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