April/May Report 2005

We've had a number of fantastic days of fishing here the last two months!

The tarpon finally are here in numbers which started in April.

Jim Baird of Naples caught the largest tarpon of his 20+ years of fishing for tarpon right here in Chokoloskee, a 150-pounder, and brought it to the boat in a little over 60 minutes on fly.

The snook fishing is also in a upswing right now. In four days of fishing, Brian Good lost three fish in the 15-20 pound plus range, but we finally managed to get one nice one in the boat of about 10 pounds.

Jeff Davis was back again with Paul Hutchinson this time. These guys really know what to do when it comes to fishing the 'Glades. Needless to say, they slammed the snook, too many to count, and lost two really big guys. Paul says, "Next year, I'm gonna get the BIG ones to the boat." I hope he does, 'cause I need a photo of him with a big guy.

Getting back to the tarpon, I've lost count of just how many shots we've had of these laid up guys the last couple of months, but it's been a lot. As far as the jumping goes, it's been somewhat slow, but just to have that many chances, as an angler will get in a day, is enough heart stopping as I can take. Just ask Greg, David, Fred, Jeff, Jeremy, Scott, etc. Dave Frizzell fought a 100-pounder for an hour on a 10 weight in the back country until the fish pulled the boat up a creek. We were doing pretty good until a oyster cut his flyline in half. I'm sure Dave will never forget that one. We actually fought the fish in the creek for about 10 minutes, which surprised me. For a moment, I thought we just might bring it to the boat. That wasn't going to happen since the creek is only about 10 feet wide.

We've also had quiet a few nice reds in the slot, pushing the 8-pound mark.
We did measure and weighed one really large red of 27" and was just under 10 pounds. A real whopper!

Now for the trout: It's been overall somewhat spotty at times, but the size is impressive for this time of year. You need to do your legwork to find them, though.

It's been brought to my attention the there will be some upcoming changes here in the park next year:
1. No motor zones.
2. Grass flats off limits with big motors during low tide. (Good thing.)
3. A number of creeks will be off limits to power boats, and only kayaks & canoes will be allowed. (That one really stinks!)

The things that really need to be done here are:
1. Stop the live baiting
2. Reduce and enforce a speed limit out front, as well as in the back country
3. Barbless hooks
4. Do not allow tournament fishing, period!
5. Get rid of the 400+ part-time guides
6. Funding for more rangers
7. Catch & release of all game fish

I could go on and on, but what for?

This year has been probably the worst year in the 25 years I've been fishing here for almost being run over in the back country. One day, three of our rangers in one boat were talking to each other, not paying attention, and they came within 30 feet of hitting my anglers and me. If I wouldn't have been burning my bridges, I would have contacted Homestead. I'm just wondering where the National Park Service gets its brains. Oh, that's right, they don't have any, nor common sense. This crap of closing down prime fishing areas and allowing only the kayak and canoe people is just that— crap. I'd love to find out where they get their input. There have been names brought to my attention, but only time will tell who is behind this.

On a lighter note, the fishing now is starting a summertime pattern.

I would like to sincerely thank all the great people I fished the last five months. We definitely had great times on the water. Ron, Jeff, Paul, Jeremy, Dick, Scott, Fred, Greg, David, Bill, Jim, Brian, Tom and Patty, Wayne, Dell and all that I didn't mention, you all were great.

Captain Bert

January/February Report 2005

January was a wonderful month for fishing here in Everglades National Park. The snook have been somewhat lethargic due to the cold water temperature, but the reds have made up for it in size and concentrations. Not a day goes by that we're not sighting many, many fish.

There are many positives to fishing here in the cold months:

Very clear water due to the water temp
Very few mosquitoes
Laid up large snook in shallow, clear water
Loads of redfish
Spotted sea trout on popper flies
Flounder and pompano are biting

February was another month like last year. It started off with a BIG BANG, then tapered off somewhat towards the end of the month.The tarpon started to show around the second week, but disappeared just as fast as they appeared. This is normal for February.

Spotted sea trout and ladyfish, and jacks are pretty much all over if you put in your time and find where they hang out. Found quite a few nice snook in Mullet Bay last week in the 3-6 lb. range. Snook fishing has definitely picked up this last week. They are finally eating when you find them, but it's tough in the wind and rain. We sighted somewhere near 10 fish in the 15-25 pound range the other day, but we couldn't get them to eat the fly. But it was a lot of fun trying.

Just as soon as the weather stablizes, hopefully soon, the Big Sleepers (tarpon)will definitely be able to be seen on top. I can't wait!

Reds are a little more scarce right now, but the snook bite is on.

Again, I'd like to say, "thank you" to all the anglers who braved the cold, wind,and rain, and showed me it CAN BE DONE, if you stick with it.

Captain Bert
Sam Peachey with an average winter Red

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2004 fishing reports