How to catch ballyhoo in the Florida Keys

When the Ballyhoo are running, you can find the school by finding fleet of boats fishing for them.

The Florida Keys is the place to be in the winter. This is the time of year the Ballyhoo school on the reefs. When the Ballyhoo are running, you can find the school by finding fleet of boats fishing for them.

Anchor you boat and start a chum slick. Use a quality like Pro Fish Chum Offshore Blend. If you picked the right spot, the Ballyhoo will show up in a few minutes. Shake the bag of chum every few minutes. This will increase the amount of Ballyhoo behind the boat.
The live well must have a good to supply of saltwater. The will should be round and large enough to keep at less 24 ballyhoo alive all day.

• Rod can be any light weight rod with 6-8lb test line on the reel.
• A small gold number 6 hook is ideal.
• Bait; a small piece of Shrimp works the best. Keep the outside shell of the Shrimp on. If the shell is kept on, the Ballyhoo has a harder time getting the bait off the hook.

Allow the piece of Shrimp to float in the chum slick for 10 seconds if no hits bring the bait up and float it again. The ballyhoo will eat when the bait is falling. Another way to catch is ballyhoo using a cast net. This is the fastest way to catch them, but they will not last as long because they will lose than scales. Do you have a story? E-mail us tell us your story.