There is exciting action to report this week in the backcountry. Since January’s unusually cold weather most fishermen were wondering if the bite would ever return. Well I am here to report that I have had great luck this week. The beginning of the week brought good sized Snook, Redfish, Black Drum, and Sea Trout. The latter part of the week I fished with Captain Lain Goodwin with Dirty Water Charters and had luck with lots of Black Drum, Redfish and Trout. The backcountry fishing is returning slowly.  As we begin to move into the warmer months I predict the fishing will be red hot for many of the species listed above excluding the Snook.

The Snook took quite a hit from the January cold spell. In response FWC took action by temporary closing the Snook as well as the Tarpon and Bonefish fisheries. This means you may only catch and release these species until further notice. This is a precautionary measure while they compile data from fishermen and research staff who are actively monitoring and collecting information. You can access the most up to date data at http://research.myfwc.com/fishkill/ . This website will give you an actual count of the number of species killed during January’s cold spell. It is interesting to see the enormity of the impact on our beloved fishery! As more research is completed we should have a better understanding of the future impacts January’s chill will have on our future fisheries.

Although Florida residents were rightfully concerned about the prolonged cold we experienced, the FWC reports that January’s cold was not all bad. A few positive impacts were that native freshwater fish species were largely unaffected by the cold temperatures however, non-native species that were introduced to Florida’s waters were seriously impacted, which I have to admit I am very happy to hear. Another positive attribute is the cold temperatures killed Burmese pythons, iguanas and other invasive species that have been invading Florida. Although the cold has not eliminated all of them, it has sharply reduced their numbers.

As for now things are literally heating up and the waters are more productive then they have been for the last few weeks. As you are planning your fishing trip to the beautiful Florida Keys make certain to be well versed in what is biting.  The last thing you want to do is try to target a species that is not active.  Talk with your selected guide to get the scoop on what is biting and be flexible with your dates. As they say, “Some days are better then others!”

Until next time ask yourself this one question….Are you fishing yet?

Our normal winter weather is back! Days of warming sun with a few passing showers fill our days with bliss. Because of our proximity to the Gulf Stream and the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys have a mild tropical climate where the average summer and winter temperatures rarely differ much more than ten degrees. Average yearly temperatures are the warmest anywhere in the United States. We are blessed with few exceptions to this rule.  So all of you who live in the fidget northern states take a break from the plummeting mercury and warm your bones in the Florida Keys.

 As the waters continue to warm after our unusual cold spell, the fishing has continued to heat up. The Mackerel, Snapper, Bluefish and other varieties of sport fish are back around the Springer Bank area. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The bone fishing in Key Largo has still been a bit slow, but expected to get better as they become more comfortable with their warmer waters. They are known to be weary and this past cold front really put them on edge. The upside is that we are coming up on a full moon so it is expected that they will be feeding more aggressively soon.

This week I decided to take a three day fishing trip to Whitewater Bay in order to further investigate the action as limited reports are coming in from this area.  The weather forecast was spectacular for sight fishing with the winds around 10 to 15 knots and not a cloud in the sky. I camped two nights at the Flamingo Campground which is approximately forty five minutes from the gate at Everglades National Park.  In my opinion this campground is the most convenient place to camp as it is less then a half mile from the boat launch. Another reason to choose this campground is due to their specific campsites that are set up for parking your boat and trailer. The park is well kept and very quiet making it ideal for a fisherman looking to get up early and venture on the water.

 The first morning we got up around 7am to begin our day on the water.  As we launched the boat life could be seen from all angles.  Crocs were sunning themselves while tourist looked on, ospreys were eating their morning meals, and manatees were bobbing for a breath of fresh air. Our first stop was the Hell’s Bay area which surprisingly after a few dozen casts there were no takers.  After approximately half hour of scanning the waters we decided our luck was not panning out in Hells’ Bay, so we opted to move towards a few other favorite spots of mine, Lane Bay, Oyster Bay and the mouth of Shark River. To make our travels enjoyable a few dolphin came up to the boat to check us out and play in the wake as we made our way to new fishing ground.

Moving through our day we finally found some action at the mouth of Shark River.     Redfish, Blackdrum, Trout and a few Sheepshead were the catch of the day and we were happy to see it! I was using artificial bait such as the gulp shrimp and jerk bait made by Berkley. Working some of the deeper points I used the shrimp with a ¼ oz jig with a slow retrieve. In the shallows is where I stuck to the jerk bait. The fish were reluctant to bite; however using the right presentation we were successful. Our patience paid off as we were able to bring some great sized fish to the boat!

In conclusion, The Florida Keys have so much to offer and most of it is just beyond the beautiful islands you see as you drive one of the best drives in the United States deemed by the US Department of Transportation. If DOT thinks it’s a beautiful drive along the highway, just imagine the beauty you find on the water!

Until next time, ask yourself this one question, “Are you fishing yet?

Fishing is at full blast as we all predicted and now is the best time to be on the water! If you are looking to bend the rod you are in store for an exciting time. I have been on the water most of the week and my clients and I came back to the dock with lots of fish stories. Many species of snapper, great sized grouper, sharks, mackerel, sea trout, redfish and a few shots at some bonefish filled our days with action. Things are alive and recovering in the backcountry and I am sure happy to be reporting it!

The weather has been absolutely beautiful this week with the same expected for the weeks to come. The warmer weather has returned and what a relief! The average temperature lingered around 78 degrees. The winds have been calm with many days near flat conditions, ideal for a day on the water.

On the patch reef was where I found the most action this week. Yellowtail and Mangrove Snappers, Black, Red and Gag Groupers, Cero Mackerel and a variety of sharks were all biting while fishing off lower Key Largo.  In the shallows of the backcountry the action included Redfish and Speckled Sea Trout, which were biting on the five inch Berkeley Gulp shad jerk, in a variety of colors. While targeting these fish varieties make certain to provide a long cast about seven to ten feet past the fish then steadily reel and jerk the bait about two to three feet in front of its nose. This action will surely entice the desires attack.

As I moved Oceanside the patches were littered with the same game fish however, they preferred live bait such as shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish.  Make sure to have a block or two of chum handy as this will increase your chances of catching your prized fish. Your chum slick will attract fish from other areas depending on the currents direction and speed.  

In addition to the fun in the backcountry the beautiful and historic Cheeca Lodge and Spa located in Islamorada held their 20th annual Cheeca Lodge Sailfish tournament! Hats go off to the Get Lit Captained by Quinton Dieterle. He was successful in guiding Kitt Toomey, Peter Miller, Jon Cooper, and Captain Hinckley to a total of 20 sailfish releases. So if you are looking for what to do in the Florida Keys, getting on the water is the best decision of your life!  You are sure to find a well rounded and respected guide here in the Florida Keys.

So until next time ask yourself this one question, Are You Fishing Yet?

Captain Richard Burson

One of the most important aspects of being a successful fisherman takes place before you ever get on the water. This aspect is overlooked by many anglers, but to the captains that make a living fishing it is one of the most important elements of a productive fishing day. Captains know all too well through experience that dead bait usually means a spoiled fishing trip.  It is for this reason that every angler should pay close attention to keeping bait alive and healthy for as long as possible. There is nothing worse then spending hours catching bait to find most of them belly up by the time you arrive at your honey hole.

There are many misconceived notions regarding aeration. Three most common misconceptions are that large live wells are required to sustain a large quantity of fish, large pumps are needed to move large quantities of water to keep the bait alive and last much not least the surrounding water temperature and salinity levels effect of the bait. These factors if not understood properly can lead to unnecessary bait death.

The most important aspect to a live well is the direction of the water. Livewells come in many shapes and sizes. The shape and size of the livewell will not matter as much as the direction of the intake water. The water must be pumped in to create a circular motion. This reduces the stress on the fish. Delicate bait such as pilchards will not survive a day of fishing unless the water flow creates a gentle current. Turbulent water will damage the bait and force them to work against the strong flow causing additional problems such as fatigue and stress and ultimately death.

The second aspect I would like to discuss is the quality of the air bubbles.  The air bubbles should be small because the smaller the air bubbles; the more slowly it will rise, giving it more time to dissolve in the water. This is a very important aspect to your live well and to the health of your bait fish. Make certain you bubbles entering are small to ensure there is enough oxygen for all the bait in your well. We saltwater anglers have an advantage over the fresh water anglers!  Salt water is denser then fresh so the air bubbles are usually smaller allowing your bait to have access to increased oxygen.

The last factor to consider is the different temperature and salinity levels as you move from one environment to another. As your live well works it pulls in water from the surrounding environment which can be stressful for bait. When you are on a flat, the water might be warmer than if you decide to try your luck in the deeper waters. The warmer the water, the less oxygen it will hold. These factors will certainly have an effect on your bait making them more sluggish while they try to adapt quickly to the change.

Having lively bait will attract more fish to you line. Make sure to talk with a professional in regards to your bait well. It is one of the most important things you can do before you get on the water to catch your dream fish.

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone and my heart and belly are full of the good stuff its time to focus once again on the waters surrounding the Florida Keys.  As temperatures drop up north, the average temperature in Key Largo will be around 76 degrees during the day and around 65 degrees at night. The winter weather here is heavily influenced by major frontal systems, bringing both brisk winds and cooler air to the area. Backcountry guides will be keeping a close eye on the radar as these cold fronts move their way over the islands. Winds are a major concern as they can make or break your day. High west winds are the most challenging for backcountry guides, so they will pay close attention to these cold fronts and the direction of the wind. If the winds happen to be blowing in from the west skilled guides will hide behind many productive islands so their clients do not feel the choppy bay waters.
 
This past week the water temperature in the gulf was approximately 70 - 72 degrees. The clarity of the water was murky, the way most guides like it when targeting mackerel, cobia, jacks, bluefish, trout, mangrove snapper and many species of sharks. The action has been steady however, it will be better after this next cold front moves across the keys. The water temperature will drop allowing many of these species to move closer to the islands. I have been productive with the use of Berkley Power Pro fishing line with a Yellow Chartreuse Hank Brown Hook-up Jig and a box of chum. I drop my chum in the water and after approximately 15 minutes there will be a variety of species arriving for the feast. Strong currents means more fish. Presentation of your lure will not be a factor with these target fish. All you need is the right current and a good box of chum.
 
The month of December will bring plenty of target fish for your pleasure.  Redfish and sea trout will be the more prominent species biting during this month. A few lingering bonefish packs will hold out on the flats but as the water temperature drops so does your chances for success. If you still want to pursue the elusive bonefish I suggest waiting until after mid day when the waters are warmer. You will have your best shot during the outgoing tides. As the water sits up on the flats during high tide it has a chance to warm. The bonefish will be waiting on the edges of the flat for the tide to begin to reseed off the flats. When the tide begins to move you should begin to poll up onto the flats as the bonefish will begin to search for their favorite food; shrimp, quarter sized crabs, and other small crustaceans. Make sure to bring your patients and your Flying Fisherman polarized sunglasses.
 
Until next time ask yourself this one question;
 R-U Fishing Yet?
 
Captain Richard Burson

Well as you peer through the magazines, search the endless websites, you will find a plethora of information which is mind boggling. I have placed a few helpful hints  in order to help you pick accommodations and choose which Island (Keys) you may consider staying on. The keys are very different and the choices can be confusing! I hope this information helps you!

August is a great time to come to the Florida Keys and fish the back country. When choosing to come during the warmer times of the year (August, September and October) make sure to schedule your trip for the early morning or the later evening. It is very hot and humid in the mid hours of the day making the fish are more likely to bite in the morning or later afternoon.

Another reason to fish during the summer months is because you will have an easier time requesting the best guides to take you out on the water instead of coming when these guides have already been booked in advance! As a well respected guide in the Keys with 30 plus years under my belt, I have a number of repeat clients who book a year in advance. Most other well known and respected guides also have these type of clients. If you want the best plan ahead or come during the less busy months. We would be happy to take you!

The pictures you see in the magazines or the footage you see as the back drop to your favorite fishing shows in the Florida Keys is exactly what it looks like right now on the water. The waters are crystal clear and the visibilty is great. Spotting the fish has been a breeze. The only thing you need is a good pair of Polarized sunglasses and you will have no problems spotting your target fish on the flats!