The Tarpon are HERE. There is no doubt that this is what alot of anglers have been waiting for. Here are a few of the tarpon we have been catching aboard the Shadow Caster this past week. The fish have been all sizes from the scrappy 30 pounders to the brutes, 100+ pounds. Whether it is your 1st or 101st, these fish always impress. So if you want to tangle with the strongest, most acrobatic fish in the shallow waters of Key West, there is no better time than May. June and July.
This month is turning out to be a Tarpon fisherman’s dream. With the southerly winds and the warm water temps the fish have been all over in the early morning hours. This is the first push of the migratory fish that call Key West home during the spring and early summer months. Just like all the two legged visitors that flock to the Conch Republic this time of year, the Tarpon are happy to be back. Nothing beats an early morning sunrise with Tarpon rolling around the boat.
Tarpon fishing is all about the water temperature. When it is cold, say anything below 70 degree water, these fish seem to get lockjaw. Tarpon don’t have a calendar to follow and they don’t really care what month it is, they just know where to go when the water temp is right for them. And this March is proving to be the time. This is going to be a targeted species from here until the summer months, barring we aren’t hit with any more major cold fronts. I say “major” because that is what it is going to take to drop the thermometer.
Another warm water visitor to Key West is the Shark. There have been a good number of Lemon and Blacktip sharks around and they are a blast on light spinning tackle. Blacktips are the fasted running shark that the flats offer. They are so fast that your drag washers often get burned up after catching a few.
So I hope to see you down here to catch some BIG fish from a small boat on light tackle, the way fishing should be done.
What a beautiful month we have been having. The weather has been outstanding, with the average high hovering around 80 degrees. The fishing has been great as well. Tarpon have been making a strong showing in some of their usual spots around Key West. We have been catching really nice fish in the 40-70 pond range. The channels and basins in the backcountry have been holding the most Silverkings and the bait of choice has been a live fresh pinfish. With Spring approaching this fishery should only get better every day.
The flats have been producing a lot of Barracuda, and I have said it before, if you have never caught a big Cuda in a foot of water you are missing out. They just have it all-crazy fast attacks, high greyhounding leaps, long blistering runs, and a set of teeth that you have to respect.
Another cold front is coming through here in Key West. What that really means down here is higher winds, as it rarely gets below 70 degrees during the day. I sure am gald I have the 17’ Maverick Master Angler during these times. This boat just cuts right through the chop. We are able to go fishing when other flats boats have to stay at the dock. The great thing about fishing in Key West is that no matter what the wind is doing there are places to go and get into some fish.
Christi and Delphi came all the way from upstate Florida to do some Backcountry fishing. With the Cold Front also came some rain, so after postponing a little to let the rain pass we headed out. With a 20 plus knot North wind we decided to fish some of the channels around Key West. They were both first timers, but by the end of the trip they had it down and were catching fish hand over fist. They both caught Jacks, Ladyfish, Snappers, Trout, and Christi caught her first shark. All but a couple trout were released to fight again. I am sure they enjoyed a fresh Trout dinner.
Down here in the winter sometimes these cold fronts are a good thing for the fishing. The weather before the front is usually warm and sunny and that can really turn the fishing on. When that water temperature has a chance to stabilize the permit start to come from the deeper channels and back up on the flats to feed. During these days of warmth there have been a good number of permit around, as well as barracuda, probably the most under-rated fish on the flats. I just love fishing for them, there are very few fish that provide the excitement that a cuda does.
Tarpon have been in some of the channels around Key West in the very early morning, these fish I have been seeing have all been on the larger side. Bonefish, a species that does not get much thought in January, have been coming up on the flats during midday, when the temperature and tides are right. Now for January to be able to fish for all three of the most prized flats fish is a great thing. This is the time of year that basin fishing is loaded with action. You will catch everything from Speckled seatrout to ladyfish to jack crevalle and often you are getting a bite on every cast. On light tackle this fishing can be loads of fun for everyone.
Another cold front is coming through here in Key West. What that really means down here is higher winds, as it rarely gets below 70 degrees during the day. I sure am gald I have the 17’ Maverick Master Angler during these times. This boat just cuts right through the chop. We are able to go fishing when other flats boats have to stay at the dock. The great thing about fishing in Key West is that no matter what the wind is doing there are places to go and get into some fish.
Christi and Delphi came all the way from upstate Florida to do some Backcountry fishing. With the Cold Front also came some rain, so after postponing a little to let the rain pass we headed out. With a 20 plus knot North wind we decided to fish some of the channels around Key West. They were both first timers, but by the end of the trip they had it down and were catching fish hand over fist. They both caught Jacks, Ladyfish, Snappers, Trout, and Christi caught her first shark. All but a couple trout were released to fight again. I am sure they enjoyed a fresh Trout dinner.
Another cold front is coming through here in Key West. What that really means down here is higher winds, as it rarely gets below 70 degrees during the day. I sure am gald I have the 17’ Maverick Master Angler during these times. This boat just cuts right through the chop. We are able to go fishing when other flats boats have to stay at the dock. The great thing about fishing in Key West is that no matter what the wind is doing there are places to go and get into some fish.
Christi and Delphi came all the way from upstate Florida to do some Backcountry fishing. With the Cold Front also came some rain, so after postponing a little to let the rain pass we headed out. With a 20 plus knot North wind we decided to fish some of the channels around Key West. They were both first timers, but by the end of the trip they had it down and were catching fish hand over fist. They both caught Jacks, Ladyfish, Snappers, Trout, and Christi caught her first shark. All but a couple trout were released to fight again. I am sure they enjoyed a fresh Trout dinner.
A gorgeous day to be in the Florida Keys Backcountry, 78 degrees and sunny, Yep it is January here.
Jimi Watson, from Virginia, was onboard today. With a light southeast breeze I just knew it was going to be a beautiful day. Our main objective today was to bend the rod on some fish and have a good time. The basin fishing has been red hot the last couple of weeks. We have been catching some really nice Sea Trout, along with Jacks, Pompanos and the high flying Lady fish. Our first cast was a nice 10 lb Jack and on 6 lb line this fish can’t be beat. They are often overlooked, but don’t ever pass them up because they can really make your day.
You just never know what you might hook in the midst of these basins. Jimi’s next cast was a fifty pound tarpon!!! What a nice surprise!!! The other nice surprise was that we hung on to him all the way to the boat for a release. Not a bad feat on 8 lb gear. Good Job to him!! After that excitement the trout turned on, and Jimi being the good sportsman managed to release 8 trout and countless Lady Fish.
With the sun rising and warming the water on the Flats, we decided to switch gears and look for some Permit and Barracuda. With the tide just starting to rise the Barracudas were laid up everywhere. The first couple were window-shoppers, charging the tube lure, but turning away at the last second. Seeing a large 20 pounder up tide of us, I pushed the boat to him with everything I had. Jimi’s cast was perfect and he was cranking the tube lure right across the Cuda’s nose. This is where it gets really exciting. With a bust of acceleration that would put a Ferrari to shame, Barry the Cuda was tracking his prey. I could only scream, “Faster, reel faster!!”. Finally an explosion, the rod bends and line screams off the 10 pound spinner. All this happening in less than a foot of crystal clear water is something that I think everyone should get to witness. Jimi, an avid fisherman, could only say, “That has to be the coolest thing I have ever seen!!” After a great fight, including several spectacular runs and jumps, we had the fish boat side. It is a great feeling to be able to put it all together and then revive the fish and watch it swim away to fight another day.
All that in just a ½ day fishing. Thanks Again to Jimi and I look forward to fishing with you again.
