Cudas on the Flats
The tides have been high for the last two weeks. The temperature is set to be in the upper 70's early in the week, and dip to the low 70's to upper 60's by weeks end. The winds will be in the 3 to 18 mph range most of the week.
Florida Keys Fall Fishing Outlook: Flats to Offshore
The early fall weather pattern has arrived here in the Florida Keys! This week’s forecast calls for winds ranging from 8–18 mph, with most days seeing speeds between 8–15 mph. Monday and Tuesday will bring northeasterly winds, shifting to easterly and slightly southeasterly winds from Wednesday through Sunday. Expect a mix of sunshine and clouds, with the possibility of scattered showers almost daily. Temperatures will remain comfortable, with highs in the lower 80s throughout the week.
Back Country & Flats
The backcountry and flats continue to offer a variety of opportunities for anglers. Captains are reporting groups of smaller tarpon still hanging around, with some medium-sized fish mixed in when conditions line up. Bonefish have been a pleasant surprise, with plenty of fish being caught as water temperatures remain in a favorable range. Look for the best bonefish activity around tide changes.
Permit fishing has remained slow this time of year. There are still some fish around, but as always, they can be selective and elusive. Meanwhile, the larger barracuda are showing up on the flats as water temperatures begin to drop. These aggressive predators offer an exciting challenge on both fly and light spinning tackle. When targeting them on fly, remember to strip the fly quickly to grab their attention. And don't forget—they love live bait!
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing has been producing an excellent variety of species. Snapper and grouper continue to be the usual suspects on the bottom, while the pelagic action has been offering plenty of excitement. Wahoo have been in the mix, along with kingfish, barracuda, bonita, and mahi-mahi. Blackfin tuna have also started showing up, and sailfish are beginning to prowl the offshore waters.
With a variety of species available both inshore and offshore, there are plenty of opportunities to bend a rod this week.
