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March 30, 2009 by
A couple weekends ago, spring burst into a riot down here in Florida. Bass and longbeards were on my mind. My dad had invited me turkey hunting, and I packed a 6 weight to fish the creek that runs through the property. The creek winds through a series of oxbows that fill up with spawning bass and speckled perch (crappie) this time of the year. Of course, the gators are piled into these holes and get more active as temperatures rise.
As I crashed through the thick cypress, I heard the gators thundering off the banks. Fortunately, they’re not too used to people, but considering that the creek is state land and you can’t carry a gun, I am extra careful. When I got down to the water’s edge, no less than 20 gators glimmered metallically on the surface. Not one of them was farther than a 100-yard swim and none were smaller than eight feet.
Roll casting a Wolly Booger onto several beds, I caught two small males and then pulled a 5-pound female out of the creek. I horsed the small fish in, so they didn’t get a chance to make much racket, but the big girl was too strong and thrashed like mad. I was releasing her when I noticed one of the bull gators accelerating in my direction from downwind. By the time I got the fly out, he was inches from the bank, about 40 yards out and pushing a two-foot wake. I turned and ran with the fly and leader trailing behind me. The fly snagged on a cypress branch and broke off but I never slowed my stride. Somewhere, the cypress grabbed the tip half of my venerable Sage Graphite II, a rod I’ve had since high school. I went back to look for it, without success. Bummer, but I guess I’m lucky that I’m not missing a limb.
This morning, I got a press release from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission advising folks that with spring upon us, gators are getting more active. They’ll get downright aggressive in a month or so as mating season begins. If you’re hunting or fishing in gator country this month and next, be careful. And by all means tell us about your gnarliest gator encounter.
[ Read Full Post ]March 28, 2009 by
New England
The first day of spring was last week and, for many anglers across the country, that means the first day of trout season. From New England to New Mexico and Washington state to Washington D.C., anglers young and old are taking to the creeks, rivers, and ponds in search of rainbows, brooks, browns. Anglers on Cape Cod covet trout fishing for filling in the down time between ice fishing and open water fishing. Jim Young at Eastman Sports says that local anglers are taking advantage of the extensive trout stocking program in the nearby lakes and streams. “They’re full of 10 to 14-inch rainbows,” he says. Jim tells us that the hot bait is a night crawler that has been injected with air so that it will float. The inflated worm is threaded on a small hook and short leader with a tiny split shot. Jim adds that Peter’s Pond has been laced with 250 salmon. Anglers are using shiners or trolling plugs to fool these fish. Jim points out that these stocked trout make an easy target and tasty dinner for families looking to go fishing.
Southeast
“Flounder are jumping in the boat,” reported Randy Lewes at Captain Zed’s Bait and Tackle in Wachapreague, Virginia. While he admits fishing hasn’t gotten that good, yet, he says that anglers kicked off the flat fish season with some impressive stringers of flounder this week. Most of the action has been centered around Bullshead Channel at daymarker 132 on an outgoing tide. “Green Channel and The Hummock have also been good on the outgoing tide,” he says. The best bait has been a minnow/squid sandwich fished on a chartreuse or pink flounder rig. Everyone is anxious for the Wachapreague Flounder tournament which runs from April 17 to the 26. Flounder fishing has also started to heat up in Chesapeake Bay. Dan at Ocean’s East II in Virginia Beach reported fish from the ODU Reef Site off Ocean View to the 7 and 8 mile markers at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The fish are falling for squid strips or cut bait drifted along the bottom on a flounder rig
South
Spring comes early to the southern Appalachian Mountains. The trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, and trout are biting. John Martyn at Martyn’s Sea and Stream reported that the streams and rivers around Durham are filling up with trout and trout fishermen. Currently, the “delayed harvest” streams are producing steady catch-and-release action for rainbow trout. Anglers fishing these streams are required to use artificial lures and a single hook and will not be able to keep any of these fish until early summer. Next week the stocked trout streams will be open to hungry anglers looking to catch some fish and bring home some dinner. Jim says that the best fly patterns have been a bluewing olive, wooly bugger, or nymph. While the fishing heats up around Durham, some of the best early season action is on the Roanoke River for hickory shad and striped bass. “The shad are there now,” John says, “and the striper will follow.” For the shad, John recommends using a 5 to 6 wt. rod, 250-grain sinking line and any brightly colored fly that imitates a shad dart. When the striper show up, John tells anglers to switch up to a 8 wt. rod with 350 grain line and large Clousers and deceivers. On the saltwater side of the state, John says that puppy drum fishing is firing up in Wilmington, but other areas have been slow to kick off the skinny water season. “Fishing should be better right now, but the fish are still cold,” he explains.
Midwest
The trout bug has even hit the center of the country. Anglers in Tulsa, Oklahoma have come down with trout fever and are heading to the tailwaters of the Illinois River for relief. Butch at D&B Outfitters reported excellent conditions for trout fishing. “The water is low and they’ve stocked lots of fish,” he says. He adds that there is plenty of public parking along the river and each access spot offers good fishing. The three dominate flies are the zebra midge, San Juan worm, and hare’s ear. Butch recommends using a 3 to 5 wt. rod with weight forward floating line. He says that the fish are hanging in holes and around structure on the river. “The biggest concentration will be at the head of the holes where there is the most current,” he adds. Closer to home, Butch had good reports of good striper fishing on the Arkansas River right in Tulsa. Fly flingers using an 8 wt. rod with large streamers in shad patters and Clousers are scoring some impressive linesiders. “River Park below Zinc Lake has been the most popular place,” he says.
West
Although the first day of spring was last week, no one notified the weatherman in Denver, Colorado. “We’re in the middle of a blizzard,” reported Marshall Estes when we called Fly Fishing Colorado www.fly-fishing-colorado.com. Before the snow started falling, the fish were biting. “We had several days of 60 degree weather and everyone was fishing,” he says. Marshall ran up to the South Platte River by Deckers to check out the action. “Everyone seemed to be catching,” he reported. Marshall says that the hot pattern was a No. 22 midge under a No. 20 parachute Adams, but one angler was catching on a RS2. “The inventor of the fly, Rim Chung, was fishing the river,” Marshall says, “it’s a great fly the way he ties it.” Marshalls favorite local creek was still sleeping. “We need more snow on Mt. Evans, before Bear Creek comes to life” he said. Marshall had good news about Dream Stream between Spinning Mountain and 11 Mile Reservoir. “Very big fish are coming out of there,” he said. Anglers are catching trophy rainbows with midge nymphs. The whole river is open to the public with plenty of parking and easy access. Marshall’s weather forecast was, “Officially spring is here, but we have another week before fishing really picks up.”
[ Read Full Post ] March 20, 2009 by
Northeast
This week on Lake Ontario, the snow was melting, the ice was breaking up, and anglers were finally thawing out. Ted Jackson at Fishing World told us that the trout and salmon run is picking up from Hamilton to the Niagara River. “Niagara River will get hot in the spring, too,” he added. Ted told us that anglers are catching trout and salmon by casting Cleo spoons from the piers and lakeshore. While hard-core pier anglers will use 9 to 10 foot rods to cast their spoons as far as possible, Ted says that guys using a medium heavy 7-foot spinning outfit will catch their fair share of trout, too. Whether by boat or from the beach, he suggests anglers fish during an offshore wind when the water will be clear and calm.
Southeast
As winter gives way to spring, largemouth bass are waking up in Kentucky’s biggest lakes. Jim Dicken at Fishing Guide Home Page told us that lakes from one end of the state to the other are producing some good action on big largemouths in Kentucky Lake, Cumberland and Barren Lake. “Barren is a sleeper lake,” Jim told us, explaining that few anglers are aware of the body’s healthy largemouth population. Early in the spring, Jim says that the fish will be in the shallow water responding to crankbaits and soft plastics that are dragged around fallen trees and over stumps. Anglers looking to catch striped bass should make a bee line to Cumberland Lake. Jim says that crews are catching big bass by slow trolling live baits along the Cumberland’s steep banks. He also told us that the Cumberland River has bee producing some big trout while sauger and walleye are being pulled from the water below the dam with Gulp! twister tails.
South
Following up a rumor of good fishing in Lake Okeechobee, we called Mike Crouse from Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters for confirmation. He told us that crappie fishing was gaining momentum, but the best bite has been between dusk and midnight. Anglers report that the fish are schooled up in 10 to 12 feet of water at the mouth of the Kissimmee River taking minnows or yellow and white jigs drifted across the bottom. Shellcrackers are in the shallows looking for red wigglers and crickets. Early in the morning is the best time to catch up with the lake’s largemouth bass. Mike says that the fish like topwater plugs for breakfast. He warns boaters to exercise caution when running the lake. “The water is down so you should stay outside the grass line,” he says. The shop is hosting a memorial tournament to benefit pancreatic cancer research Sunday, May 17. Register at OFHQ.
Midwest
We caught up with Jeff Kirkwood while he was fishing on Lake Fork. “Fishing has to pick up before we can call it slow,” he joked. Jeff and his clients had fished from one end of the lake to the other by the time we called and had nothing but good times to show for it. “The bite is about to turn on,” he added to a duet of laughter from his two anglers. Jeff says that the lake is in great shape with plenty of fresh water, but the fish had yet to catch on. The crew was casting spinner baits, and Rat-L-traps in hopes of eliciting a reaction strike. As the fish move onto their beds, Jeff switches to a jig and bounces it across the beds of breeding largemouth. With the conditions improving, Jeff expects the action to pick up any day. “Any minute,” he added, to more laughs from his anglers.
West
Mark Maker at Mark’s Guide Service has been chasing the late-run steelhead on the Cowlitz River this week. “We’ve been side drifting, but some guys are pulling plugs,” Mark says. He explains that he’s been having the best luck drifting a No. 4 hook and corky with eggs on a 5 foot leader while other anglers are catching trout by slow trolling Brad’s Wigglers and smaller Quick Fish. “Metallic colors are looking real good,” Mark added. He said that he’s seen a few anglers who were back trolling divers with tune shrimp. To find the trout, Mark drifts the whole river looking for seams in the current where the fish will hide. Mark had reports of a good Chinook run on the Columbia River this week. He said that boats were catching fish between 20 and 25 pounds by trolling herring. “The catch should increase dramatically in the next couple weeks,” Mark said.
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March 17, 2009 by
I’m usually for erring on the side of caution when it comes to protecting our most important fishes. I’ve had enough of the crash/recovery seesaw in fisheries management. But I couldn’t help but wince when a few weeks back, the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council voted 7-6 to close the red snapper fishery for six months.
I sit on the Council’s Habitat Advisory Panel, as Florida Recreational Fishing Advisor, and I’m proud of that A.P. for fighting to protect Essential Fish Habitat and supporting ecosystem-based management. However, only the members of the Snapper/Grouper A.P. could make formal recommendations in this fishery management decision, beyond every angler’s inalienable right to public comment. I’ve thought a lot about what I would have considered and recommended, had I been in a position to influence the decision.
Take the huge short-term economic consequences. Talk about real pain for real people. Consider, for instance, the plight of Capt. Holly Reynolds, a Jacksonville, Florida charter boat operator. Holly recently paid $800,000 for a new charter boat, and almost of all of her clientele wants to catch red snapper. What’s she gonna tell the bank?
There will be social fallout, too. What’s it cost to get on a head boat and go catch a mess of fish, $50 to $100 bucks? That’s a pretty inexpensive way to forget to about your plunging 401k, spend quality time with the kids and appreciate some sweet dinner dividends.
Then there’s the issue of “serial overfishing.” Hardcore bluewater anglers don’t own boats to let them rot on the lift. And charter operators have to fish to stay in business, and will have to target other savory species. One big worry in the Gulf of Mexico, for example, is that tuna will be decimated if the Gulf Council follows suit. With curtailed limits already in place, many skippers are already switching to yellowfin. So we cause another problem(s) by solving a problem that may not even be a problem?
The Council defended their decision saying it was based on the best available science. Statistical research estimates that less than 3 percent of the spawning females needed to maintain healthy populations are swimming around out there. But most veteran snapper anglers scoff at the notion that red snapper are overfished.
A year ago, I did an informal survey of five professional snapper fishermen from five Florida Atlantic ports of call. Between these five salts, they have more that 130 years combined fishing experience. To a man, they said the snapper fishing had never been better, for numbers and size. Three complained that they couldn’t get grouper baits down through the snapper schools. Louisiana skippers will tell you the same thing. Hell, I caught one on a fly rod off the South Texas coast a couple years back. But anecdotal evidence, although good for insight, isn’t science. I shudder to think of the consequences of fisheries management based on anything less than the best available science. I mean; should power politics determine the fate of public trust resources?
Scientists credit previous management decisions and a couple of good spawns for the disparity between the overfishing evidence and the great red snapper fishing currently enjoyed. Anglers should respect those statements. We’ve all seen traditional management tools restore fisheries. And there are significant, poorly understood annual variations in the spawning success of most if not all marine species. But close the whole fishery?
Folks, we don’t sell wild ducks or venison at the market anymore. We learned that lesson a century ago. I guess if someone made me the benevolent dictator of the SAFMC, I would have eliminated the commercial catch shares and kept the recreational allotment where it is. I’d have probably recommended a brief closure during peak spawning periods, until the data shows that we’re pretty far down the road to recovery. But I don’t make a living snapper fishing.
What do you think? Insight and perspectives are welcome.
[ Read Full Post ]March 13, 2009 by
Northeast
As winter gives way to spring, New England anglers are caught between ice fishing and open-water fishing. In the meantime, Captain Blain Anderson at Connecticut Outfitters reported that pike fishing is the best game in town. “The fish are starting to spawn and it should blow wide open in the next couple weeks,” he said. Blain told us that snow melt has pushed the fish into shallow creeks. Anglers who can access the extreme shallows are catching big pike on live shiners or small jerk baits. He suggests hooking the shiner on a No. 1 to 3/0 treble hook under a slip bobber. The secret to success: “Look for areas with current,” Blain says.
Southeast
This week, Captain Ken Penrod dropped a fishing report on us via email. Penrod’s guides cover the water from the Upper Potomac to the Tidal Potomac and the Susquehanna. Largemouth bass fishing has been good on all three bodies of water. Ken says that the Upper Potomac has been hosting good numbers of smallmouth all winter and largemouth are joining the fun as water temperatures rise. He recommends using Mizmo tubes and Speed Trap crankbaits. The best action has been from Edwards Ferry to Dickerson around fallen trees and along the shoreline. Ken reports that the Susquehanna has crested and water levels are falling. Bass and walleye fishing have been great most of the winter. He tells us that a Mizmo tube or 4-inch Rapala jerkbait will fool largemouths, walleyes, and muskies. The best bass fishing has been on the tidal sections of the Potomac. To target largemouths, Ken suggests fishing around Mattawoman with crankbaits and tubes while Rattlin’ Rapalas will pull bass from the grass beds. The most productive beds have been on the Chickamuxen. Anglers fishing below the Woodrow Wilson Bridge are catching some huge blue catfish. Ken says that local guides Keith Barker and Danny Grulke have been hammering giant cats in the main channel.
South
Spring bass fishing heats up fast on Guntersville Lake in northeastern Alabama. According to Todd Trucks at Todd’s Tackle, the key to finding bass on the lake is finding green milfoil. “The fish are pre-spawn,” he says, “so they’re killing Rat-L-traps in 3 to 4 feet of water.” He says that the best colors have been crawfish imitations. Todd suggest launching at Guntersville State Park, Brown’s Creek Causeway, or Thompson River Restaurant. “Put the trolling motor on 80 and cover a lot of water,” he says. With water temperatures rising into the upper 50s, Todd says that the bass are trying to lock on to their beds. “After the sun has been on the water all day, it will be a touch bit warmer,” he adds. By the time the water hits 64, the fish will be on the beds. Todd has been fishing a lot recently and he’s confident about the bite. “You’re gonna get some fish caught on Guntersville,” he says.
Midwest
Alert the troops and notify the press, it’s spoonbilling time on the Osage River. Tammy Turner at 40 Woods reports that the spoonbill season opens on Sunday. “It’s a good way to kick off the fishing season,” she said. Tammy explained that anglers slow troll 14/0 treble hooks and big sinkers with heavy tackle to snag these fish, which can top 100 pounds. “The biggest one I’ve seen was 120 pounds,” she says. The season will run from March 15 until the end of April and an angler can keep two fish each day. Tammy said that crappie fishing is also good on the local lakes. She said that most of the fish are coming on small to medium minnows, but a few fish have been caught on Slab Buster jigs. “Pearl and chartreuse are selling the fastest,” she said.
West
Anglers fishing out of Santa Maria, California have a tough choice to make: fish fresh water or fish saltwater. Fortunately, either decision will result in good fishing. Eric Mathiesen at Been There, Caught That reported that bass and trout are easy targets in Lopez Lake. He looks for largemouth in the weeded areas with swim baits. Trout are hanging in 30 to 50 feet of water, but Eric says that the fish will move shallower as the water gets warmer. Anglers are trolling roostertails, Panther Martins, and Swedish Pimples from downriggers. “Where selling a lot of Apex lures,” Eric adds. On the freshwater scene, Eric says that rockcod season opened on March 1st south of Point Arguello off Santa Barbara. “Not much to report, yet,” he admits, but adds that as more anglers get on the water, more fish will be brought back to the dock. Eric suggests looking for the fish on rocky beds in 50 to 60 feet of water with swimbaits and Berkley Gulp! “To get their attention, tip the lure with a little piece of squid,” he suggests.
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March 11, 2009 by
Yesterday, I called Larry Hodge, the information specialist at Texas’ Freshwater Fisheries Center, to check some facts on an article I’m editing. The story is about what various states are doing to manage for trophy largemouths. Texas is really pointing at the fence with its “Operation World Record” program, which literally is trying to bring home the bragging rights to the Lone Star State by line-breeding lunker, Florida-strain largemouths. Wouldn’t you know, it’s pre-spawn bass fishing season, and Larry and program director David Campbell were headed out to pick up a lunker from a conscientious Texas bass angler.
These guys are so proud of the program. You can hear the excitement in their voices. They’re literally pioneers in their field.
But as I talked to these pioneers, I realized that an old frontier is bygone. A few weeks back, a Georgia biologist told me that American shad populations have been seriously diminished in Georgia rivers. Without aggressive forage stocking programs, which Georgia is embarking on, it’s doubtful that another world record could come from that state.
Seems that we’ll probably never see another bass that’s purely a great feat of nature. Almost everywhere you can expect to catch a lunker is managed intensively. In one sense, I feel like that fact makes catching a big bass a little less spontaneous and surprising. On the other hand, there’s never been a better time to be a bass angler if you’re into catching trophy fish, whether they are the result of pioneer science or careful management. What do you think?
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March 9, 2009 by
A lot of people unconsciously turn off their common sense switch when they get on a boat and feel the anticipation of a great day of fishing. The exhilaration of a hot bite can cloud an understanding of your limits.
Well documented is the recent tragedy which took place off Tampa Bay. Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, free agent Corey Smith and William Bleakley were lost at sea. Nick Schuyler was the only survivor and “tragic” is the key word, because three lives and tremendous suffering could have been avoided if the anglers had been more respectful of the very dangerous waters they embarked on.
Some 50 miles offshore Tampa Bay, Florida when their boat capsized, they were presumably heading to the Middle Grounds, a series of extremely productive limestone ledges. Although it’s a volatile and huge piece of water, Tampa Bay area anglers make this run in small boats all the time. I wonder how many folks venture out there in not enough boat and with all the necessary safety gear in their ditch bag, including an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
ER doctors doubt that Schuyler, a personal trainer, could have survived the 46-hour ordeal in 63-degree water if he was in anything less superb shape. He also had the sense to stay with the boat. But if Schuyler had invested in an EPIRB, which immediately sends a distress signal to the Coast Guard, they doubtless would have been rescued promptly.
Much ado has been made about the ill-fated foursome’s decision to make a long run without an EPIRB, and apparently the devices are flying off the shelves. Lives will be saved because of their mistake. But, technology is no replacement for sense. Not enough has been said about knowing the limitations of your vessel, understanding the waters and studying the weather forecast.
—Waters such as the Great Lakes, Gulf Stream and Eastern Gulf of Mexico experience some of the most rapid weather changes on the planet, especially during the late winter. Talk to more experienced captains about the waters. Get them to tell you their heavy experiences and find out what the pitfalls are beforehand.
—Pick the right “horse for the course.” What 21-foot boat belongs 50 miles offshore, with four very large citizens in it, in the volatile weather month of March?
—Study the forecast thoroughly, and keep checking the VHS radio for weather reports. You may also want to invest in technology that sends weather reports straight to your cell phone or onboard GPS system.
—Always bring along an "Abandon Ship" or ditch bag. Do you have one on your boat? If you do, we'd love to know what equipment you carry with you.
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March 6, 2009 by
Northeast
Last week’s blizzard couldn’t put the deep freeze on the red hot cod fishing out of Montauk, New York. In fact, cod fishing is so good, that the Viking Fleet is completely sold out for the weekend. Earlier in the week, parties saw fish up to 30 pounds winning the pool and many anglers are limiting out with fish averaging 20 pounds. Captain Michael Potts on the Bluefin IV took a group of marine biologists to the honey hole this weekend. “On the first drop we caught 5 fish up to 20 pounds, then it was steady action after that,” he reports. The crew filled 50 sample kits and kept another 14 cod for culinary research. Captain Michael told us that the best fishing has been around Block Island. While a two-hook bottomrig baited with clam is producing good numbers of cod, the biggest fish are coming on 8 to 10 ounce Diamond Jigs armed with a curly-tailed teaser. The weather is forecast to be calm and warm over the weekend, making it good time to put together a crew and get out for some cod.
Southeast
“We’re lucky,” bragged Captain Joe Shute in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. “We have good fishing year round.” To prove his point, Joe told us that the offshore fleet has been scoring wahoo, blackfin, and yellowfin tuna from the Big Rock to the Swansboro Hole. Crews are trolling ballyhoo and skirts for the tuna while the wahoo will fall for a Marauder plug trolled deep on wire line. On top of that good news, Joe is convinced that there are still bluefin tuna hanging east of Cape Lookout. Boats fishing out of Hatteras and Ocracoke this week found huge schools of aggressive bluefin just south of the Rockpile. Last weekend, Captain Jim Bowman on Marlin Mania out of Hatteras Inlet ran to the break and found 66-degree water and steady action on 100- to 150-pound bluefin. Jim’s crew landed one fish (117 pounds) and released a half dozen more. Joe added that guys jigging on the ledges and rocks are catching grouper and amberjack. Inshore fishing is still alive, too. On an inshore note, Joe told us that die-hards are still finding a few trout in the deeper creeks. He expects this weekend’s spring-like weather to fire reds and trout up at Haystacks, Newport River, and North River.
 South
“We’re having a cold spell,” complained Barry Andrews at Key West Bait and Tackle. “Yesterday I had to fish in shoes and socks!” Since most of the country has spent most of the week in a deep freeze, few anglers will shed tears for Barry. Instead, iced-in fishermen should escape to the Keys and get on some fantastic fishing. Barry said that his most recent trip on Eva Marie produced a steady catch of blackfin tuna and bonita. “We caught them by trolling ballyhoo and tuna feathers,” he told us. Barry added that this has been a good year for dolphin. “We don’t usually see this many,” he said, “but they seem to be everywhere.” He said that the boats are catching a few wahoo, too. “Bottomfishing has been good for grouper and snapper,” he added. While sailfishing has been slow, Barry expects the fish to show up any day. “We’re seeing a lot of cobia and hammerhead sharks swimming down sea,” he said, “that’s a sign that the sailfish aren’t far behind,”
The Gulf
Despite good catches of big yellowfin tuna and wahoo, anglers fishing out of Venice, Louisiana are infected with shark fever. “Big makos are everywhere,” reported Chris Cambre at Professional Outfitters. The epidemic can be traced back to Port Fourchon, Louisiana where the Sea Spray brought a 1,145 pound mako earlier in the week.. Chris said that shark rigs (consisting of 500 pound 49 strand wire and 10/0 Circle hooks) are selling like hotcakes. “Just chuck out a whole blackfin tuna for bait and hold on for dear life,” he said. Chris added that boats heading to Green Canyon are catching yellowfin tuna upwards of 200 pounds while guys drifting the deep-water ledges at night with rigged squid are finding good numbers of swordfish. Even wahoo fishing has been good. “Charter guys are buying 15 to 20 Bomber CD 30’s at a time,” Chris said. He suggests skippers switch out the factory hooks for much tougher Owner Stinger hooks. Venice-based skipper Captain Devlin Roussel dropped us an email this week to confirm the tuna bite. He said that the crew at Reel Peace Charters has found yellowfin up to 214 pounds along with big makos and wahoo. “Between Peace (Marvel) and me, we’ve put 29 tuna on the dock this week.” Inshore fishing has also been good. Chris Cambre recommends heading to Port Sulpher and hitting the deep canals with gold spoons. “A lot of guys are just parking along side the road and walking over the levies,” Chris said. Early in the season, before shrimp arrive, the fish are keyed in on baitfish so Chris recommends using small swimming shad and soft plastics. Captain Devlin Roussel sums up the Venice bite best, “Fishing is outstanding any where you turn,” he said.
West
It was tough to get a fishing report out of California this week, everyone must be heading to the Fred Hall Sports Show at the Long Beach Convention Center. Too bad, because fishing has been excellent. The long range boats have had a great season, and there are more trips scheduled for the spring. Earlier in the week, Red Rooster III www.redrooster3.com returned from a trip filled to capacity with yellowfin pushing 300 pounds, wahoo, and yellowtail. The boat is leaving on another two-week trip at the end of the week and there are still a few tickets left. Closer to home, Tony at Point Loma Sportfishing www.pointlomasportfishing.com reported steady action on rockfish and other bottom dwellers on the fleets half day and full day trips to the Coronado Islands. Next week, the boats will start running 36 and 48 hour expeditions to Mexico in search of bigger fish and bigger catches.
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March 2, 2009 by
On Friday morning, my wife, Ericka was driving over the Indian River Lagoon on her way to her office. She called me and to say that river was glassy and that she could see bait “sizzling everywhere.” That’s the most detailed description of fishing conditions she’s ever given, and in the local vernacular to boot. She’s only been here three years, and it’s taken some adjustment. The Everglades and urban estuaries are a far cry from New England pastoral trout streams. They can also be a helluva lot harder to fish.
When she inquired about the forecast, all the reasons why I love my wife started welling up in my chest.
“Same as today, honey. Glass calm in the morning, southeast to 20 knots by noon.”
She really blew me away when she said, “Are the mackerel still there?”
Just south of the St. Lucie Inlet, a 7-mile line of reef rises from about 15 feet to five feet. It’s a long, coral-studded limestone ridge about a half-mile off the beach. The ridge creates a basin between it and the beach. Each winter an estimated 3 million pounds of Spanish mackerel pile in along the inside of the reef edge. If the surf is calm enough to get out there, the fishing is usually ridiculously easy. Toss a spoon, nylon jig or Clouser minnow out and hang on. It’s virtually guaranteed action, excitement and fish dinners.
Sometimes though, on warm, calm days when the water is very clear, the Spanish get finicky. It was almost 80 degrees when we left the ramp Saturday morning, and the water over the reef was so clear I could point out to Ericka the individual corals, sponges, anemones and tunicates. (She’s in the conservation business, and does a great deal of work to protect coral reefs, which I have studied and written about extensively.) It was like looking through a glass-bottom boat. Predictably, the fish weren’t biting, and I grew worried about Ericka’s attention span.
Then Ben Hartig, a legendary commercial fisherman and conservation advocate idled over and tossed his hook in a sandy spot next to the reef. He didn’t recognize me, so I called over to say hey. Ericka hooked up right then, and the drag screamed over my “Hey Ben!” Ben and I cast while we talked. Meanwhile, Ericka caught three mackerel, one of which was about 7 pounds, on a jig. I proceeded to lose to two fish on a 9 weight. When I dropped the second fish, Ben yelled over, “Good thing you brought her along, or you’d be in need of my services.”
I laughed and counted my blessings. The thing about living here that I love most isn’t just the great fishing; it’s the superb surrounding cast of knowledgeable, caring sea-going characters whom I’m lucky to have as friends, including my wife. Two days later, Ericka’s still telling everyone who calls the house that she out-fished me and I laugh. It reminds me that we have so many fishing friends. And it means that we have to have a rematch.
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