Greetings fish fans. The fishing out of Key Largo and Islamorada lately has been very good. There have been good numbers of bonefish on the Oceanside flats as well as plenty of fish in the back country. I would have to classify the snook fishing as excellent. Lots of fish from 20”-25” and enough much larger fish around to keep you casting. Over in the Flamingo area this time of year I prefer to fish the deeper channels where the runoffs come out of the flats. The baitfish use these runoffs to move back and forth from the flats to the deeper water. Fish the mouths of these runoffs with a Capt. Hank Brown’s Hook Up Jig and shrimp combination. I use a ¼ oz jig in chartreuse with a 1/0 black nickel hook. It’s a perfect size for shrimp and also live pilchards up to 3” in length. Cast them out and let the current sweep them along the edge of the runoff. 10 lb Power Pro line with a 30 lb fluorocarbon leader is perfect for fishing the deeper channels as there are no obstacles to deal with. When casting around the mangroves, I would jump up to 20 lb line. The deeper channels are also great places to catch redfish right now. When the tide falls the fish will use the runoffs to make their way to the deeper water, then move back on the flats when the tide rises. Sea trout are starting to show up in good numbers too. Look for the deeper basins with grassy bottoms and fish a Hook Up Jig and shrimp under a Cajun Thunder float.
If you want to venture out farther than Florida Bay the Spanish mackerel are getting thick out in the edge of the Gulf. Run to 10-12” of water and start putting out a chum slick. It won’t be long until you see fish “skyrocketing” through the slick. The macks will take a variety of baits and lures. Jig and bait combinations, bucktails, live pilchards, and spoons will all catch their share of fish.
If you want to get out on the water, give me a call or an email. Until next time, good tides and keep the Sun to your back. >
Capt. Kerry Wingo
Tails Up Fishing Charters
305-394-1383
www.tailsupfishing.com
Key Largo Back Country Report
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