9/7/15 September Islamorada Backcountry Fishing Report

September is upon us and this is our slowest time of year for business here in the Florida Keys.  Memorial Day weekend just ended and that is the last hoorah for a little while to come.  The backcountry fishing as of late has been a little on the tough side for some things.  The medium to large size tarpon have really thinned in the backcountry and around town.  It is still possible to catch them though lately I myself have not seen too many.  We fished the last couple of days and spent a couple hours each day trying for them.  Yesterday we did get a nice one of 60 lbs, the day before we did not.  There have been some baby tarpon in the flamingo areas, if you are fishing on a smaller skiff it is possible to get to some of those areas.  Also with these resident tarpon, this time of year they can really be scarce one day and then swarming the next, sometimes when fishing just going to the next spot can be a 'home run!'  Unfortunately the shark fishing has been very slow too normally we catch a few sharks while we have our tarpon gear out, though I did not have even a shark bite the last two days out there.  Now if you are looking for action or some tablefare, the snapper and trout fishing was very good the last couple days.  We had our limit of nice mangrove snappers in no time, and there were a good number of trout mixed in too.  Trout have been a little scarce this summer but both days we caught plenty, and some nice size ones as well.  Mixed in have been some ladyfish and jacks as well.  That's all I have to report I've had several days off as have many of the guides around the docks.  It's just that time of year to catch up on boat maintenance and your personal life.  Though as things cool off the snook and redfish should start pushing out of the super skinny water in areas where we normally fish them in the Fall.  The fall bait run will also bring a week or two of stellar tarpon fishing in the backcountry, that usually happens in mid to late october.  Anyways if you are looking to get out on the water there are still fish to catch and plenty of guides available to go.  You may have to have some patience for some fishing, though if you are looking for just action that is definitely a can-do.  We have discounted rates on our rooms at Bud n Marys so if you are thinking of coming down for a few days they can put together a good package for you.

Capt. Rick Stanczyk