Florida Keys backcountry fishing report September 2013

Posted on 9/19/2013
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Florida Keys backcountry fishing report September 2013

Hello everyone! Stormy start to the week might give us a chance for some nicer weather come Friday with the storm chances picking back up for Sunday. Most guides that got on the water throughout the week reported great Redfish, Snook and Trout action all through the Park. Captain Lain Goodwin reported a great Snook and Redfish bite while fishing both island and mainland shorelines in Key Largo. They have been fishing with live pilchards and scented soft plastics. Look for mullet muds through out the bay for some Trout and rod bending action. The muds have been tuff to find early morning with the cloudy conditions but if you find one there will be Trout on it. Fish Berkley Gulp shrimp under a popping cork for the best action. The boats that got to fish the Flamingo area in between storms reported a decent bite of Snook and Redfish. Fish the last of the falling tide and beginning of the rise around the Snake bite runoffs with scented soft plastics, Ladyfish or Pinfish chunks and live pilchards. The deeper channels are holding some big Sharks and the occasional Tarpon. The Redfish action around the shallow flats in Florida Bay has been superb and the shallow drafted skiff that have been looking for them have all been getting there fair number of shots at schools of tailing and cruising fish. Gold Johnson Silver Minnows Spoons, Jerk baits rigged wheedles or your favorite Redfish Fly will all get the job done. 
Expect the Gulf fishery to start getting better as we approach our Fall season. Look for the Cobia to start showing up in greater numbers as we get closer to October as well as the Spanish and King Mackerel. There is still plenty of action going on near the Park boundaries from Sandy Key all the way to Spriger bank. bouncing 1/2 oz Pompano jigs as you drift will get you some really nice Trout and Snappers with a mixed bag of rod benders. 
It's been off and on with the Bonefish lately thanks to the stormy weather. The guides targeting them are reporting great numbers of fish in both Ocean and bayside flats. The best action has been on the rising tide with calm conditions. Look for Permit to be cruising on the deeper edges of flats and banks both bayside and Oceanside. A small live crab and a stealthy approach will get you hooked up. If the weather it's bad it might be a good idea to fish around the many local bridges and adjacent channels. A live well full of pilchards will get you in to a lot of action with some nice Snappers, Groupers, Jacks, Snook and Tarpon. If you don't have the pilchards cut fresh Ladyfish, mullet or Pinfish will get the job done. So get out on the water and enjoy all the great fishing going on in the Florida Keys Backcountry.

Captain Juan Garcia