Key West and Lower Keys

Capt. Dexter Simmons
January 18, 2003
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report

Winter Blues? Plan for that Spring Tarpon Trip!

Jan. 17, 2003It is easy to get Cabin Fever this time of year, especially if you are in a cold weather environment. Fear not, there is a cure for this condition! While away your hours at home by tying a few flys or leaders and dreaming of your next fishing trip. Thinking back to last January, I was in Australia and New Zealand for a fishing holiday of my own. I researched the trip for nearly two years before settling on my places to go and sights (fish) to pursue. I learned a few new tricks about splicing lines and leaders. I also learned patience, as the Marlin we were hunting were not migrating in the waters off of Eastern Australia in January. So I settled for Golden Trevally on the flats off of Fraser Island with a guide by the name of Sid Boshammer. I also settled for a few nice rainbows with guide Alan Simmons in New ZealandAfter I had returned to the states and was in full Tarpon Season Swing, I learned that the Black and Striped Marlin were further North (closer to Brisbane, nearly 600 miles North of where we were fishing-Australia is huge!). They didn't arrive in big numbers around the Port Stephens area until mid-February, long after my departure. Like Marlin, the Tarpon migration in the Atlantic waters can be early or late. Usually weather is a major factor in Winter or early Spring. When the water warms into the mid to high 70's, then they begin to migrate out of the deeper waters into the near shore channels, basins and flats. Soon, when the warm weather arrives and stays around for awhile, we will be Tarpon, and a big surge of Permit, and some Bonefish too. Now is the time to make your plans for the best Tarpon, Permit fishing of the season, from the end of January through June. Bonefishing will also be very good from March through October. Here is a Permit caught during February in the photo above.Most of the best Tarpon fishing during the past several years has been during February and March.In the photo above, guides and anglers who fished last March will all agree that the Tarpon bite was on.Bonefish can be caught in the winter too, as demonstrated in this photo of a late January catchHere John Cusack, Sr. and his son-in-law caught a permit double on the flats with Capt. Dexter. Our Father (Mother) - Son (Daughter) Key West Flats Fishing Trips are now scheduled for throughout the fall and winter. For more information about the Father and Son Flats Fishing Trips go to http://www.keywestflyfishing.com You may contact Capt. Dexter Simmons for a future fishing charter by telephone at 305-745-3304 or by email at [email protected]

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