3/11/16 Mid March Backcountry Florida Keys Fishing Report

The winds have been howling here the last several days and that has led to some tougher fishing conditions.  We had a little bit of nice calm weather early in March and things were warming up, however all this week it's been blowing 20-30 mph.  Before things got windy and nasty, Capt. Mike Venezia had a great day in the gulf catching mackerels, big sharks, tripletail, and 3 cobia off of a lemon shark!  Also Capt. Mark Hlis had some luck sight fishing they caught a couple tarpon in shallow water one day, and another day an angler landed a nice permit.  Now since things have been blowing, we have been able to get out and still fish in the backcountry for the most part as it is all protected water.  Options have been a little limited however, but as long as you are open to suggestion the captains can put you on some rod bending action.  Snapper fishing has been the go-to for a lot of guides, especially on half days.  It hasn't been real easy though you can usually pick out enough snappers around the mangrove islands for a meal, and sometimes find something else around there if you are lucky.  It's nice and protected water too so you don't have to get beat up.  Capt. Bill Basset and Capt. Mike Bassett had some luck fishing around the islands for snapper, as did Capt. Dave Sisung.  Elsewhere there have been some trout, ladyfish, jacks, and the like in the more open bays and in some of the channel run-offs in the backcountry.  The bays haven't always in been fishable though some of the larger boats can get out there.  Capt. Jim Willcox had some good action with trout, ladyfish, and other specimens out there today and it was a little calmer than before as winds were more southeast rather than east (which had been rougher).  I've been mostly mackerel fishing the last week and that has been good still, though that is more open water so not everyone can get out there.  The backcountry channels have had some sharks and a few tarpon in them.  The tarpon are not very happy though and with the water temperatures still in the low 70s, we need some calm weather for them to move in strong though that may come soon.  We caught a couple tarpon the day before yesterday on our way in during the afternoon around Islamorada, a great way to end the day.  We have landed a few others throughout the week, though it's been a bite or two a day and hopefully you make the most of it.  Though there have been some sharks and other big critters to keep you busy.  Capt. Skip Nielsen has had some tarpon action on his last few trips too, they landed a nice big fish several days ago in Islamorada in the afternoon and one that morning in the backcountry, and has had a few throughout the week as well.  The winds should be laying down somewhat and going more south, which will make it a little more comfortable in the backcountry.  Things look to improve as winds are forecast to lay down little by little over the weekend, with it getting calm hopefully by sunday.  This may be the conditions we need for tarpon to start pouring back into the area, and then it should be game on!  Spring break is here and it is a busy time, give us a call if you are looking to get out on the water.  305-664-2461

Capt. Rick Stanczyk