Cool Underwater Shots!!
Just got a new underwater camera and have been having some fun with it. Here are a few pics of some of the fish we have been catching lately. Still figuring it out so stay tuned for more!!!
Spring is looking Great
The last half of February was a flats fisherman’s dream. We had warm water, light wind and clear skies for two weeks. After last February’s brutal cold fronts it was much needed. The weather brought all the fish to Key West that we love catching. I have been landing Tarpon every morning, often getting multiples. The fish are here and if we can keep this warm weather pattern it is going to be a great Springtime Tarpon bite.
The big Barracuda fishing has been over the top. They have been everywhere!!! Now, not all of them are going to be enticed by you tube lure, but with so many around and some hard fishing you will find some hungry ones. I had Al and Eric Shultz out last week and we lost count around 15 cudas boat side. Eric is pictured above with one of his many. Even the young anglers got in on the action. Jamison and Brett had a blast assisting in these two monsters!!
Permit fishing also reaches one of its peak times of year in March. These wary fish are going to be feeding on the flats this month fattening up for their annual spawn in April.
Still Warmer in Key West
Over this last weekend we had a pretty strong cold front make its way through the Florida Keys. The wind was howling and the temperatures dropped to the sixties. But I am happy to report that we are back to the upper 70’s and the next cold front isn’t coming for a few weeks.
Before this last front we had a couple fantastic days Tarpon fishing. Great sign to see them here already and now just a couple days of warm weather and they should turn on again. There have been some really big cudas on the flats as the sun warms up the water. The big sharks are also making their presence known as this poor cuda found out the hard way. This cuda was attacked by two big Lemons just feet from the boat in two feet of water. Quite a sight to see.
So we are looking forward to some great conditions for the next few weeks. Give Capt John a call at 305 587 7669.
Happy New Year!!!!
2011 is here and the fishing in Key West is gearing up!!! After a bitterly cold December, the weather is finally getting back to what it should be in Key West. The water temps were way down and the fishing somewhat suffered the last month of 2010. But that was last year. The water is getting back to the 70 degree mark and fishing is on the rise. We have been targeting the wintertime fish (Reds, Jacks, Snook, Ladyfish, & SeaTrout). The latest couple trips out I will bet we caught around 50 fish, on 1/2 days. That is some great action on light tackle. The above fish (Reds & Snook) are not all that common to the Lower Keys, but they have been making a showing the last couple years. There are several theories as to why they are in these waters, but for whatever reason, I am just glad they are here. So for some great light tackle, rod-bending action give me a call @ (305) 587 7669. Looking forward to another great year fishing the most beautiful waters in the world!!!
Blue Skies & Cool Temps
Happy Holidays!!!!!!! We are having a great time here in Key West catching a variety of wintertime fish. With the drop in the water temperature the Big Barracudas are flooding the flats just waiting to take well placed Tube Lure. Barracuda fishing in the shallow water is some of the most exciting fishing there is. For those of you that have caught them offshore on heavy tackle you might be wondering what the attraction is. But once you sight fish for them in the backcountry and watch them go from zero to sixty and explode on your lure right in front of the boat you are going to have a new found respect for them. On light tackle the fight is equally impressive: blistering runs and spectacular jumps are just part of their repertoire.
This is also the time of year that the Backcountry Basins fill up with all types of fish. We have been catching SeaTrout. Jack Crevalles, Ladyfish, Bluefish, and Big Blacktip Sharks. This fishing is fun for all skill levels and it can be nonstop action.
Back from Wales
Richard and Stephanie came back for their 3rd year in a row to fish with me on the ShadowCaster. They had a great 1/2 day morning fishing, each catching a Tarpon (hers was bigger) a few Jacks and a nice Cuda. The Barracudas are starting to show up in the shallow flats. They are usually more of a winter time fish, but with our first coldfronts already coming through, the Cudas are enjoying the cooler water temps.
This is the time of year the Tarpon fishing is going to slow way down. Once the temperature drops, Tarpon move on out. But the Permit fishing should remain strong through the month of October and November. These next two months are also a great time to go and do some Bonefishing. I have been seeing quite a few fish at the bottom of the tide.
We should also start to see the Basin Fishing (SeaTrout, Jacks, Sharks, Ladyfish) improve over the next few weeks. This type of fishing is a great time for fishermen (& women) of all skill levels.
Team Hooters
Andrew Brace and his friend, Alan, came down from Tennessee for some great fishing this weekend on the ShadowCaster. Both Andrew and Alan are GM’s of the popular Hooter’s restaurant in Downtown Nashville. (and I thought I had a great job) We managed to dodge a few rain showers and put some fish in the boat. Over the two days of fishing both guys caught several nice snook, hooked four Tarponand got two to the boat, a bunch of Jacks and snappers, 10+ sharks topping 125 pounds, a couple bonefish and one great big Barracuda. There is some Great fishing happening in the tourist “off season” so give me a call to take advantage of some great rates!!!!
Labor Day Weekend
Judy and Dave came down from New Jersey for a pre-wedding getaway and some flats fishing on the ShadowCaster. Congrats on thier upcoming nuptuals in October. The Permit fishing has been great so far this month. We are having some flat calm weather, which makes for awesome “tailing” and “floating” conditions for Permit fishing. Permit will actually float on the surface, with their backs and tails out of the water. Permit fishing is probably my favorite and seeing a dozen or more fish on the surface bobing up and down will surely get your heart racing. Hopefully these conditions will remain for the rest of the month and all those Hurricanes stay out in the Atlantic. Call (305.587.7669) or send me an email to get out on the water and get Hooked-Up.
Summer Fishing
Bob and his fishing buddy Raymond really wanted to catch a Permit and here is a picture of thier double header. Bob went on to release another and Raymond caught and released a Tarpon about 100lbs. David Plummer and his wife came fishing with the ShadowCaster and released two Permit on a 6Hr Trip. So needless to say the Permit fishing has been great this summer.
Sharks are also a great target this time of year. Above is a picture of the business end of a nice size Blacktip Shark. Along with the Blacktips we also caught a alot of Lemons and a few Bull Sharks this past week. The Sharks are weighing anywhere from 30lbs to over 200lbs. Great fun on light tackle in skinny water.
June 2010
Key West is covered up in Fish!!!! (Not Oil) So anyone wondering about the Oil situation here in Key West, there isn’t one. We are completely free of any oil form the DeepWater Horizon.
The fishing this summer is exactly how it should be. Tarpon–Permit–Bonefish–Sharks Galore. Above are a few fish caught this week. Laura and Kelly Kilbur came back to KW from TX for some great Tarpon fishing in which they managed to release quite a few fish topping the 100lb mark. Laura did it again this year with her 28lb Permit.
Bonefishing has been heating up as the summer moves on with multiple shots every morning. Above is Dr Rob Boone with his first ever bonefish.
