Endless Opportunities
It’s Thanksgiving time here in the Upper Keys and that means great fishing, cooler conditions, and lots of family around to share it with. By now we have had a few fronts move down from the north as we begin to settle into our wintertime weather pattern. The opportunities in November are endless, whether you are just looking to bend a rod with the family or hunting bonefish with fly tackle. There is something for everyone here in the Upper Keys.
During this month we find a lot of big sheepshead moving onto the flats around the Upper Keys and backcountry as they prepare to spawn. Not known as prized sport fish, sheepshead are a great eating fish and are a lot of fun to target while sight fishing. These black and white stripped fish are easy to see, and love small live shrimp or crabs thrown their way. I prefer to throw live shrimp on a 2/0 Owner Mutu Light circle hook with 20lb fluorocarbon leader and little to no weight, depending on the spookiness of the fish. Now if you are looking for a real challenge I dare you to try and catch one on fly tackle. When throwing a fly, these sheepies can be as spooky as the most paranoid bonefish and provide a great challenge for fly fisherman. Most days while hunting sheepies we will find seatrout, snook and redfish in these same areas and the great thing is that all these species will eat just about the same things when given the chance.
Last November the good folks over at Checca Lodge hosted their first annual Checca Lodge All American Backcountry Tournament, which was a great success. Last year I donated four days of fishing at no charge and was given the extreme privilege of guiding two young men from the Wounded Warriors, Capt. Blake Smith USMC, Retired and Gunnery Sergeant Brian Meyer. In a stunning display of skill and perseverance, the two took home the runner up Grand Champion Team trophies. In addition to Capt Blake Smith winning the Grand Champion angler award in the bait division he also won the most outstanding catch of the tournament for catching two backcountry slams.
This year’s tournament will be held November 8th-10th and will be headquartered out of World Wide Sportsman. Anglers will compete for trophies and prizes for releasing five different species; redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish and permit. Proceeds will benefit the George Hommell Jr. Florida Keys Habitat Fund established by the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, an organization of concerned anglers and guides who are dedicated to conserving and enhancing global bonefish, tarpon, and permit fisheries. For tournament rules and entry form, please contact Julie Olsen, (305) 517-4449, or email her at jolsen@cheeca.com. Hope to see you there!
For those of you who know me, know that to me, fishing is more than just a game, it is a way of life. So fish hard and fish often!
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