Windy conditions are beginning to subside in the Lower Keys. At long last after nearly two weeks of 20 mph winds we’re getting a break. Blue skies and temps in the low 80s make for a wonderful day.

Permit fishing still remains active with plenty of big permit on the flats feeding like crazy. This will start to diminish towards the middle of the month. Permit take their spring hiatus to the offshore waters to spawn and will return to the flats close to mid-June.

Tarpon fishing should bust wide open any day now. Tarpon are already being spotted in deeper basins and are being fished for on light tackle in the Northwest Channel and in Key West Harbor areas. Look for the backcountry flats and oceanside flats to be flooded with them soon. Fly fishing for tarpon is something that attracts so many anglers this time of year. April through June is considered the high season for tarpon but don’t rule out July as one of the best months to chase the silver king.

Offshore fishing has been increasingly better for sailfish. Sailfish migrate into the Key West area in search food and good water temps. The Gulfstream has moved in close to Key West over the past week and brings more activity in the form of sailfish, mahi-mahi, and other migratory fish. Bottom dwelling fish like snapper and grouper have been fishing okay but  with some changes in the current this type of fishing could be a lot better.