This past week’s weather has been like a rollercoaster, windy days followed by warm calm conditions, and then the cool wind again. Such inconsistent conditions seem to be frustrating our tarpon as well as our flat’s guides. I have yet to see any epic spring tarpon fishing like I have during this time in past years. I think this year’s late cold fronts and these inconsistent conditions are to blame. One can only hope and imagine that we will receive a tarpon explosion when things begin to lay out. Good news is we still have plenty of juvenile tarpon, not quite the thrill their older siblings provide, but still available for an aerial show.

On a lighter note, the bone fishing is absolutely great. Despite the windy conditions I have been watching reels lose their entire line capacity to fatty bonefish. While the calm days have seemingly brought them all out to play. My best day on bonefish during this past week was seven bones caught, much more than I can say about tarpon. Thank the flats gods for these fish, I feel like I may be lost without them some days.

I’m gonna go ahead and say it, the permit are gone to spawn for spring, Two weeks ago you would have thought their wasn’t another fish on the flats in the lower Florida Keys. And then like turning off a light switch they are all gone, what an awesome fish. I think I saw some of the best permit fishing I have ever seen during this year. All the way up to our most recent full moon, I was hooked on that black sickle tail. Is there a permit rehab?

I think it is called tarpon season. Does anyone know where that place is? I need to know. I’ll be out ocean side looking for it these weeks to come.

Fly-fishing these windy conditions has been quite the challenge, I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a spin rod on the boat most days this week.

Once again, thank those bonefish during the wind. They always find a leeward spot to live somewhere in the backcountry. Throwing a shrimp fly tucked behind the mangroves works every time. Thanks for reading.

Courtesy of Captain Luke Kelly from The Weekly Fisherman