Islamorada and Key Largo Fishing Report
Snook fishing around Flamingo in Everglades National Park is still going strong. The channels and runouts on a outgoing tide can be amazing! Pilchards, Pinfish and the old reliable Shrimp tipped jigs are all working. Up on the flats the Snook fishing is just as good. Find a flat or shoreline with some baitfish and the Snook won't be to far away. Soft plastic jerkbaits, spoons, or flies are all working.
Redfishing is still pretty good. I've been finding a few in some creeks and flats around Flamingo. Use the same baits or lures that you would use Snook fishing. Most of the time the Snook and Redfish are usually together using the same areas. Again having baitfish around is the key. No bait, no fish!
Bonefishing has been very good lately. Most of my Bonefishing lately has been on the oceanside of Key Largo to Biscayne bay. This is typical of winter Bonefishing. The colder it gets the more fish will appear on the oceanside of the Upper Keys. Shrimp are big this time of year and is all you really need. I use a 8ft. rod with at least 200 yd's of 10lb test. The water temp has been around 75 degrees and these fish will make some incredible runs in the cooler water. Of course fly fishing for Bonefish is one of the greatest challenges of fishing.But with the fish really putting on the feed, this is one of the best times of year to target them on fly. A 9ft 9weight rod with a 12 to 14 ft leader and at least 200 yd's of backing is perfect for these amazing fish.
Remember that flats fishing for any of our shallow water fish is very demanding, but very rewarding. These fish simply will not tolerate baits landing on their head. Practicing your casting will increase your odds dramatically! All of the great anglers you see on t. v. practice a lot. You do not need to be able to cast a mile, but for sight fishing the flats, you must be able to cast 40 to 50 ft very accurately.
Tight lines,
Captain Randy Stallings
© 2007 Captain Randy Stallings, Islamorada Fishing Charter, Islamorada, FL
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