Key West Fishing Report - Key West Flats Fishing

The night time tarpon bight has been going well. The few times that we tried we were able to jump a good number of fish. Flies, plugs, and soft baits have been getting some nice results. This time of the year offers a large number of smaller Tarpon 20 - 100lbs which is just fine with me. Those larger schools of "big brutes" will be here before you know it. Things just have to mellow out a little bit.

Permit fishing has still been good. On the warmer days they just seem to be all over, eating little blue crabs, shrimp, or a well placed fly. However, the wind has certainly been a factor, making it difficult at times to get any thing close to them.

There are still a good number of barracudas. We caught one the other day that was just over 30 lbs. On light tackle in shallow water they are a whole lot of fun. The fish made such a run, we had to chase him down like a Tarpon, in fear of getting spooled. When it is windy I throw a top water plug called a Creek Chub Knuckle-Head from www.Lurenet.com. This plug will always get the big ones to come out and play.

Sure I enjoy permit, tarpon, and everything else in between. But we have had so much fun lately catching jacks of all sizes. These fish really fight. But sometimes before you get them to the boat, the sharks have dialed in on them and you have a very difficult time getting them to the boat ...if you know what I mean! We got the tarpon gear out, put on about 6 feet of 80lb. leader, and followed up with a couple of feet of heavy wire. Reach in the live well for a jack that would like to go for a swim... and usually in a very short time you better hang on, because when a 200lb. bull shark is running away from you in 2-3 feet of water, he has a bit of an attitude.

Good luck fishing and get out there and enjoy. The big tarpon are right a round the corner and we still have some dates available. As always, if you have any questions, drop us a line. We always will make time for you.