When blackfin are around Islamorada
Blackfin tuna fishing out of Islamorada centers on the Islamorada Hump, a seamount about 15 miles offshore in about 200 ft of water. The fish show on the Hump in spring and again in September and October. Go Time Sportfishing Charters describes blackfin as most active in spring and fall, and fall into early winter is also noted as a good window.
Plan around these windows:
- Spring: Blackfin are on the Hump.
- September and October: Blackfin are on the Hump again.
- Fall into early winter: Also noted as a good window.
Where boats run
The Islamorada Hump is a seamount, a structure that rises off the bottom in open water, about 15 miles offshore in about 200 ft. Boats run out past the reef line to work it with the live-chum method described below. They fish other humps as well, and the humps generally (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide) are covered in the regional picture for the Atlantic Southeast.
| Ground | Distance | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Islamorada Hump | about 15 miles offshore | about 200 ft |
Grounds and structure off Islamorada
The structure off this port runs from the seamount offshore to shallow reefs and a preserve inshore.
| Name | Type | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Islamorada Hump | Seamount, about 15 miles offshore | about 200 ft |
| Alligator Reef | Reef | |
| Molasses Reef | Reef | |
| Eagle Wreck | Wreck | |
| Bibb Wreck | Wreck | |
| Duane Wreck | Wreck | |
| San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve | Spanish galleon | 18 ft |
| Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks | Shallow reefs | 6 ft |
The Islamorada Hump
The Hump is the blackfin ground, the seamount in about 200 ft that this page centers on.
Reefs
Alligator Reef and Molasses Reef are the named reef structure off the port.
Wrecks
The Eagle, Bibb and Duane wrecks are the named wreck structure off Islamorada.
Shallow landmarks and the preserve
Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks are shallow reefs in 6 ft. The San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve is a Spanish galleon site in 18 ft. Chart layers are not for navigation, and the Chart Contours layer is a planning reference only.
How blackfin are fished here
The species guide covers blackfin biology and general tackle. This section covers how it is done off this port. The local method is live chumming, and the steps go in this order:
- Dip-net pilchards. Without bait aboard, there is no method.
- Broadcast hookless live baits over the Hump. This raises the fish.
- Freeline hook baits once tuna are at the surface. Hooks go in only when fish are showing.
Catching pilchards
Live chumming starts with pilchards from a dip net. The whole method depends on having bait in the livewell before you leave the dock.
Hookless chumming
Hookless live baits are broadcast over the Hump to bring tuna up before anything is hooked. Once the fish are feeding behind the boat, the next step is ready.
Freelining
Freelined baits go out once fish are at the surface. The hook baits drift back into the fish already brought up.
Trolling
Some boats troll feathers and lures instead of live chumming. Trolled feathers cover water without needing a livewell of pilchards.
Who fishes for them out of Islamorada
Both charters that list blackfin tuna here run out of Robbie’s Marina.
Go Time Sportfishing Charters
Capt. Galon runs a 26 ft World Cat 266 SF and offers private charters out of Robbie’s Marina. The charter lists blackfin tuna.
DirtyBoat Charters
Captain Kit Mobley runs a 42 ft Liberty Express out of Robbie’s Marina. The charter lists blackfin tuna.
FAQ: blackfin tuna out of Islamorada
How far offshore is the Islamorada Hump?
The Hump is about 15 miles offshore of Islamorada. It is a seamount.
How deep is the Islamorada Hump?
About 200 ft.
When are blackfin around Islamorada?
Spring, and again in September and October. Fall into early winter is also noted as a good window.
How are blackfin fished on the Hump?
Boats dip-net pilchards, broadcast hookless live baits over the Hump to raise fish, then freeline hook baits once tuna are at the surface. Some boats troll feathers and lures instead.
Which charters list blackfin out of Islamorada, and what other tunas are around?
Go Time Sportfishing Charters and DirtyBoat Charters both list blackfin and both run out of Robbie’s Marina. Other tunas are covered in our tuna fishing guides.
