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