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Everglades National Park - Flamingo
Capt. Bob LeMay
July 27, 2005
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Yesterday we fished through Whitewater quickly then along the coast north of the Shark River. The interior held redfish in almost every spot we tried. The ones we found were a little under the slot, but hungry for both bait and jigs. Catching a few ladyfish to use for bait later was also part of our routine. One spot just west of Whitewater held so many trout and ladyfish that my anglers finally quit casting and just dropped their rigs straight down next to the boat. The fish were so hungry that a jig with no hair left on it was getting hit every drop.... It's that time of year.
The big attraction, though, was along the coast where large numbers of small to medium tarpon have taken up residence. We could have spent the day chasing them. One of my anglers got his first tarpon on bait. At about 40lbs it was just the right size for lots of jumps, then a couple of photos and a release. The tarpon that we found were gathered just off of points from 100 yds out to about 400yds off of the shore feeding and loafing in the falling tide. Your best shot at them will be from first light to almost 10Am. After that all most anglers get is exercise working fish that are just loafing and waiting for light levels to fall along with the water temperatures. The water along the coast was at more than 85 degrees first thing in the morning and well above 87 by afternoon....
We added a slot sized snook to our releases during the afternoon, but noted that the action had slowed considerably from the morning. During the afternoon we also got to see two large wild fires inland from Highland Beach. It didn't seem that there could be that much dry fuel this time of year but it sure was a sight. We also found a few salt creeks that were holding more than a few large to medium sized alligators at the bottom of the tide. They must be pretty hungry since they immediately stationed themselves around our boat waiting for us to hook a fish they could steal. Between hungry sharks and 'gators a nice snook or redfish on a hook has a real problem along the coast now....
I'll be back there as soon as I can.
Tight Lines
Capt Bob LeMay
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