Lately, there has been good Tarpon fishing here in the Lower Keys area. The Key for capitalizing is getting out real early in the morning (best) or late in the afternoon due to water temps heating up in the middle of the day in the summer. There maybe other opportunities at catching something different while Tarpon fishing like Mangrove Snappers, Big Jacks, Sharks, Permit, and maybe a snook which all depends on the spot we ate fishing at. Charters are available!

In the month of January, I start thinking about what’s ahead in February and March. That is going after Permit on the flats with ethier a fly rod or with a live crab. I’m talking about Permit Fever!!! In comparison with Deer hunting with a bow, Bass fishing, or chasing tailing Redfish. It’s has the ability to give knocking knees when you see them tailing off in the distance just like if you were encounter you first 10 point buck, having that 10lb Bass on the line for first time, or having that 40” snook on the line. There is definitely a rush, exicitement, an itch like a big just bit you. Sounds familiar? But if you want to experience some epic Permit fishing on the flats in this coming February and March look no further and book a trip or a few days out water going after Permit! Charters are available!!!

In the Lower Keys area, Wintertime Backcountry fishing brings in a lot of action for anyone that wants to go out and have a good time and take home fish to eat. Mangrove Snapper is a popular target and one of my favorites to eat since I was a kid growing up. Also, there is Spotted Seatrout which is a popular gamefish target throughout the state of Florida. On my most recent trip, we caught over 50 Seatrout “most of them under size” along with 10 to 15 caught on fly. I would say it was one of my best days fishing for Seatrout due to the fact that we caught them on fly. But there have been other days where we have caught some big trout. So overall yesterday on my trip had some really good action. Talking about action, there are plenty of Jack Crevelles in the Backcountry. Jack Crevelles pull hard on light or on a fly rod and can really make for a fun day on the water. Spanish Mackerel is a good table fair option and can put up great fight. On the flats, Barracudas are on the most popular target options as these fish will hit down a top water lure or a tube lure and explode on it. Best way to describe it, Musky on Steroids. Other warm up days that could occur on the flats could bring in some Bonefish, Permit, and maybe some Redfish. Last but not least, Sharks which are great for kids. Charters are available! Feel free to message me on Fishing Booker!

So the title of this fishing report is about what occurred to me yesterday while I was out on the water fishing with my buddy Eric. A well deserved day off is what I needed as we had beautiful weather conditions and what would be an epic day out on the water. The first thing we came across were a few schools of Juvenile Tarpon with a couple of fish caught on fly along with some good hookups. After the Tarpon, we switched our focuses to Bonefish as we arrived at the next spot. It didn’t take long for the Bonefish to show up I quickly caught 2 bones as my buddy Eric went 2 for 3 all within 30 minutes of fishing which are really good numbers. So Eric and I was setup for possible grand slam for the each of us as we made our way down the flat. Off in the distance Eric and I started noticing some nervous water. I immediately knew right away that this would be Permit. I poled towards the school of fish trying to predict which way they were going to come at us which tricky and took some patience due to the fish acting as they were on edge or spooky. As we finally got into position to make a cast, a small school of bonefish appeared in front of as Eric made a few cast at the school of Permit and then switched his target back to the bones in which he would catch one. As he was releasing his fish, I grabbed my 9wt fly rod and started stripping line out from the reel. Another school appeared off in the distance as Eric and I noticed the nervous water. Eric poled me into position as I would make my first shot at a school of fish. I had fish tracking the as Eric notice and yelled out “he ate it”. I made an attempt to strip strike the fish with no successful hook up. 2 minutes later a school appeared 40’ from my 3 o’ clock side I made a 30’ backcast which put the fly in the middle of the school. I stripped the fly and immediately had a fish tracking as Eric yelled out again he ate it! I immediately came tight to the fish as there was a moment of pure concentration of fighting and landing the fish. Eric grabbed the Permit at the base of the tail and brought him in the boat. SLAM completed! After the silence of concentration, there was celebration. Now it was Eric’s turn and I knew that we had good chance of getting Eric a SLAM after confidence and high of obtaining mine. We would move to another spot where I know we would see more later in the tide. Sure enough the fish were there. Eric had a quite few really good shots with one fish eating the fly. Things started getting frustrating as needlefish would screw up our shots along with another bonefish caught after as the presentation was intended for a Permit. So our day ended with 6 Bonefish, 2 Tarpon, and 1 Permit caught on the day which made for an incredible trip.

Bonefish here in the FL Keys continues on pretty strong. Had a couple of trips this week and I’m getting plenty of shots at Bonefish. Along with Bonefish, Permit fishing looks like it’s starting to get good. My clients have been getting good opportunities at Permit. Juvenile Tarpon are still around in decent numbers

This Report is about my wife "Teresa" winning first place in the women's division in the Marathon International Bonefish Tournament here in the Florida Keys. The Tournament took place a week ago along with some beautiful weather and good tides. Over the course of the 3 day Tournament, we went 6 for 9 on Bonefish along with two nice size Tarpon in the 20lb range and getting a few shots at some Permit. The 59th MIBT is longest running Tournament here in FL Keys and it's my second year participating as a guide in this Tournament.