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Though our catch results weren't too impressive, there was no lack of game fish on the flats off Hawk's Cay in the Florida Keys on Friday. Capt. Rick Killgore trailered his 17-foot skiff from Islamorada to launch at Hawk's Cay because he had spotted some permit there the previous day. Flats fishing in the Keys is a lot different from...
Though our catch results weren't too impressive, there was no lack of game fish on the flats off Hawk's Cay in the Florida Keys on Friday. Capt. Rick Killgore trailered his 17-foot skiff from Islamorada to launch at Hawk's Cay because he had spotted some permit there the previous day. Flats fishing in the Keys is a lot different from what we're used to at home, as good light is required to spot fish in skinny waters. As noted in yesterday's blog, I'd already spent a few hours in the middle of the night fishing live bait at Channel 2 with Capt. Jeff Pfister to release a 140-pound tarpon -- so following up with a mid-morning flats trip was still in the cards. Killgore is an old friend who I first fished with in Costa Rica many years ago. He ran to the flat that had been productive, and we got into action with jack crevalle on pencil poppers right away. When they moved off the permit started showing. We saw schools of 10-pounders that may have numbered in the hundreds, but seeing permit and getting them to hit are two different things. Several times I hot a small live crab to them, only to watch the schools pass by that delicacy. One finally picked up the crab, and provided the long runs on light spinning tackle that the species is noted for.
There was no lack of interest as Killgore poled the boat overflats only a few feet deep. Tarpon, many over 100 pounds, were "layed up" on the flats, looking like logs in the crystal clear waters. I didn't cast to them with the light spinning gear, but they probably wouldn't have hit under those circumstances anyway. Huge bull sharks cruised by, and a small cobia followed one of them. Large, but harmless, nurse sharks were also there -- along with a lemon shark and a large sea turtle. Permit, which commonly are seen in the 30-to-40-pound class on the flats, are the most difficult target for fly fishermen. Killgore tried casting a fly to the schools, and felt happy to get one short strike.
A day on the flats should be on any angler's agenda when visiting the Keys. Killgore also fishes live bait for the big bridge tarpon at night from a 23-foot SeaCraft that is also used offshore. The next couple of months are prime for all types of fishing in the Keys, and Killgore has a few dates open. Call him at 800 698-5773, or visit www.fish-killgore.com.
This Fishing Report was submitted on 3/26/2011 9:09:26 PM by Seamus and last updated on 3/26/2011 9:09:26 PM.
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