Florida Keys Backcountry Fishing Report July 12-18 2012

Posted on 7/11/2012
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Florida Keys backcountry forecast July 13-15
The Snook fishing in the Everglades National Park has been spectacular and it should remain good for the coming months. Not only the Snook fishing has been great but the Redfish bite has been phenomenal as well. The deeper channels, runoffs, Mainland shorelines, Island moats and flats from Flamingo to Middle Cape are all holding fish. Fish the deeper channels on the outgoing tide and the shallow areas as the tide rises. Live baits such as Pinfish or Pilchards fished in the deeper channels and shorelines have been producing multiple bites. Fish jerk baits rigged wheedles when working the shallower areas for some great action. Make sure that if you get in to a good bite and Mr. big Shark starts eating your catch you stop fishing and move to another spot, lots of fish will be saved to catch another day. Also make sure you use the right tackle to bring the fish quickly to the boat and back in the water. The water temperatures are hot and if you tired the fish too much they won’t stand a chance against a hungry predator.  The Trout bite remains great in the northern parts of the Everglades National Park, finding the Mullet mud’s has been the ticket for great action. If you drift a mud and you are not catching move to the next mud and soon enough you will be in the action. There has been a good number of Tarpon in the backcountry around some of the Islands and shorelines. Pilchards’ have been the bait of choice but well presented artificial baits will get you hooked up. Head out to your favorite Gulf wreck for some great action with a variety of species, from Tarpon and Permit to Sharks, Groupers and Cobia they all make their regular appearance this time of year. If you are on your way to the spot and the water is very dirty you’re better off trying somewhere else.
The Tarpon bite on the local bridges and channels will be best early morning and late afternoon with the best bite being at dark. Live Mullet, pilchards and Ladyfish have been getting most bites on the daytime and medium size crabs at night. There has also been some big Permit eating the crabs in the dark while drifting the local channels for Tarpon. Look for Permit to be feeding on the incoming tides around the deeper edges of flats and banks throughout the Keys. Schools of Bonefish can be found early and late in the day on the Oceanside and bayside flats, look for tailing fish on the lower tide and mudding fish as the water rises. It has been a stormy week here in the Keys; it’s that time of the year when thunder and lightning can of regular appearance. Make sure you pay attention to the weather forecast and keep your eyes on the radar, all the fun of fishing can quickly turn ugly if you get trapped on a bad thunder storm. So be safe and hope the storms stay away!
Captain Juan Garcia