolves everyday along with enough wildlife to keep us happy. (For a while!) And to Nathan, I have added the Madison to my bucket list. Thanks for reading my stuff.
Had a really great time fishing the Yellowstone, Upper Madison on drift boats. Caught nice browns and rainbows. Wades the Gallatin and caught nice fish on dry flies. Our guide was Matt and he was great to work with not to mention he’s a trained chef so the lunches were fantastic. Highly recommend these trips. The booking process was simple and effective thanks to Captain Experiences.
Sign up to win $500 towards ANY trip. Winners drawn monthly.
Welcome to the Crew!
If you're lucky enough to win $500 we'll email you by the end of the month. If not there's good news: we still have thousands of Damn Good Guides who would love to take you out!