Here we go folks; the winter fishing is in full swing. The recent cold fronts have done the trick in bringing the winter bite to a full term. Flamingo's gulf edges are full of macs, cobia, tripletail and snapper and the flats around the inside are teaming with large trout, redfish and snook. December will bring the backcountry of the Everglades alive.

The "PRES" Chris Dolne came down again and the score was 7 bones, two permits and over a hundred cuda's...for the 5 day trip.

Whitewater Bay will soon be seeing the winter tarpon run and fishing the creek mouths on the northeastern shores are already producing redfish and snook, as well as a great snapper bite. The DOA plastic baits are responsible for many of the redfish and snapper we caught in the backcountry. The ½-ounce shrimp pattern in clear does the trick.

A water temp of 76 to 84 degrees is the optimum range for the bonefish, but he will feed in much cooler water. As the water in Biscayne Bay cools down you will see the bonefish begin to congregate in larger and larger schools. This is a great advantage to an angler due to the competition factor. When presenting bait or a fly to a school of feeding fish you have a much greater chance of a hook-up. The fish are not as spooky in a school of a dozen or more and will move across a flat in a formation like combat aircraft leaving a very noticeable head wake.

Our flats here have bonefish constantly moving on and off of them throughout the tide flows as they feed. This is why an experienced guide will fish a flat that someone has just moved off of, but only if he moves off slowly. Poling to the edge of the flat and idling till you have at least two feet of water or more is the best way to ensure that the fish have not been spooked. Taking the time to move off a flat will also ensure that you will not dig a wheel ditch when you jump on plane. We all have seen these holes on our flats as well as the long wheel ditches going all the way across-these scars will take years to recover. This is also the ammo the "powers that be" will use to close our waters.

The wily permit is still around with the majority of them on the smaller side and in definite schooling patterns. Look for them around the western banks of Biscayne Bay due to the warmer water temperatures that are found there. The darker grass flats will hold the heat from the sun longer. Watch your surface water temperatures very closely during these winter months. If you can find a flat that has a two- to three-degree temperature rise you will find bonefish and permit on it for sure.

Until next time - Tight lines and quick releases, and I will see you "On The Flats."

GEAR CHECK: 

My Maverick Mirage HPX-V is again being E-Tec Powered by Jack Rupp and Sea-Power Inc. I have the new 2010 90-HP.  Running my Terrapin about   as much as the Maverick and doing a bunch of days offshore has contributed to low hours on all of my engines. Jack is located conveniently at 13610 SW 142 Ave right here in Miami near the Tamiami Airport. Contact him at: or call   305-238-1386 for all of your re-power and maintenance needs. They are the best I have found by far... 

The skipper would like to hear your fishing stories and reports for inclusion on the Chevy Florida Fishing Reports, his website and print, or to book a trip, call him at 305-248-6126 or e-mail him at djsutton@bellsouth.net.

His new websites are:

www.OnTheFlatsCharters.com

 www.JulieSuttonMarineArt.com