Posts tagged ‘pine island’
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
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
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.
Starting the New Year Off Wright
Three weeks into the new year and I have yet to even match “new Years’ Day with even another Dogfish (in layman’s terms – sand shark).
Work travel has taken me to many different and interesting places since 1 January. One of the most fascinating was the Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton Ohio.
Being a native Washingtonian and a resident of the Outer Banks, I do have a significant basis towards my region. But when I arrived in Dayton and especially, Wright Patterson, I was taken back with all the mentions of the Wright Brothers and the first flight.
Well they do have a point, Wilbur and Orville were born there and they did a majority of their construction and design there, so I guess there is enough of them to share. But I do this reluctantly.
I am now back on the east coast and planning for my annual Florida trip. We have alot planned over the next week, so check back for probably the best fishing news since my “first fish of the year”.
Until next time, Tightlines
Trophy Redfish on the Tampa Bay
Our annual Labor Day fishing trip to Florida was extremely successful. We chartered a trip out of O’Neill’s Marina in Tampa with Capt. CA Richardson on 7 September. He is a professional guide and host to a very popular fishing show – Flats Class TV.
Pictures say more than a thousand words – so here they are:
Fantastic trip. If you are traveling in the Tampa area and have a free day to fish, you gotta call Capt CA. You will not be disappointed.
Look for more details on this unbelieveable trip in future blog entries.
Until next time, Tightlines
Trying Something New
I wanted to veer away from my standard fishing technique here is Florida.
My neighborhood lakes just off the Charlotte Harbor hold dozens of landlocked snook, tarpon and variety of other species. I typically use a search method to find the fish. I cast in a fan style cast pattern – start casting to the left and moving right to eight o’clock then ten, then 12 and so on until you have made the half circle. If no hits, move down the bank several feet and cast again. This technique has always been somewhat successful. This techniques takes many of blind casts to finally hook up.
This time I wanted see if I could cast directly into the path of a moving snook and have him hit it. I used a 1/4 oz. Rapala swimming plug with “pro-cure” scent. I waited until I saw the v-path of moving water and casted about ten yards ahead. And it seemed that with every other cast, I was hooking up.
Not as much action fishing this way, but the hookups were consistent. I think the key was matching the other bait fish in the lake and putting the artificial right in front of the fish.
I am heading to Longboat Key today to try my luck.
Until next time, Tightlines.
Celebrating the 4th in Style
Happy Fourth of July!!. As we celebrate this holiday, we need to take a moment to remember those dedicated men and women throughout our history who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. For without that commitment to the cause of freedom, we would not be able to enjoy this day.
So on this beautiful day from the Outer Banks, I would like to toast those who served to our country both past and present with my traditional July 4th menu from Capt Tony’s.
I salute you!!
TIghtlines
Finally – Fishing in Alaska
Fishing in Alaska was in the cards. We 
stopped by the local sporting goods store for gear and advice. Sportsman’ Warehouse is like a Dick’s / Sports Authority and Bass Pro all rolled in to one. This store was enormous. Your could find gear for all types of fishing and hunting and probably a little of something else. Wow, what a place.
My first question: What can I catch in one outing? The salesperson told me that “Graylings” were running in the Chena River. I was sold – What do I need. ( A Grayling is a fresh water fish in the Salmon family but very small)
I picked up a small 5-1/2 Diawa spinning reel and had it loaded with 6# mono-filament line. No leaders are recommended here. Several small Mepps spinners and believe it or not, they also use small flies suspended under ball floats. Obviously, and out-of-state license was needed.
The best place to catch Graylings was in the Chena River. It was a 45 minute drive northeast of Fairbanks. With no time to spare, we were off.
We arrived at the recommended spots and found them to be absolutely beautiful. Clean, fresh and very cold water.
I tied on a Mepps gold spinner and after several casts, we hooked up with some nice fish. But the enjoyment was short-lived.
The misquitoes were unbelieveable. They would swarm you and soon as you got out of the car. The only saving grace was the occasional breeze.
We fished for several hours that evening. The sun set was scheduled at 1230 am and rise and again at 0335. Actually it would be dusk for three hours then sun rise. My flight was scheduled for 0630, so our time was very limited that evening.
Memories of that beautiful area will be with me forever. If you ever get a chance to fish Alaska, just do it. Just don’t forget your bug spray.
And if you were wandering what an Alaska fishing area looked like, well you are in luck.
Here is my secret spot.
Until next time,
Tightlines.
NCsaltaire 