Islamorada Fishing Report and Forecast

Greetings once again. This is the fishing forecast for the father and son team of Skins and Fins Charters, Captain Ted and Captain Donnie Benbow. We fish the waters of the Florida Keys, Key Largo and the Gin clear waters of Islamorada. Our three boats are docked out of the newly revamped Holiday Isle Marian at the Post Card Inn and this is our forecast for January/Febuary

OFFSHORE/DEEPSEA: In the winter months, the Sailfish are the target fish of choice. Anglers go Offshore in the bigger Charter Boats. Taking with Captain Don Chittick, Captain of the Charter boat K Kay  out of the Whale Harbor Marine in down town Islamorada. Don likes to troll slowly in depths of 100 to 150 foot of water, bumping in and out of gear just enough to keep his lines tight. Using live baits such as Ballyhoo, Pilchards and Cigar minnows. Don also likes to fly the kite using Bluerunners and Goggle eyes to attract the fish up from the deep. On the calmer days the Swordfishing will still be going on in the deeper waters. Out in the Patch Reefs, keeper size Grouper, Yellow tail, Mangrove Snapper, Porgeys, Mackerel and Mutton Snapper.

GULF: While fishing on the edge of the Gulf in 10-15 foot of water we are in search of large Spanish Mackerel up to 40". Some of the more popular fishing grounds like west of Sprigger Bank hold large numbers of the speedy Macks. We rig with light rods and a wire leader using a sparkly bucktail tipped with shrimp, make sure to bring two blocks of chum to get the bite going. Other common fish found on the edge of the Gulf are Pompano, Sea Trout and Sharks plenty of rod bending action!

FLATS FISHING: The Redfishing continues to be the best option for the shallow water hunter. Captain Donnie has been spending most of his early afternoons up in just a few inches of water site casting to the larger Redfish up to 36". Throwing plastics DOA CAL swim baits rigged weedless or bucktails tipped with shrimp has proved most productive. The Bonefishing has started to pick up on the mid day higher tides and should continue through the spring.

BACKCOUNTRY: With the cooler temperatures the smaller Redfish and trout are pushing through the creeks and channels. Fishing near the trees using live pinfish on a weightless hook the Snook fishing is slowly continueing to get better as they are making a recovery from the freeze 3 years ago. Pompano, Sharks, snapper and Sea Trout are also found in the channles and deep holes.On those windy days out of the north we fish the larger flats skiffs out on the Patch Reefs for Hogfish, Snappers, Porgeys, Mackerel. Grouper and more.

Well that's what is going on the way we see it. Want to give it a try, please give us a call. Till them, this is Captain Ted and Donnie Benbow asking you to "Keep it in the Shallow mGrass"