The Lower Keys Inshore Report

May- June Lower Keys Backcountry Report

Holy Toledo… As you can tell, it has been a while since my last report. Early mornings leading to long days haven’t afforded me the time to sit down and write as of late. No complaints here though.

Let me start out by saying, I am sick of Tarpon! Those big slimy dudes have had my clients begging for mercy for the last few months. The only thing that I can say is that the ‘poon’ fishing has been awesome but now I am getting a chance to move on to the other creatures of the flats. Tarpon are certainly still around in good numbers but as of late my clients have preferred to test their luck on Permit.

Every spot I have fished over the last few weeks has had fish. Permit fishing from west of Key West to Big Pine has been on fire with the best spot being within sight of Mallory Square. Big schools of smaller fish (8-12 lbs) have been wolf packing up and down the edges of flats in generous numbers. The bigger fish have been traveling alone and in slightly deeper water. Low incoming water has been the best tidal stage for me but every tide stage has produced. Slick, calm conditions made it easy to see them coming but also made them super spooky. Cast early and try to predict where they will be. That is the hardest part. Predicting a school of Permits’ movements can be frustrating, but casting well in advance allows you several shots at the group. Also, down size your bait. The smallest crabs/flies (bonefish size) are working the best. If you find a school and blow it don’t fret! Stay put. Others will come.

The biggest enemy of a fisherman this time of year is the lightening. It seemed like every time we were covered up in fish a storm would build near us. It is to be expected now that summer is upon us.  No fish is worth being barbequed over. Don’t test Mother Nature. She will win. Keep an eye on the sky and note the big anvil shaped clouds. Keep a safe distance between you and them. If possible, try fishing in an area that a storm has recently passed trough. The water temperature will have cooled down which will turn the fish on. Overcast conditions will keep the water cooler longer as well. It is a great time to focus on tailing bones.

I have several trips this week so look for another report in the near future. The fishing is as good as it has ever been so quit watching the news and listening to the rumors and get out there and take advantage of the BEST FISHING in the continental United States!

Tight Lines,

Bo

Lower Keys Inshore Fishing Report: April 2010

Let’s get this party started. The future is bright and the water is warm (Finally). Tarpon are here and will continue to increase in numbers all month long. The prime water temperature for the Silver King is 78 degrees. I haven’t seen that quite yet but it shouldn’t be long. There are good numbers of Tarpon around though. Besides the resident fish, migratory fish have made an appearance. If you think of the Tarpon migration in terms that you can relate to it makes perfect sense. Let’s take for example our snow bird migration. Some arrive earlier than others and some stay longer than others and they like an air temperature in the mid seventies. Sounds just like Tarpon to me!
Key West Harbor is a good place to look. Big numbers of schooling fish will make their presence known. Look for rolling fish near channel edges. I tend to shy away from these places personally. Nothing against the guy’s fishing there. It is just not my style. This time of year and in this stage of Tarpon Season I like to look in the basins. There are certain places that hold Tarpon in a mode referred to as laid up. The fish that are in this slightly cooler water (below 78 degrees) will seek out warm up spots where they will bask in the sun. They make a great target for fly fishermen as well as spin as they resemble green logs hovering just below the water surface. It may not be as visually stimulating as huge wads of Oceanside migrating fish but I promise that it is more productive.
Ok, now let’s move on to the second act for this month. Permit! There are bunches around. The gulf edge is where to look. Big schools are abundant almost everywhere. Key West has been the most constant producer of day long action. I don’t want to be too specific with my favorite spot but it is close enough that you can be fishing in less than 10 minutes from the city boat ramp. This action will surely slow down towards the end of the month as they move off the flats to spawn so take advantage of it while it is hot.
I hope this report inspires you to get out there and spend some time on the water. A day strolling down Duval Street sure is fun but a day on the water during the month of April in the lower Keys will be a memory not easily forgotten.
Until next time,
Capt. Bo

March 2010: Lower Keys Inshore Fishing Report

Well, all I can say is buuuurrrrrrr! Nature has been kicking our tail down here in the Lower Keys.  A few days late in February showed promise but that quickly subsided to yet another cold front.  Now March has arrived and all I am hoping for is some warmth.

Water temperatures are down. That is a fact. I can’t remember when it has been so cold for so long. All I know is that it will warm up eventually and when it does, hold on. It is a well known fact that Permit will be feeding voraciously in large numbers this month. Look for that to happen once we get steady temperatures in the 70s.  That is a bet that I would gladly make. Hopefully in my next report I will be able to back that up. But this is not a fishing prediction report so let me get to what is actually happening in the back country right now.

Trout, Ladyfish, Mackerel, Barracudas and Sharks are abundant. Some are available more so than others on any given day. For the best shot at ‘cudas, go west young man. The Marquesas have proven to be the hot spot for them.  Closer to home, the basins between Key West and Cudjoe are alive with Trout and Ladyfish. Pompano are also in the mix. As with most species of fish, when the water is cold, slow down your presentation. Drag, don’t bounce your baits on the bottom. The fish are sluggish and inactive. They will however still eat bait that is placed right in their face.  Sharks have been present on the flats late in the afternoon. It takes time for the flats to warm up but once it does, the toothy critters will start to show up. I haven’t seen any giants but there are plenty of puppy Lemon Sharks to keep any angler entertained.

We as fishermen will not sub come to the cold! Dress a little warmer and be positive. All in all it really is not that bad after all. We need to keep that in mind as we wait for the warm weather. A cold day on the water here is better than a summer day in Michigan…at least to me.

Until next time,

Bo

February 2010: Lower Keys Inshore Fishing Report

Where to begin? As with every other month of the year, the fishing is hot. The most important thing to keep an eye on when heading out on the water is the sea temperature. Unlike summer months when you know the water is warm, in February it can and in most cases will change on a daily basis. So that means your approach to what ever species you decide to go after must be capable of adapting as well.

I have been hitting the trout up pretty hard due to the fact that they are fairly tolerable of the cooler water that is predominant this month. Oh, and did I forget to mention that it is a blast! Good fishing can be found in almost all of the Gulf side basins from Key West to Big Pine. Jewfish Basin and the Spanish Banks have proven to be especially productive. As always, look for mullet muds and birds. When you find a good mud, take a minute, wait and watch to see if anything is going on. Also pay attention to the direction of the current. If you can determine the direction everything is moving, then you can position your boat in the correct position allowing you to be in the ZONE longer. Several species of game fish can be expected to be prowling about. Trout, Ladyfish, Bluefish and Pompano are a few of the usual suspects. Initially, I like to have three rods rigged. A surface plug, a mid-depth lure and a jig will allow all sections of the water column to be covered.

The key to cooler water fishing is to slow everything down. Literally drag a jig on the bottom. Something with a little sent never hurts. When you snag a fish (applies to all species), stop immediately.  These species almost always hang out in groups. I like to stake out but an anchor gently lowered will work fine. Fan cast the entire area thoroughly. You may be surprised as to how many fish you would have otherwise drifted over. Also note the depth and temperature. After all, that is the key factor for our winter fishery. You will quickly notice a trend. Stick to it as you move around. If you find fish in 8 feet of water on a grassy bottom with the temperature at 64 degrees, look in other areas that meet all of those characteristics.

I will mention that our Permit fishery is on the verge of going nuts. A bunch of fish are around but at times are quite finicky. When the water is chilly, look around deeper structure i.e. coral heads. Late afternoon flats have been good. Timed with an outgoing tide which has had a chance to warm up under the mid-day sun can be a hoot. It’s nothing to bank on quite yet, but that could change any day!

Let me reiterate, the fishing is hot! Put on a coat and go catch something.

Until next time,

Bo

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