From: 08/01/2018
To: 09/10/2018
Type of Water: Saltwater
Species: Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Redfish, Black Drum
Late summer early fall Everglades report
Capt. Alex Zapata
September 9, 2018
The fishing in the Everglades has been very good to say the least. We've been fishing the park both from islamorada and out of flamingo marina with great success.
Baby tarpon fishing has been consistent, with plenty of bigger fish around in the 30 to 50lb range. Sight fishing for redfish and snook has also been productive.
Generally speaking, the redfishing on the flats out front and east of flamingo marina has become spotty and a game of limited targets but some days we find them in decent numbers along with some very big fish around.
Snook have been plentiful on the flats and we've done very good using soft plastics on spinning and dark bait patterns on fly. There is also been plenty of black dru View more...Late summer early fall Everglades report
Capt. Alex Zapata
September 9, 2018
The fishing in the Everglades has been very good to say the least. We've been fishing the park both from islamorada and out of flamingo marina with great success.
Baby tarpon fishing has been consistent, with plenty of bigger fish around in the 30 to 50lb range. Sight fishing for redfish and snook has also been productive.
Generally speaking, the redfishing on the flats out front and east of flamingo marina has become spotty and a game of limited targets but some days we find them in decent numbers along with some very big fish around.
Snook have been plentiful on the flats and we've done very good using soft plastics on spinning and dark bait patterns on fly. There is also been plenty of black drum and seatrout around.
Fishing closer to islamorada within the park boundaries has produced great fishing for bonefish, permit and baby tarpon. I gotta say that the bonefishing is as good as I have seen it in recent years, pretty much all over the keys. From Biscayne Bay to key west, some days have been absolutely amazing finding plenty of fish in several places they had almost quit showing up several years ago. Most fish we are catching are between 2 to 7 pounds, not the famous Florida giants but a very welcome sight! We couldn't be happier to see the bonefishing thriving.
I often get asked what's the best time of the year to fish in my area; My answer is always the same: summer through fall. Ironically, this time of the year, is usually not very busy for fishing guides in south Florida and the keys. The weather gets very hot and humid, people go on vacation with their kids and people from up north generally prefer to stay local and enjoy summer time in their neck of the woods.
Here at home, we the guides take advantage to do all the fishing we were unable to do during tarpon season, explore new water and get some bow time fun fishing with friends.
Once all the big herds of anglers leave south Florida after tarpon season in the late spring, the flats are pretty much empty and you have a lot of water to yourself with lots of fish around and very few people to catch them. Summer time also offers the most stable and longer periods of flat calm weather than any other time of the year. Fishing always goes out of control during those extended periods of calm weather.
That being said, if you are serious about fishing and really want to experience the best flats and backcountry action south Florida and the keys have to offer, you should really consider to be here during the summer and fall, You'll be glad you did.
Tight lines, fish hard and fish often.
Capt Alex Zapata
Flats fishing guide
IFFF certified fly casting instructor
Miami, Everglades and the keys
(786) 317-4733
www.silverkingcharters.com
