It is 61°F right now at Tranquility Bay, but is expected to reach 70°F by midday. The unusually cold weather we have been having looks like it is about to depart, starting tomorrow we will be back into the mid 70′s. There is a 13mph wind from the northeast right now, although that is also supposed to die down later in the day. This week should be a steller time to go fishing, as the water warms up predator species increase activity, and after this cold snap they should be hungry. Sunset tonight is at 6:20, and the moon is 62% waning gibbous, so there will be plenty of light for night fishing.
Coming up in two weeks is the Pigeon Key Arts Festival, the “Big art show for a tiny Island” will feature pottery, sculpture, paintings, glass work, jewelry, live music, children’s events, and local food. Check out the poster below or click here for more info.
Winter Fishing in the Florida Keys is some of the best anywhere in the world. Sailfish patrol both deep water and close to the reef, Mahi Mahi are abundant around any floating wreckage or weed lines, and the reefs are full migratory and local species. Blackfin and the ocasional yellowfin Tuna have been caught offshore where the shark fishing is also fantastic, and big game charters are having almost 100% success in finding marlin, swordfish and sailfish. Cobia have also been abundant, both at the reefs and following around rays, regular catches of 40+ pounders happen weekly. In the flats barracuda are hitting flies consistently, a fishery many swear is among the most exciting. For anyone adverse to wind and light jacket weather this may not be the season for you, but for anyone brave enough (68 degree average temp in january) we highly recommend this time of year for fishing.
Check out this live stream from the Dolphin Research Center, one of the best places in the Florida Keys to see aquatic mammals and important conservation work in practice. Click here to check out the cam.
There are some light clouds in a mostly blue sky right now at Tranquility Bay and the temperature is 80°F. The ocean is mostly calm but should get a bit rougher this afternoon when the wind gusts up to 15 kts. It is predicted to be windy again tomorrow, and then die down after Wednesday to almost nothing through this weekend. Sunset is at 5:34 tonight, and the moon is 80% full, so the evening and night should be gorgeous.
December is one of the most interesting times of year to fish the Florida Keys, as the water cools down species move to their winter habitats and colder water fish begin to apear in the area. In the flats this season is defined by barracuda, which is one of the most explosive fights available, particularly on the fly. Anyone who likes northern pike or muskies is sure to love the vicious takes and wild jumps of a “Cuda”. There are still good numbers of young and mature tarpon around, although they are generally found near bridges and in channels this time of year, instead of out on the flats. Permit are still being caught in good numbers also, but not like in the summer. This is a great time of year for anglers from the north who might find the 70 degree weather more hospitable than other times of year, particularly when there is no breeze.
The railroad built by Henry Flagler and first connected the Keys to mainland Florida is turning 100 this year. The mad dream that ended up with the seven mile bridge, the railroad and eventually inspired the overseas highway is part of our incredible keys history. The celebration this january includes a fishing tournament, a display of historic artifacts and a special “Flagler’s speedway to sunshine” exhibit. Check out more information here about marathon’s place in railroad history. 
October is a great month for some of the most prized flats fish florida has to offer. The cooling water is driving resident populations of tarpon out onto the flats and channels, while the bonefish are tailing up in the backcountry. Permit are also plentiful still on wrecks and reefs, but should be moving into the flats all month. In deep water sailfish, grouper, bonito and tuna are around in good numbers, and the wahoo and kingfish are all over the place and more are being seen all the time.
It’s 71°F and partly sunny today at Tranquility Bay, with a light 14mph breeze gusting from the northeast. The ocean is calm, with breaks in the clouds illuminating particularly vibrant colors in the water. There isn’t any rain expected until at least sunday, and nothing to extreme when it does come. Anyone planning on going down to Key West for the Goombay Festival this weekend should aim for Saturday, which will have the best weather of the weekend. Sunset tonight will be at 6:52 pm, and should be wonderful with the cloud slight cloud cover.
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