Late March winds here in Islamorada subsided just as this unfortunate and grave situation swept across the planet. As the Florida Keys began to transition into a shelter in place and the trips were cancelled by the thousands.
Tarpon continued to slide into the shallow waters of Florida bay with minimal pressure. Prime conditions have been lining up for the last few weeks with light winds and 80 plus water temps.
Plenty of big Tarpon exercised by the locals, guides and few lucky guests stuck here in paradise.
We saw excellent numbers of fish moving in early and more showing up every day on the ocean.
Typically spawning late March into April the Permit are showing back up hungry on the flats now with several caught on fly this past week!
Bonefish in small to med range seem to be what the consensus is across the upper and lower keys these days, with improving numbers of schooling small fish sighted. Late March and early April provided some exciting Bonefish flurries of mudding tailers, and big schools showing up on the breezy days.
As one can imagine the backcountry of Florida Bay and Everglades national park has been rested with minimal pressure now for 6 weeks, and is absolutely on fire!
Redfish, Snook and trout fishing on the grass flats, channel edges and mangroves has been producing healthy numbers of quality fish consistently.
Recent rain and some windy weather the past week gives hope for more moisture, as we are facing ultra dry conditions in south Florida.
Approaching what appears to be an opening of sorts here in Florida, we are looking at some of the most incredible fishing I’ve personally seen. Appears lack of pressure and a break from traffic in general finds the fish in a better mood.
Be safe out there, book a trip when you can.
Capt. Dan Haesche