We've had a banner week of sea trout fishing here off Pine Island, especially before Friday's cold front. The day before I had a charter that landed at least 60 fish in four hours, including 9 slot sized keepers. I also heard from my buddy Capt. Mike Bartlett in Key West this morning and he's also been doing really well with the trout in the backcountry basins down there. A lot of folks don't realize that these fish can be found that far south but check out his latest blog post here for the photos and details.
When I was guiding in the Lower Keys sea trout were a rare catch, at least for me. I probably caught less than half a dozen in the 10 years I fished the flats down there. According to Mike they're becoming a regular catch in places like Turkey Basin, just north of Boca Chica and the Saddlebunch Keys. Mike also knows several spots that often produce redfish and snook, two species I never caught in all of my charters in the Keys. This is a great sign that Florida's waters are healthier than ever despite what a lot of folks would like you to believe.