Long Key Bridge Fishing

LazyFi3her

Love heading down to the keys early morning, picking up some fresh ballys and live shrimp and Eddy's Angler shop and hitting the Mutton's and Yellow Jacks of the bridge... However, the tarpon around the bridge as of late have been gang like. Schools of 10+ at a time, bringing in big predator sharks and others looking to feast. Curious for those of you who like the bridge fishing what your experience has been. Not many yellow jacks as of late, I caught 6 muttons this past weekend but only 1 keeper ranging from 13-18'. 

The Cat's Eye

Maybe someone else can chime in about yellow jacks. I only fish that bridge in winter and yellow jacks are a common catch, so maybe they are some where else during the hot months ?

LazyFi3her

Yea I hear the same thing about the yellow jacks being somewhat seasonal, although I see videos on IG and other social media platforms people catching them year round. But like most people, I'm in it for the snappers  

dvnelson72

I can’t speak to bridge fishing, or the seasonal fish there.

BUT

Keep and eat all the yellow jack you can get.  It is fantastic. (As long as you don’t confuse it with a crevalle)

a guide told me that years ago some restaurants paid for yellow jack and sold them as grouper.