 |
Everglades National Park & Biscayne Bay
Capt. Jim Hale
July 7, 2005
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Cane Polin' Fishing report June 23 through July 7, 2005
Great fishing, the last couple of weeks has made Everglades National Park the place to be for snook, redfish and tarpon.
The snook bite has been phenomenal if you have time to fish between storms. Everyday except one we have manage to land at least one snook, but on every day on the water we have managed to see them and get solid hits on top water lures. In the last two weeks I’ve experienced that the fish are biting tremendous while the clouds and rain are hanging around. On the days that were bright, clear and calm the bite was over early, that is one reason why on those clam days I like to be fishing right when the sun comes up. The bite is fast and furious but over quick (by 10 a.m.). That is only on the flats. On the Westside in deeper water were you get some good water movement we were getting the snook on top water, live baits and sub-surface lures. That bite has been lasting longer on the clam clear days.
The redfish are still showing up in large schools in very shallow water. Some people tell me I’m crazy, not believing these redfish are in the schools that they are, but with my clients and a couple of other guides that fish these schools it makes for a great day and catch. These fish can be found in the bights east of Flamingo all the way to Madeira Bay and also out in front of Flamingo on certain flats around the islands. These reds are taking small crabs, seeing that the summer shrimp are so small and hard to throw. We landed several big reds, but the one red that was a great fun catch was the nice 31”, these were caught on the Rapala Skitter Walk. They are also eating the Berkely Blade Dancer worked slowly on the bottom as well as gold spoons. Thanks to Mike Praznovsky of Pure Fishing who turned me on to these baits. They have been working great.
Another great catch and release fish in Flamingo in the last two weeks have been the great Silver Kings. The fish that have been biting on the flats have been from 30 to 60 lb. We have seen fish over a 150 lb just cruising on the flats for a quick meal but thank gosh these pigs wouldn’t eat anything we threw at them on light tackle! PHEW!!! On the fly the fish have been taken purple and black flies as well as red and black. The cockroach brown had been working better on calm clear mornings. A great fly company I use is Snowy Mountain Outfitters; contact Roger Lynn at [email protected] if you are interested in some of these flies. The fish close to Flamingo are following mullet muds and the other fish on the clear banks are between Flamingo and Islamorada.
There has also been a lot of bonefish on the clear flats in the Islamorada backcountry. In the last two weeks client/friend James Yerbury from Sydney, Australia fished Flamingo in between other scheduled charters. He managed to get himself a nice slam of a 12 lb snook, a 10 lb red and a 40 lb little king. Great Job “MATE”! Unfortunately, the following day he went 0 for 5 on snook (bloody hell), but we did manage to land 3 in the boat, with the biggest being 20 lb. After experiencing the tailing reds and bones, rolling tarpon and snook exploding on top water lures he tried to extend his trip a few days but was unable due to airline overbooking. His last words were “Mate, I’ll be back!”
Another great experience this last week for me was to have Col. Hunter Ledbetter, from the US Marine Corp. taking leave from the Middle East to do some snook fishing with me. What an honor and challenge to get him his first 10 lb snook. Thanks Hunter, good job.
I will be fishing between now and the 18th of July, when I will then be venturing over to Bimini, Bahamas for the Island Fishing Adventures, Lights and Sirens Tournament. If you want to fish this fun, family oriented tournament email Pete Larkin at [email protected] or call at 305-282-7611. Hopefully, I’ll see you all there.
Tight lines and gin clear waters!
Capt. Jim Hale
www.canepolincharters.com
786-255-1788 or 305-926-7423
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
