Spring is finally here and with it much warm weather. It feels like we went from fall to spring because there was not much of a winter, at least it didn't feel like it. As far as our winter fishery-it was very short. We ended up with our usual in the backwaters; drum, sheepshead, founder, bluefish, mackerel however; I found very limited quantities of cobia this season. Fishing in Flamingo was still very productive. Every trip out I had was successful. Plenty of action and great weather from the ramp to the rivers.
Flamingo has had great fishing on sand flats and open grass flats. The redfishing has continued pretty strong even through the very mild winter we had. Many of these reds as of late have been schooled up and it's been nice to catch multiple at once. My skiff has been rigged for both flats and distance runs so I use different set-ups for different fisheries. For example, I may use a Cajun float in one area to find fish in deeper water. And then go with a flyrod or a jerbait in water less than 2' deep shortly after. This all has to do with tide and fisheries behavior. It pays to be prepared with the right gear and tackle.
In the Biscayne bay area I will be visiting now more frequently this spring and summer. Already the bonefish have started to work in schools up and down the flats. Look from Crandon marina to outside Matheson hammock. And of course Oceanside flats are always worth a shot at cruising fish. Expect the bonefish to feed well throughout spring and summer as that is the typical pattern. Use live shrimp and small live blue crabs with pincers removed. Keep a second (and third) pole rigged and ready for permit, shark, and cuda. They are always around looking for a fast meal. Hope to see you on the water soon.
Please take a moment to visit my recently updated website:
www.captainariel.com
You can now book and pay for trips (and marine surveying and consulting )directly with your credit card or paypal account here. I have also added a new frontpage and photo gallery. I will be posting new pics and comments periodically.
