Florida Keys Backcountry Fishing Report October 24-31, 2012

Posted on 10/24/2012

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Florida Keys backcountry fishing report October 24-31 2012
 
It's been really windy here in the Florida Keys this past week and it is forecasted to be windy throughout the weekend thanks to tropical storm Sandy and tight pressure gradient across the Florida peninsula and the Keys... between Sandy and high pressure across the western Atlantic and the southeastern states. Make sure you are well aware of what your boat can handle. Plan your routes to and from your destination, staying on the lee side of the many flats and banks throughout the park can make a big difference on comfort and safety. The area you pick to fish in relation of the wind direction can also make a huge difference. The Redfish bite remains outstanding and even on a windy day can be very productive. Fish the lee side of Island moats, flats and channels where you will find some protection from the wind and cleaner water. The Flamingo area continues to produce great catches of Snook, Redfish, Trout and a few Tarpon. Fish the runoffs on Snake bite on the last half of the outgoing tide for the best action. Berkley Gulp Shrimp and jig combo will get the bites. The water is really dirty in most areas in the park so finding an area with cleaner water can make a huge difference in the action.
 
The Tarpon bite around the local channels and bridges might be a little tuff with the windy conditions. Your best approach to getting the bites is fishing dead baits  on the bottom. Live pilchards will work best on areas that are protected from the wind and where the water is not to stirred up. Find a local lee side shoreline where you know the Tarpon like to congregate, stage up current and throw some freebies to get the fish fired up and let the fun begin. 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. Hope the wind comes down some for the weekend.So don't let the wind keep you home, be safe and go fishing.
 
Captain Juan Garcia