Happy New Year from Key Largo. I’m not much for resolutions, but I do look back on what I’ve done in the previous year and try to decide what I can do to make those things better in the coming year. You always need to set goals, no matter what it is that you do. A ”New Year’s Resolution” usually involves something that we have to give up, such as ice cream or doughnuts. Not a good subject with me. I love ice cream and doughnuts. Just ask the guys I went out of town with on the Redfish Tour. If you set goals that are achievable, you can meet them, and that makes you feel better about yourself. It keeps you focused. A couple of my goals for 2005 are to fish a few more trips and to catch a few more fish. These two things are within my reach, so that will keep me trying hard to achieve them. I will share fishing information with you along the way and hopefully help you to catch more fish too.
I want to welcome back our friend and fellow guide Capt. Mike Bright. Mike guides in northern Michigan during the summer and fall for Smallmouth Bass, Trout, and Steelhead. Capt. Mike returned a couple of weeks ago and is already in mid season form. Last week he took his anglers out ‘west’ and found quite a few fish. Ten
Redfish, three Black Drum, and a Tarpon found their way to the boat before lunch. They finished off the day with a few nice Trout and lost a monster Snook. All the fish were caught on live shrimp.
There is a good bite of Trout in the open bays right now. If you can find a ‘Mullet Mud’ then fish it. If not, then just drift over the areas with a grassy bottom. A sure fire rig is a Hook Up Jig suspended about two to three feet under a Cajun Thunder float. A live shrimp or a plastic grub tail can be used for bait. They both work. As you drift, cast the rig behind you and let the boat do all the work. Just pop the float every few seconds and you will be sure to locate some hungry Trout. The popping of the float sounds like fish feeding or a baitfish in distress. The Trout comes to investigate and his appetite usually gets the best of him. You can keep four Trout now between 15”-20”, with one over 20”.
If you’re looking for Snook, you might try the flats during the middle of the day. The muddy bottom will warm quicker than other areas, and that’s a good thing with the water temperatures being down lately. If that doesn’t work, concentrate your efforts on the channels and runoffs on the falling tide.
Let’s make 2005 a better year. Set your goals to fish a little more. Try to catch a few more fish. Read a little more. Listen when someone has something to say.
Until next time, good tides and keep the sun to your back. ><)))>