Nice Action In The Backcountry

Lesli and Ray Rogers spent 3 days fishing with me this past week. On day 1 we did not go far as it looked as if it could start raining at any time. We had no problem loading the live well with fish candy, Live Pilchards. Using FOX Sport Fishing Bonefish Trek travel rod fitted with a Diablo 350 spinning reel we caught plenty of nice sized Mangrove Snapper. Then the rain started and turning into a downpour and the wind came up. Getting chilled we moved to the leeside of the island we were fishing to warm up. Right away we saw Tarpon rolling. That warmed us up right away. Lesli and Ray had a ball the next hour releasing 4 Tarpon and jumping another 10. These small Tarpon were from 3 lbs to 15lbs and great jumpers. But then it started pouring again and we headed home on a half day.

Backcountry baby Tarpon

FOX Rage ultralight rod was perfect for
small Tarpon around the islands

The next 2 days were spent in different areas of the backcountry.The weather was warm and sunny. In one spot we were catching a variety of Spanish Mackerel and Ladyfish. I rigged up a Fox 9 weight flyrod with a flashy fly that I tie for the macks.

Bonefish Trek travel rod and a Diablo 350 spinning reel
were perfect for Spanish Mackerel

Great catch! Gag Grouper caught
by Lesli on a Fox 9 Weight fly rod

Mangrove Snapper were on the menu

Lesli and Ray caught Snapper, Ladyfish and Spanish Mackerel on fly which was great fun but Lesli hooked up with a fish that got well into the backing on its first run. After a 15 minute fight she landed a 27 inch Gag Grouper on the flyrod. Heck of a catch and a complete surprise. We were fishing in 7 feet of water over grass bottom. Later on we fished a creek near the mainland and got into more baby Tarpon and Snook.

Day 3 we fished near Flamingo around island "moats" and had more Snook action as well as a few big Redfish. As the tide dropped we moved onto the flats and caught Crevalle Jacks and Seatrout and jumped off a 40lb Tarpon. The water has been unseasonably warm so Tarpon are still in the feeding mode.

what we call a "gator Seatrout"

Lesli Rogers with a  nice Snook

Lesli with yet another Snook

Ray Rogers with a fine Snook on the
Bonefish Trek Diablo 350 combo

Ray scored a big Redfish

Bonefish Trek rod is strong, sensitive and pack down to 4 pieces making them easy to travel with.

Captain Skip Nielsen

Triple Header Of Sailfish On Light Tackle

The last 4 days have been spectacular!

Sunday the winds were up but we had lots of action on the patch reefs. Randy Soth and Peter Aiello used Bonefish Trek Spin rod and a Diablo 350 spinning reel to catch a boxful of great eating fish.

Randy Soth with a stunning Mutton Snapper

casting jig-heads and shrimp into the mangroves
 produced a limit of big mangrove snappers

great catch of prime eating fish and great light tackle sport

Peter Aiello with a brace of Red Grouper

On Monday the wind let up so Cyd and I took my 18 foot skiff to the edge of the reef looking for sailfish. I had just let out the second live bait and Cyd exclaims "look at the sailfish". There were 2 of them swimming  alongside the boat, I realized one had already taken Cyd's bait. I casted up ahead and hooked up as well. 10 minutes of wild tailwalking and we released a double header. Both fish were caught on Fox Sport Fishing Permit Trek 4 piece rods fitted with Diablo 550 spin reels.

Cyd Nielsen earns a release

nice pecs!

Tuesday and Wednesday I fished with Cathy and Cliff Fox and their very good friend Freddy DuPreez. 5 minutes into the day Cathy hooked up a huge Sailfish. After a  30 minute battle Cathy had her fish. Nice! A little later on we caught 3 nice Mahi-Mahi. Dinner plans were made.

Cathy Fox starts the day with a big Sailfish

Cathy's Sail put on a show

a beautiful Sailfish release for Cathy Fox

Cliff with a Strawberry Grouper

here we have a Black Grouper

Yesterday we had very good luck and great fishing as well. Calm seas and plentiful bait. We made a run down to Tennessee Reef and set out the baits. Cliff hooked a nice Bonito and while fighting that Freddy and Cathy hooked up as well. I thought at first it was more Bonito's but I changed my mind when 2 Sailfish exploded and started tailwalking all around the boat. Well I tossed out another bait and next thing you know Cliff is on to a Sailfish as well. It was mayhem but the fish cooperated and my anglers are pros. We got some good video that we hope to share at some point. What really made this triple header of Sails special is that we were out in Cliff's own boat Foxy Lady. And that were using light tackle. Permit Trek 4 piece rods fitted with Diablo 550 spinning reels. Big fun was had.

on day 2 at 9am we hooked a triple header of Sailfish.

all 3 Sailfish were brought to the boat and released
all were caught using the Permit Trek Diablo 550 combos

Cliff Fox using the Permit Trek Dialbo 550 combo on his Sailfish

catching a Triple Header of Sailfish on light tackle
 on a bay boat is very Special

After the action slowed we fished reef patches and caught all sorts of scallywags.

colourful Porkfish

Freddy couldn't resist a tickling session

more strange species. Freddy Dupreez with a Spiny Puffer

Red Grouper

Having a blast in the Florida Keys.
Captain Skip Nielsen

Back In The Keys!

Been very busy since getting back in the keys. Boat maintenance mostly.But I have gotten to do a little fishing.

Yesterday I fished with long time friend Rick Peper. We went out early and cast-netted live pilchards then headed out towards Conch Reef.

Rick has plenty of nice fishing tackle but I brought along a Permit Trek Diablo 550 combo, which was a much lighter rod than what was on the boat. We had a great morning, catching a double header of Sailfish and 2 fat Mahi-Mahi.

Rick loved the action of the Permit Trek.

I have been back in the keys for a week now and starting this Sunday will be fishing full time again. Its great to be fishing in the Florida Keys again with Fox Sport Fishing rods and reels.

Captain Skip Nielsen

Permit Trek Diablo 550 combo does the job on pelagic

Rick enjoyed catching Mahi-Mahi and Sailfish on the lighter tackle

Rick Peper with a couple nice Mahi

Sailfish release

Skip catching a Sailfish with the 4 piece
Permit Trek travel rod fitted with a Diablo 550 reel

We had a double header of Sails