THE LATEST NEWS and advice on fly fishing, fly fishing gear, fly fishing trips, and fly fishing books and media.Barracuda Return to Florida Keys Flats
About 15 years ago the large barracuda that dotted the flats around the lower Florida Keys during January and February suddenly began disappearing. A delight for spincasters throwing "tube lures," barracuda were also great sport for fly fishers and one of the easiest fish for beginning fly fishers to hook on the flats. Plus they did jaw-dropping things when hooked: long, greyhounding runs, leaps that would make migrating salmon jealous, and sudden bursts of speed that ranked them number one in knuckle-busting. You never forget the first time you see your fly line going one way, your rod bent at a hard angle against it, and a barracuda rocketing through 18 inches of water in the opposite direction.
So while permit fishing for the last two days in Key West, I was geniunely warmed by the site of lots and lots of 10-20-pound barracuda on almost every flat we fished. "What's next," I wondered, "the return of the mutton snapper?" If you've ever wanted to catch a barracuda on fly, get on the next plane to the lower Keys. It likely won't last beyond mid-April this season, but if the numbers we saw are any indication, the 'cudas are back for good, and you can count on them for next winter. Good stuff.
Comments
more importantly, how was the permit fishing??? just got back from 2 days in islamorada, last week's cold front scattered the fish, it was tough fishing, had 5 bones eat and landed 2, only saw 1 permit. .
thanks
Posted by: dave azar | March 14, 2007 10:46 AM
Well, in fact the permit fishing was great. Not a lot of fish willing to stop tire-kicking and eat the fly, but we made a few dozen presentations over two days. The best part was the light -- we were seeing some fish 300 feet away.
Posted by: Marshall Cutchin
|
March 15, 2007 6:54 AM