As a fishing guide here in Key West for over 20 years for flats fishing I have come to feel the fall as an AHhhhh time of the year. Not only because my schedule slows down but because the weather starts to get right, the waters have fewer boats and the flats fishing heats up.

Checking up and down the Florida Keys this morning we have  mixed bag of flats fishing reports for the Florida Keys. The weather has been less than consistent Keys wide with large percentages of rain in the forecast most days. Rain actually helps the flats fishing within reason. Rain when its super hot helps to drop water temps and put the flats fish on the feed. Too much rain can hurt the upper Keys more with Lake run off coming into the Florida Bay than say the Key West area or the Marquesas because of the flow from the Gulf and the Atlantic.

Checking in with Capt. Matt Bellinger of Bamboo Charters this morning we he reports. Starting to see nice sized sea trout to 20 inches moving into Everglades from deeper water in the gulf. Small 10-20 lb tarpon around creek mouths on falling tides (along mainland) reds and snook in island moats eating pinfish and pilchards. Bonefish scattered but on Oceanside flats after rain storms cool the water.

Out of Key West the rains have been plenty and the flats and backcountry fishing has been awesome. We are getting permit on the flats tailing like champs. Early morning tarpon of all sizes still are around and ready to eat. Bonefishing is exceptional this time of the year and this year is better than last for numbers and size.  The trout fishing has started early and we are into fish from 18 – 24 inches along with lady fish, pompano, sharks and barracudas.

Across the spectrum plug fishing is a blast this time of the year for our top water fans. The numbers of large jacks that are moving through the Florida Keys from now through the end of December are awesome. Top water is a great way to watch them EXPLODE on a strike and rip line out for yards. Thats just one of the things I love about Fall fishing in the bak country waters of the Florida Keys and Key West.

Booking a flats fishing or backcountry fishing charter is easy. Just call our office and see what and who is available. We work with fishing guides from Key West to Key Largo that we guarantee will show you a great day on the waters of the Florida Keys..
1-305-292-7212