Fishing Flamingo with Friends

I'm fishing Flamingo today with Richard, Gus and Melissa. Richard is getting married tomorrow so this is his bachelor party. Gus is his best friend and Melissa is his daughter.

It is cold and there’s a pretty strong wind out of the North there is no water anywhere. We didn’t get out until about 9 a.m. We ran out west hoping to find so fish in the deeper water of East Cape Canal but we fished some big shrimp on the bottom and there were no takers. We sat around a few other boats and it was Catfish after Catfish for them. This was short day so I had to find them something to bend the rods.  I found some cleaner water and ended up catching some Trout on live shrimp and Gulp shrimp but Richard had to get back.

Our weather is still better than every where else!

I am fishing with Sam Rose and his son Mike today.  I picked them up at the Fischer Island dock at 8 a.m. to go Tarpon fishing. There is a pretty good size swell rolling in on South Beach and Mike was uncomfortable. We moved to the south side of the jetties and it didn’t take long and we were hooked up to something really pulling drag. Mike hung on but the fish kept running towards the Government Cut, we got on top and followed it but somehow we got to much slack in the line and it was over. The next drift produced a nice Spanish Mackerel but it was time to try something else.

I rigged up a RapalaCD 11 Magnum and trolled some deeper drop offs for Groupers, Snappers or anything that pulls. On our first pass the rod doubles over and there’s a giant Fish crashing on the surface! Mike gets on the rod and starts cranking then this giant Tarpon come out of the water really pissed because the treble hooks really stuck him. This fish is going crazy about 100 yards behind the boat. The Tarpon make a short run and skyrockets in the air landing on the line breaking us off. Mike is a Bass fisherman so to say he was excited is an under statement. He asked how big was that Tarpon? All  I could say was giant at least 150 plus. He didn’t stop talking about it the rest of the morning and the Trout we were catching after that meant nothing. He asked if we could try trolling the plug again and we did. This time it was a much different bite most probably a Grouper but we will never know, because it the one that got away. Sam said I’m hungry take me home!

Weird Winter Weather!

The first month of the new year has been a bit different, some cold days, plenty of rainy days and lots of windy days. With that we persevere and constantly change our game plans. The biggest plus for me and other south Florida guides is we have a couple great places to fish when conditions hurt your plans. This time of year we get plenty of S.W. To N. W. winds which allow us to fish the beaches from Haulover to Government Cut for Tarpon. If the winds are blowing hard out of the easterly direction that means Flamingo down in Everglades National Park is an option, especially on the weekends. We always have a place to fish even when the winds reach the 30+ range.

The fishing can be good from deep in the Flamingo back country for Snook or right off of Miami Beach for big Tarpon. The afternoon Tarpon bite is good an will continue thru June off of Miami Beach. The daytime fishing on Miami Beach can be productive as well for numerous species. The good bite coincides with spring break and mild temperatures. If you find this interesting and would like to give it a try give me a call at 305 333 8149.
Capt. Jimbo

Catching Snook, Redfish more Trout and Ladyfish

I am at Flamingo today fishing with Brian and Dave, I decided to go into the backcountry because the fishing has been good. I knew it was going to be a good day when both guys walk up with a 12 pack of beer. These guys were on a break from work and wanted to get away. We worked our way north thru a dense fog which lasted until 9 a.m.. We hit all kind of islands waiting for the fog to lift. I thought the action might of been a little better but we worked for every fish. We found some pilchards on a tree and I netted them and we started to live bait fish along with casting Rapala Shadow Raps. They wore out the Jacks Trout and Ladyfish which they were fine with but I wanted more. We hit some great areas catching Snook, Redfish more Trout and Ladyfish. They were happy and I had them throwing Rapala Skitter Walks on the incoming tide on a shallow bank. There was some blow ups on the shore line but we only managed 1 hit and hooked a Bull Shark. They said were ready to go , I was disappointed and said “how about 1 more spot”. They were done that’s always a good sign!

Confusing Conditions!

I am with fishing out of Haulover marina today with some of my Canadian friends Jean-Paul and Claude I play golf with. Jean-Paul told me his grandson Mike was coming in and loved to fish. A cold front past thru last night and it’s windy, rough and cold. These guys are from Canada so it don’t bother them.

We ran down to Government Cut but it was a little to rough for them. We made our way to the Trout flats and had a great morning. We got into a fantastic bite of Trout they were coning into the boat 4 at a time. JP and Claude were catching there own fish and I was helping Mike. I would cast and hook one and pass him the rod. Before he could get it in I would have another one hooked up. we did this for 2 hours, that kid was worn out. There were some Ladyfish up to 3 lbs. mixed in so it made it allot of fun . They caught Snappers , Jacks, Blue Runners, and Cuda’s.