Winter Fishing - FL Keys Flats & Backcountry
No better place to be.
December through March offers a wide array of fishing potential for the flats and backcountry surrounding the FL Keys. Cool, and sometimes blustery conditions make for a great time of year to break out the light-tackle spin rods. Moderate to sometimes high wind speeds during these months can put a damper on fly fishing the open water flats. However, if you're willing to use that cool breeze to your advantage. Casting artificial lures on light line spin rod outfits is well worth the trip this time of year!
Barracuda on the Flats
Don't knock it until you've tried it! A cast and retrieve sight-fishing experience that is hard to beat, barracuda offer high speed action for artificial lure enthusiasts. Truly underrated sport-fish, barracuda have gained a tough reputation in the fishing world. Yet, have inspired the titles of a one hit wonder song and muscle car. Tarpon can't say the same.
November through March are the best months to witness allot of these aggressive fish sunning atop shallow water flats. Their slender dark appearance is easy to see at a distance from the bow of a flats boat. Cast your lure and watch this big fish hit with fury, once witnessed you'll understand why the Plymouth Barracuda made the race track. Huge runs with 50mph jumps, great for people who want action packed fishing!
November through March are the best months to witness allot of these aggressive fish sunning atop shallow water flats. Their slender dark appearance is easy to see at a distance from the bow of a flats boat. Cast your lure and watch this big fish hit with fury, once witnessed you'll understand why the Plymouth Barracuda made the race track. Huge runs with 50mph jumps, great for people who want action packed fishing!
Winter Permit Fishing
For the hunters. If you prefer quality over quantity, February and March are great months to find this highly prized gamefish. Permit are considered to be elusive and challenging fish to catch. Due mainly to their ability to sense vibrations at a distance, far and accurate casting is a must when trying to catch permit on the flats. Unlike any other fish, permit will not hang around and let you catch em. One chance is often all you get and the cast better be on the money. Sight-fishing permit on the flats might just be the best sport in fishing.
While permit do fight very hard, it's mainly the events leading a hookup that make permit fishing all worth while. There's something mesmerizing and somewhat addictive about watching this sharp finned gamefish push through a shallow depth of water. Best described as hunting with a fishing rod, permit fishing on the flats is allot like going into the woods after large game. The payoff is huge, catching just one is an accomplishment.
While permit do fight very hard, it's mainly the events leading a hookup that make permit fishing all worth while. There's something mesmerizing and somewhat addictive about watching this sharp finned gamefish push through a shallow depth of water. Best described as hunting with a fishing rod, permit fishing on the flats is allot like going into the woods after large game. The payoff is huge, catching just one is an accomplishment.
Cook your catch Snapper fishing!
Not only are large Mangrove Snapper a blast to catch, they cook up well too! Many local restaurants welcome fresh caught snapper and "cook your catch", after a day on the water. A great experience for those who enjoy action, pull these hard fighting fish straight from the backcountry mangrove islands and witness nature in ways few people get to see.
Great family fun fishing months!
While winter conditions can be windy at times, it should be duly noted that many backcountry fishing spots are sheltered from the wind. A seemingly endless amount of calm water area where youth anglers can cast for barracuda, jacks, sea-trout, snapper and sharks. Sometimes dad can even whip out the fly rod when the opportunity strikes.