Fishing Reports from the Florida Keys
Backcountry:
We seem to be in the thick of
Winter. Though it's most likely laughable to those living in the
Northern states. Evening temperatures drop to the low 50's while the
afternoon provides a small window of maybe 65 degree weather. The
fish have been affected, there's no doubt. Seems most of the flats
species have plenty of patience waiting in the warmer, deeper water.
If bonefishing, I'll try and focus my search on the warmer parts of
the day, when the sunlight has warmed the shallows to an acceptable
level. The mornings have been very slow. We've found a few bonefish
early, hugging windless shorelines with little current. The back
country has had redfish, but once again a little patience is needed
while waiting for them to actively feed. As the sun creeps
awkwardly at its low angle this time of the year, the warmth it
provides fish and fisherman is greatly appreciated. Late November I
had Julie and Howard Marshal out flyfishing for redfish. We worked
the shallow back basins of the Everglades and found quite a few reds
working the mullet muddied water. They each managed one on fly.
During a small tournament, I fished with Mike Smith and Joel
Shepard, we first fished out towards Flamingo. The wind seemed to be
a steady 20 to 25. Needless to say, flyfishing was a daunting task.
Though we saw quite a few redfish, we caught two, the only fish
caught in the tournament that day. Day two was a bit lighter with
the wind, we worked on the bonefish. Early on we hooked a very large
bonefish, but unfortunately was broken off. Seems the wind wrapped
the flyline around the reel handle. We had probably 15 or so shots
for the rest of the day, but were unable to get the fly to them as
the winds picked up again. I had a number of trips with folks just
looking to bend a rod. Time for trout. The park seems to be loaded
with them now. Andy Barnum and his dad kept busy catching them and a
few large sharks. Jon Tornburg fished three days with me, catching
several nice redfish. Our third day was cut short due to some heavy
rain and thick cloud cover while trying to bonefish. We did hook one
up that threw the hook. Saturday I fished with Mike Nielson and his
wife. Just learning to flyfish, we headed back to Flamingo, to get
him started on his flyfishing career on a good note. His wife kept
busy on the light spinning rod, hauling in fish, while I worked with
Mike on his casting technique. Between the two, i put several mile
on my feet while in the boat, unhooking fish and polishing his
casting stroke. Monday and Tuesday I fished with Benjamin Pinell, on
his honeymoon. Hmm, his new bride was back at the hotel room. What
lucky man. Day one had us in search of redfish, but at the first
sight of a lemon shark cruising the flats, Benjamin changed his
focus for the flyrod. Once again the wind picked up, making casting
difficult. We had a blast casting at about 10 or 12 big sharks and a
few redfish during the day. Day two, we left a little later, hoping
for a shot or two at a bonefish. Seems the weather had other plans
for us. We were out on the water for about five minutes, when the
leading edge of a cold front, that had been lingering out west for
all morning, suddenly decided to join us. We picked up and ran into
a local watering hole, where we spent the next two and a half hours.
His lovely bride joined us and I enjoyed the company of each of
them. Some days are better off the water. I couldn't have impressed
him anyway in the nasty weather. I suspect the Winter will provide
us with a few cloudy and cold days, broken up by sunny warming
trends between. Still not a bad time for fishing, especially
mid-day for bonefish, redfish and the like. Seatrout, jacks and
ladyfish always seem to be out back, for those searching for light,
constant action. Guess it could be worse, hmmm wonder what Minnesota
is like right now? Florida Keys Flats Fishing
Lower Keys Flats Report
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