Had the absolute pleasure of fishing with longterm angler John from out west. We started the day off early around 5:30 AM catching a smaller Tarpon on artificial and then a larger one on live bait. We then moved on to Permit fishing and caught two in quick succession on jigs. After catching those two Permit to go along with the two Tarpon we decided to look for Bonefish. We found an active flat and caught one out of two different schools and had a double slam by 11 AM. The weather lined up perfectly, the angler made great casts, and the fish decided to cooperate. All in all a perfect morning in Key West. I always recommend a full day trip for targeting sport fish like Bonefish, Permit, or Tarpon.

We’ve been having a great year sightfishing for Cobia on the flats. This fish was seen and cast to in less than 4 ft of water with a bucktail jig. This angler did a great job picking his fish, making the cast,and getting him in on 10lb test. Fish was released healthily.

As we’ve just gotten our first cold front of the season which happened just this week, it signals the change from Fall to Winter fishing. The water temperatures will drop from the high 80’s to the high 70’s. Baitfish of all kinds(ballyhoo,mullet, and pilchards especially) will move into the backcountry in large schools. The migratory birds will also make a more prominent showing . Barracuda and bonefish are the most common targets on the shallow flats. A variety of sea trout, jacks, pompano, ladyfish, snappers, and sharks make up just some of the species that can be caught in the basins and channels consistently as well. Here at Purple Heron Charters we’ve been doing a little bit of it all the last week and having a blast. Utilizing spinning gear, live bait, lures, or fly fishing. Whatever you’d like to fish with I can accommodate . Always a great time to fish in Key West but this time of year offers a lot of variety and options, all while enjoying much nicer weather than the rest of the country. Tight lines. -Capt. John Purple Heron Charters