Florida and Biscayne Bay

[Capt. Jim]

Bonefish have been the targeted species this month, the water temps have been above normal, bringing cruising and tailing fish from all over into the shallow flats of beautiful Biscayne Bay we have been catching fish from 7 to the 13 lb bruisers , one trip this month tailing fish were seen all day and sometimes as far as I could see from the poling platform we had over 40 shots on tailers but managed to bring only 3 to the boat the biggest a nice 12 lber they have been eating small shrimp on calm days and on the windier days you can throw a medium to a little larger shrimp the bones can be a little spookier on calm days that’s why I like days with a little wind but not blowing 20 kts.The bones should continue their nice run in the bay on warmer days now that the temps are dropping once again.

In Florida bay the water for January was extremely warm and to that is a large algae bloom that covered most of the bay back in the early part of the month which chased a lot of the reds out into cleaner water which is the deeper creeks with a lot of water movement. Any of you that have fished with me know where I’m talking about. This last Saturday we caught 25 reds 6 black drum, 12 nice snook up to 27 inches and lost at least 8 more larger snook to the mangroves all in 5 hours of fishing.

The earlier part of the month turned out some summer like tarpon with multiple trips jumping 2-3 poons over 80lbs everyday. Now that cooler temps are arriving bringing down the water temps the algae bloom is moving out and the water is clearing up and it is getting back to normal with reds and snook moving up on the flats on cool days with an incoming tide.

Capt. Jim Hale
786-255-1788

[EMTAE]

Nice report Capt. Do you fish around stiltsville for the poons?

[gottaflylee]

Great report Capt. Jim. I miss fishing the bay. Had some gerat days out of there.

[Capt. Jim]

Nice report Capt. Do you fish around stiltsville for the poons?

Yes, it depends on the time of year and the season. For the most part I fish south Biscayne Bay and Everglades National Park for Tarpon. My general area of fishing is Government Cut to Islamorada.

[Capt. Jim]

Great report Capt. Jim. I miss fishing the bay. Had some gerat days out of there.

The Bay is still good fishing. Thanks for your reply! I will continue to write so you can see what's up.

[EMTAE]

Thanks I grew up fishing the bay there back in the 70s.

[gottaflylee]

Capt. Jim, how is the fishing around Elliots Key now? Always love fishing out in that area.

[Capt. Jim]

Fishing around Elliot has been for bones this time of year and an occosional permit, Tarpon are just around the corner. Bones on low water and warmer days have been great!