Fly Fishing

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Tue 04/26/05 9:06 pm Post subject: Everglades Help!

Hey guys, I am planning atrip down to FL with in the next couple of months and had many questions.

1) I need a very inexpensive place to stay, camping looks like what it is gonna be

2) Does anyone fish or have fished in Flamingo in florida bay? I know that there are campsites right on the water their for 14bucks a day, and was wondering if the fihing is good.

3) How old do you have to be to rent a boat? How much does it cost? Do I need to if I stay in Flamingo?

4) Are there any other places that are cheap to stay at in the everglades that I should look into?

5) any other advice is highly appreciated

I am on a pretty tight budget, and would rather not hire a guide. I dont mind walking and just exploring, but really would like t get into some fish like Jacks, snook, and possibly bones.

Caleb

Pete · Location: New York, NY

I've fished in Flamingo and the only lodging there is at the state park. I don't know about bones but know you can get after redfish and snook. I think you need to be in a boat to get around, but you can get into the backcountry with a kayak or canoe, which I believe you can rent at Flamingo. I have all sorts of notes on it back at my office, and I'll pass along some info when I go in tomorrow.

You may also want to consider the wilderness waterway starting out of Everglades City or Chokoloskee. It's stunningly beautiful. I know they rent powerboats, but it's pretty confusing down there if you don't know where you're going. Everglades City has some snook lights that you can cast to from land.

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Tue 04/26/05 9:39 pm Post subject:

How about the Jacks? Are they plentiful there? I would really love to target just the jacks mainly because they are easier then most fish, but also would like to target snook. I think If I went I woulkd be willing to catch anything, but those are my two main interests as well as lady fish, sea trout ect. Do they have all of these fish there as well? I know that there is a Marina down by the flamingo campsites so I would be willing to bet they have lights on at night that draw the snook into, don't u think? Like I said, I would love any info, and I cant wait to read what your post tomarow. Oh yeah! Do you know how much it costs to rent a kayak? I would rather not fish from a boat, but wade instead, but if it will increase my chances greatly I guess i better huh?

Caleb

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Tue 04/26/05 9:42 pm Post subject:

P.S. Where exactly is wilderness waterway? I looked for it on a map but couldnt find it? Do u know of any cheap places ot stay there? Any info on that is great also.

Caleb

kray · Location: Casper Wyoming

[color=blue]My advice to you friend is to rent a ford explorer, fish, eat, and sleep out of it!! Laughing

Or go rent a cool beech house and stock bonefish off your front porch ( that would be sweet) Shocked

but i just dont know you will have fun no matter what.
fish bum 101 *10 kray[/color]

Pete · Location: New York, NY

Hey, I've been to Everglades City/Chokoloskee/10,000 Islands once and to Flamingo once, so I'm not an authority or anything but here's some of my experiences:

You need a saltwater fishing license unless you fish with a guide. You can get an instant license over the phone by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356) You pay by credit card and they give you a license number to write down.

Check out this website:
http://www.flamingolodge.com

It has info on fishing down there and rentals and whatnot.

Also check out:
http://www.chokoloskee.com/

The Wilderness Waterway is a beautiful stretch of backcountry that runs from Everglades City through the 10,000 Islands down to Flamingo. The backcountry fishing is excellent, but it's very very confusing.

Check out:
http://www.nps.gov/ever/visit/canoe-ww.htm

You can basically canoe the whole thing and sleep out overnight on Chickees, which are basically lean-to shelters propped up on stilts. But if you do this, you MUST have a handheld GPS and a very well-marked chart. The main channels are marked but if you wander off to explore/fish, you can get lost very quickly. I'd also recommend insect repellent with the highest DEET number you can find, the mosquitos are ruthless. Not to product endorse, but I found the Orvis BUZZ OFF clothes actually work decently.

There are a few spots in Flamingo and elsewhere where you can wade, but it's very limited if I remember. Plus, the odds of seeing a gator are high, even in the brackish water close to the Bay. (If you're lucky you'll see a rare American crocodile.)

I'll post some more in a minute.

Pete · Location: New York, NY

Here's a list showing all the Chickees along the wilderness waterway:

http://www.nps.gov/ever/visit/camps2.htm

When I was in Everglades City, we had a flats boat. I know you can rent a small skiff with a tiller-steered kicker on Chokoloskee for the day, but I don't know if there's a minimum age requirement. I think it costs around $60 for a half-day, or $85-90 for a full day. I'm try to find the phone number and I'll post it if I do.

When I was in Flamingo, we had kayaks racked on a boat that we anchored, and slid the kayaks off to go exploring. There are a few places you can step out to cast, but you pretty much can't get to them by land.

In all honesty, the whole area is awesome, but I found it really hard to fish down there without a guide. When I went out on my own, I pretty much worked the mangroves in a few areas, and got lucky with a snook or two. I had my best success fishing docklights at night, but they get a lot of pressure so the snook are very wary. I don't remember if there are lights at the Flamingo Marina, but since it's a national park marina the odds might be against it. Usually you find snook lights on private docks.

I caught snook in the back country during the day using an olive and white bendback, and with this fly a guide I know ties called an "eat me." At the docklights, small shrimp patterns worked as did small glass-minnow patterns.

There are a couple of guys who post here about snook a lot, so they might have some more valuable advice on what to use than me.

If you're interested in reading about the area, I'd recommend--

Killing Mr. Watson, by Peter Matthiessen
Totch: A Life in the Everglades, by Loren "Totch" Brown

Like I said, I've only taken two trips to the area, but both times I absolutely loved it. To me it's one of the coolest areas in the world, whether you're catching fish or not.

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Wed 04/27/05 1:14 pm Post subject:

So do you think that if i did go down and stay at the campsites on the flamingo beach that I would catch fish or have agood chance of it? i would like to rent a flat skiff, but i would probably only b able to do it for 1 or 2 days. So, maybe I would rent a canoe for the other days, unless i can do some wade fishing. Is there any beach area?

Thanks so much for all yur help
Caleb

Pete · Location: New York, NY

I remember some people spin fishing from shore at Flamingo but not wade fishing, b/c the flats around Flamingo are a goopy marl. You can rent a skiff there for $60 for half day or $90 for a full day. I think a canoe is like $20.

Cape Sable, just west of Flamingo, has a sandy beach you can walk along but I don't know how the fishing is from it or if you can get to it without a boat.

As far as the fishing, I'd refer to MarshalD's fish story on the Keys. Same type of situation, Flamingo's legendary for fishing but you have to figure it all out. All I can tell you is it was really cool slipping down mangrove creeks in a kayak, and casting in solitude, seeing Gators, osprey, all kinds of wildlife...

When we planned our trip we called the Flamingo Ranger Station and they were really helpful. They should be able to tell you what fish are around when you go. Here are the numbers I have:

Flamingo Ranger Station: 239/695-2945
Flamingo Boat/Canoe Rental: 239/695-3101

Here's a thread on the Florida Sportsman Forums about Flamingo:

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=314834

I'd check into their forums a few times before you go, it's all Florida guys and sometimes you can get good info.

Also (shameless self-promotion) here's the reason I was down in Flamingo:

http://www.boatingmag.com/article.asp?section_id=8&article_id=565

Hope I didn't confuse the hell out of you with my three long posts.

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Wed 04/27/05 6:22 pm Post subject:

Well guys, i have been considering the whole flamingo thing and due to the fact that i will have to rent a boat I am more leaning towards staying someplace like naples. Any info ther? I am trying to find a campground, but I imagine the advice austin was gave will hold up there as well, and i assume that there is plany of shore and beach/wade fishing to be done.

Caleb

Austin · Posted: Wed 04/27/05 6:27 pm Post subject:

Howdy!
Don't worry Caleb, I will help you down there with my amazing knowledge I was given fishing 8 days in the salt Laughing

Together, we will push through the mangroves, climb over giant rock walls, and navagate our way through the back country in search of the 12 pound jack Very Happy

Tight lines

Austin

MarshallD · Location: Naples, Fl

fk7,

Dave Tepper (hedrush999) offered to show you around and I think you should contact him. you couldn't find a better guy to fish with.

check out http://www.flyfishingmainerivers.com/writerpages/marshall/Florida%20summary.htm

good luck and catch a Snook! Cool

marshallD

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Wed 04/27/05 8:10 pm Post subject:

Yes he did, and I just called him tonight in fact. He has to get back to me, but I have met him before and he is an extemely nice man, and I hope to meet up with him.

Caleb

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Thu 04/28/05 6:23 am Post subject:

Alright guys, I figured it out! I got everything planned so now I need help with fly selection places ect. I havent nailed down that I am going yet but it is a very good percentage. If i do go I will be staying in the seashell motel on rt 41 so any advice on spots, flies, ect is very halpful and if you dont want to spot burn I would really appreciate a PM. Thanks again everyone.

Caleb

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Thu 04/28/05 6:23 am Post subject:

OOps! Naples that is where I will be staying

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Thu 04/28/05 8:48 pm Post subject:

Hye guys, 1 quick ? Does the snook season close? Or should i say when, will it be open when im gonna be there in may? Austin seems to think it closes in amonth for them to spawn?

Caleb

MarshallD · Location: Naples, Fl

fish away! Just release your catch unharmed! Rolling Eyes

marshallD

ps check-read the fla salt regs. you can do a search online....read up and enjoy!

good luck Smile

Fish_King_7 · Posted: Sat 04/30/05 10:03 pm Post subject:

Well guys I sooo excited to say that I am going down on the 12-the 16, and im fishing 18/5 (eighteen hours a day 5 days in a row)! I plan to get some advice from Dave as well as everglads angler. I also plan to ty some EP flies, some clousers, some blondies, some cimmerans and various other recommended flies. Bring on the salt!!! any adice is highly apreciated Very Happy

Caleb

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