 |
Everglades City, Chokoloskee and Everglades National Park
Capt. Charles Wright
February 3, 2005
Everglades City - Saltwater Fishing Report
New Page 2
February = Camping and
Fishing
With
the very mild winter so far, especially our mild January, the water temperature
is much warmer than usual. In winter, the warmer the water the better the
winter time fishing. February is the peak month for the “winter mix” … lots of
species and lots of action.
February means lots of action with Spanish mackerel,
bluefish, ladyfish on the flats. If you get near the bottom with natural baits,
count on redfish, flounder and sheep head. Species variety is name of the game
in February for those that like lots of action
However, the winter grass-flat king is still the Speckled
Sea Trout. It is in very common to catch 75 plus fish on a typically charter.
While the harvest limit is four per angler that still makes a good “mess” of
fish for the table. There is nothing better than a having a group of for or
more anglers on the boat doing the “Chokoloskee Fire Drill” in the middle of a
school of trout … everyone has a blast … it can be hysterical!
Recently,
I had group of kayak anglers in from the Atlanta area … father, father-in-law
and three grown sons. Unfortunately, the fourth grown son could not make it at
the last minute. The plan was for me to take their camping gear to a ground
site in the Park, set up camp and then take the whole lot and the kayaks in the
mother ship to another location to fish. They planned to return to camp, keep
the fishing kayaks over night and fish the next day around the camp location. I
was to pick them up the morning of the third day and to re-locate to another
campsite and do the whole thing over again.
After a quick indoctrination to the first area, they
quickly figured out that they wanted to fish this remote backcountry location
more than one day. We changed the plans. In the kayaks, they caught trout,
snook, redfish, snook, snapper, snook, sheep head, snook, jacks, snook, shark
and snook. Needless to say, they were well fed!
The third morning, we held to the plan and relocated
everything … I mean everything. A lot of people take advantage of the
kayak/canoe/camping shuttles during the winter season, but these guys REALLY
took advantage of it…they left nothing at home … nothing! But that is just
fine.
After loading up, we made it to the outside where they set
up camp on a remote, isolated beach. I gave them the layout of the land, bid
my farewells and left them alone.
The next day, I came by with my day’s anglers aboard to
check on the Atlanta crew and drop off a load of ice. One of the anglers
onboard, as expected, gave me that typical look of dismay when I told them that
these guys were kayak fishing … “Kayak fishing? Fishing in a plastic boat. Not
me?” …
I eased up to Dad and two of his sons, he confirmed
everyone was fine and that everyone was having a blast and catching fish. They
all estimated that they EACH caught 50 or more trout in the first part of the
falling tide that morning … all five anglers. A couple of times, four them had
fish on at once. That was a first for this group. I could see the naysayer
on my boat doing the math … His expression changed. That is Everglades fishing
in the winter.
While February is prime camping season, it also marks the
time for the arrival of the big tarpon. We sight fish these giants, poling
silently in the calm back waters. When we spot a fish, a gentle and accurate
presentation usually will send them aloft. A fly rod is the best choice, but a
properly rigged spinning rod works very well…If this February is like last, with
the warmer water, it should be spectacular.
By the way, the kayak fishing naysayer, he booked a kayak
fishing/camping trip for his family before he left!!!
Tight Lines!!!
Capt. Charles Wright
www.ChokoloskeeCharters.com
www.EvergladesKayakFishing.com
[email protected]
239-695-9107
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
 |
 |
|
Chokoloskee Charters.com and Everglades Kayak Fishing.com is your complete outfitter for fishing Everglades National Park.
Fish the Everglades backcountry, the beaches, 10,000 islands, river and wrecks with the most experienced guides in the area. With flats boats, bays boats, offshore boats and even kayak transport boats for our fleet of outfitted fishing kayaks, we can offer a complete, multi-day, fishing experience. Capt. Charles Wright - Fishing the Park Since 1972 Catch the Experience
Contact Info:
Chokoloskee Charters
PO Box 670
Everglades City, FL 34139
Phone: 239-695-9107
Email the Captain
Visit his Web Site
Browse Photo Gallery
Display Find-a-Guide Listing
|
|
|
|
|
|
