Sailfishing in Key Largo, Florida

Fish with one of the sailfishing elite call captain Jim Mulcahy from Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters at 305.453.0088 today!

Jim Mulcahy, has fished as a full time fishing guide in the south Florida and Bahamian waters for over 20 years. He shared his love of fishing with his father. That love and knowledge helped launch his career as a Key Largo fishing guide at an early age.

Jim is among the sailfishing elite; Jim Mulcahy is the man to beat. Everyone who fishes offshore in south Florida knows of captain Jim Mulcahy and Fins & Feathers Sailfish Charters out of Key Largo, either by watching first hand how he operates with skillful harmony to deploy live baits and land bluewater game fish, or from hearing secondhand reports of outstanding fights with everything from trophy sailfish to slab-sized marlin.

Florida fishing tournament fishermen know Mulcahy even better, often having to applaud while he and his anglers walk up to receive the lion’s share of awards in many of the major sailfishing events. From south Florida to the Florida Keys, when captain Jim Mulcahy and crew enter a sailfish tournament, then his boat is the one to watch. He has become one of the most successful sailfishing tournament captains the sport has seen.

Jim holds the record for the longest blue marlin battle while working as a mate during the 1998 Bahamas Billfish Championship on the "Abracadabra"...32 hours and 40 minutes.

Jim is the owner and operator of the Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters. He fishes aboard a 2007, 34’ SeaVee named Twice Bitten. Powered by a reliable and powerful inboard diesel engine, she cruises at over 30 knots.

SeaVee’s are known for their soft, dry ride, so you’ll get to and from the fishing grounds quickly and safely. Designed to be built around the way you fish - this 34' SeaVee is a tournament rigged fishing machine. Captain Jim can comfortably accommodate up to 4 anglers. If you'd like to fish with him, call 305.453.0088 to make reservations.

Mulcahy also runs a live bait business. Florida Keys fishing captains and anglers come to him for frisky live baits such as cigar minnows, ballyhoo and goggle eye - a sailfish favorite. Call 786.493.0324 for more information on captain Jim's live bait.

 

Sailfish

Sailfish are powerful and acrobatic and best yet available year-round with the the best fishing taking place between December and April where double digit days are possible.

Sailfish - Istiophorus platypterus, come from the Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES, are colored dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, and have a silvery white underbelly with many black spots, its front squared off, highest at its midpoint. Their upper jaw is elongated in form of spear, the first dorsal fin is greatly enlarged in the form of a sail and the pelvic fins are very narrow, reaching almost to the anus. A sailfish has a body covered with embedded scales, blunt at end with a lateral line curved above pectoral, then straight to base of tail.

Offshore species, are found in south Florida and typically associated with the warmer waters of the gulf-stream and off the Panhandle near the 100 fathoms. Sailfish in Florida commonly reach a matured length of 7 feet and can weigh in excess of 100 lbs. The current Florida sailfish record is 116 lbs.

Sailfish will grow very rapidly, reaching 4 to 5 feet in a single year. They swim at speeds up to 50 knots and feed on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller bait fish and squid.

They are a commercially protected species and should be tagged and released. Since this fish is protected you want to be sure that if you keep one it is 63" in length the current legal size in Florida. One of the more popular ways to prepare sailfish is to smoke it.

 

Sailfishing Technique

The preferred method for sailfishing in Key Largo is with live bait. Therefore, the first order of business for most fisherman is to catch bait. Usually, we catch our bait in 10 to 20 feet of water. If you'd prefer stop by Fins & Feathers for some cigar minnows, ballyhoo and goggle eye - a sailfish favorite. Call 786.493.0324 for more information on our live bait.

When we have enough bait, we move offshore maybe a 10 minute ride, usually to 5 miles offshore. You never lose sight of land.

One of the techniques that captain Jim specializes in is live baiting and kite fishing, a very exciting and productive technique where live baits are drifted on one side of the boat while a kite or two are flown off the other side. With this technique there are a minimum of 6 live baits spread all around the boat, increasing your chances of hooking up with a variety of saltwater game fish.

Did you think kite flying was just for kids? Well...not anymore! Kite fishing is a great way to catch big fish.

The first key to kite fishing is there are two spars to use depending on the strength of the wind. The black spar is used for winds from 5 to 15 miles per hour and the heavier white spar is for 18 to 28 miles per hour. If there is now wind we'll use helium filled balloons with the black spars.

Next, we use a kite rod and reel with 200 yards of 50 lb test dacron line. Tying a snap swivel to the rod line which attaches to the kite. We'll then fly the kite out behind the boat and let out about 100 yards of line. At this point we will attach a ball bearing swivel with a clinch knot. This is where this is know as the "first release" and your line to your first rod.

It's important to make sure the tension on the release is light enough that when the fish strikes it will disconnect.

To attach your second release we will let out about another 50 yards of line from the kite rod and reel and attach another release to fish a a second rod. Continue letting the kite out for another 50 yards.

As the kite is let out further, it'll carry the baits out away from the boat. Keeping the bait near the surface is paramount, the leader and all terminal tackle are suspended in the air, keeping them out of site of weary game fish. The strike at times can be slow and deliberate or other times the fish will violently attack the bait, putting on a spectacular show, and "skyrocketing" out of the water.

This is not just a great technique to use sailfishing but often times you will find yourself hooking up on big bull dolphin, wahoo, "smoker" kingfish, or tuna. The best part is all of the action takes place in full view of the boat.

Near 100 percent catch and release for sailfish the last 10 to 15 years has produced incredible numbers of these majestic fish. Also, the net ban for gill nets 15 years ago has increased the bait available for these prolific feeders to eat. Another success story for conservation and management has produced a tremendous winter time fishery here in the Florida Keys and Key Largo.

Key Largo offers excellent sailfishing opportunities, and the fishing is actually quite good for them out here. It’s never a guarantee, but captain Jim Mulcahy has vast experience in the South Florida area and if anyone can hook you into sailfish, it’s him. Feel free to call him at 305.453.0088, if you have any questions or would like to book a trip.

 

Sailfishing and other Florida Keys Fishing Reports.

Sailfish can be caught any time of the year but not in the numbers that can be expected in mid-winter. Fins & Feathers Sailfish Charters will look for fish on the temperature breaks and edges of the gulf stream.

Florida Keys fishing report, August 5th - Summertime fishing in the Florida Keys provides variety and great action in Key Largo.

Snapper, dolphin, wahoo and sailfish have been the action thus far this summer. On Friday, captain Jim had a tremendous day. The group landed several large dolphin, a wahoo and released two sailfish. All the fish were caught 20 to 25 miles south of the dock in 700 to 900 feet of water.

The gulf-stream has been flowing very brisk with a 2.5 to 3 knot current creating rips on the surface of the water. These rips have been providing the best action for dolphin and wahoo with the occasional sailfish or marlin.The yellowtail snapper bite at the reef has been consistent and almost always produces great action and even better eating. The reef is just 5 miles southeast of Key Largo and only takes a few minutes to get out there and anchored up. Usually a ½ day is plenty of time to get a box full of yellow tail and is a great way to spend a few hours.

Take your pick of fishing, either dolphin in the blue water, sailfish off Key Largo, or snapper at the reef; it is all happening this summer in the Florida Keys. To check our availability or book a charter just give captain Jim a call at 305.453.0088.

Florida Keys fishing report, July 1st - Dolphin and blackfin tuna are hitting well in Key Largo.

Got on the water Saturday with a group from Texas and did very well on the blackfin tuna at the edge of the gulf-stream. Two of my guests landed about 20 nice tuna from 5 to 10 pounds before we moved on to chase some dolphin and sailfish. We landed a couple of schoolies and missed a large cow that threw the bait before setting lines for sailfish. We spent a couple of hours kite fishing live bait 30 miles southeast of Key Largo but failed to produce any bites that night.

Blackfin tuna have been consistent at the at the edge of the gulf-stream however the big sharks have been in the area and several have been lost to the toothy critters. I will be bringing the big tackle with me from now on if anyone is interested in fighting a 500 pound shark.

This Sunday proved be very good for the blackfin tuna with a group from Canada. We landed 14 nice tuna. We ran into some schoolies, and more schoolies, and even more schoolies… on the way in and took home as many as we could catch. At one point they were literally jumping into the boat. We failed to raise any large dolphin but never went more than 30 minutes without a school surrounding the boat. We caught at least 100 and left several schools still hungry looking for larger fish.

The dolphin action will continue through the summer along with the tuna. Blue marlin are grey-hounding and jumping frequently offshore but we have failed to hook one yet this summer. This is the time of year for marlin and numerous have been caught up to 300 pounds already this year by other boats. Yellowfin tuna also make an occasional appearance this time of year followed by hundreds of birds feeding on the scraps left behind.

The weather is superb this time of year with calm seas and warm water. Come down to paradise and enjoy a week or weekend fishing in Key Largo or Islamorada and get in on the action. Call 305.453.0088 for reservations.

Florida Keys fishing report, June 8th - Dolphin slam and a few sailfish, and big tarpon.

Ahhh, October and the big dolphin that are heading south into the gulf-stream. These big bulls come out when the waters farther north begin to cool, these warm water fish will seek more favorable waters back here in the Keys. October and November dolphin fishing is the best season for big fish, as they have been feeding all summer long growing to 30, 40, or 50 pounds.

I was out this weekend and it is clear dolphin (mahi-mahi fish not flipper) are here in huge numbers! The winter and spring have been very warm which should produce an early and very productive dolphin season. The schoolies have been big all over the 20 inch minimum up to 10 pounds. Large bulls and cows have also been showing up under frigate birds. The gulf-stream has been only 9 miles south of Key Largo and the edge has produced the best activity thus far. Amberjack have also been biting well at the wrecks.

I took out a family from D.C. today and limited out on dolphin today with 10 fish per person and released two sailfish. The winds have finally calmed down and we are back out in the gulf-stream fishing daily for the chameleon of the sea. If you have not been summer time dolphin fishing then book a trip and give the best fishing in the world a try. These fish are beautiful, strong, jump continuously and taste great on the table. How can it get any better? Well how about the fact that they aren’t too bright either and the entire school swim to the boat with their hooked sibling. We break out the 12 pound test spinning tackle and catch one after another of these 5 to 50 pound bruisers.

I have also been releases a lot of billfish in the last month. Sailfishing has never been better this time of year and the marlin should start showing up shortly.

Tarpon time is now in the Florida Keys. The big ones are here. I released a tarpon over 120 pounds last week at the Card Sound Bridge. Tarpon are hitting live crabs, mullet and pinfish during the running tide by bridges and cuts. This is a great way to get out on the water for a few hours, catch a sunset and hook a monster.

June is my favorite month in the Florida Keys. The weather is gorgeous and the fishing could not be better. If you normally only visit the Keys in the winter time. There is no better place for a family vacation...come for a weekend, week or stay the summer but get down here and cash in on some great fishing, fun, and family memories. Call Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters at 305.453.0088 and book a trip today.

Florida Keys fishing report, April 5th - Dolphin fishing picks up, swordfishing is good and tarpon are here.

The winds of spring have been blowing. Days are longer, the waters are warming up and the summer fish are starting to bite. Dolphin (mahi-mahi) are showing up offshore. Bigger dolphin are swimming against the gulf-stream. Birds moving in any other direction will be smaller dolphin or tuna. The dolphin are here in very good numbers and the tuna are hitting.

Swordfish…..my favorite!! They are here year round but spring and summer offer a great opportunity as the winds are calm and fishing for them gets easier. We are batting 100% this year with at least one fish every time we have gone. Squid rigged with cylume light sticks are the ticket, the brighter the night the deeper the bite as baits need to be set deeper.

Last night I took Mario and three of his friends reef fishing. The reef fishing has been best at night as the water is becoming very clear. The morning bite has been good but by mid day the bite has been slowing down due to the very clear water and bright sun. Snapper fishing at the reef has been outstanding on the deeper ledges with large yellowtail up to 5 pounds being the most consistent. There have been a lot of mangrove snapper showing up and the spawn will start any time now. Night fishing has been the best bite for snapper but daytime catches have been consistent.

Tarpon are showing up around the oceanside side flats. These fish are big, mean and spend more time out of the water than in the water. I've hear that the back country bite for snook and trout has been red hot early in the morning and in the evening near the creek mouths.

Tarpon fishing is just getting underway. We had two hits and two misses on big ones, over 100 pounds, at the channel 5 bridge a couple of nights ago. One boat landed a big one next to us. The bite is not red hot yet but will be improving daily as the water temps rise.

Our summer fishery is underway here in the Key Largo and the Florida Keys, book now and don’t miss out on the action. Key Largo is just over and hour from Miami and minutes from Islamorada. Call 305.453.0088 for reservations.

Florida Keys fishing report, March 7th - Spring fishing is in full effect!

Today we got into some really hot action, We spent most the day at the reef for yellowtail snapper. These fish are a bunch of fun to catch. We anchor up and use frozen chum to draw the fish behind the boat. After 30 minutes or so, the school of snapper is just waiting for you to drop a shrimp back and game on. Barracuda, sharks, grouper, mackerel and dozens of other reef fish show up also. Kids have a blast with this type of fishing as the action is non stop.

Two day's ago I was just outside the reef-line, and low and behold the king mackerel have finally shown up in good numbers. I use live bait, slow trolling to get these rockets to hit. The big ones sore out of the water as they hit surface baits sometimes as high as 3 or 4 foot out of the water behind the boat. The sailfishing has been hot or cold as late and we have had as many as three in a day but have had to move onto other species numerous days as the bite was off.

Sailfish are here now as well. Kite fishing is one of the best techniques for catching big game fish, and with the plentitude of bigger fish around right now, we've been spending a lot of our charters kite fishing. Sailfish LOVE the baits dangled out of the kites. It gets them really turned on. If you ever see how aggressive a sailfish attacks a bait suspended from a kite, it leaves little doubt about how excited they get seeing a live bait presented in that way. With the kites we catch sailfish, dolphin, sharks, bonito, kingfish, and the occasional tuna and wahoo. I love kite fishing this time of year because you can catch literally anything.

Fins & Feathers Sailfish Charters is located in Key Largo, Florida; just a few minutes north of Islamorada, the fishing capital of the world. Call Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters at 305.453.0088 and book a trip today.

Florida Keys fishing report, January 25th - Sailfish, grouper, snapper, are all biting well!

Sailfish bite is on with big numbers being reported throughout the Upper Keys. We released 3 on our last day sailfishing missing a fourth. On 20 pound test spinning tackle, it is hard to find a more thrilling fight than a Florida Keys sailfish. We use live bait just outside the reef in 80 to 250 feet of water. Sailfish will strike at the bait with their bill before swallowing the bait so we leave the bails open on the reels with the line held with a small piece of wire. When the fish hits, the line pops off the wire and feeds the sailfish the bait freely. We count 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-1000, 4-1000, 5-1000, then close the bail, reel in the slack and set the hook. The fight is on, we often have to back down quickly to avoid running out of line. Get in on the action while the bite is hot. Check out some photos from our last couple of trips here.

Today we caught a 60lbs. big black grouper at the reef today off Key Largo, Florida. Big black and gag grouper have been migrating from the Gulf of Mexico and more northern Atlantic waters to escape the cold. Our reef lies close to the gulf-stream and water is still 78 degrees there as waters in the gulf-stream are dropping below 70 degrees. Even in the depth of winter, the water temperature at the reef will remain in the low 70’s attracting many species, especially grouper. The big brutes up to and exceeding 50 pounds are tackle busters and anglers must be ready to do battle when they hit your bait. The fight is won or lost in the first few seconds when the grouper tries to get back to the safety of the coral. If the angler doesn’t stop him, the grouper will be dug in and the line will have to be cut.

Yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper and mutton snapper have all been plentiful and cooperative on the edge of the reef and patches the last few weeks. This is especially fun for the kids as the action is non-stop. Using frozen chum to ball the fish up behind the boat and feeding them shrimp on light tackle has been the secret to success. Large grouper are beginning to show up on the deeper ledges. Large live baits, such as grunts, work well on these brutes. Just be prepared to do battle in order to keep the fish out of the rocks and coral or you’ll lose him. Call 305.453.0088 for reservations.

Florida Keys fishing report, December 22nd - Sailfish, tuna, grouper, snapper, mackerel, and sharks best bet this winter

December is a great time to be in the Keys. While the rest of the country is literally freezing, we may get a few nights in the 60s but the days are sunny and can reach 80 degrees. There is plenty to do on the water - offshore, inshore, flats - it doesn’t matter what your preference is.

Offshore fishing will welcome several species including wahoo, tuna, sailfish, king mackerel, sharks, and even a few dolphin (mahi-mahi). There are several areas where this fish congregate. Fishing for them on light tackle is a lot of fun but trolling offshore is a great way to spend a day with friends.

Reef and wreck fishing can also be done from either of these types of boats. Deep wrecks hold a variety of snapper, grouper and amberjack. There can also be very large sharks on these wrecks that put on a great fight on any type of conventional fishing gear.

Just last week we caught yellowtail snapper, barracuda, mackerel, jacks, rainbow runners and grouper off the reef. Take your pick because the action can be thick at times. This is a fun type of trip to take with your children as it will keep them occupied for hours.

Sailfishing is just getting underway with the first of the winter cold fronts, sometimes dropping even as low as the mid 60’s for those of you freezing up north, roll in. We have been sailfishing at Conch Reef primarily and have been seeing steady action thus far using live googly eyes. King mackerel have also been hitting well here providing consistent action. January and February will be our peak season with multiple hook ups per day the norm during these months. Book early as this busy season always fills up quickly.

Get in on the action this winter, book your trip today. We are located just off US1 in Key Largo, minutes north of Islamorada and just over an hour south of the Miami airport. Call 305.453.0088 for reservations.

Florida Keys fishing report, October 29th - Sailfish are on the way to the Florida Keys and the reef fishing has been spectacular.

Sailfish should start their migration in November as the cold fronts start to find their way south. The weather this morning has a cold front stalled over North Florida with temps in the 50’s. This one will not make it to us as the high temps are still in the upper 80’s but it won’t take long before these cold fronts visit the Florida Keys. The sailfish seem to show up every year with the first cold fronts in November and stay with us through April. We actually caught sailfish consistently throughout the summer months as this fishery gets better every year.

The reef continues to produce a consistent bite of yellowtail snapper. Mutton snapper in 100-120 foot of water just outside the reef have also been hitting well. Large grouper are starting to show up at the reef also this fall. Reef fishing provides constant action and great table fare. Kids love to have constant action on the yellowtail snapper with the occasional grouper or large barracuda thrown in.

The busy season is just around the corner here in the Florida Keys as the snow starts to fall up north. Key Largo rarely drops below 70 degrees for a high, even in January and February. Come down, enjoy the sunshine and have some fantastic fishing action here in paradise. Book early to ensure your day fishing in the Keys. Call 305.453.0088 to make reservations.

Florida Keys fishing report, September 16th - Fall fishing in the Florida Keys

Today is my friend Mike's birthday and I am going to take him to do some tuna fishing of Islamorada Hump. Fall fishing in the Florida Keys has been very good thus far and will improve as October nears. Shortly after reaching the hump Mikey hooked into a nice 20 pound blackfin tuna. These footballs rip drag off of 20 pound spinning tackle and provide fantastic table fare. Tuna have been the most consistent action in the Florida Keys.

We have not spent the time and fuel needed to chase dolphin the last month as the action has been inconsistent. Boats have been finding magical debris full of bait and dolphin and we have picked up a few trolling for tuna.

Reef fishing has been consistent with yellowtail and mangrove snapper the last month. The larger grouper will also start to appear as the late summer turns into fall. Live bait fishing the deep ledges produces large grouper in the fall. King mackerel will also start to show up in big numbers on the deeper drops off the reef.

Fall is a great time to come to the Florida Keys. Airfare and lodging are a bargain and the fishing is outstanding. Take advantage of the slower tourist season and get in on the fishing action by calling 305.453.0088.

 

Sailfish fishing charters scheduled daily call 305.453.0088 for reservations:

 

Contact Information:

Captain Jim Mulcahy
Holiday Inn, Key Largo, Florida, Mile Marker 100
Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone Number: 305.453.0088
Email: jimmulcahy@ymail.com and put sailfishing in the subject line.

Remember, if your looking for Key Largo fishing charters then make Fins & Feathers your choice! Your captain Jim Mulcahy will provide everything you'll need to make your next Florida Keys fishing charter a success!

Our Key Largo fishing charter boat always includes ice, fuel, a fishing license, tackle and bait. High quality rods and reels are always spooled with fresh line. No old or worn out gear that will jeopardize the catch of a lifetime. Just bring food, drinks and sunscreen. Call captain Jim Mulcahy from Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters at 305.453.0088 to make your reservation.