INSHORE, BACK COUNTRY FISHING
by Capt. Rich Tudor
Nestled between the Florida Keys and the southwest coast of Florida, is the Everglades National Park. The Park boundary lies only two miles north of Islamorada. This rich estuary is teaming with life. Brilliant birds such as the flamingos, roseate spoonbill, bald eagles and ospreys are very common sights. Alligators, manatees, giant sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins are also frequently spotted. Everglades National Park encompasses an enormous amount of fertile fishing waters. The park is home to almost every inshore fish know to Florida. Some of these include: jacks, sea trout, lady fish, snapper, sheepshead, black drum, pompano and sharks. Two of the most respected backcountry game fish are the snook and redfish.
Snook
The snook is a hard fighting game fish that inhabits the Florida Keys backcountry.
Snook fishing in the backcountry can be good year round. Their average
size is 5 to 10 pounds, but 15 to 20 pound fish are not uncommon. Snook
can be caught by casting live baits or jigs against the mangrove shorelines.
The snook will hide deep within the underwater root structure, waiting
to ambush any unsuspecting baitfish that floats by. When hooked a snook
must be muscled out of the roots or it will instantly break you off. Many
bass anglers love this type of snook fishing, "it’s like catching
bass on steroids.” Snook fishing near the mangroves requires 12 to
15 pound spinning reels or bait casters with a stiff matching rod.
Snook can also be caught on the shallow flats and potholes. These snook can be landed on much lighter tackle due to the lack of obstructions. Snook on the flats also provide the best opportunity for fly fisherman. 8 to 10 weight fly rods are best suited for these shallow water snook.
Redfish
Redfish in the Florida Keys backcountry are caught year round. They are
a blast to catch and taste great. They average 4 to 8 pounds, with 10 to
15 pounders not uncommon. Because of great management a few 20 to 40 pound
fish are being caught every year. Large numbers of the smaller redfish
are caught around the many mangrove islands and deeper channels. The larger
fish are usually caught on the backcountry flats. Redfish on the flats
can be sight casted to, much like bonefish. Redfish will sometimes feed
even shallower than bonefish, they will often "tail” in less
than 6” of water. Redfish are a much easier target to cast at than
a bonefish. They will often allow multiple casts at close range, making
them a great target for the beginning fly fisherman. 8 to 10 pound spinning
rods are used to cast spoons or jigs at feeding redfish. Fly fishermen
should use 8 to 9 weight fly rods to cast slider variation at these shallow
water redfish.
