Happy New Year from Islamorada and the Florida Keys! Hard to believe another year has gone by and hard to believe it’s January because the weather has been downright balmy. Other than the cold snap last week winds out of the south have had it feeling more like summer than winter. That being said, the fishing has been consistent and I’m starting to sound like a broken record when it comes to reports.
Out back the snook fishing keeps getting better and better. I’m seeing more snook in parts of the bay that had been devoid of fish in the not so distant past. A lot of these fish are juveniles which is a great sign. On the cooler mornings we’ve found them out in the open sunning themselves but for the most part their doing their snook thing and staying tight to cover. Definitely makes it tougher with a fly. Casts have to be as close to those pesky mangrove shoots as possible. Expect to get hung up, it’s simply part of the game. The redfishing has been consistent as well and with our lower winter water levels a bit easier to find. Wintertime means black drum. While not particularly attractive they still will eat a fly and put up a good fight. You will still find tarpon around Flamingo and gulf side banks. Trout fishing has been solid. Oceanside and around town, the bonefishing has been okay but be prepared to log some miles.
While bonefishing don’t be surprised if you stumble across the odd permit. Most of the fish will be singles but that will change in a month or so. March is a phenomenal permit month. The fish get bunched up in big schools prior to spawning offshore and the fishing can be insane. Until next time. -Pete
