big redfish, big black drum

The Report from Spotted Tail 1/8/11

My blog mentor (Keith Glines) told me to break my long blog posts up into several smaller blog posts. I'm not sure I like that idea but he's the guru. This post is entirely about the week's fishing.

Monday Spotted Tail was graced with a mother-daughter combination- an unusual occurrence- Christine and Ashley Mandeville. Christine is almost a homey, having grown up about 15 miles away from where I did. DAWchestah. She's from Dawchestah, Mass! Ya gotta say it right, now, wickid!

It was cold with a biting north wind when we launched at Haulover Canal. At least the sun was out!

We did not see a fish in the first two spots, although we got a nice trout by blind casting a DOA Shrimp. Then I found a school of reds, about 150 fish.

They wouldn't let us near them. We showed exactly one cast to them, which did not garner a bite, in spite of chasing them around for almost an hour. Then I couldn't find them any more. Next spot!

There were fish there, no more cooperative. Next spot!

Ashley got another trout on the DOA. That was the second and last bite we had. We did have a good time. Go Patriots!

At 830 Tuesday I decided to go to the no motor zone. Tossed the OK onto the Sienna and drove over. Launched a little after 10. There were people ahead of me.

I could still see the van when I saw the first tail, then a pair. Big ones. Redfish. The bunny booger landed on top of one and spooked it. The other whacked it.

The fish towed the anchored kayak around at will until I hopped out and fought it on foot. It was a magnificent male fish in the 40 inch range.

No more redfish showed themselves. Some leisurely paddling brought me to some tailing black drum. They were not very cooperative.

However, if you get enough shots you're gonna score. And I did. Twice. BAM! Then a bank of clouds came, along with the wind. The fish stopped tailing.

I'd already had a heck of a day but thought I'd try and get a slam. After changing locations a gurgler went gurgling. There were lots of fruitless casts, but one fruitful one. BAM! Twenty three inch trout, thank you very much. He was invited home for dinner. I must say he was delicious, pan fried in Panko crumbs and olive oil.

Surprisingly the sun came back out, the wind layed down, and the drum started tailing again. The bunny booger went back on. I got two more bites, missed one, got the other, and had shot after shot most of the way back.

Ah yes, quite the lovely day it was.

Didn't fish again this week but Tuesday kicked the new year off right, oh yeah.

Embrace simplicity.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- go fishing!

John Kumiski

http://www.spottedtail.com/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2010. All rights are reserved.

Fish Species: redfish, black drum, seatrout
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first drum of 2011
first drum of 2011

first fish of 2011. YEAH!
first fish of 2011. YEAH!


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About The Author: Captain John Kumiski

Company: Spotted Tail Fishing Charters

Area Reporting: East Central Florida

Bio: Fishing is in my blood. Blame it on my father. I've been tying flies since I was a child and have caught fish in 14 states and 10 countries. My life list on fly currently contains 59 species, and I continue to work on it. I specialize in sight fishing with fly and light tackle for any fish that will take a bait, lure, or fly. I teach fishing classes at Brevard Community College, and am the instructor at the Andy Thornall Fly Fishing for Redfish School. The FFF has certified me as a Fly Casting Instructor. I am proud to be a member of the Coastal Conservation Association, the Federation of Fly Fishers, the Indian River Guides Association, the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, and the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. I have been a three term president of the Indian River Guides Association, a two term president of the Backcountry Fly Fishing Association, and a two term vice president of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. I organize an annual fishing day for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida. I have been selected as a Top Rated Guide. Nine boats of various types call my yard home. I am always ready to talk fishing and can be reached via my website, www.spottedtail.com.

407-977-5207
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain John Kumiski