If you haven't been out fishing lately...you are missing some of the best action of the year. Acres of baitfish and lots of hungry fish eaters out there giving chase. It's a fantastic time to live and fish the Treasure Coast! Mild weather conditions have only contributed to the exciting times on the water. We had some great fun out there this week.
It's not too difficult to find areas to fish right now. Look for any of the cleaner water and baitfish and you should find your action waiting on you. We have fished south just about exclusively this week and had some nice catches out there. Sunday, as I was scouting for this weekend, the bite took off on the flats and the redfish, snook, trout and jacks all were in a cooperative mood to eat. All fish were caught in 3 to 4 feet of water.
Tom Hull was down to fish this week and we again headed south of Fort Pierce to try our luck. A few lost top water lures later we switched to jerk baits and found the fish ready and willing to eat again. Lots of trout up to 18" are out there and willing to choke down a soft bait to keep you busy. Jacks are everywhere along with some ladyfish. We also nailed some short snook.....that is until Tom got crushed by a snook on his CAL jerk bait. After a tense battle on light tackle, he coaxed a 31" slot snook boat side. I am sure he said it was his personal best. These fish are following the bait schools and hungry. Watch were the baitfish have gathered and fish the edges for your action.
DOA CAL jerk baits have produced just about all our catches this week. I have been using any colors that tend to resemble mullet or baitfish and having good success on a CAL jighead. Try Arkansas Glow or Silver Mullet colors. We have fished them slow or fast as the bite seems to warrant. We have caught a smorgasbord of different species this week on them. Don't miss out on some of this great fishing action out on the Indian River. Have some fun soon!
Bridges and jetties have produced black drum this week. The surf has yielded whiting and a few pompano with live or dead shrimp. Night anglers are still catching snook around the jetties and bridges on mostly live bait. Enjoy yourself out there!
Tip of the Week:
Check your leader often out there fishing. Fish or structure can fray leaders quickly and if you aren't re-tying as necessary, you might just lose that big fish. Tom was a perfect example this week. He retied his worn leader just prior to hooking up on his slot snook and that enabled him to fight that fish to the boat. Take those few seconds and make sure your gear is ready for action. Sometimes doing little things correctly can lead to bigger things ahead!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
Venice - October 1st, 2008
supplied by: Casey Key Anglers & Outfitters RECORDED:86 °FISHING: Excellent
Fishing remains excellent during the hot summer. Trout fishing continues to pick up as we get closer to fall. A big thanks goes out to all the fisherman who practiced catch and release only with the trout. Numbers are up this year since the bad red tide from a few years ago! Gurglers, EP Flies and clouser minnows in olive over white have been working very well! Snook fishing has been fantastic this summer! Beach snook fishing took the cake this summer with anglers averaging 20-30 fish a day! #1 choice on flies was Steve Gibson's D.T. Special! Spanish and King Macs started to show off the beaches here in the last couple of weeks. Clousers, Decievers and EP Flies have been working real well lately. just match the hatch and use heavy fluoro or wire for these toothy critters! False Albacore (Little Tunny) have been showing off the beaches this week, more will show as the water temps continue to fall. 6-8wt rods will work for the Spanish, 8-10wt rods with sinking lines for the Kings and Albies. Look for diving birds and baitballs then get upwind or use your trolling motor to get upto the bait.
Venice - Snook Alley - June 28th, 2008
supplied by: Tight Loops Flyfishing RECORDED:90 °FISHING: Excellent
JUNE 28, 2008
FLORIDA
I’ve been hitting the lights in Venice and Nokomis for snook before heading out to Tarpon Country and the fishing has been superb in those pre-dawn hours!
The snook are stacked up like cordwood, and there’s an incredible amount of bait in the water. Some of my regular clients—such as Dr. Mark Johnson and Mark Goodnight—have had a blast with these aggressively-feeding snook.
The tarpon bite remains quite good off the barrier islands from Captiva all the way north to Egmont Key in lower Tampa Bay. We’re finding them a few miles north of the Venice Jetty along Casey Key.
Some days have been better than others, of course, but there still are plenty of fish milling around. Pinfish and crabs are the food du jour—either artificials or live bait—IF you can find live crabs.
They’re in short supply this year, and bait shops are charging as much as $5 EACH!!!!
I’ve got Mote Marine tarpon specialist Dr. Aaron Adams Monday, then Frank Mariano again Tuesday. He still can’t stop talking about that 19-inch pompano he landed in Sarasota Bay last month.
Let’s hope he can start bragging about the 100-pound tarpon he expects to catch. And, of course it’s always a pleasure to learn more about tarpon from Dr. Adams.
My last trip is scheduled for July 7, then I’ll be heading home and will start guiding Michigan trout anglers on the 11th. Speaking of which…
MICHIGAN
Despite the predictions for more rain, the Manistee, Au Sable, and Pere Marquette rivers are getting back to normal after the torrential thunderstorms during the past two weeks.
Some of the water is still a bit tea-colored, and you DEFINITELY want to stay away from the South Branch for a while longer. But, the BIG NEWS is that Hex have started popping on some stretches of the Mainstream, and are just beginning on the Manistee between M72 and CCC Bridge.
There also are Gray drakes and Isonychias fluttering around, along with the usual cast of caddis, blue wing olives and sulphurs.
With luck, the Hex will still be in the air when I get home. If not, the big browns will start keying in on Hoppers during the daytime—which is actually my favorite time of the year to fish in Michigan. Lots of activity with large fish and gentlemen’s hours!
ENGLISH SETTER UPDATE
The BAD news is that Ghost’s left eye—which has had two serious injuries over the years because she’s absolutely fearless in the field—is acting up again.
Kate has been saddled with putting drops and lotion in Ghost’s eye SIX TIMES A DAY!!!!! Something Ghost DEFINITELY is not thrilled about.
“That dog KNOWS when it’s time for medication,” Kate said, “and she finds every possible hidey-hole to try and escape. It’s been a challenge, to say the least!”
So, I’m making an appointment Monday to take her to Dan Lorimer, who owns Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Southfield. Dan treated Ghost when she poked a hole in that eye a couple of years ago. That’s also where she had her left knee rebuilt.
The GOOD news is that the puppy—year-old Heart—is absolutely crazy about birds. “He’s just plain crazy,” Kate says. “Every now and then his brain just goes sproing! But, he’s starting to settle down a little bit. Gotta remember he’s like an 18-year-old boy.
“Remember what YOU were like at 18, kiddo?”
Uh, let’s not go THERE!
MONTANA
Capt. John’s busy floating the Madison, The Park, and frequently the Missouri. So, if you’ve got plans to head out to West Yellowstone this summer or fall get ahold of Jacklin’s Fly Shop and for Gospo.
Charlotte Harbor Area - June 7th, 2008
supplied by: Tight Loops Flyfishing RECORDED:88 °FISHING: Excellent
JUNE 7, 2008
FLORIDA
John Freeland had so many shots at tarpon yesterday in the Myakka River that we felt like the Seventh Cavalry at Little Big Horn.
Fish were everywhere! They ranged in size from 20 pounds to nearly 100. What they ALL had in common, though, was an UNCOMMON case of lockjaw.
I mean to tell you we threw every size, color, and combination of materials at those fish! And not one would eat the fly! Just one of those maddening days.
John, who’s fished with me many times over the past few years, was celebrating the sale of his software business. “If I can just get the new owners to fire me before my three-year contract is up then we can go fishing ALL the time,” he said. “I’m tired of working. I wanna play.”
I like the way you think, John!
Earlier in the week I guided Linda Moore a couple of days, then Austin Adduci Tuesday and Wednesday.
Linda’s a fellow Michiganian (from Muskegon) who fishes the White River for trout pretty regularly. The 8-weight and 12-weight rods were a revelation to her, though, so we spent a lot of time working on casting skills.
By the end of our two days she had added about 20 feet of distance to her cast, and began hooking some fish.
Austin, who fished with me three days last tarpon season, doesn’t need any casting lessons. His distance and accuracy are just fine, thank you.
We pretty much covered all of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound during our time together. His shots at tarpon in Gasparilla Pass went unrewarded, but he caught quite a mixed bag inside Captiva Pass. Plus a bonus snook under the lights during the pre-dawn hour on Wednesday.
Ron Boehm is going to chase tarpon with me again on Monday, then Shane Smetak gets more “lessons” on Tuesday. After our last session, Shane dramatically scaled down the size of his tackle.
I ran into him on the water while I had Linda out, and he was really excited. “I had some friends down from New York and got them into a bunch of fish! It was great! Yep, I broke out my little rods. It was great!”
Shane, you see, had watched too many videos and was subject to a lot of conflicting “advice.” The old “big baits for big fish” syndrome. But he’s MUCH better now.
John Bachey, who had a spectacular day with me in Lemon Bay in January, is on for poons on Friday The Thirteenth! But who’s superstitious!?!
I guess I could take a hacksaw along. Or was it a chainsaw? I can’t keep those horror flicks straight. Just hope our day together doesn’t resemble a fright flick!
John certainly had no trouble catching big fish the last time we were out, so I’m expecting big things from him next week.
ENGLISH SETTER UPDATE
Kate says Heart—who will turn a year old on Friday The Thirteenth—is “a little learning sponge.” She’s been working on his training every day in the 800-square-foot pen, and he’s really focused upon her commands.
It’s staggering to think he’s a year old already. Seems like yesterday he was a confused eight-week-old bundle of fluff trying to figure out where he was and who the heck these strangers were.
Ghost, who’s 11 years old now, still reigns supreme, of course. She puts up with a lot from the pup, but every now and then she lets him know who’s Top Dog.
Looks like they’ll work out great in the grouse and woodcock coverts this Fall. I’ve already booked several days in October, so if you’re interested in hitting the bush don’t delay in contacting me.
We averaged seven points per hour last Fall, and I think this year will be at least as good.
MICHIGAN FISHING
Kate’s been so busy editing books and taking care of the dogs that she hasn’t been out much. She did release several beautiful brookies the other day, and raised a couple of browns in the 14-inch class that spurned her too-small black stonefly.
She did have a really interesting experience the other night, though. For the first time ever there was a HUGE yellow stonefly on one of the kitchen screens. How do YOU spell “salmonfly hatch?”
Good friend Jim Powers, who lives about 30 miles down river on the Manistee said the water temp has been holding at 50 degrees and the fish have been hunkered down.
“It’s supposed to get really hot this weekend, though,” Jim said. “They say near 90. That should warm up the water enough to crack things loose.
“It seems we’re about three weeks behind, though. Hell, we still have black caddis coming off. At this rate, the Hex hatch might not even start until you get back around the Fourth of July!”
Speaking of which: don’t forget to check your schedule. Hex? Maybe. Hoppers in July and August? Definitely!
MONTANA
Capt. John is back in West Yellowstone waiting for the Spring Runoff to clear the Park waters. There still are plenty of other places he can go to put you into fish, though. Contact Jacklin’s Fly Shop and demand Capt. John!
Hillsboro Inlet, Boca Raton to Ft. Lauderdale - May 17th, 2008
supplied by: Fanntastic Fishing RECORDED:92 °FISHING: Great
Week of May 10 - May 16
This week has been another week full of action. The reef has been producing great numbers of king mackeral (we have been limiting out on every trip). We also have been catching quite a few bonitos and the blackfin tuna action has been strong.
There are still a few sailfish around, and when we have been being targeting them, we have been catching them.
The hammerheads are still here, so for those of you looking for a shark - now is still a great time.
The dolphin are still a bit scattered, with mainly schoolies around.
For those of you looking for the ultimate thrill, try a daytime swordfish trip. This is a great time of year to get out there - the seas are a bit calmer and the fishing has been really productive.
This is a great action packed time of year. To help out during these crazy times, we have started our Summer Specials early. Call us to get a great rate on a Fanntastic fishing trip (954) 728-9880. To see all the fishing caught lately, view our photo gallery at www.fanntasticfishing.com
Lemon Bay - May 4th, 2008
supplied by: Tight Loops Flyfishing RECORDED:81 °FISHING: Excellent
MAY 4, 2008 MICHIGAN I brought Kate, Ghost, and Heart back to Michigan last week and what a whirlwind it’s been! I spent the first two days getting the house put back together—removing vizqueen window coverings and installing screens; sweeping up thousands of dead ladybugs and flies (somebody please tell me where the duece they COME from!); cleaning out the garage so I could get to the riverboat for yesterday’s float trip. You know—“fun stuff.” Next came the vehicle days—a spring tuneup for Kate’s Jeep to make sure it’s running right during the next two months that I’ll be chasing tarpon (more on that in a minute), then a new blower motor for my Tahoe. Tomorrow, it’s the setters’ turn. Spring Tuneup time for Ghost—who’ll be 11 years old on the 15th—and Heart—who’ll be 11 MONTHS old on the 13th. If Kate lets him live that long! This puppy is SOME piece of work! Absolutely EVERYTHING has to be tasted, tested, torn, dragged through the house, and generally given a thorough examination. In fact, one of the first things I did when we got back to Deward was “Puppy-Proof” the house. For instance, I have the December 11, 1941 edition of the St. Louis Post -Dispatch “WAR EXTRA” proclaiming war on Berlin and Tokyo—among many other old newspapers. PRESTO! Up into a closet until the pup’s curiosity settles down. He’s gonna be one heck of a bird dog, though! He’s very intelligent, watches everything Ghost does, and is quickly focusing in on his field commands. By the time grouse season opens Sept, 15, I think he’ll be just fine! OK—back to the fishing! Did a float trip down the Au Sable yesterday with Jim Sansoterra and his son, Mark. Originally from Detroit’s Grosse Pointes, Jim retired to San Jose four years ago. Mark, who followed Dad into the investment banking business, is in downtown Chicago “and I only fish once a year, so bear with me.” It had rained hard the previous two days, so the river was swollen and tanic. Perfect streamer conditions, although we did get a pretty fair smattering of Hendricksons and black caddis just before we pulled out at McMasters Bridge around 4pm. No rises, however. Which was very unfortunate, since Mark finally had “dialed-in” his casting stroke and was tossing a pretty nice line. Weather forecast is so-so for the next few days. Fishing Tuesday, though, then again Thursday with Mark Noel and his dad. I think we’ll hit the fly-only water between M72 and CCC Bridge. With luck, the water will be dropping by then (unless the weather-pukes get it right and we get more rain Tuesday and Wednesday) and we’ll do the dry-fly thingy for which the Manistee is so famed. Without luck, it’s Streamerville! FLORIDA Capt. John’s been having shots at a lot of tarpon, but to use National Football League jargon most of his clients had the PUP problem—Physically Unable to Perform. “They just couldn’t make the cast,” he told me a few minutes ago. “We did run up into the Myakka River, and back into a little creek by the West Wall and caught some baby poons in the 15 to 20-pound class and they were cool with that. “We also got some huge snook along the West Wall (the head of Charlotte Harbor where the Myakka meets the Peace River flowing in from the East), and caught redfish and trout in the Myakka Cutoff (behind Hog Island). “We got into some really big snook under the lights early in the morning, so the guys were pretty happy. “There were a pretty fair number of poons in Gasparilla Pass early in the morning but we never hooked up on one. Saw some hookups, though.” I talked with Capt. KO after getting off the line with John, and he told me that Lemon Bay—as it has been most of this season—has been excellent. “There are large schools of big redfish cruising the Bay,” he said, “but you’ve gotta hunt ‘em. They keep moving north and south, east and west. But when you find them, brother it’s great! “There are tarpon offr Manasota Key. Again, you’ve gotta look for them. But the pods hold a hundred or more fish. And they’re eaters.” “Another thing nobody’s talking about very much are the little tunny (false albacore) that are hanging around Boca Pass (The Battleground). Guys have been coming into the bait shop, where I work part-time, talking about it. “Throw anything that’s white and you’ll be into fish. These guys said they caught tunny till their arms fell off!” In case you’ve never had the pleasure of hooking a false albacore, these fish truly are a fly angler’s dream come true. I absolutely LOVE ‘em. People always ask me what’s my favorite fish to catch. “Well, tarpon, of course,” I reply. “Then I guess it’s a toss-up between jack crevalle and little tunny.” Both are vicious and voracious—so it’s an absolute bar-room brawl when you get into “poundage” fish. Both run in schools, so you usually hook the proverbial “boatload.” Neither are very edible, so after carefully keeping their very sharp teeth away from fingers, toes (if they slither from your grasp), or other important personal body parts they are gratefully released. The thing that sets them apart is the way they fight once hooked. Jacks are like Rocky Marsciano. They come out swinging and they keep slugging it out with you until somebody simply can’t take it any more. BANG! BING! BANG! Under the boat. Around the trolling motor shaft. Slicing against the trim tabs. Anything to wear out an under-gunned or under-musceled angler. Tunny, on the other hand—well, let me tell you about one that Tom Spence hooked. Tom and his son were down from Minneapolis and it was just before Christmas and they REALLY wanted to fish and the tunny were running just outside Stump Pass. Except the waves were ALSO really running. Tough fishing, but we could see baitfish body parts flying through the air and birds diving and water churning. Except standing still and making a decent was was nearly impossible. Tom was holding onto the poling platform. Not quite green, mind you, but looking a bit “uncomfortable.” Then it happened. A huge school of tunny materialized 10 feet behind the boat, thrashing the water like an out-of-sync washing machine. “Cast, Tom!” I yelled. He did. And a tunny immediately ate the olive-over-white lead-eye fly I’d tied on for him. Within 15 seconds, Tom’s reel was into the backing. One hundred and five feet of Royal Wulff Bermuda Triangle saltwater line had vanished that fast. “Oh, my God!” he said. “I can’t. I mean…I can’t, stop…this fish.” It was like a serious bonefish launching off Contents Key. I threw the Hewes into gear and we gave chase. Tom finally got some fly line onto the reel and looked smug. “He’s done for now,” he said confidently. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ. The tunny had “sounded.” True, were were only in 23 feet of water, but line kept peeling off the reel. Tom kept cranking. “Got him,” he said. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ. The tunny sounded again. And again. And, yes, again. It took 25 minutes for Tom to land that 9-pound, 24-inch fish. I’ll be back in Venice the evening of May 11. Wanna go fishing? Tight Loops, Capt. Tony
Key West - February 12th, 2008
supplied by: Sight Fish Charters RECORDED:80 °FISHING: Good
The weather and the fishing has been amazing for February. Light wind out of the south and temperatures near 80 have made for some epic days. This week we have seen it all.. Schools of happy baby tarpon on the flats. 4 to 6 foot resident tarpon are rolling in the channels early morning. I am also finding them on channel edges and in some spots in the basins. Extremely low gulf tides have forced the red fish out of the mangroves. Not only have we gotten shots at tailing red fish this week, but also tailing bone fish.. Permit have been moving into the flats as well.. It is almost March. March is considered to be THE best month for permit on the flats.
A minor cold front hit the keys on Sunday..NE winds will change some of the fishing..as will the night time cooler temperatures. Our day time highs will be in the 80s. Red fish, bone fish, permit and barracuda fishing should remain good. Looks like the wind and the rain will clear out by Thursday.. Should be some big tarpon around this week end.
Islamorada - January 18th, 2007
supplied by: No Bones About It FISHING: Good
I hope all of my anglers have been enjoying the Holidays, and what a warm start to the Winter Fishing. I mean warm, we have had a few cool days, but it has been a warm winter, with some great fishing. It can only get better and better, and if old man winter has been this predictable, I can only wonder what the rest of the month will be like.
There has been quite a few windy days, but the wind has laid off nice this past week, and have had some great reports fishing offshore, and flats and backcountry fishing.
The bonefishing has been good both oceanside and especially in the Florida Bay. Some big fish being caught and released on fly and light tackle.
Bonefish ranging from 9lbs and up, you cannot ask for a great day on the water with them being in the Fall Pattern still.
Redfishing has been quite consisitent over in Flamingo and in the channels, and area lake and rivers.
Trout fishing has been super with some big trout being caught and released because of the limit in size, but have been quite a few going to the restaurants for lunch too.
Backcountry fishing has also produced some spanish makerals, and pompano have been on the hooks of many anglers, snook have been quite abundant, and trout, ladyfish, and jack crevelle, along with mangrove snapper, sharks, and I have even heard, tarpon are still in the back getting caught on some light tackle and fly!
This has been some great fishing.
I hope all my Readers and Anglers have had a Great Time Fishing and Had Some Tight lines.
As I said, the fishing has been good, with the bite for the bonefish has been good, and has been good in the early mornings, and of course, just before sunset.
But, I want to let everyone know we all had a good time and enjoyed having each and everyone of you all aboard our skiffs, and hope to see you all come back fishing.
The tarpon bite has shown up again, and some fish are still around the area bridges and channels, and they are finding some still in the Park.
Using crabs, and dead bait is the best early in the morning hours, and pilchards are being used for some evening trips.
Every year, I keep saying time surely does fly by and can you believe it, Spring fishing is on us soon, and the Winter fishing, well maybe on its way out, if the weather stays as nice as it has been.
I am getting alot of calls and emails about the upcoming tarpon season for 2007, and you should definitely make sure to be making your reservations now, so that ensures you get the dates you want, and lock in the time frame, for those glorious evening trips that are available.
Don't forget to go to my website for those great fishing charter packages I offer, and give me a call at 305-664-5891, or drop me a line at captann@boneranger.com, and I will ensure your emails are answered promptly and correctly with any questions you may all have.
Remember we get full fast, and it is good to start planning now, and get a jump on the dates you have in mind, which is also good idea for our fly anglers too. Season usually starts late March, and April and runs through July.
If any anglers are interested in some of the tournaments that are around, we still have some going on, please go to my website for updated tournament information at www.boneranger.com.
Some of the Winter tournaments available, so if your interested in tournament information or just coming down and getting yourself a fix on fly or light tackle, the Winter and Spring fishing, it is aways a great time for saltwater gamefishing, and meeting new anglers and friends.
That is the time of year when the flyfisherman and live bait anglers are battling it out with the big fish.
It never stops to amaze me the enthusiasm my anglers show whether it is on fly or live bait or even light tackle for our elusive gamefish.
If your fishing in Everglades National Park, alot of anglers catching and releasing several big trout, jack crevelle, ladyfish, and redfish and snook in the park, they are using shrimp on Millie Bucktails is the best shot with either white hackle or brown bucktails tipped with a little shrimp. The redfish, and trout love that, and so do the ladyfish.
Overall, everyone had a great time and days some fun days filled with alot of fishing.
January reopened the trout season, but there have been some big trout in Everglades National Park.
Snook Season will reopen February 1st, and will be closed May, June, July, and August. So, lets get out there and get some of those strong snook on board and is fun on light tackle.
Patch fishing fishing should pick up immensely with snpper, grouper, porgies, sharks, and yellowtail being caught up on the patches of the reef with this cooler water coming in.
The water temperature still remains in the lower 70's, but the tides have been good in the early morning, and early evenings just before sunset.
Permit fishing has been fair, using small crab, and crab flies, jigs tipped with shrimp, and shrimp.
There are many anglers here from all over the world, challenging their skills from fly to light tackle, which is wonderful to see them enjoy and learn new skills.
Whether you challenge your skills on fly or live bait or light tackle, it is great fun to be out in the sun, and releasing some really big fish from all the different species.
You and your friends and family are not far from the Best Saltwater Action around!
Remember the snapper that you catch, has limits, so make sure you take just enough for a good lunch and dinner, and have fun with your rods bending on the rest.
Islamorada offers some of the Best Saltwater Gamefishing for anglers focused either for light tackle, live bait or artifical baits, or our avid fly anglers, now is the time to be doing your bookings and hopping on the band wagon for some a great time and action, for the morning bite and evening bites.
So, don't forget to get into some of that great Flats and Backcountry Fishing in Everglades State Park is a great way to spend the day fishing, lunching, and enjoying the beauty of the wildlife.
These fish always puts big smiles on the kids and even us grown ups faces when the rod bends on these great reef and patch fish, and what a way to spend an evening for a great meal.
Don't forget I still offer those incredibly great Value Fishing Packages where you can get the best of both Worlds for Flats and Backcountry charters.
So, take a look on the homepage at www.boneranger.com, and schroll to the Islamorada Fishing Charter Pakcages and click on the top icon for Some Great Savings!
Don't forget your extra supplies to bring on your trip, please Make Sure You Bring Extra Water and Gatorade or Powerade with you to keep your body rehydrated, and your Elecrolites going, with this intense heat, and the heat index, can dehydrate you quickly with the water acting as a mirror, and sun beating down on our anglers. So, please ensure you have Sunblock, Drinks, and Protective Clothing, to enjoy your morning Flats, Backcountry or Offhsore Fishing.
I am looking forward to a Great Winter and Spring Season for all anglers.
Don't Forget that the Day and Evening trips for Spring and Summer Action for the Tarpon Season where the days getting longer, you can still fish for tarpon, bonefish, and permit are fantastic too, and a great time to see a terrific sunset, and have a great time on fly or live bait. Great time of the year for those bites! Give me a call or just drop a line.
Come and challenge your skills from fly to light tackle, to live bait, and sightcasting. Rest assured, you too will be hooked.
Since the Holidays are gone, you still have some great ideal coming and giving one of those fishing packages I can make gift certificates for your husbands, wives, friends, family, co-workers, your college students. It makes a great stocking stuffer or gift. You all deserve a great Get-Away for you and your loved ones.
What better of a place than here in the Florida Keys, Islamorada is the Place for all kinds of Saltwater Gamefishing.
I can put together any great fishing package for you all, either flats fishing and backcountry, or Flats fishing and Offshore fishing. Just give me a call and I will put together a nice cover letter, and send a gift certificate to put in that special someones card. So, don't forget to call me at 305-664-5891, and I will be happy to work with you, and make sure you get it on time.
So, lets make sure that you get your plans in order!
Stalking these Gray Ghosts, or Poling for those Powerful Permit, or Preying on those Giant Silver Kings, you have to use a bit of muscle, but the hand and eye coordination on fly is a fantastic challenge for any kind of angler. Or just exciting on Live Bait for the same species on 6lb or 8lb test, what an adrenaline rush.
Even if your a novice or intermediate flycaster, I do offer fly instruction, I know it can be a bit trying on the nerves, but once you learn the technique, and you hook up the adrenaline takes over, and your knees start shaking, and the thrill of the line zipping out in less than a minute. It is a true rush. I cannot describe the feeling, until you actually hook up. But, let me tell you, that it is one of the most fasinating, and intriging experiences you could ever have, whether on fly or light tackle, it will have your heart racing, and have a lump in your throat, and a smile on your face, when you hook up! There is no screaming, just your elated face and excitement watching you have the hook up of your life.
Winter and Spring Tournament Fishing will be getting active, with some Big Fish that will be Caught, and Released. If any of you anglers are interested in Some Great Comraderie, and Action, and would like to Enter Some Of Islamorada's Great Tournaments, please call me at 305-664-5891, or you can email me at CaptAnn@boneranger.com, and I will get all the information needed for such events.
Great way to benefit some great causes, and give a little back to some of the less fortunate, and a Great Way to have Fun, and make new Friends.
Don't forget you Flyfishing Enthusiasts, this is the greatest time of the year to come and challenge all our gamefish on fly, the challenge can be quite rewarding, and a great way to get ready for your Spring fishing. Gives you all great hand and eye coordination, so those who you think are bad, don't think it your eyes that are going, its time to get some lessons. I do offer No-Pressure fly instruction, and love to teach you new techniques to build your skills for the Lake and Stream fishing your doing.
I hate to keep reiterating on the Upcoming Spring and Summer Fishing, but plan in advance for those Fishing Dates for 2007. You can book now, for it is the time, I don' mean to be repetitive, but I want you all to get the dates you want in advance for those Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit and Backcountry Fishing Trips.
Remember, it starts late March if the weather gets really warm and runs from April through July!
I also do Group Bookings, with the fishing packages with hotel accomodations, don't forget that with those evening trips for the rocket blasting tarpon.
So don't delay to grab your dates and put together a trip and we will let you feel the thrill of hooking up the species of choice, whether its bonefish, tarpon, or permit, you may be lucky enough to land a Grand Slam!
Whichever you decide to experience, it all has been an exciting and great way to spend a day with the family or with your friends, wife, or girlfriend. All I can say is the fishing has been at its best, and challenging anglers to all aspects of fishing.
So your fishing is not limited to anyone species. With all year round fishing, you just cannot miss, especially the Fall and Winter fishing coming back up, you can challenge a number of species.
Whether your flyfishing for bonefish, permit, redfish, or light tackle fishing for the same species, the effect will have you hooked for years to come, and where else but, Paradise, can we achieve such tremendous catches and releases.
What a great way to enjoy the beauty of the island chains here in the Fabulous Florida Keys! You definitely will enjoy the experience and challenge of the Sportfishing Capital of the World.
If you decide to book a backcountry trip, don't forget before heading out into the backcountry in Everglades National Park, don't forget your cameras to take some grand pictures of some of the most intriguing birds, and of course the fish of the day you caught.
So drop me a line, or call up and make sure you get the bookings that you are looking for, and don't forget an Evening trip is Great too, and what a good way to see our Fabulous Sunsets. Bookings can get full, and limited, so make sure you call in advance, so you too can experience the wonderful challenge of all species we have to offer.
I am offering to Anglers for this upcoming Winter and Spring Fishing Packages to all of those who want to get away from the kids, or bring the kids on breaks, or to just get out of the office, or just to experience some of the off season. Anglers can get a great deal and want to do some great fishing in the off season, great on your pocketbook, it is a great value, check it out on my Rates and Package Page!
The Flyfishing and Light Tackle Fishing Packages that are on the site give everyone the best of both worlds, to come down and challenge their skills for Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Redfish and Snook, and for those Great Offshore Species!
I hate to keep reiterating, but I do offer No Pressure tactics, and offer Fly Instruction, and what an experience for either the beginner fisherman, novice fisherman, or advanced fisherman, to benefit a day on the water. It is the growing trend, to stalk these gamefish on fly and what a wonderful sport it is, and a great way for some great hand and eye coordination for you to learn how to cast to these beautiful fish! What memories you and your fishing companion to experience together, or you can make it a family event, and ladies don't forget, we too make it as a great pasttime for ourselves to pick up the fly, and surprise yourself how enjoyable and challenging it really is.
Isn't that what it is all about, the grandure and power of all of these great saltwater gamefish, whether you choose bonefish, tarpon, or permit, the memories are there forever!
Ladies, don't forget, you too can enjoy the splendors of fishing on light tackle or fly, and it's a great way to spend the day getting to know the waters and the beauty that happens here in the Keys!
Well, until my next report, tight lines, and Hope To See You on the Flats, and Remember Catch and Release for the Future!
Tight lines, and Keep Reeling, and Hope to See Yah on the Flats,
Everglades National Park - January 16th, 2007
supplied by: Captain Ariel Cabrera FISHING: Good
Winter has been on the warm side for a while now. Expect the season to continue with some windy, yet warm weather and we’ll have a steady bite. Inshore fish are pretty responsive to temperature changes however; they are accustomed to our tropical temperatures. This is exactly where we are headed. Late winter will bring out the best. Expect all sorts of species on the inshore arena. Snook, tarpon, redfish, trout will continue to be around in good numbers but so will the winter residents. These would be black drum, sheepshead, mackerel, bluefish, cobia, flounder, bluefish, and grouper. For techniques, I would use a bucktail with a shad or grub tail. Move it across the grass flats and mangrove shorelines for your best bet. If it is quiet add a popping cork to your jig. This is easy on/easy off applications. It works well as a fish finder and locator. Shrimp or cut strips of synthetics such as FISHBITES can be added for extra appeal. The scent will lure the fish! Late winter in the Everglades area in a great time to fish and explore. A trip into the deep interior is recommended for those who like to change the scenery. Try Hell’s Bay, Lane River, Tarpon Bay, or Robert’s River to start. If you are fishing these areas stick to swimming plugs and small lures. You can encounter anything like bass, snook to bull sharks. Don’t forget your backcountry essentials: compass, GPS, water, safety gear, water, beef jerky, repellant, and water. Did you remember to leave a float plan? Remember that your cell phones won’t work. Learn one stretch at a time.
Pine Island Sound - January 1st, 2007
supplied by: BarHopp'R FISHING: Fair
I managed to run two trips this week. We had two days of wet weather at the beginning of the week, including Christmas Day. I knew Wednesday would be a tough day even if the weather cleared out, because the fronts always shut down the bite.
Finally, Thursday I was ready for my first trip with Rich Barsalou, and his sons Chris and Drew, of Jupiter, Florida. We had a really tough tide to fish, with only a little water movement first thing. It would move less than half a foot over the whole tide! And, I had forgotten how busy the water is during Christmas week. I usually take it off. But, trucks and trailers were coming through the ramp like ants building a mound, and I knew the waters would be crowded, to say the least.
I suggested to Rich and the boys that we try to just find some action out in front of Sanibel where there have been big schools of bluefish, ladyfish, and mackeral. I knew that once the tide quit moving, which it would do before we could get up into the Sound, bites would be hard to come by. The boys were agreeable, and off we went to try to find those schoolies.
We already had a pretty good breeze blowing, which made our drifts pretty fast. We didn't find any action on the first drift, so I moved out closer to the open water where we found fish laying up just inside the big bar in 6 to 8 ft. of water. The boys began catching a mix of blues and mackeral and an odd ladyfish. Rich lost a couple of rigs to bigger fish, probably macks. We stayed with it making repeated drifts, and the action would always subside as we got closer to the big barrier bar. We were eventually joined by several other boats all with the same idea. We worked the area for a couple of hours, until the bite finally slowed. It was time to move into the backcountry.
We headed up into the Sound looking for places that would magnify our very weak tide and cause some water movement. The first stop which is usually great on such a tide this time of year, was a bust. Not a strike. We moved on to another of my favorite dead tide spots where we found at least two redfish and a nice trout, all caught on jigs. I switched to shrimp hoping to get a bite going, but that was it. No more hits.
WINTER FISHING FUN!
Wanting action I decided to take them light tackle grouper fishing. We stayed with the jigs we were using, and managed to catch a few nice grouper before the boys' collective appetites got the best of them. So, it was off to the Waterfront Restaurant for the first time for the Barsalous, knowing we'd done about as good as we could have hoped for on such a poor tide, high traffic day. And, we'd had a great time!
WINTER FISHING FUN!
The tide was a bit better for my trip with Sonny Stelmak, and his son Scott, on Friday morning. At least the water would move until around 10:00 AM. After that it would be flat. We were supposed to have fished on Wednesday, but after talking to some of the guys who did, I knew we had done the right thing in delaying our trip. Sonny has fished all over the country and Alaska, and knows how fishing can be. We've fished several times before, and done well. In fact, Sonny got a 16 pound red May before last. That's a big red to find in the shallows.
We elected to go straight up into the Sound and try to put some meat into the boat before the tide quit moving. Meat this time of year means redfish, as snook and trout are closed to harvest. So, off we went to a spot where I've done well with reds as of late. But, upon arriving we found no fish, probably because the water was high enough to let them get out of the potholes. We moved on.
I headed to a flat that is rarely without redfish this time of year. They were there, and there were plenty of them. The were all over the place. We could see them push in singles, groups, and pods. The water was gin clear. Nice, but not good. The wind had flipped from east around to the north, and was working against us. I slowly and quietly tried to maneuver us upwind of all the fish so we could get the breeze at our backs. As we spotted fish we dropped shrimp under popping corks on them. Most of them spooked at the sound of the splash in the clear water.
Scott managed to catch a needlefish, and I figured that would be our ticket to some redfish. I staked them and we put them out far from the boat and let them lay. It's rare to have a redfish turn his nose up to such a smelly offering. But, as we sat anchored with our needlefish out, we had watched redfish swimming around us in all directions as if we didn't exist. I cast a spoon around as we sat, hoping to get lucky. Finally, Sonny got a hard yank on his rig. But, the fish didn't eat, and didn't come back. Finally, we got a second hit. Then nothing. The we could see the line bounce slightly once in a while. I suspected the red had actually picked the bait up and swam back at us. I picked up the rig and began quickly reeling. Sure enough, the line went whizzing by as it caught up to the fish which was way behind the boat. Fish on! Man, that was one hard earned redfish.
WINTER FISHING FUN!
I know we were all hoping that signaled the start of a bite, but we had just managed to catch the one dumb redfish out there. His schoolmates were seemingly much smarter. We never got another hit. The tide was now dead, and that as much as anything else, was responsible for no more bites.
We moved on, and settled on another spot that usually has redfish once there's water on the flat. Again, we saw redfish as well as quite a few snook. But, the only fish we could get to eat was a nice, fat specked trout on that same cut bait. We had a couple of other wiggles, but with the same lockjawed result. By now, it was nearing the noon hour and I asked Sonny if he'd like to make his first trip to the Waterfront Restaurant. We figured if the fish wouldn't eat....we would! We would beat the holiday crowd.
WINTER FISHING FUN!
After bragging about how good the calamari is, served on a bed of lettuce laced with garlic cloves, with a side of marinara, Sonny decided to follow my lead. Once the dish was served, Sonny was quick to say that it was the best calamari he'd ever had. The garlic and lettuce really set it off. A stop at the Waterfront is the perfect way to cap off a day of fishing. Especially a tough day. Sonny and Scott agreed it had been a good day in spite of the bite, and were happy to have a nice redfish waiting in the baitwell. And, it had been great to share a day on the water with them once again.
When we got back to the ramp I couldn't believe the cars and trailers that were packed into every available space. I was reminded of how crazy it would be at the ramp and on the water on the holiday weekend. I had a new customer, Rob Eisner, wanting to take his young son fishing. His son loves to fish, and loves to catch, and I knew that catching would be a tall order on this holiday weekend. I just couldn't in good faith take them out there full of expectations, knowing what it would be like. Yes, we all need to work in the worst way, but I have to put my customers' needs first. I called Rob that night and told him how I saw things, and recommended we wait until we could take his son fishing under better conditions.
And, that's how it went. A typical week of winter fishing, cold fronts interrupted by brief periods of good weather!
In closing this report and the year, I'm sure that most of the area fishing guides share my sentiments about the year. Good riddance! We're all ready to leave 2006 behind and start on a new, and hopefully better year. 2006 will likely live in infamy as the worst year for our business than any of us can remember.
Happy New Year, everyone. And, thanks to all of you, my friends and customers who have fished with me and made it possible to be in this wonderful, al beit often frustrating business, for so many years. May God bless you all in the new year.
Be sure to check out www.BestFishingBooks.com, Books and gifts for fishermen from my friend Jim Dicken!
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