Florida Keys backcountry fishing report March 1st

Posted on 2/26/2013

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Hope everyone enjoyed the warm weather we had lately but get ready to switch gears back to winter mode. Temperatures are forecasted to plummet again in south Florida for the weekend and stay on the colder side for most next week. It's been very busy in the Florida Keys backcountry, areas around Flamingo have been getting a lot of pressure lately and for what I heard mostly everybody got in to some Redfish, Trout, Snook and Blackdrum. Fish the deeper edges of runoffs, island moats and channels in the Flamingo area for Redfish, Trout and Blackdrum. A shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig sitting on the bottom or worked really slow will get the bites. Look for Trout, Ladyfish and Jacks around the main channels in the Flamingo area. Get those shallow water skiffs out in the shallow water for great sight fishing action with the warmest part of the day being the best.
The Cape Sable area has been producing great catches of Snook, Redfish, Blackdrum and Tarpon. The warm conditions we had last week got the Tarpon going on in the area giving many anglers a chance to battle with some nice fish. The cool weather that's forecasted will push the fish back out so we just have to wait until the water warms back up. Work the creeks, runoffs and mainland shorelines with a shrimp and jig for Redfish, Blackdrum and some Snook mixed in as well. Same goes towards the middle Cape area but expect the bite to be better. The recent warm spell brought in some great fishing back in gulf waters with great catches of Cobia, Mackerels, Snappers, Sharks and many more. If the water gets down to the mid 60's the action will slow down some but there should still be enough action to keep you busy. The colder it gets the farther west you go for a better bite.
The Bonefishing really picked up last week with the warm conditions. The warmer temperatures have gotten the schools of Bonefish moving around Oceanside flats giving anglers multiple shots at tailing and mudding fish with a couple of Permit in the mix. When the water temperature drops expect the action to slow down a bit. Fish the higher tides around Oceanside flats in the warmest parts of the day for the best action. Look for fish to be concentrating in the deeper edges, look for mudding fish and cast a good size shrimp in there pass and they should eat it. As for the Tarpon it seems that one week they're here and the next they're gone. The up and down trend in water temperatures has the fish in and out of town, so let's wait for the water to warm back up after this cool down for more Tarpon fishing action. Get those jackets ready, get out on the water and enjoy the great fishing in the Florida Keys backcountry.
 
Captain Juan Garcia