11/4/12 November Islamorada Fishing Report - gulf turns on!

Well the mud and nastiness from hurricane sandy has finally started to clear in the gulf and bays in the backcountry this islamorada fishing in november trip on 11/4/12.  We headed out west looking for spanish mackerel this morning as they start to show up this time of year.  Shrimp, pinfish, and some fresh pilchards were easy to obtain this morning and would prove great baits to have!  We hit a wreck that was loaded with various fish.  Some big mangrove snappers, lots of bluefish, jacks, ladyfish...  After 45 minutes or so a few mackerel started making there way in, we caught about half a dozen mostly decent sized fish and broke off a few others backcountry fishing florida keys.  In a few more weeks and after some more cold weather this fishery should improve.  Fishing the gulf of mexico can be a great option before the water gets down below 70 degrees. After we had our share of that, we headed further out into the gulf.  The water on the way was looking much better than previous days, we did hit a few muddy strips but once we got out further it was decent looking.  The tide was still falling and we hit another wreck 40 or so miles out from home.  Saw a school of islamorada permit as we pulled up, we set the anchor and put out some pinfish and a big rod on the bottom.  Had a couple more shots at permit, one swam into the boat and spooked and another would not eat he was laying on the surface though with a big chunk out of his back - must have almost been shark food!  We then had shots at cobias, catching 4 and one nice on of about 20 lbs on light tackle.  We also caught a small goliath grouper and about a 100 lb goliath, as well as a 250 lb bull shark that gave us a real fight!  After the tide quit things slowed down, so we looked for a few triple tail on the way in, saw a couple caught 1 and had another one eat, spit, and get spooked.  Anyways great day fishing the florida keys in november, we should have great tides and weather hopefully through the end of the week, so it's a great time for cobia fishing in islamorada as well as the rest of the gulf!  Capt. Jim Willcox and Capt. Perry Scuderi also had a group trip, both reported a couple cobias, mackerels, bluefish, snappers, and some big sharks - lots of action for their customers.  Capt. Ken Cohan had similar a simlar catch as well including two goliath groupers.

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@seethefloridakeys.net 

10/23/12 Excellent Islamorada Backcountry Fishing despite windy weather!

Well it was blowing as forecast today here in Islamorada fishing on 10/23/12.  However that didn't stop boats from getting out into the florida keys backcountry fishing.  Capt. Jim Willcox and Capt. Rick Stanczyk both fished near the mainland of florida.  The ride was not too bad a few short bumpy areas but for the most part you can run the banks/islands and stay in the calm water, and once near shore and in many of the areas we fish back there, you forgot it was even windy out!!  Capt. Jim reported some nice size redfish and some snook which starts getting good here in october fishing islamorada.  Lots of neat wild life too including a bald eagle/croc Capt. Jim got photos of, plus plenty of white pelicans and spoonbills starting to show up for the winter here in islamorada florida.  Capt. Rick had a good bite of snook this morning with regulars Jim and Gwen, we only managed one snook to the boat but missed/broke off/jumped off at least another 10 - just wasn't are day but that's why they call it fishing not catching!  Also got one nice redfish and jack crevalle, plus a 50 lb sawfish on light tackle which was exciting!  Jim was thrilled to get his first snook and sawfish.  Later we hit some runoffs and caught plenty of trout and mangrove snapper on the way home.  Capt. Bill Bassett fished closer to flamingo fishing and reported a mix bag of snapper, trout, ladyfish, jacks, and picked at half a dozen reds around some islands.  So remember when your here florida keys fishing in october and the wind is honking, the nice thing about islamorada is there are so many options to fish and much protected water - you can still get out there and have a great day!

8/30/12 August fishing in Islamorada

Well Hurricane Isaac came and went - no major damage here in the Florida Keys.  Winds came up to a steady 40-45 MPH with gusts a bit stronger.  Blew some leaves and lawn furniture around but that was about it.  Well if your wondering how fishing after a hurricane is we've got some good islamorada fishing reports today. Fishing the Florida Keys in August can be very hit or miss with the very hot weather we usually get, but the good thing with this storm is it cooled the water down nicely.  It usually take a few days for the mud and sediment to settle in the bay, but now that it's happened things turned on today.  Capt. Mike Bassett reported great action on a half day, catching a whopping 92 redfish, a small tarpon, jacks, and mangrove snappers.  He had Richard and Vivian Noritake down from Miami with their son Umi.  Capt. Vinnie Biondoletti had good luck as well in the backcountry.  They caught a couple big lemon sharks backcountry fishing flamingo, and lots of keeper trout and mangrove snappers further out west on the edge of the gulf of mexico.  Great islamorada fishing in august on 8/30/12.  The next couple months officially starts our 'off season' so there are plenty of guides available.  Try to get out on the water early to avoid the heat of the day, and remember to bring plenty of h20 as it gets down right warm out there!

March flats fishing in Islamorada Florida Keys

March fishing in Islamorada was pretty good today in the backcountry.  We had a good easterly breeze of about 15 mph which is fairly light compared to how it has been!  Drifting some of the bays towards the gulf side there were plenty of trout, ladyfish, and snapper to be had for Capt. Rick Stanczyk.  They also caught a couple spanish mackerel.  Further off some of the banks Capt. Jim Willcox reported larger ladyfish and trout.  Capt. Rick reported fishing a few shorelines on higher water and catching a couple redfish just for something a little different.  Both Capt. Jim and Capt. Rick reported catching some big mud marlin, Capt. Jim actually caught 2, plus both reported some sharks as well.  Capt. Rick also caught a nice cobia on light tackle off the back of the large bottom dweller.  Capt. Bill Bassett reported lots of shark action, several large spinner sharks, and a few others mixed in including some bull sharks.  Fishing the backcountry in March has had a variety of opportunities considering the windy conditions in the florida keys.

3/7/12 Rough winds, limited options, but fish to be caught backcountry!

The wind was howling today close to 30 knots out of the east, not leaving many options for those who dared to make it out today in the backcountry fishing islamorada.  Fishing was also extra tough as the shrimp boats did not make it out last night so most captains were stuck with frozen shrimp.  Capt. Jim Willcox did some stake up bonefishing close to home as we had some overcast/rainy weather this AM. Colleen Starman caught this 30 knot 9 pounder bonefish near home with Capt. Jim!  Capt. Rick Stanczyk and Capt. Bill Bassett did some snapper fishing around the islands in the florida keys everglades.  Hugging the banks was imperative and the ride/spray was not too bad, ended up dodging most of the rain too.  Both reported a good bite of snapper, lots of little ones with some big ones mixed in for dinner!  Capt. Mike Bassett ran back in the backcountry further east of flamingo where the water was a little cleaner and found some good mud eventually and caught lots of trout and ladyfish.  You've almost always got options here fishing in the florida keys, and they are usually better than sitting in your hotel room!