it’s officially winter in the Florida Keys, matter of fact i cant remember it being this cold for so long! As I write this report the iguanas are falling out of the palm trees and i cant seem to get warm. Cold fronts begin pushing through, the weather turns crisp and comfortable, and the fishing lights up from the Atlantic side of the islands all the way into the backcountry and Everglades National Park.
On the Atlantic side, winter means sailfish season — and sailfishing has been one of my favorite pursuits since childhood. I run a 26’ Contender bay boat, which gives me the best of both worlds. On calm days, I can fish the edge right alongside the big tower boats, and when the wind kicks up, I can slide into the Gulf or run deep into the Everglades to work the mangroves.
My go-to sailfish setup is simple and effective: a 7-foot spinning rod spooled with 20-pound mono, a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader, and a circle hook. Live bait is key, with my favorites being live ballyhoo, cigar minnows, or large pilchards. Catching bait has always been part of the game, usually involving a cast net, but over the last few seasons I’ve been using a great tool called the Ballyhoop — a foldable hoop net that’s becoming increasingly popular around the Keys and makes bait-catching quick and easy. You can find them at most local tackle shops or online.
If sailfishing isn’t your thing, those same baits work perfectly on the many patch reefs scattered throughout the Keys in 15 to 50 feet of water. It’s a great way to bend the rod and put some fresh fish in the cooler for dinner.
When the cold fronts arrive, the backcountry of the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park really comes alive. Redfish and snook have been chewing, and honestly, it doesn’t need to be complicated. A 7-foot medium-action spinning rod with 15-pound braided line and a fluorocarbon leader about the length of the rod is all you need. Depending on where I’m fishing, I’ll tie on a jighead or a circle hook and hook a live shrimp through the head just in front of the black spot. Mangrove shorelines, island points, and bridges are all prime areas this time of year.
If you’re looking for nonstop action, head out into the Gulf of Mexico with a well full of live shrimp or pilchards and a few blocks of chum. The Spanish mackerel fishing can get absolutely wild during the winter months. Once they’re chummed up behind the boat, you can catch them on just about anything — live bait, artificials, or even a fly rod. Watching mackerel skyrocket out of the water on a popper never gets old, and winter is the perfect time to introduce someone to artificial or fly fishing.
If you’re traveling through Islamorada and want to explore fly fishing, I always recommend stopping by Islamorada Fishing Outfitters. They’re a great resource for flies and local knowledge. I recently picked up a 10-weight from them, and Randy was showing me some flies he’s been having great success with.
One final tip: whenever you’re fishing mackerel grounds, always keep a heavier spinning rod rigged and ready. It’s not uncommon for a cobia or kingfish to show up in your chum slick when you least expect it.
Winter fishing in the Florida Keys offers endless opportunities — whether you want to chase sailfish offshore, work the backcountry for snook and redfish, or enjoy fast-paced mackerel action in the Gulf. I have open dates on the calendar and would love to get you out on the water and share it with you.
Let’s go catch a fish together.
Capt. Greg Poland
305-393-3327
gregpoland.com

Happy New Year, everyone I hope you and your family had a great holiday season—and maybe even found some new tackle under the tree. As the first real cold fronts of the year start rolling through, January brings some of the best fishing opportunities we get in the Everglades National Park and the Gulf of Mexico. Mild winter temps, clean water, and hungry fish make this one of my favorite months to be on the water. The cooler weather has the inshore bite fired up. The mangrove-lined creeks, deep cuts, and open grass flats are loaded with life this time of year. Snook, redfish, and seatrout are the main players, and they’re feeding aggressively ahead of each front.
Snook have been tight to the trees on higher tides. I like to work the mangrove edges with a soft plastic or a live pilchard. For redfish, a jighead tipped with a live shrimp on the bottom is still tough to beat, especially around sandy potholes and oyster bars. Seatrout are schooled up on the open flats—drifting and throwing popping corks can keep rods bent all morning. 
January is prime time for running into the Gulf, and the winter migration is officially underway. Spanish mackerel, kingfish, cobia, and plenty of sharks are moving through, and they provide non-stop action when the weather cooperates.
One of my favorite things to do this month is send a live Spanish mackerel out on the kite. The surface explosions from big sharks—tigers, lemons, and blacktips—are something every angler should see at least once. And while you’re waiting on the bite, don’t be surprised if a smoker kingfish rockets in and steals the show. 
 January weather can change fast. I keep SXM weather running on my chart plotter —not just for the music, but to stay ahead of fast-moving fronts and wind shifts. Always keep an eye on the forecast, have a backup plan, and respect the conditions. Some of the best fishing happens right before a front, but only if it’s safe to be out there. I also carry a Starr Batt with me on every trip where cell service is sketchy, its a great investment that will keep you in communication while you are deep in the glades or out away from shore. Stay safe out there . 
January delivers a little bit of everything—hot inshore action in the Everglades and fast-paced pelagic fishing offshore. Whether you’re poling the backcountry or chasing mackerel and cobia out in the Gulf, this month offers some unforgettable days on the water.
If you’re looking to get out and enjoy it, give me a buzz and let’s set up a half-day or full-day trip—on your boat or aboard my new Contender.
Visit www.gregpoland.com, and I hope to see you on the dock or out on the H2O.  Capt. Greg

2025 November ,
As we transition into winter here in Islamorada, the fishing scene is heating up, both in the backcountry and offshore. The cooling temperatures are bringing a bounty of opportunities, and I'm excited to share what anglers can look forward to this month, both in the Backcountry and on the oceanside. November is a remarkable time to be in the backcountry. The snook and redfish are very active, particularly on those calm days when we can find them tailing up in the shallows. It's always a thrill to see those big reds busting bait and sticking their tails out of the water. On windier days, the protected shorelines will be where I will be hiding, especially if it's out of the north. I do a lot of snook fishing, and this time of year can be outstanding, especially for the guys willing to fish artificial and work the jig or plastic on the shorelines, or better yet, under them! Big shout out to Rylan Solis, 12 years old, fishing with Capt. Louie Cortez, who won the 25th Take Stock for Children backcountry tournament, check out the photos below. These guys crushed it! There are still a few Tarpon lingering around the channels and bridges, but their time is coming to an end, so get out there when the conditions are right while they are still biting. While the large migratory schools are no longer here, the resident tarpon are still aggressive and offer some thrilling opportunities, particularly for fly fishermen. I recommend using patterns like the Black Death or EP Tarpon Bunny for the best success. The local flats and channel edges have been active with Bonefish & Permit & over the years, I have done pretty good in November. I find the cooler water helps reduce their wariness, and you can find them around the flats feeding on crabs and shrimp. I spoke with Capt. Tim Klein yesterday, and he has been having good success with the bonefish lately, both on flyrod as well as live shrimp. We were talking about the good old days when we used to both fish the tournaments. I need to get out with my buddy and have him pole me around. It's been too long.
Moving offshore, November marks the peak of our pelagic season. Sailfish, kingfish, and blackfin tuna are migrating through our waters, and the excitement is palpable. Expect action-packed days as we target these species, with mahi-mahi and wahoo also making their appearance. The Spanish mackerel are schooling around bait balls while I am catching piltchards, and they are always fun to fish for. I just picked up a custom bent butt deep drop rod from Capr. Randy Towe over at Islamorada Fishing Outfitters, so I am looking forward to giving that a try. It will be something new for me, so I will let you know how that goes. November in Islamorada is a transition period that brings vibrant fishing opportunities in both the backcountry and offshore. The fish are active, the weather is typically favorable, and the boat traffic is lighter, making for a fantastic experience on the water. I’m looking forward to another great month of fishing, so grab your gear and let’s make some memories out there!   Capt. Greg Poland

July & August bring the heat to the Florida Keys, and while the temperatures rise, so does the fishing action in Islamorada and Everglades National Park. This time of year, the crowds thin out a bit, but the fish are still here — and they’re hungry.
Backcountry & Everglades ActionThe early mornings and late evenings are key for anglers looking to beat the heat and get into some serious fish. Snook and redfish are active in the skinny waters of the backcountry and around the islands of Everglades National Park. Look for moving water and baitfish — that’s where the action is. Live pilchards, shrimp, or well-placed soft plastics will get the job done.
Tarpon are still hanging around the backcountry, especially in the deeper channels and creeks. Most of the big migrators have moved on, but resident fish in the 30–60 lb range offer some great fights. Early morning rolling tarpon can still be found in the glades — a sight that never gets old.
Flats FishingThe flats are alive this month. Bonefish are tailing early and late in the day across many of the oceanside flats, especially around Lower and Upper Matecumbe. On calm mornings with good visibility, it’s all about stealth and precision. Fly anglers, this is your time to shine.
Permit are more of a treat this time of year — elusive as ever, but August does see its fair share of encounters. If you're lucky enough to find a school, be ready with a live crab or a well-placed fly.
Reef & WrecksOut on the reefs, yellowtail snapper fishing remains solid. Early mornings and chum are key to bringing them up, and light tackle makes it a blast. Mangrove snapper are thick on the patches and edges, especially around the full moon spawn. This is a great time to stock up for the table.
Mutton snapper, grouper, and the occasional cobia can also be found hanging near the wrecks and deeper structure. Just be sure to check current regulations — we always practice conservation to ensure these fisheries thrive for generations to come.
OffshoreOffshore, it’s all about dolphin (mahi-mahi). August can be one of the last strong months for dolphin action before things slow down in the fall. Look for birds, weedlines, and floating debris in 400–900 feet of water. Peanut to gaffer-sized fish are the most common, but there's always a chance at a bull or cow if you're in the right place.
Blackfin tuna are another bonus, especially near the humps. Vertical jigging or trolling small feathers and live bait around first light can put some sushi-grade fillets in the box.

Final Thoughts
Summertime in Islamorada and the Everglades is all about timing — beat the heat, plan your tides, and you’ll be rewarded. It’s a great month for mixed-bag fishing and a chance to explore all this incredible area has to offer without the peak-season crowds.
If you’re looking to get on the water this month, whether it’s for tarpon in the glades, snapper on the reef, or chasing dolphin offshore, let’s go fishing — I’ve got the local knowledge to put you on the bite.
Tight lines,
Captain Greg Poland
gregpoland.com | @gregpolandphotography

If you can get away from the world and want to catch a Silver King give me a shout and lets get out on my new boat!

I just picked up my Brand New Contender 26 Bay Boat Special GTB Edition & I have to say the guys at Contender really came up with some great new features! I added a T Top this time around and have an extra shade that can attach to the t top for additional shade during the hot times of the day! I really feel this is the best boat I have ever owned and the new Power Pole Move trolling motor along with the 10ft power poles make it easy to stay in the right location for you to catch a fish or two!

The weather has changed and the Silver Kings are in town, yesterday we had 7 bites and released 3 nice tarpon. Today on a morning 1/2 we had good fishing and I look forward to a great season so contact me for a trip if you find yourself in the Florida Keys. If the backcountry is more your speed lets go catch a snook in the everglades.

If you are looking to catch a Silver king this season give me a call I have some prime days avaliable. Look how happy these tarpon are in a slick calm day in the backcountry of Islamorada