Doesn't happen every year, sometimes it won't happen in five years.
The last few days we have had to run in the fog early morning and although today it lifted late morning, yesterday the fog hung around is some areas most of the day.
The flats, once you find them, can be eerie as with low visibility and flat water sometimes you can hear strange things moving about and you can be fooled by the thick air as to how far or near the splashes and pops and swirling can be.
For some reason, as I have witnessed several times before the Black Tip and Lemon Sharks can be absolutely nuts charging around attacking anything that breaks the surface.
The Sharks and US are not the only wacko's out in the fog lots of the other guys can be very aggressive .
But the real surprise of the day was when a Tube Lure cast in the direction of some noise out in the Foggy Boggy, produced after some high speed blasts a big, by Key West standards , Bluefish that was up in 18 inches of water.
As he charged and tail walked by the skiff in a Blue Panic!
"Whats with THAT.?".....Oh Shyte a Log of a Barracuda was after and caught our Bluefish now we're fighting a 25 lb Cuda and whats left of a 6 lb Bluefish.
Is that a record? Great fun in the fog.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Exploding Flats Fish Key West
Really unbelievable , Yesterday with a warm if not blowy Southeast Wind we had fish, big fish, little fish. long and wide fish.
Pompano, tackle busting Blue Fish schools, Sharks and lots of Jack Crevall......Jacks big enough to swaller a Pepsi Bottle.
That was yesterday, heading out today I expected after last nights low speed muggy SW wind even MORE gobbling.
Secret spot showed us a few schools of Blue Runners early in the tide but as the water came up out of the Gulf, in came over the top of the flats school after school of Jack Crevalls, many very large fish.
Sharks, Barracudas, Bluefish and Pompano Arse Ol's and Elbow's
Fly Rods and the little Weenie spin rods we stole from the Crappie Fisherman, bent double!
Then....Oh SHYTE! TARPON and several schools of Permit maybe 60 fish in all from 8lbs to near 30 lbs.
WE could not feed the Tarpon or Permit, they probably had heard about us.
Pass me the Pompano Platter Please......
Pompano, tackle busting Blue Fish schools, Sharks and lots of Jack Crevall......Jacks big enough to swaller a Pepsi Bottle.
That was yesterday, heading out today I expected after last nights low speed muggy SW wind even MORE gobbling.
Secret spot showed us a few schools of Blue Runners early in the tide but as the water came up out of the Gulf, in came over the top of the flats school after school of Jack Crevalls, many very large fish.
Sharks, Barracudas, Bluefish and Pompano Arse Ol's and Elbow's
Fly Rods and the little Weenie spin rods we stole from the Crappie Fisherman, bent double!
Then....Oh SHYTE! TARPON and several schools of Permit maybe 60 fish in all from 8lbs to near 30 lbs.
WE could not feed the Tarpon or Permit, they probably had heard about us.
Pass me the Pompano Platter Please......
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Key West Pompano and Monster Jack Attack
Yesterday was " One of Those" wondering when the grey edge in the northwest would turn into the Bear Claw Blue Northern and end the party with an Artic Blast.
Turned out we were lucky yesterday and Jane and Dave Bohren were treated to lots of great action all morning.
Jacks and Lady Fish started us out first off and the bottom of the falling tide had the basins a little dismal .....not a promise of Trout or Pompano.
Luckily when the tide turned and started in , along with a good guess at a new spot , the flats exploded with life.
First cast in the new lo-cal produced for Jane a nice Blue Fish on ultra lite tackle with his buddies trying to steal his rubber worm all the way to the boat.
At once David and I were hooked up to 12-14 lb. Jack Crevalle's.
Next cast and Jane and I had Pompanos, Dave another Big Jack and on it went for an hour and one half.
We had our shots at some spooky Permit, big suckers that were in a mixed size school , maybe 25 Permit in the school.
OOPS! here comes the Blue Bear Claws time to idle out and punch the Merc towards the Barn.
We were treated to a peek at a baby Hammerhead Shark as we slid down the channel, Jane got a kick out of this little 8 ft. 250 lb Baby.
We made it back to Garrison Bight unscathed but as it works for Mike I got blasted on my commute back to the home sea wall.
40 MPH, driving rain, visibility about 50 ft, 20 degree drop in temps as I shot across the flat soaked and shivering....grinning my ass off....
Turned out we were lucky yesterday and Jane and Dave Bohren were treated to lots of great action all morning.
Jacks and Lady Fish started us out first off and the bottom of the falling tide had the basins a little dismal .....not a promise of Trout or Pompano.
Luckily when the tide turned and started in , along with a good guess at a new spot , the flats exploded with life.
First cast in the new lo-cal produced for Jane a nice Blue Fish on ultra lite tackle with his buddies trying to steal his rubber worm all the way to the boat.
At once David and I were hooked up to 12-14 lb. Jack Crevalle's.
Next cast and Jane and I had Pompanos, Dave another Big Jack and on it went for an hour and one half.
We had our shots at some spooky Permit, big suckers that were in a mixed size school , maybe 25 Permit in the school.
OOPS! here comes the Blue Bear Claws time to idle out and punch the Merc towards the Barn.
We were treated to a peek at a baby Hammerhead Shark as we slid down the channel, Jane got a kick out of this little 8 ft. 250 lb Baby.
We made it back to Garrison Bight unscathed but as it works for Mike I got blasted on my commute back to the home sea wall.
40 MPH, driving rain, visibility about 50 ft, 20 degree drop in temps as I shot across the flat soaked and shivering....grinning my ass off....
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Permit and Barracudas show before Front
Today's 80 degree, sunny ski's and light breezes will give way to a rather strong cool front tomorrow afternoon.
We were in high cotton this afternoon tossing crabs at slow moving Permit and Tube Lures to Barracudas.
Fly chucken a bit but only fresh fare were taken by our little Permit pals and a matched set of 12 lbers came to a kiss and slap on the Ass at the boat.
First thing in the morning we'll be back out, one eye in a northwesterly direction watching for the promised " Blue Northern" that will end our day and maybe the next.
Just when we were talk'en Tarpon along comes a spoiler!
We were in high cotton this afternoon tossing crabs at slow moving Permit and Tube Lures to Barracudas.
Fly chucken a bit but only fresh fare were taken by our little Permit pals and a matched set of 12 lbers came to a kiss and slap on the Ass at the boat.
First thing in the morning we'll be back out, one eye in a northwesterly direction watching for the promised " Blue Northern" that will end our day and maybe the next.
Just when we were talk'en Tarpon along comes a spoiler!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Warming The Key West Flats
Today's cool air is leaving and the warm sun will bring more creatures into the flats and basins.
Our last few days were very cool , too cool for our little pays to play.
Most of us were in the gym this past few days or home in sweat pants brewing a pot of Chilly.
Our trip to the backcountry produced a few jacks and a couple of small Grouper on Weenie Spin Rods but the reel fun was launching Red Rubber Worms on the Flats.
One huge Jack, a big Barracuda and lots of misses with Black Tip and Lemon Sharks late in the incoming tide gave us some great action and abused our 4-8 LB. Weenie Rods.
This wind has dropped to a whisper tonight and the humidity has come up and we've hung out the welcome sign to the Trout, Pompano and Cudas.
With the great clear sky we have been enjoying the sight casting will be super and we will be jazzed!
Our last few days were very cool , too cool for our little pays to play.
Most of us were in the gym this past few days or home in sweat pants brewing a pot of Chilly.
Our trip to the backcountry produced a few jacks and a couple of small Grouper on Weenie Spin Rods but the reel fun was launching Red Rubber Worms on the Flats.
One huge Jack, a big Barracuda and lots of misses with Black Tip and Lemon Sharks late in the incoming tide gave us some great action and abused our 4-8 LB. Weenie Rods.
This wind has dropped to a whisper tonight and the humidity has come up and we've hung out the welcome sign to the Trout, Pompano and Cudas.
With the great clear sky we have been enjoying the sight casting will be super and we will be jazzed!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Cold Front Blows Pompano into Key West
And some Sea Trout, Barracudas and Sharks up on the Flats chasing bait.
It's that time of year , cool fronts driving bait fish south making Sailfish migrate oceanside and the Cobia, Trout, Pompano and Redfish move in out of the Gulf.
We're having lots of fun with light spin and fly rods in the basins and Gulf side Flats.
Barracudas on light tackle in less than a foot of water is one of the surprises first time flats anglers enjoy.
With a less that Stellar reputation offshore where Cuda's are considered a nuisance when they chop your slow trolled Ballyhoo in half before you have a chance to hook a Sail or Wahoo.
Those of us that find it fun to whip a big fish on what is considered light fresh water tackle, love to watch a Barracuda on a Weenie Rod smokem 100 yards of 10 lb. test and leaping 6 ft in the air.
Our last trip to the flats produced two nice big Lemon Sharks and about 10 Barracudas hooked and landed , hooked and laughed off and some yummy Sea Trout for dinner, unplanned but welcome!
It's that time of year , cool fronts driving bait fish south making Sailfish migrate oceanside and the Cobia, Trout, Pompano and Redfish move in out of the Gulf.
We're having lots of fun with light spin and fly rods in the basins and Gulf side Flats.
Barracudas on light tackle in less than a foot of water is one of the surprises first time flats anglers enjoy.
With a less that Stellar reputation offshore where Cuda's are considered a nuisance when they chop your slow trolled Ballyhoo in half before you have a chance to hook a Sail or Wahoo.
Those of us that find it fun to whip a big fish on what is considered light fresh water tackle, love to watch a Barracuda on a Weenie Rod smokem 100 yards of 10 lb. test and leaping 6 ft in the air.
Our last trip to the flats produced two nice big Lemon Sharks and about 10 Barracudas hooked and landed , hooked and laughed off and some yummy Sea Trout for dinner, unplanned but welcome!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Unbelieveable XMas Weather
It's really been like spring this past week or so and even a few Tarpon have noticed!
Don't run and grab the 12wt. but if warm stuff continues we will be sniffen around a few Poon Haunts.
The Permit have not been crazy and the Barracudas are not on the feed bag as much as they were last week when the inshore water was a little cooler.
But the Pompano, Sea Trout and Jacks have been really giving my Jig and Mylar Varmit Fly stocks a beating.
Fun fishing and great warm weather sooooo? How's the weather in Cleveland?!
Don't run and grab the 12wt. but if warm stuff continues we will be sniffen around a few Poon Haunts.
The Permit have not been crazy and the Barracudas are not on the feed bag as much as they were last week when the inshore water was a little cooler.
But the Pompano, Sea Trout and Jacks have been really giving my Jig and Mylar Varmit Fly stocks a beating.
Fun fishing and great warm weather sooooo? How's the weather in Cleveland?!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Key West Xmas Fishing
Same ol' Problem..... Cold Fronts and Christmas Fisherman
We'll get them out Casting for Cuda's and Jigging for Sea Trout, Pompano and Jacks , it's all fun.
Most years you can plan on the weather to be brisk Christmas week but many of the people arriving from Chicago , Cleveland , Pittsburg are just glad to not be shoveling sidewalks for the holidays.
So from the sunny but breezy Florida Keys HAPPY HOLIDAYS .....Barracuda 35 feet @ 3 oclock!
We'll get them out Casting for Cuda's and Jigging for Sea Trout, Pompano and Jacks , it's all fun.
Most years you can plan on the weather to be brisk Christmas week but many of the people arriving from Chicago , Cleveland , Pittsburg are just glad to not be shoveling sidewalks for the holidays.
So from the sunny but breezy Florida Keys HAPPY HOLIDAYS .....Barracuda 35 feet @ 3 oclock!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
OK SO That's Not a Ohio Steelhead Your Right!
YES I DID get a nice Steelhead on the Grand and lost another and your right that's British Columbia and a bigger fish I caught on the Copper River.
Didn't have a camera last week when I hooked a good fish of about 26+ inches and maybe 10-11 lbs.
He gave me a good tussel on a economy model Pflueger IM8 Fly Rod more like a 6-7 than the 8wt marked on the blank but a super little rod and a reel drag clicker that sounded like the stray cat that decided to sleep in the fan shroud of my old Chevy PU one cold front nite.
I hit the key at 6am the next morning and CRRRRRYYYYEEEEEEE...
Anyway there was a lot of complaining from that reel as my first Grand River Steelhead smoked down stream, I was giggling with the addrenaline rush that only a good fish can give when you have been in the river for 3 days without a sniff and the last thing you expect is a top water take!
I was rewarded again the next day with another...briefly.
Eric Evans and I plan on an annual October trip to the Grand dragging our pal Cappy "Top Water Todd Bowen" with us.
That will be our last northern her'raw for the year before we head south to the Key West Flats that have given us great lives.
Didn't have a camera last week when I hooked a good fish of about 26+ inches and maybe 10-11 lbs.
He gave me a good tussel on a economy model Pflueger IM8 Fly Rod more like a 6-7 than the 8wt marked on the blank but a super little rod and a reel drag clicker that sounded like the stray cat that decided to sleep in the fan shroud of my old Chevy PU one cold front nite.
I hit the key at 6am the next morning and CRRRRRYYYYEEEEEEE...
Anyway there was a lot of complaining from that reel as my first Grand River Steelhead smoked down stream, I was giggling with the addrenaline rush that only a good fish can give when you have been in the river for 3 days without a sniff and the last thing you expect is a top water take!
I was rewarded again the next day with another...briefly.
Eric Evans and I plan on an annual October trip to the Grand dragging our pal Cappy "Top Water Todd Bowen" with us.
That will be our last northern her'raw for the year before we head south to the Key West Flats that have given us great lives.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Summer Vacation Moto Style
Another motorcycle ride snaking east and west as I head north through Georgia into North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Parkway one again.
Planning my assault on Ohio to correspond with the Vintage motorcycle races at Mid-Ohio track at Lexington.
Wundering the flea market with its old motorcycle parts to complete bike's is always a time machine trip, remembering my first Indian Scout Bobber/chopped and painted with a brush, farting, coughing, push to start heap.
The BSA's Norton's Vincent's and the grey beards that continue to love them.
The next week I'm back for the Honda Super Bike Classic and a flash forward to today's fire breathing just sub of 200 MPH motorcycles.
Tomorrow I'll be in the Grand River of Northeastern Ohio to launch flies
at the Steelhead of Lake Erie with my pal Eric Evans.
The cold rain and snow flurries of the past week will have pushed some Steelies into the river and although this old Florida Keys Coconut is a bit out of his element it wont be the first time I popped up on a Steelhead stream.
For years September and October found me on the rivers of British Columbia wacking away for hours, force feeding Leach Pattern Flies to the Big Steelhead that come out of the Pacific to spawn in the mountains every fall.
Eric and I do not expect 20 lb monsters that are common in B.C. but 8-12 pounders are not out of the question..... we'll be tickled to capture any Steelhead.
Report to follow in a few days....
Planning my assault on Ohio to correspond with the Vintage motorcycle races at Mid-Ohio track at Lexington.
Wundering the flea market with its old motorcycle parts to complete bike's is always a time machine trip, remembering my first Indian Scout Bobber/chopped and painted with a brush, farting, coughing, push to start heap.
The BSA's Norton's Vincent's and the grey beards that continue to love them.
The next week I'm back for the Honda Super Bike Classic and a flash forward to today's fire breathing just sub of 200 MPH motorcycles.
Tomorrow I'll be in the Grand River of Northeastern Ohio to launch flies
at the Steelhead of Lake Erie with my pal Eric Evans.
The cold rain and snow flurries of the past week will have pushed some Steelies into the river and although this old Florida Keys Coconut is a bit out of his element it wont be the first time I popped up on a Steelhead stream.
For years September and October found me on the rivers of British Columbia wacking away for hours, force feeding Leach Pattern Flies to the Big Steelhead that come out of the Pacific to spawn in the mountains every fall.
Eric and I do not expect 20 lb monsters that are common in B.C. but 8-12 pounders are not out of the question..... we'll be tickled to capture any Steelhead.
Report to follow in a few days....
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Key West Tarpon War 2008
PHEW!
Lost in the fog of Tarpon War.... fishing all but three of the last 60 days.
But another Tarpon migration run and a chance to fish with old buddies and some new ones too.
Jim Cloud celebrated his 77th birthday with a 90 lber on Flyrod and as he said "buys another year of life and I'll be back for 2009"....me too Jim.
Peter Mullet was here for his week and after a few "Trout Lifts" and other assorted screw up managed to capture several nice Tarpon on Fly.
Peter and I always laugh alot.
Eric Evans another best pal, he and Jim Cloud have fished with me through several marriage's and sets of teeth........anyway Eric was here with his son Thadd and we scared a few Tarpon half to death, drank some Rhumb.
Adam Marton just left after a week of jumpen off some Tarpon and punishing the Chartruse Bunny Flies.
Mark Miller and Jack Gluckman are a couple of new friends that had success with Tarpon on fly and will be back next year.
We have had some ups and down with the fishing in May/June but it's been really good generally.
On this day off I will rest and do a little cooking.....well unless the wind backs down, then I take a ride and jump a Poon!
Lost in the fog of Tarpon War.... fishing all but three of the last 60 days.
But another Tarpon migration run and a chance to fish with old buddies and some new ones too.
Jim Cloud celebrated his 77th birthday with a 90 lber on Flyrod and as he said "buys another year of life and I'll be back for 2009"....me too Jim.
Peter Mullet was here for his week and after a few "Trout Lifts" and other assorted screw up managed to capture several nice Tarpon on Fly.
Peter and I always laugh alot.
Eric Evans another best pal, he and Jim Cloud have fished with me through several marriage's and sets of teeth........anyway Eric was here with his son Thadd and we scared a few Tarpon half to death, drank some Rhumb.
Adam Marton just left after a week of jumpen off some Tarpon and punishing the Chartruse Bunny Flies.
Mark Miller and Jack Gluckman are a couple of new friends that had success with Tarpon on fly and will be back next year.
We have had some ups and down with the fishing in May/June but it's been really good generally.
On this day off I will rest and do a little cooking.....well unless the wind backs down, then I take a ride and jump a Poon!
Monday, April 21, 2008
WHOOAH! They are Back, dem Poons.
Yesterday morning started with a few rolling Tarpon and Permit Tails poking up in the flat calm.
Turned out to be too calm, we had 3 crabs stolen, 2 by Tarpon 1 by a Permit.
These guy's can be tuff when the water is so clear and flat calm, truth is a fly-rodder has a better chance under those conditions.
I was short a Fly-Rodder.
This A.M. was not a lot better, dozens of Tarpon and Permit milling around as if waiting for the train to Pittsburgh.
We did hook a Tarpon and for a few moments we were brilliant, then we forgot to bow and he jumped off.
A while later another miss-Q and no hookup.
Hard to feel to badly when its so beautiful and your surrounded with Tarpon and Permit.
We should be seeing the migratory Tarpon in a week or so, with this kind of weather.
Turned out to be too calm, we had 3 crabs stolen, 2 by Tarpon 1 by a Permit.
These guy's can be tuff when the water is so clear and flat calm, truth is a fly-rodder has a better chance under those conditions.
I was short a Fly-Rodder.
This A.M. was not a lot better, dozens of Tarpon and Permit milling around as if waiting for the train to Pittsburgh.
We did hook a Tarpon and for a few moments we were brilliant, then we forgot to bow and he jumped off.
A while later another miss-Q and no hookup.
Hard to feel to badly when its so beautiful and your surrounded with Tarpon and Permit.
We should be seeing the migratory Tarpon in a week or so, with this kind of weather.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tarpon Fishing Key West Some More
Today's Cold Front gives me a break long enough to sit down and pop out a few lines.
Later I'll go to the gym and zip around town on the motorcycle, wearing pants and jacket.
We were happy jumping Tarpon and snagging a few Permit this past few weeks and then another really chilly front knock up down a notch.
62 degrees is not Tarpon weather and last night lows will return to mid 70's later today.
Many Tarpon are in a holding pattern just offshore and we'll start to see them by the end of the week.
Bags of Tarpon Flies and Boxes of Tarpon Plugs have been arriving this week.... munition's for the planned 3 month offensive.
Night time fly-fishing for Tarpon has been a ball when conditions permitted, sometimes we were home by 8:30 after landing a couple in 3ft of water.
Spot light's providing a silvery explosion next to the skiff.
I love Tarpon.... every one I even saw.
Later I'll go to the gym and zip around town on the motorcycle, wearing pants and jacket.
We were happy jumping Tarpon and snagging a few Permit this past few weeks and then another really chilly front knock up down a notch.
62 degrees is not Tarpon weather and last night lows will return to mid 70's later today.
Many Tarpon are in a holding pattern just offshore and we'll start to see them by the end of the week.
Bags of Tarpon Flies and Boxes of Tarpon Plugs have been arriving this week.... munition's for the planned 3 month offensive.
Night time fly-fishing for Tarpon has been a ball when conditions permitted, sometimes we were home by 8:30 after landing a couple in 3ft of water.
Spot light's providing a silvery explosion next to the skiff.
I love Tarpon.... every one I even saw.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Great Key West Flats Fishing
Our weather this winter has been a treat, we have had some cold fronts and 2 weeks ago, a doozie that brought record lows.
But so what? Many days of upper 70's and low 80's with lots of sun make for a very pleasant day on the Flats.
Yesterday started with more breeze than we would have prefered but not bad and although the Tarpon we found ignored our advances, some nice Sea Trout and huge Jacks showed up to kick butt.
Most of the day was spent Poling the Key West Flats for Barracudas and Permit, and we were rewarded with Toofie attacks!
Did not see but one Bonefish however the Permit popped in to humble my Caster ...
....about a dozen times #%^*
But so what? Many days of upper 70's and low 80's with lots of sun make for a very pleasant day on the Flats.
Yesterday started with more breeze than we would have prefered but not bad and although the Tarpon we found ignored our advances, some nice Sea Trout and huge Jacks showed up to kick butt.
Most of the day was spent Poling the Key West Flats for Barracudas and Permit, and we were rewarded with Toofie attacks!
Did not see but one Bonefish however the Permit popped in to humble my Caster ...
....about a dozen times #%^*
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Winter Break on the Flats
Just off a little break in the action.
What did I miss, great fishing of course and some tuff cool fronts also.
Flogg'en the Motorcycle up US 27 to Us 441, quick dash from Melbourne to Daytona on I95 to visit mom for a few days.
Another record run and super fun for an Ol' Moto Fag.
But your are not here for the "Motorcycle Chronicles"
This is whats happen "N"
The Permit fishing has been a blast between fronts, a few times in the last month the water temps have come up enough to push a some Tarpon into the basins.
Blue Fish, Cobia, Pompano, Big Jacks and Barracudas have filled in the, too cool days so the fun has been measured out with a few off days and days off.
We have today and the next 5-6 days ahead some very nice weather and plenty of Gurgler Flies and Poppen Plugs to deal with varmets......
What did I miss, great fishing of course and some tuff cool fronts also.
Flogg'en the Motorcycle up US 27 to Us 441, quick dash from Melbourne to Daytona on I95 to visit mom for a few days.
Another record run and super fun for an Ol' Moto Fag.
But your are not here for the "Motorcycle Chronicles"
This is whats happen "N"
The Permit fishing has been a blast between fronts, a few times in the last month the water temps have come up enough to push a some Tarpon into the basins.
Blue Fish, Cobia, Pompano, Big Jacks and Barracudas have filled in the, too cool days so the fun has been measured out with a few off days and days off.
We have today and the next 5-6 days ahead some very nice weather and plenty of Gurgler Flies and Poppen Plugs to deal with varmets......
Friday, January 04, 2008
Ice Fishing for Tarpon in Key West
Well the weather is nearly perfect for it!
A few days ago we were Tarpon fishing in the Backcountry Basin's near Key West.
Our weather had been spring like for almost two weeks and some of the Big Guys from the Gulf moved into the basin's for some chow.
As it often happens this time of year, the next cold front will run those Tarpon back to the protection of they're deeper Gulf of Mexico haunts.
This front is a doozie, blowing 30mph + and temps below freezing.
Remember air temps are measured a little differently in Key West and the Lower Florida Keys.
So we have come to believe that the water in your bird bath, will freeze over night if the temp's dip below 68 degrees.
You can spot the Key Wester's on the street, their pajama bottoms protrude from the cuffs of their blue jeans and miss matched socks, sometimes two ball caps on their heads.
The National Guard has suspended operations here, the air temperature is expected to reach 71 degrees today with prediction's of upper 70's this weekend, we should have no problem clearing out the ice in Key West Harbor.
The great news is we need these cold fronts to move the bait fish and stir up the Pompano, Cobia, Barracudas, Red Fish and Jacks so a few days from now as the basin/flats temps come up so will the Funsters...
A few days ago we were Tarpon fishing in the Backcountry Basin's near Key West.
Our weather had been spring like for almost two weeks and some of the Big Guys from the Gulf moved into the basin's for some chow.
As it often happens this time of year, the next cold front will run those Tarpon back to the protection of they're deeper Gulf of Mexico haunts.
This front is a doozie, blowing 30mph + and temps below freezing.
Remember air temps are measured a little differently in Key West and the Lower Florida Keys.
So we have come to believe that the water in your bird bath, will freeze over night if the temp's dip below 68 degrees.
You can spot the Key Wester's on the street, their pajama bottoms protrude from the cuffs of their blue jeans and miss matched socks, sometimes two ball caps on their heads.
The National Guard has suspended operations here, the air temperature is expected to reach 71 degrees today with prediction's of upper 70's this weekend, we should have no problem clearing out the ice in Key West Harbor.
The great news is we need these cold fronts to move the bait fish and stir up the Pompano, Cobia, Barracudas, Red Fish and Jacks so a few days from now as the basin/flats temps come up so will the Funsters...
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Key West Flats Fishing
As the North Wind blows thru my office window, whistling me with a chill, I look forward to Thursdays fishing.
Tuesday and probably Wednesday this week, no one will look forward to being on the flat.
But these cold fronts are necessary and although on my last trip out we captured over 24 Sea Trout on weenie rods, we could see the symptoms of the basin waters becoming too warm for really good winter fun fishing.
The Jack, Ladyfish, Pompano and Shark activity down some, but not for long.
We want the cool water that the fronts bring to stir up the baitfish and bring the seasonal funster's inshore.
The big Jacks, Pompano, Redfish and Trout in the basins, the Barracudas and Cobia on the Flats
all need the cold fronts and water temp changes that they bring.
Timing for the Chrismas/ New Year break looks good this year and I'm whipping up a batch of Mylar Jigs and Fly's, a few Tube Lure's too.
Back under the covers for a little cold front nap!
Tuesday and probably Wednesday this week, no one will look forward to being on the flat.
But these cold fronts are necessary and although on my last trip out we captured over 24 Sea Trout on weenie rods, we could see the symptoms of the basin waters becoming too warm for really good winter fun fishing.
The Jack, Ladyfish, Pompano and Shark activity down some, but not for long.
We want the cool water that the fronts bring to stir up the baitfish and bring the seasonal funster's inshore.
The big Jacks, Pompano, Redfish and Trout in the basins, the Barracudas and Cobia on the Flats
all need the cold fronts and water temp changes that they bring.
Timing for the Chrismas/ New Year break looks good this year and I'm whipping up a batch of Mylar Jigs and Fly's, a few Tube Lure's too.
Back under the covers for a little cold front nap!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Pompano, Sea Trout, and Saw Tooth Jacks
Winter basin fishing has really turned on in the last few days, even though we have had an Indian Summer, weather wise.
Just beautiful days, if not the best clear sky for sight casting on the flats.
We have had a few Red Fish up in the sneaky spots close to the Mangrove's.
Todays 18+ Gator Trout ( large Sea Trout) was a sure sign that the winter fun fish have arrived, a few days ago some Bluefish shot thru and gobbled Gurgler surface popper flies.
One cast and your into big Jacks, SeaTrout, Ladyfish, Pompano, Black Tip Sharks ... Ass Over Tin Cup!
It's not the Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit rant that you expect from us in the lower Florida Keys but it's lots of fast tackle busters and as Jack says " that ain't bad!"
Just beautiful days, if not the best clear sky for sight casting on the flats.
We have had a few Red Fish up in the sneaky spots close to the Mangrove's.
Todays 18+ Gator Trout ( large Sea Trout) was a sure sign that the winter fun fish have arrived, a few days ago some Bluefish shot thru and gobbled Gurgler surface popper flies.
One cast and your into big Jacks, SeaTrout, Ladyfish, Pompano, Black Tip Sharks ... Ass Over Tin Cup!
It's not the Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit rant that you expect from us in the lower Florida Keys but it's lots of fast tackle busters and as Jack says " that ain't bad!"
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