A Day on the Water
Sanibel Island, Sea Trout & Ladyfish.
About 10 years ago on our family vacation I found Snook in the back channels on the mainland side Sanibel island. I had a few hours this evening and headed out of Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge drive from the small canoe ramp. I found no fish casting to the mangrove edges while the tide was high. On the way back I was casting across an open water bay as a strong wind blew me back toward the ramp. I got jolting strikes from small fish hitting my big darting White 4/0 Bullet Dog, then several more hits and hooked a ladyfish...
Baby Tarpon with Kayaking Crowds & Passing Motor Boats
Flamingo, Gateway to the Everglades National Park saltwater back country is where you go to load up a boat with as much fresh water and food to spend as long as you want and to go as far as you can and still make it back, or to the other side. You can find Giant Tarpon laid up or even feeding. The first leg of any such adventure is the three miles up the Buttonwood Canal, arguably the best fishing you're likely to find anywhere. Today, the Saturday after Christmas, before New Years there were so many Kayak tourist that the...
Lake Jackson C&R Bass Lake
Some Snook In a South Florida Canal and an EverGlades Pond
Years ago I came to this very enjoyable Gem of a Freshwater Pond. I remember some short nose gar hitting my popper and almost staying on the hook. I caught an 18 inch largemouth and an 18 inch snook. One of them, first struck right below my rod tip at the fly line as it ripped the surface on each strip of my popper retrieve. A quick short cast back got him. I remember a medium big gator just hanging out by the central island, just looking at me from 120 yards away with that evil side eye they always do. I turned the...
Florida Kayak Vacation Summary
I'm back in the shop now, tying flies, getting ready for winter fly shows, and filling orders. These reports will be a work in progress for a few days. More photos and information will get posted as I can get to it. On Maps.Google, I scouted out places with kayak access to likely prime fly fishing waters that had difficult or no access for motorboats. Sanibel Island Back Water Bays and Channels. It wasn't hard to find lots hungry but not so big Sea Trout and Lady Fish in the back bays and connecting channels. A pleasant small freshwater pond...