By Captain John Smouse

Christmas Tarpon!!

Usually in December we are not even thinking about Tarpon, but with all this great warm weather South Florida has been given the Resident Tarpon have been in the feeding mood. Above are a few Pictures on some of the fish we have caught this week aboard the ShadowCaster. Tarpon fishing this time of year is very fragile and our next cold front will put an end to this. But this weekend (Dec 14 & 15)looks like its going to be good and warm.

SeaTrout in the backcountry has been fantastic as well. The fish have all been nice big fatties!! Mixed in with them have been Jacks, Ladyfish, Bluefish and Big Sharks. Lots of action for fishing in calm water with light tackle.

Give me a call at 305.587.7669 or drop me an email here to get hooked up!!

 

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By Captain John Smouse

Winter Fishing 2014

Our first cold fronts are hitting Key West as I write this report. It is going to get in the 70’s this week, not bad for a cold front. The fishing is going to get better and better as our water temps slowly drop. The Big Barracudas are going to start foraging on the flats looking for that warmer shallow water. I haven’t found a person that doesn’t love catching a Cuda on light tackle in the skinny water. A really amazing show by one of the oceans top predators.

The BackCountry basins are going to start filling up with our “fun” fish. These are the Jacks, SeaTrout, Sharks of all types, ladyfish, bluefish, snappers, etc. Not uncommon to catch a large variety and quantity of fish in these areas.

So call Capt John at 305.587.7669 to get in on the action!!!!

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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!!

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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.

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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.

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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”

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By Captain John Smouse

A great start to 2013


Happy New Year. We are off to a great start to 2013. The weather has been fantastic and the fishing is right on track for our winter action style fishing. There have been huge schools of Jacks crashing bait all along the edges of the flats. We have been having a blast throwing top water lures into the melee and watching as multiple fish actually fight over the lure.
The Barracudas pictured above were bonus fish mixed in with the feeding frenzy. Cudas really provide some blistering runs and spectacular leaps. These cudas love to scour the flats during the winter months.
Shark fishing has been awesome as well. This time of year it is all about BlackTips and Spinner Sharks. Some of them have been pushing the 100lb mark!!!
Also the basins are providing some action for numbers. Here we having been catching some of the smaller jacks, redfish, sea trout, ladyfish, pompano, and of course there are sharks around those schools waiting for an easy meal.
Give Capt John a call @ 305.587.7669 to book your fishing adventure for this year!!!!

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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!!

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By Captain John Smouse

Winter Time Fishing

Our first Cold Front has come through the fabulous Florida Keys and it has brought some cooler temps. With the wind shifting to the East and NorthEast the water is cooling down and we are starting our Fall and Winter fishing.

Some of the species we will target throughout the coming months are Jacks, SeaTrout, Redfish, Pompano, ladyfish, Sharks and Barracudas. Yesterday we had a blast targeting all these species with light tackle. This type of fishing is for all skill levels and it is not uncommon to hook and catch dozens of fish. You just never know what the species will be on any given cast.

Permit Fishing will remain a great option throughout October in between these windy cold fronts.

Call Capt John @ 305 587 7669 to get off the island and really enjoy what makes Key West such a great place.

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