Posts tagged ‘Florida’
A Little Diamond of a Place
Following a recommendation for a good fishing spot is plain vanilla for most but locating a new spot that turns out to be perfect by accident is a diamond. This is what happened to me during a recent trip in east central Florida.
We had a free day between two MLB Spring Training games and decided to do some sightseeing in Brevard County. We traveled east from Route 95 over the Merritt Island Causeway when we got stopped at defective traffic signal. Looking for a place to turn around, we ended up in a parking lot of a restaurant and an old bait shop. The two buildings were at the base of the Causeway Bridge and just east of Indian River.
The tackle shop was located down a long driveway between the causeway and a small cove off the Indian River. The drive was well worn and past its usefulness but I was still able to find a safe parking spot. The shop was an old building converted into a bar, pool hall and bait shop.
I found an old dock adjacent to a cove with flat water and a new dock and walkway that extended out along the north base of the causeway bridge.
Cove had flat water close in and a fast current within a short cast of the old dock. The Indian River which fed the cove is one part of a large estuary along the east coast of Florida. The system consists of the Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River and the Indian River. So there was a good chance that fish would be there.
I tried several methods finally settling on live shrimp suspended under a weighted bullet float. My 7-1/2 foot light Falcon rod and Daiwa reel were my only other tools.
It seemed once I hit that change in water speed and bottom configuration, the fishing was tremendous. Every other cast was productive. Small throw back speckled trout was the main stay but blow toads kept me busy baiting back up.
Many times we over look an out-of-the-way places because they either look strange from the road or difficult to access. Keep an eye out for these unique spots. These just might be your next diamond.
Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony
Show Time Season Again
It’s Show Time Season again.
The Outer Banks winter has had more precipitation than I am used to or want. The snow fall levels have exceeded many past winters. The weather continues to fluctuate from warm to cold – only consistency is “that’s why they call it winter time”. But to me, it’s like a work week – you need a “Monday” each week to look forward to that “Friday”’. Winter is my Monday.
All is not lost on this brief interruption from our angling adventures. It’s the Boat Show Season.
Most angling and boating enthusiasts only go to these shows to dream – but what better place to dream about owning a vessel that your friends will envy.
And then there are the shoppers – but you typically don’t see them – you see the “sold” signs on the nice vessels.
Although, I did not replace any of my vessels this year, I found many that would meet me needs.
So if you are looking for something to do between the couch ball seasons then a boat show is what you need.
There are plenty left to attend this year especially my favorite – Miami Boat Show.
So if you are bored and ready for something new – a boat show is for you.
Until next time – Tight-lines – Capt. Tony
Fishing in “Fishing Paradise”
The first mate and I traveled to the west coast of Florida in early September to fish for Gator trout and giant Redfish. Our guide was Capt. CA Richardson from Flats Class TV and Charters. The trip took us to Tampa Bay and Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge.
The weather was extremely hot with equal high humidity. The skies were clear with a constant breeze out of the southwest. We knew the conditions were going to be difficult but we were up for the challenge.
Our charter originated out of O’Neill’s Marina in St Petersburg, Florida. We have fished with Capt. CA before so we knew the drill. We would depart the dock at 0700 and fish both tides. Our trip would lead well into the afternoon. Our vessel was a popular Hells Bay Boats Works “Neptune”. We were ready.
The day started slow with us picking up an occasional speckled trout using both spoons and artificial lures. Our gear was top of the line Daiwa reels and Falcon light Gulf Spin rods. The reels were loaded with premium 15 pound braid. This set up has produced before, so we had confidence of a repeat success.
By 1000 we had caught a number of beautiful specs but not the “gator” size or giant reds that we hunted. We decided to try another area on the west side on the harbor.
During our travels to the next site, we spotted a school of giant reds. The pod was well over a dozen yards square. This school was the one we met up with last year estimated at several hundred fish. The forward wave push of this school was over six inches. Capt. CA maneuvered the vessel about 75 yards ahead of the school, turned the bow straight into them. And we waited.
As the school approached us, they suddenly disappeared. Gone – they nowhere to be found. Spooked!! We would search for them for over an hour. Without locating them again, we then proceeded to return to the Gator Trout fishery. Over the next several hours, we had a great day catching and releasing close to two dozen specs.
We returned to the dock at 1500, exhausted but satisfied that we had another great day on the water with our good friend Capt. CA.
For a memorable fishing experience, you need to plan a trip to southwest Florida. When in Florida, Capt CA is the guy.
One slogan that holds true for Florida – it is definitely a“fishing paradise”.
Until next time, Tightlines.
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Keep’n Sharp for More Catches
The first several days in Florida were filled with time spent searching tackle shops and mainstay fishing “holes” that have been successful in the past. Having not been there in quite some time, species and techniques change along with the seasons.
The weather was just “Florida” beautiful, but the stiff breezes clouded the water on both the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor.
My reliable back up spot was the neighborhood lakes. The lakes are full of many salt water species that get flooded in from the Charlotte Harbor through huge inflow pipes during storms. So there is always a good chance to catch something.
On Sunday evening, I hooked up with dozens of small snook using a Rapala X-rap saltwater artificial. Just before dark, I latched on to a monster snook. Played him several minutes but he broke free.
Not thinking about the sharpness of treble hooks, I again fished the same lake the next evening. Hooked up dozens of times but not one catch. I checked the sharpness of the hooks and sure enough, I found them to be dull. Went home, replaced the hooks and “bingo” – success.
Lesson learned, after every trip where you have caught many fish, check those hooks. Good advice, you should think about changing them often.
Replacing the hooks and snap rings is a simple and quick process. A smart tip is to use a treble hook one size larger than the older one. This small change increases your hook up significantly.
Until next time, Tightlines
Heading to Florida Again
It would be hard to picture life without fishing.
People who do not fish do not understand the therapeutic value of fishing, losing you to the motion of the waves and just relaxing.
The best things about fishing are where you do it, and that you do not carry a score card.
This saying was found on “fishin franks” web page. This tackle shop is located in Port Charlotte, Florida. If fishing in this area, Fishin Franks must be your first stop.
Look at future posts this week for our fishing experiences and tips from our southwest Florida spring trip.
Until next time, Tightlines
Winter Fishing is Slow on Outer Banks
Fishing has been extremely slow on the Outer Banks over the past two months. The only news has been to discuss how beautiful and mild the weather has been. The big Rockfish have yet to make it south. They seem to have found a home off Virginia Beach. Want Stripers, head north just off the beach. Don’t want to travel, skates and Spiny Dogfish are plentiful on Jennette’s pier.
Water temps remain in the uppers 40’s so it anyone guess if we will get those monster stripers this year.
Spring is around the corner so it’s time to ready the gear. You need to go through you tackle box and throw away those old rusty hooks, lures and rigs. You should also change your line on each reel. The worst thing to happen is to hook up on that first fish of the year, only to lose it to defective gear.
I always clean and oil the reels and tighten any lose parts. Check the guides on your rods and if you are inexperienced, let your local tackle shop replace them.
This is a great time of year to step back and take a complete inventory of your gear and ready it for another fantastic fishing year. The spring season will be here before you know it.
I know the question you are asking, ‘Did you catch that monster tarpon in the picture?” And the answer is no it’s an artificial model hanging on the dock at a marina in the Florida Keys for pictures. But you can hook up with one of these beauties. Book a trip to Bud and Mary’s in Islamorda, Florida and you could be in a picture like this.
Until next time, Tightlines
Livin’ the Dream – A Florida Vacation
We returned to the Outer Banks to a cultural shock: weather was colder, the fishing was non-existent and I had to put my shoes back on!!
So I thought I would re-live some of the places we visited in pictures;
Believe me, the pictures can’t begin to tell the story.
Until next time, Tightlines
Next Stop – Fishing in Islamorda
We traveled to Key Largo on Friday with a goal of continuing our Florida fishing adventures.
Our first stop was our overnight lodging at the Holiday Inn in Key Largo. This hotel is a full service with restaurant, pool and newly renovated rooms. It turned out to be very nice and a great value. During your next stay in the keys, you need to check this one out.
The next stop was the Yellow Bait shop and we picked up shrimp and fishing advice. They directed us to the Tea Table channel just opposite Bud and Mary’s Marina – about the 78 mile marker.
Once we arrived at the channel bridge, we rigged our rods with a Carolina rig – 1 oz. barrel weight and a single #4 circle hook. The current was strong so we needed something to help restrict the movement after of positioning cast.
We alternated between the main channel and bridge piles. We rigged the entire shrimp on the hooks thinking that we would hit something big. Only problem, the small mangrove snappers would steal the entire shrimp without touching the hook. Solution was to cut the shrimp into three pieces. Bingo – each cast brought a nice mangrove snapper to shore. This catching continued for well over an hour.
A short time later the first mate hooked up to what she thought was a snag. It turned out to be a huge jack cravelle. With a little help from me, we brought the 24” fish to shore. As always, my philosophy is that a fish is too valuable to catch only once. So we carefully revived the big girl and allowed her to swim safely away under the watchful eyes of a family of brown pelicans.
After we ran out of bait, we headed across the street to Bud and Mary’s Marina. There we shared our story and pictures and they were amazed and happy that we were able to land this huge fish directly from the shore.
Our next stop was the Salt water Sportsman / Bass Pro Shop. This is a fishing supply store like no other. Also, we eat dinner at the Islamorda Fish Company restaurant next door. We then headed back to the hotel to get ready for another busy day.
Until next time, Tightlines
Florida “Gator Trout” in January
On Wednesday we traveled to St Petersburg just south of Tampa to fish with Capt. CA Richardson for big trout. We would have settled for the other big fish we have caught before but it was the monster “gator trout” that we were after. The weather was absolutely beautiful with highs in the low 80s with a slight southwest breeze.
We left O’Neill’s marina at 0730 heading out to the grass flats. There we incorporated both top water and Texas style weed-less jigs. We also tried a new lure called “aqua-dream” spoon. Capt. CA designed this new lure to specifically target big fish. It was definitely a keeper.
We landed several nice trout and one redfish. As the morning moved into noon, the tide changed directions and the flats became crowded with other boats so we decided to move on.
The next area was a secluded area surrounded by mangroves. This protected area is in a “no motor” zone and only accessible by a really shallow flats boat and by poling in.
We had the cove to ourselves and proceeded t
o achieve our goals, to catch the elusive “gator trout”. We succeed catching many trout – most fish were in the 20”-24” range with the largest at 28”.
We are definitely on his schedule to fish for these monsters next year. If you want to enjoy this tremendous fishery, you need to contact Capt. CA. He can be reached at his Flats Class web site.
We are heading to Key Largo and the famous Bass Pro in Islamorada in the morning and we are hoping our good fortune continues.
Until next time, Tightlines
Fishing Boca Grande Pass
We traveled mid-morning Monday to Boca Grande Pass. This area is just south of Gasprilla Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. We planned our day around catching Permit, pompano and whiting. But as things will happen, our best laid plans are not always best occurred.
Our plan was to fish the southernmost point of the pass. Along the main route to Boca Grande, there are several Gulf front parking and beach access areas in route to the southernmost point. Decisions had to be made without the benefit of other angler’s success. So we continued to our predetermined spot.
Unbeknown to us, the big fish were being caught on the western shore just north of the point. Big Redfish and whiting were caught on both live shrimp and sand feas.
We decided to continue our travel to the most southern point of the beach. This spot is where the Charlotte Harbor current exits into the Gulf of Mexico. In this narrow space, a significant current can be found traveling within several hundred feet from the shore. The water depth can change from several inches right on the beach to well over 50 feet just yards of the beach. The current is so quick, that it can sweep an unsuspecting swimmer out into the gulf within a matter of minutes.
This current is home to both huge tarpon all the way down to small pinfish and everything in between.
Although, we missed out on the big fish up the coast, we resigned ourselves of just catching some beautiful speckled trout. I hooked up with three real nice ones with the largest at seventeen inches. Using live shrimp and circle hooks almost guaranteed success.
Even though we were outside the main stream anglers and the big fish, we had a great time.
If you are traveling to southwest Florida, a stopover to wet a line on Gasprilla Island and the famous Boca Grande Pass is a must.
Until next time, Tightlines.
NCsaltaire 