Islamorada Sailfish

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 A Golden time to go Sailfishing in Islamorada!



The crew of the Gold Reserve with regular customers Tom Peel and Chris from Palm Beach, Fla., alongside Jim and Harold from the Space Coast, and Neil from Atlanta, Georgia all enjoyed some rough and ready light tackle fishing last Thursday with Capt. Don, first mate Whitey and mate in training Matt.

Angler Jim caught and released his first Sailfish (photo above). Tom gang-tackled a 20 pound Blackfin tuna and the crew also closed in on their limit of Kingfish.

Congratulations to all! If you too would like to experience some exciting Florida Keys fishing, just contact me Ernie or Nicki at 305 664 2321 x642 to book a charter with one of the top offshore Captains in the Keys, the experienced Captains of Holiday Isle Resort and Marina. Tight Lines!!

Posted by Let's Fish at 9:06 AM

Nikki Holiday Isle Offshore 800-327-7070 Etc 642

Holiday Isle Resort and Marina
84001 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
305-664-2321 ext. 642
Direct: 305-433-9942
www.holidayisle.com
kharper@holidayisle.com

Tips For Fishing In The Wind

Cabin fever, needing to fish, but wind does not cooperate

Finally, I have recovered from by crab trap wound enough that the doctor said I could go fishing. It’s been two months off the water and I am ready to go. Only one problem - the weather. The wind has blown and blown and blown. Every scheduled trip has been short-circuited by the constant wind.

Since I have not been able to fish because of the wind I thought I would share a few tips about fishing in the wind. With the wind blowing like it has been lately I am not likely to head out on a fishing trip. However, sometimes you are already out when the wind begins to blow and then you need to make the most of it.

Of course the obvious solution is to find cover behind a causeway or other structure large enough to dampen the force of the wind. If that is not available you might be able to find a creek or canal that offers some protection from the wind.

If no protection is available you just have to use best techniques to make the best of it. Always position the boat so you can cast with the wind. Sometimes that can actually be an advantage by giving you longer casts and the ability to cover more water.

Maybe the most important thing you can do to improve your fishing in windy conditions occurs before your get on the water. If it’s windy you must avoid high arching casts. If your casting style results in the high arching cast you have to realize that by the time the baits touches the water the wind is blowing all that excess line away from the bait. You loose contact with the bait and if you get a strike you will set the hook on nothing but loose line.

To prevent this arching condition you must make more of a line drive cast by loading the rod and letting it do the work for you. This is something you can practice when you’re not fishing. Then, when you are on the water and the wind raises its ugly head you are prepared to compete against it. This practice should include loading the rod properly, but also closing the bail before the lure hits the water. This simple technique will result in the momentum of the lure pulling the slack from the line and giving you direct connection with the lure and any fish willing to bite.



For More Fishing Tips You Might Consider my New Book

Announcement: I want to take this opportunity to announce my book is out and available in book stores and the internet. Entitled Secrets From Florida’s Master Anglers it is intended to provide many tips and pro secrets to fishing success. It is based on interviews with 20 of Florida’s top guides on various fishing topics. The book is published by University Press of Florida. Regardless of your level of fishing skill this book will have something for you.

Here is what some early readers of the book say:

"Ron's highly privileged interviews with many of Florida's top guides expose lots of secrets that are sure to improve fishing success."--Phil Chapman

"A great peek into twenty of the finest fishing minds of Florida! No matter your current skill level, this book will improve your confidence on the water."--Brett Fitzgerald

"Unique in that it includes a variety of approaches to inshore saltwater fishing, provided by a broad selection of some of Florida's finest fishing guides. There is something for almost everyone who fishes the Florida coast."--Richard A. Davidson



Captain Ron Presley
www.inshorefishingadventures.com
presleyr@bellsouth.net

How To Make Your Own Wire Leader

Fishing Report 11/09/2009 – Capt. Terry Frankford


Windy conditions made for some tough fishing, however with so many barrier islands in the Sarasota area I was able to find cover, and fish. Around northern areas of Siesta Key - south to middle Longboat Key were best during the North West blows. The shores of Sarasota's mainland from south Sarasota to south Bradenton we found calmer waters during the east blows, as well as near shore along the beaches. Snook, redfish, trout, flounder, shark, and spanish mackerel topped the list.


A Fish Tail aboard the Reelin & Chillin
With a low tide, and an easterly wind anglers of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and I headed out Sarasota's Big Pass south to Point of Rocks looking for Spanish Mackerel. Peter Paris, Joe Dovener, and Dick Barrett didn't waste any time getting into the mackerel. Non-stop action for two hours ended with the bite slowing down a little, and the last of twelve wire leaders biting the dust between sharks and mackerel. These anglers caught over thirty-five mackerel, Joe even picked up a nice King Mackerel. A few blacknosed sharks made it to the boat for release as well as several that just couldn't be stopped on light tackle. Joe had some additional luck after moving inshore landing a nice sixteen inch flounder.


Another windy day Alan, Debbie, and Brooke Riggs headed out for an afternoon trip. We hit several locations around Siesta Key finding some small redfish, and snapper. A couple nice trout were landed, however the trout are now out of season, and we did want a little dinner. With the winds gusting at 25mph, and the low tide, things didn't look to good for dinner. I decided to head for a deeper hole adjacent to a large flats area to see if maybe some reds were hanging around. Geez, I'm sorry, I just can't remember exactly were. Anyhow, first Brooke nailed a twenty-six inch red - then another - then another. Alan then landed a few with these two anglers ending up with around a dozen nice reds. They ranged from a couple undersized reds to a couple over sized reds with the rest in the slot. The law says one per person, that's all we kept of course - the rest were safely released.


Captain's Tip - Spanish Mackerel Gear & Rigs
I'm going to give you a run down of how I set up for a mackerel trip. I set up this way for the Spanish mackerel, and any by-catch that might be around like king mackerel, and sharks. You may have different brands, that's fine, I'm just letting you know what I use and why, you can of course adjust any way you wish.

Rod - Okuma Guide Select, 7'x 6" medium/heavy rod. Provides great light tackle action with enough strength for larger fish if necessary.

Reel - Okuma Inspira IA 45. Provides a larger spool to hold 150yds of 15lb test line, and still light enough to cast for long lengths of time.

Mono Leader - from the 15lb test line on the reel I tie using the surgeons knot a 4' piece of Berkly Big Game 40lb test mono.

Wire Leader - I make my own wire leader, here's how:
I start with a package of thin wire leader around 39lb test (yes 39 don't ask me why it's not 40). This wire found in your local tackle shop comes in a 200' length. The first thing I do is take the wire out of the package that is coiled up in a ring and cut through it at one spot. Now instead of having one two hundred foot single piece of wire I have a bunch of 20" pieces to make leader with. Saves a lot of time pulling the wire through two or three tie wraps and cutting each one individually. Using the "haywire twist" shown on the back of the package I wrap on a "size five" Fisher 90lb test barrel swivel on one end. On the other end an Eagle Claw 1/0 2X LONG hook. This leader of course gets tied to the 40lb test mono coming from the reel using a uni-knot.

The bait of choice is the scaled sardine - I have been able to net plenty along the beaches close to shore - just look for birds feeding. Live shrimp works also as a second choice.

Now I'm ready for almost anything - plenty of line on the reel for long runs from a surprise king mackerel, little tunny, or small shark. Forty pound test mono to prevent chaffing from the tail and body of these larger fish. A wire leader, and long shanked hook to get past the sharp teeth on these critters. Notice I said "ready for almost anything" this is because often something very large picks up your bait, maybe a blacktip shark or a 40lb smoker king mackerel. This is where you have an anchor with a fender buoy on the end that you can untie quickly and throw over and start chasing the fish all over the Gulf of Mexico. Trust me - it happens - it's a blast - plan for it.

Hope this helps you enjoy a great day on the water, Capt. Terry

Tight Lines & Good Times,

Capt. Terry Frankford Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc. 941-228-7802
terry.frankford@verizon.net
www.charterfishingsarasota.com

November Fishing Forecast Tampa Bay

A November 2009 Fishing Forecast For Tampa Florida

Courtesy of Captain Jay Schroeder - CJ Flats Saltwater Charters:

Inshore, as water temperatures cool throughout the month of November, anticipate some of your favorite summer haunts slowing down. Depending on tides and temperatures on any particular day, consider trading in the flats for residential canals with deeper, slower moving waters adjacent to docks and seawalls. Dark muddy bottoms, oyster bars, and concrete structures will heat-up faster in the mornings and retain heat through the evening hours. Hit the snooze button once or twice throughout the month of November: No need to wake up before dawn. Leave the cast net at home. White bait will become scarcer, afternoons will become more productive than the mornings, and free-lined shrimp work great this time of year for Redfish and Snook with by-catches of Flounder, Jack Crevalle, and Lady Fish.



Nearshore, as cold fonts push through throughout the month of November, look for breaks in the winds to target shallow water Grouper. Savvy anglers with good sets of Nearshore numbers will find keeper Gag Grouper and Red Grouper off rock piles and other pieces of structure along the Gulf Coast and in Tampa Bay. No secret honey holes? Don’t worry: Other effective ways to target shallow water Grouper are slow trolling deep-diving lures like the Mann’s Magnum Stretch Plug and running downriggers with a variety of artificial jigs or live bait. Slow trolling for Grouper is effective method to explore new areas, work larger pieces of natural bottom, or stay near the cuts within the shipping channels. When a good strike is had, mark the spot, anchor up, or use a slow drift and work cut bait off the bottom. In addition to some nice keeper Grouper, Black Sea Bass, Grunts, and Mangrove Snapper will provide anglers with a tasty by-catch off the bottom.




To learn more about fishing or to book your next saltwater adventure with Captain Jay Schroeder of CJ Flats Saltwater Charters, call 1-877-463-5420 or visit www.cjflats.com.


Captain Jay Schroeder
CJ Flats Saltwater Charters
www.cjflats.com
1-877-463-5420

Wind Doesn't Stop Fish From Biting

Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
November 7, 2009
Capt. Chris Myers

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report

Some high winds have descended upon central Florida and are forecast to remain with us for much of the coming week. The wind has made sight fishing difficult but we have managed to catch some nice redfish and seatrout despite the challenging conditions. Water levels are still quite high but the temperature has dropped significantly with yesterday morning's water at 66 degrees. If conditions allow you to find the fish, they have been biting.

Last week, prior to the arrival of the cooler temperatures, I made a trip to Mosquito Lagoon with my friend Mike. We hoped we would be able to find a few tarpon lingering around. We only saw a couple and did not get any bites. The redfish and large seatrout, however, were much more cooperative. We caught several of each on a DOA shrimp and used the Baitbuster for some redfish double hookups.





This Monday, I made a solo trip to Mosquito Lagoon. It was the first day of the cloudy and blustery weather. I used 5.5 inch DOA Cal lures in Stark Naked and Silver Mullet colors to catch several trout over 24 inches as well as three redfish from 30-38 inches. All were caught around schools of small mullet holding around patches of shallow grass and sand.



Tuesday, I fished with Larry and his wife Debbie. The wind was blowing when we started but they both caught several trout to 25 inches using the CAL tails. We found a few schools of redfish as well as scattered singles during the day. The wind and clouds made it tough to see and cast to the fish. A handful of trout were caught and released but no redfish made it to the boat.



The forecast for Friday was for winds up to 20 mph. Despite the poor conditions, Canadian residents Mark and Marianne wanted to give it a try anyway. We spent the day along some lee shorelines attempting to avoid the choppy open waters. Both caught some nice redfish including a 48 inch brute.





When the wind dies down, the cooler water should produce some good fishing for tailing redfish. Trophy trout have made their way onto the flats and can be found in the shallow sand holes throughout the day. We have been seeing some black drum each day as well. The DOA shrimp is one of the few lures that is effective on all three species. Fish it very slow on the bottom for best results.

Upcoming Seminars

Thursday, November 12, 6-8pm - Introduction to Fly Fishing
Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka

Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15 - 1pm - Sight Fishing the Flats
Florida Sportman Fishing Expo, Central Florida Farigrounds Orlando

Saturday, November 21, 10-12pm - Basic Fly Catsing
Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka

Saturday, November 28 - Sight Fishing the Flats
Coastal Angler Magazine Fishing Boating and Outdoors Fall Festival The Barn - Sanford

A Time of Change

It held on a bit longer than usual but it looks as if summer is finally gone. The winter winds have already begun and the water is cooling. Each day, I see fewer schools of bait fish and soon most of them will be gone as well. As the weather changes, the fish, in turn, will change their behavior as well. The big winter trout have wasted no time returning to the shallow flats and the redfish will soon be tailing on calm days.

To be effective in winter, it is usually necessary to offer the fish something small that imitates a crab or shrimp. I always have a DOA shrimp on one rod and a crab on the other this time of year. When we see a fish tailing we know it is eating, It is up to us to give them what they want. When the wind is blowing, as it will be on many days for the next several months, all the time spent practicing casting accuracy will pay off. A bait thrown high above the water will be blown off target every time. Low straight casts are needed to land on target. Tailing fish have a very small zone of interest and you need to get your bait within inches of them to get their attention.

Winter also means the sun we be well to the south. With winds coming out of the north on most days, you will need to fish into the wind to be able to see the fish. Going with the wind may mean running over a whole school of fish before you ever notice them.

Capt. Chris Myers
Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
http://www.floridafishinglessons.com/
321-229-2848