Went out for fun today to explore some off of the cape area of the mainland everglades. November fishing in Islamorada is often a better time for species such as snook and redfish as water temperatures cool down a bit and there is a lot of whitebait a.k.a pilchards around. We had a good trip catching double digit snook and a few other rascals including a nice triple tail. Pilchards have been fairly plentiful so most days we are catching a load of them in the morning and bringing them along with nice live shrimp. Today we worked some new areas exploring. We had some luck this morning with a few nice snook on the last of the falling tide. After that it was a little slow while we tried some different areas. Then late in the afternoon we found a few good spots on the higher incoming tide for snook. Both places the water was very nice and pushing easily along tree-lined shores and snook were waiting there to ambush prey. The live pilchards are great because you can chum with them a little bit and get the fish really fired up and congregated in one area.
Backcountry Fishing Reports
11/8/13 November islamorada backcountry fishing report
The winds laid down yesterday some but kicked up again today. Northerly in the morning which we like this time of year. The tide has been very low, being pushed out by the wind from several days earlier. The last two days we got into a sick redfish bite, both days we caught 50+ fish. A mix of little guys and slot/over slot fish. They are eating shrimp and pilchards, whatever you throw at ’em. Snook are mixed in too. Today we got into some nicer size snook too, while yesterday they were mostly little guys. The ticket with them is live pilchards which have been plentiful. On the ocean side beaches you can find plenty especially with the northerly wind this time of year. As it continues to get into winter time, this type of fishing should stay good. Black drum and sheepshead will move in more and more as it cools off. Cold fronts can provide great opportunity if your in the right area, and many of these spots are protected from the wind and weather so it can be a fantastic trip!
10/25/13 Fall Florida Keys Fishing Report
Well business is picking up a little bit. The fishing in the back has been getting better and better as things cool off. Lots of pilchards around which are a favorite of snook in the everglades. The snook bite has been really good we’ve been getting double digit catches regularly. Quite a few redfish too, as things get colder in the winter especially more and more reds, black drum, and sheepshead will move in. Today we caught almost 2 dozen snook and we only had live shrimp as the pilchards we had been catching had left the area. The day before there were millions of them, and tarpon from 20 lbs to 200 lbs were blasting them left and right. It was a sight to see! We had a mild cold front, the first of the season, which can make for some really good fishing. If your thinking of making a trip, November can be a great time as many spanish mackerel move in the gulf as well as big blacktip sharks, cobia, and more. The redfish and snook bite is really good in the deep everglades as well as around flamingo then too, and larger bay boats such as mine can reach them most the time.
Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@fishingislamorada.com
9/17/13 Late season september tarpon fishing in islamorada
We had some action this morning with september islamorada tarpon fishing around the flamingo area. Mullet can still be found on the flats and around island moats until it really gets cold so this is a possibility all the way through october. We were able to get a few baits first thing to give it a good shot. Had several bites and caught this nice 60 lb tarpon. The tide quit after an hour and the air temperature dropped as frontal cells approached so things shut off there. We went around some mangrove islands and caught some snook. Fall snook fishing in the florida keys is a good bet. There were also plenty of nice mangrove snappers to be had, great table fare if your into cooking your catch. Or you can bring them to a local resturant to have for supper! We also did catch one small redfish completing our ‘backcountry slam’ for the day!
Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@fishingislamorada.com
8/15/13 August Fishing Islamorada Report
The august fishing islamorada is still going strong both offshore and backcountry. We’ve still been getting out almost every day – it is unbelievably busy and the fishing is still top notch! We landed several big goliath groupers today with some young teenagers, plus they got a big tarpon and plenty of sharks of the blacktip and blacknose variety. All this was done on fresh live mullet bottom fishing. We also had good action on the light rods for big trout, mangrove snapper, and ladyfish. Tarpon fishing can still be very good through September – getting out early to catch the proper live bait is key which I am doing most of the time this time of year!
Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@fishingislamorada.com
