Backcountry & Reef Fishing in 2 Days

Jim Magidson and his buddy Rob joined me fishing this past week. Thursday morning was iffy, very dark skies and a fairly brisk north wind. We decided to run across Florida Bay and fish creeks along the mainland. The fishing was ok.. We released 8 Snook and a few Redfish. Leaving the mainland we stopped about halfway back and found lots of action with Mangrove Snapper and Ladyfish. The recent cold had concentrated the snapper around an island. It was an amazing sight to see such a big school of fish. Fishing with FOX Rage rods and Diablo spinning reels made it even more fun. For the Snook we used Bonefish Trek rods. For a day with no sun and some rain we made the best of it.

Jim Magidson and Rob

Rob with a nice Snook caught on FOX Sport Fishing tackle

Snook action was fun for Jim Magidson on ultra light tackle

Day 2 was a very different day. Light winds and bright sunshine and temps in the low 80's. We decided to explore the patch reefs. Lots of Grouper were released along with loads of juvenile Mutton Snapper. We kept some Yellowtail and Lane Snapper for dinner. Yum. We released 5 Red Grouper that in season would have been keepers (over 20 inches). Using FOX Sport Fishing Bonefish Trek and FOX Rage Ultralight rods on these fish is unbelievable action. Most folks use a lot heavier tackle on grouper.

Rob's big Red Grouper

a nice Black Grouper for Rob on the Bonefish Trek Diablo 350 combo

Grouper are out of season but plenty of other fish
like this Lane Snapper were caught for dinner

Jim landed the Red Grouper after an up and down battle

Jim Magidson preferred using the FOX Rage light tackle for his fishing

Jim puts the stops on a big Red Grouper

Rob caught a big Grouper on the Bonefish Trek Diablo 350 combo

Later in between spots on a white sandy bottom we spotted a huge Stingray. This ray had a school of Cobia tagging along and we casted jigheads tipper with live shrimp ahead of the ray and as the baits sank the Cobia swam up and took the baits. We released a couple and kept a 17lber for the table. That was big fun on the Bonefish trek rods.

Jim used a Permit Trek Diablo 550 combo on this Cobia

Rob and Jim Magidson caught Cobia to 17lb on
4 piece Bonefish Trek travel rods

finding a big Stingray with a Posse of Cobia following
was a super bonus for an action packed day

So 2 very different days in the Florida Keys fishing. Thats what makes it so much fun for me. So many options.

Captain Skip Nielsen