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Flamingo - Everglades National Park
Capt. Ariel Cabrera
October 21, 2002
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fast Fall Fishing
We have been experiencing some great fishing in Florida Bay as well as in the deep backcountry. Tim B. from Michigan returned to fish with me for two consecutive days. On the first he got his Flamingo slam with two snook, three redfish, three trout, and plenty of snapper. Tim fought a nice 27” snook away from the mangrove roots. The culminating catch was a five foot bull shark that he wanted to taste. Since it was still pretty frisky I tied it up and dragged behind the boat until we got near the marina. It was reminiscent of the scene from Hemingway’s “The Old Man and The Sea.”
Next day we started so early we were trekking Whitewater Bay while it was dark and found myself being followed by a mothership with a 200 hp. Soon the darkness became covered by the thickest fog imaginable. Tim’s glasses were soaked and that big boat that passed me was now doing circles and the wakes were making me nervous. Apparently the boat could not see through the fog and I caught up and thanks to the GPS got to where I needed to in a jiffy. ‘Slowly but surely wins the race’ was the slogan for the day as in the storybook “The Tortoise and The Hare.” It was hard to believe that another boat made it as far and as early to the spot as we did. My guess is that they had a GPS too. The guys pulled out two reds right in front of us. That was even harder to swallow but then again Tim ended up with four redfish, plenty of snapper, and another snook. Many fish were caught on lures.
Later I found myself guiding John Buckland and “Okalahoma” Clem to another exciting adventure. John landed a beautiful baby tarpon and a 3 pound sheepshead. This was a surprise for this time of year. The good old boys caught several trout and snapper but the best part of the day was another vicious tarpon strike in the tightest confines. Clem and I had to duck when John bowed to the king on the third leap. This four foot tarpon hit the tall mangrove branch (shoulder high) on the first and hit the boat on the fourth jump. We thought it was going to come straight inside but managed to free itself. These guys fished with me last year for another phenomenal experience with redfish. Everyday is a new day.
P.S.
If you’d like a chance to win a free trip with me call me or one of the guys at South Dade Anglers Fishing Club 305 552-9788 or 255-3808. This is a backcountry flats fishing trip raffle only $5.00 per ticket.
Capt. Ariel
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