Key West Fishing Report

It's been a good winter so far for fishing on the Key West flats and backcountry waters.  Most days the flats have been loaded with big barracudas and Crevalle jacks.  During the warm spells as we are in now permit fishing has been awesome and even some tarpon have moved into the area.  Bonefishing has been okay, but with all the opportunity available close to home I haven't been venturing to the winter bonefish areas that much.

We are coming into season now, so if you haven't made arrangements to fish with your guide, now is the time to do so.  The open spots in our calendars will fill quick in upcoming weeks, so don't miss out.

Colton Fly Rod and Reel Holiday Sale

The Colton Holiday Sale is going on now through January 15th.  If you are looking for a new fly rod and reel combination for yourself or for the fly angling enthusiast on your Christmas list, Colton has you covered.  Rods and reels for both freshwater and saltwater fly fishing and ranging from 2 weight up to 17 weight.  Colton has a fly rod and reel for any fishing situation.

Click on the image below to go directly to the Colton website and check out the full line of fly rods and reels available.  Please tell Bob Captain Mike sent you.

Captain Mike Bartlett
http://www.keywestflats.net/
http://www.facebook.com/CaptMikeBartlett

Jacksonville Redfish on Fly

Hooked up with my good buddy Captain Warren Hinnrichs out of Jacksonville, Fl this morning for some low  water redfish on fly.  I froze my ass off running to the first area, but once the boat came to a stop, it wasn't too bad.  Did a little blind casting as the tide was still running out and quickly landed two small trout and three really cool looking redfish.

During the cooler months of the year and lack of rain these normally dirty waters are now clear, making sight fishing actually possible.  Once the tide started to push in and the sun was high enough to see through the water we were finding one redfish after another in the small openings in the spartina grass off the main flows.  The redfish today were especially aggressive, turning around and eating flies that landed on their tails and Warren caught one, no more than five feet off the side of the boat.  He basically dropped is fly in the water raised it up a little and the fish inhaled it as if he hadn't eaten in a week.

We landed about twelve redfish between the two of us, hooked and lost several others, had lots of other shots and just saw lots of redfish all day.  It was a little chilly for a guy from Key West, but a great day of fishing nonetheless. 

Tarpon Fishing

Tarpon fishing has been phenomenal this week.  A few calm days and lots of sunshine has made fishing the flats a great pleasure again.  We've been jumping tarpon in every way; fly, lures, bait, deep water and on the flats, during the day and at night.  We are coming into tarpon season a little early this year, if you got the bug and haven't made your plans now is the time.  Most guides are booked up solid, but we may have a day or two we are looking to fill so get on the phone and emails and get in on the action.  

Redfish on Fly in Key West

I had a great day on the water with Doug and Sarah from Wyoming yesterday.  Fresh off a strong cold front that passed over the weekend, water temps had plummeted to the low to mid 60's in the backcountry.  First area I decided to check was the redfish flat and it did not disappoint.  Doug caught two nice redfish out of the four that ate his fly and had about another 3 or 4 shots.  We saw probably 15 or so single redfish, most of which were laid up and we drifted right over, and one big school containing at least 10 redfish.  This is the most redfish I have seen so far on this flat.  Needless to say I am pretty excited about having this area, with good numbers of redfish, for when the water is cold and not quite right for our other flats species of permit, bonefish, tarpon and barracudas.

Thanks again Doug and Sarah.

Captain Mike Bartlett
http://www.keywestflats.net/
http://www.facebook.com/CaptMikeBartlett

Colton Fly Rod Holiday Sale

The Colton Fly Company fly rod and reel sale has only a few days left. The sale ends this Sunday, January 15th. Save 50% off Colton's normally low prices on their complete line of fly rods and 35% off reels from 2wt to 20wt.  Because you purchase directly from the rod builder, Colton fly rods and reels are about half the cost of other high end fly fishing outfits, with the same high quality of craftsmanship and materials. If you have been in the market for a new fly rod and reel now is the time to buy. You won't find high quality fly rods and reels at these prices anywhere else.

Click on the image below to see the full line of Colton fly rods and reels.

http://www.coltonfly.com/

Captain Mike Bartlett http://www.keywestflats.net/