Fishing Report

 Even with the clear waters charters are having good success with the Yellowtail Snapper.  Beyond the reef in the 200 plus foot depths some charters report getting into good action on Kingfish and Mutton Snappers.

 It’s a broken record in this zone these days. In the boundary area where the bay meets the Gulf the Trout and Snapper bite is on and just great. The method for success is to drift and jig through the lush Turtle Grass bottom.  It will be either Trout or Snapper to take the jig.  In the same vicinity there are still plenty of willing Tarpon.Fish tide for Tarpon. Anchor or drift in the channels with live Mullet or Ladyfish and concentrate on the last of the falling or first of the incoming tide. 

In the Islamorada area the Tarpon still garner most of the attention. Morning or evening in the low light or in darkness the bite will be better.  Live bait or chunk bait on the bottom in the channels or just off the shallow banks will be the target rich area.  Captain Eric has been on the Tarpon in the evenings. Look for Permit [fish] in the channels and on the Flats. For the channels use a small live crab just a few feet below the surface. Permit site fishing with small crabs on the Flats. Look for good results on Snook and Redfish in the Flamingo and Cape Sable areas. There have been some Tripletail caught in the bay around Structure.

 Fishing right at the bridge where the channel tightens/narrows the fish are arguably more concentrated. On bright days it is reasonable to assume that many species of fish covet the shade. Taking this into consideration it seems prudent to fish this specific area, making it all about your presentation.  A good bait and the right drift will yield a catch.  Baits vary from Shrimp and Pinfish to jigs and soft tails. It is now all about the presentation, aka the right drift.  Use as little lead as needed and as light a leader as reasonable. Think about having your bait drift and descend as if it was unencumbered, or as a natural bait in the current.  The players will be many, such as Tarpon, Permit, Snook, Snapper, Jacks, Sharks, Mackerel and more.