Reports / Species

Cero Mackerel Reports

36 Captain's Log entries targeting cero mackerel

Mon, Jun 8, 2026

Captain's Log — June 8, 2026 — Monday Glass, Light Air Premium Day

Islamorada fishing conditions for Monday June 8: East-southeast winds near 10 knots, seas 1 ft Hawk Channel, 1-2 ft Straits. The lightest day of the week — borderline glass in the morning. Clean east wind, stable high pressure, Gulf Stream 10 NM SE of Alligator. Yellowtail on the mid-day flood, mahi at the color change, flat backcountry options.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi mutton snapper cero mackerel bonefish permit snook

Sun, Jun 7, 2026

Captain's Log — June 7, 2026 — Sunday Funday, Best Day of the Weekend

Islamorada fishing conditions for Sunday June 7: East winds 10-15 knots, seas 1-2 ft Hawk Channel, 2-3 ft Straits. The weekend's best day — steady east wind, no transitions, clean sea state. Gulf Stream pinned 10 NM SE of Alligator. Yellowtail on the flood, mahi at the color change.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi mutton snapper cero mackerel amberjack king mackerel tarpon permit bonefish

Sat, Jun 6, 2026

Captain's Log — June 6, 2026 — Weekend Cleaning Up, Mahi Still Stacked

Islamorada fishing conditions for Saturday June 6: NE-E winds 10-15 knots, seas around 2 ft in Hawk Channel, 2-3 ft Straits. The transition day — morning breeze has a NE component for shelter, afternoon goes pure east. Mahi on the reef edge, yellowtail on the flood tide. Sunday is the best day of the week.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi mutton snapper cero mackerel amberjack king mackerel

Fri, Jun 5, 2026

Captain's Log — June 5, 2026 — Easing Into the Weekend, Mahi Still Biting

Islamorada fishing conditions for Friday June 5: E winds near 15 knots, seas 2-3 ft Hawk Channel, 3-4 ft Straits. Showers and storms likely this afternoon but the weekend is cleaning up. Mahi still stacked on the reef edge — don't sleep on this bite.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi mutton snapper amberjack cero mackerel

Thu, Jun 4, 2026

Captain's Log — June 4, 2026 — Rough Conditions, Tight Windows

Islamorada fishing conditions for Thursday June 4: NE-E winds 10-15 knots, seas 2-3 ft in Hawk Channel, 3-4 ft offshore. Scattered thunderstorms. The mahi are tight to the reef edge — best bite we've seen in years. Yellowtail steady on structure.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi mutton snapper amberjack cero mackerel blackfin tuna

Tue, Jun 2, 2026

Captain's Log — June 2, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions for Tuesday June 2: North winds 5-10 knots taking over from SW, seas 1 foot or less, tide swing shrinking further. Midweek front arrives tomorrow. Reef outlook for Molasses, Conch, Davis, Crocker, Alligator, and Tennessee reefs.

yellowtail snapper mutton snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna cero mackerel tarpon amberjack grouper

Mon, Jun 1, 2026

Captain's Log — June 1, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions for Monday June 1: Light SW-W winds near 5 knots, seas 1 foot or less across all zones. Post-full moon tides settling, negative low at 5:57 PM (-0.18 ft). Reef outlook for Molasses, Conch, Davis, Crocker, Alligator, and Tennessee reefs. First signs of midweek front approach.

yellowtail snapper mutton snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna cero mackerel tarpon amberjack grouper

Sun, May 31, 2026

Captain's Log — May 31, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions for Sunday May 31: Light SW winds near 5 knots, seas 1 foot or less across all zones, extreme afternoon negative low tide at 5:05 PM (-0.33 ft). Reef outlook for Molasses, Conch, Davis, Crocker, Alligator, and Tennessee reefs. Post-full moon species breakdown.

yellowtail snapper mutton snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna cero mackerel tarpon amberjack wahoo

Sat, May 30, 2026

Captain's Log — Full Moon Edition — May 30, 2026

Full moon day! Islamorada fishing conditions for Saturday May 30: Variable winds near 5 knots, seas 1 foot or less across all zones, extreme negative low tide at 6:39 PM (-0.09 ft). Reef report for Molasses, Conch, Davis, Crocker, Alligator, and Tennessee reefs. Full moon tide analysis and species outlook.

yellowtail snapper mutton snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna cero mackerel tarpon amberjack wahoo

Fri, May 29, 2026

Captain's Log — May 29, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions for Friday May 29: The glass-off. Variable winds near 5 knots, seas 1 foot or less across all zones. Full moon tomorrow. Reef report for Molasses, Conch, Davis, Crocker, Alligator, and Tennessee reefs.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna mutton snapper cero mackerel tarpon amberjack

Thu, May 28, 2026

Captain's Log — May 28, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: The midweek wind has broken — SE 10-12 kts, Hawk Channel 2-3 ft settling to 1-2 ft. Thursday May 28 reef report across Molasses, Conch, Davis, Crocker, Alligator, and Tennessee reefs. Best day of the week is here.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna mutton snapper cero mackerel tarpon amberjack

Wed, May 27, 2026

Captain's Log — May 27, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: Small Craft Advisory active but easing, SE wind 15-20 kts, Hawk Channel 3-5 ft, Gulf Stream 4 NM SE of Alligator. Wednesday May 27 reef report across Molasses, Conch, Davis, Crocker, Alligator, and Tennessee reefs.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna mutton snapper cero mackerel tarpon

Tue, May 26, 2026

Captain's Log — May 26, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: Small Craft Advisory active, ESE wind 15-20 kts, Hawk Channel 3-5 ft, Straits 5-7 ft. Gulf Stream 4 NM SE of Alligator Reef. Tuesday May 26 reef report across Molasses, Conch, Davis, Crocker, Alligator, and Tennessee reefs.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna wahoo mutton snapper cero mackerel

Mon, May 25, 2026

Captain's Log — May 25, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: ESE wind 15-20 kts, Small Craft Advisory, Hawk Channel 2-4 ft, Straits 4-5 ft building to 5-7 ft tonight. Gulf Stream edge at 4 NM SE of Alligator Reef. Reef bite MODERATE, mahi outlook building into Memorial Day week. Skippers tournament prep mode.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna wahoo cero mackerel mutton snapper

Sun, May 24, 2026

Captain's Log — May 24, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: East-southeast wind 15-20 knots, Small Craft Advisory, seas 3-5 ft Straits. SST warming into mid-80s — warmest we've seen. Mahi response HIGH. Reef MODERATE. Build day for Skippers tournament.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna wahoo cero mackerel

Sat, May 23, 2026

Captain's Log — May 23, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: East-southeast wind 15-20 knots easing to 10-15, seas 2-4 ft Straits, Small Craft Advisory morning. Chop but fishable. Mahi on weed lines. Miss Penny running while DirtyBoat 2.0 gets her new motors.

mahi mahi yellowtail snapper blackfin tuna cero mackerel

Thu, May 21, 2026

Captain's Log — May 21, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: East to southeast wind 10-15 knots, seas 2-3 ft Hawk Channel, 3-4 ft Straits. SST 81.4-83.3°F. Mahi moderate, reef excellent. A big one threw the hook at the transom.

yellowtail snapper mahi mahi blackfin tuna cero mackerel

Tue, May 19, 2026

Captain's Log — May 19, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: East winds 15-20 knots, Hawk Channel 2-4 ft, offshore 3-5 ft. Small Craft Caution in effect. Stiff east breeze but the fish are chewing on the edges. Pre-frontal pattern setting up. Midday addendum: NOAA 10:43 AM confirms holding pattern, easing Wednesday.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Blackfin Tuna Cero Mackerel Tarpon

Mon, May 18, 2026

Captain's Log — May 18, 2026

New moon +3 day. Monday's east wind peak delivered exactly what was forecast — 15-20 kts with Small Craft Caution across all zones. Morning bite came through for those who got out. Pattern easing Tuesday onward. Full evening recap and Tuesday outlook.

yellowtail snapper mutton snapper mangrove snapper mahi-mahi king mackerel cero mackerel blackfin tuna grouper sailfish

Sun, May 17, 2026

Captain's Log — May 17, 2026

New moon +2 day. Sunday wind peaked as forecast — fresh east 15-20 kts by afternoon. Morning bite window delivered. Tomorrow improves through the day. Full evening recap and Monday outlook.

yellowtail snapper mutton snapper mangrove snapper mahi-mahi king mackerel cero mackerel blackfin tuna grouper sailfish

Sat, May 16, 2026

Captain's Log — May 16, 2026

New moon day. East breeze building through the morning but the tide is king — amplified tidal swings from tonight's new moon turn on the fish. Gulf Stream pinned 4-6 NM off the Upper Keys reef line.

yellowtail snapper mutton snapper mangrove snapper mahi-mahi king mackerel cero mackerel blackfin tuna grouper sailfish

Fri, May 15, 2026

Captain's Log — May 15, 2026

The pressure gradient collapses. Variable light winds, seas 1 foot or less, and building toward new moon Saturday. This is the rebound day we've been waiting for.

yellowtail snapper mutton snapper mangrove snapper mahi-mahi king mackerel cero mackerel blackfin tuna grouper sailfish

Wed, May 13, 2026

Captain's Log — May 13, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions report: southwest to west winds freshening today, small craft advisory east of Craig Key. Seas 1-2 feet reefside, calm Hawk Channel mornings. Showers pulsing on and off across all coastal waters.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Grouper Sailfish Tarpon

Tue, May 12, 2026

Captain's Log — May 12, 2026

Variable light winds, flat 1-foot seas, and building tides ahead of the new moon. Reef-by-reef breakdown from Molasses through Tennessee, offshore conditions, and species outlook for Islamorada.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Tarpon Grouper

Mon, May 11, 2026

Captain's Log — May 11, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions report: southeast breezes slackened, weak front moving into northern Gulf. Flat seas across the board. Evening update confirms calm conditions held through the day, with light variable breezes and low rain chances expected all week.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Tarpon Grouper

Sun, May 10, 2026

Captain's Log — May 10, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: Mother's Day brings the gentlest breeze of the weekend — SE 10 knots, 1-2 ft reef, ~2 ft offshore. Clean water, settled pattern, fish chewing. Sunday funday on the reef.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Tarpon

Sat, May 9, 2026

Captain's Log — May 9, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: Saturday brings more breeze — SE 10-15 knots, 2-3 ft offshore, but the settled ridge still delivers clean water and chewing fish. Reef play is the call.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Tarpon

Fri, May 8, 2026

Captain's Log — May 8, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: Friday golden repeat with flat morning seas, light variable winds, Gulf Stream 10 NM off Alligator. Reef bite carries the confidence.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Tarpon

Thu, May 7, 2026

Captain's Log — May 7, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions: spring ridge locked in, flat seas, Gulf Stream 10 miles off Alligator. Light east-southeast winds through the weekend. Yellowtail and mutton snapper on the reef are the high-percentage play.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Tarpon

Wed, May 6, 2026

Captain's Log — May 6, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions report: east-southeast pattern locks in, flat seas, Gulf Stream 10 NM off Alligator. Wednesday through Friday is the stretch.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Tarpon

Tue, May 5, 2026

Captain's Log — May 5, 2026

Islamorada fishing conditions report: trough cleared, flat seas, east-southeast lock-in building Wednesday through Friday. Evening update confirms improving trend with afternoon recap and tomorrow outlook.

Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Mahi-Mahi Kingfish Sailfish Cero Mackerel Blackfin Tuna Tarpon

Sat, Apr 18, 2026

2/2 on Sails for the Florida Keys Children's Shelter

Miss Penny donated a full-day charter to the Best of the Upper Keys 2025 silent auction benefiting the Florida Keys Children's Shelter. Chad ran the boat, I ran the pit — 2-for-2 on sailfish, cero mackerel, mutton snapper, and the cero went straight from the cooler to Chef Eric Andreu's sushi bar at The Islander.

Sailfish Cero Mackerel Mutton Snapper

Wed, Apr 1, 2026

Captain's Log — April 1, 2026

April Fools, but the wind isn't joking. East 15-20 holding all week. Full moon Friday — mutton snappers, get nervous.

Sailfish Mutton Snapper Yellowtail Snapper Mahi-Mahi Cero Mackerel

Tue, Mar 31, 2026

Captain's Log — March 31, 2026

Small Craft Advisory encore — east wind won't quit, but neither do we. Reef-by-reef breakdown for Islamorada.

Sailfish Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Cero Mackerel Barracuda

Sun, Mar 29, 2026

Captain's Log — March 29, 2026

Cold front crashes the party, reef current takes a nap, and the Stream sits tight off Molasses

Sailfish Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Wahoo Cero Mackerel

Fri, Mar 27, 2026

Captain's Log — March 27, 2026

Two-day window before Sunday's front ruins everything — fish hard or regret it

Sailfish Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Cero Mackerel

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