Florida Keys backcountry fishing report November 30

Posted on 12/01/2013

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The windy conditions have prevailed lately and it looks like it will continue blowing for the weekend. After the warm weather we have been experiencing this is only going to help fire up the bite and get the fish in there normal winter patterns. There are many places in the Everglades National park where you can go hide from the wind and put together some great fishing. Fish the lee side of Island flats and shorelines in the bay for great shallow water Redfish action with Trout and some Snook as well. Look for the Flamingo area to be productive specially on the outgoing tide with Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Trout and Blackdrum. Fish the runoffs, moats and shorelines in the area with live Shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig head working it slowly on the bottom. A dead bait on the bottom fished on a deeper channel will get you hooked up with a big Shark making for some hard fighting fun. The mainland shoreline from Flamingo to the Cape and lake Ingram have been producing great catches of Snook, Redfish, Trout and Blackdrum. Fishing live shrimp, pilchards and Pinfish around the shoreline structure will be your best bet but you won't be disappointed by working the same shorelines with artificial's.

The ruff conditions have kept us from going out in gulf waters. Look for some good action to be going on inside the park boundaries where you can hide from the wind around Schooner, Blue and Spriger banks. Find the cleanest water and you will find the fish. Expect to catch some nice Trout, Spanish Makerel, Bluefish, Snappers and all the regular rod benders. White Jigs and Gulp soft plastics will get you in the action. As soon as the wind settles and the water cleans up expect the Gulf fishery to fire up.

A good option on a windy day is to use one of the many bridge channels throughout the keys as shelter. The Pilchards have been thick and most likely your favorite bait spot will be full of them. Get a live well full and fish them on the bottom for a mixed bag of Groupers and Snappers. Most all the bridges have been producing some nice Snooks as well and don't be surprise if a hungry Tarpon shows up. The first and last hours of the tides will be the most productive. If a Bonefish is your target fish the lee side of the island chain or flat on the incoming tides. Look for mudding fish around the deeper edges, have a rod ready with a silver dollar size crab while working the deeper edge of the flat for a cruising Permit. Good luck on the water!

Captain Juan Garcia