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South Florida Report - Flamingo, Biscayne Bay & Miami
Capt. Jim Hobales
February 13, 2008
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
020708
I met Neil and his son Stephen at the world famous Caribbean club in Key Largo, we started out looking for some small Tarpon. We fished an area that always holds them but not today. I wanted to run out to the Bonefish flats but the winds were up a bit and opted for Flamingo and a guarantee of catching some fish. We got up on Snake Bite and Stephen caught his first Redfish 27 inches and then second Redfish. He then caught 2 Snook while his dad just smiled at his sons accomplishment. I asked what they were up for and we decide to go bend their rods as many tmes as we could. I ran to a grass flat with plenty of Jacks, Ladyfish and Trout and bent there rods until it was time to leave.
020808
I am fishing Flamingo today with Andy, Don and Cheryl. Andy called and asked if my boat had a place for his dad to sit because he has a from of Parkinson's and cannot stand. The Pathfinder 22 Xl TE with it's new console seat was perfect for Don. The morning started off with a couple missed bites, but then Don was hooked up to a big Red that was pulling plenty of drag. Unfortunately it came off before we could land it, but it was early! This was a day for Don to enjoy himself since he can't do it all the time, while watching Andy take care of him and making sure he was comfortable while catching most of the fish. We did get a chance to cast a some really big Tarpon while they rolled around the boat putting on a show but would not hit their lures. we moved on and just hit spot after spot catching Trout, Redfish, Ladyfish Jacks, big Snappers and Goliath Groupers. The heat wore Don out but he continued to fish until it was time to go home, on the way he asked if there was one more spot? I said sure "I have hundreds". The last stop produced more Redfish, Trout, Jacks and Ladyfish. He said now I am tired we can go!
020908
I with Charlie and Raul in Biscayne Bay, let go bend the rods is all Charlie said. We started out on the Bonefish flats , with a super low negative tide I thought it would be no problem finding Bonefish. The Bones weren't in the first 2 areas, so Charlie asked what else how about Snappers.
I said we killed the Mutton Snappers last week not to far from here, so off we went. The next few hours produced Barracudas, Mutton Snappers, Mangrove Snappers, Red Groupers, Yellowtails and some not so desirable fish. Charlie said it about time why don't we head back, I said one more spot! I slowed and moved up with the wind that's when I spotted a 10 foot Bull Shark in 1 foot of water.
I handed Raul A spinning rod with a big plug for Sharks, Charlie asked what are we going to do with that, I said hook that monster. It was the biggest Bull Shark have ever scene and I catch plenty of them. We chased him and had a couple cast that were close but the big Shark was not interested so we packed it up and went home.
021108
Today is day 1 of a 2 day 7 boat charter, these trips are fun because we are all on the same page catch fish, have fun and laugh. I have Dennis and Chad on board today, as we leave the dock its cool and breezy only to get really windy later. The first couple of stops were very close in the back country and there was no current. We made our way to Whitewater bay where there was wind strong winds. I hit a couple of my favorite spots but only Ladyfish and Jacks were home. We finally made it up to the Shark river area where we trolled for some Groupers, I noticed a decent size Goliath Grouper in the current behind a log. I turned the boat around and rigged up a Shrimp and pitched it out and told Dennis hold on: Dennis said something "like that was a like being on a ride at Disney world. the big Goliath ran thru the trees and pulled as Dennis pulled back, this went on for 5 minutes until the Goliath had enough. Chad hooked another with the same result but landed a nice Gag Grouper and a big Mangrove Snapper. We packed it up and ran to an area I knew would be protected from the wind and we could get a couple good hook ups. The first couple cast they made got slammed and they started to look at me funny like "what was that". The Snappers were big and very aggressive They got bit on every cast and landed Snappers up to 16 inches in very heavy cover. Chad had a hit and and all I hear is drag getting pulled off, he was hooked up to a Goliath that did not want to come out and play. He fought it back and forth finally landing about a 7 lb Goliath Grouper. Don't let the size fool you they fight harder than any other fish in the same circumstance. The guys where having so much fun we lost track of time and got back a half hour later while the rest of the group was waiting.
021208
I am fishing with Jimmy today, he puts this trip together and he is a great guy. I fished with him last year on day 2 and I requested that I get to fish with him again this year. Today started out little different than any other trip I have made, we started out under a "Tornado warning". We laughed about it later but 24 hours later as I'm writing this we are still under a tornado warning and a major system sitting over us. The first spot looked good breezy, but water looked great and I was hoping for a good bite. It didn't take long and Jimmy had a Snook, there were some small Tarpon rolling but no tide movement = no fish. I moved a short way where the wind direction would help with the tide but the Porpoises moved in and ate everything on the flat as we sat in amazement. We made a move and got on the edge of a shallow bank and Jimmy go a couple shots at some big Sharks on a top water plug. There was a 200 lb Bull Shark which cam right up to the boat Jimmy cast but ended up just watching the Shark instead. In the meantime the weather was deteriorating and the rain squalls were starting to pour thru. Jimmy caught a bunch of Trout and another Snook and then it looked like the end of the world. it was time to make a run for it!
As we got back everyone else were already there.
Let's go catch'em,
Captain Jimbo
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