Key Largo Backcountry/Reef Fishing 2/21/10
Capt. Bob Fernicola
February 22, 2010
Key Largo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Key Largo Backcountry/Reef Fishing 2/21/10
Did 2 days in the backcountry early this week. Fishing the eastern bay close to key largo winds were still out of the north 15 to 20 and things were still a bit cold. Air temps were about mid 60s and the water had a bit of a chill to it. Started out looking for snook in creeks and found mostly mangrove snapper of all sizes and some good size trout.
On the shorelines still a lot of snapper, but did blow out a few snook (not to interested in eating) at least a few are still around in the main bay and if the cold fronts back off for a while more should start to show up. Day
2 was a 1/2 half day trip with more north winds then the day before. Went for trout in the open water and found fish holding on grass beds in small packs maybe 6 or 8 fish and we would drift to the next grassy area and stake off and pick out a few more. The fish were eating pretty good but most fell just short of the 15"leagle mark. Got like 25 or so fish ,ok action for the conditions. Around and west of flamingo I had reports of a few Black drum around 5 lbs or so. A few warm days (and nights) would speed up the bite.
On the ocean side reef fishing has been doing very good. Between inside patch reefs and going out going out to the edge and fishing as deep as 65 to 105 feet of water. Fast action on the bottom with
red grouper,
some really nice hogfish,
grey and lane snappers,porgys and a few muttons. Fishing the top with a free line lots of cero macks and some decent yellow tails. An assortment of jacks (bars, runners and small ambers) on the top and bottom as well.Grunts,triggers and reef ornamentals make for and interesting variety of speciecs.
Fishing with light and medium spin (lines in the 12 to 15 lb test class) this is a fun trip.
Tight lines Capt. Bob
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