By Captain John Smouse

It’s Not Snowing in Key West

While its getting Cold up north, Key West is maintaining mid 70’s weather. That is actually a cool down for us in the Conch Republic and with those cool temps comes a new batch of fish to target.
This is the time of year that people love. Fishing in the back country basins and channels can be filled with life. Some of the target species for the coming months are going to be Sea Trout, Jacks, Pompano, Redfish, Ladyfish and of course if you find those there are going to be predators around. Blacktip, Lemon, Spinner and Bull Sharks love to hang around the edges of these schools and can make for some spectacular catches.
Barracudas are going to be showing up on the flats on these cool bluebird sky days and they are nothing short of amazing in the shallow water. If you’ve never caught one of these fish in 2 feet of water you will be shocked at their speed and power.
The ShadowCaster has gotten some new shoes!!!! 2014 115HP Yamaha 4 Stroke. In my opinion the most reliable, efficient motor on the market.
Days are booking up here so give Capt John a call at 305 587 7669 to get off the rock and experience what Key West is really all about!!

Bonefish Fly Fishing Keys Flats Fishing Permit Fishing Tarpon Fishing
By Captain John Smouse

Great start to 2014

Here are just a few of the Fish we have been catching aboard the ShadowCaster since the first of the year. As you can see the winter months bring many surprises and varieties of fish!!
With the weather patterns always changing we have been fishing differently everyday to maximize our catches.

Call Capt John @ 305 587 7669 today to take advantage of the warm weather and the great Key West fishing.

Bonefish Fly Fishing Keys Flats Fishing Permit Fishing Tarpon Fishing
By Captain John Smouse

Summer 2013

ShadowCaster Charters has had a great season and I would like to thank everyone who fished with me again this year. The Tarpon fishing was great and remains to be a staple so far in July. Just yesterday we caught 2 out of 3 hooked on a 1/2 day.
As the summer goes on we are going to be spreading out in thre backcountry in search of bonefish, permit and sharks!! Shark fishing is at its prime during these next few months.
So give Capt John a call at 305.587.7669 or drop an email to get hooked up with somw great fishing. Remember ShadowCaster is one of the few true Flats boats that can also accomodate 3 anglers.

Keys Fishing Reports Permit Fishing Tarpon Fishing
By Captain John Smouse

Recent letter from longtime Customer

This is why I love what I do everyday:

“One thing Key West has in abundance is flats fishing guides. Here’s why I fish with John:

The short of it is: John does whatever he can to make your experience outstanding. First, John finds out what you want to do. Then he customizes your trip to meet your desires and your skill level. If you don’t know what you want, or how good you are, John will design a trip to give you a broad experience, and adjust the day as conditions and ability come clear.

Sure, John is experienced, knowledgeable and always ready early. He uses the best bait and his tackle is in pristine condition. You’d think that is a “given” for a professional fishing captain – but believe me, it is not.

My son wanted to catch barracuda. He has serious hip problems. John set up a cushioned seat on the bow – my son caught 15 ‘cudas in one day. My wife wanted to catch her first fish in the sea, and “bend a rod”. She caught eight (I think) redfish, all 24 inches plus, and a few big Jacks and a few ‘cudas. Yes, I’ve caught Tarpon – lots of them – plus Permit and ‘cudas in February and March. Even a 40+ pound Jewfish. We killed nothing – John’s preference, always.

But the key to John is this: when my wife threw her lure into the mangroves, Before she could say “oh no!”, she had a baited rod in her hand and John was pointing out fish. When I jumped a Tarpon off, John had another rod in my hand before I could say my version of “oh no!”. John runs around the boat to make sure you fish continuously. Never criticizes or rales on the client. This, too, should be a “given”, but believe me, it’s not. It’s fun to watch John coreograph the dance when both fishermen hook up at the same time. His focus is on your experience – many other guides simply don’t get this.

My wife sums up John with a simple “John is a gentleman”. Yes, he is.

Al Schultz”

Bonefish Fly Fishing Keys Fishing Reports Permit Fishing Tarpon Fishing
By Captain John Smouse

Holiday Season in Key West

I hope everyone had a Wonderful Thanksgiving!! Over the holiday Key West was hit with some heavy winds. We were having sustained winds of 20+ MPH. But that hasn’t slowed us down here at ShadowCaster Charters, yet another great thing about fishing the back country waters of Key West. There are always places to hid and get out of the wind and on the Fish.
We have been having some great success with the trout, jacks, ladyfish and some really Big sharks. The barracuda fishing is gearing up on the flats and this will be a target species throughout the winter months. They are a complete blast in shallow water on light tackle.
I can also report that the wind has laid down to a beautiful 10MPH and the skies are blue. The fishing should remain stellar throughout the month, so give Capt John a call @ 305.587.7669 to take get out on the water and take advantage of this great weather and awesome fishery!!

Bonefish Keys Fishing Reports Permit Fishing Tarpon Fishing
By Captain John Smouse

August 2012


Calm seas and Light winds of Summer are here. Sharks are going to be a main target throughout August and September. Lemons and Blacktips are going to be the most common with the occasional Bull and HammerHead making an appearance. Just last week, while fishing for Lemons a 10 Ft Hammer showed up and engulfed a 5lb Jack Crevalle and the fight was on.
There are going to be some “resident” Tarpon around in the early morning hours and we have been having some pretty good success with then this month.
Permit fishing is great during the warm months on Summer. This can be the time of year that you may encounter large schools of them feeding on the flats. A well placed live crab usually gets the job done.
Give me a call @ 305 587 7669 to get out on the water!!!September is a great month to fish here in Key West. Above are just a few of the fish we caught over the Labor Day Weekend. Permit fishing is great this time of year, with the calm winds and the bright skies. If you are patient enough to put your time in and do the hunting, chances are you are going to be rewarded with some great shots at these elusive gamefish. People often ask me “What is your favorite fish?” Well my answer without question is Permit. When the conditions are right, it is a great species to target.

Sharks are also all over the flats right now and are a blast on spinning tackle. Lemons, Blacktips and Bull Sharks are going to be a great target through September.

ShadowCaster has some open dates in September, so call Capt John @ 305.587.7669 and Let’s Go Fishing!!!

Keys Fishing Reports Permit Fishing Tarpon Fishing
By Captain John Smouse

Summer 2012

 

Summertime is here in Key West and the fishing is Great!!! Just yesterday we managed to hook 8 Tarpon and brought 5 boatside. What a Day!!! Tarpon are going to start their push northward throughout the month of July, so get in on the action now while these fish are still around.
Permit, Bonefish and Sharks are going to be a great target over the course of the summer. Above are just a few of the fish ShadowCaster has been catching this summer.
Give Capt John a call at 305.587.7669 or drop me an email to take advantage of some great Summertime Fun!!!!

 

Bonefish Keys Fishing Reports Permit Fishing Tarpon Fishing
By Captain John Smouse

Tarpon Fishing

 

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!!

!

 

Keys Fishing Reports Tarpon Fishing
By Captain John Smouse

February 2012


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 year305.587.7669

Keys Fishing Reports Tarpon Fishing