5/26/13 May Offshore and Backcountry Fishing Report

Well the islamorada offshore fishing has still been pretty good throughout the end of May.  We had a north wind several days ago which made fishing a little tough as that is unusual this time of year and brought on by a minor cold front.  Some boats struggled but were able to put a some catches of various mahi and snapper together.  Today also the wind was howling 20 knots and is forecast too for a few more days, however Strictly Business did make it offshore and got some nice Mahis.  A few other boats stayed on the reef including Kalex and put a nice yellowtail catch together for a half day.  Several days ago the Catch 22 had some very nice dolphin fishing in islamorada.  They also got a big 250 lb swordfish they fought for 4 hours that was tail wrapped!  The Miss Islamorada had an unusual catch - 2 permit on the reef!  In the backcountry the tarpon fishing has slowed down from what is was in April though still plenty of fish around.  Capt. Rick Stanczyk had a double header last night in the middle of the memorial day craziness and caught both fish, they also caught a nice big 100 lb tarpon, a bull shark, and a few other sharks close to home today with the wind.  Capt. Bill Bassett had a handful of redfish and snook in the everglades today plus a baby tarpon.  Capt. Mike Bassett and Capt. Skip Nielsen reported some good snook fishing a few days ago on the north wind, Capt. Skip reported tons of sharks though that were trying to feast on the snooks which is never a good thing!  Hopefully the wind lets up in a few more days!

Capt. Rick Stanczyk