Islamorada Fishing Report

We have definitely been having out ups and downs with weather this winter! Seems like one days its 75 and sunny and the next is 50 and blowing. That hasn’t been stopping me and my guests from getting on the water and making it happen! This past week was a lot of fun! A lot of firsts, I had some newlyweds that crushed the snooks and reds, and a veteran saltwater fly angler that had never caught a snook, we made it happen and his rod stayed bent for the rest of the day.

The inconsistencies in weather have the fish moving around a lot this time of year, which is fine once we’re able to find them. They seem to be hungry and willing to eat flies, artificial baits, and live bait. This time of year I’m doing long runs out to the park and spending most of my time fishing edges of different keys until we find on that’s hot. One thing I’ve noticed this week is the lack of gear that guests are bringing on board. Though I love a clean clutter less boat, it is important to remember to dress properly. You can bring whatever cold weather gear you want and we can always stash what you don’t use. I know it seems warm on the islands but when we get out on the water and are underway at 30pmh it gets chilly. Shorts and a T when its 60 out is gonna make for a chilly ride. Try to dress properly, and as always, call me if you have questions on what gear to bring!

Another thing I have noticed are guests forgetting or not bringing on the boat is a pair of polarized sunglasses. The $20 polarized glasses at the local sporting goods store will get it done in a pinch, but a nice pair of Costa Del Mars, or Smiths, are even better. It can make or break your day if you can see subtle changes underneath the water surface, and you can see fishies!

Thanks for reading and hope to see you on the water soon!

Capt Josh

Islamorada Fishing Report

Well, winter is finally here in the Keys. The air temps dropped down to a bone chilling 72 average for the past week because of a cold front. Good news it we can finally turn the a/c off and open the windows!

As far as fishing goes this first big cold front starts the end of the really amazing tarpon fishing we’ve been seeing this fall. It doesn’t mean they’re not around, it just means they’re not going to be as close to Islamorada to target. I’ve been heading north to the Everglades and have been getting my fix for the silver king up there. Snook fishing has really taken off. I’m catching snook daily on white and black flies, as well as on spin gear tossing topwater lures and soft plastics. The redfish game has been great too. Its an awesome challenge to try catching these backcountry bones on a fly! When the wind isn’t maching I’ve been heading out oceanside looking for permit and bonefish. All in all the fishing has been great, just a few less giant tarpon.

Give me a call if you want fish!

Thanks,

Capt Josh

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