October and November are great months to fish Islamorada and the Florida Keys. The weather is starting to cool off a bit and the waters with it, bringing in all different types of sea life. Near the keys or fishing locally as we like to call it. The channels and shallow patch reefs are usually the place to be this time of year. We like to fish close on select days when the weather permits and the shallow reefs are our go too. These locations are great for the person looking to take a decent catch home for dinner. We have large mangrove snappers, mutton snappers, groupers, hogfish, and jacks that stay very consistent. Plenty of action for kids and fun easy fishing to get some good eats. The flats, bonefish have been crawling all over the flats. Yes that’s right Islamorada has been blessed with huge bonefish again! Those of you looking to get that once and a lifetime fish, now is the time! We like to fish the thick grass areas using shrimp or small crabs as bait. Looking for muds or just pitching out the shrimp in the proper location is our main goal. The green ghost will humble you. On the edge of the gulf we have the mackerel run and this is one of our favorite things to fish in the winter. Very fast, strong and pretty looking fish. After being chummed, they are a non stop action that will make your arms tire.
The Everglades National Park is Another great option for us to choose from, the snook have been very thick this year and we have seen fish north of 30 inches! As the water cools the fish tend to gorge themselves in our waters in hopes to fatten up for winter. Taking a ride back through the islands we bring you into brackish waters that hold a large amount of marine life. Manatees, flipper, alligators and birds by the thousands, but let’s not forget the fish! Beast snook, redfish, sea trout, tarpon, triple-tail are just some. The Everglades makes for an awesome trip in October-November not to hot but not to cold, just right for the fish! Let’s give it a try! Until next time, Capt. Ted and Donnie Benbow, keep it in the shallow grass.
— Captain Donnie Benbow
