This report is more about what to expect out of the Keys over the next few months.  Below you will find the highlights of our amazing season so far! Spring time has arrived and things are heating up down here in Islamorada, FL very nicely. Both the Ocean side and back country side are getting warmer and warmer so watch out, the fishing is getting red HOT!! 

Florida Keys Offshore Fishing Forecast

We will be looking forward to plenty of great Dolphin fishing as well as some spectacular Sword fishing now that the weather will be much more conducive.  There have already been some good days with the Dolphins.  As a matter of fact this week alone produced some good Dolphin fishing with some early Slammers mixed in with all the schoolies you could ask for.  The chance to get the really big ones will be June and July, and the Sword fishing will also be plentiful by then.  Mixed in with the Dolphins we will sometimes find a Blue Marlin or perhaps an occasional White one.  With the right condition and plenty of live bait the Blackfin tuna can be rather abundant on the big Humps.

Florida Keys Reef Fishing Forecast

The reef fishing will become much more productive as the fish will be spawning soon and the migratory patterns have started.  Soon we will have plenty of fish doing their thing up and down the reef edge. Yellowtail and Mangrove Snapper will be in large schools and very hungry.  We do some really fun trips at night for the Mangrove snappers which will soon average 4 to 8 pounds; great fun with live Pilchards. There are also the Big Permits on a few of the deep water Wrecks which can provide 20 to 40 minutes of great action on light tackle.  By the first of May the Grouper season opens and the action there should be pretty sporty to say the least.  The shallow water patches become alive with many different species of fish and make for some great sights both above and below the water.  Before you know it summer is here and the water has reached a high with everything now in full swing.  Lobster season opens and the Snorkel fishing trips are about the funniest event you could participate in.  Plenty of Hog fish on these trips as well as laughs.

Back Country Fishing Forecast

When it comes to some big fish on light tackle the Back country is now the place you want to be!!  Tarpon over 150 pounds, Bonefish as long as your arm and Sharks as big as your boat!!  We’ll find fish in water as shallow as 10" and no deeper than 20′.  Come master the art of Fly fishing or just enjoy some good old fashion sight casting.  The vast variety of fish in the backside is amazing with Permit, Cobias, big Grouper, lots of snappers and plenty of Sharks.  See the Cape go ashore in Flamingo or enjoy the endless Mangrove Islands and their plethora of wild life.  The shorelines and bridges provide great night time action and also tend to be a lot cooler.  Live baiting Tarpon at night is a thrill!  The bite alone is worth a million words!  Casting into the Mangroves, looking for the lunker Snook bite, the list goes on and on.

"That’s Right" will also be back and forth to the Dry Tortugas over the next two months before they head up North to Ocean City, MD from June through September.  We’re looking forward to some real special trips down there and hope to enjoy some different waters for a brief time.  Stay tuned for those reports coming soon.

On a final note, myself and the rest of the gang here at J & A Charters would like to hear more from you.  Let us know what kind of information you are looking for such as "How to" stuff, rigging baits, sea witches, anything at all, please ask.

Captain John Oughton
prettyworkcharters@gmail.com
1-855-GOT-BAIT (468-2248)