Fishing Information Sources.

[Wayne Wells]

I'm looking for any good sources of light tackle fishing information in regards to Whitewater bay and environs. Types, tackle, bait etc. My plan is to use some light spinning rods the same as I would use in the marshes of SC, which are my normal stomping grounds. Any suggestions regarding baits, both real and artificial would be greatly appreciated. I have been looking for information on these subjects but have not had much success running anything to ground. I will be camping in Flamingo in the middle of February. I am also going to try my hand at fly fishing but suspect I will probably be most successful in wrapping the line around myself in that adventure. But hey, you've got to start somewhere.
Thanks,
Wayne

[Walt]

Try this forum.
http://forums.floridasportsman.com/forum/main-forums/no-motor-zone

I personally use soft plastics about 90% of the time, the other 10% is with top-water plugs. With soft plastics you can carry a good variety of baits in a fanny-pack, or single tackle tray, and be ready for most anything.

Personal favorite: DOA Terror Eyes---Rootbeer

[Wayne Wells]

I'm probably considered the enemy but I'll be using one of the rental skiffs at the marina. I'm not a tear up and down the creeks person. Mostly just above idle and LOTS of drifting with the prevailing current. I broke my back many years ago and I am not able to paddle long enough to get anywhere before my back starts talking. Generally, I get a sense of the current and tide, idle to a point upstream and drift out. Try to find some interesting looking points and set-up on a hole if one can be found.

What are popular lure colors? You've mentioned rootbeer. Do silvers, blues, or greens work? I caught a snook last year on a white and blue bucktail jig.
Thanks,
Wayne

Are then any charts that point outhe various seasons when a particular fish is on the bite. Severaal years ago, my brother and I endured summer camping in Flamingo. Two things jumped out at us. We had never seen such mosquitoes in our entire lives. Thank You MAXI-DEET. The other thing was that it seemed as though summer was when the local guides were out in force. I didn't see nearly as many last February. Is February a low season from a fishing perspective. I've got my charts from Waterproof Charts and have been poring over them on a daily basis

[yakmaster]

I don't know how many fish are left in the water....but there's a bunch cold killed!

We were out today, saw SEVERAL dead manatees, the dead fish are floating all over...out front, inside, in the creeks, all over the marina....

It was really sad and makes you doubt your fishing ability. I never realized there were that many tarpon, snook & groupers avoiding my baits...

I wouldn't be surprised if they tighten up the regs for a bit to get the populations back.

I also heard about dead crocs & pythons. The sharks & buzzards should be well fed.

Really troubling trip, but a spectacular day on the water none the less!

[Keith W]

Same here on the Suncoast. Went out for a walk at Ft. DeSoto tonight and the dead snook were piled up along the shoreline. We had 13 straight days of -32 degree weather inland.

The regs are already being changed in response to the big kill. As of Jan. 16 the snook season remains closed until Aug. 30. Won't be much of a problem because there ain't many snook left to catch and keep by the looks of it.

FWC responds to widespread cold-weather saltwater fish kills

[Miami101]

Wayne
I'm one of the folks on this site that is a hardcare fisherman. I hit long trails, and have paddle over 15 miles just to get to a fishing spot. With this said before the cold front my response would of been fishing spots any location in Flamingo is good. Most of my fishing trips would be 20 plus Snooks, Tarpon etc.

After seeing what has happened 1st hand at this point I'm putting down my rod because it is going to take some time for the Evergaldes to recover. I would say come back, and ask me that question two years from now.

For now I'm going to do trails leave the rod home, and help with trails, and take up taking photos. Your best bet is you head off shore with a charter if you want to do some fishing.

[Jared E]

I'm gonna have to agree Miami101 on this.

I've recently gotten into kayaking and fishing the Everglades. The last few months I've had some of the best fishing days of my life. I fear the cold snap has changed that for a couple years at least. I've changed my game plan and will be doing mostly wildlife photography for now. I went on a small trip this weekend and could not escape the smell of rotting fish. Just awful. If you are looking at catching some fish you should seriously consider going with a guide. Just my opinion.

-Jared E.

[vivian]

We paddled from Everglades City ranger station to the West Pass and out to Tiger Key this weekend. The smell of rotting fish is everywhere and dead fish litter the waters and get trapped in the mangrove roots. I saw many dead snook but also saw many dead catfish and baitfish. The buzzards are very happy lately. At Tiger the smell is overwhelming if the winds are down.

I did fish once I got out to the gulf. The trout, sheepshead and reds are about the only targets. The trout were very aggressive on the take. Did see plenty of sharks and jacks chasing bait. All my lures are debarbed and I do not take fish out of the water for photo ops Will only keep a trout or redfish at this point everything else is released.

[Wayne Wells]

Thanks to everyone in regards to the cold snap, and the fish kill. I am still going to come on down but I suspect that this will convert to an exploration and photo trip. I "discovered" the Everglades back country last year and I'm sure that I will keep myself entertained. In some respects, I use fishing as an excuse to enjoy the scenery.

[yakmaster]

I received some really disturbing pix! I will post them as I can...

[yakmaster]

Here's the rest of the pictures. Truly depressing...