Had John out again on 1/20/12 for a full day of fishing in islamorada florida keys. We left early as usual, 7 AM departure, loaded up with shrimp. Head to the cape area about 30 miles north, the southwestern tip of mainland florida. Many of the deeper creeks and canals are loaded up with redfish, black drum, sheepshead, snook, trout, and other species that are looking for warmer water run-off when the water temperatures plummet, especially after a cold front. We had incoming tide most of the day, which the start of that is good for these ares. Several black drum, sheepshead, trout in the first area. Shrimps on jigs did the trick, and the best was laying a big shrimp on the bottom with a larger 1 oz weight with a circle hook. Before we left we had a light tap-tap on the bottom rod, and it bent over and pulled steady drag. Finally stopped the fish and fought him for about 15 minutes. He came up a few times, throwing a large wake as he sunk back down quickly. Finally boated a monster (for our area) 30 lb black drum! My biggest ever and John's too (and one of his first!). We made our way further up the cape after that as the tide died, hitting some more drains in a creek further up. Not too much action with the high water, found one that had some fish in it though and finished out catching some nice redfish, sheepshead, and trout mixed in with ladyfish and a few jacks. Great day here for for january florida keys fishing trip!
Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@seethefloridakeys.net
http://www.budnmarys.com
