Florida Keys backcountry fishing report July2013

Posted on 7/03/2013
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Florida Keys backcountry fishing report July 2013

Hello everyone! We are in the heat of Summer here in the Florida Keys backcountry. Between the hot temperatures and passing storms the fishing continues for many of us down here. Thanks to today's technology we can monitor the weather conditions right from the boat. There are many apps for your smartphone that will let you look at things like live radar. If you are going to be in areas where connection is limited have somebody on shore text you an update on the up coming weather conditions. A little bit of planing can turn a stormy day in to a great fishing story.

So with that said expect some good fishing to be going on in the Florida Keys backcountry. The Redfish seem to be in mostly every flat and shallow shorelines throughout the bay. Pole your shallow water skiff on the lee side of an island flat for some great sight fishing action. Captain Lain Goodwin reports a great Snook bite fishing the mainland and island shorelines from Key Largo to Flamingo. Pilchards have been the bait of choice but live Pinfish and artificial baits like Berkley Gulps have been catching their fair share. All your regular Trout fishing spots will continue to hold fish, look for the muddy water and drift casting soft plastics with or without a cork for some great action. The Flamingo area continues to have good action with Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Sharks and many other rod benders. Sharks and Tarpon are feeding in the deeper channels, dead baits on the bottom have been getting most of the bites. The Redfish and Snook are taking live Pinfish on the runoffs and wheedles plastics and spoons on the shallower areas. Great Snook bite continues on the Cape Sable area and up the beach. Fish the shorelines with live Pinfish for the best action and remember to watch out for the hungry Sharks.
The stronger winds have kept most of us inside the Park boundaries. Great Trout, Snapper and many others continue to feed on the grassy areas around Sandy Key,Schooner, Oxfoot and Blue bank. Jigs and soft plastics worked over the grass will get the bites, anchor up and chum while free lining chunks of Ladyfish for the bigger Snappers.

Tarpon are percent around the local bridges and channels. Live and dead baits with a little patience will get you hooked up. The night bite continues to be the best chance for multiple hookups on the outgoing tide while drifting live Crabs. Captain Andy Putetti reports good numbers of Bonefish both Oceanside and bayside on the incoming tide. Look for this fish in the early and later parts of the day when the water temperatures are not as hot. Permit have been cruising the deeper edges of flats and banks with some nice fish being caught while drifting the crabs intended for Tarpon around local bridges and channels. Lets hope the conditions improve for the weekend, make a fishing plan and look for that window of opportunity to get out on the water for some Florida Keys backcountry fishing.

Captain Juan Garcia