Captain Tom Rowland’s March 1st Key West Fishing report
The harbingers of Spring have arrived in the Florida Keys for 2005. With water temperatures consistently remaining above 73 degrees, tarpon, permit and bonefish have filled the shallows and nearby channels.
In anticipation of a period of absence from the flats, the Permit is hungrily grazing and chewing on the flats surrounding Key West and the Marquesas. When the weather is warm and the skies clear, March ranks as the top month for catching permit on the flats. As the calendar nears the end of the month, the permit will begin to gather on the shallow wrecks, coral heads and offshore structure preparing for the spawn. It is at this time that flats anglers catch very few permit and offshore anglers are able to put up big numbers as the schools of permit are discovered in offshore areas. With my 2005 Skeeter Bay Boats as a fishing platform, we can maneuver the wrecks and structure to sight cast for these large schools. Permit will not be the only action on the wrecks, cobia, large Jack Crevalle, barracudas, sharks, grouper, snapper and gigantic Goliath Groupers are also prime targets this time of year.
Tarpon fishing will also reach peak opportunity to catch fish using all manners of tackle, techniques and styles. Tarpon are considered to be the World’s greatest gamefish due to their strong fights, spectacular leaps and fast runs. An omnivorous fish, the tarpon is catchable in a variety of ways to suit any angler. Whether you are a flyfisherman who likes to throw to a target, a conventional angler who enjoys using artificial lures, someone who use the most productive means or simply a beginning angler who wants to catch a big fish, tarpon fishing in the spring is for you. Flats anglers will pole areas in a small skiff and look for fish cruising or “laid up” in the shallow areas and cast small flies to individual fish. Backcountry anglers will live bait tarpon with light spinning or conventional tackle or throw lures to rolling fish. Anglers who want to use the most productive way to catch tarpon anchor in Key West Harbor and chum with Shrimp Boat by catch.
Bonefishing is also highly productive this time of year. Flats anglers will see the fish moving back into the backcountry areas and will be able to get plenty of shots during the day. Bonefish are also easily chummed to the boat by using fresh chopped shrimp allowing even inexperienced anglers the thrill of catching bonefish on ultra light tackle.
Other fish that offer great action for all anglers are the Jack Crevalle, Cobia, barracuda, and large sharks. Using a barracuda or bonito as chum, anglers are able to easily chum in sharks over 300 pounds and catch them on light tackle. Shark fishing is exciting and a wonderful experience for young anglers. Anglers of virtually any size can catch a shark as big or bigger than they are from a small boat. This is an experience that few anglers will EVER forget.
Call me at 305-797-2238 or visit my website www.bigblueflyfishing.com to discuss your trip to the Florida Keys.
