Islamorada flats and backcountry fly fishing guide. Biscayne Bay to Key West and the Marquesas Keys. Whitewater Bay and No-motor zone canoe sight fishing in the Everglades.

Welcome to AFishingGuide.com, where saltwater fishing enthusiasts turn for the latest angle on the bite in the waters around Islamorada, Fla.

I'm Captain Steve and I have fished my entire life, but specialize in guided backcountry fishing excursions in the Florida Keys. My years of experience leading freshwater trips in Colorado, and the endless hours spent prowling the local flats have prepared me to take you and your fishing goals to new heights.

“This isn’t a part-time deal or hobby for me. I fish because it’s my passion, and am on the water building my backcountry resume almost every day. I’m patient and like to help all levels of anglers achieve their full potential – and land that dream fish! Tell me your angling aspirations and I’ll get you there.” – Capt. Steve Friedman

First-timers, families, couples and seasoned anglers are all welcome aboard my boat, to experience the raw beauty that is Florida Bay, Biscayne Bay and Everglades National Park. Based in Islamorada, I specialize in fly and light tackle fishing excursions from the Upper Keys through the Marquesas in Key West.

FLORIDA KEYS FISHING REPORT | Click here for previous reports

March 7 , 2012

This report is serving as a reminder that I am still alive! As you can see from previous reports below, it's been a long time since my last published report on this website. I've changed my computers and programs which has made it difficult to get to this ancient computer for updates. I'm moving along now and do regular updates on my Facebook Page and on my other websites which can be easily accessed. Please visit the following links to get more up-to-date reports, photos and videos until as such time I am able to transfer this site.

Webiste: http://flyfishingislamorada.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/a-fishing-guide-capt-steve-friedman/264517720916

YouTube Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/flyguide

Thank you all for visiting and I hope to see you on the bow very soon!

Capt. Steve Friedman

January 23, 2011

A cold front passed through South Florida yesterday. Fishing and the weather had been consistent up until then. Gulf was a little slow with a mackerel bite, but closer inshore they were thick. Lots of redfish around Flamingo but most in the 13-17' range. A couple of nicer ones are in the mix, but the little guys are faster to the shrimp and jig than the larger ones. Tarpon were thick while the water temperatures reached up to 76 degrees in some areas. The cooler temps will push them out for a while until the water warms up again.

Looking forward to this weekend, Janaury 29th, for the annual Swamp Guides Ball tournament. A fundraiser that brings in thousands for the Don Hawley Foundation which benefits fishing guides in need. A cause near to me for sure. Need to catch bonefish, snook and redfish all in one day. Forcast is unusually pleasant. Can't wait.

January 11, 2011

Heading out in the morning to the Everglades with some thought to chasing some tarpon on fly. The Glades have been fishing well with redfish, trout and ladyfish. The snook are also enjoying the weather. I hope the tarpon are enjoying this warm up as much as the folks on land.

January 1, 2011

New rates for 2011! Click here for new pricing. Discounts available.

April 21, 2010

Plenty of wind and clouds have made for a challenging week of fishing. It’s these kind of conditions where the prepared angler can have some fantastic results. Or the novice angler can fuel a desire to practice more in order to be better prepared for the next angling adventure. But there are situations where any skill level can yield excellent results.

For the novice, catching a tarpon doesn’t have to be technical. You don’t even have to cast the rod in most instances. A simple outfit of a 10-20 lb spinning rod, a reel loaded with 20 lb test and some 80 lb test leader (to prevent cutoffs) will suffice for most tarpon. Grab a bobber big enough to float a crab or mullet, and a 6-8/0 circle hook and you’re good to go. Find an area where the tarpon congregate, like a bridge or deep water channel, attach your bait to the hook, open the bail and let the line out with help from the currents and now you’re tarpon fishing. With the circle hook, the fish practically hook themselves. Keep the rod bent and reel whenever the drag stops. Let the fish run and maintain pressure enough to tire the fish quickly.

The intermediate angler can also enjoy fishing on days where the wind is blowing and the clouds are looming. A boat ride back to Everglades National Park (with a guide that knows how to navigate safely around the maze of flats) can produce outstanding catches. One of the most common fishing rigs in this area is comprised of a live shrimp attached to a weighted jig head like a Backbone lure or Hank Brown’s Hook-up lure. Use any color you like, as long as it’s chartreuse.

It gets tricky around the mangroves where the roots like to grab hold of the hook. There are numerous channels and open flats that will be kind to wayward casts. A cast slowly retrieved near or on the bottom will catch redfish, snook, snapper, ladyfish--just about anything. Case in point, a 30-pound permit was caught this week on a day the wind was blowing about 20 knots. The angler used a live shrimp and quarter ounce jig head in a deep channel. The line came to an abrupt stop during the retrieve and engaged the drag system immediately. This fish didn’t settle down and angler and guide surmised the fish was possibly a large sting ray. But it soon became obvious that this was a true game fish on the line and after a forty minute battle, the angler had the catch of a lifetime boatside.

When the wind blows hard like it has this week, the veteran angler knows this can be good conditions for bonefish and permit. The more the wind blows, the closer you can get to these spooky fish. An experienced angler practices playing the wind for these occassions. Also, he or she knows that only a few good opportunities might present themselves. Be ready to get the bait in the zone as fast as possible before the fish knows something is wrong. Playing the wind, knowing which way the current moves, and releasing the caught fish quickly are all part of an expert angler’s arsenal.

Keep an open mind about the weather and know your skill level to help you focus on the kind of day you might enjoy, despite less than ideal fishing conditions.

April 14, 2010

High pressure weather continued to domintate the Keys last week. Strong winds and weak tides left some flats exposed thoughout the entire day. These flats can be very shallow even at high tides, when the wind blows against a weak current. Fish that would normally be feeding up on top of the flat were found more often on the falling tide, just off the flats in the deeper edges, where warm water flows over the shallows. Bonefish like to mud and tail in these conditions and were caught on live bait as well as flies.

When the clouds cleared for bright blue skies, permit were easily spotted along some of the flats edges. Many of the permit that have been spauning offshore are once again cruising oceanside and backcountry flats. Live crabs and crab-like flies have been working best. A cast just past the fish and up-current allows the permit to spot the crab as it sinks. It will swim over and gulp the shrimp in or pin it to the bottom and “tail” on the crab to eat it. Using circle hooks in these instances is the safest choice for the fish, which can swallow the bait while the hook almost always sticks just in the corner of the mouth.

I’ve heard some fantastic reports about the cobia invading the Gulf of Mexico, following sting rays as they move accross the flats. They are eating almost any streamer fly pattern, or charging live shrimp and pinfish on sight. They often look like sharks swimming in the distance, but they are curious creatures and will sometimes come right up to the boat and even nibble on the chum bag.

Keep a look out for bait when you’re fishing. Mullet, pinfish, ladyfish and others are good food for the mighty sliver king, which are starting to get on everyone’s mind. Early morning, just before sunrise brings the best tarpon bite in deeper water, and then again in the afernoon close to sunset. A live bait on top and a dead bait on the bottom will cover your bases. Use a stout rod and a reel with good drag and a capacity of at leaset 250 yards of line. On the flats, the tarpon fishing has been difficult mostly due to the strong winds and cooler water temperatures.

We are settling in to our normal spring weather patterns and the water is already starting to warm up. Combine that with some excellent full moon tides and the fishing should start to explode very soon.

April 7, 2010

Welcome to the Keys and the Spring weather patterns. Clear skies and higher temperatures are finally beginning to warm up the once-frigid flats in the backcountry. But the still-strong winds will continue to make polling and accurate casting a challenge, keeping some folks off the flats for now. Recently, the full moon drained much of the water off of the flats which forced most fish to the deeper edges. Bonefish have been mudding in about 2-3 feet of water and are eating live shrimp and well-placed flies. Permit have mixed in with the bonefish around the flats and are eating live shrimp as well as small blue crabs.

Guys using live mullet and pilchards are giving positive tarpon reports. Most of the big tarpon are being caught around the bridges by drifting with the currents in the early morning hours or late afternoon. Fly fishermen have been getting practice casting in tough conditions at a few tarpon that are moving along the oceanside. It won’t be long before the big tarpon are schooling along the shoreline and bonefish are tailing up on the flats with reckless abandon because everyone will be after the silver king, Megolops Atlanticus. Please be courteous out there. Give plenty of room to other fisherman and get to the back of the line when you finish your drift. Remember: if you think you’re getting to close to that boat, you’re already way too close.

Flamingo has offered a great trout bite lately, catching them in the 15-22” range. Jigs tipped with shrimp, and plugs cast over white holes are getting some good action. Those making the trip into the Florida Bay will enjoy a mix of big ladyfish and small jacks, and the larger sharks are beginning to show up after the huge schools of mullet filling the channels around Flamingo. Redfish are more comfortable on the warming flats, and a few snook are getting fooled in the deeper channels using pilchards, pinfish and live shrimp.

The Gulf of Mexico and the patches on the reef coninue to be the best bet for a short outing. Get to the reef line in about 25 feet of water and the grouper and mutton snapper of all sizes will keep the kids smiling and wear out their little arms. Rods will about jump out of their hands when the cero mackerels invade and attack free-lined shrimp or cut ballyhoo behind the boat. The small snappers and yellowtails are eating every single shrimp removed from the live well. A lucky spring breaker or two will have stories to tell of catching the mighty atlantic sharp-nose shark when they return to class.

March 31, 2010

Predator becomes prey in a great new shark fishing event! The first ever Islamorada Shark Fly Tournament was held last week, hosted by La Siesta Resort and Marina. Captain Mark Johnson founded this activity to benefit a Florida non-profit called We Fish For Kids, Inc. This benefit tournament will surely be a mainstay for years to come. Florida Keys Outfitters (FKO) and Sandy Moret also played a big part in making this tournament a reality, and a qualifier for the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship.

It seems like a simple idea: go out and chum the waters for big sharks, specifically lemons, blacktips or spinners, bulls, hammerheads and tigers that are at least four feet long. Get them close enough to the boat to cast a fly, make them eat it, then touch the leader. Try it sometime, and see what a challenge this can be! Especially with cold water and timid sharks. After the chum slick cleared, Mike Rempe, who fished with tournament founder Capt. Mark Johnson, came away with the victory. The real winners are the kids who are the beneficiaries of the proceeds of this tournament.

For those who haven’t been fishing for sharks using chicken feathers, the backcountry action has been heating along with the temperature. I’ve heard the trout bite back in the dirty waters of the Florida Bay is consistent. They’re being fooled by a weighted jig with a live shrimp under a popping cork. Ladyfish and jack crevalle are also getting caught in the mix. Redfish are still a little inconsistent but when found, are eating everything in their path. Tarpon are making an appearance on warmer days, and permit are invading the flats on the incoming tides. Bonefish are also getting more predictable but are still keeping towards the deeper endges of the flats during the warmest part of the day.

The Gulf and reef remian the most consistent bite with catches of large Spanish mackerel up to 7 pounds, and snappers, ladyfish and pompano shaking things up. Cero mackerel have been found in close to shore all the way out to the reef edge in about 35 feet of water. Yellowtail snapper were difficult to find but are now starting to bite as the moon starts to wax full. Grouper are eating simple jigs with shrimp as well as cut ballyhoo and pilchards. With the warming water, barracuda have been lurking in various locales. They are chasing down trolled tube lures along the shallow reefs, and are laid up in the shallows and taking flies. But beware: they’ll also eat your prized catch as you reel it up from the depths of a wreck. Bring along some small crabs for the permit and cobia that are schooling around that wreck too.

Hopefully, the warming trend will continue which will bring in the big tarpon that are surely hanging out in the gulf and making their way along the shorelines following bait balls. Some of the resident tarpon are being caught near the bridges using live or dead bait on the bottom. We are a little behind schedule with the cold winter we’ve all had to endure this year, but Spring is about to bust out and then it’s fish on!

March 24, 2010

The 2010 March Merkin has come and gone in the flash of rain and wind that came with it. This event has now passed its 4th year and is going strong with a filled quota of 25 anglers and guides that fish out of Key West trying to catch the elusive permit using a fly rod. The practice days yeilded some exceptional catches on a wamring trend and stiff breezes. This 3 day event ran into some snags however, when a cold front moved through making visibility tough and casting a challenge. Congratulations go to Capt. Scott Collins and his angler Greg Smith for winning this year’s March Merkin. Mark Hoskins and his guide Capt. Bob Paulson were able to catch a permit on the last day to seal first runner up honors.

Although the permit fishing was tough, I’ve receieved reports that the fishing is starting to pick up around the Flamingo area. Guides are catching redfish, trout and some black drum. Mixed in with that bag are jacks, ladyfish, sharks and the occassional pompano. They are using quarter-ounce jigs tipped with live shrimp.

The Gulf and reef continue to be the hot spot for rod-bending fun. The patch reefs have been producing mangrove snappers, mutton snappers, small groupers, and lots of cero mackerel to keep everyone busy. The Spanish mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico have been plentiful when anchored in 8-10 feet of fast-moving “dirty” water, using a fresh block of chum. The pinfish show up almost immediately after the chum block is hoisted over the side. It’s always a good idea to bring a small #8 or #10 hook with you to catch a few pinfish for the livewell. Cobia have been known to linger around the chum slick, so have a rod rigged, ready to hook on a pinfish and a float.

The flats reports are still erradic with big numbers of bonefish spotted on one day and hardly any seen the next. We are still waiting for some consistency with the weather and then we expect the flats critters to be there more consistently as well.

In the meantime, I’m gearing up for a new event coming to Islamorada: The Shark Fly Tournament. Capt. Mark Johnson founded this event to benefit We Fish for Kids, Inc. The idea is to catch as many sharks of four feet or greater using fly rods and tippet strength of 16 lb. or less. This will be a qualifying event for the IGFA/Florida Keys Outfitters Inshore World Championships in July. Two days of fishing for five different species of sharks: lemons, bulls, black tips, hammerhead and tigers. This is an all-release event and thanks to La Siesta Marina for the hospitality, Sandy Moret and the Crew at Florida Keys Outfitters and to Capt. Mark for all his hard work and dedication to this event for a great cause.

March 17, 2010

Cold fronts move through. Wind direction shifts to the northwest warming the air and water slightly before the cool settles in again for a few days. Then Mother Nature delivers some balmy days with light winds out of the east, but likely showers lurking in the skies.

What does this mean for the fishing? For one thing, I’ve been staying much closer to home. Last week I covered maybe a hundred miles of water in a single day searching for the right conditions and best opportunities. But with the wind and weather changing, I’ve been hanging at the reef on windy days, and up on the flats when the water is warm and the currents strong.

This week I fished with two couples from Massachusetts who wanted to bend a rod. The wind was calm, but the water was quite cold so we chose to stay “out front” and fish the edge of the reef. I stuck to about 35 feet of water with deeper water close by. I used a frozen block of chum, some shrimp and some chunks of fresh-frozen ballyhoo. Almost immediately we were into grouper, mackerel, snappers and a few odd-ball catches like parrot fish and puffer fish.

I also enjoyed a day on the reef with Chloe and Jillian Potter and their grandfather, Bill. The girls were elated to have a steady bite of snappers and grouper. But the highlight for them was catching huge barracuda using cut ballyhoo and tube lures.

I did get the chance to get back into the polling skiff when I met with Bob Belisle, who brought his fly rods to try to catch some feeding fish on the flats. Although the wind was blowing hard out of the north, we had some blue bird skies and great visibility. Although we didn’t catch the bonefish we spotted schooling up in 2-3 feet of water, Bob had some great fun catching some of the sharks we came across as we hunted for bonefish and permit.

Finally, after some soaking rain and the wind once again blowing hard to the northwest, I was back in my 22’ Pathfinder fishing the reef patches with Terry Marquardt from Wisconsin. He wanted to take some fish back home to share with his family. We stayed close to shore since there was a small craft advisory and he was happy to catch some keeper size mangrove snapper (10” minimum) and Spanish mackerel (12” min. to fork) for the smoker back home.

As the winds decrease and the temperatures rise, we can expect permit to leave the reef and wrecks in deep warm water and move into the shallows. Bonefishing should improve too, and we should see the tarpon start to show up with some consistency. In the mean time, if you’re at home practicing your cast, do some drills with the winds at various angles to ensure you get the most out of the opportunities that arise.

March 3, 2010

Most folks visiting from snowy parts up north find this “winter” weather very pleasant. But the fish in these supposedly tropical waters around the Florida Keys are feeling like someone turned off the heat and can’t find the on switch. We did enjoy some absolutely beautiful days last week with calm winds, cool air and bluebird skies. We also had our share of gusting winds, down pouring rain and erratic temperatures.

I traveled as much as 100 miles some days in search of actively feeding fish to keep everyone entertained. Trips out to the Gulf of Mexico near the edge of Everglades National Park boundary markers were extremely productive when the weather allowed a visit. Some of the best fishing happened just a few miles west of an area called Sprigger Bank. Brisk current and murky water told me it was a good place to start. A block of quality chum over the side, and the mackerel hit our shrimp-tipped jigs with reckless abandon. A boat nearby was having a blast catching these speedy toothy critters using fly rods and loving it.

When the anglers tired of catching mackerel, ladyfish, bluefish, trout and snappers, we headed further into the Gulf following strings of trap-line buoys in search of tripletail. In less than 10 minutes we spotted our first tripletail. A live shrimp on a weighted jig or just a plain hook is all we needed. That and some good casting. Tripletail like to float near the buoys and it takes an accurate cast to avoid tangling with the trap line instead of the fish.

Bonefish have been making regular appearances around the flats of Islamorada. The cold weather has them following the edges of flats in slightly deeper waters: 3 to 5 feet. On clear days look for muds: When the fish feed on the bottom they send puffs of mud up like light smoke clouds, which quickly dissipate as the current carries them away. Find the freshest looking mud and cast a shrimp a good 10 yards ahead of it; closer if you’re casting a fly.

Thirty of the best guides and anglers the Keys have to offer competed last week in the annual Backcountry Fly Tournament, rewarding the largest redfish and snook. A huge victory was won by Capt. Mark Gilman who guided his angler, Mark Cockerham, to a snook that measured over 38” and combined that with a redfish of over 25”. An amazing accomplishment considering the field they were up against and that the conditions were less than desirable. Congratulations Team Mark!

If you’re interested in this tournament or many others held around the Keys, please contact Charlotte Ambrogio at 305-942-0428 or by email at csasun@aol.com.

February 24, 2010

Those of you just arriving to the Florida Keys may not be aware of some new fishing regulations that were issued in January of this year. Or maybe you live here but aren’t sure of the changes. Here is a reminder of what those new regulations mean, paraphrased from the and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website:

The harvest of snook is prohibited until September 1, 2010, at the earliest. The harvest and possession of bonefish and tarpon is prohibited until April 1, 2010. However, “the FWC advises anglers that catch-and-release fishing for these important game fish species is still allowed.”

Catch and release means leaving the fish in the water at all times. Respect the fishery, and enjoy the moment without your glory shot for a while.

Now, let’s talk about a fish in the backcountry that you can harvest: Tripletail.

As the bite in the Gulf of Mexico heats up along with the water temperature, you’ll probably notice alot of crab and lobster bouys in the area where you might be fishing for mackerel. When moving from spot to spot, I like to slow the boat down and find a line of trap bouys to run in anticiaption of spotting a tripletail near one of the floats. The tripletail, also known as a bouy fish, are attracted to the small crabs and shrimp that can collect in the sea grass and debris caught on the trap lines.

At first glance, the fish appears to be nothing more than grass or a floating plastic bag caught under the bouy. When you spot this, slow down and get a live shrimp ready to cast. When the fish is up cloe to the surface and the float, cast the shrimp on the up-current side of the float jig close to the surface, being careful not to let the hook get caught in the line. When the tripletail spots the shrimp, you’ll see it chase down the shrimp thinking it’s an easy meal. This is also a great sight fishing endeavor with the fly rod. You can cast a shrimp pattern or clouser minnow to these odd looking fish and watch as they chase it down as agressively as of it were a live shrimp.

Keep in mind that this fish is designated as a restricted species and there are certain limits enforced. As with all catches, it’s important that you release most, if not all, of your fish caught that day. But if you want to keep one for dinner, here are a few of the rules you need to know.

With a valid saltwater license you may keep no more than two (2) tripletail from state waters per day that measure at least 15” overall. If you possess a valid saltwater products license with a restricted species endoresement, you can possess a limit of 10 tripletail per day per boat, not per commercial harvester on board.

As always, practice catch-and-release whenever possible and keep only what you might need for dinner.

February 17, 2010

If you have been following this report for the last few weeks, you’re probably aware that my reports have been heavy on the reef and light on the backcountry. While the backcountry is my second home, this time of year the bite has been more consistent and better oceanside than in the backcountry. I’ve also been fishing a series of sailfish tournaments out of my 22’ Pathfinder bayboat. Until the water warms up some more in the shallow flats in and around the Everglades, the fishing out back will continue to be a struggle.

With some effort and patience, however, there are great fish to be found. When I’ve fished in the Everglades, I’ve stayed where the water is deep and has strong current flow. Big tarpon are starting to show up and “roll” or gulp air occassionally which tells me they are moving back into the bay, gearing up to feed and be a regular feature in the murky backcountry waters. Black drum remain one of the best bites, mixed in with redfish and speckled sea trout. The snook bite is also improving and we managed to catch eleven linesiders in about a 45-minute span. Remember these fish have been very stressed with the cold weather and they are not to be harvested or even removed from the water for a photo. We were able to catch these fish using circle hooks and live shrimp, and released in great shape boatside.

The Gulf of Mexico is getting more productive close to the Sprigger Bank area. On the days when the wind wasn’t howling a gale, I snuck out there with plenty of chum to bring in fish like Spanish mackerel, manrove snapper, various sharks, large speckled sea trout and a few cobia. Again, I’m keeping it simple using a Hank Brown Hook-Up lure of about a ¼-ounce with a live shrimp jigged off the bottom. When the action gets steady, I switch to a 1/0 clouser minnow with an eight-weight fly rod to catch a variety of fish on the long pole.

The Bayboat Billfish Tournament Series concluded last week with some dramatic action offshore. With winds blowing out of the southeast at more than 20 mph, it was sporting enough just to get bait out of the small vessels, let alone actually catch a fish. While I managed to boat one sailfish in these conditions other boats were in the zone and caught up to five sailfish in a single day in some pretty inclement conditions. George Clark Jr. and his ace crew were not only able to take first place in the last event of three total, he took the grand prize by scoring the most points overall.

Look for this great new event to continue next year along with other bayboat tournaments this summer where dolphin (mahi mahi) will be the target species. For more information on upcoming bayboat tournaments contact Capt. Jim Dalrymple at 305-304-9386.

February 10, 2010

Cool water on the flats has continued to keep the bite most steady in and around the reef. I’ve been looking for clear water with a depths of around 20 feet where I drop my chum bag over, and start to look for the ballyhoo to show up behind the transom. I like to catch a few live ones to use as cut bait, free lined with a small jig or just a split shot to fish beyond my view. It doesn’t take long before the yellowtail snappers start biting and grouper and mutton snapper join in soon after. The cero mackerel won’t miss out on the action either. In fact, if you start to catch the macks on conventional tackle and see a few more following the hooked fish, it’s a great time to pull out the fly rod. Try a weighted fly like a clouser minnow or a streamer imitation on a intermediate sink-tip line. Cast out as far as you can and let the line sink for about ten seconds and retrieve the fly erratically. If you get clipped off, try a small trace of wire and let the fly rod action begin.

The backcountry has remained steady when using live bait or artificial bait exploring the deeper pockets near Flamingo. Live shrimp and a quarter-ounce jig twitched on the bottom brings the best bite. This past week, the last part of the falling tide into the beginning of the rise brought the most action . A few snook have been caught this way but far more bites are coming from trout, redfish and black drum to name a few.

The flats around Islamorada have been enjoying good flow thanks to strong tides and warmer oceanside waters. Sharks, sting rays and box fish are exploring the shallows once again. This is good news when you’re looking for the grey ghost of the flats, more commonly known as the bonefish. As the wind switches around from the north and the water temperature drops, you’ll find tightly packed schools of these elusive gamefish cruising the deep edges of the flats. You’re going to need good visibility to see these fish. Look for muds created by bonefish feeding on the bottom, and cast well in front of the lead fish. Use a live shrimp with very little, if any, weight and let the fish come to the bait and pick it up. Once you feel the line start to pull away, just wind the line and let the fish hook itself when it tries to get away. I like to use natural looking flies like crab or shrimp imitations with tan or brown coloration. Similar to the strategy with bait, cast the fly in front of the lead fish but a little closer – the fly won’t make as big of a splash on impact with the water. Short strips with the fly should work until you see the fish following the fly. Then set with the fly line, not the rod.

In the week ahead, the redfish should continue to feed and move up on the flats in schools, much like what the bonefish are doing right now. Hopefully, the snook fishing will continue to beef up with some warmer water and better tides. Tarpon and permit won’t be far behind.

February 3, 2010

Since the cold spell, reports from the Gulf are still sounding more like grumbles and gripes. It’s been tough to come by even the usual quarry of Spanish mackerel, cobia, grouper, snappers, and so on. The fish that have repopulated the flats are very hesitant to take a fly and are torturing some anglers with aggressive follows and few “takes.” The most reliable Bay bite by far is the black drum, a close relative to the redfish, which are eating live shrimp bumped slowly along the bottom in some channels and runoffs in dirty or off-colored water. Redfish are also being caught with some consistency, along with a mix of trout, ladyfish and some jacks. We’re even catching a flounder every once in a while.

The reef is still where it’s all happening. The offshore guys are crushing the sailfish, kingfish and a few tunas. The patches inside the reef are simply red hot. Many of the fish that looked for refuge in deeper water made their way out to the reef and seem to still be there, eating as much as possible for the travel back into the bay. Groupers, snappers, sharks, mackerel, and others are all fighting over the bait that falls over the side of the boat. If it’s non-stop action you’re after, look no farther than the patch reefs close to home. Bring lots of shrimp and jigs and a few small hooks to catch a few ballyhoo behind the boat to drop down for larger fish hanging on the bottom. It won’t take long for a bite and you never know what might be down there until you bring it up to the surface.

The 20th annual Swamp Guides Ball had another successful tournament again this year despite the slow conditions. We enjoyed an unusually pleasant day considering past years of this event, and sought to catch snook, redfish and bonefish. This year only, a slight rules change was introduced to comply with the new executive orders from the FWC and to promote the conservation and well being of our fishery. Snook and bonefish were limited to one released on the honor system. Angler’s still needed to catch one or more redfish of at least 20”.

We plotted to catch our snook and bonefish first, and then find our redfish to complete the slam and claim our prize. The plan started out great when we released our snook by 8:45 am. But the bonefish eluded us all day and we therefore never even looked for a redfish. Capt. Steve Thomas and his anglers had a similar plan but were able to produce. At lines out, Capt. Steve and his crew caught their bonefish and snook and released 3 redfish to claim this year’s title of Grand Champions. Congratulations to you and all the participants who love this tournament for its prestige, history, challenge and most of all to support a great charity in the Don Hawley Foundation.

Big thanks go out to Capt. Rusty and Terry Albury and the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association for putting on this special event and for all the hard work.

January 27, 2010

Headlines spout nothing but gloom and doom, and plenty of sad sights remain on the water, but recent reports from the backcountry and suggest that life is coming back to the Bay. Thanks to the rising mercury last week, water temps have risen enough to make the shallows more hospitable, and the fish more active. As the snook emerge from the cryogenic freezer, there’s still a steady bite of redfish and black drum. Shrimp are still the answer on about a quarter-ounce jig bounced very slowly off the bottom.

Up on the flats, the bonefish are starting to peruse the flats again but are reluctant to take flies and even a live shrimp. The same can be said for the redfish found around the mangroves and flats in Flamingo. Large fish up to 30” have been lurking around schools of happy mullet, but are not keen on visitors angling for a closer view just yet.

The reef is the place for the most consistent action. Mutton snapper, grouper, mackerel, blue runners and yellow tail snapper are active and hungry. I’ve been using cut bait, like ballyhoo or pilchards, along with fresh live shrimp to get the job done. I try to free-line a shrimp or chunk bait with very little weight back into my chum slick, until the line starts taking off from the spool, before I engage the bail again and begin to quickly wind back the line. I like circle hooks for this technique to make for an easier release; the hook almost always sticking right into the corner of the fish’s mouth.

Last week was second leg of the Bayboat Billfish Tournament series. Me and captain Jon Milchman, and nine other boats under 24’ bobbed along the reef on a beautiful calm day with a northerly breeze – in pursuit of the Atlantic sailfish. I was hoping to use some fresh pilchards but it wasn’t in the cards that day, leaving the mighty ballyhoo to be our primary bait. Since my live well has a decent capacity, but isn’t huge, we decided that a couple dozen hair-hooked ‘hoos would do the trick.

By the time the boat reached the fertile waters around the reef, we were already behind in the game. At least two boats had already scored, one releasing two sailfish by 8:30. Our first sail came into the spread fast and furious knocking the line off into free spool but missing the hook. With fish around, we pitched out another cast and hooked up! After some mayhem, including diving for the bow to prevent a cutoff underneath the boat and safely unwrapping the 12-lb. line from my rod tip, we had our first release of the day. High-fives all around. Hearts pumping like crazy.

We raised several more fish in the afternoon, but it wasn’t until about a half hour before “lines out” that another sail made an appearance in the spread of ‘hoos. He wasn’t alone because all of a sudden we’ve got two sailfish on – going very fast in opposite directions. After about a 25-minute battle, we grabbed the bills of both fish for two releases and some great photos. Our total of three fish earned us 2nd place. The winners took the title with four sailfish released by Capt. George Clark, Jr. and his crack squad of sailfish gurus. Well done guys and thanks to Ma’s Fish Camp and Capt. Jim Dalrymple and Capt. Mark Johnson for hosting the event. The last tournament in the series begins on February 9th for a 2-day finale. Hope to see you there.

January 20, 2010

The Florida Bay has certainly taken a big hit with the cold weather. Catfish, grouper, snapper, barracudas, boxfish, triggerfish, eels, bonefish and snook have all been adversely affected. Many of these fish can’t take the stress of a prolonged deep chill like we recently experienced. The results are apparent daily in the backcountry and even out on the reef. I’ve personally witnessed a slew of dead snook, goliath grouper, two tarpon and one bonefish among scores of baitfish. But not all reports are dire. It seems the redfish and black drum have been spared for the most part. As of this writing, the weather has improved and so has the fishing. While the devastation is evident almost anywhere you travel on the water there is evidence that the fishery will bounce back quickly, just as it has done it the past.

On the reef, the sailfish bite has been unbelievable. The Florida Keys Outfitters Annual Sailfly tournament managed to break records with 20 boats catching 18 sailfish on fly in two days of outstanding fishing. Kudos go to Tim and Robert Klein of Islamorada for an amazing victory.

In the backcountry, the action hasn’t been quite as furious. At the beginning of the week, the water temperatures were an eye-opening 48 degrees in some areas. When the air temps rose, so did the water back in the Bay, as much as 15 degrees. That’s good new for the fish, the bay and for the anglers. While the water becomes more habitable in the deeper channels and runoffs, the flats are still nursing one heck of a hangover. The sharks, stingrays and other flats critters are still waiting for the caffeine to kick in before they venture up onto the flats to forage for food. Instead, the fish seem to be holding deep.

You can imagine that with the fish getting larthargic and now probably very hungry, the best methods used were a quarter-ounce jig with a live shrimp bounced slowly off the bottom. When I say slow, I mean that the cast should be made up-current, allowed to sink to the bottom and let it roll along the bottom until the current (or fish) lifts it up off the bottom. Then recast. The bites have been very subtle. When you feel a slight tap, don’t jerk or set the rod. Increase the speed of the retrieve and come tight. This technique was used to catch some pretty fickle trout, redfish and black drum this week. The bottom of the tide seemed to be best until the tide came in and then the bite slowed down again. Sometimes you might have to move the boat slightly or to a totally different region and keep exploring areas where fish should hold. The deeper pockets and channels are holding plenty of fish. Just be sure to cover the area thoroughly and slowly. No bites? Move on. That’s what the fish are doing, So should you.

January 13, 2010

Despite the winter weather conditions we’re having to endure lately, I’ve enjoyed some fine days of fishing.

Let’s go back to the beginning of the week when the weather was feeling a bit more kind. It started out ok with some great folks from New York who were interested in honing their skills in the fly casting department. We fished in the Everglades for snook and reds and had some great chances. Although we had no hook ups that afternoon, the opportunities were there and we had a great time. Even when we got caught in the rain on the way back to the dock. Add to the experience, I say.

Once the front passed through, conditions changed on a daily basis. It would be clear, calm and cold or maybe overcast no wind and still cold. If you approach your day with an open and flexible attitude, you’ll almost always be rewarded somehow. For those who really expected to go out and catch a “mess of bonefish” were going to be inconvenienced, to say the least. So when it blows 30 out of the north, and even a bloody Mary sounds too cold, it might not be the best time to go sight fishing for bonefish.

Flamingo didn’t even seem like a fun run, so the patches were a viable option. But I’m hardheaded, and like to bonefish. With water temps in the fifties, my confidence was not zooming. I had to try to soak a bait for a couple hours to see if we could find a miracle. I got a couple rods out with some shrimp and kept busy cutting bait. The only bite we had was from a small bonefish. But I forgot I had tied on the rubber hooks and the bonefish was gone before the fight was over. They won again. But t least we got the small victory of hooking a bonefish on a day we shouldn’t hsve been even trying for one.

With that bit of insanity out of the way we decided to try for some dinner. We headed to the patches to see if we could bring the entree. With some frozen cut bait, a chum bag and some dirty water, it wasn’t long before the phone were out and the texts were notifying the chefs. Yellowtail, mangrove snapper and the main course, mutton snapper. were all eager to get in on the bite. In between bait snatchers and re-rigging we were also battling the now catch-and-release only grouper like it was their last meal. A busy rod is a happy angler. Even when it’s cold and blowing 30.

Then it got colder. Fly fishing sounded like a good idea at the time so let’s go twice. Maybe it was good he spoke Japanese because that way I couldn't tell if he was having a good time or just trying not to insult me by asking to go in early. So we fished late. The fish we found made for great casting targets because they didn’t care what we had to offer. Can you believe there was a snook out there so desperate for some nourishment it actually ate our imitation minnow and fought with surprising valor. The first ever snook for my angler. We had redfish tease us the next day by following the fly almost to the boat but never took the fly.

So I guess if you were hoping to get a tan, or wear that new thong you got for Christmas (yea you know who I’m talking about) you were going to be on a disappointing fishing trip. But an open mind and sometimes a stubborn will to use the fly rod will get you a great time on the water no matter what the conditions. As Capt. Bill Wert likes to say, “there’s only two kinds of weather. Whether you want to go fishing or whether you don’t.”

Stay warm. Fish.

January 6, 2010

As the weather shifted into winter last week, fishing strategy had to shift as well. I allowed the weather to dictate what kind of fishing I would target each day. With the weather changing on an almost daily basis this time of year, in a short span, I fished the Gulf, the Reef and the Park -- we’re lucky to have so many options close to the shores of Islamorada!

I had the pleasure of fishing with the Cantelmo family from Orange County, New York for a few days. These were so enthusiastic and open-minded. Whatever bit is what they liked best.

In high, cold winds, we ran to Flamingo in Everglades National Park. We started with light tackle, 10-pound braided line, weighted jigs and artificial bait like Berkley Gulp’s new penny shrimp color. The first cast tossed into the murky backcountry waters hooked a nice jack crevalle. At one point the Cantelmos had a fish on every cast. We ended the day with a flurry of action involving redfish, ladyfish and some nice sized snook – all safely released.

The next day we ventured out to the Gulf of Mexico in search of Spanish mackerel. The chum bag soaked for only ten minutes when the toothy speedsters started ripping our tackle apart. When the tide slacked off the macks seemed to slow down too. So we switched to larger baits on the bottom and battled with goliath grouper up to about 80 pounds. We had vicious top water bites too, including 60-pound black tip sharks.

The following day we boarded my 22’ Pathfinder and headed to the reef in some light wind and clear skies. Using primarily cast-netted pilchards and hair-hooked ballyhoo for bait, we set out to find sailfish. I used a four line set with both rigged ballyhoo and nose-hooked pilchards on 7/0 circle hooks. A good strategy, but the sailfish were difficult to come by for us that morning and we quickly changed tactics to do some bottom fishing. We had a stellar grouper and mangrove snapper bite and capped it off by catching big ‘cudas, up to 20 pounds, on light spinning gear.

To round off the holiday week, I took the Cantelmo family flats fishing close to home where we sought bonefish and tarpon. After several nice shots using just a medium-sized live shrimp, the bonefish proved to be a tough adversary and passed up each opportunity we gave them to eat the easy meal. I moved off the flats to deeper water surrounding mangrove islands, where we found willing baby tarpon. Again I reached for the Berkley Gulp, but this time chose a worm hook in a “Texas-rig” style where the hook point is slightly buried into the lure. My anglers placed casts beautifully, way up under the mangrove canopies, to reach the small tarpon while avoiding a tangle in the foliage. The boys made some stealthy casts to catch 3 of four tarpon hooked that day.

December 30, 2009

The high winds that came through this week made for some challenging backcountry fishing. Colder water temperatures made the fish sluggish first thing in the morning, but once the sun got to its apex the bite turned on. This was evident in the Flamingo area where the fish were biting in the first part of the falling tide and into the rise. The best tactic was very slowly bouncing a live shrimp and 1/4 ounce jig off the bottom. Berkley Gulp also proved effective using this maneuver. Redfish, jacks, ladyfish, speckled sea trout, black drum and snook all fell victim to this technique when the tide was right.

Goliath groupers didn’t seem to mind the cooler temperatures or high winds a bit. They were found close to deep drop-offs along mangrove shorelines that held lots of debris. When pilchards, live shrimp and live pinfish were cast up-current and allowed to float by the gaping mouth of a big grouper, they were swallowed up. We caught them up to 30 pounds, with the smallest around 5 pounds – lively fun on light tackle. This is where braided line really makes the difference. This environment holds a variety of obstacles that easily shreds and breaks monofilament. But 10-pound test braid was all it took to successfully land multiple grouper before their boat side release.

Once the wind dropped to a more tolerable level, I was able to get back out to the reef and patches. The bait was still plentiful and ballyhoo, pilchards and cigar minnows seemed to be the taste du jour. When the wind pours out of the north churning up the reef waters, it’s a great time to fish on patches close to shore. The coral heads can hold a variety of snapper and grouper, which tend to be less wary and much more aggressive with the bite in the murky water. On one patch we started to use cut ballyhoo and caught mangrove snapper up to 3 pounds, and some undersized mutton snapper right from the get go. I switched to a 3/8 ounce jig, added a live pilchard and the grouper bite was on fire. In about a half-hour we caught black, red, and gag grouper up to about 28”. Another great opportunity to break out the light tackle.

With the stronger moon tides and water temperatures reaching for the low seventies, I expect the bonefish and permit to appear again on the flats around Islamorada. When the water cools they tend to stay in deeper channels. This makes sight fishing very difficult but dead baiting can be very effective. Especially with some murky water and good tides, bonefish and permit will pick up on the scent of the shrimp or crabs that are soaking on the bottom and eat with reckless abandon. Be ready for a wandering bonnet-head shark or stingray. In any case, a bent rod is a good time.

December 23, 2009

This past week has been a prime example of how the weather can change the bite on fishing. Cooler temperatures, windier conditions, rain and a mixture of clouds and sun helped steer an influx of bait offshore and in the backcountry. Bonefish are starting to school on the oceanside flats with some lunker bones, in search of crabs to eat, tailing on the downtown flats. Spanish mackerel are still eating heartily on the reef and in the Gulf of Mexico. A mixed bag of fish are being caught around Flamingo. Snook redfish, ladyfish and even some flounder are eating gulp shrimp on jigs and live shrimp.

Now that a few fronts have pushed through and lowered water temperatures into the low- to mid-seventies, it’s time to troll the reef in search of sailfish. I fished in the first annual Bay Boat Billfish Tournament Series that kicked off at Ma’s Fish Camp restaurant in Islamorada. It’s the first of a series of three sailfish tournaments, in which participants can have up to 3 anglers and 4 rods fishing out of a boat of 24 feet or under.

Nine boats met at Smugglers Cove Marina near the Snake Creek Bridge for the shotgun start out to the reef. I took my 22-foot Pathfinder out to a nearby patch reef to get the essential bait we would need for the day. In this case, it was ballyhoo and cigar minnows. These baits are fragile and it’s important to keep them as frisky as possible for a picky sailfish. To catch the ballyhoo, we dropped a block of chum in a bag over the side and used small hair hooks tipped with tiny bits of shrimp. We were careful to handle the baits minimally by using a de-hooker. Sunblock in the baitwell is no good either, so we kept our hands out of there and used a dip net to retrieve the bait for rigging.

Once we got to the reef, the bite was already on. Within minutes of putting our baits out using 7/0 in-line circle hooks, we saw other boats were hooking up with sailfish, barracuda and tuna. Not long after, we were hooked up with our first bent rod, but were disappointed to see that it was a kingfish instead of a point-scoring sailfish. We stuck with our strategy of working one area in close to the reef, then moving slightly further out as the tide fell, but the sailfish bite tapered by mid-morning. At one point we had several sails come into our spread but no eaters despite all of our best efforts. Our efforts were rewarded later in the day when we finally hooked up with a nice sailfish. After a short battle using only twelve-pound test, we had the fish along boat-side for the required photograph of the leader touch and release.

A total of sixteen sails were caught and released with eight of the nine teams catching at least one sailfish and four boats releasing 3 sailfish. Congratulations to Capt. George Clark Jr. and his crew on winning this great new event. If you are interested in fishing the next Bay Boat Billfish Tournament on January 20, or for more information please contact Capt. Jim Dalrymple at 305-304-9386.

December 16, 2009

A beautiful week on the water has passed and another one is following right behind. The backcountry around Flamingo has been very productive on the falling tide. Reports have come in saying the redfish and snook are eating jigs of a variety of colors that are tipped either with live shrimp or Berkley Gulp artificial shrimp. A slow bounce on the bottom has been the most effective. Live pinfish on a circle hook and a float have worked well for larger snook and baby tarpon around the mangroves. The water temperature has been steady this week, allowing fish to get comfortable on the flats. Early morning rising tides have been best for tailing redfish which are supreme targets for the fly fisherman. Snook have been mingling with them but hanging on the edges of flats and in some of the holes where they can easily escape to deeper water or ambush an easy meal.

As good as Flamingo has been fishing, the Gulf of Mexico has been leading the charge in rod bending action. I usually like the Gulf after or around cold fronts, but the off-colored water, current and temperature have been the right combinations for catching cobia, spanish mackerel, bluefish and many others. The old standby of a block of chum over the side and some varied jigging techniques, with a little patience, has produced for nearly everyone I’ve talked with this week.

The moon phase has left the current moving on the slower side but the tides have been high. Permit usually seek out a little more current along with those high tides, and that was evident this week that this is the case. Most of the permit I’ve found have been on a falling tide, usually in clear water with some good flow. The rising tide has been pretty weak and I think the permit have not been showing as well when it happens. Live crabs are the staple and a good cast placed just up current from the face of a permit will usually get a strike.

But it’s the bonefish that have kept my attention this week and probably will throughout the rest of the month. As long as water temperatures remain warmish, visibility stays good and weather fronts are minor, I expect the bonefishing to be solid. For the bait fisherman, live shrimp have been working best. These fish have been pretty spooky, so when sighted, watch the direction the fish is moving and which way the current is flowing in relation to the feeding fish. A cast too close will spook and one too far might get passed by. I steer my angler to cast about 5-10 ft. beyond and in front of the fish. If the fish moves away, the cast is still good. If the fish moves the other way, a few cranks on the reel puts you in the zone. Leave the bait where it is if it’s in a good spot because the line or movement of the bait can alert the fish that something isn’t right. You might just twitch the bait slightly to cause some attention then let it fall back down. Read the fish to see if it locks in on your bait.

I fished with John Timura from Islamorada’s Prographics Sportswear, who wanted to work on his fly casting. He’s an accomplished spin fisherman and it’s always good to broaden your angling abilities. Catching a big bonefish on fly is a goal for almost any fly angler. Congratulations John, on landing and releasing a nice 8-pound bonefish! We tagged it for bonefish research and hopefully someone will catch it again.

December 9, 2009

Snowbirds may be streaming down the stretch, but winter weather hasn’t yet made any drastic changes on the water. I’m still waiting for the truly cold days to move through and shake things up. In the mean time, the big moon tides have made for consistent bonefish sightings on the flats. Expect to see permit make an appearance during the higher tide stages. To find the snook and reds, dredge the deeper channels on incoming current with a shrimp-tipped jig.

But there’s a lot of water out there and sometimes you don’t find what you set out for. Especially as the weather transitions from fall to winter. When that happens, look for predatory activity and “match the hatch.” If I’m poling down a shoreline and see schools of baitfish like mullet or glass minnows flying through the air trying to escape their fate, I focus on what’s fleeing instead of what I want to catch. Tie on something that mimics the prey’s behavior and see what bites. Just be ready to change your plan. A large spoon isn’t the ideal lure of choice when small fry or pilchards may be eluding a hidden snook. Use something that’s closer in size to the fish in flight. Bucktail jigs enhance the hunt because you can match the bait in color and size. They jig well in a variety of depths, too. Add live bait to seal the deal. In muddy water or in early morning light, bounce a topwater plug across the surface. The noise and commotion might attract a strike. Fly fishermen watching glass minnows could tie a clouser on the line. I like how muddler-type flies have some bulk to move the water, but also “breathe in” the water when being retrieved. Keep a handful of these flies around, with various weights, to be ready for any depth water.

As the seasons shift, the conditions for a cut-and-dried day of fishing will be hard to come by. If you get to your fishing area and don’t see much activity, give yourself some time to work the zone before you move to another. Put in a little extra time in some places where you think the fish will have a reason to show up, and you may be pleasantly surprised.

On a conservation note, on December 10th, 2009 in Clewiston, FL the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is having their meeting to discuss proposed regulation changes regarding permit and bonefish. Please plan to attend to have your voice heard on possible new regulations that will impact these fisheries for many future generations of anglers.

For more information please visit:
http://myfwc.comdocsCommissionMeetings2009/2009_Dec_PermitFishery_presentation.pdf

Or to see Bonefish & Tarpon Trust’s press release on the subject go to:
http://www.tarbone.org/news-a-events/142-permit-and-bonefish-alert.html

November 28, 2009

When cold fronts creep down from the north, bringing bright blue skies and cooler temperatures, it looks like a bonefish stalking day to me. Bonefish are so fun to hunt that they’re worth even just trying to catch. With spooky and skeptical temperaments, catching one in a day can make for a life-long memory.

A sluggish current makes the bones hard to feed, but a tail in the air is a good sign -- it means they’re feeding. Spot them from a distance in order to get the right angle and approach. If you want a shot, pole toward the fish as silently as possible. Once you’re in casting range, assume you have one shot. Whether you’re throwing bait or fly, make the very best effort on the first cast. How fast is the fish moving and in which direction? Cast up current from the fish, preferably, and watch for a reaction or take. No need to set the hook, the fish will do that when it picks up and runs like a freight train in the opposite direction. If the fish comes at you, reel like crazy or strip your fly line in until you come tight. If you get to the glory shot, be gentle when handling these fish at boat-side. I’m participating in a tagging program through Bonefish Tarpon Trust and tagged and released two fish the other day that went 8 pounds and 11.5 pounds. Sure hope someone catches these fish again and reports it in.

If a trip out to the gulf is more your style, you won’t have to go far to get some action. The murky waters between 6- and 10-feet deep often hold hungry snappers, sharks, ladyfish, jack crevalle, speckled sea trout, cobia and the speedy spanish mackerel. All great rod bending action and a great place to start for the novice fly fisherman.

Expect the redfish and snook in the Everglades National Park to start moving to deeper channels and holes, looking for anything edible that floats in their path. They’ll readily take a shrimp, pinfish, finger mullet and all kinds of artificial lures.

Though temperatures are dropping, action in the Gulf of Mexico is heating up. And there is no shortage of variety. I’ve been looking for murky or off-colored water about 2 miles west of Sprigger bank. If my bottom finder shows some structure, even better. Again, current helps. With chum bag out and jigs tipped with shrimp, I’ve found anything from mackerel to giant trout and stout cobia hanging back in the slick. It may take 20-30 minutes for a consistent bite to warm up, but as more cold fronts blow through, I expect the fish to show up behind the boat a lot faster. Patience paid off when I fished some of the boys who were racing with Nascar. When the bite turned on, we had rod-bending action of mackerel, trout, sharks, bluefish, snappers and ladyfish. The real reward came when the cobias started to attack. By the time it shook down, we caught and released three cobias from 16 pounds to 30 pounds.

Tip of the week: Invest in a decent pair of polarized sunglasses. They are an essential tool in the angling pursuit, allowing you to see your target -- and protecting the eye from misdirected hooks. Even a local drugstore has something that fits every budget. Going offshore? Buy blue/grey lenses. Choose brown or amber for backcountry trips.

October 25, 2009

After a long hiatus from writing reports on my website I am here to say that I am alive, well and still fishing like a man on a mission. One of my missions is to improve the quality and layout of my website by keeping you informed of my favorite techniques, stories, and fishing conditions more often and concisely through a blog or simple update. I will be publishing an e-newsletter that will expand on these details and showcase the tons of great photos I get every month. If you are interested in receiving this digital newsletter, please make sure I have your email address and I’ll be sure to include you on the contact list. Thanks for your comments, suggestions and opinions, and thank you for all your continued support. I look forward to fishing with you soon in the fabulous Florida Keys.

Watch your inboxes for the new e-newsletter in early 2010!

Capt. Steve Friedman
www.afishingguide.com

December 1 , 2008

Here are ten helpful tips you should know to enjoy a day of winter flats fishing in the Florida Keys or most anywhere.

1. Dress warm. Yes, it does get cold in Florida! Maybe not Canada cold, but when you start out in the chilly, wet morning and add some wind, all of a sudden it feels like the thermostat is broken and the cold air blows right through your core for 45 minutes. Layering is the answer. Bring raingear, a light jacket or sweatshirt and long pants. You can even get the long pants with the zip off shorts if the weather gets too hot to wear the full length pant.

2. Bring polarized sunglasses. Can’t catch what you can’t see. This isn’t so important if you’re going to be “blind casting” most of the day, but still, c’mon, get some polarized sunglasses. You don’t have to spend a fortune. Most sporting goods stores and even some gas stations will carry some kind of polarized sunglass.

3. Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be standing for most of the day and you’ll want to protect your feet from the sun and from the hard deck of the boat. It’ll also help your back. Leave your wading boots behind unless you plan to get out of the boat.

4. Wear a hat. Don’t bring your favorite “lucky” hat. Bring it of you don’t mind it getting wet, lost, or fishy smelling. Hats reduce glare, protect your noggin from the sun and keep you cool.

5. A good attitude. Even if the weather gets you down, don’t frown. The bite may be on or it may take some time, but you’ve got to be ready when it happens. If you’re bummed because the fishing is slow and decide to make a few calls or write some text messages, that’s when the fish decide it’s time to strike.

6. Bring a camera. No, it’s not bad luck. A camera captures the memory and keeps the fish alive. Video is cool, too. Some folks have underwater housing and take some exotic photos, while others just keep the camera dry and whip it out for the release shot of a lifetime. Make sure the batteries are charged before you leave for the dock. Camera phones work too.

7. Food and drink. I usually have an assortment of refreshments on ice, but bringing along your favorite drink like a frapaccino-latte-mocha-whatever, Gatorade or a Redbull might be the ticket to keep you going. Think easy packaging too. While a green salad sounds like a great idea, it might blow away if you try to eat while the boat is moving. Stick to heartier and easier to handle foods like tuna salad, ceviche, egg salad, or deli sandwiches, fried chicken, beef jerky, trail-mix, power bars or anything you like to munch on.

8. Make a plan. Decide what you want to fish for before leaving the dock. It’s always good to have a plan. And while things change, at least it gives you a strategy for the day. If you’re not familiar with the area or kind of fish you might encounter, you can let the guide decide what might be best for the day. It always makes good sense to call your guide the night before so he can be ready with the tackle and the strategy. A day of bending a rod and a day of catching bonefish are very different things but can be equally as fun and exciting. Your guide might have you in a good area for redfish, but far away from an area that’s productive for tarpon. Keep your options open but be aware that not all kinds of fish are in the same areas that you might be fishing in for the day.

9. Practice casting. The better you’ve prepared your ability to cast, the luckier you’ll be. Go to the park, backyard, parking lot or any open space where you can practice. Be sure to practice with the wind in various angles because the fish seem to know when you have trouble casting in a cross-wind.

10. Listen to your captain. Your guide is out there everyday and sees all situations. The more you act like a team instead of competitors, the more fun you’ll have and the more fish you’ll catch.

These tips and a conversation or two with your guide will ensure a great time on your next fishing charter. After all, it’s all about getting out on the water and enjoying the day. When you’re more prepared for what might happen, the luckier the fisherman you'll be.

Capt. Steve

October 29 , 2008

As I write this report, the Keys are finally embracing the first cold snap of the year. Blue bird skies, breezy conditions, and cool temperatures mean change is upon us. (No political pun intended.) Until now, the water temps have remained steady in the high 70’s and low 80’s. With the cooler weather we should see the mercury drop a bit on the flats, which means the fish may wait to scour for food until the mid-day sun.

This transition was preceded by some warm water, good tides and active fish. Perhaps fattening up before the water cooled. I fished with a group from Tarrier Steel earlier this month when we enjoyed some breezy but warm days. In that time, we caught just about everything the Florida Bay had to offer. The list includes tarpon, redfish, snook, permit, bonefish, goliath grouper, flounder, bluefish and an assortment of jacks, ladyfish, catfish, mangrove snapper and sea trout.

The International Women’s Fishing Association (IWFA) held their annual 3 day light tackle tournament in October and I had the pleasure of fishing with 6 different lady-anglers in the draw-style tournament. While using tackle with only 6- or 8-pound Ande monofilament line, there were some very impressive scores put up on the board. All of the anglers I fished with used only the 6-pound line and, remarkably, caught snook, redfish, tarpon, seatrout, jacks and ladyfish. Denise Freihofer from Stuart, FL fished with me on the last day of the tournament and we decided to look for big points by catching small tarpon. There was no minimum length requirement, so a small tarpon counts the same as a big one. By day’s end, Denise caught 5 tarpon and one snook. Along with the two previous tarpon she caught on day one was enough to garner the “Most Releases-Tarpon” award. While her fishing partner with me on day 3, Sharon Aldridge, from North Carolina, was awarded by catching her first and second tarpon ever. All on 6-pound line! Try it sometime and see how skilled you really are.

Looking into November and more cold fronts must mean the annual Redbone tournament is just around the corner and kicks off on November 5th. I’ll be fishing the preceding Superfly event as well as the Redbone tournament in pursuit of bonefish and redfish. Previous years have taught me that it’s important to make every shot count and to concentrate at all times. Frequently in tournaments like these when the water is cold and the wind is blowing, one bonefish and one redfish might keep you in the running. Creeks and channels that are fed by warm water from the grass flats will hold good numbers of reds, snook and tarpon. Bonefish will hold near the deeper edges or up on the crown of the flats on late morning incoming tides. If you have any visibility, this is the time to be searching for the grey ghost, or bonefish, for those precious points. It’s always an adventure and always fun fishing an event like the Redbone.

Check back soon as I’ll have the update on the tournaments. Until then tight lines, and just keep reeling.

Capt. Steve

August 1, 2008

Now that the snow birds have gone north, the fish, flats and the guides are starting to catch their collective breath and settle down. As folks leave the Keys, the fish sense that the pressure is off and prowl the flats. The migration of big tarpon has thinned out leaving lots of smaller tarpon in the bays and channels around Florida Bay. When the conditions are calm and the tides are strong, the big tarpon make another appearance in the backcountry.

Though it’s early August, we are enjoying June-like weather of calm, hot days and afternoon showers. I’ve been getting on the water early to hit the bonefish flats before the sun gets high. Later in the day I target redfish, which are more tolerant of higher water temperatures.

Permit and snook are also being caught daily in the backcountry. Hotter days mean fewer people on the water and less pressure on the flats. Robbie Ames and I fished the RedGhost Stalk tournament again this year and we had an enviable day of fishing. First, Robbie caught a tarpon out of a school of about 40 fish. Then the redfish got active, tailing and waking (pushing water) on the flats. He hooked up on 5 out of 6 casts, catching a total of 5 redfish. Then he caught 2 nice snook and lost one big one. Next came several shots at a tailing permit that just wouldn’t eat the live crab we were offering. We found another tailer that ate on the first cast. After a 10 minute battle using 10lb Sufix braided line, we got the fish to the boat for a quick photo and release. It weighed in at 15 pounds. At the final minutes of the tournament, we had a school of bonefish swim right in our crosshairs. Robbie put a great cast in front of the school with a live shrimp. A fish darted out and ate the shrimp before it hit the bottom. But we soon realized that it was a yellow jack schooling with the bonefish. But at the end of the day, Robbie caught 2 snook, 1 tarpon, 5 redfish and 1 permit. Not bad!

We should expect this kind of great fishing action to continue throughout August and into September. Until then, tight lines,

Capt. Steve

May 26, 2008

May is cruising by us like a school of tarpon. It just meandered in on you but is quickly swimming on by. May and June are probably the best months of the year to fish for large tarpon on the gin-clear oceanside flats. The backcountry waters of the Florida Bay and Everglades National Park are also a haven for large migrating tarpon. My anglers have been fly fisherman for the most part, and the flies we are using are black and purple for the early morning and overcast skies. When the light gets higher and the water starts to warm, I’m using smaller flies that are brighter in color, like a chartreuse and yellow toad fly or an orange palolo worm fly imitation. There has been a small “worm hatch” in the lower keys this past week and the tarpon are starting to key in on this tiny tarpon delicacy. I received a report last week from Capt. Doug Mayer who hooked and played 5 tarpon to the boat and “jumped” more than twenty in just a few hours! That’s good fishing.

While most anglers have been searching for the silver king, the bonefish or “grey ghost” are enjoying less pressure on the flats. Capt. Any Putetti has been reaping the benefits of wide open bonefish flats and is reporting multiple days of catching five bonefish or more each day. He’s been using live shrimp, crabs and flies early in the morning when the water temperature is just right. The bonefish he’s been catching are anywhere from 4 lbs. to over ten pounds. That’s great news because the bonefishing should only get better as the summer rolls along.

Sam Kaufman fished with me in this year’s Golden Fly Invitational Tarpon Tournament. This was his first competitive fishing tournament against some of the best fly anglers in the world. Sam fished hard for three days and learned that he can hang with the big boys. He hooked a lot, caught a couple, and had the time of his life. Congratulations to the winners and watch out for Team Steve and Sam next year!

Capt. Steve

April 16, 2008

It’s mid April and the warm water temperatures have triggered the tarpon to start moving along the flats. Despite a late season cold front that dropped the water temperatures by ten degrees, the tarpon were still chomping. In just the last few days we’ve caught 3 out of seven with the largest topping 140 pounds!

Congratulations to Scott Westfall on catching his first tarpon on fly. After a 45 minute battle the 110 pounder was brought boatside and released unharmed. Nice job Scott!

His buddy, “Jerk Bait” John Ferguson, has tangled with some pretty big muskies in his day, but the 90 pound tarpon he fought on a spinning rod was a whole new experience. Then throw in a 10 foot hammerhead, and all of a sudden the silver king looked like bait instead of a prized catch. We did a few wheelies around the tarpon to keep the hammerhead at bay. We quickly got the tarpon to the boat and released in good condition despite being “t-boned” by the hungry shark. Not a scale was disturbed but we followed the shark until the tarpon was far away, had time to revive and be on its way, way away.

“Jerk Bait” also deserves cudos for catching a tarpon that was on the heavy side of 140 pounds. An hour and a half battle and that “tank” of a fish put new meaning into a strong fighting fish.

But probably his greatest accomplishment of the trip was hooking and landing his first permit on fly. The permit was 15 pounds and after a 15 minute fight with the ten weight fly rod, he was all smiles after some quick photos and a release. Great job!

April 1, 2008

Now that the last of our winter cold fronts have moved through the Keys, we can now expect a warming trend to start. Winds continue to blow but the easterly direction brings warm temperatures. Water temperatures are steady around the low 70’s, and once they reach a consistent 75 degrees or better, we can expect to see more tarpon patrolling the oceanside flats and cruising the backcountry of the Florida Bay. Fly anglers will be staked out on their favorite points casting toad flies and homespun never-fail flies at schools of migrating tarpon, which include fish from 60 pounds to 170 pounds. I recommend using live shrimp, crabs and pinfish for the spin-casters. Sometimes, I’ll use a cork, or bobber, to keep the bait from dipping too deep before the tarpon reaches its meal.

Permit swarmed the flats the last few weeks--when the weather was consistent. When the wind is swirling, variable or just plain unstable, they’re hard to find. Permit are deep-water fish that have adapted to the flats to forage for food. But they still spawn offshore around wrecks and deep drop-offs. Now is when they prepare to move from the shallows to the wrecks, which means they’ll be cruising the flats looking for food and a lot of it. I fished with Loren Rea of Sugarloaf Key in the March Merkin Tournament this year and we had some great opportunities, but the fish just didn’t want to cooperate. This is a fly- only competition and three fish caught by Jon Ain, who was guided by Doug Kilpatrick, took home the hardware. An awesome job considering the less than optimal fly-fishing conditions.

Once the water permanently warms up and the weather is more consistent with spring trends, all fish are up for grabs. Along with tarpon, bonefish will be more active and will feel less pressure as many anglers set their sights on tarpon. Snook and redfish will also enjoy the respite. As mullet and other baitfish start to fill the backcountry, “muds” can be seen in the deeper basin around Flamingo, which will offer ample rod-bending action from ladyfish, trout and Spanish mackerel. This is also where snook, redfish and tarpon will lurk for their daily meals. Early morning spin casters can use top water plugs like a skitter-walk or a popping cork with a troll-rite jig tipped with a live shrimp. For the fly casters, a gurgler on top will induce a strike. I like to use the “Fishalicious” fly in black or white because of the way it moves in the water, sustains its depth and how it can be cast underneath the mangroves when shoreline fishing.

I still have some great fishing dates available. If you’re interested in booking a charter you can reach me through my email address which is steve@afishingguide.com or by my cell phone at 305-393-FISH. I’ve also added a credit card payment feature to my homepage for the convenience of deposit and payment. It’s all very secure through PayPal. Hope to see you this spring. Tight lines!

Capt. Steve

February 24, 2008

I’d like to introduce you to my newest addition to the AFG fleet: The 2200 Pathfinder from Maverick. I am very excited about this new vessel. Now not only can you get out on the water in comfort and style, but we now have the ability to fish offshore, gulf wrecks and deep into the shallow waters of the Everglades National Park. The Pathfinder is powered the reliable 250 Suzuki four-stroke engine that is so quite, you’ll hardly know it’s on. This aby boat is fully loaded with large livewell, lots of dry storage, a t-top for shade and plenty of seating for the whole family. We can also use the 109 pound thrust electric motor to sneak up on tailing redfish, permit and tarpon with the added ability to stop silently with the shallow water anchor, the Power Pole XL. The possibilities abound with this new ride. The best part is the rates stay the same. So if you’re interested in getting out on a charter on either the Pathfinder or site fishing the flats on my Hells Bay Guide 18, give me a call at 305-393-3474 or email me at steve@afishingguide.com.

January 29, 2008

I hate to do it, but circumstances have forced me to sell one of my Hell's Bay Guide skiffs. I've just purchased a 2200 Pathfinder to expand my fishing charter business and be able to access the patch reefs, wrecks, and long range exploration into the Everglades National Park. I still have another Hell's Bay Guide skiff that I use for sight fishing trips and shallow water fly fishing, but now I need to let go of the other Guide 18. If you are interested in going for a ride or just have some questions about this phenomenal poling skiff, give me a call at 305-393-3474 and I'll tell you about all the great features in this boat. She's caught a lot of fish and is going to make some other fisherman very happy. Thanks for checking it out.

2000 Hell’s Bay Guide 18
• Mercury Big Foot 60 hp with approx. 150 hours; stainless steel prop.
• Flip/flush bow light
• Flush cleat on bow
• Splash rails
• Toe rails
• Matching and removable cooler
• Edson steering wheel (hydraulic steering)
• Removable backrest
• Water temperature gauge
• Tach, water pressure and volt gauges
• Two rear crustacean wells
• Water/fuel separator
• Lenco trim tabs with trolling motors and remote power switch and water-tight up/down switches
• Front charging plug for trolling motor batteries
• Front hatch casting platform mount
• Single rear hatch for storage
• Twin batteries under front hatch with charger for trolling motors and starting battery under rear storage
• 26 gal. fuel tank
• Tibor push pole holder
• Custom canvas boat cover
• Custom Ram-lin galvanized trailer with Power Winch

$25,000 obo

call Steve at 305-393-3474 for more information

December 6, 2007

Just as I had mentioned that the winter winds of change were coming into the Keys, a cold front stalled north of us which brought calm, warm days farther to the south. We enjoyed the 80 degree weather and the mid 70 degree water temperature for the last two weeks. This isn’t necessarily unusual for this time of year, but I sure was glad to see it. I think the bonefish were as well. Instead of staying off into the deeper edges of the flats, the bonefish were happily tailing away on the crowns of the flats. The most unusual thing about the fish that I’m catching is that they’ve been on the smaller side ranging from 2 pounds to about 7 pounds. I’ve seen the big ones around, but it seems like the little ones are jumping on the bait first. I’ve been catching them on live shrimp, crabs and flies tied with chartreuse and tan craft fur that I call the Swashbuckler.

The other stars have been showing up too. Snook, redfish, barracuda, sharks and trout are being caught on a daily basis in the bay. I went fishing a few miles into the Gulf of Mexico on a calm day last week looking for Spanish Mackerel. Along with the macks, we caught more than a dozen different species of fish in one spot. We had sharks, lane snapper, mangrove snapper, remoras, jack crevalle, speckled sea trout and more. A great way to keep the rod bent all day. The mackerel bite was a bit slow, but we need that colder weather to settle in before the bite gets insane.

This month should trigger a great bite offshore of sailfish which is also an indicator that the snook will move from the outside shorelines up into the bays and channels around Flamingo. Along with the snook bite, we can expect redfish and black drum to be right along with them. I can’t wait to get back into the canoe and fish some no-motor zones to sight fish for laid up snook and tarpon and maybe some tailing redfish. So stay tuned for some great winter time action in the Keys.

Capt. Steve

November 11, 2007

We are just beginning to feels the effects of winter patterns coming across the Keys. The water temperatures are in the lower 70’s while the air temperatures are at a comfortable level hanging around the mid 70’s and reaching about 80 degrees. With the winter weather patterns settling in, the fishing tactics change with the cooler weather. Fish tend to find deeper holes or edges around the flats and mangrove shorelines. I like to use big flies that move some water and have some floatation allowing the fly to sink slowly yet stay under the overhanging mangroves. I also like to use soft plastic baits with worm hooks, Texas rigged, to allow the angler to avoid less snags on logs and overhangs. Redfish, snook, tarpon, snappers, grouper and many more species will be cruising the shorelines, lurking in potholes or stationing around deep edges.

Bonefish and permit are now moving along the oceanside flats. Once the waters have warmed up on the flats, you’ll find them happily tailing away up on the crowns of the warming flats looking for various crustaceans and other tasty morsels. The winter season is also the time when the largest bonefish of the year are caught around Islamorada. Just check the IGFA record book and you’ll see that many of the records were caught in the winter months. But you’ve got to practice your cast. The winds tend to pick up a bit and the fish don’t always show up down wind. Right now, the snook bite and the redfish catches are on fire. The spotted seatrout are starting to fill up the mud flats around the Florida Bay, and the Spanish mackerel are starting to show up in the Gulf.

Capt. Steve

September 30 , 2007

Summer still rolls on in the Keys. We are getting some frequent passing showers that have cooled the water temperatures to the low 80’s. This can be some ideal conditions for bonefish on fly. Cloudy skies and cooler waters bring the bonefish up to the flats to feed and tail into the falling currents. I had the opportunity to take advantage of these premium conditions with a legendary guide, Capt. Eddie Wightman. We headed into the backcountry to look for some tailing bonefish that might take the fly. Capt. Eddie has guided in the Florida Keys for over 35 years and knows a thing or two about the “Grey Ghost” of the flats. His clients have held numerous world records and have won many of the most prestigious bonefish tournaments in the Keys. It is always a thrill and an honor to have him on board and to watch him cast the fly. We both hooked and landed several bonefish that night and Capt. Eddie showed me that he still has fun chasing bonefish after all this time. Check out these photos I took of one of the bonefish we landed and tagged for research for Bonefish Tarpon Unlimited. As the cold fronts start to approach, we can expect the bonefish activity to continue to thrive. The snook and redfish bite will also be red hot because of finger mullet and pilchards invading the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay. Tight lines, everyone.

Capt. Steve

August 26, 2007

As the rest of the country is trying to stay cool, the fishing in the Keys is heating up. Oftentimes during the summer months, the best fishing can be had as the sun goes down. The water temperature has been in the mid 80's, and when we get some decent current, the bonefish can get active. I went fishing with Capt. Jon Milchman last night to take advantage of these conditions and we had a blast casting to tailing bonefish and waking permit. The fishing was good but not outstanding for what we thought it should have been, given the conditions we had. We left the dock around 3:00 and at the end of the day, caught 5 bonefish on fly and lost one or two more from pulled hooks. None were bigger than about 5 pounds, but it was just a great night to be fishing in the Keys regardless of whether we caught fish or not. The tides are getting better and this was a good sign that the permit fishing should get really good as the current flows harder and the wind kicks up a notch. Tight lines.

Capt. Steve

August 16, 2007

I took a busman’s holiday in between charters yesterday due to a bad case of permit-fever. I grabbed two of my favorite fly rods with my Hatch fly reels and a couple of my fishing buddies, Capt. Carter Bates, owner of Coconut Palmas Marina on Grassy Key, FL. and Capt. Doug Mayer, a pharmacist at Mariner’s Hospital in Tavernier, FL. Key West was our destination. The tide would be rising all morning which would allow the permit to gain access to the shallow flats. I was a bit bummed to see cloud cover increase as we got further west and hoped that the rising sun would burn off some clouds and let some sun shine though for some visibility. The winds were down and the cloud cover kept the temperature at a comfortable range. After searching a few flats and cursing at the clouds, we made a plan to put the boat back on the trailer to go up the road towards Marathon where we heard the light was better.

When drove back to Coconut Palmas where Carter had his skiff ready to go in the water, and after we transferred the fly rods and some water to his boat, we were off to find some fish. It wasn’t long before we had a shot at a cruising permit that didn’t seem to see the fly. We had several more shots at some tailing permit on the falling tide on some hard bottom strip banks. The light started to fade in and out when Doug was on the casting platform. We both spotted a nice group of bonefish moving towards us and he put the cast in a perfect spot where one darted towards the fly but decided to keep moving off the flat bringing the others closely behind. Doug suggested that Carter get another fly rod out and ready with a bonefish fly in case more bones showed up. Sure enough, three big bones cruised up on the edge of the flat. Carter quickly picked up the bonefish rod, and from the middle of the boat, put a cast about 5 to ten feet up-current from the trio and the lead charged it like it was the first morsel of food it had seen in days. Game on. A short fight and some drag screaming and we had the 7 pounder to the boat and took some great photos of Carter’s prize.

The light got worse and we made a few more moves and had some more great shots and even better refusals. But as the evening started to fade in, I was back on the casting platform and got my shots at some tailing bonefish. By now the tide was getting to its low point. Doug’s little toad fly did the trick and I was hooked up to a strong 6 pound bonefish. So now it was up to Doug to complete the day with everyone slimed up with bonefish, but they just didn’t want to cooperate. He had some amazingly great shots at some tailers but they wouldn’t eat his fly. But a day that could’ve been a lesson in frustration, was salvaged with a decision to move to a totally different area. In the end, it was another great day of fishing in the Florida Keys.

August 2, 2007

I woke up to another Islamorada Chamber of Commerce day today. The water was calm, hot and flat and I had lots of options. I had the good fortune to have three folks from the Tampa area want to go to the backcountry to bend a rod. Julie Stroebel, her daughter, Jessie and Trevor Thompson put a spanking on the reds, snooks, mangrove snappers, sharks and even a few jacks. Check out the photos to see a redfish Trevor caught that proves how tough these fish can be. This one had its gills exposed on one side from a long ago battle and was still fighting hard after eating a jig and a Gulp! shrimp. Once the bite slowed after the tide got going, we decided to attempt to complete the backcountry slam of a redfish, snook and spotted sea trout all in one day. But the specs didn’t want anything to do with us that day. Just blame the guide.

Capt. Steve

August 1, 2007

The annual RedGhost Stalk fishing tournament took place on Monday, July 30 for junior anglers (ages 9-16) and young adults (ages 17-29). Some of the best young anglers from south Florida compete every year to target bonefish and redfish.

Thirty-six anglers on 35 boats competed this year and caught and released a whopping total of 23 bonefish and 115 redfish all of which were over 20” to count on the score card. Each redfish were wroth 100 points if caught on bait or artificial and were worth more than that if caught with a fly rod. Bonefish counted 300 points if caught with bait or artificial.

My angler was Robbie Ames, 14, who fished like a champ. This was the third year that we’ve fishing this tournament together and we’ve improved each year. Even though Robbie does all the fishing, it’s definitely a team effort. Robbie did a great job this year by catching 7 redfish and 2 bonefish. And I have to mention that the bonefish were the first ones he’s ever caught. We tagged both bonefish to benefit research for the Bonefish Tarpon Unlimited organization. To find out more about BTU and to see some of their findings, go to www.bonefishresearch.com

After all of the results were in, Robbie won first runner-up with his 2100 points and won the conservation award by tagging and releasing two bonefish. Congratulations Robbie on a great day of fishing!

Capt. Steve

Check this site often for my most recent photos and current Keys conditions on The Fishing Line. Or reference the Archives to learn what conditions might be in store for the months you plan to visit. Need a place to stay? Take a look at the Bella Vista, a unique lodging option, suitable for two or the whole family.

My guided trips include all equipment, fly or spin. Tell me your angling aspirations and I'll help take you there. And the view along the way is mighty fine, too. Call 305-393-FISH (3474) for more information or to book a trip, or e-mail steve@afishingguide.com.

FISH FLORIDA BAY, THE EVERGLADES & THE FLORIDA KEYS

**"Simply put, any fish can be caught any time of the year."**-Capt. Steve Friedman, Fishing Line, Fall/Winter 2006

TARGET SPECIES OF THE FLORIDA KEYS

TARPON FISHING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

PERMIT FISHING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

BACKCOUNTRY FISHING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

FLORIDA KEYS FISHING REPORT | Click here for previous reports

FISH FLORIDA BAY, THE EVERGLADES & THE FLORIDA KEYS

"Simply put, any fish can be caught any time of the year."-Capt. Steve Friedman, Fishing Line, Fall/Winter 2006

TARGET SPECIES OF THE FLORIDA KEYS

TARPON FISHING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

PERMIT FISHING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

BACKCOUNTRY FISHING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

FLORIDA KEYS FISHING REPORT | Click here for previous reports

**"Simply put, any fish can be caught any time of the year."**-Capt. Steve Friedman, Fishing Line, Fall/Winter 2006