Florida Keys fishing, week of 12/27/04

[kroppe]

Our family spent the week after Christmas on Fiesta Key, had a great time enjoying the time away from work/school, weather and of course the fishing. Weather was low-mid 70s and mostly sunny. My 9 yr old son and I did a backcountry/flats fishing charter, and we caught some nice sheepshead, spotted seatrout and mangrove snappers. Snook season was
closed, and they, like permit and bonefish, prefer warmer water of spring and summer.

Tackle was light spinning, and bait was live shrimp, as well as live pilchards. The scenery was awesome, and we saw many wading birds I have never seen before, with the added bonus of several close-up dolphin (bottlenose) sightings.

Dad with a seatrout. We were using corks, which you cast and then retrieve with a popping action. The splashing attracts the trout, which then take the shrimp with a very deliberate, aggressive strike.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/364dad_041229_1.jpg

Our catch of the day. Many more fish were released; this is what we decided to bring home.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/364wm_dad_041229.jpg

Our last day I rented a 20' center console and fished under the bridge pilings at "Channel 5" which connects Long Key with the next island north in the chain. There is some very excellent fishing to be had under bridges in this area, and even the pros fish here for tarpon and snook, as well as snapper which is what I was targeting. Snappers are excellent fighting fish for their size, and are much stronger than any bass or walleye of the same weight.

Many fish were released, but I kept 2 mangrove snappers (above) and 2 grunts, I think they are the blue strip variety, but not sure. Again, tackle was light spinning with live shrimp for bait.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/364fish_041231_3.jpg

Not sure what this fish is, I think it is a "pork fish", according to someone at the dock. It was released.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/364pork_fish_041231_2.jpg

Would be glad to help answer questions for anyone thinking of visiting or fishing in the Keys.

[malainse]

Great job Kroppe...... Have to love Florida fishing because you never know what is on the end of the line. Will be catching them in April at Ft. Myers Beach.....

[duckman#1]

My wife and daughter are going to Orlando next Tuesday and they have to stay a week in a hotel at a modeling convention, I was seriously thinking "if" I went this could be a week of fishing for me down there :lol: But I'm not sure how the bass fishing is right now and I would imagine the cost of fishing several days with a guide would be a bit more than I want to spend.
Still, can't help but dream about 10lb bass in that big famous lake down there
(Lake Ocachobie - spelling?) Guess I will stay up here and amire the half frozen lakes and the endless shades of brown in the landscape :(

[kroppe]

mal - good luck and don't forget to post a report!

duckman - if you have a chance, try to fish on a pier or jetty. Free or inexpensive to gain access to the pier, and the only other cost is bait. Never know what you'll catch, and it's a great way to spend some time on the ocean!

[riverman]

Very nice report. I'd give anything to be the age of your son again and back in the keys fishing with my father. I'd also get to see man walk on the moon for the first time again too!!!!! Riverman

[tangleknot]

Great pics, Kroppe! The sea trout is beautiful. That weather looks very inviting right about now.

[ESOX]

Very nice BJ, don't leave those popping corks in Fla, they work great for other species as well. Had a huge day on LSC nailing smallies on a small popping cork with a little tube under it. Those smallies are too inquisitive for their own good.:)

[kroppe]

Paul,

I was thinking the same thing. The popping cork trick would work on any near-surface feeding fish. I am a growing fan of live bait, and if you hooked a good size minnow under a popping cork, you could clean up on both types of bass in about 4-12 FOW. Maybe muskie as well - not really an expert on 'skies. I'll bet a pike would hit this rig if you cast along a weedline or edge of lily pads.

The rigging is very simple, and you can't beat the appearance or smell of live/formerly live bait.

[Shoeman]

I bet right about now, you're ready to go back.

Cool pics. I'm sure your son had a ball! Say, what did they charge for that boat?

[kroppe]

Shoeman, the thought has crossed my mind more than once! ;)

http://www.floridakeysrentalboat.com/boats-rates.html

I rented the 21' Mako with 200hp, $160 + fuel/oil for just over half a day. Easy four person vessel if you fish 2 people off the bow and 2 at the stern. The Channel 5 bridge is about a 15 minute boat ride from the marina. Easy limit of snappers there, then you can fish a bunch of other spots in the area. Too much good fishing! They give you a free nautical chart which is surprisingly good.

There are always boats fishing in the area, so you can anchor with them or find your own place if you're not catching. Take note of the tides - I think it's best to fish at the change of tides - falling turning to rising and vice versa.

[Shoeman]

That price seems fair, although next Xmas I'm bringing my own, unless my dad buys one...lol He's hooked!

[toto]

Nice pics, and the weather looks alot better than here. It won't be long now, and I'll be there. :lol:

[Icet]

Great report, I'm jealous. Just cleared two driveways today and Florida sure is looking good. Fished a bunch down in the keys and you sure brought back some good memories. Thanks. :) :)

[Oakley]

A couple of years ago we were down in Fort Meyers for a week vacation and just for fun I threw a couple telescoping rods in the suit case. In Fort Meyers, I went to a local seafood shop and got squid which I cut into strips. (total cost - $3.00). I went on the phone a got a 3 day liscence (they give you the liscence number over the phone) and for the next three mornings I had a couple hours of great fishing off the shore by the roadway bridge piers. A couple of the local guys there were really patient with me and helped identify the fish I caught. I felt kind of dumb holding up a fish and asking "what's this... can you eat it?" But we had a grill where we were staying and fresh grilled fish is goooood. Anyway, lots of fun, and easy on the budget.