Key West Fly and Spin Fishing Report Captain Steve Hancock
Capt. Steve Hancock
February 19, 2015
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report
Key West Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing Report January/February 2015: The fishing in the Lower Keys and Key West can be a blast this time of year. Large Barracudas can be seen grouped up cruising the shallow flats looking for their next meal. These fish also lay up soaking in the sun as the flats warm waiting for bait fish to swim by. They will chase down and eat a fly, lure, or bait if presented correctly. They are lightning fast when they strike, peel off drag and jump out of the water once hooked. At times they will follow your fly or lure all the way to the boat and attack just a few feet in front of you. Its all about stalking them lining up your shot and seeing them eat. A must on your flats species bucket list!
Tarpon are around when the weather and water temps are right.
Permit! Well here's a species that can be stalked/caught just about all year. Permit at times seem to have A.D.D. swimming erratically changing direction tipping up to dig for crabs mudding. These prized tailing fish will test your casting skills and patience. A well presented fly is needed to get these prized species to eat. They can also be caught on spinning gear with an accurately placed live crab.
Jack attack! What is a Jack attack you ask??? Well its when a school of Jacks cruise the channels and flats and aggressively eat a surface fly or lure. If one misses it just keep reeling or stripping and it will get eaten! This is a"Jack Attack".
Onto sharks! We have several species of sharks here in the keys but the most seen on the flats are black tips, lemons, bulls, bonnet heads, and occasionally hammerheads. They can be caught using fly, lures, or bait. A fly caught shark can be a challenge and alot of fun especially on surface plugs or flies. The sharks are all muscle and will fight fight fight! Of the sharks I like the Black tip because they are very fast acrobatic fighters and visually appealing.
Redfish are also up on the flats at times. They are usually schooled up and will take a fly or lure. The lower keys Reds are a bit lighter in color than the reds to our north. They provide a decent head shaking fight.
Target Species:
tarpon, permit, bonefish, sharks, baracuda, jacks
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