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Flamingo - Everglades National Park
Capt. Ariel Cabrera
December 12, 2007
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Winter Fish, Here they come!
Winter has finally arrived and so have the fish. The cold water species I’m referring to are the drum, mackerel, cobia, pompano, and yes-the sheepshead. Grab a few dozen live shrimp and head to the deep holes or rivers because the groupers, gags and goliath are hungry too! They will also take cut bait and lures though. Seems like every species is in town. Cold water temperatures make these fish want to eat while perhaps shutting down the bite on the more temperate species like tarpon.
We have been doing well with trout with soft plastics and shrimp too. In the south zone, the season opens in January. Expect ladyfish, jacks, and snapper, and even bluefish as bycatch when trout fishing. Sometimes I rig a tandem outfit if I have little ones aboard and they love to see how they can catch two fish at once. Try it and see for yourself. Sometimes being a guide is like a job of an entertainer. Make fishing fun.
Hit the deep holes for sure action. Get down with jigs, split shots, and bait and lures so it is easier for the fish to eat. On days where it is windy look in the shelter of the rivers for clean water. Flyfishermen will do best with sink tip lines or the clear monocore slime lines. They get down to the fish when it’s cold. One other technique that is worthwhile is trolling plugs along the river. You’ll need some divers that get down at least 4-6 feet and a decent depthfinder. Always looks at the turns of the river for good spots.
The past few weeks have seen some great action on snook and redfish. We have been catching these on shrimp and jekbaits. They are falling to lures on the outgoing tides of flats edges. Some of the islands have had a good share of “snuke” taken with live shrimp.
Capt> jim Hale and I fishedthe T-burger party for a few days and they caught over seven 12 species, including some large snook and tarpon.
Please pick up a copy of Florida Sportsman and check out the boatmanship and light tackle columns, this is part of the reason I haven't been out as much. The kids and some other jobs are to blame too however; I have many days open now.
Best,
Ariel
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