Cast and You Shall Recieve

The redfish population has exploded!  Yesterday we caught 30-40 redfish in about two hours.  Not only were the redfish biting - but mixed in with the reds we landed over 20 big trout, several very nice size mangrove snapper and hooked into 2 drag screaming snook (we landed one 6 pounder and lost an even bigger one)!  Wow!  All in one spot.  It was literally throw the line in the water and catch a fish.  Did I mention - we only fished for about 2 hours!

 

The action had been good all week - but the cold front Sunday had the bite a little slower earlier in the week.  Fishing was very good on Monday and Tuesday - Stu and Stu Frazer from Michigan got into 8-10 reds, some nice trout and limited out on some big mangrove snapper on Monday - and it was COLD.  The high was around 46 degrees and the wind was 15-25mph.  The Robinson family had great fishing Tuesday - duplicating Mondays catch.  Wednesday got a little better - Then the weather started to warm up.  The water started to warm and the fish turned on - big time - yesterday afternoon.  Mike Chapin from the Chicago area caught a fish nearly every cast.  He landed his first Backcountry Slam (redfish, trout, snook) and has a soar arm, a permanent smile and some great photos to prove it.  Days like this will be remembered for a lifetime.

 

These fish are in their winter patterns.  They are concentrated in the deeper holes, pockets and near the creek mouths and run offs.  The run-offs are where the water runs off the flat during a low/falling tide situation and it looks like a small stream running into the main channel.  The shrimp run with the falling tide and all predators are waiting for a good shrimp dinner.  They ambush the shrimp as they run with the water flow off the flats and into the deeper holes and pockets.  If you locate the right spot the action can be hot and heavy all day - hammer time!

 

The weather looks beautiful here for the next week.  Mid 70's and no snow!  The fishing should be great.  Give me a call and LETS GO FISHIN!!!!

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

December Keys Fishing

The mangrove snapper bite was on fire yesterday.  Shelly and Dennis were down from NJ and they slayed the fish.  We got into some nice redfish to start the day, then headed out for trout.  The speckled sea trout were biting well - with some really good size fish - but the trout are out of season until January 1st.  Shelly and Dennis wanted some fish for dinner, so we headed to one of my mangrove snapper holes.  The snapper bite was crazy.  We couldn't keep a line in the water for more than a few seconds and WHAM another big snapper.  These mangrove snapper are real fighters and great fun to catch on light tackle.  Not only are they a great fight - but they are one of the best eating fish.   The longer we fished the bigger the snapper got.  We caught well over 100 fish and kept a limit of some really nice 2-3 pound snapper.

 

The weather has been beautiful the last few days - sunny, highs around 75 degrees and light wind.  The water was like glass as we headed for the backcountry.  Cruising deep into Everglades National Park, it was hard to tell where the water ended and sky begins.   A perfect day for a boat ride and good rod bending.

 

We returned just before sunset.  I filleted the fish and they headed to their favorite restaurant for a few drinks and a fresh fish dinner.  I doesn't get much better than that. 

 

This is a good time of year to target redfish, trout, snapper, black drum, sheepshead, spanish mackerel and the warmest weather in the country.  It looks like January is going to be a cold one, but it's warmer in the Keys.  Come on down for some fabulous fishin!!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Too Windy??

Is it too windy to go fishing?  I get asked that question a lot.  This last weekend was the first big cold front to come through the Keys this fall.  It was blowing 25 to 35mph and the temperature went from a balmy 82 degrees to 59 degrees overnight.  Yikes!!!  All the books I read say - don't even bother fishing today!  Well - I say - you don't know until you go!!

 

We slayed the fish this weekend - over 50 redfish on Saturday, several black drum, some nice mangrove snapper and a few good trout.  O.K. this was just the first day of the cold front.  The water temperature had only come down about 8 degrees.  Sunday will be the real test.  The weather was just as bad or worse on Sunday.   Still blowing, just as cold and the water temperature was down another 8-10 degrees.  We murdered 'em on Sunday.  We caught over 30 redfish - several fish in the 4 to 6 pound range.  We landed 15 to 20 black drum from 3 to 10 pounds, several big mangrove snapper up to 3 pounds, sheepshead from 2 to 5 pounds and 3 beautiful snook from 4-7 pounds!!  Monday the fishing was red hot too.  On a half day trip we boated several snook up to 7 pounds, 2 sheepshead in the 5 pound range, about 20 reds and several nice mangrove snapper.  Wow!  I sure wouldn't want to be the guy who didn't want to go fishing because it was too windy and cold. 

 

In general, when it is windy and cold the fishing can be tough.  But in our area, the Florida Bay, the first big cold front of the Fall can mean great fishing.  The wind blows strong out of the north and that pushes a large portion of the water out of the Florida Bay.  Many of the flats are bone dry (no water) - that pushes all the fish that were previously swimming the flats into the deeper water holes.  It concentrates the fish.   So, if you can find the hole that these fish have gather in - you can find some great fishing.  Another key element during a cold front is the shrimp run.  So, we have no water on the flats, fish concentrated in the deep pockets and shrimp running off the flats into the deep pockets - this can equal some of the best fishing you will see all year.  Don't let the weather get you turned off fishing.  There's only 2 kinds of weather - whether you go fishing or whether you don't.

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Tournament Time

Fall is here and this is Tournament Time for me.  Captain Steve Murray and Captain Robert Walczak took 1st Place in the Backwater Series Grand Championship Tournament on Saturday October 16th.  This was a two redfish tournament.  We brought in the two heaviest "slot size" redfish.

 

Fishing has been a little slow the last few days.  The weather has changed.  The humidity is down and the evening temperatures are down too.  Usually, when we first get this weather change, the fishing gets a little tough for a short time.  That's what happened this weekend.  Fortunately for us - we still got on the "right" fish.  We covered a lot of ground - fished live bait in the holes and threw 1/4 oz. jigs tipped with gulp shrimp across the mangrove shorelines.  We landed almost 30 reds - most of them were shorts (under 18") - but we got two "slot" size (18"-27") reds that were very close to the high end of the slot.  We worked hard and the effort paid off. 

 

The Fall is a great time to fish in the Keys.  The temperatures are excellent and there are many species available.  In addition to the redfish, trout, snapper, shark, tarpon, snook, jacks and ladyfish - this time of year offers some excellent spanish mackerel - the black drum and sheepshead will start showing up in the deep holes and tripletail and cobia out in the gulf.

 

Tight Lines - hope to see you in the Keys!

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Fall Fishing in the Keys

It's near the end of September and the fishing is great.  This time of year we get some higher tides.  That allows us to fish some of the shallow flats that are not so easily accessible other times of the year.  Last Tuesday we hooked two battling tarpon on the flats.  We were throwing weedless jerk baits in about 2 feet of water - looking for snook and reds.  There was a small group of tarpon working the mullet and they erupted on our jerk baits.  The first fish was about 100 pounds and when he felt that hook - the only place he could go was straight up in the air!  A few more crazy jumps and an angler who did not "bow to the silver king" was all it took to break off on our 15 pound power pro.  We kept working the area and the next one was a little more manageable - a nice 40 pounder landed.  It's hard to beat the excitement of hooking a crazy fish like that in shallow water on light tackle. 

 

We had a lot of rain mid week and that brought a lot of fresh water into the Florida Bay.  Friday and Saturday were a little tough.  We caught plenty of small reds, a couple big 150 pound sharks and lots of mangrove snapper - but the trout, snook and bigger reds were hard to catch.  Sunday and Monday the bite was "on" the trout were biting - as many as you want and some really nice big fat ones.  We got some nice reds, hooked a nice snook, caught lots of mangrove snapper and hooked up with several tarpon.  First time Florida Keys fisher "Ellen" landed her fist tarpon - a 40 pounder.  I think she'll be back!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

August Fishing

The fishing in August has been fantastic - as usual.  A little warm in mid day, so we try to plan the trip early in the day or later in the afternoon/evening.  The redfish have been abundant.  The spawn must have been very successful this year.  We are catching large numbers of small fish along with the larger fish.  The snook fishing is good - but can be hit or miss.  The snook season will stay closed until September 17th due to the fish kill we had in January/February.  We can still catch and release - but the fisheries management are going to reevaluate the fall opening of snook season on September 17th.  Personally, I prefer they keep it closed for a few years.  We have plenty of great fish we can eat here that are very plentiful.  Like the trout and snapper.  The trout and snapper fishing is as great as ever.  It is not uncommon to catch 100 trout and/or 200 snapper in a days fishing.  Some of the best fishing trips involve targeting several different species in a day.  We can target the trout, then pursue the snapper, then target snook and reds and/or target a big shark or tarpon and/or bones/permit and many others.   This is why Islamorada is considered " The Fishing Capital of the World".  There are so many options.  I enjoy all types of fishing and can satisfy the expert to the amateur.  Kids are welcome and this is the best place to introduce a youngster to fishing - because they are sure to stay busy catching fish and have the opportunity to catch the fish of a lifetime.

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

August Fishing

August is here and the summer fishing is in full swing.  The mid day is very warm and the best times to "beat the heat" are morning or late afternoon/evening trips. 

 

The trout bite has been great with as many trout as you want to catch.  They are so aggressive this time of year we only need to use artificial baits.  The mangrove snapper bite is excellent as well.  A shrimp on a hook is the best way to hook up with more snapper than you can believe.  100 or 200 fish is a common catch for these abundant species.  That is one of the reasons this area is known as the "fishing capital of the world".  There are very few places in the world that you can catch 100 plus fish in a half day trip. 

 

If targeting some larger more feisty fish is your gig - the redfish, snook and shark fishing this time of year is also great.   Redfish up to 10 pounds, snook up to 15 pounds and shark over 200 pounds.  

 

For the real experienced angler who is up for a true challenge the bones, permit and tarpon are extreme fighters and an excellent catch.  For the bones and permit - be prepared for a lot of stalking and when we get "on the fish" you need to make an excellent cast.  If you have the patience and the casting ability your chances are very good.  Bones average 8-11 pounds and permit averaging 15-25 pounds are common this time of year.  The baby tarpon are always around and the evening are the best time to "hook up".  The variety of species in our area is another reason that we are know as "the fishing capital of the world".   Some of the other species available in the backcountry are - triple tail, cobia, jacks, ladyfish, bluefish, grouper, mackerel, black drum, sheepshead and many others.  Come on down for some of the best fishing in the world!!!

 

  

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Snook, Redfish, Tarpon and Trout

July is here and the snook, redfish and monster trout are biting.  We have been catching some very nice fish on artificials.  The redfish are averaging 3 to 8 pounds.  The snook are averaging about 3 to 10 pounds and the trout are huge - 18 to 24 inchers!  We are catching a mixed bag of reds, snook and big trout up on the flats - throwing artificial lures.  Some really great summer action.

 

The big migratory tarpon are still here and we caught 2 nice fish in the 100-110 pound range a couple evenings ago.  These large migratory tarpon are nearing the end of their season here.  They will disperse throughout the Florida region over the next couple months and in the fall they will school up for their migratory run to the Caribbean and warmer waters for the winter.  We still catch the smaller baby tarpon (5 to 35 pounders) all year.  The large migratory fish will return in the spring.  

 

The Keys backcountry fishing in the summer and fall offers many species.  The most abundant fish in the area are - redfish, snook, trout, snapper, tripletail and sharks to name a few.  For those who want to target what we call the "Glamour Species" - Tarpon, bonefish and permit are good this time of year as well.  The bonefish and permit will be targeted in the daylight hours.  Sight fishing is generally the most productive way to pursue a catch - and one or two fish caught in a day is good.  The bonefish here are some of the largest found in the world (8 to 11 pounds is the average size).  The permit range from 10-30 pounds on average size.   The tarpon are the easiest of these three to catch - especially if you fish in the evening.  It is not uncommon to get multiple tarpon in the evening.  If you are looking for a trophy - go for the "Glam Species"  If you want to catch lots of fish - I suggest trout, snapper, reds and snook. 

 

Great fishing - hope to see you on the water!

 

   

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

June Fishing in Islamorada

The tarpon bite is still going strong.  There have been lots of huge tarpon rolling all around the boat the last few evenings and when the dinner bell goes off - hang on.  I had a young lady on the boat who landed her first tarpon and it was a whopping 140 pounder.  Not bad for a first timer. 

 

The trout and snapper have been great action and also great tablefair.  We've been catching some nice snook and redfish in the back.  Artificial baits are producing well for those who are good casters and the live bait has been producing around the deep holes. 

 

For those who want to catch JAWS.  The shark action is hot and heavy.  Bulls and Lemon Sharks up to 300 pounds and lots of them.  Hang on! and don't dangle your feet in the water!

 

Headed out again today on a 3pm-10pm trip.  Looks a little windy today - but we will make it work!  Tight lines.

 

  

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

June Fishin in Islamorada

Ok, here we go - summer weather is here.  It's warm and the fish are feeding.  The evening tarpon bite was great on Thursday - we caught two nice 110-120 pound fish and lost one other.  One thing about that evening tarpon fishing - you don't get cooked by the sun, it's a beautiful sunset trip - and we catch tarpon almost every evening! 

 

Friday we caught some nice mangrove snapper to start - then we located a nice school of trout and hammered them for an hour or so.  Got some good fish for the dinner.  Then we hit the flats for some redfish and snook action.  We boated four nice snook and one 10 pound redfish all on artificial.  From there we hit some deeper holes with live bait for 3 more redfish, 4 nice sheepshead and a load of mangrove snapper.  Summer weather is here and the fishin is goooood!!!

 

Tomorrow we fish 3pm-10pm.  Afternoon fishing for trout, reds, snook and snapper - then transition into the evening tarpon - life doesn't get any better than this!!

 

Keep those lines tight!  See ya soon.

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Fishing May/June in Islamorada

I haven't kept up with this blog lately because I've been fishing pretty much every day.  So, here is a recap of what has been going on - and what is yet to come.

 

The later part of May we had some good evening tarpon fishing.  Some of the evening trips that took place around the full moon were a little slow.  The fish are still averaging 100-150 pounds of pure fury.  Lighting fast runs, screaming drags, fantastic jumps with the tarpon crashing into the water like a small car dropping from the sky and the look of amazement on everyone viewing the site.  This is something every angler should experience at least once in their lives.  We will have plenty of great tarpon action through June and into early July.

 

The backcountry continues to get better as summer arrives.  The trout bite is still great with all the rod bending you want.  Mangrove snapper is pretty much the same - all you want to catch and some nice 2-3 pounders showing up.  The redfish have been excellent.  Several trips I had in the later part of May where we targeted reds - we were catching 10 to 12 nice redfish a day up to 10 pounds.  We were having a problem with some huge 200-300 pound sharks eating the redfish before we could get them to the boat.  When the sharks show up like that - we either set up the shark rod and battle those big bruisers or we pack up and move to another spot.  No sense in feeding those sharks all our nice redfish!  On some of the really light wind days we have been getting some nice tripletail out in the Gulf area and a few cobia as well.  

 

There is plenty of great fishing action here in June and July.  Come on down and enjoy the fun!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Tarpon Time in Islamorada

The Tarpon are here and in full force.  More fish then ever.  We are catching multiple tarpon almost every evening.  These fish are averaging 80-150 pounds.  Last Friday evening was the slowest bite - we still hooked and lost one huge tarpon before the wind kicked up to 30mph and totally shut the bite down.  Saturday evening we landed two big fish - a 90 pounder and a 100 pounder and lost two others.  Sunday evening was "game on" with 3 landed - 110, 120 and a 150 pound monster.  We lost one other.  The trout bite was on early in the day - we caught all the trout we could handle.  The guys kept enough for a nice dinner - then we were off for the tarpon action. 

 

The last few days we have targeted the backcountry for trout, reds, snook, snapper and big sharks,  The trout bite is constant action.  Lots of trout, jacks and ladyfish in the mix.  The mangrove snapper are loaded up in all the deep holes and we are catching some nice reds and the snook are starting to show up in some of the shallow water spots for the first time this year.  Plenty of big sharks in the backcountry too.  Lemons and Bulls mainly - up to 250 pounds.

 

The next 10 days are booked with afternoon/evening trips and should prove to be some great fishing.  These monster tarpon will be here through early July and June is a perfect month to catch your fish of a lifetime!

 

Tight Lines!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

May Fishing in the Keys

The tarpon bite is better than I've ever seen.  Multiple catches almost every evening.  The fish are ranging from 80 to 150 pounds.  Lots of sore arms and happy anglers.  It's normal to have multiple hook ups - but we are hooking more fish than ever.  Some really great tarpon fishing to be had this year and it will last through mid July.  If you want to catch the fish of a lifetime - now is the time to come.  I have a couple days left open in May and June hasn't filled up yet.

 

The backcountry is producing some great catches as well.  The bonefish were all over the flats yesterday.  More fish than I've seen in years.  We had several shots on schools of 25-30 fish.  We hooked 5 and landed 2 beauties - a 6 pounder and a 9 pounder.  The trout and snapper bite has been fabulous with as many as you want to catch - they are great table fair as well.  We caught a few snook the other day and the reds are biting too.  If big sharks are your thing - they are here and eating - over the last few weeks we have landed several sharks (Bulls and Lemons) ranging from 80 to 250 pounds!

 

It's "Game On" for fishing this spring.  I'm sure the fishing will be great this summer too - if you want to beat the heat - now's the time.

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

May Fishing in Islamorada

The tarpon are here and so is the warm May weather.  With warm May weather comes some hot May fishing.  The last week produced some excellent fishing.  The tarpon were on fire in the evenings.  Fish averaging 70-140 pounds.  Fisherman with some sore arms.  I had an angler early last week who was wore out after landing two - 100 pound plus tarpon.  With time left on our trip - he weakly breathed out the words " I'm done, lets go in".  He beat two beautiful tarpon - but the tarpon left war wounds on the angler.  His arm would be sore for a day or two - and the memories of those huge silver fish leaping and screaming out the drag ingrained in his mind forever.  Every evening has produced trophy tarpon and they will be here until mid July.  Now is the time to catch your trophy.  Fish will average 100-150 pounds.  Be ready for intense battle!

 

The trout and snapper bite has been off the hook during the day.  We are catching a few nice reds and good numbers of large 100-200 pound sharks.  The bonefish have been good - we boated a nice 9 pounder  last week.  Sight fishing takes some experience and very good casting.  If you want to catch a trophy bonefish - this is the time.  But be prepared to make perfect casts and be patient.  Bones here average 8-11 pounds.  

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Tarpon Time

The tarpon have arrived.  We were an amazing 4 for 4 yesterday evening on tarpon.  They ranged from 70 to 100 pounds.  The fish were rolling all over the place and once the sun got real low in the horizon - bang - the bite started.  My two anglers had sore arms after battling those silver kings.  The game is on!  This is the very beginning of the migratory tarpon run.  They will be here in the Keys through mid July.

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Latest Fishing Reports from Islamorada

The tarpon bite has been great.  The last two night trips produced 2 caught fish on each night.  The first of the two evenings we got a 40 pounder, a 60 pounder and lost two other wild jumpers.  The second evening we landed a 50 pounder, a 15 pounder and had three others that threw the hook.  It's very common for a tarpon to "throw the hook".  They have a very hard mouth and sometimes the hook doesn't catch the softer spots - couple that with a fish that fights like the tazmainian devil and your going to lose a few.  We use "circle hooks" for the tarpon because the circle hook design allows the hook to slide over the hard portion of the tarpons mouth and lodge itself into a softer portion.  We still lose a few fish with the circle hooks - but the hook to catch ratio is much better than with a standard "J hook".   The larger migratory fish are starting to show up - and they should be in full swing by early May.  These fish will average 100 to 150 pounds and we usually catch one or two every evening.  These are trophy tarpon - if you want to catch a fish of a lifetime - May, June and early July on the "evening trip" is the best time to come to experience the power and beauty of "The Silver King".

 

The trout bite has been fantastic.  All the trout you want to catch - great fun for beginners and those who just like to catch lots of fish.  We get a good mix bag when trout fishing - jacks and ladyfish in the mix.  The jacks and ladyfish can be used for a shark bait.  The sharks are here and biting and there are some big ones out there right now.  We landed a 100 pound lemon shark a few days ago and 2 big bull sharks the day before - 100 and 130 pounders. You never know what might eat that shark bait - it's not uncommon to catch a tarpon or even a big shook.  Fun stuff, and a good warm up for the tarpon.

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Florida Keys Film and Photo Show

Enjoy this video sent by one of my customers who spent New Year's fishing and enjoying the Keys.

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone: 305 - 393 - 1641
Email: stevemurray126@att.net
Website: www.tarponheadquarters.com

Catchin in the Keys

The trout bite has been out of this world.  We caught and released well over 100 trout a couple days ago and most of them were big fat females (getting ready to spawn).  Today we got on the trout as well - many large fish up to 20 inches.  We got into some reds and black drum way back in the Everglades and the Big Saltwater Crocks were all over the banks. 

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Fishing and Weather

We have a saying in the Keys.  There are only two types of weather.  Whether you are going fishing or whether you are not.  We have been going fishing and it has been good.  Some of the big tarpon are starting to show up - we got a 100 pounder a couple evenings ago.  The bite wasn't red hot - but we hooked two and landed the one.  The spanish mackerel have been red hot action with fish up to 6 pounds.. The patch reefs are still holding plenty of variety with porgies, snapper, grouper and a host of others.  The backcountry has been good for trout, snapper, some reds, black drum, sharks and of course the jacks and ladyfish.  So, even with this wild weather (very cold for this time of year), the fish don't seem to mind - too much!

 

Hey Doug Horst - if you are reading this - send me that tarpon video you took with me!

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Fishing Update

The tarpon fishing is starting to kick in!  We have been out the last three evenings in a row and hooked tarpon every night.  Fish up to 70-80 pounds - most averaging 10-30 pounds.  Mullet are showing up and the bigger tarpon are sure to follow.  The fishing  throughout our area has been good over the last few days.  The trout are big fat and full of eggs as they are getting ready for the first spawn of the year.  The speckled sea trout are making their way back into the traditional shallow water spots as the waters warm and every day we are catching more and more of them.  The patch reefs are still good with a mix bag of snapper, porgies, mackerel, grouper, etc and yesterday we got a 25 pound cobia.  Yum!!  The gulf has been great for spanish mackerel and a mix of trout, jacks, ladyfish and some shark action.  Warm weather and great fishing - does it get any better????!!!!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Islamorada Tarpon Fishing

The tarpon are back!  The water temps have been in the high 60's early in the day and up to low/mid 70's by afternoon evenings.  That's almost 10 degrees cooler than normal for this time of year.  The tarpon are here - even though it still is pretty cool for March -  and they are eating!!  We had 4 tarpon eat and got 2 of them to the boat on an afternoon/evening trip.  The two landed fish were in the 30 pound range.  Awesome fight on light tackle.  This is just the beginning.  The evening tarpon fishing will only get better as we get into spring and approach mid summer with warmer temps.

 

Good Fishing Everyone!!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Islamorada Mid-March Fishing

It's mid March and the water is finally starting to warm.  The fish are reacting well the last few days.  Today we had a great catch of redfish, trout, sheepshead and mangrove snapper.  We got 5 beautiful reds, 15 or 20 huge speckled sea trout (many fish over 20 inches).  These trout are starting to row up for the spring spawn - so, they were real fatties.  We bent the rod on as many mangrove snapper as you want to catch and lots of real beauties.  We've also been seeing some nice tarpon hanging around the dock - which is a great sign that they are starting to show up.  There were 4 tarpon swimming around my boat at the dock today that were 100-150 pounders.  Got 2 evening tarpon trips this week - should be good!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Fishing

The last few days have been good for some trout, ladyfish, jacks and lots of snapper.  All the snapper you want to catch (almost every cast).  We got a nice pompano yesterday.  The black drum, sheepshead and reds have been difficult.  We had a nice bonefish to the boat on Tuesday and tried some evening tarpon fishing.  The water is still a little to cool for the tarpon - as we found out.  No bites on the tarpon - but we did see a couple.  Hopefully next week the tarpon fishing will start to kick in.  It's only a matter of time now!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Good Fishing

The last few days have been great!  Plenty of action in the backcountry.  Nice schools of sheepshead and black drum with a few redfish in the mix.  The channels are full of trout and ladyfish.  Some reds and a few snook showing up on the flats and there have been a few tarpon rolling around the channels and basins. 

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

March Fishing

Well the cold fronts just keep on comin!  Low 47 today and a high of 60 degrees.  But that didn't stop us from fishing yesterday.  Lots of snapper, trout, ladyfish and jacks.  Plenty of action.  We are still waiting for the waters to warm for our snook, redfish, tarpon, bonefish and shark fishing to kick in.  Looks like this coming week may be the warming trend we have been waiting for.  March, April and May are always great fishing!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Backcountry Fishing

The black drum were eating like crazy yesterday.  Several fish in the 6 to 8 pound range.  Great fighters and the smaller ones are good eating.  The guys kept their limit of 5 each.  We got a few trout and ladyfish in the mix.  But the drum are what kept us busy.

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

February Fishing

This weekend was cold and windy - but that didn't discourage my diehard anglers.  The patch reefs were on fire with mangrove, yellowtail, mutton and lane snapper.  We got a few grouper up to 7 pounds some porgies, reef sharks, hog fish and a few spanish and cero mackerel.  It was non stop action.

 

Yesterday was warm and sunny for a change.  The water was still cold from the weekend - but we put together a nice trout bite a few sheepshead and lots of ladyfish in the backcountry.  The gulf was good - not great for some nice size spanish mackerel a few trout and some small reef sharks.  We finished off on the patch reefs for lots of mangrove snapper, some yellowtail a few porgies, one nice hogfish and a 10 pound reef shark.

 

The warm weather is on it's way and with it our tarpon will follow.

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Fishing in Islamorada

Yesterday the trout bite was great.  Lots of action with several jacks and ladyfish in the mix.  The spanish mackerel were biting well in the gulf and lots of lane snapper and mangrove snapper to add to the action.  If you like catching lots of fish - this is the fishing for you.  Lots and lots of fish - constant action.

 

Today snook was the target species.  We had a snook kill in January with the super cold weather - but today proved that many of the snook made it through the cold spell.  Four excellent snook - 16 pounds, 12 pounds, 9 pounds and an 8 pounder.  These are some excellent snook and great fighters.  We got some nice redfish and 4 bulldog fighter black drum.

 

The weather is warming the closer we get to spring and the fish are more and more active every day.  Soon the migratory tarpon will be in!!!  Can't wait!!!!!!

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com

Keys Fishing 1-22-10

The weather is warming and so are the fish.  In the backcountry we are catching some nice redfish up 9 pounds, black drum, trout and ladyfish.  The bonefish are feeding well on some of the nearby flats and we hooked one on fly yesterday.  The patch reefs are producing some nice mutton and mangrove snapper, porgies, grouper and the occasional hog fish.  The fishing is only going to continue to get better with this nice weather.

 

 

Thanks,
Captain Steve Murray
Phone:  305 - 393 - 1641
Email:  stevemurray126@att.net
Website:  www.tarponheadquarters.com