Backcountry Fishing Trends Calendar

 

Redfish

Bonefish

Permit

Tarpon

Snook

Trout

Jan.

Best

Great

Good

Poor

*

Great

Feb.

Best

Great

Good

Poor

Great

Great

March

Best

Great

Good

Poor

Great

Great

April

Best

Good

Good

Great

Great

Great

May

Best

Good

Best

Great
(Flyfishing)

Great

Great

June

Good

Good

Best

Great
(Fly fishing)

*

Good

July

Good

Good

Best

Great
(Fly fishing)

*

Good

Aug.

Good

Good

Best

Fair

*

Good

Sept.

Good

Great

Good

Fair

Good

Good

Oct.

Good

Great

Good

Poor

Good

Good

Nov.

Good

Great

Good

Poor

Good

Good

Dec.

Best

Great

Good

Poor

Great

Great

Note: *
indicates out of season Dec.15-Jan.31 and June, July and August

Bonefish

Primarily the Bonefish is an inshore fish inhabiting the shallow waters of Florida Bay and outside along the oceanside shoreline and flats of the Florida Keys. Often in less than 1 foot deep of water over lush grass flats and occasionally over sandy bottom. You will sometimes see loose schools of them "tailing" with their tail fin half out of the shallow water as they use their nose to find a meal of shrimp, shellfish, crabs and other fish from the bottom.

Tarpon:

Often referred to as the Silver Kings, Tarpon have been around for over 125 million years. The techniques for catching tarpon vary widely. These fish "roll" on the surface from time to time, taking a gulp of air. which recent research indicates is essential to their survival.

Snook

Snook are found from central Florida , south. Usually inshore in coastal and brackish waters along mangrove shorelines seawalls, bridges and can also be found on the reef and pilings near shore. These fish are strongly regulated so be sure to check the regulations for the time of year and the size limitations. Snook are sensitive to water temperatures and can not tolerate water below 60 degrees. However the salinity of the water can vary widely.

Redfish

(Red Drum) also referred to in different parts of the country as "Spot Tails", the juveniles are an inshore fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population offshore. Spawning occurs from August to November in near shore waters. They feed on shrimp, crustaceans, fish and mollusks and can live to 20 years or more.

Permit

Found mainly offshore around wrecks and debris or inshore on grass flats, sand flats and in channels. Feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crabs, shrimp, small clams and small fish. Their eyesight is excellent and have a well developed sense of smell. Although it is fairly common to see permit with their tail and dorsal fin sticking out of the water, they usually won't remain there long.