Dec 13, 2009

    Another good week in way of fishing in the lower Keys, it sure is hard getting away from saying that sometimes. I am writing this report on Dec 13th, while on short leave away from the Keys. Only a few miles up the road in Delray Beach, I still get a good sense of what must be hitting, according to the conditions. Even when away from my waters, I still check tides, temps, etc, and imagine what must be going off. Once consumed within, Florida Keys flats and backcountry fishing is something hard to get out of.

    Friends of mine have told me that the spear-fishing on the reef has been incredible this past week, certainly is that time of year again. I did have a chance to get on the water for myself right before I left and had a good time with the sea-trout in a few of our deeper basins in the backcountry. I am sure that the mild conditions have pushed those permit and baby tarpon up shallow. Although it looks like another front should be hitting the Keys right around the time this article hits the stands, and the permit and poons will then be taking their vacation. Good thing for those sea-trout, I absolutely enjoy throwing soft-plastic lures into those huge mud clouds found in the backcountry basins this time of year, you never know what your gonna get sometimes.

    This type of "mud-cloud" fishing is something that will last into next spring, and it is always a great thing to do on those cooler windy days when those beloved shallow water gamefish take a hike. I prefer to use the smaller dark color plastic baits for these muds, while attaching a small weighted jig head to the lure if needed. Floating over or near these clouds, simply cast into and jig or pop that bait through the muddy water in an upward fashion. The plastic bait should appear to hop off the sea-floor much like a shrimp might for example. Direction of cast and drift should be taken into consideration, while small diameter fishing lines and ultra-light fishing rods will deliver that far cast needed. I have seen single muds produce over seven species of fish, all of which are an absolute blast on 6 lb test.   

    Get out there and go fishing, try something new, invent that next fishery. This time of year brings enough variety in fish to the shallows of the Keys to reward any amount of persistence. I'll be back on the water by next week, hopefully in the water on the reef chasing dinner, but until then.

Dec 6, 2009

    We certainly can't complain about some aspects of day to day life in this country. The Florida Keys, it's fishing, and the views and experiences we take in while enjoying this, are easily one of those aspects. No matter what hysteria our mainstream media creates. Or whatever up and down, happy go sad impact the financial market roller-coaster has on our lives. The views that circumference the Florida Keys inshore waters remain consistent in what they are. If one day unable to appreciate these views and the good times that can be found within, the social media mainstream monster would have indeed succeeded, and these little fishing reports would indeed cease to exist. Turn off the television and go fishing, or whatever it is you enjoy outdoors, but be sure to involve the more natural side of your surroundings. I couldn't express this more to the youth right now, and I hope a few of you reading this partake in that opinion. With that being said, I have just decided to offer anyone who brings their kid fishing with me, a 25% discount off my charter rates for the next two months. I hope someone takes me up on this, just mention this report.

    As for the past week's fishing, it was good, but when is it not when the winds are down and the temperatures are mild. The front that never seemed to come until the last minute gave way to a good portion of the week left with low winds and little rain. The weather reports painted a different picture beforehand, but once again proved that though we may have an idea, we never truly know what the weather will do. Winds clocked around in a full 360 degrees, and the southern portion of that swing was greatly enjoyed on my behalf. One thing is for sure during this time of year. If you wake up in the lower Keys during December, and can smell the Gulf Stream air being being pushed in by southern winds, you better get your self on the water. I don't know of any aspect of Florida Keys fishing that doesn't benefit from this in one way or another. Dec 2nd and 3rd were given the best parts of the southern wind and the fishing responded accordingly. Permit were up shallow and a few select backcountry channels and patch reefs absolutely loaded up with snapper and grouper of large size.

    It seems as though we are in that rhythm of cold air followed by warm air followed by cold again for the next few weeks. This does have impacts on the flats and backcountry fishing in the Keys. Though it never shuts it down unless the winds creep over 25 mph. Cold air brought on by northern winds spark activity from predatory and schooling species of fish. While warmer air brought on by southern wind tends to spark activity from our more sought after gamefish. Point being is that this time of year does provide inconsistent weekly conditions, where one day is different from the next. Although the fishing does change with it, almost like two sides of a coin, where both sides offer successful fishing potential in one way or another.

   

Nov 29, 2009

    Well then, what a difference a few degrees in temperature can make on the flats here in the Lower Keys. We went from perfect conditions for what felt like weeks, which turned into torrential down pouring rain on Nov 25th, then followed up with the cold northern air that has now lasted up to Nov 29th. Cold-fronts, you just got to love em, right? Thanksgiving day gave way to an absolute beautiful morning for those lucky enough to enjoy it. Winds were way down, and it was everything you could expect from a pre-frontal condition. I just wish I was one of those people lucky enough to take advantage of it. But I guess thats what happens when you actually plan to take a day off the water. Yes I on the other hand was booked for charter on the days that would follow Thanksgiving, and I am here to report on the more windy side of lower Keys flats and backcountry fishing.

   

    As with any northern cold-air front that sweeps across the Florida Keys, they typically start off strong and slowly subside in way of wind and cold temperatures. What few people know, is that while a cold front is taking place, the fishing is best during the initial brunt of the front. Not during the follow of calming days and warming temps. Our surrounding waters take longer to catch up to air temps, and your better off with water temps warmer than the air, and not the other way around. Unfortunately, the water temp in the lower Keys always seems to cool down quick during a front, but then takes it's time warming up afterwards. Whether or not the water temp climbs over 71 degrees before another cold front swings around, is ultimately what determines what you can fish for during this upcoming time of year.

   

    When on the flats, say goodbye to any real permit, bonefish, or tarpon potential during water temps less than 70 degrees. But then instead pull out your favorite fly or light tackle rod and go after large barracuda, black-tip sharks, and red-fish or snook if you know where to find them. Just remember, the colder the water temp, the more these fish will be concerned with staying warm, rather than eating. Don't forget about the large grey snapper that actually thrive in the mangroves during cooler water temps. This is one of my favorite times of year to yank five pound grey snapper out of a mangrove bush you never thought would hold such a fish.

   

    This past week I saw it all. From schools of permit and baby tarpon before the front, to casting fly at black-tips and barracuda trying desperately to stay warm afterwards. Plenty of fish were caught, including the huge snapper, and with the redfish currently in the backcountry, it is always a good time to fish the lower Keys, cold or warm. You sometimes just have to learn to pick your battles wisely, and duck behind a leeward shore if you have to. Keep the rods bent or spend time trying. Until next time.

Nov 18, 2009   

    Sun is shining and the weather is easy. The current flats and nearshore shallow water fishing in the lower Florida Keys couldn't be much better for the month of November. Juvenile tarpon and snook are bunching together. Redfish can be found in their more overlooked locations. Large bonefish are making a strong appearance on a few select flats. And the permit, oh the permit, I sometimes think there is just more and more of them around each year. Aside from the more prized sport and gamefish, good numbers of sea-trout, pompano, jacks, and large barracuda can also be found in the lower Keys backcountry right now. The word variety petty much sums it up, and with large snapper filets to go home with, it is currently a great time to fish the flats and backcountry of the lower Florida Keys and Key West.

   

    Weather is a factor for this time of year and it does dictate what is within a possible fishing realm. Warmth and light winds open up the entire spectrum, while cool air frontal conditions will somewhat limit you to the more aggressive predatory species. Good news is, future weather conditions appear to be quite mild, and it looks like we have at least another month or so of stable water temps and conditions, which means great gamefish potential. The cool and crisp air that upcoming months will produce make for very desirable conditions for both angler and fish.

   

    For those who enjoy the sport in artificial lure fishing, the next few months offer great potential here as well. Sebile lures and their ultra realistic designs fool Florida Keys fish like no other. With a wide variety in design and color, Sebile has certainly found a niche in saltwater lure fishing. The action I see from these lures makes it hard to use any other while on the water. Lure fishing the many backwater areas of the lower Keys offers a very unique and exciting opportunity where action is plentiful. The next few months offer the best potential for this.

   

    Fly-fisherman can expect good action from a variety of species during our upcoming months as well. As stated before, if the air temps are mild and the wind speed is low, I have seen this time of year out perform our Spring months in respect to variety. If high winds do prevail throughout a day, plenty of sight fly fishing potential for large barracuda, juvenile sharks, and redfish exists on any windy day near mangrove shorelines hidden from the wind. I often prefer the days I am forced to explore the seemingly endless amount of sheltered shallow water areas of the lower Keys, you will never see more scenic fishing ground.

   

    I have plenty of availability for the next few months and I always enjoy showing people our productive fishing potential during a more overlooked time of year. Slots are running low for next year's sport and gamefish season, and for all of those onboard I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for reading.              

Oct 30, 2009  

   

    Finally back to the notepad and enjoyably reporting on the lower Florida Keys flats fishing. I just created a new website and it has taken all of my free writing time between my charters for the past few months, please check it out at http://www.keywestflatsfishing.cc

   

    As we roll into one of my more favorite times of year to sight-fish the flats of the Keys, the fishing conditions thus far have been right on point. I am referring to Florida Keys pre-frontal flats fishing, a topic often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood. There is no doubt that the Fall-fishing this year has been epic. Early mornings full of baby tarpon followed by hordes of bonefish and skyward permit tails fill my recent memory. But I can't help but anticipate the days that are to come in our near future. I am talking about the pre-frontal conditions that lead the way of every northern cold-front that sweeps across the nation for the next month or so. It is hard to say when the water temps will plummet and hold into the sixties this winter, but until they do you can count on some memorable Keys flats fishing for some time to come now.

   

    Cool water temps and warm air does some wonders when hunting permit and bonefish on mid-afternoon flats during this upcoming time of year. Although the few days leading the initial brunt of a cold-front drives a feeding frenzy from these fish. Juvenile tarpon eat hard, permit fill their bellies, and bonefish school-up. It is as if they know what is coming, while I'm sure they do. Knowing when these conditions are about to unleash is easy as pie. Just turn on the old television, dial it to your favorite news channel and watch the national weather coverage. Those huge bands of snow and sleet that move southward across the nation each year push in-front of them dry air and low barometric pressure, I need not say more. The fronts always provide a window of amazing fishing potential prior to their arrival in the lower Florida Keys. As soon as they hit, forget about the tarpon, permit, and bones. But rather pull out your favorite barracuda and jack lure and take in the best of it, as we can only dance to nature's theme song.

   

    Be sure to keep an eye on these cold-fronts this year and for those able to jump down to the Keys on short notice, do so right before they hit the lower Keys, it will pay off with big measure on the flats. I am still offering my recession-buster charter discount for those who need a little help cutting the travel cost in getting to the Keys, just be sure to inquire about it if you'd like to get on some great tarpon, permit, and bonefishing before winter sets in. Thanks for reading, more reports are on the way.

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