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The following reports are also found in the Weekly Fisherman, the ONLY Florida Keys weekly fishing newspaper. 

Mar 1, 2010   

    "The winter that just won't quit!", a phrase that has been repeated throughout my February fishing log. With the opening weeks of March finally upon us; one can only hope that we start seeing more of the warmer temperatures we need for this upcoming time of year. During this past Jan and Feb, I did not record any solid water temperatures over 69 degrees in the surrounding nearshore waters of the lower Florida Keys, not once. They were for the most part much lower than that instead. 

    Cold water is the enemy when considering shallow water sight fishing in the Florida Keys. Sea-surface temperature is quick to take on air temperature. With continuous back to back cold fronts offering very little warmth in between, the shallow sea-surface flats have remained a cold water wasteland for the majority of this year's winter. Even the barracudas seemed to grow tired of it as we approached mid Feb. The large schools of winter-time crevalle jacks definitely lacked this year, while large grey snappers in the mangroves have been the best thing going for quite a spell now. Needless to say, my collection of snapper holes has grown considerably.

    March has always marked great tarpon and permit fishing in the lower Keys and Key West. Please hear me when I say that these tarpon and permit are definitely here right now. They just need a bit more warmth in-order to get comfortable in their shallower domain. For the past few weeks, we have received brief periods of warmth and southern winds in between each cold-front. During all of these  warm periods, I have been on the water and witnessed good numbers of permit and tarpon settle into their favorite areas right before being pushed out by the next oncoming cold front. This at-least tells me that things are ready to happen once we are handed warm water consistency, it will come.

Gulf Tarpon Arriving in Key West!

    The morning of Feb 23rd produced some very inspiring scenes for a few lucky people fishing near Key West. Hundreds, if not a few thousand tarpon made their way into Key West waters during this warmer day. Although eventually engulfed by unexpected fog, these tarpon were very happy to be there and provided me with a glimmer of hope after a brutal year. Angler JP Ware of Maine managed a nice hook-up on fly that flat-calm morning.

    We may just see one heck of a tarpon season after all. Judging by what I witnessed that morning, things are looking very good in way of Tarpon Season 2010. Bring the warm weather and exercise that casting arm, I'm still saying it's gonna be a good one this year!

Jan 24 2010

    This past weeks weather warmed right up and so did the lower Keys flats and backcountry fishing. What a relief it was to see all of our winter fishing come right back to life after what many dubbed as the "big chill", which hit us two weeks back, and broke many cold temperature records. Yet while it looks like more wind and cooler temps will be hitting the Keys by the time this week's issue hits the stands, it appears to be a more typical cold front for this time of year. One can only hope that it will continue to put our fish in their more regular patterns, rather than freezing them to death.

    As for last week's fishing, it was good. The best days were by far the 22nd and 23rd of Jan. Wind speed was way down and blowing from the south. Air temps were up, and everything was perfect for winter time permit fishing on the flats. I found the best fishing to be found in areas west of Key West, as the Gulf Stream seemed to of pushed a portion of it's warmth through the western part of the lower Keys. Permit were in every spot you could have imagined them being in, and they seemed very happy to be there. Large schools of them found motionless near the surface told me they were content just hanging out after escaping past week's extreme cold temperatures. Small live crabs under a small cork float did the trick, as Sheryl and Kevin Jones of Tennessee boated three nice permit during a half day charter.

    Another interesting thing seen while fishing areas west of Key West were the huge schools of grey snapper also seen near the surface in the deeper water channels that cut through the flats. Like the permit, I felt that these snapper were just happy to be back in their realm, and seemed to be pleasantly soaking up the sun's warmth. On a more normal note, schools of mackerel can currently be found near Key West running through Northwest Channel on the hour. These mackerel are found under birds, are super aggressive, and taste great when fried. They'll eat just about anything you can give them, just be sure to use wire leader.

    I must say that I am very happy to be back on the water and able to show people a good time with plenty of fish, it was a bit difficult after that "big chill". It looks like we should be in the normal swing of things during these next couple of weeks, and I hope to get some of you readers out there with me.

Jan 17 2010   

    Out of the cold weather and picking-up the pieces left behind inshore. Rather than pieces, whole fish are mostly what I have been picking-up lately. The longest stretch of low temperatures we have seen in a long time has certainly impacted the lower Keys inshore fishing. A fish-kill unlike one I have ever witnessed was the ultimate result of this cold-air blast, while hundreds of frigate birds and seagulls were happy to clean up the mess left floating behind. The poor fishing that has now followed in it's wake could have been expected. Although I must say I was a bit shocked by the virtually lifeless backcountry water that followed right after this cold weather event. Allot of the smaller bottom dwelling fish, barracuda, snapper, grunts, and other bait fish seemed to have taken the biggest hit, as they are mostly what I have seen floating throughout our inshore waters.

    Not only has the cold water temperature killed a large number of fish. It seems to have displaced a good number of them as well. More recent water temps I have taken surrounding the lower Keys are suitable for certain species of fish, such as sea-trout, barracuda, and the jack species, but they are simply not there or anywhere right now. They can't all be dead, and it makes me wonder just how far a fish will go to find warmth during such an extreme weather event that has proven lethal to so many different species of inshore fish. I have recently seen plenty of grey snapper returning to the marinas and nearby mangroves to feed, and I'm sure the rest aren't far behind.

    I have not seen any dead tarpon, bonefish, or permit for that matter, and I still believe that the majority of these more highly in-tuned fish don't let themselves get caught in such naturally occurring cold weather events. FWC has issued an executive order prohibiting the harvest and possession of snook, tarpon, and bonefish until March 31st, while also extending the closed snook season until Sept. This order states that it is subject to change once more research can be done to access the mortality rates of these three species. This order was released on Jan 15th and can be viewed online at the FWC website. I'm sure this move will have mixed emotions, mainly from fishing guides, and I'll wait to voice mine.

    Nature seems to have a mysterious way of working, and I still feel we will see the better side to all of this, it may just take a bit to show. The birds, sharks, crabs, and other crustaceans have made out big this past week, while many inshore fish and sea turtles lost big. In one way or another it will level out again.

Jan 10 2010

    Someone turn on the heater, oh yeah, there isn't one. Quite the weather we have had here in the sunny Florida Keys. With air temps in the forties and fifties for a straight week, I have done little fishing. Staying warm has been on the top of my list, operating a flats boat in this cold damp weather has been on the bottom. Sometimes you just can't make the best of a situation, when it's cold like it has been, I'd just as soon not try. To many summer time mornings in the backcountry have spoiled me.

   

    Winter weather does bring great fishing to the Keys, but severe cold snaps much like the one we just experienced literately kills the flats and backcountry fishing. In-fact, seawater with a temperature near 50 degrees can become lethal to many inshore fish. It is not uncommon to witness a "fish-kill" after such a cold snap in the Keys where unfortunate fish are found washed ashore after a cold night. Barracuda and other bottom dwelling fish fall victim to this the most, while the snapper and grouper species seem to show a higher tolerance. The tarpon, permit, and bonefish run from it long before the cold temps set in.   

   

    With every punch this winter season gives us, I become more and more eager for spring to roll around. Feverishly tying tarpon and permit flies for what I am anticipating to be an epic spring fishing season. All of this cold weather is going to do wonders for the crab and shrimp stalks for the lower Keys, and there will be plenty of gamefish here to eat them when that time rolls around again. Future weather reports show an upcoming warming trend which should give some good inshore fishing potential. If it lasts we should see a good spark in hungry fish. If it doesn't, I'll be indoors tying more flies.  

Jan 3 2010

    Cold is the first word that comes to mind when preparing this report. A strong blast of dense northern air has left us with the coldest air temps of the season thus far. While I have not been on the water during this blast of northern air, I am otherwise happy it has arrived. This cold weather will undoubtedly shake things up a bit within the inshore waters surrounding the lower Keys and Key West.

    Sea-trout season has officially opened in the Keys as of Jan 1st, and I have been polishing my ultra-light rods and reels in preparation. South Florida regulations for 2010 states that a lawful bag limit of sea-trout consists of 4 fish per angler, per day. With a slot-size legal catch being not less than 15 inches or more than 20 inches, with one fish over 20 inches per angler, per day. For those who have not enjoyed a speckled sea-trout at the dinner table, your missing out. Much like a trout caught in a stream, sea-trout are delicious and can be prepared the very same way. The variety in fish species that sea-trout commonly swim with makes for great action packed fishing. Where a fish can be caught on 6 lb. test literately every other cast.

    The past week's weather did give way to some great conditions preceding the cold-air front. Low winds hung out of the east and south for a good few days, and the inshore waters calmed right down. Water temps never really climbed over 70 degrees, although a few opportunities arose offering limited gamefish potential. Huge jacks and barracuda have certainly made a stand inshore, and they are always the goto for that strong fight feeling this time of year. Large snapper are in a thousand different areas throughout the backcountry, however last week's full moon left the majority of them less active during the day.

    These upcoming week's moon cycle, water temps, and tides are all lining up for what I consider to be variety fishing at it's best. Where anglers can enjoy the catch of many aggressive fish in the calm backcountry waters, while bringing home dinner at the same time. It's winter fishing in the Florida Keys, jackets may be required.

Dec 19 2009

    The official opening days of winter are finally upon us with this week's issue.    Past weather conditions have shown this winter season to be off with a healthy start. One can only hope that this means it will be saying goodbye in time for this upcoming year's tarpon season. Last year we didn't receive any substantial cold front until what seemed like mid Jan, which then resulted with cold blustery air lingering until late Mar. Needless to say, that cold air did have an impact on last year's tarpon fishing in the lower Keys, one of which I had not seen in past years. So, this year I'm telling mother nature to bring the strong cold fronts on. Hit us hard, but finish up in time to give us a long lasting spring, rather a long lasting winter. If weather conditions continue the way they have been this year, I'd say we might just see that endless spring.

    The past week's fishing has been what you would expect from this year's weather. Sea-trout, pompano, ladyfish, and a few rat-redfish have been showing up in good numbers in our many backcountry basins and neighboring shallow banks. I would say we are going to have a great year for that type of fishing. Larger redfish are certainly up shallow, but when I say shallow, I mean shallow! The bottom of my flats boat always takes a beating this time of year when chasing those schools of reds through their thin-water domain. This stuff is absolutely great for the fly fisherman during this time of year.

    Snapper fishing has been excellent, the cooler water temps have pushed the majority of them way inside the mangroves to find warmth. If you can locate the pilchards and manage to net yourself a few dozen for the live well. Bring them into a backcountry mangrove channel or deep water mote and bounce them off the mangrove limbs and into the water one at a time. Not only will you drive a feeding frenzy from the grey snapper, you might just nab yourself a snook, redfish, or baby tarpon by doing this as well. The mangrove channel or mote fishing for these species is always best during the warming trends well after a cold front hits. If you can't find the pilchards, live shrimp will work for this as well, and you can find the largest live shrimp in the lower Keys at the Sugarloaf Marina, guaranteed.  

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