Light Tackle Backcountry Fishing in Key West, Florida since 1997

Welcome to Key West, a truly year-round and world class fishing destination. Whether you came here for the party on Duval Street or to relax with friends and family, one thing is for sure: A trip to the Back Country of Key West to catch some of the most sought after fish the ocean has to offer should not be missed.

This area to the North of Key West is known as The Great White Heron and Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Many visitors to Key West never get to experience this area that still looks today like it did hundreds of years ago. In the Back Country you are surrounded by living mangrove islands, beautiful white sand flats only inches deep and calm, narrow channels all filled with amazing wildlife.

Upon graduating from the University of Georgia, Captain John settled in Key West and has been guiding his customers to trophy fish since 1997. As the owner and operator of the Shadow Caster he insists on delivering a personalized fishing adventure. With Captain John you can expect Professionalism, Preparation and Performance, qualities that Capt. John has learned from the best in the business and keys to his continued success.

On the Shadow Caster you can rest assured that Captain John will always have a well-thought-out fishing plan and the appropriate bait and tackle to handle any situation. Whether you are the seasoned angler or the beginning fisherman, Shadow Caster is about catching fish and enjoying what makes the Florida Keys such a great place.

Tarpon Season is in full swing. Anglers aboard The ShadowCaster are catching multiple Tarpon!!! Above are some longtime customers showing their stuff. Jeff and Will’s last fish of the day stayed in the shallow water for a great pic!!! And check how Josh Bowman demonstrates the Perfect “bow”!!
There are a few days in April still open for some great fishing. Give me a call @ 305 587 7669 and we’ll get you hooked up.

This week Key West and the Florida Keys has been bombarded with sustained 25-30+ MPH winds. That has kept boats at the dock doing maintenance. But the good news is the Tarpon are here. These high winds have been warm, so the water temps did not drop to drastically. Once the winds subside (this coming week) and the water has a day or two to clean up, the Tarpon fishing should resume.

Fishing for The SilverKing has been outstanding. Above are some pics from a 2 day trip with Capt. Tom “Shore Lunch” Mannas (of Peerless II Charters out of Lake Erie), Ryan “Web-designer Extraordinaire” Valentine (http://aetomic.com/) & Mike “Take Me Home” Krysiak. Over the two days we hooked 17 Tarpon and brought 13 to the boat. This was Tom’s first ever Tarpon fishing trip, he managed to boat a few and get some great pics. I think we spoiled him.

ShadowCaster has some open dates in April so give Capt John a call @ 305.587.7669 to get in on some great Key West fishing!!

February has been an exceptionally warm month here in KW (just like the rest of the country). For this reason we are seeing the migrating Tarpon showing up around the island very early. No one is complaining!!! Above are some shots of fish we have been catching the last few days. Tarpon fishing is getting into full swing with the Spring time weather. There are also lots of Big Jacks and Barracudas in the shallow water. Permit fishing has been really strong over the last few days and should just improve as the Spring approaches.
So we are looking forward to some great fishing conditions to come and to fish boat side. Give Capt John a call to take advantage of some of the best fishing of the year 305.587.7669

This is the time of year again for targeting those big Barracudas and Jacks on the flats. Yesterday I had Vinny and Vinny (no relation) from New York out and we hit the flats west of Key West. The sun was out and the fishing was great. We managed to land 7 nice Barracudas on a half day. Watching a Cuda crash an artificial in shallow water is a sight I never get tired of.
There have been some really nice Jacks following the Sting Rays up on the flats during the incoming tide. Above are a couple we caught this last week.
Also during the Winter months the channels and basins are filled with life. We have been having a blast catching Sea Trout, Jacks, Lookdowns, Ladyfish, Pompano and an assortment of other critters. This type of fishing is for any and all skill levels, as it can provide some nonstop action.
The weather looks great for the foreseeable future so give me a call @ 305.587.7669 to get hooked up!!

Winter has arrived in Key West. This is a great time of year to target the flats around Key West. After the cold fronts push through, the blue bird skies and cool temperatures are right behind. As the water temps drop we are going to be targeting nice big Jacks and Barracudas on the flats. Always ready with a rod armed with a live crab for the Permit that can show up out of nowhere. This a a very visual type of fishing and provides some spectacular bites.
When the wind is up we can still get out there and bend the rod on some fish. The basins and grass flats come alive with Sea Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish, Pompano, and Blacktip Sharks. This fishing is for all skill levels and came be filled with action. Give Capt John a call @ 305-587-7669 to get out on the water and experience what Key West is all about!!

October in Key West brings the changes in weather. As we start getting the cold fronts coming down from the north, everything changes. This is the time of year that we will start targeting Sea Trout, Jack Crevalles, Blacktip Sharks, Ladyfish, Pompano, Redfish and a handful of other species. This type of fishing is for everybody, you don’t have to be an experienced angler to get in on the fun. It is done on light tackle and can provide nonstop action. Just the other day we caught over 75 fish!!!
If you catch the weather right, in between coldfronts, there are still going to be some great opportunities for bonefish and Permit on the flats. Barracudas are also going to turn on as the water temps start to drop and sight fishing for Cudas in shallow water provides some of the most spectacular bites.
Call Capt John @ 305-587-7669 to take advantage of the cooler weather and some great fishing!!

A few pics of some of the Great fishing in late September. The weather has been beautiful with light winds and clear skies most days. Look forward to some great October fishing. Bonefishing is at its peak this next month!! Sharkin on the flats for those big Lemons will remain great until the cold fronts start. Give Capt John a call @ 305-587-7669 for some great light tackle fishing in sunny Key West.

Here a a couple of really nice Permit we caught this past week. Also a picture of Neil, a great customer and fisherman, showing off some of the beautiful waters we get to fish here in Key West.
The weather associated with Hurricane Irene is gone and we are getting back to our calm Southeast winds. Couple that with the low tides we will have this week I am expecting the Bonefishing and Shark Fishing to be great. September is one of the best months to pursue the Grey Ghost.

They just won’t leave. The Tarpon fishing in mid-July usually cosists of targeting the baby fish in the mangroves. While they are a blast, everyone likes the Big Dawgs. And they are still here. Above are a few pics of some of the fish from this past week.

The Permit fishing has been great on the incoming tides. The very light winds have created awesome tailing conditions.