 |
Front Runner Charters
Capt. Rob Mims
305.304.4410 Phone
Florida Keys
Dolphin Marina
28530 Overseas Hwy.
Little Torch Key, FL 33042
Everglades
Naples Marina
475 North Road
Naples Florida 34104
|
|
| |
Redfish: Are on fire when you can find them. A few going into the 30" class. I've been doing best on the lower tides that have good current. Shrimp, shiners & cut bait has been working for me. The schools can be from ten to fifty. Fishing reds on the flats can be a casters' dream.
On the lower tides, they become very visible with their tails sticking up in the air. Fishing for tailing reds is great fun! The trick is being there when they are feeding. Try working the edges of the sand bars and oyster reefs. When poling the flats for reds, move very slowly and watch for wakes, tails and boils. When fishing the mangroves, fish the top end of the high tide and get your fly, bait or jig underneath the mangroves as far as you can. This technique will also produce a few snook. A great way to cover a lot of water and it can be very productive. Flies, artificials and bait all are working well for these beautiful strong fighters. Try bait fishing them with pinfish, shrimp or cut bait. Flyfish them against the mangroves and on the flats with a earth tone colored clouser and for some real excitement try top water on the overcast days. Average size about 18" to 30" with some larger ones around. Watch for those TAILS!!!
Snook: Have fired up due to warming waters. You can find them in their normal areas, near mouths of creeks, passes, canals, pot holes and points. A few in the 20lb. range. White bait, shrimp, cut ladyfish, flies and jigs all will work. Fish them on a tide with good current, I prefer an outgoing tide.
A well placed shiner or fly will result in a violent fight that you'll remember for a lifetime.
Tarpon: A few early arrivals have been spotted. With the warming waters more will be here soon. TIME TO BOOK YOUR TARPON TRIP! When they are here we do best with live baits, fly and cut baits. These critters will range from 40 lbs. to 200 lbs. with the average being around 100 lbs. The Silver King is a fish of a life time, very strong fighters and jumps that will out do any marlin. Either bait or fly, you owe it to yourself to fish for this species.
Jacks, mackeral, cobia, grouper, sharks and more! These fish and others are common on the flats and backcountry. When encountered thay all are a lot of fun with tackle or on the fly.
What Is The Best Season For Flats Fishing In Key West?
Flats fishing in The Florida Keys and Key West is amazing year round! The only thing that changes slightly are the species available and the way we go after them.
Winter (December – April)
Around the end of December we start to get the resident gulf side tarpon along the edges in the channels, large permit tailing on the flats, cobia tailing about the sting rays with huge jacks and barracudas sunning themselves in the warm run off. This is a great time of year for shark fishing as well.
Spring (April – July)
This is Tarpon Season. Bonefish are back in numbers. Late April and early May can be lean for Permit on the flats however they are in great numbers on the shallow wrecks and reefs making easy shots with the use of a bay boat. Shark fishing is great during this time.
Summer (July – October)
This is what the local guides refer to as SLAM season. These months are a flats fisherman's best shot at repeated grand slams: Tarpon, Permit and Bonefish. Six hour trips are recommended due to the heat which really takes its toll on anglers. Visitors to the area can take advantage of the low seasonal hotels rates and book a bunch of fishing to enjoy the best we have in flats fishing all year.
Fall (October – December)
This is a transitional time of year for us here. If it stays warm there is not a lot of change from the summer time fishing pattern. If it gets cold from the early cold fronts then expect our winter fishery of jacks, barracudas, cobia, and permit, with an occasional tarpon between the cold fronts. December is a great time to mix it up and catch numerous species available in the backcountry.
|
|
