Florida Keys backcountry fishing report Feb

Posted on 2/17/2013
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Florida Keys backcountry fishing report Feb 13-20
Strong cold front forecasted to pass around south Florida this weekend. It looks like Friday and Saturday will be the days to get out on the water since winds are forecasted to blow pretty hard come Sunday. The good news is that the fishing in the Florida Keys backcountry has something to offer for every type of angler. If shallow water fishing is your thing the Redfish bite around island flats and shorelines remains good through out the park. Pole the mainland shorelines east of Flamingo for some great Snook and Redfish action. Out on the deeper channels, moats and runoffs in the Flamingo area a spotty bite of Redfish, Blackdrum, Trout and Snook remains. The trick has been to move around and finding the fish. One boat can be crushing the fish in one runoff while the boat a hundred yards away is not. Shrimp and jig combination worked slowly on the bottom will get the bites. Farther west towards the middle grounds and first national bank look for a good Trout bite with Pompano, mackerel, bluefish and many other rod benders to provide great action, again move around and find the fish.
The Cape Sable area continues to have a decent bite of Reds, Snook and Blackdrum. Fish the ditches, creeks and mainland shorelines with a shrimp and jig combination for the best action. Head out west in to Gulf waters for a great bite of Spanish Mackerel with some big Kingfish mixed in with them. Lots of nice Kings where being caught jigging a Shrimp and jig combination with a couple of inches of wire in the chum slick. A live Blueruner rigged with some wire is a great way to get that big smoker King at the end of your line. Some Cobia are still showing up on the gulf wrecks with the occasional school of Permit showing up as well. Closer to banks like Springer, Schooner and Oxfoot look for a descent Trout bite with Pompano, Mackerel, Bluefish and many more, a white or chartreuse Bucktail jig will get the bites plus it lets you work a bigger area faster therefor finding more fish.
 
The Bonefishing was fairly decent this past week around Oceanside flats throughout the Keys. Look for tailing fish on the lower stages of the tides and mudding fish on the higher stages. Live Shrimp is the bait of choice. Keep a rod ready to go with a silver dollar size crab in case the elusive Permit shows up ion the deeper edge of the flat. The Tarpon bite remains better on the nighttime hours drifting Pinfish or medium size crabs. The coming cold front is forecast to bring some cooler temperatures to south Florida but it should warm right back up come midweek and a good Tarpon bite should follow. So get out on the water and take advantage of all the great fishing opportunities the Florida Keys has to offer.
 
Captain Juan Garcia