by Greg Poland
Its summertime in the Florida Keys so get out on the water early before it heats up or the afternoon thunderstorms chase you off the water. I have been leaving the dock just after 6am so we can get on that early bight out in the backcountry and it’s been worth getting up for. This time of year there are plenty of juvenile tarpon in the Everglades National Park, try fishing on the shorelines, at the mouth of the creeks, or around the islands. If you cast a hogy worm or a live pilchard (if you can find them) you are sure to get a bite, I like a medium action rod with beaded line and a fluorocarbon leader. I always have two rods rigged and have my clients fishing both near the bottom with a jig head and just under the surface with the worm to find out where the fish are hiding out, then I re-rig all rods to match after getting a feel for the spot. Below is a photo of what I have been using in the backcountry and will be for the rest of the summer, it’s easy and you don’t have to take the time looking for live bait in the morning. These same lures and worms will work well on trout, and the big schools of Jack cravelles you will find while traveling in the backcountry.
Here in the Islamorada area I am still finding some smaller tarpon like the one these triplets caught (with a little help from their dad) but it seems like the big ones have left town till next year. I am sure the guys who fish the night shift are still catching a few around the bridges & if you put your time in you could come up with a few bites, but I rarely fish at night. It was a great tarpon season and I can’t wait for it to start up again. If you are in town with your family and want to get out for some fun fishing give me a call, it’s a great time of year to get out for a 1/2 day and bend the rod. Summertime in the Florida Keys, the weather is nice and the waves are calm enough to go anyplace from the backcountry to the ocean so the opportunities are endless, and there is plenty of action to keep the kids on fish. We can even stop for a swim to cool off at the sandbar so remember to pack your pink flamingo and let’s get out on the water!
Capt. Greg Poland
305.393.3327 | gregpoland.com
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