May 17, 2009 

      

       A report from within this year's Key West and Lower Florida Keys tarpon battle. The word "battle" may be an understatement, as this season's weather conditions have proved up till now.  Out of the past 47 days I believe I have counted only 10 of them with winds less than 10 mph.  It sure feels as if the majority of the weather leading up till now has just been plain windy. Fortunately enough, the tarpon are certainly here and jumping skyward on the end of fishing rods daily. The gusty conditions have made it tough hooking them in shallow water, but has still left plenty of opportunity in the many current driven channels, particularly those off of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys backcountry. This offers great live-bait and artificial lure action for big tarpon. I have witnessed some of the largest tarpon I have ever seen nearly spool some reels this year while forced to focus mainly on deeper channels during past week's gusty conditions. So while I have yet to relive my memories of calm morning flats full of rolling tarpon this year for the most part, I have instead been left with memories of jaw dropping aerial displays of 200 plus pound tarpon, a fair enough trade.

The way I look at it is we have two future outcomes for the remainder of our tarpon season. We could continue to receive high winds, tuff flats fishing conditions, yet plenty of deeper water tarpon. Or, we could eventually begin to receive more low barometric pressure as the month of June approaches thus leading to longer periods of low winds and witness a swarm of tarpon invade the shallows. I would say any long length of low wind this year would have to result in a frenzy of curious tarpon cruizing the many shallow areas we love to see them in. Tarpon who have been receiving very low fishing pressure for a good time now, meaning numerous hookups on unsuspecting tarpon. Given the somewhat late cold water temps we had this year, it is a good chance that large tarpon flats fishing action will last all the way thru July.

While off the subject of tarpon for a bit, the bonefish have remained plentiful since the end of march, while permit are beginning to return to the flats after this year's spawn. I marked the first week of April as the last time I saw any significant numbers of permit on the flats as they left to spawn, and am just now beginning to see a few return as we approach June. The permit and bonefishing will only get better from here on out.

After pushing thru all this spring-time wind, I'm sure looking forward to the slick calm summer sunrise flats fishing this year; it will come, and I will be there to see all of those tails. Hope to get some excited anglers out their with me, contact Capt Luke Kelly about this year's upcoming off season charter specials to book a trip. Off season fishing equals lots of permit and bonefish receiving very low fishing pressure. You can do the rest of the math, it's one of the best kept secrets left today. Thanks for reading.

                                 

Mar 26, 2009

Blowing in the wind is about all I can say about this past week’s flats fishing. There is just no two ways about it, sustained wind over 20 mph for a week straight is horrible for the fishing down here. I have spent most of these windy days at home catching up with things our previous great weather didn’t let me do. This time of year if the weather is good then so is the fishing, which then leads me into being consumed by it, leaving little time for much else. Future wind predictions and graphs show for a decrease in wind during the first week of April, let’s all hope it is a precursor for more of the same to follow. I have never minded being consumed by the fishing our next few months are about to offer.

The fishing in the Lower Keys flats and backcountry prior to all this wind was great, which only means the same will return once it blows through. I have always felt that game-fish can still be caught in the backcountry during windy days, but there is a difference between a windy day and a day with wind gusting over 25 mph. I feel that those days should just be left at the dock; we should all respect our environment’s fury and just let it do what it has to do during those periods. But as I said, the fishing right now is good and it will continue to be for the next seven months, wind or no wind. The amount of wind a day holds is just one of the major variables involved in what creates a successful day on the flats; the fish are always there.

A word or two on our long awaited tarpon migration, the amount of high southern wind has kept me off the ocean side flats of the Lower Keys. Therefore, I have yet to see any westward movement from any migratory tarpon. The water temps are just about perfect and I have been seeing and catching quite a few large tarpon during the later half of this Month. Although I do believe the majority of those tarpon were still our resident greenback Gulf tarpon. I have yet to see any dead give away of the migration, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t already started, this wind has just kept me from looking for it. I would say it is just a matter of days before we are knee deep in the silver kings.

Mar 14, 2009 

It sure feels good when we get a week of good weather and low winds during the month of March. The flats and backcountry fishing in the Lower Keys has been great, with permit being the main attraction of my week, I have been left seeing skyward permit tails even as I sleep. The current crystal clear water and full moon tides have made for some epic fishing.

I was very fortunate to have spent three full days this week with a couple of great anglers, Gardner King and his daughter Rachel King. They shared in my enthusiasm for permit sight fishing, and we boated a few very nice fish during the three days. I have always felt that in order to be successful in catching permit you must devote your entire attention to them. They understood this; for it was obvious that the permit had burned it’s self into their minds as I have seen it do to many others. Many will read this and wonder what the heck I am talking about, but those who know the thrill in stalking permit on the flats know just that, nothing else compares. I feel that it isn’t about the fish you catch but how and where you catch it. Gardner and his daughter Rachael caught permit in such a fashion I was even jealous of.

Bonefish and tarpon are also making them selves known. Capt Tim Carlisle of Sugarloaf Key reported putting several tarpon airborne during this past week. While the weeks late day conditions gave way to some good bone fishing given the warmer falling tides we have been receiving. I must say I am looking forward to this year’s upcoming fishing, if things continue the way they are, we are going to have a great year. I can’t wait to see what May and June will bring, it should be just right.

The water temps have yet to really break free of the upper sixties during the morning hours off of Sugarloaf Key. The mid day sun warms the flats to just about seventy-two degrees by the afternoon, as I have definitely seen the better fishing to be in the later half of these past days. I am completing this report as of March 14th and I am dreading the front we are to receive sometime around the 17th. I am sure it will stall the fishing for a second or two, but I am also sure it will return to an even better state on the upswing. I will be looking forward to the up coming week’s fishing.

Mar 7, 2009 

      Its weeks like this one when I wish I had a sail on my flats boat, sure could save allot of gas money.  For a couple of days prior to the gusty and cool conditions we received March 2nd, the fishing was great. Permit tails were in the sky, bonefish ventured into the grass-flats, and tarpon were looking to eat. Then again, water temps were above seventy, air temps were around eighty, and the wind was five to ten knots in the backcountry.  Great conditions will lead to great fishing from here on out, while those great conditions will only become more consistent from here on out as well. I am writing this while the palm trees outside my house look as they are growing horizontally, winds are gusting over thirty and I have had the day off.  I fished a few of the gusty days this past week and stuck to the groves for the entirety of the trips. I feel that the wide-open flats just don’t hold fish when it is like this, and if they do good luck in feeding them anything.

Fishing the Lower Florida Keys flats and backcountry during gusty conditions isn’t always the most desired experience for anglers. Though I feel it provides for an experience that many overlook. Spending an entire day focusing on the many hidden, out of the wind channels and openings found within and around the very Keys that make our beautiful fishing grounds is down right fun. Baby tarpon, snapper, and different species of grouper our the main players, while redfish and even permit will sometimes show themselves inside these maze-like mangrove island channels and motes. It may not be like stalking trophy fish on the flats, but keeping a rod bent while surrounded by beautiful habitat is just that, and is just as good during windy periods.

Fly-fishing these tight little spots takes a bit of consideration but can certainly be accomplished.  I am not much of a stream or river fisherman but the small amount of them I have fished relate to what we have here in the Keys. Most of what you must consider is the amount of room you have to cast and the various techniques used to do so, and the depth of what you are fishing. I find a combination of sinking lines and tips along with floating line outfits must be on hand. This is because the water depth inside these areas is extremely inconsistent. You must also realize that most all of the small fish, shrimp, crabs, and other critters found in the mangroves fall down current if they are moving. The larger fish know this, therefore you must present your fly in such a way as to make it fall down current in one way or another while mending your fly line so to keep it inline with your rod  to ensure a strip set once a fish takes it. I like to use a ten weight so to stand a chance against the baby tarpon and grouper, while just about locking down the drag to keep the fish from getting into the grove. You would be surprised in how fast a fish will turn against a ten-weight fly rod with a heavy drag setting. Light tackle within these areas is also a blast and is a great way to spend a windy day in March.

Since the mangroves are full of a large array of life and considered a nursery for many species, care must be taken while around such areas. Just respect them as they are and try not to leave a footprint. Use idle speeds when approaching and leaving, while resulting to a push-pole or trolling motor once inside. This will also greatly help you in locating the fish believe it or not, humans tend to be a bit noisy. 

Mar 1, 2009 

       It must be March, as this past week’s wind has certainly shown. Winds out of the north and east around 20 mph has made for challenging conditions for anglers throughout the Lower Keys flats and backcountry. The fishing is good; the wind just lets you know who is really in charge. Permit continue to flood the flats, while the week’s later conditions gave way for some tarpon and bonefish. I am writing this prior to the front we will have received by March 1st, and I look forward to the pre-frontal fishing for these next couple of days. March does bring wind, but it also brings some great fishing for the inshore waters of the Lower Florida Keys. Challenging fish in challenging conditions, March in a nutshell.

Tarpon are making home in many areas off of Key West, and can be found in a few spots through the rest of the Lower Keys. The tarpon I have witnessed east of Key West in shallower water have been in the 10-60 pound range. While the 100 plus pound tarpon are still roaming the deeper channels throughout the Keys. The lower water temps and harsh wind has made catching them on fly quite the challenge, and I will continue to put the idea in the back of my mind until at least the water temps begin to hold above 71 degrees, because I don’t see the wind laying down any time soon. Hooking these guys on live bait right now is a different story. The strong new moon tide we are currently experiencing has made it a little tough. Though fishing the first and last 20 minutes of each tide has shown me the best results for the tarpon.

My past week’s anglers have all opted for light tackle fishing, as I have yet to meet a fly fisherman who enjoys casting in a 20 mph wind. Though if I were asked what I felt were the best species to target on fly right now in the Lower Keys backcountry, it would have to be the permit, barracuda, and jack crevel. The permit because an anglers will to catch one on fly can sometimes overcome windy conditions. And the barracuda and jack crevel because they are aggressive and will take a fly close to the boat, both of which are very exciting on a fly rod.

Lets also not forget about the juvenile lemon sharks! When it’s gusting, you can always venture into an intertidal zone during a high tide and be sheltered from the wind. Once inside such an area you can count on the smaller sharks to be there, just treat these areas like you would a white carpet, don’t stain it with your prop and blend in with the silence you will hear once inside. A large black or red fly placed near the nose of a shark will result in a hookup, and if it doesn’t you’ll get another shot. One thing about sharks is that they seem to travel together, or are attracted to the same waters in other words. If you see one you will see another, and if you don’t see any then chances are you won’t see another sign of life for that matter. Sharks let you know where the life is, they have a little more evolution on us, and I think they are a little better than even the best fishing guide out there at finding fish. Chances are, if you go after sharks in an intertidal zone with a fly rod in your hand, you might just see that other fish you are after most.

The following weeks should provide great stories from fishing reporters throughout the Florida Keys so stay tuned. If you are ever interested in some of the history behind fly fishing than check out the Ye Old English Fly Shop in Marathon Key. They also have a great selection in flies and materials while also providing Temple Fork fly rods, a great quality fly rod at an affordable price.