|
We began the week with hurricane Michele to our south, and although she turned east as she came across Cuba, she still gave us plenty of wind. I was to fish with Dave Calverley, and his friends from Tampa, with a second guide boat on Monday, and again on Wednesday. We wisely decided to call the Monday trip because of the weather.
Tuesday, the wind was a relatively gentle 15 out of the northwest for my first trip with Jim Noel, down from Kentucky. We caught good bait on the flats at Tarpon Bay, and headed north and east up into the Sound. I don't like fishing falling tides on the flats, so we elected to fish the incoming in the afternoon hours. It was a weak tide, but I figured it would be better than fishing the falling water all morning, after the fish had been up eating all night on a big tide under a nearly full moon.
Jim was a lot of fun, and patient. We went all over the Sound trying to get something going, but the fish were lockjawed for the most part. We missed a couple of snook and lost a couple, and boated a couple of trout, a couple of jack crevalle, and a catfish. Jim wasn't happy with his performance with the equipment, and was much too hard on himself. I assured him that he was doing better than most, which he was, and that everyone has trouble getting into the groove of live shiner fishing the first few times. Most folks are used to having the line drawn tight automatically by a weight, a lure, or something. Here, there is only that little live bait out there swimming around with no weight or terminal tackle of any kind other than a hook sized so that the bait can swim freely with it. Add to that the fact that most of our snook holes are in moving water, and you have a formula for lots of line problems and missed fish.
We had a good time, and proved that you don't always have to catch lots of fish to do so. When we returned to the ramp at dark, Jim cracked me up when he gave me a nice tip and called it "hush money", asking me not to tell too many stories on him in the fishing report. He vowed to spend a lot of time in his back yard casting a practice plug at the hedge, so he'd be more proficient next time out.
Wednesday, I wanted to leave the ramp with my second guide at 6 AM, but he was running late, and it was almost 6:30 before we pulled away. We went straight to Tarpon Bay, anchored his boat, and caught bait from my boat. Bait was good, and we were loaded in a half hour, and on our way to pick up Dave Calverley and his buds at the runway on North Captiva. By the time we got to this trip, Dave's party size had shrunk to only three anglers. We could have easily all gone in my Talon. I explained to Dave that I would loose my credibility with this and other guides if I did not deliver the promised trip. Dave was great with that, and decided he would fish with me, and let his two friends fish with the other guide.
We took off and went our separate ways. Dave and I headed back into the wind, which was blowing pretty hard first thing in the morning, and had the Sound pretty chopped up. I figured the best place to be was on the east side where we could get out of some of the wind. Dave seemed to be pretty blown away at how the Talon performed, both in the rough stuff and sitting at anchor as a fishing platform.
As I feared, the fishing was still tough. We were fishing a falling tide, and had good moving water, but the fish just weren't real interested. Early in the trip Dave did catch one snook just under keeping size, but that was the only snook. We hit some great spots with good moving water, all place where I've been catching good fish before the big front came through. I know the fish are there, and will be there until the weather begins to turn cold. We did get some fish for the table with two big flounder and a nice sized mangrove snapper. Dave also caught four big trout to 4 pounds, but of course the trout season closes November 1st, under our new trout rules. He also caught one ladyfish.
As the tide neared it's lowest point, I asked Dave if he'd ever fished for tailing reds. He said he hadn't, but would love to try it. I headed to a flat where there are almost always plenty of reds tailing on low water. It took a while before we found fish tailing, and actually, Dave spotted the first tail. We tried to catch the fish with Top Pups, but kept picking up loads of seaweed. We tried a spoon, but couldn't get the fish to eat. So, I suggested that Dave get out of the boat and get to where he could make an accurate cast with the wind at his back, and rigged him up with a piece of sliced and diced pinfish. I assured Dave that if he could get the bait worked to within two or three feet in front of the fish without spooking it, it would eat. It took a while, and in the meantime other fish began tailing, giving him more to take shots at, but Dave finally was treated to the thrill of catching his first tailing redfish. She also went into the well.
At that point we called the other boat to see if they wanted to continue fishing or call it a day. They were not having a good day, and were ready to pack it in. By the time Dave and I returned to Safety Harbor, the other boat had dropped his guys off and left. I was absolutely shocked at the stories these two boys told me about their trip, and the conduct of their guide. I have fished with this guide before, and he has participated in extra boat trips with me, as well, always with good reports, and I was in disbelief. Now, you know why I haven't mentioned his name. I was speechless. I didn't know what to say other than to apologize for the situation. I think, I hope that Dave had a good time with me. I certainly enjoyed spending the day with him. Anytime you refer someone to another guide, or do a multiple boat trip, you face the possibility of something like this happening. Unfortunately, there's no way to know when it will.
That was it for the week. I'm looking at a pretty full calendar for the rest of the month, I'm happy to say, so there should be plenty of trips to write about if the weather doesn't mess things up.
 |
So, come on folks. It's time to get out and enjoy your favorite pastime, in your favorite vacation destination. Let's show Osama Bin Lunatic that he can't beat us with economic terrorism, either.
I have now posted the final thumbnailed pictures on the Talon Page of this website, for those interested in seeing how one of these jewels goes together.
If you want to be able to continue to fish Florida waters please follow this link, "Manatee Zones: How You Can Help" and please take the time to become involved, even if you don't live in Florida. Let the politicians know WHY you come to Florida on vacation!
Go to NEXT
Go to PREVIOUS
Or, call 1-239-633-5851.[Site Index] [Highlights] [Capt. Butch Profile] [About the Boat] [Kayak Fishing] [Customer Fishing Testimonials] [Booking Tips] [Weekend Policy] [Great Rates] [What to Expect] [Cheap Accomodations] [Send Email] [What to Bring] [Directions to the Ramp] |
[Snook Fishing] [Fishing Redfish] [Tarpon Fishing] [Trout Fishing] [Jack Crevelle Fishing] [Chasing Tripletail] [Customer Tales] |
[Florida Fishing Reports] [Fishing Reports Archives] [TV Quality Video Clips] [Articles] [Newsletters] [Hurricane Fund] [Angler of the Month] [Angler of the Year Awards] [Manatee Zones] [Sell Your Gear Here!] [Tackle Service Center] [Shop the BarHopp'R Tackle Shop!] [Hot Links to Cool Sites] [Send Email] [Back to Home] |
LOCAL DESTINATIONS![Fishing Sanibel Island] [Fishing Captiva Island] [Fishing Pine Island] [Fishing Sarasota] |
|
OTHER FUN STUFF TO DO! [Shelling & Sightseeing Trips] [Dolphin/Manatee Watch Trips] [Lunch & Bar Hopping Trips] |
