Labor Day weekend in Key Largo!

It’s Labor Day weekend I’m down in Key Largo and we had some of our friends down. I initially wanted to get offshore, but it was just a little to breezy. I told my buddy Mike set your alarm for 6;30 so we can get a good start for the run over by boat. We made a few stops on the way over and found some Tarpon that wanted to play. We hooked a bunch and had a couple to the boat. The cool part of this was a pair of Permit swimming around with them.

I took Mike up looking for Redfish on the back of Sting Rays, he had never done that before. It didn’t take long, and we had a Ray with a pair on it. A good cast over the back resulted in a nice 25-inch Redfish. I threw at the partner, but it spooked off. We took some pictures and released it. It didn’t take long and we did it again. This fish had 3 others following it but swam away pretty quick. This Redfish was put up a hard battle and was worn out and went belly up. We netted it and put it in the live well and let it recover. With live well and recirculating pumps going he was very happy in there. This Redfish could have easily been dinner, but I like releasing my catch.



As if I hadn’t fished enough from Friday thru Monday, my son took me out to glades for Peacock Bass. It was nonstop for 4 hours He said he a couple spots that were every cast and they were.

The fishing is good everywhere Biscayne Bay, Flamingo (Tarpon, Snook) and the Freshwater side for Peacock Bass. If you would like to try anything I have written give me a call at 305 333 8149.

Let’s go Catch’em

Capt. Jim Hobales

Follow on Instagram @ caught lookin charters

Good time to be my friend!

Its late August and business is slow but when I get the itch I got to go. This week I fished with my nephew Andrew down at Flamingo. We had a great day catching Tarpon, Snook, Trout, Snapper, big Jacks, 2 Lookdowns (Uncommon) and Goliath Groupers. He waited all day to catch a Goliath and he got excited on the first bite. We were throwing 1 lb. Jacks and they were inhaling them. They ranged from 5lbs. to 25 lbs. They are all you can handle on light tackle.

On Friday My Nephew Mark called and said there was a good bite going on In Biscayne Bay. I called my buddy Mike and said you want to fish; he was on the porch waiting in 5 minutes. We got out, found some bait and turned on some Muttons and YellowJacks. We didn’t get any keeper Muttons, but we saw them. The YellowJacks were hungry and coming into chum in groups of 3 or 4. Mike caught the 1st one on a 8 lb. Biscayne Rod, it was @ 6lb. We had them up to 9 lbs. and I caught that one on a Twtchin Rap. On a 10 Lb. Biscayne Rod. We caught a lot of fish in 4 hours and took home some YellowJack Sashimi.

We got home late last night but I woke up wanting to go fishing again. I called Mike at 10;30 and said let’s go to Holiday Park. He said I’m ready. It’s nice because its only 15 minutes from my house. Got out and noticed only 2 boat trailers in the parking lot. I said that’s not a good sign on a Saturday. Talked to a guy putting boat on a trailer and he said there was nothing going on. I said let’s give it a try. I got some shady spots that usually hold a couple fish. We pulled up and had a Bass blow up on his Frog while I got 2 small Peacocks on a Berkeley Swimming Mullet. We joked about the other guys and went on to catch 30 or so fish including a Jaguar Guapote and a Cyclid. I was also throwing the new Berkeley Stunna in chartreuse; they killed it.

I have plenty of availability in the next few weeks. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter, bring the wife and kids for a fun day on the water. if this interest you give me a call at 305 333 8149.

Let’s go Catch’em

Capt. Jim Hobales

Instagram @ caughtlookincharters

Good bite this week!

This week the Snook bite was pretty good in Fl Bay. It seems like everywhere we go we can get into them pretty good. We also had a Grand Slam and a Back Country Slam on 2 different trips. The juvenile Tarpon are still around but have bn a little tougher than a few weeks ago. The fun part of the trip is watching my anglers catch the Goliaths. They can be anywhere from 1lb. to 30 Lbs. back in the mangroves. The fun part of fishing Flamingo is the number of species you can catch in a day.

I was with good friend Wayne; he brought his neighbors kids. They had a great day They caught Tarpon, Snook., Redfish, Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish, Snapper, Sheepshead, and a Cyclid. We were back at the Ramp by 12 o’clock.

I fished with golfing Buddy Rich and his wife Melissa. They were down in the Keys for their anniversary. It started out hot and heavy with bout 20 Snook on first stop. They caught a few 5 lb. Jacks as well. It got a little slow for a while and then another good Snook bite wore them out. There were lots of sightseeing opportunities today, Crocodiles Manatees, and tons of bird life.

I’m with my son James, my buddy Mike and his son Sean. We started out on the Juvenile Tarpon hooking and jumping a bunch. We fished our way thru Whitewater Bay catching a handful of Snook while running from some nasty weather. The best Snook of the day was the over slot snook by Sean. We stopped and played with some Goliath Grouper. I rigged up a rod with a 1 lb. Jack Crevalle and gave it to my son. it took all of 5 seconds for it to get smashed and run thru the roots of the mangroves. The fish spit it out and he cast it back up in there. The same thing happened again. he did it one more time and after that the fish didn’t want to play no more. I have a bunch of these spots, so we hit a few of them. I thru a Gulp Swimming Mullet up under a tree and got thumped. It pulled and tried to get back under, but we landed a 30-pound Goliath. We got chased around most of the day by the storms but caught a lot of fish. We made a stop on the way in and it turned into 2 hours of Snappers, Goliaths and Trout. The Snappers were turned in to Goliaths if you know what I mean. We caught Tarpon, Snook, Trout, Goliaths, Snappers, Jacks, Ladyfish, Shark and a Sting Ray. Most fish were Caught on Rapala Lures and Gulps.

My son is the newest Captain in the house took me out on the Flats of Biscayne Bay where we netted some bait and Caught some Mutton Snappers and some big Yellow Jacks.

It’s the slow time of year for the business but not for the fishing. If you would like to get out with kids before school starts, give me a call at 305 333 8149. If anything I wrote interest you give me a call at 305 333 8149. Let’s go Catchem’

Capt. Jim Hobales

Instagram @ caught lookin charters

Tarpon, Snook and Goliaths keep us busy!

I had a nice couple days with a bunch of catching fish down at Flamingo. On Thursday I was with my favorites Ross and Mindy. We started out hooking and jumping Tarpon but couldn’t keep them hooked, it was still fun. I ran to a spot where I can find some of everything. We sat in there bumping a Gulp Swimming Mullet along the bottom. It wasn’t a hard bump but a Suttle bite that just starts swimming away. Mindy was the first to hook up. I thought the Goliath was going to pull her in, she is not very big. She winds and pulls hard and gets the Goliath out to the middle where we land it and take a picture and let it go.

It didn’t take 2 minutes and Ross was hooked up to a bigger Goliath. It was a great battle on a 10 lb. Biscayne Rod. It makes a difference catching them on slack tide, they don’t really run back under mangroves.

We moved on looking for more Tarpon I spotted a couple a Ross put it out in front and got the Tarpon to eat the DOA Bait buster. It was one headshake and gone along with the others that were sitting at the mouth of a creek with no water. We bounced around all day and didn’t find a good bite until 3 pm. The Tarpon were knocking the lures out of water, we had about 30 jumped fish on Rapala twitch N Raps. It was getting late, and we called it a day.

I am at flamingo again today with John, his Family Jack, Kelly, Austin, and Christie. Austin started out with a quick Snook but them it slowed down I said let’s move down they will bite there first. The bite was red hot with Snook and Jacks for an hour then we moved back to original spot. we caught more Snook there and had to go chase the tide. We got pulled up and tossed out a frozen Shrimp no live Shrimp anywhere. Christie ha the hot hand she caught 2 nice Redfish and everyone else caught Catfish.

We moved on to creek and the Snook bite was on, they were catching them 3 or 4 at a time. We did this for 2 hours and then left to go Shark fishing. We never made it to the Sharks due to a blown-up lower unit. There was no one on the water and I had 1 Capt. buddy still out. I got a hold of Capt. Mike Hutchinson, he towed me in the last 1 1/2 miles. I actually went over 2 miles on my Minn Kota 36-volt Ulterra. A giant Thanks to Mike for going out of his way to help out.

I am back in business this week with a new lower unit. The fishing is good although we are on a full moon this week. If you are interested in any I wrote about, give me a call at 305 333 8149. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter.

Lets go Catch em’

Capt. Jim Hobales

follow on Instagram @ caught lookin charters

Good back country day!

I fished Whitewater Bay with Kyle and his dad Billy. It started out a little on the slow side, we saw Tarpon but very few bites. We ran around a bit and eventually caught a few Tarpon, loads of Snook and a 2 really nice Goliath Groupers on light Biscayne spinning rods. We ran around fished the Gulf some and ended up on a good Snook and Tarpon bite. You know it’s a busy day when you eat your sandwich at 1;30. Great day with 2 good casters makes it easy on the captain.

Snook bite is good call me at 305 33 8149 f you are interested in some of them and maybe some Tarpon mixed in. Caught lookin charters is family friendly charter.

Follow on Instagram @caught lookin charters.

Let’s go Catchem “

Capt jim Hobales

A couple days with big Numbers!

This past week I fun fished in Key Largo for Mahi Mahi and Muttons but the full moon ( I’m guessing made it tough). Once I got back to my playground back at Flamingo, things changed for the good. We had some great weather for the last 5 days or so. I picked up Joe and his son Alex up at the Kon Tiki hotel in Islamorada and ran to Flamingo. It didn’t take long and Joe had the first Snook, then the 2nd and third. The smack talk started and Alex was 3 down. He caught up and they caught Snook after Snook the whole morning. Alex did jump a Tarpon but for the most part Snook only today. They had to catch more than 50 Snook between them , unfortunately we lost a couple to Sharks.

I am with Danny and his son Jackson from Texas. Danny told me no Trout or Redfish because they catch enough in Texas. Luckily some Tarpon had moved in after the Tropical system a couple weeks ago. It didn’t take long and we found them and got a few blow ups. Danny finally got one into the boat and from then on there was no problem. It was figuring out what size and color they wanted. They started blowing up some small baits and these guys got really lucky to have that experience. There were some bigger fish and we went to a bigger bait (Savage gear Pulse Mullet) which they hit a few times but couldn’t keep them hooked.

We got up on a spot and I said I’m surprised we haven’t got a Snook.! A little whining got them to bite and then we couldn’t turn them off. Jackson got a bite that really pulled some drag, they were super excited. The bite was incredible, it was a Snook or Tarpon bite for a couple hours. They really got what they came Snook and Tarpon over 30 of each, not to mention all the jumped fish. What a great morning it was 2 days in a row where they cooperated.

Its that time of year where we get some smaller Tarpon, but their numbers are huge. These fish are fly guys dream.

I’m also fishing for Peacock Bass again and they are plenty of fun.

She Snook fishing will be good all summer with some bigger spawning fish around.

Its going to be a hot summer but that usually means good fishing in the Everglades salt and freshwater.

Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter so wife and kids are welcome. If anything above interest you give me a call at 305 333 8149.

Let’s go Catch’ em

Capt. Jim Hobales

follow on Instagram at caught lookin charters

1 of 50 or so Snook today

Tarpon like this Savage Gear Pulse Mullet!

Wet couple weeks!

The last 10 days or so we have got some serious rain plus a tropical system that has flooded South Florida. This has not hurt the fishing at all in some cases it makes it better. In the last 10 days I have fished offshore for Dolphin, Freshwater for Bass, Peacock Bass, and of course Flamingo and the back country for lots of Snook. If you get out early you have a chance to get a good half day in.

Showing off my new BAJIO NIpper Sunglasses

I have had to adapt a little because of the weather, winds and rain but we are catching fish everywhere we fish.





A couple days in Key Largo with wife and friends produced a bunch of fish Including a 50 Trout morning, a couple Sharks and a 5 ft Cuda, Jacks and Snappers. We got hammered by a white out storm heading back to house.

The next day was all about Dolphin for a fish fry dinner.

The forecast was bad for Fri. and Sat. and rearranged schedule to get Paul and Morrow from Toronto out before Morrow left on Saturday. We got a half day in before a really nasty system ahead of tropical system hit us. It was kind of dark that makes you leave. The great part is we caught 30 or so Snook and jumped a Tarpon in a weather shortened day.

I am with Robert and John Barnes fishing Flaming today. We started out with about 20 Snook and went looking for Redfish. We caught a couple more Snook but Reds weren’t cooperating. We went looking for Tarpon and Tripletails and had to run from some serious rain. We got lucky and it went around us opening a creek mouth for us. The bite was on fire, John was throwing the Berkeley Stunna and got slammed on every cast. As we were catching fish after fish it was getting ugly behind us, but it was to late. We waited to long and know the rain was as bad as it could get. There was some flashes from lightning but no thunder so that was good. Robert and John never slowed down they kept casting thru the storm, the bite was on! In the 1 1/2 hours we were there they caught more than 50 Snook. We used Gulp Swimming Mullet and Gulp Shrimp also. It really didn’t matter everything got hit. I saw a break in the clouds and made a run for it, we were still an hour away.

Calm Before the Storm!

#1 of many today!

Its summer and the fish will eat before it really gets hot in the afternoon. The rain will bring Mosquitos and as the saying goes in the Everglades “ if mosquitos are biting so are the fish” If that’s the case the fish are really gonna bite because all of south Florida is under water. If you are interested in catch fish and having a good time give me a call at 305 333 88149. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter, wife and kids welcome.

Let’s go catch’ em

Capt. Jim Hobales

follow @ caught lookin charters on Instagram

Calm Weather = Great Action!

05-13-14-2022

Today I’m fishing with my nephew Andrew. He is in fire college and hasn’t fished lately. I asked if he was up and that’s all it took. I needed to scout for tomorrows ABC Contractors Tournament. We found plenty of Snook and some Redfish. The best part was some rolling big Tarpon which we hooked up on 2. It was a short but productive morning,

It’s 730 am and 40 teams are itching to go. I had Brett his daughter Bella (11) and Ricardo on board. It was a race like always out of the Lorelie, skiffs and Bay boats trying to get o their spots first. You can only hope no one is sitting where you want to fish. I got to my spot, and no one was around. It didn’t take long and we Ricardo was hooked up to a Snook. He had the hot spot in the back of boat, he had 3 Snook before any one else got a bite. Brett caught up pretty quick though and Bella was right there with them. It was a maximum of 4 fish of each species on the score card. It was 9 am and we already had 11 Snook. I said lets go look for Tarpon there isn’t anyone on the spot. The water was much dirtier than day before and I didn’t give it much time.

I had to get to my redfish spot before tide got to high. I scraped my way onto the shallow flat to get to my spot. It didn’t take long and Bellah had a 21“ Redfish, then Brett got a Snook. Ricardo had a big bite and missed it but the fish came back. Great fight and he landed a 25” Redfish. We had a few more Snook and then Ricardo got another 25” Redfish. We needed Trout but it ends up that they were the tough fish of the day. Ricardo caught a nice 18 “ Trout but no others with it. I tried everywhere and it led me to man old spot I haven’t been to in a long time. As I was working my way to it a Tarpon blew up a school of Mullet. I said cast Ricardo did and got hooked up. The first impression was Tarpon but ended up another Redfish. It was a bigger one at 26 1/2 inches. There were no Trout there but happy with the Red. It was 3 pm and I said one more stop. A little run off that usually hole good numbers of Trout. but not today. Today it was full of 3-5 lb. Snook and we caught one on every cast for 30 minutes. It worked out pretty good everyone was happy and Ricardo won the Most Redfish Award.

The winds should slow down, water will stay clear and Snook and Tarpon bite should be on for the next month or so. There are plenty of other fish as well and I like catching them all. If you have kids bring them and let them give it a try. This is a great time for a buddies trip, give me a call at 305 333 8149.

Let’s go 'Catch’em

Capt. Jim Hobales

Instagram @caught lookin charters

Finally, a great weather day!

Today I fished with Mark, Annie and kids Matt and Lauren in Whitewater Bay. Mark had called awhile back and explained he wanted his kids to fish the back country. Mark explained he fishes Fl. Bay out of his skiff but wants to show kids something new.

On the ride out I asked Mark what he would like to do he basically said bend rods, and that’s what we did!

The day started out with some Ladyfish and Jacks to bend the rods and get warmed up. The next stop was pretty good. We fished shrimp on popping corks and Gulp swimming Mullets. Lauren had what looked like a decent Redfish on a shrimp which came off at the boat. Matt hooked up another Redfish at the same time then on his next cast he caught a Snook. He was active for about 1 1/2 hours while we waited out a massive rainstorm that was moving west and north from us. I made a little move which produced a bunch more Snook. Everyone had caught some Snook and we had 3 Redfish. I said we have to go catch some Trout to get the “Slam" Since we already had Snook and Reds! We found the Trout and some other fish mixed in.

I asked if they were interested in something bigger like the Goliath Groupers, they were all for it. I went to a couple areas that holds them. I rigged up a live Jack and told Matt hold on but nothing happened. I had a small weight on just to get down on bottom it was to muck. I took it off and thru a fresh bait in the hole, the Goliath ate the bait and Matt was holding on. I was telling him how to fight it and we pulled it out of his home. Matt was pretty pumped but now Lauren wanted to try. We left and ran to another spot and got Annie hooked up on a small one. Mark also hooked up and lost it. We had a cople more hit and misses. We bumped around catching a handful of Snook and a couple mor Goliaths on Gulp Swim baits.

The old saying of time flies when you are having fun is how today was. I really enjoyed my day with them and Im glad they enjoyed my company.

Taking your kids fishing should be fun not work and that’s the reason to use Caught Lookin Charters. Ill do all the work while you sit back and catch a few fish for yourself. Give me a call at 305 333 8149 and we can do it. If you don’t have kids I can take you also just bring your friends.

Follow on Instagram @caught lookin charters

Letts go catch’em,

Capt. JIm Hobales

Relentless winds!

The winds have been blowing a steady 20 plus for weeks. On the days I make it work it takes teamwork, everything has to come together. The biggest issue is trusting in my decision on days I take chances. I always want the rods to bend and if possible, a great fish.

This past week was pretty tough weather wise. I fished Biscayne Bay, Key Largo and Flamingo and never had less than 25 mph. I felt bad for Dennis and Robert in Biscayne Bay but the Cuda’s and Snappers always play.

Alex his brother Joe and friend Matt met me at the Caribbean Club and we made a day of it ,but again the winds “Brutal”. Snook, Trout, lots of Ladyfish, Jacks, and a good one that just let go.

Pete Post and his buddy Mikey from Davie, no different today winds blowing. We started out on a community spot Trout, Ladyfish, Snappers and Jacks. I kept a bigger Snapper and stopped at a Goliath Grouper spot. It hit the water and fish on! Pete pulled on it for a couple minutes before the Goliath got into a tree. We moved on but couldn’t get a bite. I decided to make a long run north and asked them if they were into it. They said yes and we were on our way. It was slow to start, Pete caught a decent Jack. We heard the fish blowing up under mangroves but all we got there was a Trout. The next spot gave up a nice Snook to Pete so I was feeling they were around. The next spot I had them throwing Rapala Twitch n Rap’s and Pete was on again with a better Snook. All of a sudden Mikey was hooked up with a 30 in Snook, things are looking pretty good at this point. We got settled back in and Mikey was on again with a bigger Snook. He had never hooked Snook before and now had 2 over 30 inches. We worked it for a little while longer but tide quit. We ran back to find a Goliath Grouper at the same spot as earlier. I rigged a bait up and tossed it into the Goliath’s hole. It took all of 15 seconds and Pete was hooked up, it took him a minute or so to pull hit out. It was a 5 pounder, they couldn’t believe a fish that small pulled that hard. we got some pictures and rerigged. It took 5 seconds this time but the fight was much longer. Pete got him out, they battled back and forth for a couple minutes. This time it was a 12 pounder which had our broken off rig from earlier in the day. It was getting late so we headed back in. Great day with Pete and Mikey!

Its going to get better in the next few weeks and then there will be no excuses. If you are interested in having a fun day on the water catching assorted species or if there’s on that you want real bad give me a call at 305 333 8149. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter.

Let’s go catch’em

follow on Instagram @ Caught lookin Charters

Capt. Jim Hobales

Late season cold front produces fish!

Its April 9 and we are getting a late season cold front. I’m with Kathy Widener and her brothers John and Tom. Kathy and her husband Rick have been fishing with me since the beginning of my charter career 22 years ago. Unfortunately, Rick passed a couple years ago. He wanted to spend Eternity in the everglades Backcountry. He is resting where he caught his biggest Snook.

It’s also where Kathy caught a couple really nice Goliath Groupers. John and Tom also caught some fish, but Kathy took them for a bunch of cash and bragging rights. She has always caught the bigger fish and always has lady luck on her side.

Late in the day I made one last stop on a spot that’s always good in nasty weather. it was good today, she caught 43-inch snook on the lightest rod in the boat. It was a great battle and she landed her largest Snook ever. great job Kathy!

Cold front approaching, winds 25 to 40 mph. no here to hide today! Kathy’s personal best 43 inches.

April 10, 2022. 52 degrees this morning.

Dustin’s 1st saltwater fish

Small Redfish by Dustin

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Megans 1st saltwater fish a small Jack.

I fished with Dustin and his wife Megan today from Nebraska. Dustin is the Military and just got back stateside and took a little vacation. It was 52 after the cold front passed thru the night. It caught most people off guard we are already in summer mode here. We had a great morning Catching Snook, Redfish, Ladyfish, Snappers and Jack.

It’s that time of year where everything eats and in big numbers. I’m ready and if you are give me a call at 305 333 8149. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter service

Let’s go Catch em!

Capt. Jim Hobales

follow on instagram @ caught lookin charters

Multi-specie (14) day!

I fished with Jack Korngold and his buddy Keith Hubacher who is the Bass guitar player in the Beach Boys.

we have fished before and always have a good time this year no different. We started out with Tarpon Snook and a Mayan Cichlid. Then the species just kept coming There were Trout, Ladyfish, Mackerel, Snapper, Goliath Grouper, Tripletails, Jacks, Blue Runners, Puffers, Lizards and of course some Catfish

There was lots of action, great day with 2 great guys.

If you are interested in a fun day on the water, give me a call at 305 333 8149. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter fishing Flamingo and Key Largo and Biscayne Bay.

Spring has Sprung in Saltwater side of Everglades!

Flamingo- Spring has come and the fish are responding to the great conditions. The bite has been good even with winds up around 25 mph. Tarpon both big and small have been hooked, lots of Snook, Goliath Groupers and Sharks if you want them or not. The Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish and Tripletail are there to complete the list of species we catch in a day. The fishing only gets better thru April so if it’s your “Spring Break “give me a call at 305 333 8149. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter kids are welcome.

Spring is coming!

It’s actually winter but looking like spring already. Things are starting to happen in the back country. The water has been in the upper 70’s for a while now. It’s pretty good but I think it’ s going to catch fire soon.

We are catching allot of species daily not just loads of Snook, but that’s coming. The last week we have caught Snook, Reds, hooked Tarpon, Loads of Trout, Goliaths to 25 Lbs. Mackerel, Jack, Ladyfish, 9 Ft. Sawfish and of course the Sharks have been eating a lot of our hooked fish.

Its just fun fishing at its best. I’m open for buddy trips or if you are bringing the kids down for spring break give me a call at 305 333 8149.

Let’s go catch”em,

Capt. Jim Hobales

follow on Instagram at @ Caught Lookin Charters

Tough conditions, Fish are Biting!

Flamingo Area

The last few weeks we like the rest of the country have had some cold temperatures. The difference is we get warm pretty quick. The air was down into low 40” s a week ago and the last few days almost 80. Water temps in the back country were up to 79 and there were giant Tarpon everywhere. Out in the Gulf there have been all sorts of fish including Redfish, Snook< Trout, Tripletails, Cobia, Sharks and Tarpon.

The fishing only gets better now thru May for all of the above listed species and usually in good numbers. If you are coming down to South Florida and would like to do some fishing give me a call at 305 333 8149. Spring Break will be here soon, if you are on your way down with family or friends give me a call and we can set up a fun day of fishing Flamingo.

Let’s Go Catch”em!

Capt. Jimbo

Multi specie days

This past week fishing was on the tough side. The winds played a big part early in the week, but we always seem to make it work. I

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I fished with John and Norm today we started out on some Snook. We fished some mudding Sting Rays which had a few fish off their backs. They caught Trout, Jacks and had a big Redfish come up on one the lures. There was a cold front making its way towards us with some foul weather, we called it at half a day.

010822

I am fun fishing today with Mike my outboard Mechanic and Fred my accountant both my Friends. We were out to target Tarpon, but they were a no show. I was out to show these guys a good day and I just that.

We caught Snook, Redfish loads of Trout. Fred had a really nice Goliath and a bunch of Mackerels. Mike caught a Cobia which had a really big one following it. We did find Tarpon in the middle of the day, but they weren’t interested. Fred did hook a big Shark while throwing at Tarpon. The winds were blowing 25 mph but we made it happen.

The big Tarpon are around, all it takes is a few warm days to turn them on. The snook are always the backup plan until the Tarpon decide play, usually later in the day.

If you want to have a great day on the water chasing Tarpon or any other fish give me a call at 305 333 8149 and I’ll make it happen.

Let’s go catch’em

Capt. Jim Hobales

www.caughtlookincharters.com

follow on instagram @ caught lookin charters

Happy 2022 New Year!

2022 is here, and so are the big Tarpon. I wish everyone a great New Year and to stay healthy.

The Tarpon showed up a couple weeks before Christmas and the big females came to play. I hope it as crazy as last year because they were everywhere in the back country. As of 01-020-22 they were pretty active, but we got a cold front which drops water temps for a few days. The cold shouldn’t really hurt the bite for too many days. This is one of the coolest fisheries I fish.

The water temps were 81 last week before the front maybe pushing the Snook inup shallow but they to weren’t very active. between areas.

The Snook bite last week was really weak, a few here and there but not like normal. There was allot of head scratching at the bait store in the morning.

There are Tripletails out on the coast, and they will stay there.

The Redfish are shallow but again they weren’t active. They will come around this week once we get by the new moon.


There are some decent Trout around and this will continue thru the winter.

If you are into Tarpon this is a time of year you should try them. I’m not kidding when I say they are big, and we get them on light tackle. Give me a call at 305 333 8149. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter company. The family is welcome just like the obsessed angler.

Let’s go catch’em

Capt Jim Hobales,

www.cauhtlookincharters.com

follow on Instagram @ caught lookin charters

Its Tarpon Time!

November started out with a few early cold fronts which was nice. This means we have a chance at having an actual winter. I have been fishing all over Biscayne Bay, Key Largo and Everglades National Park, that’s what is good about the fall. There are loads of bait and plenty of fish to eat them.

Once we start getting cooler temps Flamingo is the way to go. There is shallow water, deep water and plenty of Mangrove Islands to fish. The Snook population has really come back strong since the freeze of 2010 and 100 fish days are common.

The giant Tarpon showed up in the everglades Backcountry in the last couple weeks, the water is around 80 degrees. They love these temps and have been hitting lures really good. The Tarpon will be back there until April. They will disappear when get it gets really cold. and come back when the Backcountry gets back to 74 degrees.

The way I do it is I go looking for Snook, Reds, Trout and anything else that plays until water warms and I see a few free jumpers. Once I see them, we go play!

The Miami Beach Tarpon are here as well, fished them this week. We saw lots of fish catching a nice 70 lb. fish on a 12lb Biscayne Rod with a 13 fishing Creed GT. This is a new reel company I am trying, so far Ilike them allot.

I know everyone ones to get out over the holidays, call me at 305 333 -8149 to book your trip. Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter company. Bring the wife and kids for a fun day on the water or your buddies if you are a serious angler.

Let’s go catch’em

Capt Jim Hobales

Instagram @ caught lookin charters

www.caughtlookincharters.com

Rod Bending Fun!

Flamingo

Its seems like we got a early start to winter, its the 8th day of November and we are cooled down. The fishing remains summer like so far with lots of baby Tarpon. The Snook bite is also very good in Fl. Bay, the Gulf of Mexico coastline and Whitewater Bay. The Snook range from small to keeper size and in good numbers. There’s always the surprise fish like the Pompano Will caught in Whitewater Bay. The Goliath Groupers are making a steady comeback in the back country and will test your skill on light tackle.

Caught Lookin Charters is a family friendly charter so the wife and kids are welcome. Its getting to be that time of year where there are no bugs and its very comfortable down in Everglades National Park. The fish are biting so if you would like to catch them give me a call at 305 333 8149.

Lets go “Catch Em”

Capt. Jim Hobales

Follow on Instagram @Caught Lookin Charters

Action packed fishing!

This is a fun time of year in South Biscayne Bay. While we are waiting for the Mullet run to happen the Pilchards show up. This make targeting Mutton Snappers easy and fun, We also catch the tough fighting and great Sushi grade Yellow Jack. There are plenty of other species as this family found out. The Mangrove Snappers, Barracudas, Sharks, Yellowtail Snappers and giant Needlefish. Its a great catching.

Meanwhile at Flamingo we still have Tarpon and Snook loving this cool down. The baits have moved in on the coast which helps catch more fish.

I did get into a giant area of Mullet in Key Largo last weekend it was loaded with Tarpon from small to very big. There were some Snook blowing up the Mullet as well Sharks, Jacks and Barracudas. Its that time of year it can happen any day. The N.E. winds been blowing this week so maybe some of the Mullet that have been north of us will move down off of Miami Beach.

I have been all over lately wherever there is bait moving we are chasing it. Great action for the whole family

If this gets you going give me a call at 305 333 8149

Capt. Jim Hobales

Www.caughtlookincharters.com

Instagram @ caught lookin charters

Let’s go Catch’em!