Florida Keys backcountry fishing report Jan 9-15

Posted on 1/09/2013

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Florida Keys backcountry fishing report Jan 9-15
 
Great bite last week in the Florida Keys backcountry. The warmer than normal temperatures have fired up some good fishing in the Everglades National Park as well as Gulf waters. We fished the East Cape area last week with great success. First we loaded up the live well with Pinfish and Shrimp to head west towards the cape area. On our way there we stopped and fished some white holes in the bay and caught several Pompano while casting 1/2 oz white Pompano jigs. After that fished some structure of Sandy Key where we caught a nice Cobia and a bunch of  rod benders. Then we headed towards the East Cape canal, on the way there I notice a couple of Tarpon rolling around in the area so we stopped and fished some live pinfish on the surface. It didn't took long before a silver flash swiped down the bait and the reel started screaming with a giant Tarpon going crazy at the end of the line. We fought the fish for a while and got a great release of a 150 lb plus fish. After all the excitement the big Tarpon brought to the day we headed to the east cape canal looking for some Snook and Redfish action. We started fishing the shorelines and creeks with a shrimp and jig combination working the baits really slow on the bottom. We caught several Snook, Redfish, Blackdrum and Sheepsheads while we watched some big Gators baste their selfs on the warm sun. On the way back home we fished a wreck out in the gulf and caught some more Cobia with Sharks, Spanish Mackrel and many more. The big Kingfish are also showing up on the wrecks so keep some blue runners handy and a rod rigged with wire to be ready.  Expect this bite to continue with this warm winter weather pattern.
The warmer water temperatures have also fired up the Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon bite. Several anglers are taking advantage of the recent Tarpon bite around Keys bridges. The Bone fishing has also improve with anglers reporting multiple shots at Bonefish on the Oceanside flats. Fish have been mudding on the higher stages of the tide and pushing or tailing on the lower stages of the tide. There have also been numerous Permit sightings  both bayside and Oceanside. Follow the deeper edges of flats and banks with good current flow and be ready to cast that silver dollar crab perfectly in place. The fishing is great and the opportunities are endless right now in the Florida Keys backcountry. So get those baits in the water and hold on for some good fishing!
Captain Juan Garcia