Capt. Nathan Donahoe finally allowed me pin him down on just when he thinks the Pompano will start biting here this season. After a more than a few moments of deliberation, while he's not "feelin" the exact date yet, he has given the 3rd week of March as his official, pretty darn near on the mark every time, 2009 Pompano Prediction. Capt. Nathan's prediction puts the pompano in here right smack dab in the heart of Spring Break. With Chris in the Keys this month, our Pompano Guide selection will be a down by one. (Hint - make your reservations asap!)
Captain Tommy Robinson with a Keys snook.
March 1st heralds in the re-opening of Speckled Trout season after a closure of the entire month of February.The Holland Boys are sure going to be happy to keep a few fish again. Redfish seem to be responding well to the gradual shifts in temperature we have been having but the morning it got down to 23 degrees overnight last month just about froze their lips shut. Look forward this month to big schools of Spanish Mackerel, pompano running the beaches, big redfish, flounder and some gator trout moving inshore.
A few weeks ago I was on the phone with a gentleman who was interested in booking a 3 day tarpon fishing trip this summer with either Tommy or Chris Robinson, who he had heard were the best guides with which to catch them on a fly rod in our area. I assured him that the guides we do have available during the week he could come to Apalachicola were experienced and professional and that he would have a very good time with any one of them. Then something he said to me about how much instruction they would need to offer him sounded some alarm bells. Of course in my endearingly blunt manner (Stop laughing!) I just had to ask "So, have you ever cast an 11 or 12 weight fly rod?" to which he replied, "No".
Yikes! Rewind! A few more questions later it was determined that this man did have experience casting a lighter fly rod for river trout and was planning on practicing with a heavier rod before his trip but his expectation seemed to be that his guide could successfully take him from ground zero to a record fish in 3 days. Now, granted there have been instances even in recent years where a person has caught a tarpon on their first day, first cast, first time with a fly rod in their hand but then people win the lottery too or else they wouldn't keep doing it, right? And, a fishing guide who is worth anything is constantly helping to try to correct and improve an anglers' casting technique and their ability to spot fish but generally the person on the bow has some experience flycasting and some working knowledge on which to draw.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial for Shallow Water Angler Magazine, a few suggestions to Anglers who may or may not have already booked their favorite guides for their favorite fish, and for those who have dreamed of the Silver King but haven't actually made it a reality. Take a tip from Terry Gibson, read his article and Train Now for Tarpon Fly Fishing. He suggests that its probably not realistic to think one can go from desk jockey to successful tarpon angler (or any species for that matter) without putting in some time and effort in a training program prior to getting on the boat.
Wondering what's happening on the local real estate market? You can access not only our current listings, but also the entire areas MLS is available via the Robinson Real Estate Company website. www.RobinsonRealEstateCompany.com . Be sure to check out a great lot we just listed here in Apalachicola - very reasonable!
Daylight Savings Time begins March 8th - Spring Forward & enjoy your Spring Break!
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
118 Commerce St.
Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-8896
www.FloridaRedfish.com
Robinson Real Estate Company
Thomas H. Robinson, Jr. Broker
118 Commerce St.
Apalachicola, FL 32320
850-653-1653
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