Although 10-20 mph winds prevailed throughout most of January-February, the fishing remained productive. Maneuvering into the back bays, creeks, and estuaries was the key. Slightly more protected from the element, water was clearer, and it was great fun casting to redfish and snook. My new AIRE inflatable, 2 man kayak arrived in late January (a belated Christmas gift to myself). With it’s narrow, yet more stable design, I’m able to fish most creeks, lakes, and small remote bays, which even the smallest flats boats cannot access. Even the grass filled, shallow bays which have the deeper troughs around the exterior can now be fished. Where mud was a problem for poling and grass was a problem for props, we can now paddle about. Just merely slide it off my skiff and paddle my angler into position. With my small portable compressor that attachs to my battery connections, it inflates in less than 10 minutes. It provides ample room for myself, one other angler, all gear, rods, Yetti cooler, and has the stability to stand, sight fish, and cast. The beauty of the inflatable kayak adventure is that it can easily be transported by my boat 30-40 miles into the wilderness, then launched into even more remote creeks and estuaries, where it’s highly unlikely we’ll even see, much less run into, other fishing parties. I’m committed to scouting out the best fishing the Everglades has to offer, and with the recent additon of the kayak, I expanded my focus, becoming every bit as much an explorer as a fisherman, as I continue to locate new and exciting fishing spots.
January-February also brought out some of our bird-watching enthusiasts, some traveling south, just like the migrating feathered friends whose activity they came to witness and capture with their cameras. Much of the wildlife photographed can only be seen as one gets deeper into the park. There are a multitude of bird species that make the Everglades and 10,000 Islands a temporary home during the winter months. In addition, the occasional gator, manatee, and dolphin pairing can be viewed and expertly photographed, often at close-in distances.
One of my February charters, I fished with a father and son visiting the Everglades together. What a thrill to see how well this young angler could cast. Not only was it a joy to watch his natural casting abilities, but equally impressive was his awareness and support of the ‘catch and release’ protocol, which is so essential to the survival of our sport.
All and all, even on the coldest days of January this year, I thoroughly enjoyed chartering anglers from all different walks, levels of experience, and from all over the country. With the average winter temps here in the 70’s, I believe there’s no better place in the U.S. to fish salt water than in the Everglades National Park. And although there is a significant amount of work that goes into preparing and guiding each charter, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Whether it’s a first time trip to The Everglades, or you’re coming back for a 3rd or 4th go at it, we’re going to find our game fish, and we’re going to have a great time doing it!
Signing off,
Captain Buddy