by Captain Ann Holahan http://www.boneranger.com
305-664-5891 or 305-664-5793, captann@boneranger.com,

Fishing Report for June 22th, 2009!

The Bite is On!!!

The weather for us has gone back to a Summerlike pattern this week, dealing with light winds and water temps in the 80's now, and has been a great start to the Spring Tarpon Season, and the bonefishing has been fantastic along with sightings of nice Permit.

But, we have had a good start for the Spring Fishing Run, and it has been great with some great catches and releases of trout, redfish, large snook ladyfish, snapper, and redfish.

A lot of the fish are being caught in the mullet muds in the backcountry, if you don't know what the backcountry consists of, it is very shallow waters located in Florida Bay, surrounded by many small islands, and channels and flats that we fish around the Bay, and Flamingo area, which is a beautiful ride and shows excitement.

Snake bite has been holding some nice reds and snook. Using live bait shrimp, jigs tipped with shrimp, and plastic baits, and spoons.

Trout season opened Jan. 1st, 2009, with a limit of 4 per person per day, and 1 over 20", make sure to check the FWC regulations on your fishing adventures on your own, if your not familar with the closed seasons and open seasons.

Bonefishing has been a great this week, calmer winds, and getting them on the right tides. They have been on a cruising path, and we have seen a quite a few tails on the outgoing tide, and many groups on the first part of the incoming tides, the latter part of the day, there have been a few tails on the flats on the bay side, but, with the flyfisherman having great casting time this week, and no difficulty in the winds, it has been a great time and challenge to all.

Many tarpon holding up in the channels and on the flats on the high tides, great for our fly enthusiasts, and been seeing and catching some big fish.

Reef fishing has been great with some great catches of yellowtail, and spanish makeral, and grouper.

Throw a chum bag out and get with the current, you will have plenty for dinner or lunch.

I know fishing can be expensive especially as our economy is not a reliable one. I want to rest assured that my anglers have a good and memorable time here in the Keys.

Just call me directly, at 305-664-5891, and ask Capt. Ann about some of the fishing packages, and I can make some fishing packages relatively to a selected budget you may be working with. I am here to help you and ensure you get out on the waters and have some fun with Spring Fishing, and coming into the Prime Time of Tarpon Season.

But, since its Spring Finally, the snook season is open, but don't forget about our Tarpon Season, right on us right now, through July. Also, keep in mind bonefishing, and permit fishing is fantastic now too, so our Spring and Summer is coming in with a big bang.

The offshore for the anglers are spectacular everyone enjoying the sailfishing, yellowtail, dolphin fishing. Along with nice and big catches of tuna, kingfish, and cobia, and dolphin.

Also, I want to let you know I have joined the tagging and release program for bonefish and tarpon, and very excited to work with this great research on how, when, and where all these fish get caught and released in all areas of the waters.

It is an exciting program, and constitutes my catch and release practices.

Don't forget our Spring Fishing for Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit in 2010. Book in advance, so you can get the dates you want for next season too, and don't forget those great fishing packages I put together for one and all, and remember I can make up any fishing package you need.

In Everglades National Park the snook season opens on March 1st, not Feb 1st, the Feb 1st season is only for the Atlantic side, the park has changed the opening to March 1st. Snook season is closed May, June, July, and August for the Park, and for Atlantic Coast June-August.

I am happy to say I am docked now at Papa Joe's Backcountry Marina, and glad to be amongst World Class Guides, and do me a favor, Please call me directly, not there at the Marina, but, for you can reach me directly at 305-664-5891 or 305-664-5793, or you can drop me a line via my email at captann@boneranger.com, and please visit my website at www.boneranger.com

Bonefishing has been good and spotty this month, all over the place on bayside and oceanside, this has been one of the challening months for those screaming reels, and elsuive bonefish, and the bite is getting spotty in some areas and better in other areas of the Keys.

The anglers are getting challenged with some winds and fish that are pushing fast and furious on the flats which can be exhausting and frustrating at times when your seeing the fish, your looking into that catching and releasing some big fish on light tackle and/or on fly, although flyfishing is tough, trying to be the one nailing the big ones.

Also, the bonefishing has been especially good in the late afternoon, and the best bite on shrimp, our big shrimp are here, and those delicious shrimp are being gobbled up by all species. You can also use a jig tipped with shrimp, so make sure you use those days that are not too windy and make sure to use them to your advantage.

With flyfishing or dead baits or even small crabs, they are not too fussy, they are opportunistic, and they will eat pretty much what you will toss ahead of them. but we are getting some nice size live bait shrimp, when they are not too big, we can always use but quarter size crabs or DOA crabs have presented to be a great bite for the bonefish, but the best tip, of course on light tackle, is the shrimp, and make sure you go when the bite has been great in the early morning and evening just before sunset.

Remember also, if you have a bonefish on don't horse the fish, let him take the line, and make sure you put your rod in the air as high as you can get it, or you will end up reeling against the drag and lose the catch you long waited for. Then slowly reel the rod tip up and reel down, and repeat as your guide directs you. Always listen to your guide.

The water in Florida Bay is still warm, and the bite there too has been a bit spotty. Although, you are still looking and trying to find the muds for trout, jack crevelle, snapper, redfish, snook and sharks.

Needless to say, the fishing has been good some days and great on other days, but everyday is different here in the Keys, on the flats and backcountry.

Bonefishing Tournaments and Tarpon tournaments will be starting in the Spring months of 2009, you bonefish, and tarpon enthusiasts, if you or any anglers interested in upcoming events. Please email me, or give me a call at 305-664-5891, and I will give you all the information your looking for.

You can get out if the winds are not too prevelent on the flats boat, in which we can get some snapper, grouper, hogfish, porgies, sharks, and yellowtail are being caught up on the patches of the reef.

Islamorada offers some of the Best Saltwater Gamefishing for anglers focused either for light tackle, live bait or artifical baits, or our avid fly anglers, now is the time to be doing your bookings and hopping on the band wagon for some a great time and action, for the morning bite and evening bites.

Good luck, and good fishing.

Capt Ann

On Monday fishing in the Everglades National Park was good We had 8 snook, 3 redfish ,28 sea trout and a handful of Jacks and ladyfish on 6 pound spinning rods and jigs. Wednesday I did my first Tarpon trip and went 0 for 3 all the fish were over 100 pounds on 30 pound standup gear.

Saturday another 1/2 day Tarpon trip and we went 1 for 2 the first one hooked was full grown after 1 hr and 45 mintes and numerous 10 ft in the air jumps[one 12 foot off the bow]

We released at the boat a 150 pound plus tarpon, the second fish the small one about 90 pounds and he went through the leader for some reason we also released a 30 pound barrscuda ,quite the jumper himself I guess it is safe to say "THE BIG TARPON ARE IN " Islamorada, Florida.

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Tight Lines,

Captain Cliff