A Day In Aripeka
Capt. Butch Rickey
October 6, 2010
Pine Island Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
I spent a few days visiting friends up in Aripeka, Florida, last week, at Nature's Island Retreat. What a beautiful town and beautiful waters. Everyone there is very friendly, and one day while we bicycled and explored around practically everyone we happened upon stopped to talk to us. We explored down old dirt roads and went to one of the many natural springs there, and with the exception of Jackie and me both getting bit by a pregnant Pitt bull that took exception to us being on her street, the ride was without incident. The Pitt bit me on the heal of my shoe, and as soon as she realized it wasn't anything she wanted she let go, but on the way back through she zeroed in on Jackie's right foot and bit her pretty good before she could get away. Jackie had to treat her wounds for several days to get the infection and swelling down. But, thankfully she was OK.
I was under the weather for most of the time I was there, but did get out in the Ultimate on Friday. It was my last chance to see the waters from the waters, and it was quite a revelation. I was puzzled at why I saw no boats running around out there in the shallows like we would here. Jackie kept telling me it was too shallow, but it's not too shallow for a good flats boat. Well, once I was out there in the kayak, I soon realized that this was the land of busted lower units. There are big rocks and oysters everywhere, and they're far too numerous for the average person to ever commit to memory. One strike on one of those rock clusters and you're being towed in for a new lower unit. And, that's why it is known as kayakers' paradise! I don't think I ever did find a spot out there where I could use my stakeout pole!
Probably most folks you asked there would tell you Aripeka is 5.9 miles from heaven. There is a sweeping arc of natural springs that surround the west side of Aripeka averaging 5.9 miles offshore. Even that far off shore, the springs are in water that is very shallow, and on mean tide they are probably not covered by more than five or six feet. It is a very unique body of water.
I was interested in the redfish I kept hearing about, and that was my mission. We left the little ramp at Carl's store at around 8 AM. There was plenty of water as the tide was just starting out. We covered several miles exploring and fishing, and even in the kayaks it was painfully obvious that the tide was blowing out of there very quickly. The tide swing was something around four feet or better. The water out on the rock flats was mostly gin clear. Even from the low position in the kayaks visibility was pretty good. I spotted lots of big sheephead, tons of mullet schools, lots of stingrays, and a lot of other stuff scooting by too quickly to identify. But, no redfish.
As the tide blew out there appeared rocks everywhere, and out a ways there appeared a cluster of rocks that looked like small monoliths from about a mile away. I couldn't believe they popped up so quickly. Of course we had to go explore, and seeing things like that are interesting, to say the least.
With the water about 3 ft. deep I decided to jig around and see if I could find a speckled trout. I finally found one trout back on a flat near the entrance to the channel into Aripeka, so I didn't actually get skunked. But, man! What a learning curve it will be to become proficient there! Most of the locals I chatted with told me the redfish and trout fishing would be best on the incoming tides, which I had assumed. Maybe next time. And, there will be a next time.
Target Species:
Redfish
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