Coral Key Classic
Warm shallows and a famous reef. The locals call it the warm-up. The locals lie.
Pelican PassLighthouse ReefGulf EdgeThe rules
Heaviest single billfish wins. Sharks and tuna are dinner, not points.
Warm tropical blue water. Fish the day from six in the morning to four in the afternoon, keep up to 11 fish in the box, and bring your heaviest to the weigh-in. Beat every rival’s best to win the round.
What’s biting
Each spot has its own mix. Deeper, harder spots hold bigger fish.
How to win the Coral Key Classic
What you need: the field’s best fish usually weighs between 260 and 380 lb, so you’ll need a big billfish to take the round. Only billfish — marlin, sailfish and swordfish count at the scale.
Rig for it: 80 lb line lands fish that size; anything lighter gets more bites but risks a break-off on the big one. The blue marlin likes the Large Live Bait and the Large Skirt best.
Where to start: Pelican Pass is the gentlest spot (★☆☆☆☆) — a good place to find your rhythm. Gulf Edge holds the heaviest fish, if you can handle them. Birds work hardest over Gulf Edge: follow them to the bait.
Near shore: at Pelican Pass you troll within sight of the beach — mind the sandbars and the pier.
Read the forecast: on cloudy mornings and evenings run your lure shallow; under a bright midday sun, go deep. A windy forecast means a rough sea, a rolling boat and more drift, so plan your passes into the wind.
The spots
Lighthouse Reef
Reef wall by the old light. Sailfish and stripers patrol here.
Most likely: Sailfish, Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin
Gulf Edge
Where the shelf falls off. Blue marlin hunt the edge.
Most likely: Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Striped Marlin