So its been a bit too long since I sat down and gave my clients and potential new clients a fishing report.Ive have been blessed to be really busy fishing even in the slower parts of the year thanks to my awesome repeat clientele. This past summer the fishing was nothing short of spectacular. The tarpon in the backcountry were plentiful around flamingo in the everglades national park. We had some very good days catching them on fly and artificials. The redfish and snook on the flats was very good and consistent especially when the winds were down. Fish were schooled up on the flats and the redfish were enjoying themselves in shallow water showing off their tails. The permit and bone fishing were pretty good until we had the king tides. The water levels were extremeley high giving the fish plenty of opportunity to wander around wherever they liked because all the flats had at least an extra foot of water on them.
So far this fall the fishing near flamingo in the everglades national park has been very good. When there winds have been low I have been finding Tarpon from the small “fun size” to the big fish over 100lbs on the calmer days. Our red fishing continues to improve on what it was a couple of years ago. Our redfish are slowly growing in size and in my opinion this winter will be a good time of year to sight fish them on the flats with your choice of fly or spinning gear. Snook have also been good, I haven’t been catching a bunch of giant fish on the flats but plenty of fish in the 20-26 inch range.
I have been spending some time aboard my 24ft Islamorada Boatworks Morada 24 bay boat fishing the reef and running out west of flamingo in the everglades. We have had some great days offshore catching a variety of snappers and groupers along with dolphin, kingfish and tuna. When the winds are light enough I like to drift the deeper drop off near the reef and set out a spread with live bait near the bottom and on the surface which usually yields many different species of great eating fish. On the windier days spent on the bay boat we usually run to the everglades and fish for everything like snook,tarpon,redfish,trout,snappers,triple tail and cobia. Another option on the windier days is to fish the patch reefs on the bay boat which is one of my favorite things to do in the fall and winter. Mutton snappers are usually the main target but we catch real nice mangrove snappers, yellowtails, porgies,porgies,groupers and even hogfish.
Whatever you wish to fish for in the Florida Keys and Miami I have you covered to fish in my Chittum flats skiff or my 24ft Bay boat which I can accommodate up to 4 anglers. I have availability in the next couple months and along the holidays. Feel free to contact me via email or a phone call and I will be happy to answer any of your questions!