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| Captain Rich Smith South Florida's Premier Fly-Fishing Experience. Biscayne Bay, Flamingo, Everglades National Park, Key Largo, Islamorada, Key West. Fly Fishing for Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish. |
| Rich@CaptainRichSmith.com | (786) 299-4813 | www.MiamiFlyfishing.com | |
Pictures
| Fishing Reports for South Florida |
| April 2007 Fishing Report Oh Baby, Tarpon! Tarpon! and More Tarpon!!! This month I am all geared up for the inevitable tarpon season. And Man oh man is it hear. During the end of March and throughout April I have been fishing for these silver kings in areas that literally no one else is. These fish are in big numbers and in a mood to eat just about anything we throw at them. The key to this is the simple fact that there is really no one out there so we have the entire pond to ourselves. It is really not that uncommon to jump 20-30 fish ranging 60-200 pounds in a single day. I am planning to take out a reporter for the Miami Herald Susan Cocking sometime within the next month to put her on some of these great giants. So stay tuned to find out how we do. Also don't forget that the bonefish and permit are in great number to be found in Biscayne Bay as well as the Florida Keys. I have had great luck this month throwing the usual arsenal of custom tied flies to these fish. And as always the drag on my Van Staal reels have yet to let me down on these drag screaming fish. As always, look for a low incoming tide and preferably a wind of 5- 10 mph. Petrol Point and Dynamite Dock have really been hot with these two species this month. Please remember to be courteous to fellow anglers. I would like to now speak about a unfortunate situation that happened to me on the water this month. One day I set out to do some more photography work with Pro Photographer Richard Gibson and his adorable 8 year old son. We decided to team up with fellow angler Ron Hill and Captain Dave Sutton on this event to get more side shots. While poling one of our favorite spots Turkey Point Flat we encountered several schools of tailing bonefish and Permit. The wind was nearly non existent. Within ten minuted Ron was hooked up on a nice 10 pound bonefish and while fighting the fish I spotted a few giat Permit heading off the flat. So I began to pole towards these fish. After 5 intense minutes I was nearly in casting range and as I got ready to make the cast I noticed another Boat heading right towards us. I began to flag him away with hand signals. He totally ignored me and actually drove closer to me and blew by me about 200 feet away. As he drove by he yelled every curse word in the world at us and kept going on his way. The fish were spooked off and Myself and everyone next to me was in total shock. Not only the fact that he was so inconsiderate of us but also the fact that I had two Children 8 years old aboard to hear these obscenities. In my 20+ years of fishing I have never encountered such an event. And I can honestly say I will never forget that incident. So if you are on the water please be considerate of others around you. Remember our youth is taking notes from what we do out there! Fishing Hot Spots: Biscayne Bay Western Side as well as ocean side flats March 2007 Fishing Report Cold fronts! Cold fronts! Cold fronts! This should be your main thought to focus on this month here in South Florida when targeting flats fish. Biscayne Bay When you have a few days of warming you can expect the Bonefish to be working in schools on the flats and even tailing in large numbers in skinnier water. Most of my concentration has remained on the Western Side of Biscayne Bay with the occasional venture over to flats like Cutter Bank and the Snake by Caesars Creek. I have had great success on the days you really have business Bone fishing and spotty days on the rougher colder days. Permit are starting to show up working flats on the Western Parts of the Bay and I have heard other reports of fish hanging on the long stretch of flats outside of Caesar’s Creek in pretty good numbers at times. This lets us know that they are finally heading in from the offshore wrecks. Toss their bait of choice a live crab on a circle hook and hang on for the ride of your life. But remember these fish are very spooky so be sure to make your cast at least 5 feet in front of their traveling path. Scent is often times more important than sight when dealing with these ultra spooky species on the flats. Flamingo Everglades National Park When chasing Snook and Redfish your thoughts need to be very tide oriented this month just like any other month. But more specifically keep in mind that the majority of Snook have already traveled up in the streams to seek refuge from the cold. So Pull out your GPS and head in the Deep Back Country like areas of Hells Bay, Lane Bay, Tarpon Bay, The Rookery, Fingers, Banana Patches….etc. Though if you’re fishing with me don’t even think of bringing a GPS!!! The Rapala X-Rap and Skidder Walk has become my bait of choice to throw on 30-40 pound Flurocarbon. Tarpon! Oh man have we been having a ball on Tarpon. You can find these awesome animals up in Ponce De Leon Bay in Huge numbers. Just keep in mind they are very tide and wind oriented. These fish always need moving current to get them into the feeding mode. When you enter into this Bay SHUT YOUR MOTOR OFF!!! They are very sensitive contrary to other tarpon you may chase in different areas. And if you have to move to another area. IDOL!!!!....otherwise you are wasting your time as well as other fisherman fishing within that 5 Mile stretch. I can not stress how important this really is. Once you find where the schools of fish are working toss a large lure such as the Rapala X-Rap in bright colors. They will only be able to see it in bright colors due to the dirty water. Also check out some of the new pictures in the Richard Gibson Photo Gallery of Tarpon Jumping. Awesome shots! Remember be courteous and Tight Lines and Great Fishing! Captain Rich Smith February 2007 Fishing Report Biscayne Bay: If you are able to time the weather patterns to work in your advantage Biscayne Bay can be very productive working grounds for all your Bonefish chasing needs. The key to your success lies primarily on water temperature. Bonefish are most active in water temperatures above 72 Degrees. During these winter months cold fronts can drag the bay water temperatures below this critical number and force the bonefish to refuge to deeper warmer water. This is why you will often see bonefish in large schools waking in 2-4 feet of water. So what this means is if your temperature gauge is indicating colder water you should move toward the edge of the flat and begin your search. The majority of Permit are still hanging out on the offshore wreck located outside Biscayne Bay. However, there are a few lost schools hanging out on the West side of the bay. These are not out typical spring time numbers but if you are lucky to stumble across one a quarter sized crab will certainly entice him to do a little drag screaming action for ya like my buddy Blair often says on his television show Addictive Fishing. If its Tarpon you are after you should primarily turn your focus north ward to Government Cut Canal. Most of the numbers will be found in areas like the cut due to deeper warmer water and a constant abundance of bait fish so they don’t have to travel far for their meals. Crabs, Mullet, and Pinfish, and Pilchards are the baits of choice for these Jurassic creatures. HOT SPOTS: Fender Point Burger King Flat Turkey Point HINT HINT: Work the west side of the Bay. Because of the darker bottom you can expect 1-3 Degrees warmer water temperature than the East side. Tight Lines, Captain Rich Smith www.CaptainRichSmith.com CaptRichSmith@aol.com |
Charter Rates
Captain Rich Smith does 1/2 and Full day Charters, and on Special Requests can do Sunset and Evening Trips. Generally a 1/2 day trip will last 4-5 Hours and a Full Day Trip will be 8 Hours. Generally times are as follows 7A.M. --12P.M. Half Day Trip 7A.M.--3P.M. Full Day Trip However trip times can differ depending on your schedule. Some times Captain Rich may suggest we leave at a different time to make the fishing more productive due to weather or tide conditions Flats Fishing 2 Anglers 1/2 Day Trip $350-$400* Full Day Trip $450-$600* Offshore Fishing/ Offshore Wreck Fishing Up to 6 Anglers FULL DAY $600-$900* *trips range in price due to amount of fuel used during the day. These costs will be determined before the charter is booked. Deposit and Refund Policy A deposit of $300 per day is required at the time of booking. This deposit can be refunded if ample notice of cancellation has been given. (Generally 14 days) Weather is a constant consideration for cancellation of a charter and your deposit will be held over for another date. |