Capt. Larry Cohen's Key West Fishing Report - March 2004

Poor Mister blue crab!  As one of the main foods for the Permit, Cobia, Tarpon, and all of the stingrays upon the flats right now, well, you would not want to be in his shoes. For the past few weeks we have been into the Permit up to our necks. East, West, Oceanside, or Gulf, they have just been all over and they have been eating well for us. A well-placed blue crab is the bait of choice. Take your time, figure out how the wind is going to effect your cast, keep in mind which way the tide is running, keep your eye on the fish, rub your lucky rabbit foot, and maybe this big eyed fish will take your offering.

Cobias once again have been up on the flats in big numbers and they too enjoy mister blue crab. Not to long ago I had the pleasure of fishing Susanne Santola who was new to saltwater fishing. After explaining a few of the basics of casting she went on to release 5 cobias that day. Keep a sharp eye out for the sting rays and their tell tale mud streak, a sure bet that something is looking for mister blue crab.

Tarpon have been starting to show as the weather starts to warm. As I have not learned how to change the weather, I can only predict that things should be getting red hot very shortly, and once again the night bite will be in full swing. Here too, if you offer a large blue crab to one of these bad boys, be ready to get a work out.
 

As far as tackle goes you really need to have everything in pretty good shape. Between the Permit and Tarpon they can burn up a drag washer on a cheap reel faster than a bad set of tires.  I myself use Shimano reels, Redington rods, and Berkley Fireline. This combination has always been a winner for me.

True story - A gentleman that I had fished recently wanted to fish with his own gear: “No problem” I said. As he pulled stuff out of the backpack I tried to persuade him to change his mind, shaking my head, and saying it just ain’t going to work. Well on the first Barracuda his reel locked up and his line snapped so quickly, it sounded like a shot. He ended the day with several fish caught and agreed that maybe it was time to upgrade his equipment.

Well, I guess I’ll go downtown and have me a Blue crab sandwich and a beer in the meantime. If I can help you with any info of what we do or what is going on down here, just let me know.

Capt. Larry Cohen


Key West Flats Fishing
903 Eisenhower Drive
Key West, FL 33040
305-294-7670 home
305-923-7100 cell

LCohen4@bellsouth.net
www.keywestflatsfishing.com