Keys Fishing Report

Winter Fishing in Key West

Some of the best fishing is upon us now that we are heading into the fall and winter months. Permit and bonefish still roam the flats during the warm days, but as the water temps start to slowly come back down these fish will become more aggressive.

As one of the most explosive fishing times of the year, we can't forget the sharks or barracuda. Here's a good synopsis of our winter fishing in the Florida Keys:

During the months of December, January, and February, the flats of Lower Florida Keys can be crawling with life. As cold fronts pass, the "blue bird" days are right behind. Barracudas arrive to the warmer shallow water in search of bait fish. These fish can be taken with 10 lb spin tackle, or with a fly, and make long blistering runs interrupted by greyhounding jumps. The typical cuda weighs is approximately five to fifteen pounds, with the occasional fish in the twenties.

Sharks are another species that frequent the flats during the winter months. We tend to target Lemon, Bull, and Blacktip sharks that can range anywhere from ten to two hundred plus pounds, and can be caught on fifteen to twenty pound spin or fly as well. "You will know your alive, when a ten foot shark sticks his head out of the water to eat your bait, plug, or fly.

Tarpon are among the favorite fish to go for this time of year. They are in migration mode and pouring through the Keys. Bonefish are also abundant if you don't want to fish for the "silver king."

We look forward to this time of year so much because the fishing is so good. Tarpon are very dramatic when they take a bait or a fly. It's really neat!

Soon to come is the Palolo worm hatch on the next full moon falling tide in the evening. The worms are abundant where there is hard bottom. The Bahia Honda bridge is a famous place to go witness the worm hatch.

Looking ahead, the next few months are filled with action here in the Keys. Come join us if you can....

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