This fall, unseasonably warm water temperatures made for a challenging fishing environment in the back country. Being on the outside– fishing the islands, points, and cuts was the ticket to bringing them in. There were substantial sightings and consistent hits with black drum, reds, and snook throughout the two-month period. However, even more exciting this fall, was the tarpon fishing. It was superb! We continued to spot them in numbers through the end of October. They are, as some of you have experienced, a handful on the fly, but the techniques used, along with casting placement and the fly selections used, all paid off. We certainly got the job done, bringing in and releasing several tarpon catches between 70 lbs and 110 lbs. With clearer, dryer weather moving in, I’ve spent the last few days preparing my inflatable two-man Aire kayak for action. Water temps are now beginning to slowly drop and I’m looking forward to fishing the most remote areas of the park again! The kayak now has a casting platform which allows the angler a birds eye view of the shallow, unfished, reasonably clear water beneath us. Excited? Yes! To say the least.
Too much to fish, with not enough time! They are out there waiting for us…I’ve seen them. It’s never a dull moment when we’re out there catching, moving from one prolific location to the next. We’re seeing them reappear in spots they had vacated for an entire summer. For example, the snook migration, back to the back bays and river estuaries, has begun. I personally don’t spend much time trout fishing; however, the trout fishing is excellent right now in approximately 3-5 feet of water, especially in the grass flats. Clousers, muddlers, or any lightweight bait patterns should do.
Until next time, looking to go the extra distance…
Signing off,
Captain Buddy
