Fish Catchin in the Keys

It's springtime in the Keys and the fish are right on schedule.  The business is great this year.  I have been out fishing almost every day since mid February.  Lots of happy customers and lots of "not so happy" fish. Although, these fish should be happy - they are getting a free meal, a free workout and some fish even get their picture taken!  The "not so lucky ones" get to come back for dinner. 

 

The trout bite continues to be spectacular - with many days producing well over 100 trout per day.  Jim and Al were in from Michigan for two days of fishing.  They come every year with a group of 10 and we fish a small tournament with 5 boats.  Each day rewards most fish per boat and biggest fish per boat.  We won "most fish" both days with 250 fish caught and released on day one and well over 100 fish on day 2!  The trout, snapper, ladyfish and jacks were very abundant.  We released a 13 pound black grouper on day 1 and had a nice 30 pound tarpon day 2 - but one of the other boats had a big barracuda on day 1 and another boat had a 100 pound tarpon on day 2.   Loads of fun - everyone had a great time.

 

The evening tarpon bite is still great and should only get better through June.  The bite was a little slow last week.  A few trips we only hooked up on 1 to 3 fish a night.  That's a pretty slow bite for evening tarpon fishing - but most trips have been producing at least 3 to 5 hookups on the Silver King.  A few weeks prior we were hooking 7 and 8 fish a night.  These fish have been in the 90-130 pound range and hooking up on more than 5 of these monsters in a night can be a real workout!  Nick from Chicago landed his first 100 pounder last Tuesday evening - I've known Nick for many years and I don't think I've ever seen him happier.  Almost every evening has produced at least one catch and on the best days we have landed 4 mammoth tarpon - on a 4 hour trip that's a lot of action.  Lots of sweat, sore arms and big smiles!!

 

The bonefishing was good last week.  We landed a beautiful 10 pounder on a 4 hour morning trip and had shots at 2 other small schools.  The bonefish fishing is very technical and requires patience and a very well placed cast.  The fish here are big - averaging 8-11 pounds - and they didn't get to be that big being stupid.  The bones are very spooky and if you can make a great cast and place it softly ahead of the grey ghost - you will experience a screaming drag run like you have never imagined. 

 

The weathers been beautiful and typically May has light winds.  Just enough wind to keep you comfortable on the water.  World class fishing here in the Keys for those who want to chase the fish of a lifetime and exceptionally great numbers of fish for those who just want to bend the rod.  Frank Conner - a regular client and good friend - brought the kids down from New York a few weeks ago and young Jake and Ashley showed there friends how it's done with some great trout, jack and ladyfish action.  Bring the kids down for the rod bending action - they will be hooked on fishing for life.

 

Hope to fish with you soon - please call ahead for reservations - I have many bookings through June.

 

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

Therrrre Heeeere!

It Tarpon Time and there are here!!!

 

The last three evenings have produced 7 tarpon catches.  Thursday and Friday evening we fished in some of my "downtown" area spots.  These fish were averaging 25-80 pounds.  Saturday evening we fished the Monster run and landed 2 - 100 pounders.  When these tarpon start showing up in the Monster alley run - that is the sign that our migratory fish have arrived - and they will be here through June and into mid July.  So, if you ever wanted to catch "the fish of a lifetime" - a 100 pound plus tarpon - now through mid July is the time to do it!  These fish will average 100-150 pounds with a chance to hook-up with a 180-200 pound monster!  The tarpon are here to spawn - so this is the heaviest they will be all year.   

 

Phil and Greg fished with me the last 3 days/evenings and they each caught a backcountry slam on Saturday (tarpon, redfish and trout).  The trout bite has been outrageous with some of my spots producing a trout on almost every cast - for as long as you want to catch 'em!  We got into some redfish yesterday - they guys landed 5 or 6 reds.  The evening produced 2 beautiful 100 pound tarpon. 

 

I took the Berge family out last week and 7 year old Connor had the day of his life.  He caught all the trout he could handle and was just as excited catching the first one as he was to catch the 40th one. 

 

It's tarpon time - but it's also a great time to get into some nice reds, snook, trout, snapper and a host of others- and if you are a diehard hardcore fisherman it's also a great time to catch a big bonefish or permit.  Expect to spend the whole day going after the grey ghost (bonefish) or ever elusive permit.  One or two in a day is a very good day.  If you like lots of action - trout and snapper are very abundant.  The redfish can be hot action too.  One of the reasons this is such an amazing place to fish - is the great variety we have.  There is always something to target and always something biting.  Come on down and catch that fish of a lifetime - the tarpon are here!

 

 

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

Springtime Fishing in the Keys

Sorry I haven't posted a report in a while.  March was extremely busy and the fishing was - and still is - fantastic!

 

The tarpon started showing up a little earlier this year.  The water temperature warmed up nicely as the winds were down - for what we normally expect in March.   The tarpon bite has been good.  We have been averaging 3 to 5 hook-ups on an evening tarpon trip.  Most of the fish have been in the 60-80 pound range with some 25-35 pounders caught in some of the "downtown" areas.  It's very rare that we don't catch at least one tarpon on an evening trip and I pride myself on consistently producing tarpon on every evening tarpon trip.  The big dogs are showing up and it looks like we are going to have another banner tarpon year.  Be ready for a workout if you plan on tarpon fishing - it's not for the timid, meek or young children.  It truly is a battle intended for the well prepared.

 

The trout bite has been amazing!  We call it a "hole in one" when the cork goes down as soon as it hits the water - and we've had many hole in ones lately.  You can catch a trout on almost every cast for as long as you want to - in some of my good spots right now - and there are some really nice fat female "gator trout" in the mix.

 

The reds have been really good too.  But some of the days we've had to work for them.  When they are biting - we've put together some 20-30 fish days - with a few snook in the mix as well.  The snook bite is hit or miss - but it has been getting better with the warmer spring weather.

 

For all you shark fans - the shark are showing up strong with this warm weather and Andy and Niki from Michigan had there fill with 3 nice blacktips and two big 100 pound plus bull sharks on a half day trip last week. 

 

Last year was the best tarpon fishing I've seen and I expect this year to be just as good.  The best time for tarpon is mid April through mid July.  So, if you are planning a trip to the Keys and want to do some great fishing - give me a call.  This season is booking up fast - but I still have some openings. 

 

Have a great day - and thanks for reading! 

 

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

Fish Bites

It may be wintertime in most of North America - but it's basically springtime here in South Florida.  Mid to upper 70's during the day and 60's at night - beautiful weather - and the fish are bite-in!! 

 

Andy from Michigan found out the hard way why we call 'em snapper down here.  He got his finger a little too close to the mouth of a mangrove snapper and "Ouuuch" this fish Bites!!  Yep, Andy - that's why they call 'em snapper. 

 

In the last few weeks we've been catching lot's of redfish, trout and snapper.  Some really nice spanish mackerel out west of Everglades National Park with some trout, snapper, pompano and a few triple tail in the mix.  The snook fishing has been pretty good the last few trips.  Andy from Michigan felt the furry of the savvy snook.  He landed 3 or 4 snook up to 5 pounds and lost a couple in the mangroves.  They love to scream off the drag and get you into those bushes!  

 

The tarpon season is right around the corner and I've seen a few of the big monsters swimming around lately.  They are already starting to show up and I've got the heavy gear all lubed up and ready.  The peak time for tarpon is generally mid April through Mid July - but I start catching some nice size fish (30-70 pounders) in the early part of March.

 

So, if your tired of looking at the snow and ice - or you just want to do some fishing.  Come on down to South Florida.  The weather is beautiful and the fish are biting!

 

Subscribe to my blog here http://tarponheadquarters.blogspot.com/

 

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

Reds are Still Rollin

Is it normal to catch a redfish on almost every cast?  The redfish continue to be one of the main target species this winter.  Some of my spots are filled with them.  Literally hundreds of them and they are hungry!  They are eating shrimp, gulp shrimp and yes, they are even eating the fly.  Drop a small weighted clouser in the hole and wham - redfish. 

 

The last few days have produced lots and lots of redfish, some good size sheepshead up to 5 pounds and some nice trout.  The spanish mackerel bite has been very good out west with some snapper, jacks, ladyfish and trout in the mix. 

 

The redfish are the really big story this year.  Last winter was super cold.  We had a fish kill worse than anyone had seen in a lifetime.  The snook, baby tarpon, bonefish, jacks, snapper, grouper and even some sharks where severely affected.  Almost all of these species that got caught in the shallow backcountry waters died.  Yes, the shorelines were filled with thousands of dead fish.  From Tampa to the Florida Keys, February 2010 will forever be remembered as one of the biggest fish kills in Florida history.  But - with every bad comes something good.  The redfish can handle the severe temperature drop.  They had a normal spawn in 2010 and because there were far less predatory fish (snook, baby tarpon, jacks) to eat the fry and fingerling reds - the population exploded.  This last summer of 2010 these newly spawned reds were averaging 12-14 inches.  Now they are averaging 15-18 inches.  We are still catching some larger reds in the mix - but the big numbers we're catching are from the great spawn last year.  By spring 2011, I expect these fish to be 18-22 inches on average and another great spawn to produce even more great redfishing. 

 

The trout also can handle the temperature drop and are still around in great numbers.  The majority of our snapper migrated out to the deep water wrecks and reefs.  They have returned to the backcountry in good numbers as well.  The migratory tarpon were unaffected - as they were in the warmer waters of the Caribbean during the cold snap.  In fact, last tarpon season (April- July 2010) was one of the best I have ever seen.   We caught tarpon almost every evening with several 3 and 4 fish catches.  To catch 3 or 4 -100 pound plus tarpon in a 4 hour evening trip is a great feet.  You are pretty much catching a fish from the moment you put a line in until we head back to the dock.  I look for this years tarpon season to be as good or better.

 

Another good thing to come from last years fish kill is - there are more crabs, shrimp, pinfish and all other kinds of baitfish.  So, with more bait in the area, the fish have more to eat and will grow faster and stay in feeding areas longer.  Bigger fish to come and easier to find.  I can't wait for this years upcoming fishing - it 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

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