“Do
you see them?” Veteran guide Matt Hoover asked from atop the
poling platform of his flats boat. “About two o’clock. There’s
two big redfish cruising up the shoreline towards us.”
Acknowledging
with a terse, “Got ‘em,” I tried to place my live baitfish a
few feet ahead of where the fish would be in a matter of seconds.
While the bait was in the air, the two fish turned and my cast
ended up behind and to the side.
Quickly
reacting to the change, Matt’s bait was on its way as mine hit
the water. This time the fish didn’t change course. The bait fish
hit the water, flashing its shiny white sides. It captured the
immediate attention of the two fish and they were on the dazed
bait in seconds. The lead fish thrust itself forward and inhaled
the offering.
Matt
set the hook and the fish responded with several strong zigzagging
runs away from the boat. In the clear, shallow water of the flat,
we watched the entire show; from the time the bait hit the water
and fish attacked until the exhausted red was alongside the boat.
Sight
fishing for redfish in the Ten Thousand Islands is pure fishing
excitement. But, it’s only the beginning of the thrills for those
who want a unique salt water angling experience. This mangrove-forested
wilderness is legendary for snook, tarpon and redfish, three of
the most exciting salt water fish to ever swim on this planet.
It’s also a pretty exciting place to catch spotted seatrout, mangrove
snapper, jack crevalle, ladyfish and black tip sharks.
Captain
Stacy Mullendore casting a long line
This
potpourri of powerful fighters and aerobatic leapers is enough
to classify the mangrove coast as an angler’s utopia. Anglers
wonder more about how many fish they’ll catch rather than if they
will get a bite.
The
Ten Thousand Islands are as wild and undeveloped a place as you
will find anywhere in the United States. Lining Florida’s southwest
coast, the region is a labyrinth of islands and twisting waterways
that create a maze-like appearance. Lush, evergreen mangrove trees,
practically the only tree growing in the area, provide food, shelter
and habitat for a variety of birds, fish and other wildlife. The
gateways to this fishing mecca are Everglades City, Chokoloskee
and Marco Island, all within an hour’s drive of Naples; two from
Miami.
Redfish
& Snook lures
Grand
Slam Action Catching
a tarpon, snook and redfish in the same day is the southwest Florida
version of a Grand Slam. All are year round residents but if you
want to catch the biggest of the big three, plan a fishing trip
between late February and early June. That’s when tarpon in the
150-pound and higher range, make their annual appearance.
To
catch tarpon Mark Ward, owner of Orvis’s Everglades Angler, suggests
looking for them in the passes and nearby bays. “We usually fish
in Everglades National Park. On warm, calm days the fish will
go into the shallow bays. When this happens it’s not unusual to
find five to ten fish averaging 70-120 pounds in a bay no wider
than 100 metres in width.”
“When
they’re like this,” Ward adds, “the accuracy of your cast is extremely
important. You want to cast a metre or so beyond and in front
of one of the fish and bring your bait past its nose making it
look like it’s going away from the fish. The wrong presentation,
be it fly, lure or live bait, can spook the entire school.”
When
the big fish move north in June, anglers turn their attention
to catching the resident 5 to 60 pound tarpon. These fish tend
to stay in the deeper water of the passes and deep holes in the
tidal rivers. “Catching them on light tackle is a real challenge
and makes this a pretty exciting event,” Ward says.
Captain
Stacey Mullendore atop his poling platform
Two
Great Gamefish Snook
and redfish are the heartbeat of the Ten Thousand Islands. The snook
with its cavernous mouth and insatiable appetite is strong, agile,
crafty, and a good leaper. The redfish, with the shoulders of a
wrestler, is the muscle man of the flats. Both are year-round residents
and one or the other usually provides anglers with a full day’s
excitement.
Few
people know more about these fish than Jerry Ellis. He’s fished
the Ten Thousand Islands for nearly a decade. Ellis likes to see
what he’s catching before he catches it. To do this he fishes the
flats, the less than a metre deep water that is common in the Ten
Thousand Islands. Most backwater guides use specially designed flats
boats equipped with poling platforms to fish in such shallow water.
From atop the poling platform, guides can locate the fish, pole
their boat into place and direct the angler on where to cast. “You
must wear polarized glasses and a hat,” Ellis emphasized. “Without
the glasses it is nearly impossible to see the fish because of the
glare coming off the water.”
You
don’t have to sight fish to catch snook and redfish. Many anglers
toss their bait to places where the fish are likely to be. The ideal
place to find snook and redfish is along an undulating mangrove
shoreline, but not just any shoreline. There are thousands of miles
of shoreline and to narrow down your choices, take Captain Mark
Ward’s advice. “Look for the places egrets are feeding. They’re
after the same small bait fish that the reds and snook are eating.”
If there aren’t any birds around, fish around overhanging branches
or where trees have fallen into the water.
The
time of year determines where within the vast Ten Thousand Islands
you want to fish. Snook follow a well-defined pattern. During the
coldest months of the year, usually January and February, most big
snook move up the tidal rivers, often ending up in small water fresh
water creeks. In March, as the water begins to warm, snook move
towards the coast. During this time you can find snook inside, as
locals call the inland bays and creeks or outside, which refers
to the tidal channels and bays closer to the Gulf of Mexico.
Is
it legal?? Redfish
By
May and continuing through October, snook fishing is strictly outside
fishing. The fish begin to spawn in May and continue into the summer.
Snook prepare to spawn in the passes and move just offshore to release
their eggs. Although June, July and August are the prime months
for snook fishing, the season is closed because of the spawn. Any
fish that are caught must be immediately released.
After
October, the fish will remain outside as along as its warm and the
bait fish are around. When the first few cold fronts move through
and the bait moves out of the area, the snook head inland.
The
best time of year for redfish is from August through November. This
is when you find the big schools of fish on the outside flats and
in the passes. Other times of the year, you may encounter reds just
about anywhere in the Ten Thousand Islands, usually swimming alone
or in pairs. Redfish don’t seem to be too picky about what they
eat. Live bait fish or shrimp, gold or silver spoons, or jigs are
the most popular choices. Jigs are very popular because of their
versatility.
First
time anglers to the Ten Thousand Islands, unless they are exceptionally
skilled, do themselves a disservice by fishing without a guide or
friend familiar with the area. Very few guides take clients out
for the day and don’t catch some fish. On the other hand, many supposedly
knowledgeable anglers spend a day on their own and come home empty
handed. Usually they are fishing in the wrong areas given the time
of year or don’t know how to read the water and find the fish.
Half
day charters are available but are not recommended. You don’t get
enough time to fish and experience the natural beauty of the area.
A full day charter is the best deal. Prices vary but expect to pay
around the $350 range for a full day. This includes your license,
all bait and tackle. Your only extra costs will be the tip and maybe
a box lunch.
Perhaps
the most difficult aspect of fishing this angler’s paradise, is
deciding which fish is your favorite. As Matt Hoover told me, “My
favorite is snook, but I’m real partial to tarpon. I get weak knees
over tarpon.” May we all have this dilemma some day.
About
the author
Kris
Thoemke’s book, Fishing Florida, is the most complete source of
information about where and how to fish in the Sunshine State. He
also offers the Ultimate Florida Fishing Adventure, a week of pure
fishing some of the best destinations in south Florida. For more
information contact him at
kris@florida-outdoors.com.
Web Site
