July/August 2010 - Port Canaveral and North Indian River Lagoon

As the doldrums of summertime settle in along the Indian River Lagoon coast, nature's influence plays a significant roll in determining the quality of the bite. During the first part of July, calming seas allow boats of all sizes to venture out into the open waters of the Atlantic. These conditions facilitate quality bottom fishing, which is now banned from 90 feet of water on out, and near-shore opportunities for many shallow water anglers. They also allow bluewater anglers quick and easy access to deeper Gulf Stream waters and beyond.  

Arriving around the end of July, a cold-water upwelling known as the Labrador Current gradually sweeps in from the deep, chilling water temperatures from the bottom up. In the past two years, the Labrador Current has been warmer than normal, only dropping near-shore bottom temperatures into the upper 60s. This influx of cold water can chill the bottom temperatures along the 27-fathom ridge, driving most pelagic species out into the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream or into the near-shore warm water eddies along the beach. The third factor affecting fishing in July and August is the influence of tropical summer squalls, which can and have ruined fishing opportunities in the past. Setting all of these possibilities aside, many excellent angling opportunities exist both offshore and inshore along the Indian River Lagoon coast during the summer.

Offshore, yellowfin tuna are the aim of those who are willing to make the long run east (70 to140 miles). Out of Port Canaveral and Ponce De Leon Inlet in the near-shore waters, kingfish will be the staple on the reefs and wrecks in 70 to 90 feet of water, with a mixed bag of three, wahoo, dolphin, and an accasional sailfish thrown in. In addition, sliver kings (tarpon), smoker kings (large kingfish), cobia, sharks, and supersized jacks will be shadowing bait pods along the beach and shipping channels. Inside the Inlets, Spanish mackerel, summer flounder, and mangrove snapper numbers should remain steady. 

In the Lagoon, July and August are the best months to target schools of redfish forming up on the deeper edges of the flats for the late summer spawn. Additionally, summer presents outstanding top-water redfish and sea trout action, with the early morning and late evening bite being the most productive.

Capt. Tom Van Horn

 

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May/June 2010 - Port Canaveral and Indian River Lagoon

As we depart from our spring fishing season and shift our focus towards summer, longer days and warmer temperatures will transition our fishery from a temperate to tropical climate zone. This transition opens the door for an array of new fishing opportunities along Florida's Space Coast.

On the flats of the northern Indian River Lagoon system, the return of silver mullet and other baitfish signal the return of topwater plug fishing, with predawn/early morning and late afternoon/early evening as the primary times to target redfish, sea trout, ladyfish, and jack crevalle. Try throwing a Rapala Skitter Walk or Storm Chugbug into areas of concentrated baitfish. As the day grows longer and the topwater bite wanes, switch to subsurface soft plastics like the DOA CAL on a Woodie's Rattles Hook, sight fished on the deeper edges of the flat. In addition to baitfish, the warmer waters of summer mark the return of snook and tarpon to the north lagoon. Snook took a beating this past winter with many large breeders dying from cold exposure, so please go lightly on snook this season.

Along the beaches, concentrated bait pods (Atlantic menhaden) move north and in closer to shore as the water warms. Species often encountered shadowing these bait pods in May and June are kingfish, tarpon, cobia, sharks, redfish, and jack crevalle. As we move into June and the summer doldrums begin to settle in, sea conditions will allow smaller vessels to venture offshore in search of these gamesters. When venturing offshore in a smaller vessel, remember safety is of the utmost importance, so watch the seas, fuel levels, and the return of afternoon storms.

Calm seas also make May a prime month for blue water anglers with the dolphin migration north being the primary focus. Also in the mix are tuna, wahoo, kingfish, sailfish, and an occasional marlin for adventurous offshore anglers. When targeting these species, look for color and temperature changes (rips and lines), in 120 feet of water and deeper, and in areas of concentrated flotsam. In addition, let's not forget the kingfish, cobia, and assorted bottom species available on the near-shore reefs and wrecks of Bethel Shoals, Pelican Flats, Chris Benson, and 8A reef.  

Remember, May and June are the most active months for near shore and offshore tournaments out of Ponce Inlet, Port Canaveral, and Sebastian Inlet with events scheduled every weekend. So please be courteous and patient at the ramps and on the water, and let's have some fun fishing this summer.


Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com

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March/April 2010 - Port Canaveral and Indian River Lagoon

With the long hard winter behind us, anglers on Florida’s Space Coast eagerly embrace the returning summer heat, warming water temperatures and the return of pelagic species to the east Florida waters. Many tropical and sub-tropical species of fish migrated south or to deeper waters during the winter, and as the days grow longer and the waters warms, they return to or migrate back through our rich coastal waters.

Ten days of freezing weather in January served a cruel blow to many of our inshore species of fish and wildlife, but several species like redfish and black drum suffered very little impact. On the flats, redfish and black drum will provide the majority of the action for light tackle spin and fly anglers. A large number of breeder-size sea trout and snook were trapped in shallow water and expired during the extended freeze, so if you target sea trout or snook, please practice catch and release to give the fishery a chance to rebound. Additionally, as the water warms up, jack crevalle, ladyfish, snook, and tarpon will begin to show up. Currently, the Port Canaveral Locks and the power plants in Port Saint John are loaded with jacks and ladyfish.

Offshore in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, spring marks the beginning of the fishing season for many blue water anglers with the commencement of the spring dolphin run. In mid to late March and April, significant numbers of migrating dolphin begin to return or pass through our region, with some of the largest bulls caught all year arriving first. These larger fish are soon followed by concentrated schools, which begin to thin out near the end of May. As we move in closer along the near-shore reefs and wrecks in 60 to 90 feet of water, kingfish numbers will increase and cobia are still commonplace.

Along the beach, pods of baitfish, Atlantic menhaden (pogies), threadfin herring (greenies), and bay anchovies (glass minnows), move in close shadowed by ocean predators. It is not uncommon to find schools of large jack crevalle and redfish, blacktip sharks, cobia, and tarpon within these bait pods creating a mixed bag of angling opportunity. To locate bait pods, simply look for diving birds, flipping and jumping bait, and busting fish.

When fishing in Florida this spring, please practice conservation and good ethics and enjoy your time on the water.


Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn

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January/February 2010 - Port Canaveral Area

Reflecting back on 2009, recreational anglers across America have been faced with challenges threatening to limit or even shut down our fisheries. Snapper, grouper and amberjack closures in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic, new marine protection areas or no-take zones on both coasts of America, and in Florida, sea grass protection areas for manatees just to name a few. The troops are mustering and the battle lines are being drawn on both sides, but who holds the middle ground?

For the past several New Years, I've resolved to enlighten anglers on the many attributes to angling and life in the outdoors, and as a director for Anglers for Conservation, I believe recreational anglers are our own worst enemies in many ways. The majority of us know the value of our angling resources and since the days of Teddy Roosevelt, we have lead the way in conservation and resource protection, but in light of recent developments, we are looked upon as the bad guys in our quest to preserve our heritage and rights to fish.

The AFC is a new nonprofit organization with a mission to create a new generation of coastal stewards using community-based angling education, habitat restoration, habitat preservation and applied conservation science. Our primary educational tool is a program called Hook Kids on Fishing, where kids and parents alike learn basic fishing skills, encouraging them to use not abuse our priceless resources. We reached out to thousands of kids across Florida last year, and in December of 2009 we introduced our newest program, Conservation Angler Certification. The certified Conservation Angler, upon completion of a free four-hour course, will have not only learned and demonstrated the skills necessary to leave a lighter footprint while on the water, but also voluntarily taken a pledge to practice good conservation and good ethics both on and off the water. The AFC is still in its incipient stage, so stay tuned for more details.

As water levels and temperatures drop, clear and shallow conditions on the inshore flats will make sight-fishing conditions the best we will see all year. Mullet and other finfish have migrated out of the area for the winter, so with that said, anglers should switch to smaller shrimp and crabs and slower presentation. When targeting inshore species during the colder months, I like to downsize my bait and fish with a shrimp or crab imitation like the DOA Shrimp and Crab combined with a Woodie's Rattle Hook or Rattle Jig. Also, January and February are key months for targeting tailing black drum on the exclusive Banana River No-Motor Zone.

Near shore, look for tripletail concentrations to improve greatly along the Port Canaveral buoy line and under floating weeds and structure, and for cobia to move in shadowing manta rays if the surface water temperatures reach the upper 60s. If we experience an extended period of warm weather or mid-winter thaw, look for a mid-winter cobia run to commence.

Now is also the time for surf anglers to target pompano, bluefish, weakfish, small black drum, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and whiting off of the beaches, and larger redfish and flounder around the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian.

Catch-em-up, and reward yourself by taking a kid fishing, and taking the class and pledge to be a Conservation Angler. Our numbers with help draw all concerned about our resources up on to the middle ground.

Tight lines and good fishing for generations to come and happy New Year,

Captain Tom Van Horn

 

Photo courtesy of Tom Biffar.

 

 

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November/December 2009 - Port Canaveral and North Indian River Lagoon

N/D 2009 - Capt. Van Horn
Port Canaveral and North Indian River Lagoon Forecast

Cooler weather and exceptional fishing are what fall delivers to the Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida. Tropical weather system are waning in the Atlantic, giving way to the arrival of our seasonal cold fronts, as the fall bait run nears an end.

This year's bait run started early, and in some locations finger mullet schools are thinning out, but reports of heavy bait concentrations to the north indicate more is yet to come. Large tarpon, snook, sharks, jack crevalle and breeder redfish will all be present in the inlets and along the beach as the feeding frenzy continues.

November is one of the best months to target snook at Sebastian Inlet. In addition, large flounder and oversized redfish should begin to show up on the Port Canaveral buoy line and in the inlets, and their numbers will increase as the flounder begin their seaward migration out of the lagoon.  Also, let's not forget the increased numbers of schooling Spanish mackerel and bluefish shadowing schools of finger mullet and glass minnows along the beach.

On the lagoon, schools of pompano will form up and move off of the lagoon flats through the inlets, and invade the beach in search of mole crabs (sand fleas) their favorite winter food.  Currently, reports of skipping pompano have been coming from anglers working the flats in the north Indian River Lagoon, and the flats on the east shore of the Indian River Lagoon south of Titusville.  Also look for large schools of ladyfish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and small sea trout to be working the migrating schools of glass minnows as they move south in deeper water through the lagoon.

As water temperatures cool, look for cobia and tripletail numbers to increase along the Port Canaveral Buoy line and on flotsam, both inshore and offshore.  When you find weeds and other debris, look for tripletail to be hanging just below the floating structure.  Live shrimp and small jigs tipped with shrimp work well when targeting these brim on steroids.  For artificial bait, nothing works better than a well presented DOA Shrimp.  Also when sight fishing, it's important to keep the sun to your back to improve your range of sight, and to keep a medium-heavy rod rigged with a one-ounce chartreuse or white buck tail jig ready to throw to any cruising cobia.  Also, look for the fall kingfish run to commence, as well as an occasional sailfish or blackfin tuna on the near-shore reefs and wrecks, like 8A and Pelican Flats.

Captain Tom Van Horn

 

 

 

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November/December 2009 - Ponce Inlet and Atlantic Offshore

Offshore November/ December 09
Capt. Ron Neff

This time of year brings the best bottom fishing. But this will become difficult with the closures on our fisheries come January. Fuel gets cheaper, the boat runs better and the fish are chewing. Let's get out there and catch some of the biggest grouper and snapper of the year and quite possibly the last time in our lives we will be able to enjoy offshore bottom fishing. With a campaign by the head of NOAA fisheries calling for a 35-year total closure on bottom fishing in the South Atlantic waters. (I hope everyone caught that... a 35-year total closure on fishing for everyone) Enjoy it while we still can. Plan to break some fish off this winter, these fish are large and with the water temps lowering, they are frisky.

The near shore waters will be holding many species of fish. The grouper and snapper will be on the known, and not so known, areas out front and they will be hungry. Live bait will entice the larger species and dead bait will work to fire up a bite. Look for a run of cobia, as they will still be around. This has been a strange year with a multitude of cobia all summer long. Kingfish will be here and there, but not quite as thick as the summer kingfish season. There should, however, still be a few smokers. Gear up for big fish or you will lose a lot of tackle and may not even get one in the boat.

The offshore waters outside of 25 miles in 100 feet of water or more, will be a good bet for some really big and hungry fish. The bottom bite out there gets extremely good in November and December. Be ready for some monsters. Amberjacks, grouper and red snapper will be loaded up on the wrecks and reefs and the 28-fathom line, as well as the steeples. The deeper waters hold many species like tilefish, rose fish big porgy's and large scamp grouper. These species tend to move in a bit and there have been tilefish caught in water as shallow as 280 feet during the winter months. Lots of exhausting fun to have out there when the bite is on.

If the bottom is not your game, there may be some sailfish left out on the Gulf Stream edge and maybe a few dolphin or a stray wahoo. It is a tough call on the troll bite--it can be sparse in the winter so bring the bottom gear.

When you get the right weather to head offshore in November and December, I'm sure you'll be happy with the day. The boat ramps are not crowded, the radio is quiet and the fish are chewing the bottom out of the boat. Get out there and get 'em before it's illegal. Be safe and have fun.

Capt Ron Neff
www.absolutetrip.com
386-689-2037

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July/August 2010 - Palm Bay, Sebastian and Vero Beach

As the east coast sea breezes blow onshore and the afternoon summertime storms begin to rumble over the western horizon, it can only mean summertime in Florida is right around the corner. Though not yet as hot as recent years, the waters both inshore and offshore have warmed gradually which has kept the fishing consistent throughout the day. As of this report, the media hype of oiled covered beaches on the east coast has subsided. It's time to get out and fish!

Here's the skinny:

Trout: There's nothing more exciting that seeing a huge seatrout smash a topwater plug and send it hurling into the air. Take full advantage of the summertime trout bite by being out there while the "gators" are feeding. Staked out and fishing an hour or so before sunrise should insure having your favorite flat or sand hole all to yourself. 

Snook: Even though snook remains closed due to last winter's killing freeze, anglers are reporting good numbers of mature "sideliners" on the flats, in the inlet and in the surf. Please go barbless on your hooks if targeting these fish.

Tarpon: The Sebastian River is always the hotspot for feeding, summertime tarpon. Check out the deeper edges of residential canals and creek outlets.  Freelining a live mullet with a circle hook or a CW Crab will ensure a solid hook-up and safe release.

Redfish: Look for the schools of bull reds pushing bait up on the flats during the mid-morning hours. If you are strictly looking for reds this time of year, I wouldn't even hit the water until 8:00am. 

Shark: The blacktips and large bonnetheads have been cruising the flats in search of prey since late spring. Keep those early morning ladyfish until you're ready to switch over to your heavier tackle. Circle hooks and wire leader are a must!

Offshore/Nearshore: Get out there before the start of those dreaded "summer doldrums." Southeast winds will bring in large mats of floating saragassum all the way up to the beach. Large bait pods will be lingering just outside the inlet until late fall. Capt. Billy Stewart on the Rouge Wave stated they'll be targeting the smoker kingfish and cobia on the deeper reefs and wrecks.

Lobster: Mini Season will take place on July 28-29, or the last Wednesday and Thursday of the month. Regular lobster season runs from August 06 - March 31, 2011. Beach diving is the most popular way of harvesting bugs on the Space and Treasure Coasts. For those heading for the Keys, pick up a bully net and spotlight and hit the channel edges after dark. It's the most fun you can have with your close on!

See you on the Boat or in the Blind!         

Capt. Jeff Kraynik

 

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May/June 2010 - Palm Bay, Sebastian, Vero Beach

Early summer fishing was a little tough for both inshore and offshore anglers along the southern Space and northern Treasure Coasts. As of the end of March, nighttime temps were still bottoming out in the mid 50s. Water temps were still dropping to the upper 50s at night and only climbed to the low to mid 60s by afternoon. Then, like a light switch, seasonal norms and tight lines returned on every trip out.   

Here's the skinny:

Trout: Take full advantage of the early morning and late evening summertime trout bite. Topwater plugs and popping lures will account for a majority of skyrocketing hook-ups. Get out an hour or so before sunrise to insure a limit of keeper trout. If you're planning on making a long morning or full day of your trip, start pitching a weedless-rigged bait up underneath docks or around the pilings.  

Snook: Even though snook fishing remains closed, many anglers will still target the "sideliners" to fill their summertime slams. Morning snook can be found pushing bait pods up against the flat's edge or up and over sand flat points. During this time of year, it's not unusual for a half a dozen keeper snook to be working together on a bait ball as they take turns slashing through in a mad feeding frenzy. Try throwing a white Yo-Zuri 3D Fingerling near the pod and slowly retrieving it back to the boat, then hang on! If you're targeting snook, please contact the SNOOK FOUNDATION for reporting or possibly helping with a tagging program.

Tarpon: The Sebastian River, Turkey Creek and Crane Creek are always the area's hotspot for feeding summertime tarpon. Also, check out the deeper edges of residential canals and creek outlets. Freelining a live mullet with a circle hook will ensure a solid hook-up and safe release. If you're not carrying any live bait onboard and you run up on a pod of megalops, toss a suspending CW Crab and hold on! I never leave the dock without them anymore.

Redfish: Look for schools of bull reds pushing bait up on the flats during the mid-morning hours. If you're strictly looking for reds this time of year, I wouldn't even hit the water till mid-morning. Half crabs are always best and any of the soft plastic baits on a wide gap hook will also do the trick. In cloudy or tannin water, try adding a Woody's Rattle to the inside of the bait.

Shark: The blacktips and large bonnetheads have been cruising the flats in search of prey since mid spring. Keep those early morning ladyfish until you're ready to switch over to your heavier tackle. Circle hooks and wire leaders are a must!  
Nearshore: Large bait pods the size of house pads will be found moving up and down the beaches till late fall. Underneath these pods lurk kingfish, ocean-size jacks, Spanish mackerel and sharks. Due to the thousands of fish in the water, I would recommend using no less than a pliable 60-pound leader. If not, you'll end up losing more fish to break offs from other fish scraping their sides over the leader, than the fish actually throwing the hook.  

Lobster:  As always, Sport Season will fall on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July or the 27th and 28th for 2010. The bag limits are 6 per person per day for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, and 12 per person per day for the rest of Florida. The possession limit on the water is equal to the daily bag limit, and off the water is equal to the daily bag limit on the first day, and double the daily bag limit on the second day. Possession limits are enforced on and off the water.

Spiny lobster has a minimum size limit that must be larger than 3" carapace, measured in the water. A reminder that possession and use of a measuring device is required at all times, and night diving is prohibited in Monroe County (during the sport season). A recreational saltwater license and a crawfish permit are needed for harvest. Regular spiny lobster season is August 6th through March 31st. The bag limit is 6 per person per day.

Harvest of lobster is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during the sport season. Harvest is also prohibited during both the 2-day sport season and regular season in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.   

Beach diving is the most popular way of harvesting bugs on the Space and Treasure Coasts. If the treasure fleet hasn't been blowing too many holes in the sand, visibility can be top to bottom in 20 feet of water, at times. For you offshore deep divers, watch your bottom times.

"See you on the boat or in the blind!"           
Capt. Jeff Kraynick
www.coastalsportsmen.com

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March/April 2010 - Biscayne Bay, The Keys and Everglades

As the cold fronts continue with the winds coming from all directions, even sometimes in the same day, I find myself waiting for the right times to take my anglers out to fish. Of course, some are here on vacation and are restricted as to when they can go, but my local anglers are on stand-by for some of the best fishing they have ever seen. Watch the weather patterns develop, and you will see a cold front diminish to a two- or three-day warming trend until the next front approaches. These are the golden days for the flats fisherman. The warming days just before a new cold front moves in will be the most active days for the fish. As the barometer drops the bite will be on, all you have to do is be there.

I have had the chance to fish out in the backcountry during this type of scenario and some of the days we have been having are astounding. How about 28 redfish and 18 snook? All but 10 fish were sighted and cast to, with the result being a fish to the boat. Over and over that day we were amazed to see the flaring of a redfish’s gills and snook pounding surface baits as they inhaled our baits. We fished the northern creek mouths and points and never once went more than 15 minutes without seeing fish. But, beware of the shallow water in these areas; my Maverick Mirage HPX-V was dragging butt for most of the day in six inches of water with myself and one angler aboard.

There have been lots of fish on the outside wrecks as well. Making the trip out ten to fifteen miles from the Shark River or Sandy Key has been a gamble. The choice must be made on the right day to make the trip or the ride back can be very uncomfortable even in a twenty-plus-foot hull, but the trip is worth it. Large snapper, grouper, black drum, tripletail, cobia and a host of other species await you. Just use your best judgment and of course, the weather reports, and you will have plenty of work to do at the cleaning table upon your return.

Gear Check

I have just started using the Odyssey Batteries on both my Maverick and the Bluewater 25 and what a relief. No longer am I worrying about the bait wells, Hummingbird GPS and the VHF Radio being on all day and hoping the E-Tec’s will start. No longer am I uneasy about drifting for hours for swordfish with deck lights and the Hydro glow Fish Light on along with everything else. Fishing on wrecks and being at anchor for three or four hours without starting the engine used to worry me, but not any longer. Check out the very best battery on the market at: www.odysseybatteries.com

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Captain Dave Sutton is sponsored by Evinrude, Bluewater Boats, Sea-Power, Costa Eyewear, Power-Pro lines, Odyssey Batteries, SOL Sunscreen, Calusa Nets, Hydro-Glow Fishing Lights, Rapala, Frogg-Toggs, High Rollers, Lipper Tool, Pro-Fish, Hummingbird Electronics, LOOP Fly Reels, Fetha-Styx Fly Rods and is the Florida Ambassador to Lewmar Ltd.  He fishes Biscayne Bay, the Upper Keys and the Everglades National Park. Captain Dave fishes a Maverick Mirage HPX-V, and a new 2009 Bluewater. He is on the Quantum Pro-Team, and on the Pro-Staff of, Power-Pole, Stiffy Push Poles and many others.  The skipper would like to hear your fishing stories and reports for inclusion on his website and print, or to book a trip, call him at 305-248-6126 or e-mail him at djsutton@bellsouth.net.
On the web …  www.ontheflatschearters.com

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March/April 2010 - Palm Bay, Sebastian, Vero Beach

The stench of rotting fish has finally faded as the Indian River Lagoon licks its wounds and begins to recover. After Florida’s most devastating freeze since 1989, fish stocks may take years to recover. But, as soon as the temperatures warmed and the winds switched and came in from the south, the redfish and trout bite turned right back on.

Both inshore and offshore tournament fishermen will have a plethora of events to chose from this season with an extra surprise in one of the series. Capt Jeff Brauer of the Florida Flats Fishing Association has announced that the series can now be fished as a “Team Event” or as a “Single” angler as in the past. Capt Brauer stated, “The series participants asked for it and we were able to provide it to them.” For more information, go to: www.myflfa.com

Here’s the skinny!!!

Trout/Redfish: Many anglers have reported large schools of slot-sized reds all up and down the Space and Treasure Coasts. Since the freeze and the loss of so many baitfish, these species have been ravenous for any live or artificial baits thrown at them.

Snook: Slot-size snook will begin to move back into Port Canaveral, Sebastian Inlet and the Fort Pierce Turning Basin. LEAVE THEM ALONE! The moratorium will continue until Sept 01, 2010 and there’s no reason to even target this species until the state can determine just what damage has been done.

Surf: Can you say “Surf Grand Slams”? Whiting, pompano, Spanish mackerel and bluefish will move up and down the beaches all day. 

Offshore: Those black fins seen moving up and down the coast are not sharks but manta rays heading for the Keys. Under those rays are schools of cobia migrating right along with them. Prior to breaking up and hitting the deeper ledges and wrecks, the “cobes” will inhale any large topwater popping plug or jig tipped with a live eel. Bottom fishing for many species of grouper and snapper will remain closed until the foreseeable future. 

Dive Report: Spiny lobster season will end on March 31, 2010. Divers who want to get their last dives in before the season ends should plan of diving deep for the keepers. Don’t forget the spear guns! The reefs will be covered up with breeder grouper and snapper. And don’t forget your safety stops.

Tournaments: I again will have the honor to chair for the 7th annual South Brevard Ducks Unlimited “Band the Slam” Inshore Flats Classic on Friday, April 30 – Saturday, May 01, 2010. Squid Lips Overwater Grill in Sebastian, Florida, will again host this year’s tournament. The mandatory captain’s meeting will take place out on the docks starting at 6:30 PM on Friday night.

On Saturday morning, there will be a “gentlemen’s start” on the water with lines overboard one hour before sunrise.  Scales will open from Noon to 3:00 PM. Awards ceremony at 4:00 PM. Prizes include: cash, firearms, fishing equipment, limited edition prints and sculptures. Door prizes, raffles and auctions will also be conducted at both the captain’s meeting and the awards ceremony. Both parties are open to the public and you do not need to fish the tournament to participate in the auctions and raffles.


“See you on the boat or in the blind!”

Capt Jeff “The Commodore” Kraynik

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January/February 2010 - Biscayne Bay, Keys and Everglades

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

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January/February 2010 - Palm Bay, Sebastian and Vero Beach

We're now paying the price here on the Space and Treasure Coasts. With no hurricanes or major rain events this past year, water levels are treacherously low and salinity levels are on the rise. October was one of the warmest and driest months on record. To top it off, it seems the wind blew for a month straight. Isn't October supposed to be a month of change?

The record highs finally subsided around the first week of November and things began to get back to normal. I, along with others, will be glad to see 2009 as a memory.

Average winter temperatures will range from the low 50s in the mornings to the mid 70s by the middle of the afternoon. Water temps will range from the middle to high 60s to as low as the mid 50s during extended cold periods. During these cold fronts, the morning bite can be little to non-exsistent for many anglers, so do what I do. Sleep in! But, each passing cold front means an eventual warm up of the grassflats and offshore waters. Then it will be the time to get out and wet your lines!

Here's the skinny:

Trout/Redfish: Trout and reds will spend a majority of their time seeking warmer waters in the deeper troughs and holes along the ICW. During Florida's winter bluebird days, these species can be found sunning themselves in sandy "potholes" and atop the oyster bars of the shallows. A slow presentation along the edge of the holes with your favorite crank or soft bait should send the sunning predator into a feeding frenzy. When fishing the deeper holes and drop-offs, utilize popping cork rigs with either a live, dead or plastic shrimp. The popping action of the rig will normally bring the fish up and out of the deeper waters.

Black Drum: Large migrating schools of black drum can be found swimming, feeding and lounging north of the Pineda Causeway and in the Banana River "No Motor Zone." Live shrimp, dead shrimp and cut clams... well, just about anything will account for many of the monster catches. I recommend not using anything lighter than a 20-pound rig with 60-pound leader on these giants. Between grinding their heads into the bottom and running back into the school, the lighter rigs just won't hold up during a long battle with these brutes.

Inshore Trolling:  Wintertime means trolling deepwater plugs along the deeper edges and troughs of the ICW for keeper snapper and grouper. It will take a good bottom finder for consistent catches of these prized offshore fish. If the winds will let you, try "slow trolling" with your trolling motor instead of your main engine.

Sebastian Inlet: Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead and drum will account for much of the wintertime catch west of the jetties. Silver spoons, jigs and windcheaters are the inlet angler's weapon of choice. For those brave enough to weather the wintertime blows, try fishing at night on an incoming tide.

Offshore: Bottom fishing for grouper and snapper is always consistent this time of year on the deeper ledges, reports Capt. Billie Stewart of Rouge Wave Fishing Charters. Drop fishing with jigs and live bait will account for much of the bottom catch. The kingfish bite will be dependant on the cycle of winter storms and water clarity. Within the next month, the National Marine Fisheries Service will be voting on the new bottom fishing regulations concerning these species. If you're an offshore bottom fishermen, it's now that the Coastal Conservation Association/Florida can use your support. 

Dive Report:  Lobster divers report that both spiny and shovelnose catches have been consistent on the 90- to 120-foot ledges. As usual, the 40- to 60-foot ledges have been picked clean early in the season. Grouper and snapper will be lining up for the spear fishermen on the reefs getting ready to breed in the shallower, inshore waters. Due to the cold water and deeper dive, Nitrox is recommended for those divers doing multiple drops during the winter months. Get your spear fishing in now-it may be your last for many years!

Waterfowl: Flats fishermen and waterfowl hunters will be sharing the grassflats through Sunday, January 31, 2010. Flats fishermen are reminded that these outdoorsmen only get to enjoy their sport for 60 days a season. A 300-yard buffer will let hunters and flats fishermen enjoy their traditions.

 

"See you on the boat or in the blind!"

Capt. Jeff Kraynik

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November/December 2009 - Biscayne Bay, the Keys and Everglades

Late fall will bring us a strong cold front or two and this will begin to jump start the fishing from Biscayne Bay all the way to the Everglades. As the water cools off from the summer's heat, the bait runs start in late September and all of the Flamingo species revitalize as well as Biscayne Bay's bonefish population. At 80 to 82 degrees, the fish are feeding during the cooler times of the day. Not until the water temperatures reach from 76 to 78 degrees will we see the fish relax and feed all day long. This is the time we see the largest numbers of the BIG fish on our flats like the ones pictured.

Flamingo's gulf edges are full of Mac's, 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 to life. Whitewater Bay will soon be seeing the winter tarpon run and fishing the creek mouths on the northeastern shores is already producing redfish and snook, as well as a great snapper bite. The Rapala X-Raps and Twitchin-Rap baits are responsible for many snook and snapper we've caught in the backcountry, along with throwing a High-Roller Rip-Roller on the surface.

There have been lots of fish on the outside wrecks off Flamingo as well. But, making the trip out 10 to 15 miles, or even more, from the Shark River or Sandy Key has been a gamble. The choice must be made on the right day to make the trip, or the ride back can be very uncomfortable, even in a 20-plus foot hull--but the trip is worth it. Large snapper, grouper, black drum, tripletail, cobia and a host of other species await you. Just use your best judgment and of course, the weather reports, and you will have plenty of work to do at the cleaning table upon your return.

The "Bear Bones" fly has done it again. This is my own pattern tied in polar bear fur and it has been responsible for a nine bonefish day--on fly. This polar bear fur is really working, not only the bones, but with the redfish and snook as well. I have tied a few whistlers and deceivers using the polar and Flamingo just isn't the same. I can't tell you where to get the fur from because it is illegal to sell commercially, but it can be sold as a tourist trinket by the Alaskan people, which is where I found it on my last trip to Kodiak Island. Orvis has something very similar to the polar bear fur in their Sparkle Fur.

The permit are 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, which in turn will hold and keep the water temps higher. Watch your surface water temperatures very closely during these winter months. If you can find a flat that has a 2- to 3-degree temperature rise, you will find bonefish and permit on it for sure. Until next time, I'll see you "On the Flats."

 

 

NEW BIO

 

Captain Dave Sutton is sponsored by Evinrude, Sea-Power, Costa Del Mar Eyewear, Odyssey Batteries, SOL Sunscreen, Calusa Nets, Hydro-Glow Fishing Lights, Spike-it, Frogg-Toggs, High Rollers, Lipper Tool, Pro-Fish, Humminbird Electronics, LOOP Fly Reels, Fetha Styx Fly Rods and is the Florida Ambassador to Lewmar Ltd.  He fishes Biscayne Bay, The Upper Keys and the Everglades National Park. Captain Dave fishes a Maverick Mirage HPX-V, and Terrapin Skiff. He is on the Quantum Pro-Team and on the Pro-Staff of Power-Pole, Stiffy Push Poles and many others.  The skipper would like to hear your fishing stories and reports for his website and print, or to book a trip, call him at 786-564-6347 or e-mail him at djsutton@bellsouth.net.

His website: www.OnTheFlatsCharters.com

 

 

 

 

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November/December 2009 - Palm Bay, Sebastian, Vero Beach

Capt Jeff Kraynik
Nov-Dec 2009 4cast
Palm Bay - Sebastian - Vero Beach

What does silver mullet mean? Here on the Space and Treasure Coasts, it means southern-bound giant tarpon weighing over 100 pounds. Even though it will be over by the time you read this forecast, as long as the seas remain calm and the ocean clear, it's going to mean a fantastic time!   

The summertime temperatures are beginning to cool and many early morning runs, both inshore and offshore, are requiring a light jacket. It's time to slow your retrieve down a bit and break out your winter lure colors of blacks, browns and reds. 

You know the snowbirds have arrived when all you see is congested roadways and full ramp parking lots with out-of-state tags. Yes my friends, wintertime in the Sunshine State has arrived.

Here's the Skinny:

Seatrout: Troughs, deepwater edges and canals are the staple for wintertime trout fishermen. Popping corks dangling a live shrimp is sure to make a seastrout rise from the warmer depths. If the live bait becomes spotty to find, as it did throughout this past summer, try an Owner circle hook and a Riptide Realistic Shrimp on the end of your line. 

Snook: Snook will be holding inside the Sebastian Inlet throughout the winter months. Windcheaters and silver spoons should be in everyone's arsenal. Live bait will account for a majority of the catches if you hit the tides right. Remember the "new slot limit" and throw that second fish back.

Redfish: The key to fishing for reds in our area is to be where the fish are. That means spending several mornings on the flats and determining what "routes" they are using over and through the flats. There are some places where you can set your watch by them. Utilize gold spoons, soft plastics or a Yo-Zuri 3D Fingerling.

Bluefish: The bluefish runs in the inlet and along the beaches are known to all that are willing to the brave the cold, frigid winds of a wintertime Nor'easter. Some of our best bluefishing days have been on an out-going tide, in the middle of the night throwing silver spoons into the vast darkness of the inlet. 

Flounder: The annual southern flounder run has begun at the inlet. The inlet will get a little too crowded for some on the weekends. Instead of fighting the crowds, try finding a secluded sandy spoil island. My bait of choice, when live mud minnows are unavailable, is a Riptide Goby with a weighted jig head. For you nocturnal giggers, any of the sand flats around these spoil islands will be holding garbage can size fish. 

Lobster: As usual, the inshore reefs have been picked clean since the mini-season. The large bugs between six and 10 pounds will be found on the deep ledges at 90 and 120 feet. Watch your bottom times!!!

Waterfowl: Waterfowl hunters will again enjoy a 60-day season running from November 21 through November 29, then a 12-day closure will occur. The season re-opens again from December 12 through January 31, 2010.

Fishermen and waterfowl hunters will be sharing the same mangrove shorelines and vast open water bays during this time. The flock of birds that you are about to run through may actually be a big water diver spread with several hunters within. This occurs most often around the impoundments of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the adjoining impoundments up and down the IRL. 

All boaters should take a wide berth. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Safety dictates a minimum distance of 300 yards from an occupied duck blind or decoy set. Just remember our fellow outdoorsmen only get 60 days to enjoy their sport. 

Note: Enforcement of the "No Motor Zones" and "Pole/Troll Only Zones" have been stepped up by local, state and federal officers due to the blatant violations being observed. There are new rules pending that if caught and convicted of multiple violations of these zones, a suspension may take place where you won't be able to access the refuges. 

Know where the zones and the running channels are when hunting these areas. If you're not sure, "SLOW DOWN!"

"See you on the Boat or in the Blind"

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Who is Capt. Jeff Kraynik?

Capt. Jeff "The Commodore" Kraynik is the owner/operator of The Coastal Sportsmen. For the past 24 years he has fished and hunted the areas between Merritt Island and Vero Beach. Capt. Jeff specializes in light-tackle saltwater flats fishing for trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, shark and flounder. Capt. Jeff holds the rating as a Master Near/Coastal captain to 50 tons and is a guide in good standing with CCA/Florida. Capt. Jeff's weekly fishing reports can be heard on the Reel Animals Fishing Show, BooDreuaux's Boondocks and The South Florida Fishing Report with Happy Henry. When not fishing, he and his crew can be found in the St. Johns River Marsh hunting trophy alligators and waterfowl.

"From the grassflats to the mudflats and everywhere in between"

Contact Info:

Capt. Jeff "The Commodore" Kraynik

(Cell) 321-863-9182

www.coastalsportsmen.com
captjeff@cfl.rr.com  

 

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July/August 2010 - Marathon and the Florida Keys

The months of July and August can present some of the best weather patterns all year. You can expect many flat calm days on the Ocean and in the Gulf.

Offshore fishing for dolphin will be red hot both months. Lots of weed lines will begin appearing providing shelter and forage for the green and blue fighters. Also, keep an eye open for wahoo that also frequent the floating debris.

This year I tried a new lure. It's called the JCamm Lure. We've caught several large dolphin on it and lots of wahoo. If you don't already know, we also own a bait and tackle shop in Marathon-Big Time Bait and Tackle. Many of our customers that have purchased these lures have come back showing off the pictures of their catches. They include wahoo over 60 pounds; catches of eight wahoo in a day on one lure; dolphin over 40 pounds, and plenty of billfish, tuna and other species of fish, too. These lures are 100% hand tied in the USA and all the materials are made in the USA, as well. Can't say that very often these days. This is a must-have lure in the $15.99 price range. It reminds me of when we introduced the Shimano Butterfly jigs to Marathon. Now that is a must-have on the Marathon Humps for blackfin tuna.

The snapper begin to snap even better this time of year. Night fishing gets great. Ten PM seems to be the magic time for the bite to turn on. A great place to start looking for the big mangrove snapper is in 40 to 50 feet of water. Yellowtail will pop up in the chum slick as well. Heavy chumming and chunks of fresh ballyhoo, Spanish sardines, threadfins and salted glass minnows with get them fired up and produce a cooler full of fish for you.

Tarpon will still be good in the beginning of July, but will taper off toward the middle of the month.

The permit in the Gulf stack up on the wrecks and so do the gag grouper. Catching 200 fish a day on the Gulf wrecks is not uncommon. The Ocean wrecks will hold some great mutton snapper in the 15- to 20-pound class. Long 40-pound leaders and live pinfish, ballyhoo, and pilchards will do the trick.

At the end of July we have the two-day lobster season and that's a great time to get down here with the family to catch your limit of lobster and do some spearfishing. August 6th is when the main lobster season opens and the spearfishing and bully netting gets into full swing.

 

Thanks for checking out the Two Conchs forecast with Capt. Jack Carlson. www.twoconchs.com.

For fishing tournaments in this area, check out www.bigtimetournaments.com

You can follow us on our Facebook Fan Page: Two Conchs

 

Capt. Jack Carlson  <*)))>{

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May/June 2010 - Marathon and the Florida Keys

May and June bring great fishing to the Florida Keys. This is when the dolphin (mahi-mahi), blackfin tuna, and blue and white marlin are being targeted and caught offshore. Trolling rigged ballyhoo and lures around the Marathon Humps will surely put a big bend in your rod.

The grouper season opens up on the oceanside! The reefs and wrecks will be loaded with not only grouper, but yellowtail, mangrove, and mutton snapper. The permit will be spawning on the oceanside wrecks as well, and a 1/4oz. Calcutta Ultra jig with a blue crab on it will guarantee you get to feel their pulling power.

Tarpon are moving into the bridges heavily, and the east end of 7-Mile Bridge is my favorite place to start. June brings on the worm hatch making this the perfect time for fly fishermen to wrestle these silver beasts.

The permit, cobia, Goliath grouper, gag grouper, and snapper will all be on the wrecks in the Gulf. Permit will school up by the 100's on these wrecks and blue crabs and crab flies always seem to get their full attention.

There are a lot of great tournaments this time of year for you to be a part of, so if you love competing for a chance to win serious money on the water, check out: www.bigtimetournaments.com

Capt. Jack Carlson  <*)))>{

www.twoconchs.com
You can follow us on our Facebook Fan Page: Two Conchs
www.keysseafood.com
www.bigtimetackle.com
www.bigtimeoutfitters.com
www.chhvacationrental.com
www.marathonboatshow.com
www.bigtimetournaments.com

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March/April 2010 - Upper Keys and Flamingo

The entire state of Florida has experienced quite the cold shock this past winter.  The extended period of cold water killed lots of snook and bonefish, and drove the remaining species to take refuge in deeper water. Once the water started to warm up after the cold shock, fishing became excellent again. It was a different fishery, mainly involving fishing deeper water rather than shallow flats. As spring approaches, we will begin to see many changes in this fishery.

Bonefish in the Upper Keys should return to their shallow water haunts as March settles in and the water warms. This is another time of year to catch a big bonefish, as they will come back on the flats very hungry from a cold winter. For the fly fisherman, the typical crab flies will always work while those who prefer to use spinning gear can have great success throwing a big shrimp or tipped skimmer jig. This is a great time of year to throw a shrimp, as there will still be large winter shrimp available. Remember to always keep a crab or two in the livewell in case a permit decides to show. Permit fishing in March can be legendary in Key West, but the ocean side of Key Largo will get a good push of permit in deeper water as well. A well placed half-dollar-size crab or merkin fly will be devoured by the alien-like creatures. 

As we get into mid April, there will be a good chance of migratory tarpon showing up on the ocean side. This is the time when most dedicated fly fisherman are driven to the edge of insanity waiting for the first good strings of tarpon to come through. Be armed with the venerable green tarpon toad and be ready with your 12wt or 11wt fly rod. Don’t overlook the backcountry, as this may be the first place tarpon will show.       

Redfish will start to return to the flats in great numbers as the water temperatures continue to warm. On calmer days, target shallower water and look for signs such as wakes, pushes, and tails. Redfish in Flamingo seem to tail better whenever the wind is down. On windier days, target flats with potholes and try to either sight fish the fish laying in the sandy holes or blind cast the holes with gold spoons, topwaters, and DOA jerkbaits. Some of the biggest redfish of Flamingo can be caught on the flats this time of year. Snook fishing has taken a hit in Florida Bay, but there will always be a better chance of catching one as the water warms. Be sure to handle any snook caught with care and return them to the water promptly to avoid stressing the fish any further. Remember, snook season will remain closed until September, or until further notice. I have a feeling snook season may remain closed for the rest of the year. Keep an eye out for the current rules and regulations. If you stay tuned, I will give an update on my next fishing forecast or on www.saltyshores.com. 

This is big fish time in Flamingo and many big seatrout will invade both shallow and deeper grass flats. The best way to fish for seatrout is to blind cast potholes or grassy edges on deeper flats in 2 to 4 feet of water using topwater plugs during low light and morning hours, while switching out to a DOA Deadly Combo with a 3-inch Glow Shrimp when the sun is shining or when it is windy. The DOA Deadly Combo is a fantastic fish locating setup that excels at catching snook, redfish, tarpon, and seatrout.


Cherish every moment you spend on the water.  See you all out there.

Capt. Honson Lau

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March/April 2010 - Marathon and Middle Keys Offshore

March and April are a great time of the year in Marathon, Florida Keys. The angling options are unlimited with cobia, mutton snapper, blackfin tuna, sailfish, wahoo, permit, dolphin, kingfish, tarpon and more!

The flats come alive with permit and tarpon. I would like to welcome the Marathon Inshore "Flats Series" Tournament. Their first of 3 tournaments is the Permit Division on March 12th and 13th. With over $6,000 up for grabs in this two-day event, and a limit of only 35 boats entering, your chances of taking home some money is very good. The entry fee is only $475 per boat. To learn more, check out www.bigtimetournaments.com. The permit will start to stack up on the ocean wrecks, too.

This is also when the tarpon start filling into the bridges throughout the Middle Keys. Live blue crabs, mullet and pinfish are the bait of choice. Hooking up on one of these 100-pound fish and working them through the bridge pylons can be some of the most exciting fishing you'll ever experience! If you want to test your skills while having a chance to win over $6,000 in a bridge tarpon tournament, block out April 15th and 16th for the Marathon Inshore "Bridge Tarpon" Tournament. The entry fees start at $475 for your team and more information can be found at www.bigtimetournaments.com

Offshore fishing heats up with a big push of large dolphin, tuna, wahoo, and more cruising through-especially towards the end of April. You can come down to Marathon and enjoy a great week, starting off with the Marathon Boat Show, April 24th and 25th, which is free to the public. Visit www.marathonboatshow.com for more information. Fish the "Calcutta" Pre-Fish Tournament on April 29th sponsored by Calcutta Baits. Entry fee is only $150/boat. This tournament will help you locate where the big dolphin are coming through and prepare you for the Marathon Offshore Bull and Cow Dolphin Tournament that falls on April 30th and May 1st 2010. This is the largest dolphin tournament in the Middle Keys and there is over $25,000 up for grabs! If you can only fish one tournament, this is it, with so many ways to win $$$$$$! For more information please check out www.marathonoffshoretournament.com

Need a place to stay during you visit or during a fishing tournament here in Marathon? Check out HYPERLINK "http://www.boatmansflorida.com/"www.boatmansflorida.com

Tight lines,

Capt. Jack Carlson  <*)))>{
www.twoconchs.com

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January/February 2010 - Upper Keys and Flamingo

The winter fishery has finally set in for the upper Keys at the start of this new year.  The water temperatures will have dropped and will teeter between the 60s and 70s for these two months.  We will also experience windier days with winds out of the north and northeast, pushing more water out of both Whitewater Bay and Florida Bay.  This means we will be experiencing shallower water when the strong winds are coupled with the strong low winter tides.  The clearer water in the wintertime can also make for great sight fishing.  Even those who prefer to soak bait in the deeper creeks will have greater success in the winter.  The pre-spring bite can be interesting to say the least.  Good days can be great days and slow days can be dead days. 

I fish off the thermometer when bonefishing in the winter months.  I have witnessed a surprisingly strong tolerance for cool weather from bonefish this past winter and have been able to find fish in water temperatures between 68 degrees and into the upper 70s.  The key was to let the fish acclimate to the cooler temperatures.  A drastic cold spell can send the fish into shock and make the bonefish flats barren, but once the water temperatures stay consistent for a couple of days and we have strong tides, the bonefish will come back to feed.  Winter bonefishing in the Keys will bring two types of fisheries.  This is the time of year to either hunt for big schools of small fish or for the biggest bonefish of the year.  When fishing for big bonefish, the shots will be few, but the fish will be big.  Bonefish fatten up in the winter and a 10-pound bonefish in the summer can be up to 12 or even 13 pounds in the winter.  Fishing for big bonefish requires looking towards deeper water for mudding fish and throwing a real heavy fly or a shrimp on a split shot.  Another fun method is to look towards the shallows for schools of smaller bonefish. These smaller schools of fish can move erratically, so the most effective method of catching them on a flyrod would be to use a fly that will land soft and sink fast.  This will be something you can throw closer to the fish so you have a smaller chance of the school changing course and missing the sight of your fly.  Innovative fly tier Peter Smith's IP Bone fly has been the ticket for most of my release bonefishing this year.  This fly fits the bill, as it very visible to fish, lands softly, and sinks like a dart with its slimmer profile.  Those who are interested can purchase this fly from www.ssflies.com.  For bigger bonefish, the permit crab or SS Merkin is an excellent choice from SSFlies, as well.

Speaking of SSFlies, I have been working with them to research and develop some snook and redfish flies.  The shallow mud flats in Whitewater Bay will hold lots of big snook and redfish during these cool months.  Reds and snook will be found sunning themselves and feeding on small mud minnows up in these shallow flats where the scene presents a perfect situation to sight fish with flies and plastics.  Any fly or soft plastic imitating a small minnow will meet with great success.  Spin fisherman can do well sightfishing these shallows throwing a "Morning Glory" colored DOA Shad tail on a 1/16-ounce DOA jig head.  This same shad tail and jig combo can also be used to fish the deeper creeks when you are limited by draft.  If the water is moving fast, make sure to use a heavier jig head. 

Just about all the banks west of Florida bay (Sprigger, Oxfoot, Blue) will hold trout, mackerel, bluefish and snapper this time of year.  It can be easy fishing for the family or less experienced anglers to go out to these areas, hang a chum bag, and throw out a shrimp on a popping cork or a DOA Deadly Combo.  Winter does call for some windier days, so make sure you pick your days wisely before you decide to make the trip out west to fish these banks. 

Spring is around the corner and that means tarpon season will be upon us soon.  If you are interested in a fly fishing trip for big tarpon in the Florida Keys, make sure you book your days early with your guide.  Have a safe and happy Holiday season.

 

ABOUT CAPT. HONSON LAU

Capt. Hon (aka Benzo) specializes in sight fishing and fly fishing in Flamingo and the Upper Florida Keys.  He currently runs and poles a Maverick Mirage HPX-V 17 modified to suit the needs of fly fisherman.  As an outdoor writer, innovative fly tier, lifestyle photographer, fly fishing instructor, and specialized fishing guide, Honson blends old-school tried and true fishing techniques with a new-school approach.  Those who would like to keep up with his progress can do so by logging onto www.saltyshores.com and look under the "Benzo's Realm" section of the website.  Capt. Hon would like to thank Shallow Water Customs (shallowwatercustoms.com), DOA Fishing Lures (doalures.com), Shimano (shimano.com), G Loomis Rods (gloomis.com), Nautilus Fly Reels (nautilusreels.com), Tibor Fly Reels (tibor.com), Airflo Fly Lines (rajeffsports.com), Monic Fly Lines (monic.com), Oakley Sunglasses (oakley.com), Wang Anchor (wanganchor.com), Power Pro Fishing Lines (powerpro.com) , The Flyshop of Miami (flyshopofmiami.com), Ole Florida Fly Shop (oleflorida.com), Don's Bait and Tackle, The Backcountry of Vero Beach (verobackcountry.com), SSFlies (ssflies.com) and Saltyshores.com for their continued support.   

Contact Info:

Capt. Honson Lau

786-298-1436

HonB3nzo@aol.com

www.saltyshores.com

 

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January/February 2010 - Marathon and Keys Offshore

January and February are when the fish come alive. This is one of the best times of the year to be in the Florida Keys. The sailfish will travel down the Keys in 60 to 200 feet of water. Drifting live ballyhoo through this range will produce a mixture of great fish, like sailfish, dolphin, blackfin tuna and wahoo. Ten feet of 50-pound fluorocarbon leader with a 5/0 live bait hook or a 6/0 circle hook will do the trick.

Reef fishing in 65 feet of water is a great way to pull up the larger flag yellowtail snapper when you have your northeastern winds. Chum heavily and use 12- to 15-pound-test fluorocarbon leader with a 1/32- to 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a peeled shrimp or a piece of cut ballyhoo. Once you get them swarming beside the boat, the catching is nonstop.

Make sure you have your wire rigs ready for those kingfish! Jigs, spoons and live blue runners will seal that deal. On the patch reefs live the big mangrove snapper and grouper. A 3/8- to ½-ounce jig on 30-pound leader tipped with a live pinfish will draw some nice hits!

Expect the Gulf side to hold lots of cobia, mackerel, snapper and even the occasional large redfish. Also, the channels along the banks get loaded up with large mangrove snapper and is a great area to fish when the wind is blowing.

Tight lines,
Capt. Jack Carlson

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November/December 2009 - Upper Keys and Flamingo

Nov/Dec Fishing Forecast
Capt. Honson Lau

The winter season is here with chilling northeasterly breezes and days of big wind. We will be weaning out our fall fishing pattern and making the necessary changes for cool water fishing. What does the winter mean for the Upper Keys and Flamingo? Conditions will call forth lower water, cold fronts, sight fishing, sleeping in and big bonefish. 

Bonefishing will be hit or miss, but the winter months bring out the biggest bonefish in Islamorada. All the flats on the ocean side and backcountry will see big bonefish. I like to target the deeper water mudding fish this time of year. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on the water temperature. This should be the key to finding bonefish. Once the water temperature dips below 70 degrees, it will be time to do something else. The warm days between cold fronts that bring water temps closer to the mid to upper 70-degree range can be absolutely stellar days for bonefishing. Fly fisherman should take note to use heavier flies when targeting deep water mudding bonefish. Those who prefer bait will find big winter shrimp to be absolutely irresistible to bonefish. A clear DOA shrimp can work wonders on bonefish as well. 

Snook fishing should also improve as the water starts to cool in early November. They will be found on the flats, along blowdowns, and around shorelines. This is a great time to spend a day plug fishing. DOA Lures has released two smaller sizes (5.5" and 3.5") of their BFL (Big Fish Lure) swim bait. This has proved extremely effective on big snook. They are simple to use; attach the swim lip on the bait, cast it out, and reel it in. If you remove the swim lip, you can throw the lure out and work it back like a topwater. Go to www.doalures.com and order one, or check with your local tackle store. Don's Bait and Tackle in Homestead is keeping plenty of these lures in stock. Fly fisherman can also enjoy great snook fishing throwing big streamer type flies. Check out www.ssflies.com for a great selection of flies. Some of my proven snook and redfish fly patterns will be featured and sold there shortly.

There are days when we partake in the more technical side of fishing, but then there are just those days when it is time to do something different. Taking the family, girlfriend, or friends out for a nice day on the water and watching amateurs catch their share of fun fish can be just as fulfilling as watching your best bud land a downtown slob bonefish. For the lesser side of technical fishing, the spoil islands throughout Florida Bay and the creeks that dot the Gulf coast should be loaded with redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum and snapper. A live shrimp on a jighead is the magical producer for all of the above species and is a no-brainer when you want to produce. Another option for finding "fun fish" is to anchor up near the park boundary markers on a calm day and chum. This should bring in plenty of Spanish mackerel and bluefish to throw spoons, gotcha plugs, DOA TerrorEyz, and live shrimp to. 

Be safe this holiday season and enjoy your days on the water. Let's end this year with a great day of fishing and start the New Year with an even better day on the water.

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July/August 2010 - Ft. Myers

Poseidon must have definitely read our last forecast in GAFF and finally gotten the message to quit working us guides over so hard. Months of tough fishing have been followed by some of the best fishing we've seen in years. Some years we just hit it right and despite winter fish kills and a serious oil leak in the Gulf, here in southwest Florida the fishing is only getting better every day.

Inshore

 Mark that inshore flats grand slam right off your bucket list this summer. My bet is that throughout the next few months we are going to go "all in" and say it is one of our best years ever. Our snook population definitely took a beating, but not bad enough to keep our anglers from rockin' out lengthy linesiders. Big spawning snook can be found on our beaches and passes. Such a great sight to see giant females with schools of buck snook around! Yes, our population did survive and yes, we are going to continue to be one of the best snook fisheries in the world. These fish are a ton of fun to catch on the beaches during low-light hours throwing topwaters right into the surf line. Along the same beaches, keep an eye out for some sweet schools of tarpon, which are still around in good numbers. Getting out early and enjoying a beautiful sunrise will definitely help you increase your chances for getting on some bruiser fish before the water temps heat up in the mid-day summer sun.

Offshore

 Summertime is definitely a ball when it comes to offshore fishing. One of our favorite fish here in south Florida is the permit and they're stacking up on our offshore numbers. These fish have been running big and strong, screaming drags, and making our customers happy. The perfect permit outfit consists of the same rods you'd use for tarpon. Dropping down to a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader will definitely help you get more takes. But, picking up a dozen, frisky, bodacious blue crabs from Shack Baits by Punta Rassa on the way out will help ya knock 'em dead.

Permit are not the only fish on these structures, you'll also run into huge schools of mangrove snapper that are spawning this month on the full moon. We will definitely be doing our fair share of evening snapper trips! Anchoring up current and getting your "chum on" is the most successful way to get the big school behind your boat. Make sure you've got the proper gear for bottom fishing-your ARC dehooker, venting tool, and circle hooks. Forget any of these at the dock and risk getting yourself a fat fine.

Also this month we really start nailing the keeper red grouper on the 55-foot ledges and hard bottom. Using 50-pound braid and a jigging spoon is a great way to cover a lot of bottom. These jigging spoons have also been enticing strikes from cobia and nice kingfish as well. If you want to whack and stack some fish offshore for the freezer or go catch and release some snook and tarpon, this summer is going to prove to be RED HOT!

 

Tight lines and good times,

Capt. Chris & Capt. Lacey Rush

 

WWW.RUSHCHARTERS.COM

Visit us on the web for online charter reservations!

239-482-0193 Office

239-980-1436 Lacey

239-229-5388 Chris

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July/August 2010 - Tampa Bay

Going into the middle of the summer you can count on one thing for sure-the heat. July and August bring lots of heat, but they also bring lots of good fishing. I like to start my trips very early this time of year and end them before the afternoon thunderstorms kick up. Although we've had major setbacks this year with the unusually cold winter and unfortunate oil spill, I can tell you we are still having a great year of catching.

One of the main species to target this time of year-and a favorite of mine-is the tarpon. Although the big pushes of fish seem to take off the first part of July, there are still fish that stay here all year round. They are what I call resident fish and they seem to really turn on in August. I have found that a nice-sized greenback, threadfin, pinfish or pass crab on a freeline or under a cork-depending on the depth of the fish-works very well. Tides are always very important to monitor when targeting tarpon. Weeks adjacent to the new and full moons are the best weeks to target tarpon because the tides are the strongest.

Another great species to target this time of year is mangrove snapper. They'll begin invading Tampa Bay around the wrecks, artificial reefs and ledges throughout the summer. The best bait is greenbacks. In addition, I like to use a lot of chum-this works great and brings the fish to you. Rigging is very simple. Use your typical light-tackle rod and reel combo matched with 20-pound fluorocarbon leader, a light weight-depending on the depth of your fish (split shots work great), a #1 Daiichi circle hook and you will soon find a great fight on your hands. Snapper are not only fun to catch but they are one of the best eating fish.

Sharks are another fun species to target. Shark fishing is easy and can be very exciting.  A chum block is the first step; since sharks rely on scent to track down food, you will need the chum block to create the scent.  Sharks eat fish, so all you need to do is go to the flats and catch ladyfish, mackerel, bluefish or any other type of fish that is easily caught. (Be sure they are in season and slot) Take the fish and fillet their sides, throw the carcass out as chum and then just hook a piece of the bait on a 7/0 Daiichi circle hook and simply throw it off the back and wait. I like to use lighter spinning gear; a 4000 Daiwa Coastal reel with a Daiwa Coastal 30-pound rod is a nice combo. Make sure to spool it up with 50-pound Fins PRT braided line to make it easier to use the light tackle on the bigger sharks. Lastly, hook up and hold on!

Whether you decide to tackle 100-pound sharks in the middle of the bay, catch mangrove snapper on the wrecks and artificial reefs, or try your luck at catching that trophy tarpon as the sun rises-you will not be disappointed. Tight Lines!

Capt. Jason Prieto

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July/August 2010 - Boca Grande

The late start to the Boca Grande tarpon season should keep spawning poons in the pass well into July. Expect resident fish to thrive and feed aggressively throughout the summer and be found in the open waters of Charlotte Harbor. If you enjoy the cool temps of night fishing, the US41 and I-75 bridges in Punta Gorda provide epic tarpon and snook explosions under the lights. Tie on a Bomber Saltwater Grade A-Salt Long A (16A) and hold on tight as you twitch retrieve this lifelike lure through the lights. The irresistible action and realistic color patterns will drive the fish crazy as they try to eat it. My color of choice is Silver Flash/Chartreuse.

Tripletail tops my list for opportunity fish in this edition of GAFF. It pays to spend a few extra minutes when running between spots to drive by a few crab pot buoys in Charlotte Harbor's vast open water. "Trips" provide world-class table fare and are a lot of fun to target. Free lined shrimp or white bait are my go-to baits for this species. The trick to not spooking them is to continue running on plane past the buoy when a fish is identified. A change in rpms will normally cause the fish to drop down beyond visibility. Make a wide turn and approach the fish from upwind. Drift with the wind or minimally use the trolling motor to stage the vessel just far enough away to reach the target. A suspending tripletail typically will take your well-positioned bait every time. Bring your electric knife to the fillet table; their prehistoric scales are similar to cutting through Kevlar.

Snook will be in full swing along our beaches during the summer months. It's tough to beat strolling down our beaches at first light in search of a hungry linesider. Keep your eye's focused on the trough a few feet out from the beach. Many anglers make the mistake of casting too far from the shore. Most beach fish run and stage along the troughs only a few feet into the water in search of bait schools trapped within the ebb and flow of the tide. Live shrimp will come in handy for this venue. A good pair of quality polarized sunglasses increases your odds of locating and sight casting to the snook of your dreams. Wiley X offers premium polarized optics that reduce the sun's glare, enabling you to see fish before they see you. Don't forget that snook harvest season is closed and a quick pic and release will allow the fish to be caught again another day.

Not far from our beaches you'll find exceptional nearshore angling opportunities in 30 to 60 feet of water. Permit will be stacked up like cordwood on established structure and red grouper will be patrolling in the same vicinity. Free lining crabs into the danger zone is a great way to hang summertime Permit. For a mixed bag, nothing beats slow trolling Bomber Saltwater Grade CD30s around your favorite reef for a plethora of species. Remember to use non-offset circle hooks when bottom fishing reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.

I am fortunate to live and fish in one of the best fishing "holes" in the world. I invite you to visit and experience what "Old Florida" is all about. Englewood is every vacationer's dream, offering wonderful beaches, great atmosphere and a slow pace to relax with family and friends. For anglers, nothing beats a great day on the water with a professional fishing guide that will put you on the fish, clean your catch, then send you and the family home with memories of a lifetime and fresh fish for the grill. 

Let's go fishing... and don't forget to bring the kids!

Capt. Chris O'Neill

 

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May/June 2010 - Ft. Myers

Thank the tides for finally giving us tired, sun-burnt, worn out, crabby fishing guides a break in the weather. In late March I was cruising across Pine Island Sound huddled tightly behind the center console of my 2410 Ranger Bay boat. Trying my best to drive with two total strangers squished against my right and left shoulder to stay WARM! That freaking cold, windy weather was making all of us guides just plain pissed off at Poseidon. He not only sent 15 plus knot winds for 6 months, but he also hit us with record breaking cold temperatures and fish kills. In late March my Hummingbird is reading 52 degree water temps. Leave it to Southwest Florida to boomerang back, though, because two days later its 65 and yes, that was a big tarpon that just skied through those ballyhoo! Spring is officially here!

INSHORE

With the sudden change in weather, May and June will prove to be the absolute best fishing of the year! Those big ol' snook that have been in a state of hibernation for the last few months are now shallow and cruising the shores of the Caloosahatchee River looking to chow down. The extreme lack of food in our ecosystem this year due to our harsh winter is making our big predator fish put there guard down and eat our flies and baits exceptionally well. Fishing for snook, redfish, and big seatrout with artificials this month will be extremely productive. If you live baiters out there can't get your wells full of pilchards, don't be scared to pick up some artificials and start slingin'. Fishing a 3 ½-inch Yozuri suspending Sashimi jerkbait on 20-pound Power Pro fitted to a 7 ½-foot G-Loomis spinning rod is definitely my top pick this spring for every single kind of predator fish that swims in southwest Florida. The new Yozuri Sashimi comes in a circle hook series which is proving to be extremely effective on fish that normally would shake off of treble hooks. So, if you're casting or trolling this plug, fish eat it and it just stays locked in their lip. With all of the manatee slow zones in this area, letting a plug out the back of the boat next time you are cruising through the miserable mile just might make that next monotonous idle zone fun and productive!

OFFSHORE

With the influx of all of the baitfish that so kindly worked there way back into our area this late spring, our offshore fishing really starts to get red hot. Big king mackerel along with herds of cobia can be found on some of these killer nearshore wrecks. Nice mangrove snapper up to eight pounds are starting to come to the docks with more frequency. Along with mangrove snapper, some decent hogsnapper are also being caught now on the piles of debris from our old Sanibel Causeway just south of the Sanibel Lighthouse. These artificial reefs are home to some of the big spawning-size snook that were fortunate enough to find deeper warm water and bait to survive the freezes of 2010. These big fish can be caught during lowlight hours by fishing live bait on heavy braid. Nice gag grouper are also still very close to shore and are still giving us some nice pulls when we troll in that 25- to 30-foot depth range.

Juvenile kingfish mixed in with bonita can be found within five miles working the schools of bait. Closer to the beaches expect to start seeing our most prized fighters that come to this area... Da Poons! Fishing live threadfin herring around rolling schools of tarpon just off the beaches is going to be the most productive. Cutting these fish off as they make their way up to Boca Grande to spawn is a ton of fun. Weather you want to fly fish or fish with light tackle, this next month is going to be super sweet, so get out there and soak some of this up!

Capt. Chris and Lacey Rush
www.rushcharters.com

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May/June 2010 - Tampa Bay Area

Well, we've had a crazy start to our year with this record breaking cold weather. I have lived here my whole life and I can't remember days that were this cold. We did lose some fish from the extreme temps, especially snook, but everyone should remember this is nature's path and everything will be OK at the end of the day. With that being said, this abnormal weather has made for some changes in the normal patterns of the fish. I have really had to go to the drawing table this year, as my recent log served no good. I have found that everything is behind a month or so. For example, in April I targeted areas that are normally good in March. This method has proven fairly effective.

So, going into the two best months of the year you can expect the snook fishing to really take off. My favorite bait are greenbacks, aka, snook candy. They cannot resist a frisky greenback under a popping cork or on a freeline. Remember, water is still clear, so use a 3-foot section of 25-pound fluorocarbon leader and a #1 Daiichi Bleeding circle hook. Another method that works really well when the weather starts to get really hot and they start to slow down is cut bait. This is one of my favorite ways to target snook when the heat arrives. Remember, snook fishing is closed statewide until September. Practice a gentle release and make sure to revive the fish fully.

Redfish are also in full swing this time of year. There are huge schools milling the flats in search of all types of food. Using a stealthy approach is a must. Most fish have been caught a time or two, so you really have to be quiet and stay as far away as possible. This means you need to make long casts and braided line is a big help. I prefer to use 6- to 20-pound Fins Wind Tamer. This will enable you to make farther casts so you can stay back away from the fish. Cut bait is my favorite bait, but if you want to use artificials, you can't go wrong with the DOA shrimp.

Trout are also a great species to target. They are great table fare and slot limits are between 15 and 20 inches, so it's easy to catch keepers. They are easy to catch on both artificial and live bait and they don't seem to mind a little bit of noise from the boat. This is a great species to go after with young kids. My personal favorite bait is the 4-inch DOA CAL, matched with a 1/8-ounce jig head. Locating a grass flat with good tidal flow is a great place to start. Potholes, troughs, and creek mouths are all great trout spots.

Tampa Bay is a great area to target the shallow water grouper. There are multiple artificial reefs, ledges, fish haven, and lime rock bottoms throughout the Bay. Live bait is my favorite method for targeting shallow grouper. A simple knocker rig or even freelined bait works great, depending on the water depth and tidal flow. Another great method is trolling the edges of the ship channels with Mann's Stretch 25 or 30 plugs. You can also find success using a downrigger or plainer.

Tarpon is the last species we will be targeting during April and May. As stated earlier, I think it will be closer to May since everything has been running behind schedule. Most bridges, passes, and beaches will be holding good numbers of tarpon. My favorite bait for tarpon are the pass crabs that flow in and out with the tide. You simply scoop up the crabs with a long handled net as they flow out of most passes. Big pinfish and threadfins are also good bait and are often a little easier to find. Heavy tackle is a must. I like 6 feet of 80-pound fluorocarbon leader with 50-pound Fins PRT braided line.

Remember, tarpon are catch and release, so make sure to take your time while reviving these exciting fish-especially the big ones.

Capt. Jason Prieto
www.steadyactionfishingcharters.com

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May/June 2010 - Chokoloskee and the Everglades

It's summer. Summer is actually an abbreviation for snook, tarpon and redfish. After the brutality of this last winter, this summer is going to be extra pleasing.

Snook The freeze of 2010 forced closure of the spring harvest season and it will not open again until September 1st.

The bigger fish moved inshore on cue in April, but they seemed fewer in number, at least at first. May and June are some of the best months for topwater fishing for the large she-snook. Hit the water very early for the best bite. If you're fishing with me, our plugs will be hitting the water an hour before sunrise. The fish this time of year are some of the biggest, so it's time to step up to 20- to 30-pound tackle. The low tides are in the morning in May and June, so the mornings mean we will be fishing the incoming. When the tide floods and the sun's high, it's time for a nap. Fish again at sunset to catch the evening bite.

Redfish will still be around in May and June and are some of the biggest of the year. Occasionally, the schools of breeding bull reds will come in from offshore in late June. These fish are typically 40 inches plus. Look for redfish on top of the bars during the higher stages of the tides. These fish will take topwater baits on the bars, but jigs on the edges are usually more productive.

Tarpon This is the time to fish laid-up fish on fly of light tackle! Book early! The passes hold the silver dinosaurs during the hill tides. It's Poon-Time!

Permit The schools thin out a bit, but are predictable in their patterns.

Speckled Trout are still here in numbers, but small. They tend to hold in deeper water as the temps heats up. Cotee Live-Eye jigs with a swimming shad tail near the bottom is superb.

Cobia They will be here until mid to late June. As the water temperature rises, the "gummers" will migrate a bit farther south. The big fish are usually caught in May and seem to get smaller as time goes on.

Black Drum There are schools of large fish meandering the outside, but with the tarpon, snook, permit and cobia so hot, why bother?

Snappers Lots. Live shrimp under the mangroves.

Gag Grouper Wait until fall!

Sheepshead Some, but look towards October and November.

Action Fish Jacks, ladyfish, trout. Catch them until you are tired-once you locate them.


Call us to Plan Your Next Adventure!

Capt. Charles Wright
www.ChokoloskeeCharters.com
www.EvergladesKayakFishing.com
239-695-9107

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May/June 2010 - Boca Grande

A typical summer day for me normally begins by guiding guests to countless snook under dock lights and area bridges well before dawn. Many anglers enjoy fishing under the stars without the heat and hazard of the sun. Night fishing is what I call "easy fishing" for guests, typically producing 50 or more snook in two or three hours of sight fishing to piles of hungry snook. If you have not experienced this, I invite you to head out at night and take a look at your local canal, pass or bay docks that are well lit. Approach with caution and respect the property. Homeowner's understand water is public property, but the dock and its contents are private property. Tying up to private docks and making excessive noise is a no-no, so do the right thing and you will have a great time catching lots of fish.

Pitching live pilchards into the snook feeding frenzy zone is great fun and the easiest way to catch countless snook in this setting. Another option is to work the shadow line with topwater or subsurface lures. Larger snook frequently tuck into darker areas with less current to easily ambush aimlessly passing prey. Work lures and livies, utilizing the flow of current, from the shadow into the light, just as bait would naturally present itself.  

It's tarpon time in the world's best "poon" fishing hole. Boca Grande Pass is ground zero for arriving summertime anglers from around the globe. The sight of thousands of sunrise tarpon rolling on the water's surface is a truly magical experience. Estimates suggest that fifty to a hundred thousand tarpon migrate into Boca Grande and the Charlotte Harbor estuary during this edition of GAFF to spawn and feed. Jig fishing "the pass" is preferred by most guides and can easily yield ten or more sizeable hook-ups during a typical five-hour morning charter. Anglers that want to avoid the hustle and bustle of BGP take to the beaches and the interior waters of Charlotte Harbor for fly, live bait and plug sight casting opportunities. Peak BGP tarpon season runs from late April through June, but resident and plenty of migrating tarpon will remain in Charlotte Harbor until the fall. If you haven't fished this area for tarpon, NOW IS THE TIME!

While the majority of our local captain's are on the hunt for tarpon, the pristine backcountry waters in our area are left alone to the fish. Translation, no pressure equals world-class inshore fishing for BIG snook and redfish. It is not unusual to steer my guests into a backcountry honey hole on the way to BGP and throw a Bomber Saltwater Grade Badonk-A-Donk topwater lure as the sun rises. The sheer exhilaration of witnessing a big push of water and a giant snook or oversized redfish blasting the world's best topwater lure out of the water is extremely hard to describe. Keep your eyes open for a backcountry tarpon or an occasional cruising cobia while you're stalking reds and snook.  Cast the Badonk-A-Donk lure in their vicinity, twitch-twitch, walk-the-dog and its FISH ON!

If you've seen any of my 2010 TV shows, it is no secret that I like to catch Goliath grouper. Goliath's are as close to any man-vs-beast battle the Gulf waters have to offer. Goliath grouper are plentiful but remain on the endangered list, so an immediate release is required. Do not attempt to target these mammoth fish without the adequate gear and manpower to handle the fight. If you've ever strapped yourself to a 500+ pound bucking Brahma bull and played tug of war, you know what it's like. If not, it may be a good idea to hire a pro guide for the angling thrill of a lifetime.  

Besides the above-mentioned world-class fishing opportunities, we have a multitude of other species to target. The near shore waters have football field sized schools of bonito, Spanish mackerel and king mackerel. Last but not least, BGP will be home to giant hammerhead and bull sharks in search of distressed tarpon and it's not unusual to lose a tarpon on two after you hook up. It does not get any better than this folks!

If you are on the hunt for "WOW" fish-this is the time.  If you are considering a charter, I invite you to visit my website at www.tailchasercharters.com or give me a call (941) 270-7867.

As always, "don't forget to take the kids fishing".

Capt. Chris O'Neill

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March/April 2010 - Chokoloskee and the Everglades

January and February are the coldest months here, as is pretty much true everywhere.  While the Everglades National Park has, arguably, the best winter fishery in North America, spring is still very much welcomed. The winter produces some excellent fishing, but in comparison to the warmer months, the fish are much smaller. However, March and April are typically the months where we step-up our tackle and come off the lightweight winter gear. The water will still be relatively cool and clear, so sight fishing the shallows is still very good during these months—particularly with a fly. 

Snook The freeze of 2010 will remain in the memories of snook anglers for years to come. Here in the Park, we were told this was the hardest cold snap since 1927. Like the rest of the state, the snook here took a beating with a massive January fish kill. As such, the harvest season will not open again until September 1st.
Most of the bigger fish will still be offshore until the water warms. So, expect more of the big she-snook in April than in March. The largest fish are usually sight fished in the shallows with fly or very light spinning tackle. Stealth, stealth, stealth!

Redfish are still plentiful, being more tolerant to the cold, although not in the numbers that you will find in the fall. Redfish prefer something stinky, as they seem to have more “nose” than “eyes.” With fewer snook around, expect a lot more trout.

Tarpon Simply put, March and April are primetime! Book early! The tarpon youngsters move out of the “corn” so we can finally get to them. The big fish lie up in the shallows but eagerly wake up for well-placed bait. Schools of fish move along the coast and in the backcountry—you’ll find them where you expect them. It’s Poon Time!

Permit move back in massive schools. They are big, dumb and hungry. The best fish for me! Believe it or not, a pink Borski slider fly stripped as fast as you can works well, but not as good as a live crab.

Speckled trout are still here in numbers. A rising tide with jigs and Clouser minnows works. Catch all you can stand.

Cobia The migration is on! The cobia are here and will stay until mid-June. The fish start off big but seem to get smaller as time goes on.

Black drum schools are still in the backcountry. Finding them is the key. Once you find them they’ll likely be in the same place for a while. Fish slow. When you think you are fishing slow enough, slow it up more! However, by summer, kiss them goodbye. Count on lots of small fish on the outside.

Snappers Plenty. Live shrimp under the mangroves.

Gag grouper While not known as a grouper fishery, they are here until the water really begins to warm at the end of April. Moving water, big baits and patience. Find one and you’ll have a spot for two months (if you aren’t too greedy). Rattle-traps work great.

Sheepshead Still on every oyster bar.

Action fish Jacks, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Catch them until you are tired—once you locate them


Call us to Plan Your Next Adventure!

Capt. Charles Wright
www.ChokoloskeeCharters.com
www.EvergladesKayakFishing.com
239-695-9107

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March/April 2010 - Ft. Myers

Twenty-ten couldn’t have greeted us sportsman any better.  As fisherman we’ve had some of the most fantastic fishing of our lives.  This isn’t just coming from a young guide of only 11 years here in Sanibel, but also from some of the most notable and legendary fisherman in our area. 

The last 12 months have seen a heavenly supply of bait pour through our area. Everything from shiners to ballyhoo to pinfish and shrimp are making our bays as healthy as we’ve ever seen. All of the baitfish food is producing some extremely healthy fish populations. Throughout all of Pine Island Sound and Estero Bay, giant sea trout have been swimming in thick numbers. Sea trout can be caught on nearly every flat that has diving birds and 3-5 feet of turtle grass. These fish are full of roe, which is evident by there gigantic bellies. Our closed trout seasons have really benefited our trout populations overall and proved to be a real success story.

On recent charters, Capt. Lacey has also been whacking nice oversize snook by fishing deeper water in the Caloosahatchee River on the harder outgoing tides. With water temps creeping above 65 degrees, these fish will continue to bite throughout the harsh winter we are having in southwest Florida. If our wintertime fishery is any indication as to what’s to come this spring, hang on for some seriously killer flats fishing this year!

Venturing offshore, our fishing just can’t get any better… can it? This year has really been sweet for us here at Rushcharters. With the addition of our federal fisheries permits we have been able to take our clients out to some of the more untouched spots past 9 miles. These areas have been just overloaded with giant mangrove snapper up to 8 pounds. These fish have been gorging on the plentiful bait supplies, and getting fat as butterballs.

The most notable fish this month has got to be the gag grouper. The gags are really growing in numbers this year—numbers unseen by even the old-timers around here. Most any ledge in 25 to 45 feet of water has just been covered up with fat gag and red grouper. Dropping a pinfish down with an ounce of lead has been lights out. One thing I like to do while dropping down a pinfish is to stop it occasionally on the way down. Cobia love to hang above the structure and this gives them time to take the bait before it hits the bottom, crawling with hungry groupers.

On the way to and from our numbers, stopping to throw plugs at the many schools of bonita and big king mackerel has been a ball. We use the Yo-Zuri Sashimi Bull SW in the sardine color and it has been awesome seeing these powerful fish bust it on the surface. From big kingfish to giant groupers, book a trip with us and get ready to get whipped!
 

Tight lines and good times,
 
Capt Chris & Capt. Lacey Rush
WWW.RUSHCHARTERS.COM
Visit us on the web for online charter reservations!
239-482-0193 Office
239-980-1436 Lacey
239-229-5388 Chris

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March/April 2010 - Tampa Bay Area

Well, spring is upon us and fishing in the west central is as good as it gets. Cold fronts really start to become less frequent and weak. Longer days help heat up the cold waters on the backcountry and flats, and the fish just seem to be sick of winter. This time of year they come out of their cold-weather haunts making up for lost meals during the winter and eating everything in sight!

One species that is great in the wintertime and continues to be a fun target through early summer is trout. Trout are one of the easiest fish to catch, not to mention, great table fair. There are some basic techniques that will put a fish in the boat on every cast. One is a popping cork with a shrimp or soft plastic of your choice. The trick is to simply pop the cork every few seconds. The popping sound is something a trout just has to investigate and you can use this technique with both live and artificial bait. While the water is still very clear, I like to downsize my leader to 20-pounds to reduce its visibility. I also like to go with ultra-light braided line. My preferred line is 4-pound Fins Smooth Cast.

Another species, which is by far the most targeted this time of year, is snook! This is my favorite species to target, especially in the spring. Live bait (Greenbacks) is the trick, as these fish have been in hibernation for a couple of months and they haven’t eaten much. The trick to figuring out when they will make their way out of the rivers, from under the docks and all of their other winter homes is water temperature. Sixty-eight degrees is my favorite number. This will be the ticket to a successful snook trip. Twenty-five-pound Ohero Fluorocarbon leader, matched with a 1/0 Daiichi bleeding circle hook, will give you the edge when targeting these linesiders. IMPORTANT REMINDER: SNOOK SEASON IS SHUT DOWN THIS YEAR UNTIL SEPTEMBER due to the freeze earlier this year. We still have plenty of healthy snook in the west central area and catch and release is fine—just handle all fish with care so their numbers will rebound and there will be plenty for our kids to catch!

Redfish are another species that really take off towards the later part of spring. Mid April we start to see big schools of up to 400 fish milling around the shallow flats in search of crabs, shrimp, and other types of bait. One of my favorite baits for redfish is cut pinfish or greenbacks.  Free lined or with just a split-shot, makes a great rig. Again, like with trout, I like to use 20 or even 15-pound fluorocarbon leader, as these fish are very spooky. When targeting redfish you need to have a good, quiet trolling motor, or even a push pole, as most schools will be spooked from the slightest sound. Master all mentioned above and you will enjoy some great inshore fishing.

There are plenty of other species to target in the area. We have big schools of mackerel and grouper stacked up on the ledges in the Gulf of Mexico. Tarpon are also making their journey up the coast along with many others. The only way to catch them is to get out on the water.


See you out there—tight lines!

Capt. Jason Prieto

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March/April 2010 - Boca Grande Pass

Many angling opportunities arise as spring migration patterns are in full swing. I must declare, with so many species available, it’s hard to stay off of the water, even on my few days off. Techniques like topwater, subsurface and live bait will all produce exciting battles of epic stature this month.

Snook are by far my favorite species to target. After a long, colder than normal winter, these fish have been feeding like it’s their last meal. Pick your tides and lean toward fast moving water to find the best snook feeding situation. Live bait is not required this time of year when stalking snook, allowing maximum usage of artificial lures. My go-to artificial bait for a myriad of species is Bomber’s Saltwater Grade Badonk-A-Donk topwater lure. The lure is perfect considering it comes in three sizes from 3.5 to 4.5 inches, enabling anglers to “match the hatch” with their particular situation. The rugged design and quality finish will attract and withstand the most aggressive saltwater predators.

Keep your eyes open for big mature redfish. The local passes are home to plenty of big red drum in search of food and action, mainly in deeper water during the spring months. You will also find redfish in the 16- to 32-inch category schooling throughout our shallow water flats. Artificials like Bomber’s Saltwater Grade Redfish Flasher or Extreme Popping Cork rigged with soft plastics are deadly. As we approach the hot summer months, your odds early and late in the day are best with this species. Pay special attention to mangrove-lined shorelines, especially as the day warms and fish seek shade, food and cooler water.

Tarpon season is right around the corner here in the “Tarpon Capital of the World.” By the time you get the next issue of GAFF, things will be popping with upwards of 100,000 migrating tarpon in our backyard of Boca Grande Pass. Guides from all over the state, as well as angling clients from around the world, descend on our fishery to get the unique opportunity to hook and release the giant Silver King. Myself, I can’t wait for these amazing fish to arrive. Soon I’ll be starting my mornings off jig fishing Boca Grande Pass, having lunch with clients, and then heading out to the beaches for world-class sight fishing opportunities on the Gulf of Mexico. WOW!

I am fortunate to live and fish in one of the best fishing “holes” in the world. I invite you to visit and experience what “Old Florida” is all about. Englewood is every vacationer’s dream, offering wonderful beaches, great atmosphere and a slow pace to relax with family and friends. For anglers, nothing beats a great day on the water with a professional fishing guide that will put you on the fish, clean your catch, and then send you and the family home with memories of a lifetime—along with fresh fish for the grill!

Let’s go fishing… and don’t forget to bring the kids!


Capt. Chris O’Neill

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January/February 2010 - Ft. Myers and Pine Island Sound

Men at Work

Offshore Bonanza

This harsh winter we've been having so far in southwest Florida has really turned on the fishing. Warm water temps have caused hoards of bait to start piling up on our nearshore ledges and wrecks. Blackening out a well with bait before cruising offshore will help you bring these normally bottom-feeding fish to the surface. Heavy chumming around wrecks in 60 to 80 feet of water will bring grouper and big mangrove snapper to the surface.

Fishing for these fish on 50-pound braid with 8-foot heavy spinning rods is a ton of fun, but the only way to catch these fish on lighter rods and downsized tackle is to bring them to the surface. Keeping a steady stream of whitebaits flickering and fluttering to the bottom will also bring up amberjacks, mackerel and cobia. In recent trips we've been having a lot of fun with this method, producing some really big numbers on almost all of our offshore trips. With most of our days here still reaching the 80s with light winds, if anyone wants to get some last minute offshore fishing in before the winds kick up this winter, look us up on the web and book your trip online.

Women at work

Inshore Slam

Does it get any better any were in the world than right here? I know that's saying a lot, but we all have the tendency to get spoiled with how good we really have it here. With water temps still in the 70s and bait being so abundant, our tarpon, snook and red fishing has continued to be superb. Big tarpon are still being caught in our bays, especially around the big schools of mackerel and ladyfish. These big, resident tarpon have been caught by us, as of late, by freelining 5- to 10-inch ladyfish off the back of our boat while drifting through the schools that are hitting on the surface. This strategy equals  "lights out" for tarpon and big black tip sharks.

Giant schools of reds are still around and on this last new moon have been chewing hardcore. Once you find the big schools, be ready to have some fun. With these fish being so aggressive, fishing them on artificials-especially topwater plugs-just can't be beat. Watching a 10- to 12-pound red engulf a Rapala Skitterwalk is really a ball. Fishing them on seven-foot, medium-heavy rods, with 10-pound Power Pro will help you get that bait out a long ways in front of the school.

After bending the rod on some reds, get up in our bays and creeks and search out water temps of at least 70 degrees and that's were you'll find the snook. These fish are chowing down before our temps cool down. Chumming aggressively for these fish with live bait will identify their shoreline hangouts. Try using the smaller baits in your well for chum and have those 4- to 5-inch whitebaits on standby to throw at the boils.

Whether you want to flyfish for tarpon or sightcast for snook, it's all still available in our area. El Niño, we love you, for keeping us fishing guides busy on the water and catching our customers' boatloads of fish. If things keep up, we may not get a winter vacation, but that's all right with us.

Capt. Chris and Capt. Lacey Rush

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January/February 2010 - Tampa Bay Area

What better time to go fishing than after the holiday rush, with all of the new fishing goodies we just got for Christmas and that insatiable urge to put them to good use?

We are in the heart of winter, so this means we have some of the coldest water temperatures of the year, but that won't slow the fishing down one bit. This is a great time of year to grab your favorite artificial lures and get out on the water!

The winter fishery is wonderful here in Tampa Bay. One of my favorite species to target is sheepshead. They are one of the best fighting and eating fish around and they're plentiful this time of year. Sheepshead love structure, so you will find schools around every other piling and dock. Look for heavy barnacle growth. One method is to scrape the barnacles with a shovel (this will act as chum) then simply drop your line as close to the piling as possible and hold on. I like to use a 1/8- or ¼-ounce jig head matched with 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. This, matched with the Fins 4-pound PRT, will be the perfect rig. Artificial reefs are great areas to target too, and there are plenty throughout the bay.

Trout are another species that is plentiful in Tampa Bay. Break out your favorite artificial and hold on. Trout like the colder water temperatures and they don't spook away from artificial baits. Fishing for trout is very easy. Find a flat with healthy grass and good tidal flow, start up current and just drift. As you drift, simply make casts with your favorite plug or soft plastic. My favorite rig for trout is a 1/8-ounce Texas-rigged weedless hook with a Berkley Gulp white colored 3-inch shrimp. Work your bait according to the depth. Another great approach is a Cajun Thunder with a DOA shrimp. Just pop the cork and trout cannot resist this technique. One last tool that will help slow your drift on windy days is a drift anchor or sock. Remember to handle trout with extreme care, as they are a delegate fish.

Redfish are also plentiful during the winter months. Most of the big over-slot fish have pushed off to deeper water, but there are plenty of slot fish that hang around throughout the winter. I like to target residential canals and docks. They make great winter homes for redfish and many other species. A live shrimp tail-hooked is a great bait to use. I like to down size my leader to 20 pounds and use a #1 Daiichi Bleeding circle hook. A slow approach works best and this is why my bait of choice is shrimp. Artificials work well also and you can cover more area in less time. Soft plastics are another favorite of mine. You can use the same rig as mentioned above for trout.

Cobia is another exciting species to target in the wintertime. They are tremendous fighters and can weigh up 50 pounds. Pinfish are the preferred bait to use. I like to step up my leader to 40 pounds and use a 4/0 Daiichi circle hook. Your rod and reel size should reflect the size of the fish you are targeting. Of the many areas to target cobia, some of my favorites are the warm water outflow areas. These are power plants that use the bay water to cool their generators. On the outflow side of the power plant, the water will maintain a steady 75 degrees all winter. This attracts manatees and rays, and cobia are usually right behind them. Sight casting is a great method or you can simply anchor up and create a chum slick.

Whatever species you decide to target, with a little planning and patience, you should be in for a great time and good fishing in Tampa Bay.

Tight lines!

Capt. Jason Prieto

 

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January/February 2010 - Boca Grande Inshore

 

Four years ago, I turned the page after an exciting twenty-year career in the United States Army as a Hovercraft Pilot. The service was an amazing experience allowing me to deploy my fishing habit to some of world's most remote locations. Now, I spend almost every day on the vast ecosystem known as Charlotte Harbor. I nearly have to kick myself to make sure it is not a dream. Truly, I am very fortunate to have 270-square miles of pristine shallow water to call my place of work. 

The months of January and February bring plenty of wonderful fishing days along with cold fronts that typically occur every four to five days in southwest Florida. Your best bet is to be very familiar with your local weather forecaster and try your luck just before or shortly after a front blows through. The next two months will also give us plenty of negative tide situations that require additional consideration when planning your trip. Wading to your favorite sand hole is a great way to find concentrated redfish during these cooler months. The northerly winds take a toll on our tides and keep at least a foot of mean low "average" depth from flooding the flats. Once you learn how to fish the ultra-low winter tides, you will find that it is much easier to find fish. Of course, the need for a skinny-water boat factors into the process. 

I typically use cut sardines or plugs this time of year.  I also like to throw the new Bomber Saltwater Grade flair-hair jig, tipped with a piece of shrimp. It is the perfect lure for sand holes and over grass flats. If you have not seen this durable "bucktail on steroids" you need to check it out. The speed of retrieve should be half of whatever you think is slow during the cooler months. 

Don't forget about trout and sheepshead. The winter and spring months put these two fine-eating fish in the cooler on most days. Sheepshead will take up residence along near coastal dock structures in preparation for their spawn. I like to use the smelliest frozen shrimp I can find to get sheepies to bite. Use a 1/8 oz. chartreuse long-shank jighead, tipped with the frozen shrimp. Fish vertically along structure and prepare to lose plenty of bait to these snaggle-toothed thieves. 

 

Tail Chaser Tip:

Fish leeward points and passes on windy days. Fish the muddy bottom shorelines of Bull and Turtle Bays to find warmer water. These areas provide sanctuary to wintertime snook and redfish. Trout can be found in four to six feet of water along most grassy flats.

-Capt. Chris O'Neill

 

 

 

 

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November/December 2009 - Chokoloskee and the Everglades

Everglades National Park - November & December
Capt. Charles Wright

November and December bring big changes to Everglades National Park. The cooler water temperatures transition the entire fishery.

November is very much like October, except better. All the summer species are still here responding well to summer's fishing techniques. The winter species arrive in numbers with some great additional opportunities. November also brings along the first of winter's cold fronts. They are actually "cool" fronts this far south, but the fish don't seem to know that. With the passing cold fronts, you must switch to winter fishing techniques.

Snook harvest season closes December 15. Please keep that in mind with your bookings. Until the water cools significantly, the big snook will be inshore. However, by the end of December, they will move well away from the "cold" shorelines.

The fall snook are my favorite. They are post-spawn and seek to fatten up before the water cools. Fall snook are usually more aggressive than at any other time of the year. Typically, a bit smaller than then the summertime fish, they are, however, feistier and usually much better fighters. It is hard to resist throwing top water plugs in the morning. When this bite wanes, begin working your way down the water column. Sight fishing the shallow flats for linesiders is very tough to beat, as well.

Redfish should still be plentiful and sight fishing should be superb. Their numbers are not as great as in previous months, but they remain a staple in November and December. 

Tarpon: This year continues to be the best tarpon fishing I can remember. While there are plenty of big fish around in November and early December, it is the juveniles that keep our focus. Jerk baits and flies are the best.

Permit will be on the structure for the duration in early November. By the end of the month, the schools will be gone. They are also a few, large resident fish around, but they are hard to target.

Speckled Trout is closed for harvest in November and December. However, they'll provide non-stop action if the snook fishing slows.

Cobia:   The cobia swarms arrive by the end of October. November and December are excellent months for our "brown marlin." By the end of December, however, they do not eat as often and can get finicky if it is cold.

Black Drum: They are here year round and can provide good action. The smaller ones are usually taken with fresh shrimp. The bigger fish take artificials. You must work the bait very slowly. When you think you are working it slow enough, slow it up some more!

Snapper: Lots... live shrimp under the mangroves.

Gag Grouper are better in December than November. Passes, cuts and moving water will produce.

Sheepshead move in here in November. By December, they are very numerous. Fresh shrimp on the bottom is best.

Action Fish: Jacks, lady fish, and Spanish mackerel... catch them until you are tired... once you locate them.

See you on the water!

Capt. Charles Wright
www.ChokoloskeeCharters.com
www.EvergladesKayakFishing.com
239-695-9107

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July/August 2010 - Panama City to Pensacola

Inshore fishing along the panhandle has been phenomenal this spring. In the bays, we saw more baitfish than usual, primarily small menhaden, but a lot of glass minnows as well. This brought in acres of Spanish mackerel feeding along the drop-offs as well as large schools of bull reds feeding on the schools of baitfish in deeper water. We've also seen good numbers of keeper-sized speckled trout and redfish on the flats and around docks, with plenty of flounder mixed in.

With the rising temperatures expect to see a change in where and when fish will feed, as well as what they will be feeding on. The baitfish that have moved in will be the primary bait of choice for the summer months. Some call these baitfish menhaden, others pogies, and still others LY, but if it's the oily baitfish that swirls on top of the water in schools and quickly dies in a less than adequate livewell, you've got the right bait. You can find them just about anywhere this time of year, but if you are struggling to locate them, check any muddy bottom inlet in the back bays and chances are you'll run across a few schools. The best size for inshore fishing is going to be in the 3 to 5 inch range, but don't be afraid to use the little ones under a popping cork or Carolina rigged. And on the same token, don't be scared to try some of the 6 to 8 inch big guys for gator trout and upper-slot reds. My favorite way to use these baits is by freelining with no more than 2 to 3 feet of leader line and a circle hook. The hook size is going to depend on the size of the bait.  For the smaller 3-inch baits, I'll use a 2/0 Owner MUTU light circle hook. For the 4-inch baits, 3/0 and for the bigger baits a 4/0 or 5/0. Hook them in the tail and let them swim around freely, and make sure the hook is exposed enough to get a good hook set.

The speckled trout are much more affected by the temperatures than the redfish. The early morning and late evening bite for speckled trout is normally the best bite during the summer. The trend for where to find them seems to be in shallow water when it is cooler, in deeper (4-8 ft) grass beds when it is hotter, and when you can't seem to find them anywhere at any time of the day, fish at night under dock lights. If you are hoping to catch them on artificials, it is hard to beat an early morning topwater lure like the Top Dog or Skitterwalk. Another favorite of mine is a simple swimbait worked over the grass beds with a straight retrieve.

Redfish are a little easier than the specks. The hot weather will have an effect on them but if you locate redfish in a general area, expect to find them there all throughout the day. The trend for reds is similar to that of trout in that they will stay shallow when it is cooler and deeper when it is hotter. But for reds this means bunching up around deepwater docks and bridges. If I find redfish along a stretch of flats in the morning, I'll go back in the afternoon to deep docks in the same area, and more times than not, I'll find those same redfish. On the flats, a gold spoon is my first choice followed by a topwater lure. Around docks, Gulp! baits will do the trick. Work them very slow, even letting it sit still for a minute or two letting the pinfish nibble at them.

And as always, look for signs of life when locating these fish. The two biggest things I look for are baitfish and big mullet. When you find these two factors on a flat, chances are redfish and speckled trout are mixed in.

Capt. Blake Nelson

Last Cast Charters

850.499.3811

www.captainblake.com

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July/August 2010 - Big Bend and the Forgotten Coast

The dogs may be panting on the front porch, but the fishing is as hot as a firecracker along the Big Bend coast the next two months. The trick to successful outings is knowing when and where to go.

With water temperatures hovering in the mid- to upper-80s, the best time to be on the water if you're hunting trout in July and August is before dawn and dusk. Big "gator" trout take advantage of low light conditions to ambush their prey. They're also more active when the water is cooler. Noisy surface plugs like the Hall 'em In Rat Dogs, Rapala Skitterwalks or Zara Spooks will trigger explosive strikes, especially when cast into potholes or around bait-holding features on the flats. Rock grass, oyster bars and the numerous limestone piles scattered across eastern Apalachee Bay are prime gator hangouts. Once the sun has climbed, switch to subsurface offerings like DOA BaitBusters or Catch 2000 plugs in depths of 4 to 6 feet. Work the lures slowly with occasional twitches. Top plug colors include black/silver, white/redhead and chartreuse/white. A DOA standard shrimp suspended under a popping or clacker cork is also effective once the water gets hot. For live bait enthusiasts, frisky pinfish, pilchards or finger mullet get the nod.

Redfish are much more tolerant of warmer water and will continue to bite throughout the day. Look for reds prowling the shoreline, open bays and creek mouths. If you find one fish, others will be in the vicinity or in similar conditions. If I'm targeting reds, the first lure I'll usually tie on is a pink Aqua Dream 3/8-ounce spoon. In the summer months, though, the chartreuse and silver versions often catch more fish. Soft plastic jerk baits like the DOA C.A.L. 5.5-inch baits in glow or new penny are another good choice. Rig them weedless, especially if the floating grass is thick. 

If you're looking for bigger tugs on your line, July and August are made to order. Blacktip and spinner sharks will readily pounce on well-placed subsurface plugs. They jump and pull exceptionally hard, so make sure to match the tackle. A 30-pound spinning outfit loaded with 300 yards of braided line will make the fights sporty. Cobia are prone to pop up at any time as well. That's why I always keep a rod aboard loaded with a big bucktail jig. Jack crevalle will be zipping about in packs, harassing pods of pilchards and glass minnows. If you get a lure or jig in the middle, hang on, because it'll seldom go unmolested.

For the ultimate sport, however, it's hard to top the tarpon that frequent our stretch of coast for the next couple months. Look for fish rolling on the surface early in the mornings. Maneuver the boat quietly into position and lead the fish with your cast. I use 8-foot medium-heavy Shimano spinning outfits with at least 350 yards of 30-pound braided line and 80-pound fluorocarbon leaders for tarpon. Big plugs like Guide's Choice M-80 poppers or Bunka Boys connected with a monofilament loop knot complete the set-up.

Once you're hooked up, keep the fight as short as possible to ensure a good release. Remember, a $50 tag bought in advance is required to boat a tarpon. Take a snap shot instead (leave the fish in the water) and let that silver trophy swim away so someone else can experience the thrill. 

So what are you waiting for? Slather on the sunscreen, drink plenty of water and keep an eye out for the afternoon thunder-boomers. Celebrate summer by catching more fish!

Capt. Dave Lear

http://captaindavelear.com

 

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July/August 2010 - Crystal River and Homosassa

It's time to dust off that snorkeling gear, put on a bathing suit and cool off from the summer heat. The opening of scallop season starts here in the Crystal River/Homosassa area July 1^st and ends September 10^th. Scalloping is a big attraction to the Nature Coast, and a great way to spend the day on the water with friends and family. Our vast area of crystal-clear grass flats between the two rivers is a haven for these tasty bivalves. Some of the more productive areas in recent years have been the Gomez Rocks area off Crystal River and the flats just West of St. Martins Keys off Homosassa. Simple snorkeling gear, a dive flag and a saltwater fishing license (for those 16 and older) is all that's needed to harvest them. Before the season opens, it's always best to check the current regulations and bag limits to ensure a fun day on the water.

With the water heating up, so is the redfishing. The large redfish schools are just weeks away, and there are plenty of fish on the outer keys. The last couple hours of the incoming tide are hard to beat, and remember, a stealthy approach helps ensure success. Push pole or ease up with your trolling motor to a likely spot, anchor down and position yourself up tide. Locate points with a hard limestone bottom. Freeline a live pinfish, or for a sure hook up, try a fresh piece of cut mullet or ladyfish. For those who prefer artificials, a 1/4-ounce gold spoon or a DOA C.A.L. jerkbait in the glow or new penny color rigged weedless is ideal for casting along the rocky structure.

For cast after cast action, and a variety of species, the deep grass patches west of the "Foul Area" in 8 to 12 feet of water are always a summertime hot spot. To locate these deeper grass beds, let the sun get up a little and run with the sun at your back. Look for the dark and light spots on the bottom. This "spotty" bottom (which is approximately 5 to 8 miles offshore) is the most productive area to target trout during these hot summer months. A DOA glow shrimp or glow C.A.L. shad rigged on a 1/8-ounce chartreuse jig head are deadly. However, if the bite slows, scented bait like a camo or new penny Gulp! shrimp will help get an extra bite or two. Flounder, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and the list goes on... are all possibilities on any given day.

The grouper bite will still be going strong in the 50 to 70 foot range. Initiate the bite with some cut sardines or threadfin herring. Once the action gets going, drop down a live pinfish or a grass porgy and hold on. If you're not using some of the grunts you're catching while targeting grouper for bait, you may be missing the biggest grouper under the boat. A fresh-cut grunt head will usually produce a keeper-and a hefty one at that. Mangrove snapper will be on the same structure as the grouper and they help add some groceries to the cooler. Place a chum bag overboard, freeline some pieces of cut bait or smaller live baits (pinfish or greenbacks) to get that mondo mango.

On a final note, let's hope the best for the oil situation in the gulf. Also, if you have any questions about the area, feel free to contact me.

Capt. Dan Clymer

www.crystalriver-fishing.com

(352) 418-2160

 

 

 

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May/June 2010 - Big Bend and Forgotten Coast

Summer's here and the time is right for chasing scales along the Big Bend and Forgotten Coast. The only dilemma facing anglers is deciding which species to target, since the next few months showcase the realm of possibilities.

Take sea trout, for starters. With our expansive grass flats and relatively undeveloped coastline, the Big Bend has some of the best trout action this side of Laguna Madre. Schoolie fish up to three pounds are found by drifting over the flats casting shrimp imitations like DOAs in natural patterns or glow, along with soft plastic jerk baits. For the real McCoy, live shrimp and shiner tails (split pinfish quarters) entice as well, especially when suspended under clacker or popping corks. But the true trophies or "gator" trout are a whole different breed altogether. Lone ambush predators, they lurk in the shallows and prefer big meals. That's why I have my anglers throw big baits when targeting them. Topping the list are DOA BaitBusters in black/silver or classic white with a red head. For hard plugs, my go-to lures are the beautiful yet deadly Hall 'Em In wooden creations. Both makes duplicate the finger mullet and pilchards on the gator menu. And if we are after the sows specifically, we'll be on the water before dawn or just before dusk when low-light ambush conditions are ideal.

Summer redfish inhabit the same zones as gators with shallow shorelines, rock piles and creek mouths being prime places to prospect. If you find schools of foraging, flipping mullet, the redfish won't be far behind. Use probing lures like an Aqua Dream Living spoon or jerk baits to locate the fish. Once you do, stake off or use the trolling motor to work the area thoroughly. Other fish will often be in the vicinity. Although it's not impossible, the big summer tides with increased water movement make it harder to spot tailing reds. Instead, watch for nervous water and wakes, shiny sides or white throats to pinpoint the quarry.

May and June are also great months for run-and-gun action across the Forgotten Coast. Hard-charging speedsters like Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, bluefish and ladyfish will cruise the nearshore depths harassing schools of pilchards, glass minnows and sardines. Watch for surface commotion/splashes, diving birds or oil slicks in depths ranging from six to 20 feet. Idle close before cutting the engine to avoid putting the schools down. Solid spoons such as Kastmasters or Sidewinders work well, along with 1/4-ounce diamond jigs. To prevent cutoffs, use a trace of wire leader and a swivel to connect to the running line. Heavy monofilament up to 40-pound test will generate more strikes, however. On those greasy slick days of summer, nothing is cooler than running from school to school for non-stop action.

If that's not enough, then break out the heavier gear 'cause the big girls are back in town. That's right, May and June herald the return of king mackerel, cobia and tarpon, and while tactics vary for each, all three offer heart-pounding excitement for their followers. Grouper trollers pick off their share of kings by dragging Stretch 25s or Rapala CD-18s behind the boat. That world record Spanish you nailed off a pilchard pod might be royalty in disguise. But if you're bound and determined to land a smoker, anchor over one of the many artificial reefs or natural bottom ledges, break out the chum bag and float a live blue runner or pinfish below a balloon. You never know, a cobia might get there first. Or you might have your hands full with a stubborn blacktip or spinner shark. They jump, run and fight hard, regardless. Just be careful with the release!

After suffering through one of the coldest winters in decades, those long hot days of summer are going to feel very comfortable indeed. Especially when you're working up a sweat battling that trophy fish.

Capt. Dave Lear
www.captaindavelear.com

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March/April 2010 - Panama City to Pensacola

This is truly the finest time of year for any Floridian who has spent time outdoors. The sun is starting to shine warmly on our faces as we watch the bays and passes come alive with activity. The turkeys are gobbling down in the swamps and the gulls are calling as they are nimbly diving on schools of baitfish, in a stark contrast to their neighbor the pelican who lumbers through the air and crashes onto his breakfast. To a seasoned angler, scenes such as this are filled with the ambrosia of prospect, and while the novice can sense the excitement in the air, he perhaps may not be fully aware at how much opportunity lay at his feet.

The passes are a good place to start around this time of year. Fishing the jetties and areas adjacent can be very productive on all the newly awakening species. Surf fishing with cut shrimp or sand fleas is the sure fire way to pick up some pompano. The time-tested technique of a two-hook rig with a pyramid weight is a simple way to nail this fine table fare. Don’t be surprised to pick up an occasional redfish or Spanish mackerel in the process.

Throwing a Gotcha from the jetties with a little bit of steel tippet will bring Spanish and bluefish in by the droves. Just watch for diving birds and let your lures fly. I like to use light tackle, but be wary not to go too light, as even the smallest of Spanish and blues make for a good fight with long hard runs.

Reds and trout will be congregating amongst the grass flats this time of year in great numbers. Live shrimp, baitfish, and various artificial lures will make for a fun outing.  The specks will be coming right off their spawn and should be especially ravenous. Be wary when wading to not attach your catch to yourself too securely, as all too often bull sharks and the like will attempt to make your catch, their catch. I would advise separating yourself as quickly as possible from your catch if this situation were to arise. You can catch more fish any day, but new appendages are typically in short supply.

Offshore, grouper and snapper are closed, but amberjacks are not and will more than likely be willing to appease anyone’s bottom fishing fix, while inshore along the beaches, the kings and cobia will be cruising the bars. Troll live baits for kings slowly, and keep a rod with a jig or a fin bait handy. Keeping an ever-ready eye out for cobia will pay off with enough effort. Even if you don’t see a fish, but perhaps some flotsam, make a cast. All too often have I seen very large fish hide under very small objects. Sunfish and rays also harbor cobia, so be vigilant and you’ll more than likely have a good story to tell and perhaps some bragging rights to go with it!

Keep in mind that as the temperatures increase, so does the traffic on the water. For every one of you out there trying to be safe there is another bonehead being selfish and probably dangerous. Keep an eye out for this clown, and don’t let his good time spill over into your good time, and you both have a bad time. Good luck and tight lines!


Capt. Si Nelson

(850) 865-0453

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March/April 2010 - Big Bend and the Forgotten Coast

It’s an epidemic as spring fever hits the Big Bend/Forgotten Coast the next couple of months. Now that Old Man Winter has finally loosened his icy grip, anglers are taking to the water in droves, even if that means skipping school or calling in sick to work. Fishing is just that good.

For starters, trout and redfish, our bread-and-butter gamesters, are settling back into their usual haunts. School-sized trout will be taking up station on the region’s expansive grass flats. Returning pinfish, finger mullet and shrimp are the enticement as the trout try to bulk up after the lean winter. These same baits suspended under a popping or clacking cork will draw plenty of strikes. DOA standard shrimp, jig tails with grubs or topwater plugs are equally effective. Concentrate efforts on sandy potholes, depressions or drop-offs. A temperature gauge is helpful to locate warmer water early, but once it reaches 70 degrees, it’s game on.

As is always the case, the bigger trout will be loners, often holding in water depths of less than three feet. Structure such as oyster bars, rocks or the kelp-like grass that grows around rocky bottom serve as ambush points for “gator” trout. These trophies prefer sizable meals, so large baits such as the Rapala Skitterwalk, MirrOlure Top Dogs or the Hall ‘Em In wooden plugs will attract attention. Keep in mind, however, that big trout are breeding females so it’s best to let them go after a quick photo. If you want some for dinner, stick with the smaller males that are under 20 inches in size.

The large schools of redfish that are common during the winter months will be breaking apart by now. That doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of reds around. Singles, pairs and small groups will be fanning out all along the coast. If I’m focusing on reds I’ll be casting around creek mouths, grass points and oyster bars with an Aqua Dream spoon. Pink is always a good spring color, with chartreuse, silver and gold backup options. When spoon-feeding reds, work the lure slowly so it wobbles just off the bottom.

March also marks the return of pelagics to Northwest Florida, with pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel leading the way. Look for tasty pompano around sandy areas like the West Flats and gulfside of the barrier islands. Shiny bullet jigs dressed with pink, yellow, white or chartreuse nylon skirts get mistaken for sand fleas. But pompano will also eat fresh peeled shrimp, bucktail jigs or shrimp imitations. A medium-light-action spinning outfit provides ample sport for these scrappy fighters.

Roving packs of bluefish will bend plenty of rods this time of year, too. If you get into them (the area’s many nearshore shoals are great places to look), use the opportunity to clean out your tackle box, since blues are never too persnickety as long as the lure is moving. Topwater plugs like ChugBugs in chrome variations work well, along with metals such as Kastmasters, Clarkes or Gotchas. If you’re stingy with your tackle, crimp on a six-inch trace of wire leader. Otherwise, 40-pound monofilament leaders will generate more strikes.

The same rules apply to Spanish mackerel. You’ll lose a few with mono leaders, but you’ll catch a lot more. One of my favorite mackerel rigs is a 3/8-ounce diamond jig. It looks just like the glass minnows Spanish love to gobble and it casts a country mile. Another old Cracker trick is a McDonald’s soda straw cut at an angle and slid over a 3/0 straight-shank hook. When the mackerel and blues are thick, it can be non-stop action, which is a perfect scenario for junior anglers who tend to get bored easily.

If this still isn’t enough, cobia will be back again by April. We don’t get the epic runs like our neighbors do in the Panhandle, but we do enjoy a bountiful stock nonetheless. Look for brown bombers around channel markers and pilings. Bucktail jigs up to 1 1/2-ounces are my favorite offerings for ling. Live pinfish or finger mullet are also good choices. And if you can find them, a live eel is seldom refused.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy one of the best times to be on the water. You definitely won’t regret it.

Capt. Dave Lear

www.captaindavelear.com

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March/April 2010 - Apalachicola, Dog Island and Ocklockonee Bay

Well, for March and April, I only have to write half of a forecast-because, since February 1st every fish I target is closed by the National Marine Fisheries Service until April 1st. So, March's plan is to talk to all of you about getting active in protecting our right to simply go fishing and bring home a moderate catch to enjoy with our families. April's forecast will cover more of my fishing strategy, since I haven't been on the water for months.

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act was enacted in 1976 and amended in 1996. Its purpose in 1976 was to aide the domestic fishing industry by phasing out foreign fishing, which is a good thing. The 1996 amendments focused on rebuilding over-fished fisheries, reducing bycatch and protecting fish habitat. This is also a good thing. In my opinion, things start down the wrong path when former President George W. Bush, through his Ocean Action Plan, made reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act a top priority by calling for a hard deadline to end over fishing, increase use of market-based management tools, and the creation of a national saltwater angler registry. In 2006 another round of amendments included more emphasis on data collection through dock side intercepts, and analysis of vessel trip report data collected from charter vessels, along with many other additions too numerous to discuss here.

Where I find a tremendous flaw in the whole management process, which has lead to a horrific effect on Florida's fishing industry, is that all data seems to be based on what has been caught, instead of what stocks are actually in the water. Meaning, as the feds note increased catches, their interpretation is that the fishery is being over fished. As a charter Captain, this same data tells me the population is healthy and abundant.

I think to end the further devastation of Florida's fishing industry, the data collection process needs to be completely overhauled, so there is an equal balance between catch data and actual estimates on stock numbers based on extensive research at sea, focusing on what is swimming, not what is on ice.

In April--since red snapper are so over fished--you will need to polish up on the careful handling and release of red snapper to reduce the number of dead floating snapper, as you will be catching more and bigger red snapper than ever before. The biggest challenge you face is trying to get your bait past the thousands of snapper to present it to the grouper beneath. I will try anchoring and dropping on smaller ledges and rock piles starting in depths of 35 to 40 feet. I have found if the snapper are a nuisance and getting your bait through them isn't working, just relax and catch the snapper and do your best not to kill any of the rare fish when you release them, and after thirty minutes or an hour, the snapper bite should slow and grouper should start getting a shot at your bait.

Another great way to get past the snapper is to troll Stretch 30s. Come prepared with many colors. I like rigs using 80-pound braid in the reel, and 4 feet of 100-pound mono leader. Try speeds ranging from 4 knots up to 7 knots. Remember, keep your eye on the bottom machine-I have located numerous super spots while trolling. If I am unsuccessful in the 30- to 40-foot depths, I will move on to 50 and 60 feet where trolling is still effective if you're using braids.  You will need to let out more line than what you would in 40 feet. Again, my strategy will be to work smaller ledges and rock piles, avoiding large structures, as I always find more snapper on the larger structures.

On February 24, 2010 from noon till 3 PM, recreational and commercial fisherman will unite at the Nation's capitol to demonstrate against the unintended impacts of the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act. These two groups of fishermen have always been polar opposites, but for the first time have come together to stop the devastation of an industry and conserve the right of our citizens to fish. I encourage all that can, to attend and fight to save saltwater fishing in Florida.

Please write your congressman and demand better data collection. Fight for your right to enjoy fishing our waters.

Capt. Bill Giddens
U.S.C.G. Master
Dog Island Charters, Inc.
Lanark Village, FL
(850) 933-1149

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January/February 2010 - Panama City to Pensacola

Getting' Busted and Doubling Up

The times are changing. Yes, I am referring to the time within the seasonal cycle with which you are currently reading this, however I am also referring to other cycles, which are in constant revolution around us. Cycles that may not be as obvious as the weather, but have an effect on the Florida angler just the same. For example, with our sluggish economy weighing heavy on our pockets and putting unemployment sky high, we are faced with the literal feast or famine. Some of us are perhaps doubling up on hours at work to make ends meet, leaving us barely anytime to fish, while others might have lost our job and are finding more than ample angling opportunities on a daily basis. Either way, both situations lend little time or fewer dollars to be spent on the water. Luckily, winter is a fine time to be busted and still get busted.

In the backwater and bays I find the daily window of opportunity during the cold months to be rather narrow. They may eat well for only thirty minutes one day, and two hours the next. This can make for success even if you are strapped for time between multiple jobs and extra hours. During the winter ninety percent of the fish are in two percent of the water. If you can be there when it happens, it will be something you won't soon forget. I find the most effective lure this time of year to be soft plastics. Everything eats them and they can be inexpensive. Which is a big plus if you're suffering cutbacks at work or just pinching pennies in general. D.O.A Shrimp and Killer Eyes, GULP lures of all kinds, Mr. Twister style curly tailed grubs-it's all deadly. It's best to match the hatch; try to find out what the fish are feeding on when they do feed and match it in color and size. Shape isn't always important.

As for that afore mentioned two percent of water. It will constantly shift with the weather, but some sure bets are sand flats with potholes, preferably with darker sand. Trout, reds and flounder love to camp out, hunkered down in such holes basking in the sun and lounging on the slightly warmer sand. The same thing goes for riprap, or rock piles. The rocks absorb heat and hold it, which makes for a slightly more comfortable hangout for a lunker on a chilly day. When it's especially cold, look deeper, work ledges and drop offs, especially where a current is moving constantly. Places such as freshwater river mouths and creeks will hold all manner of saltwater fish. Use a bottom finder to search out deep holes and oxbows.

Any top water that mimics a finger mullet during the heat of the day can be the ticket. I find this to be a big hit or a sorry miss. You can cover a lot of ground with top water plugs and attract a lot of attention, especially around the grass flats. As I mentioned before, if it's feeding time, you'll know it.

Recent changes in our state law have, for all intents and purposes, closed down the offshore arena for the time being, and with the current economic trends my best advice would be to not burn the fuel chasing fish you can't keep. Especially considering that catching a deep water fish is fatal more often than not. It is not that I don't condone catch and release, I just don't believe it's a good practice for deep water fishing. Furthermore, I would encourage those who do decide to fish for those species out of season to abide by the laws and do release them. If you are caught you will be fined, as you should for committing a criminal act. Also, keep in mind that your local Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers did not conjure up these laws, they only enforce them. Please be very courteous, as they are only doing their job and, I assure you, would rather be fishing. Your gripes and complaints to the officers, your fishing buddy or your spouse are going to fall on deaf ears. If you're an angler like myself and would like to see these new, arbitrary laws reversed or at least redrawn, then please contact Florida FWC at their head quarters. All their contact information can be found at www.myfwc.com. Also, call the lawmakers in Tallahassee or even our representatives in Washington, D.C. These capricious limitations to our passion and pastime will not stop without a strong front from those who care the most.

Happy New Year,

Capt. Si

 

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January/February 2010 - Big Bend and the Forgotten Coast

 The new year marks the most challenging season for anglers taking to the water along the Forgotten Coast. Regular cold fronts, windy conditions and chilly water temperatures often give the fish lockjaw. But they have to eat sometime and when they do, the action can be fast and furious for short bursts. The trick is knowing when and where to go to get in on the action.

The bite typically shuts down until after the front passes. By the third or fourth day, however, temperatures return to moderate levels, the barometric pressure stabilizes and the fish resume feeding. If you can time your trip for these windows between blows, your odds of success increase significantly.

With the pelagic targets long gone to warmer climes, our bread-and-butter resident game fish-redfish and speckled trout-take up interim residence in bodies where the water temperature is more constant. Channels and deep holes in the coastal rivers and tidal creeks are the main sanctuaries, but don't overlook those scattered depressions out on the flats, either. That's because on the warmer, blue-bird days following a front, the fish will often venture back out along the flats, but never stray too far from those deep pockets.

Water temperatures can dip into the upper 50s with extended cold spells and when that happens, the fish's metabolism slows down. They don't eat as much or waste much energy chasing down a meal. As a result, the presentation must be slowed accordingly. Whether you're fishing live bait like shrimp or finger mullet or artificial lures, work everything much slower than you would the other three seasons. The strikes will be subtle also; set the hook on the slightest tap. Sensitive braid fishing line helps in this regard.

My favorite lure this time of year is the 1/2-ounce DOA shrimp in either rootbeer/gold flake or glow. The added weight lets the lure crawl along the bottom and holds better in the tidal current. Sub-surface plugs like the DOA BaitBuster deep-runner, 52M MirrOlures, Rapala, Yo-Zuri or Corky Mullet patterns are all effective. Natural colors are the top choice, although it's hard to beat the classic white/red head combo. Whatever you choose, retrieve it extremely slow.

Mud flats, rocks and oyster bars retain heat longer and are great places to prospect for fish, especially after a front. Topwater action can be excellent. Again, natural colors get the nod, but it never hurts to have a lighter lure in the box. Bone plugs have caught many a cold-weather trout. A number of walk-the-dog style stick baits will work. I have been throwing the wooden Hall 'Em In plugs with good success recently.

January and February is also a good time to chase different species if the weather permits. Spunky rock bass will readily take plastic grubs, live shrimp or pieces of squid on a jig head. On light tackle, they're a blast and steady fun for the kids. You can find them on the rock piles or artificial reefs throughout the area. Sand or silver trout (known as white trout locally) are still more cooperative players. They'll take the same offerings as the sea bass. Look for them in the deeper holes as well.

Sheepshead are another winter mainstay with plenty of fight. Use live or fresh-dead shrimp or fiddler crabs for these striped scrappers around structure like bridge pilings, channel markers and the nearshore wrecks. Finally, if the water temperatures stay moderate, gag grouper will gladly pounce on soaked dead baits around structure within state waters. They'll also smash diving plugs like the Mann's Stretch series or Rapala CDs.

If you still can't find any fish, the new year is a good time to be on the water regardless. The boat needs running periodically anyway, and the extreme winter low tides offer the perfect opportunity to scout new spots (and find otherwise hidden rocks) and load waypoints into the GPS.

 

Captain Dave Lear's BIO:

Besides contributing to a number of magazines and web sites over the last 20 years and winning numerous awards, Capt. Dave Lear is a long-time advocate for marine conservation. He was the communications director for Florida Conservation Association during the Net Ban years, served as executive director of The Billfish Foundation and later ran the successful campaign to unify Florida's fish and wildlife management. In 2006, he was recognized by the International Game Fish Association as the 51st angler to join the Royal Billfish Slam Club. When he's not off on writing assignments, Capt. Lear guides clients to tarpon, redfish and trout along Florida's Big Bend coast from St. Marks to St. Joe Bay. He specializes in sight-fishing using light-spin or fly gear. Eco-tours and photo excursions are also available in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

Contact Info:

Capt. Dave Lear

 (Ph) 850-320-2001

www.captaindavelear.com

 

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November/December 2009 - Pensacola to Panama City

Nov/Dec '09 4cast
Capt. Si Nelson

The holiday season is upon us and nothing is more appreciated by the true angler than days off of work and on the water. The cold weather in November and December can make for some raunchy conditions, but that's no excuse to shirk on your participation. So, pack a thermos of coffee, dig your heels in and just do it.

The back bays this time of year offer a classic case of 90 percent of the fish being in 10 percent of the water. The right bait and the right time are two very crucial factors in producing a fine catch. I suggest targeting a specific species and sticking to it. For instance, fishing around jetties and riprap with finger mullet will produce trout and reds. So, acquire a slew of finger mullet and slowly and methodically work such areas until you find the fish. Once you land one, carefully and cautiously fish that area, doing everything you can not to spook the school. Once you've found one, you're probably going to find many more in very close proximity. Take things slow and in the end your methodical efforts will have paid off. If you would rather use artificial bait over the living, I find that super flukes and D.O.A. baits are great for these situations, because the water is typically very clear this time of year and the fish are wary and both can be worked slowly and quietly as well as deployed precisely.

Live shrimp and fiddler crabs are candy to sheepshead. A fluorocarbon leader with a light wire hook around most types of structure can yield impressive results. For some reason I find sheepshead are very energetic and spunky in the cold water and put up a very good fight. I believe the fact they are preparing to spawn at the beginning of the next year has their foraging instincts in overdrive.

Fishing deep structures inshore for white trout with bits of squid is fun and fast action, especially on a warmer, pretty day when you can bring the kids. These little darlings taste delicious pan fried, but don't wait long to clean and prepare them, as their meat takes a turn towards the bold after only a day (the trout, not the children).

If you are looking for good catch and release fun, try bonita fishing along the beach. Big bonita and bluefish run the beach like marathoners and eat ravenously. The bluefish aren't entirely delicious, but can be smoked to my liking, while the bonita should be strictly catch and release if not frozen for bait later on. Both fish are best taken on light tackle with grubs or hardbaits, but I would suggest putting a lead of light wire as a tippet, as they are no bark, all bite.

Flounder are the season's treat. Fish for them anywhere you find sand flats with structure. Anything will unleash the predator within. Simply present a bait to them and watch this flat fish commence an all-out assault. They are indeed delicious. My favorite recipes include almonds. Look up some recipes online, and then expand on them. You simply can't go wrong. I also like them with crabmeat.

In years past I've partaken in winter outings that would make Amundsen and Shackleton shiver in their boots. I've often encouraged such adventures on these very pages, but as the years have gone by I've learned that the winter months are a good time to simply slow down and let my vigor hibernate like the rest of nature and use these cooler months for reflection and relaxation. I'm not discouraging bravery and courageous efforts on the water; I'm just saying I've reached a point where I'd rather be the listener over a cup of coffee or hot cocoa.

I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season! I'd love to hear your stories. I'll be checking my email.

capt_si_nelson@hotmail.com

 

 

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November/December 2009 - Big Bend and the Forgotten Coast

Fishing Forecast Nov/Dec 2009
Capt. Dave Lear
Big Bend/Forgotten Coast

These next two months are some of my favorite times to be on the water. With less pressure and cooperative fish, the odds of success greatly increase. But the weather plays a big factor. If the temperatures stay mild, look for resident trout and redfish to still be on the shallow flats, typically in water less than four feet. They won't be too far from depths where they can quickly seek shelter when cold fronts approach, however. As a result, flats near the coastal rivers and creeks should be the first places to begin your search.

Water clarity will be vastly improved now that the algae blooms of summer are gone. Use a trolling motor, push pole or drift to quietly scout for activity. Mullet, crabs and shrimp are the primary forage this time of year. Watch and listen for feeding activity and move cautiously into casting range. Live or fresh dead bait impaled on a Kahle or circle hook is seldom refused. Lures resembling the real thing are effective as well. Topwater plugs that create noise and commotion like Rapala Skitterwalks or MirrOlure Top Dogs in black and silver patterns are excellent choices. Plus, it's hard to beat the excitement of a surface strike. Spoons, spinner baits and shrimp lures like DOA are also very productive.

If the Farmer's Almanac is correct and we do have a cold winter this year, the trout and redfish will subsequently move into the rivers and deeper creeks in search of more tolerable water temperatures. If that's the case, the best fishing times will be during the day after the sun is up. Mud flats, oyster bars and rocky bottom that absorb heat will hold fish. Slow down your presentation. Cold fish won't waste much energy chasing down fast-moving bait. Historically, the Aucilla River in Jefferson County has been the region's top winter hot spot. In more recent seasons the Econfina, East River and Apalachicola basin have also been good producers.

Big bull reds, sometimes pushing 40 pounds, will be hitting the buffet line in Bob Sikes Cut before returning to the open Gulf where they normally reside. Slack tides are best to keep baits on the bottom in the strike zone. Menhaden (pogies), pinfish and mullet will all earn a ticket to this rodeo event. Sea bass are another sure thing these next couple months. Most any rock pile in 10-plus feet of water will hold these tasty scrappers. Use light spin outfits, plastic jigs and hang on! This is a great fishery for kids with a lot of action and little stress.

Sheepshead are still another seasonal favorite. Look for them around bridge pilings, channel markers and docks. Sheepshead can be a challenge, however. These striped "convict" fish are notorious for stealing bait. To put the handcuffs on 'em, try live fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp. Go with light wire hooks for quick penetration. And use as little weight as possible; a split shot is often all it takes. Finally, try this old Cracker trick: Use a hoe or shovel to scrape barnacles off the pilings. The resulting chum will turn on the bite and make the fish less wary.

Stay warm, boat safe, and get out there and have some fun!                 

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About Capt. Dave Lear:

Besides contributing to a number of magazines and web sites over the last 20 years and winning numerous awards, Capt. Dave Lear is a long-time advocate for marine conservation. He was the communications director for Florida Conservation Association during the Net Ban years, served as executive director of The Billfish Foundation and later ran the successful campaign to unify Florida's fish and wildlife management. In 2006, he was recognized by the International Game Fish Association as the 51st angler to join the Royal Billfish Slam Club. When he's not off on writing assignments, Capt. Lear guides clients to tarpon, redfish and trout along Florida's Big Bend and Forgotten Coast, offering a "saintly" guide service specializing in light-tackle flats and fly-fishing. Eco-tours and photo excursions are also available in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Contact Info:

Capt. Dave Lear
(Ph) 850-320-2001
www.captaindavelear.com

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