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Everglades National Park & Biscayne Bay
Capt. Jim Hale
April 19, 2005
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Been staying very busy but cold and windy conditions have taken it’s toll on fishing the flats especially in Everglades National Park.
Numerous days we’ve run across 15 to 20 snook and seeing 10 to 15 redfish. Most of these fish have been over 7 lbs and some as large as 15 to 17 lbs. All of the fish spotted were lying up in the shallows to gather warmth. They have been very spooky and hard to get them to eat. We’ve had a couple fish turn to eat but nothing aggressive. Another problem was that in 7” of water we had trouble seeing the bottom because of the wind turning up mud. However, here are some highlights:
As the Biscayne Bay Flats were so choppy and cold I decided to go to some protected areas. In doing so I have chased down over 300 bonefish this month for my clients.
On the 14th of March I was fishing in the afternoon with windy conditions, once, yet, again, we chased over 50 giant redfish in Biscayne Bay. The biggest one I saw probably weighed over 30 lbs. We chased these schools, making perfect casts for three hours and still could not get a bite.
On two consecutive day Flamingo charters I endured the same conditions, very, very windy and cold but came up with some fish for the clients. On March 19, Jay Peck, from Cutler Ridge, FL and Peter Beck from Connecticut, went to find some tarpon and reds. Highlights were one 6 lb red and 2 just undersized snook, a couple big sharks (ate the live bait instead of the tarpon). The following day fishing with Richard Lovett, from Homestead, FL, we caught 5 reds all about 5 lbs., 2 undersized snook and lost a nice 10+ lb snook at the boat.
March 21st, I fished with David Cayford, from Cutler Ridge, FL in Biscayne Bay. We finally had a nice day, calm winds and clear water. We chased two schools of reds with David finally catching an 11 lb red and I caught a 16 lb! After fishing for reds we headed for the bonefish flats and had 6 good chances at the still spooky bones. Good casts were not the problems as much as the fish just wouldn’t play.
O’fer is better than NO’fer! Fishing back in Flamingo on Good Friday wasn’t that good for James Dillard of Kendall, FL. Winds were blowing 20+ but this time at least it was warm. We had numerous shots at snook (and large too – 15 to 20 lb’ers.). Three of the hooked up snook ended up in the mangroves, two were cut off by the gill plates and one, just bad luck – spit the hook for James.
The last days of March bonefish and reds came a live. Chasing large schools of bones and landing an nice 8 lb by female angler Merijo Attong of "Just Call Me", fishing and hunting worldwide agency.
I will be back on the waters this week again and hopefully the winds of Florida will settle down a little. There are plenty of fish on the flats and creeks; if the wind will cooperate I will have a better fishing report next time. The season has come for tarpon and permit fishing with good bones and reds in the mix.
If interested in coming to South Florida and fishing for these guys give me a call 786-255-1788 or for bookings all 305-926-7423. Check out my website www.canepolincharters.com for more details.(please be patient as my website is under refurbishing with numerous updates and changes. By my request all information is still there.)
Tight lines and gin clear waters!
Capt. Jim
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