Fishing Reports by Capt. Dexter Simmons

Key West and Lower Keys - Tarpon Often Jump Into the Boat! There is an old joke about the fishing being so good that they were jumping into the boat! Well, sometimes this happens when the fishing is slow too. When you least expect it a Tarpon will jump into the boat and more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Catch, Revive and Release Tarpon There are many opportunities to catch and release Tarpon. Tarpon have little, if any, food value. So releasing the fish in good condition is important. In the photo below David Wipf revives a 70 pound Silver King more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Bow to the Silver King! Bowing to the Silver King takes some practice. When a Tarpon jumps, it is important to lower your rod to reduce the tension on the terminal leader and hook. This bowing technique will usually help to keep your line connec more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Sight-Casting Technique for Tarpon on Fly Here we are in Tarpon season, and I find myself teaching the technical elements daily. Here is one that should be practiced when sight casting to the silver king.There are so many variables and subtle nuan more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Mr. Megalops Rewards Patient Anglers There are many reasons to fish as many days as you can during May and June in the Keys. Probably the most important reason is to improve your chances for good fishing weather. During the first 19 days of May we more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Winds Blow on Atlantic, Fish the Gulf! The southeast winds have continued to blow with little respite during the past week or so. Fortunately, their are still enough Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit about the Gulf side flats to keep us busy. The Atlant more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Peak Tarpon Season is Here! Toronto Del with a male Tarpon who milted all over us!!! Silver Kings rule the Florida Keys during May and June as thousands of anxious anglers flock to the flats for some thrilling Tarpon action. The fish have been arri more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Tarpon Poised to Run! Tarpon are stacking up at the deep water reefs and ready to invade the flats when the winds subside and shift into the SE for an extended period of time. We are hooking a few here and there on Atlantic and Gulf side flats. cha more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Winds Howl With brisk winds (20-30 knots) the water has turned into milk in most areas of the Keys during the past three days. The winds are supposed to subside during the weekend, and the Tarpon should move back into the Atlantic and Gulf flats. I more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West

Key West and Lower Keys - Herds of Tarpon Moving Along Atlantic Flats Tarpon are moving in herds across some Atlantic flats and are schooled up on the Gulf flats as well. We have had many opportunities for Tarpon catches this past week, however the bite has been a bit slow. more...
Capt. Dexter Simmons - Key West