 |
Everglades National Park - Flamingo
Capt. Bob LeMay
March 4, 2003
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
This past week the weather has been unusually warm here and so has the fishing. Last Wednesday was a day for exploring and some photography in the interior. I couldn't resist bringing a few rods and before noon had a backcountry slam using flies and lures. Needing only a tarpon for the grand slam I couldn't resist a trip to a small river that usually holds fish. It was crazy. Once you're hooked up on a 70lb+ tarpon in a small river and trying to run the boat, keep out of the bushes, and stay connected without anyone else on board things get hectic... I was glad when the fish pulled free after 7 or 8 good jumps. That grand slam will have to wait for another day.
During the weekend there were lots of folks fishing tarpon in Whitewater Bay and we could have joined them. We chose instead to fish a quiet small bay away from all of the boat traffic. One indicator that you've chosen the right area are schools of mullet doing their best to keep from being eaten. Steve Camm, a frequent visitor from England, hooked and fought to the boat a tarpon estimated at 80 to 90lbs on 15# spinning gear. That fish came six feet out of the water on the strike! The tarpon fishing in the interior should continue steady for the next two months. We caught and released a variety of other fish during the day. Among them was a nice spanish mackeral in Whitewater, something that would have been pretty unusual a few years ago.
The only downside to the fishing this past week was the wind conditions which have kept the Gulf coast pretty muddy. A few days of easterly or just light winds should help that area quite a bit.
Tight Lines
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
