Florida Keys backcountry fishing report November 2013

Posted on 11/07/2013
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Hello everyone! Windy conditions persisted most of last week thanks to a strong high pressure system located over the Western North Atlantic. Winds are forecasted to come down some for the weekend so take advantage of it and get out an do some fishing. Look for the Redfish to be active around the Mainland shorelines, island flats and moats through out the Park. Focus on the lee side shorelines where the water might be cleaner after being stirred up by the blustery winds. Fish the Snake bite area in Flamingo on the last of the outgoing tide casting live Shrimp or scented artificial like Berkley Gulp shrimp in and around the edges of the many runoffs throughout the bite. Live baits such as Pinfish and Pilchards have been getting some great Snook and Redfish action fished close to the mangrove shorelines in the moats of Palm, Frank and Murray key's. Farther West towards the Cape look for the bite to be pretty consistent fishing live shrimp around the shoreline in East Cape Canal and the surrounding mainland shorelines with a mix bag of Redfish, Snook, Trout and Blackdrums. 

The Gulf fishery is set to fire up as soon as the wind and water settles down. It's that time of the year where the wrecks and bottom structure in the gulf starts getting a more consistent bite of Cobia, Mackerels and many more. Look for the Triple tail fishing to improve also while running the trap buoys west of Sandy Key. If the wind blows stay close to the Park or fish the incoming tide close to shore around local bridges from channel 2 south. Plenty of chum and live shrimp and Pilchards will get the Spanish Mackerel, Sharks and many other rod benders behind your boat making for great action. The bait is everywhere, look for the birds to be on them throughout the Oceanside coastline early in the morning.  Fishing the bridge channels with a 1/4oz jig and pilchard combo has been producing great Grouper and Snapper catches, a good option for a windy day. 

The Bonefish bite has been tuff with the windy conditions but it doesn't means you can't catch them. Get plenty of live Shrimp and stake out on the lee side of an ocean side flat where you know they will cruise by. Put a bunch of shrimp on a fine mesh chum bag with a weight on it and step on it a couple of time crushing the shrimp and throw it overboard. Set up a couple of rods with a shrimp spread out behind the boat and put them in the road holder, make sure you check your baits often. The heavy scent trail on the water will bring the attention of any passing Bonefish straight to your bait and before you know it the rod will bend and the line will start pealing off your reel. Tarpon can still be found around local creeks and channels that are protected by the wind. Once you locate the fish chum them up with some live pilchards and free line a nice healthy one in their path. The Tarpon are not giants but on lighter tackle they are as fun as it gets. We also fished some local channels with pilchards on the bottom and got some great action of Groupers and keeper Mutton's. Hope the wind comes down some for the weekend and that everyone gets to enjoy the great fishing the Florida Keys backcountry has to offer. 

Captain Juan Garcia