Florida Keys backcountry fishing report August 1-18 2013

Posted on 8/12/2013

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Hello everyone! The heat of summer is upon us here in the Florida Keys backcountry. Winds are forecasted to freshen up from the east around 15 knots with a 50% chance of showers giving us some relief from the blazing hot temperatures. The Redfish action in the Everglades National Park has been really good lately and it will continue to be for the time being. Mostly every shallow shoreline, grass flat and moat has Redfish lurking on it. Most shallow water anglers are reporting great numbers of Snook and Tarpon while stalking the shallow areas. Look for the action around Flamingo to be heating up as well with Snook, Redfish, Trout and Tarpon. Fish the runoffs, moats and channel edges casting Berkley Gulp New Penny Shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig and you will have plenty of action. Anglers fishing the shallow areas have been very successful casting gold spoons and Jerk baits rigged weedless. If you venture out towards the Cape Sable area expect to find a great bite as well. Fish the shorelines casting scented soft plastics or use live bait such as Pinfish or pilchards.
It might be a little choppy this weekend but if your boat can handle it the wrecks in Gulf water is a good place to be. Cobia, Permit, Goliath Grouper and big Sharks to name a few can all be there for an action packed day of fishing. Buck-tail Jigs and a live well full of Pinfish is all you need. You can use the Jacks and Ladyfish for bait on the heavier tackle for the Sharks and Groupers. If a big Trout is what you are after look no further than the Park boundaries from Sandy Key towards Sprigger bank. Drifting while bouncing white Pompano jigs will get you hooked up with that nice Trout or Snapper plus many other rod benders.
Local Tarpon can be seen rolling around local bridges and adjacent channels. A live well full of Pilchards for some live chumming or a dead mullet or Ladyfish on the bottom are your best chances for a hook up during the daylight hours. Drifting a medium size crab at night time on the outgoing tide is still your best bet for a guaranty hook up. Anglers stalking the deeper edges of banks and flats looking for Permit are also getting so e shots at some Tarpon. Look for the Bone fishing to be more active in the early and later parts of the day when the water temperatures are the lowest. Both Oceanside and bayside flats have been providing shots at tailing fish on the lower tide stages and pushing or mudding fish on the higher stages of the tides. So get out on the water and take advantage of the great fishing going on right now in the Florida Keys backcountry.
Captain Juan Garcia