The Keys to Fishing the Keys

Fishing in the Key West area is a year-round proposition. There is always a bite going on. You can pursue fish in any direction from the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. The Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf of America. Countless flats, reefs and bridges. Numerous islands. Deep water. Shallow water. You name it.

And the list of the species you can pursue is seemingly endless. From tarpon and snook to mahi and various tunas to numerous snappers, groupers and jacks. You can even catch bonefish, permit and pompano if you hold your mouth just right. And if you want to tangle with something that has serious teeth, there’s quite the selection of sharks and the ever-present barracudas.

The allure of fishing the Keys was so strong that Karl Tschiegg packed up his belongings and moved from metro Washington D.C. to the Keys several years ago.

“I’ve always said I have a fishing problem,” Tschiegg said. “As a kid, much to my dad’s confusion, I’d spend Saturday mornings watching old fishing shows instead of cartoons. One morning, a saltwater fishing show filmed in the Keys came on, and from that moment I was hooked. 

“Through a mix of passion and luck, I eventually moved to Florida and earned my captain’s license. Since then, I’ve never really wanted to do anything else. Guiding isn’t just a job but more of something I always dreamed of doing since I learned what a fishing guide was. Moving to Key West turned that dream into my everyday reality.”

While he typically tries to pursue the “hot bite,” Tschiegg likes reef fishing. Reefs are shallower areas that are home to various types of underwater vegetation and dozens of species of baitfish and gamefish. In other words, reefs can be fish magnets.

“Reef fishing is great because of the amount of structure it provides for so many fish species to hide, forage, and ambush prey,” he said. It’s especially good around Key West because the reef system continues well past the inhabited islands, which often gives you access to areas that see less fishing pressure. Snappers are a tasty and hard-fighting fish that can be easily targeted on the reef. You’ll also run into plenty of other species such as jacks, groupers, and barracudas, to name a few — which keeps the action exciting and unpredictable every time you get hooked up.”

Many guides and anglers prefer to use live bait. And that’s always a solid choice in saltwater. But if you are up for a little more sport, there are lures that will get the job done.

One is a Bomber Long Shot. Tschiegg likes the 6-inch version in Menhaden or Baby Bluefish colors. The Long Shot has a casting system where the ball bearings move from the front of the lure to the back when it’s cast. This ensures a maximum distance presentation and keeps the lure from “helicoptering” when being presented. Just about every type of snapper, grouper and jack will attack a Long Shot. As will barracudas.

“We often hear as fishermen to ‘match the hatch,’ and the Bomber Long Shot does that perfectly,” he said. “It resembles a ballyhoo — one of the favorite baitfish for many reef species. With its ability to cast long distances and reach deeper depths, it’s a no-brainer for covering water and targeting fish on the reef.”

Another top lure for Tschiegg is the Heddon Super Spook XT. He likes the Bone and Silver Mullet colors. Like the Long Shot, the Super Spook XT can be cast very long distances. A Heddon Spook is the original “Walk the Dog” lure in the fishing industry, designed by James Heddon in the 1920s. All others are knockoffs or copies that try to duplicate what Heddon’s original cigar-shaped lure does all the time: walk perfectly and attract monster strikes!

“The Heddon Super Spook is the best way to get an angler’s blood pumping,” Tschiegg said. “It’s deadly when fish are feeding heavily on the surface or near shallow structure, and it delivers that heart-racing visual of a big fish crushing your lure, which is something every fisherman lives for.”

Of course, no saltwater captain in the Keys would be caught without 1/2- or 3/8-ounce hair jigs in numerous colors. Jigs are so versatile and can be fished at any level of the water column.

“A 1/2-ounce bucktail jig is a classic for good reason,” Tschiegg said. “It provides great action, control, and finesse. By adjusting the sink time, you can target fish at any depth, from just under the surface to tight against the reef. The half-ounce size hits the sweet spot for sink rate in the varying depths around Key West.”

As for time of year, Tschiegg says there really isn’t a bad time to go fishing in the Key West area.

“Fishing around Key West is truly a year-round fishery,” he said. “The dynamic seasons influence where and what you’ll find, but there’s always something biting. For example, tarpon can be caught year-round, but the peak migration in spring and early summer offers the best action. Every species has its window, and that’s part of what keeps fishing here exciting, and no two months are the same.

“Your captain will always be your best resource for knowing what’s happening and where to go. If you have a specific target species or fishing style in mind, it’s best to talk to your guide ahead of time. And remember: Weather and seasonal shifts can change plans, but a good captain will always adjust to put you in the best spot for a great day on the water.”

If you’re interested in fishing with Captain Karl, here are his socials:

Website: https://flatoutkeywest.com/

Instagram: @flatoutkeywest

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FU8ai5q14/?mibextid=wwXIfr