Great Day in Flamingo!
Capt. Alan Sherman
March 8, 2008
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fished a couple of regulars yesterday in Flamingo and on the way to the boat ramp I just had a feeling it was going to be a good day. No wind a little fog that usually means a calm day and that is by far my most favorite condition to fish Flamingo. We started the day fishing the last of the incoming between an island and a large shallow flat in Florida Bay. Throwing a 1/4 ounce Hook Up lure with a Gulp shrimp and the same jig head with a Gulp fishtail on the other line the guys had steady action on small jacks and ladyfish but the only snook we saw was the one that we spooked. Off to spot number two a small channel with two shallow flats nearby. Here casting the same rigs the guys had steady action on sea trout to three pounds before we hooked up to our first snook a small one but our first for the day. More sea trout and jacks and then bang a good fish is hooked by Paul and the fish clears the water before going on a run that seemed like it wouldn't end. After a fight that seemed like forever we had the fish in the landing net. As I grabbed the leader to pull the fish out of the net the 30 pound mono broke. We quickly measured the fish and this snook was just under 33"s an 11 lb. keeper.
We continued to work the channel catching more trout when Gerald asked to fish a Cajun Thunder with a live shrimp. We continued to work the channel when off to the side I see Gerald being pulled by something ng on the end of his line. This fish has the drag screaming and soon the head of another large snook emerges from the water. Minutes later we land this fish as well a nice 8 pounder.
The tide is about finished now and this spot has turned off and its time to try another spot. Soon we are in Conchie Channel and heading north but we see a few large fish crash the surface ahead of us and then a huge tarpon sky rockets on some bait and we stop and start casting our baits. Lots of ladyfish are hitting our jigs and Gulp baits but we are looking for small bait. We catch a silver trout a fish I hardly see in Florida Bay and put it out on a 30 pound rod a fish hits it and is hooked and then clears the water a nice tarpon. Paul is working this fish and it's close to the boat but the 50 pound mono wears out and the fish is gone. We continue to cast the artificial lures when an 80 pound tarpon eats one of our lures right at the boat jumps and starts its run then shakes its head and the jig falls out. Another half hour of catching ladyfish and it's time to move on. We head for an island nearby and fish some live shrimp under a Cajun Thunder. In no time both guys hook up at the same time. Gerald thinks he's tangled with Paul but his line is running in a different direction I instruct him to set up and keep reeling. Paul's fish gets the better of Paul and heads for the mangroves where he quickly breaks off but Gerald is still on and it looks like he is going to land the fish. Neither fish came to the surface and I'm thinking redfish. Now the fish gets its second wind and turns to the trees. Gerald tries but is unsuccessful in keeping the fish out of the trees and the fish wraps him up. At first he is wrapped up good and we can't tell if the fish is still attached so I give Gerald another rod one with a jig head and a live shrimp. I take the other rod and put it in a rod holder. Gerald gets a hit on the Hook Up lure and live shrimp and lands a small snook, and then he gets hit again and lands a nice black drum. All of a sudden the other rods tip starts to vibrate and we realize the fish is still on. Gerald takes the rod and tries to pull the fish from the mangroves and we see it's a snook. Moments later the fish is free and we get him in the net another 8 pounder. We already have 2 nice snook in the release well so this one goes back for another day. Time to move on. Hit another island and its one black drum from 3 to 7 pounds after another. These fish are eating Hook Up lures tipped with a live shrimp and they are eating like there is no tomorrow. The guys are looking to have a big fish fry so we keep a 2 person limit and release at least as many. The guys are tired and sore and I have a bunch of fish to clean so its time to head to the barn.
Flamingo Fishing Forecast:
Book a trip today and take advantage of the great fishing from now through the summer when snook, trarpon and redfish become the main species targeted.
Capt. Alan Sherman
786-436-2064
[email protected]
Target Species:
Snook, Redfish, Tarpon Sea troutm Shark, Cobia, Tripletail and more
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