Islamorada Fishing Report

The past week has been pretty exciting!

Tarpon Fishing Florida Keys

I have been putting my guests on tarpon all week, which for this time of year is totally awesome. Warm weather has got the silver king happy and chowing. Water temps are in the high 70s and low 80s and that means happy fish! We have been hooking tarpon on flies and artificial lures everyday this week. Bycatch has been mega Jacks and they pull plenty hard. Hopefully this cold front that’s hitting the rest of the country stays north!

We have also been having shots at permit every time we go looking for them. They’re getting ready for their spawn offshore and are headed out of the backcountry and towards the islands. Bonefish have been around as well but this week we focused on the silver king.

Back country has been great as well, when I am able to find clean water fish have been biting. I’ve just been keeping it simple with plastics and flies.

I have some dates available for the end of this month and some spots in March. If you want to fish give me a call.

Capt. Josh

Islamorada Fishing Report

Nicole with her first Everglades Flats Redfish

Its a chilly one here in Islamorada today. I stepped outside with a hot cup of coffee to let the dog out and was greeted with a cool blast of winter air. I thought I left the cold behind in Idaho! No matter, the warmer temps start blowing in this afternoon and this week looks like it going to be great.

Pre cold front the fishing was steady. I was finding redfish, snook, and black drum in their usual haunts. Deep holes with lots of current. I have been catching redfish up on the flats around Flamingo, and if you’re willing to take some chances and pole some flats with these super low tides the action has been good. Just have a way out, or bring a book and an extra sandwich if you get high and dry!

With these coldfronts coming and going the fish have been pretty dialed in on shrimp, gulps, and flies. When we can get out of the wind the fly has been working well tight against the bank. We’ve been seeing snook, tarpon, and reds on fly.

Weather this week looks great and its back on the water for me tomorrow! Hopefully this weather warms up and some bigger tarpon get moving around. I look forward to taking you fishing!

Capt Josh

Islamorada Fly Fishing Report

Moon Cast Anglers is now taking bookings for the Winter and Spring 2021 Season! As the snow falls Up North, come warm your feet island style. The fly fishing down here has been amazing. We're consistently catching Bonefish, Snook, Redfish, with daily shots at Permit. The big tarpon have headed out for deeper water but the local juvenile tarpon (8-40lbs) are always around and we have been hooking them every time we go looking for them. Typical trips start off by hunting bonefish on the beautiful sand flats of Islamorada for a few hours, then heading into the Everglades to finish off the day looking for Snook, Reds, and Tarpon. All skills levels are welcome! I also offer online casting lessons to get your cast dialed in before you visit. Contact Moon Cast Anglers to book your trip!

Islamorada Fishing Report

Welcome to Moon Cast Anglers and the Fishing report!

I moved back to Islamorada in October and have been super busy fishing. I was bummed out that I was missing the hunting season up north however, this has been one of the best few weeks of inshore fishing I’ve seen in the Florida Keys. Tarpon, Permit, Bones, and Snook!

The Everglades has a few large tarpon swimming around as well as tons of baby tarpon. I’ve been lucky to get on large schools of baby tarpon, catching one after another on top water flies. Snook fishing in the park has been great as well. Tons of smaller fish, showing good signs for the resource.

The Keys have been fantastic. I’m seeing permit almost every outing in large numbers. Even though they’re in schools it doesn’t make them any easier! Tarpon are cruising around and have been quite eager to take a fly. Check out my latest clip on Instagram (checkers_j) fishing for permit and hooking a nice tarpon on 16lb test! Totally awesome.

The wind has come up and seems like its going to be blowing for the next few days. I’ll be sneaking out here at least a couple of days this week.

-Capt Josh