Key West and Lower Keys

Old Man Winter Chills Keys Waters Jan. 7, 2003 Happy New Year!Old Man Winter has been blowing in from the North during the past month, chilling Keys waters into the 60's, sending our big three flats species (Tarpon Bonefish, Permit) into deeper waters where they are less effected by sea surface temperature changes. So, the sight fishing on the flats has been limited to Barracuda, Shark and a few odd Bonefish or Permit that show up in the middle of the afternoon warm up near channels. There are also Jack Crevalle, Bar Jacks, Spanish Mackerel, and Snapper in the channels that can be caught on heavily weighted Clouser patterns. Soon, when the January thaw comes along, we will be seeing Cobia, Tarpon, and a big surge of Permit, and more Bonefish on the channel edges. Now is the time to make your plans for the best fishing of the season, from the end of January through June. Here is a Tarpon caught during February in the photo above.Most of the best Tarpon fishing during the past several years has been during February and March.In the photo above, guides and anglers who fished last March will all agree that the Tarpon bite was on.MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS? 1. Fish more days and to catch more fish! 2. Teach every angler to double-haul (including my sons!). 3. Take more action photos and write more reports and fishing stories. 4. Fish different waters, find new hot spots. 5. Stay fit and healthy.Father and Son fishing trips were the happening activity this past summer on the Key West and Florida Keys flats with Capt. Dexter aboard "FlatsMaster". So much fun was had by all that Capt. Dexter has decided to extend the concept of father or mother and son or daughter into the fall and winter seasons!Here John Cusack, Sr. and his son-in-law caught a permit double on the flats with Capt. Dexter. Our Father (Mother) - Son (Daughter) Key West Flats Fishing Trips are now scheduled for throughout the fall and winter. For more information about the Father and Son Flats Fishing Trips go to http://www.keywestflyfishing.com/fatherandson.htm You may contact Capt. Dexter Simmons for a future fishing charter by telephone at 305-745-3304 or by email at [email protected]