 |
Everglades National Park - Flamingo
Capt. Bob LeMay
May 14, 2003
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
In the past two weeks our best fishing has been along the Gulf coast and nearby rivers from Cape Sable all the way to Lostmans River. Every day we've had lots of shots at large tarpon that are gathering in preparation for their spawning migration. Robbie Cash of Memphis and Bill Heitman both fought tarpon over 120 lbs to the boat on spinning gear. The tarpon have been difficult on flies, but show no hesitation when a live bait is involved... Our last day on the water, they began to turn on. We jumped fish on lures and flies that morning almost from the first cast...
The first real signs of quantities of baitfish have begun to show along the coast, with pelicans right on top of them. Mixed in with good sized pilchards were lots of 4 to 8lb black tip sharks milling around right under the bait. A guy could ruin a perfectly good net if not careful under those conditions. Soon it will be time for some live chumming at river mouths...
Among our catches this past week was a 30" cobia caught by young Alex Heitman. At only seven years old he's quite an angler. We also found quantities of small snook at one of the rivers. They ate lures and flies as they fed on bait being flushed out of a small creek. We also found large black drum along the same shoreline and got one to eat a jig.
Although the bugs at the boat ramp are as fierce as ever, once away we seldom had any problems with mosquitoes. As usual for this time of year you've got to think twice about retrieving a lure or fly caught on a bush, though. Long sleeve shirts, long pants, and lots of bug spray are the standard gear.
This weekend should allow lots of shots at tarpon and good opportunities with snook. It's catch and release time for the snook already along the gulf coast and the snook fishing should be quite good all summer.
Tight Lines
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
