Another Florida Post

[Shoeman]

Well my folks finally joined the flock of Snow Birds and headed South for the Winter while leaving us fools behind. An invite to join them for the Holidays was promptly taken advantage of. Dad?s desire to go fishing set up a few guided trips in the Mid-section of Florida. One of the trips was to hit the Ocklawaha River for trophy bass around Silver Springs. We left the Villages before dawn and the temps were right around freezing mark, but the forecast promised mid 60?s for a daytime high. That day our fishing would take us to the confluence of the Springs and the river. Silver Springs maintains a constant temperature of 72 degrees, but lack in oxygen and the fish will belly as close to the warm water as possible without actually entering it. The sight of 8+ pound bass in the clear but tannic-stained water got my attention. Nick (our guide) brought about 50 shiners in the 4-7? class. I figured I?d let those guys throw the bait while I used some shad patterns and those Pig Boats I tied prior to leaving. It wasn?t to be. The cool temps that hit the State for several days got the fish off the bite. We had a few that shadowed the shiners, but no takers. A few hours into our trip my rod bucked when a 5? gar grabbed my PB. He took me for a short ride, but that 6wt was easy work for him.

Here?s some pictures of the confluence. Typical Central Florida swampland.

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The recent Hurricanes have done a number on many of the rivers. Downed trees virtually blocked entire sections and reduced travel by boat to short stretches near the launch sites.

More to come?

[Shoeman]

The next day Salt was on the menu. We left the Villages and headed West toward the Yankeetown/Inglis area. Our target was one of the numerous warm-water discharges that flows into the Gulf. The tide was approaching the low of the day and a strong East wind blew out the rest of the water. Another cold morning right around the freezing mark and it was a slow go across the flats. We had to cross several oyster bars to reach the discharge. Some of the water was barely 1' deep. Nick followed a set of waypoints snaking us through the shallows. The scenery was prehistoric. No houses, just small islands and cuts in between.

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Entering the area of the discharge revealed some serious bait. The birds were feeding like it was their last supper. The colder temps concentrated the bait and predators like nothing I've ever experienced. The water was boiling from the activity. What a sight.

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We pulled up to the barrels that limited access to the Plant and within minutes the first fish was on. Cobia... What a rush, I saw him twice. He must have been 36", maybe a hair longer, but he broke my line. In all my years of fishing I have never seen such speed. My dad ended up catching his little brother on the next cast. Once again he ripped line like no steelhead or salmon we've ever seen. We both shook our heads when he was only 20 some inches long.
Within 30 minutes we hooked several speckled trout (keepers) and I was blessed with 2 Jack Cravelles (sp) that pulled the boga to 10 pounds.

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I'll tell ya, those fish are strong and I can see why anglers chase them all over the globe. First they'll circle boat several times and then they are glued to the bottom.

more to come...

[Shoeman]

The day ended with a mixed bag of sublegal Mangrove Snappers, Redfish, permit, Jacks, cobia, sea trout and I'm sure I missed one or 2 others.

Here's my dad with 2 of the Reds that ended as supper.

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Our cooler only revealed a portion of the fish caught that day. We must have landed close to 100 fish that day and lost another 50.

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On several occasions we were visited by a manatee. Let's just say my dog hasn't been the same. He would constantly monitor the surrounding water looking for these funny looking creatures.

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The ride back to Inglis was uneventful since the tide moved back in.

What a slice of heaven with the unspoiled shoreline

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[Shoeman]

One of the days we took a ride to the Space Coast. Merrit Island is actually a sanctuary and bird watchers from all over the world visit this area. I ran across a Wood Storck that didn't seem bothered feeding amond the 100's of gators that inhabit the brackish water.

Notice the "tire track" back of a gator in the lower corner. The building in the background is the assembly building for the space shuttle.

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The shoreline is littered with gators.

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I guess the salt got my attention. We just booked a flight for Easter. Islamorada here we come... ;)

[Captain]

Great Posts Ralf.......Remember when we had boiling bait off the thumb? :bash:

[Shoeman]

Yup, the good old days...

Good to hear from ya, Drew. I hope to spend at least part of April plowing the waters around Harbor Beach for Browns.

[kroppe]

Great post Shoe! I love Jack Crevalles, to my eye they are more handsome than permit or amberjack. IMHO salt species fight much harder than freshwater fish. Maybe because there are bigger and toothier predators in the ocean/gulf, and everyone in the food chain needs to be faster! ;-)

Last week we fished out of Islamorada, Whale Harbor Marina. http://www.whaleharbor.com, with Captain John Gargan of "Coupleabucks". There are a few other sport fishing places in that area, I rented a 20' center console from Bud'n'Mary's Marina, http://www.budnmarys.com Lots to choose from - offshore, nearshore or flats. Captain Gargan said the sailfishing is the best it has been in years. I am amazed at the quality of fishing under the bridges. Try under the large pilings at the Channel 5 bridge, which is the big one north of Long Key, south of Islamorada. Great mangrove and grey snapper fishing.

Looking forward to your Easter trip report! :)

[Wellston]

Shoeman:
Thanks for the report! It gives me the urge to travel south and feel the warm sun on my back. Looks like some of the days weren't that warm though.
Jim

[dinoday]

Now you went and did it! Gave me the itch for some cobia and snook action :) Every year I come up with the dilema of to stay here and fish for steel or head south and fish for snook.As much as I LOVE steelhead it's hard to resist the temptation to hit the salt :lol: Look's like you had a good trip,thanks for the post!

[Neal]

Thanks Ralf......You really know how to hurt a guy :)

This will be the first winter in 6 years that I won't be going to Florida, due to Hurricane Charlie taking off with our place. Although the trout and reds are great eating, but those "Jacks" can really tear it up.

Thanks for sharing,

Neal

[ESOX]

Great post Ralf. Those salties are something else, they just don't ever seem to quit.

[Shoeman]

Great post Shoe! I love Jack Crevalles, to my eye they are more handsome than permit or amberjack. IMHO salt species fight much harder than freshwater fish. Maybe because there are bigger and toothier predators in the ocean/gulf, and everyone in the food chain needs to be faster! ;-)

I am amazed at the quality of fishing under the bridges. Try under the large pilings at the Channel 5 bridge, which is the big one north of Long Key, south of Islamorada. Great mangrove and grey snapper fishing.
:)

I hear ya on those jacks. Even with the heavy rods and 12 pound XT I could hardly move them. Speaking of the bridges around the Keys, our guide explained that the tarpon stack up in there and let the tides feed them. This usually takes place in July.

Sure didn't mean to hurt anyone with these posts...LOL
This past year has been one of travel and I can honestly say I had a ball. Mountain trout in NC, White River fish in AR, Desert trout in AZ and this salt water. Life is good!

Gonna be hard to top 04, but I'll try :)


Neal, the aftermath of the hurricanes is still very evident in many communities. Most of the signs were blown out in Cocoa Beach and surrounding areas. It must have been devastating. Sorry to hear about your place.

[stelmon]

Cool pics and reports, ralf!

[Gone Fishing]

This past year has been one of travel and I can honestly say I had a ball. Mountain trout in NC, White River fish in AR, Desert trout in AZ and this salt water. Life is good!
Gonna be hard to top 04, but I'll try :)

Man Ralf, you sure know how to live! Sounds like a wonderful trip, thanks for sharing it with us. :)

[Icet]

Great report. Love the pictures, brings back good memories. Nice mess of trout in the cooler. They are good eating if I remember right. Thaks again for the report. :) :) :fish:

[Steve]

Thanks for the report Ralf. I've been on tours of the Mangrove swamps and you could get lost in there forever. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[Steely-Head]

Nice fish there Ralf, looks like a good time.

[fishing addict]

....makes me feel homesick.I,was born and raised in MI,but moved to Florida after I got out of the Army in 1973 and lived around Pinellas & Pasco counties till 1994,except a year I lived in Tallahassee.
As Ironworkers we carried our fishing poles on the welding truck along with a canoe at times.We worked all over Florida,and fished every where we went.I've seen 8lb bass come out of building retention ponds,and miss the saltwater fishing more than I care to admit.
Thanks for sharing your trip,glad you got some good fishing in.

[skamaniac]

I'm in the Key's every March, although this year will be cut short. If anyone is going to be down there, let me know. I fish from Islamorada all the way down to Big Pine. This year we will be staying on Long Key, which is just across the Channel 2 and Channel 5 bridges, the next key down from Lower Matecumbe (Islamorda).

Mike

[DonP]

Hey Ralf...

Great pictures and post. I have been going down to the Keys for a number of years and mostly it has been Islamorada. I have done some major damage on the snapper population from the party boat "Captain Michael" which is in the Holiday Isle marina. The Holiday Isle Resort (http://www.holidayisle.com/) is a VERY NICE resort at MM (mile marker) 84 (oceanside) and they have a motto of "You don't have to stay to play" which basically means you don't have to stay there to use the outdoor pool and walk around the grounds and such.

Whale Harbor is just across the bridge from Holiday Isle Resort & Marina on the oceanside and is a nice place too with bunches of charter boats and a couple of party boats. If you like seafood... The Whale Harbor Inn Restaurant (http://www.keysdirectory.com/whaleharbor/) is a must with it's world famous "all you can eat" seafood buffet. (they lost money on me!! :lol: )

Also want to make sure you visit the World Wide Sportsman (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=94&storeID=21) store at MM 81.5 (oceanside). They are affiliated with the Bass Pro chain of store. A very nice place that can do some major damage to your wallet!! ;)

Other places to possibly check out (when you aren't fishing of course) are...

Go feed the tarpon at Robbie's (http://www.robbies.com) at MM 77 (bayside). It is quite something to see 50+ tarpon hanging around the docks waiting for handouts (some pushing 200+ lbs.). They give you a bucket with some baitfish in it and out you go out on the dock to feed them by hand!! :yikes:

Underwater Picture of Tarpon at the docks at Robbie's (http://www.robbies.com/pics/tarpon/underwater/tarpunder3.jpg)

As some of the others have mentioned... Bud N' Mary's Marina (www.budnmarys.com) at MM 79.8 (oceanside) and then there is Papa Joe's Marina & Restaurant (http://www.papajoesmarina.com) (the Key Lime Pie is KILLER at the restaurant here) right across the road from Bud N' Marys on the bayside.

Some other smaller tackle shops to maybe check out and tons of others things to see and do.... if you have any question... please feel free to PM me and I will answer any questions if I can.

Don P.

[Shoeman]

Wow Don and Mike, thanks for all the links and advice. ;)

Almost sounds like we should bring you along...LOL

After this weekend's deep freeze, I'm ready! Talked to my folks this weekend and mom was getting ready for her water arobics in an outdoor pool. W T F.

[mrblugil]

you'll love Florida Online Sportsman go to the forums for whatever area you like an it will get your juices flowin,great pics up to date reports,lived near Pine Island for the last 4 years,what great fishin,but can you believe it I missed ice fishin,back "home" now but still think of the jacks,reds,snappers,cobia ah their all great,even the manatees an the porpoises that would pop up next to the boat an say good morning. :fish: