2/13/18 February Backcountry Fishing Report for Islamorada

February is rolling by quick and so far it seems winter time is over for us here in the Florida Keys.  It's been very warm and windy, and as of now no cold fronts in sight in the next week or so at least.  Temperatures are forecast to stay around 80 during the day and low 70s at night.  The winds look to continue to be moderate to high out of the east.  Looks like it will be an early start to our tarpon season, as there have been tons of fish already showing up.  They bite isn't red hot yet but guides have been picking a few who put the time in.  I've had pretty good fishing since I got back from my vacation in early Febraury.  For the most part I've been focusing on spanish mackerel and good size mangrove snappers for those who want action and table fare.  Then we've been tarpon fishing for part of the day or perhaps trying spots for a possible snook or two.  We had several large tarpon in the 120-150 lb range last week which was great.  Though over the weekend I had two very tough days after a string of pretty good days for a while, as the winds kicked out of the south a bit more and really turned the backcountry waters into a 'mud hole.'  One day we focused on snook as my angler requested it, and it was just very hard to find any clean water.  We ran way into the backcountry to some areas that were more in the lee of the wind, but just couldn't find much.  We caught a few trout and ended up getting a snook near home at least for him.  The following day tarpon was the prime focus and we put all our effort into that, we found fish in every channel we fished but they were not in a happy mood.  We saw hundreds even locally in islamorada but they were high rise, tail flapping, which can be indicative of them not being happy which was the case.  No bites for us, but we did catch a couple sharks, a ray, a jack, and did get a nice snook for my angler that day too.  Though yesterday we had a good day again after the couple slow ones with Bill and Elaine Levour, two long time bud n marys regulars.  We caught a couple snook, a nice redfish, a couple small tarpon, limit of big mangrove snappers, and a few mackerels and blue runners in the gulf... really everything you could ask for.  Hopefully that is the start of another hot streak!  Yesterday Capt. Mike Venezia had good fishing for baby tarpon in the bay as well.  Capt. John Johansen and Capt. Vinnie Biondoletti have had some tarpon action as of late as well, locally and in backcountry last week.  Capt. Jim Willcox had caught a few bonefish and a permit the last few days, as well as some big jacks and pompano.  Capt. Mike Bassett had some good fishing locally for spanish mackerel and pompano as well as some sharks.  Capt. Bill Bassett had some big trout several days ago deep in the everglades, nice ones up to 25 inches.  Capt. Gunner Guthrie had some good snappers yesterday as well as a big shark locally.  Capt. Chris Daly had some good action with little tarpon a couple days ago, and good mackerel fishing in the near gulf yesterday.  Business is really starting to pick up as we are getting near Valentines day, that always seems to be when season really kicks in about half way through February.  Give us a call if you are wanting to get out fishing as things are filling up quickly.  We are 100% back up and running after Hurricane Irma though some of the big resorts in town are still closed, so you'll want to make your plans ASAP if you are coming down in the next couple months.  Give us a call at 305-664-2461!

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
Instagram: @richardstanczyk
Facebook: Islamorada Tarpon Fishing