Fishing Forum

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Posted this update in the fly fishing section but figured you guys that don’t surf over there may get a kick out of it (and I did use some spinning gear). Left the Tampa area at 0500 on Thursday and on the water by 0900...we fished the east side of the trail in the freshwater. The water in the canal that runs along 41 is like fishing in an aquarium, crystal clear water and more fish than you can imaging. Gators are everywhere but they don’t bother you, no mosquitoes to speak of either which was a plus. The canal was way deeper than I expected and didn’t bring a sinking line for my fly rod, I did catch a few on heavily weighted clousers and did get some on top water poppers. The majority (over 100 fish) came in soft plastics fished weedless and deep although we did catch quite a few on top water plugs. I crossed off the Peacock bass from the bucket list. We caught multiple species including largemouths, oscars, mayan ciclid, bowfin, bluegill and gar. Awesome place to fish and there were no crowds. If you ever get the chance to fish down there...go!!

(03-07-2021, 11:30 AM)remo_5_0 Wrote: [ -> ] Posted this update in the fly fishing section but figured you guys that don’t surf over there may get a kick out of it (and I did use some spinning gear). Left the Tampa area at 0500 on Thursday and on the water by 0900...we fished the east side of the trail in the freshwater. The water in the canal that runs along 41 is like fishing in an aquarium, crystal clear water and more fish than you can imaging. Gators are everywhere but they don’t bother you, no mosquitoes to speak of either which was a plus. The canal was way deeper than I expected and didn’t bring a sinking line for my fly rod, I did catch a few on heavily weighted clousers and did get some on top water poppers. The majority (over 100 fish) came in soft plastics fished weedless and deep although we did catch quite a few on top water plugs. I crossed off the Peacock bass from the bucket list. We caught multiple species including largemouths, oscars, mayan ciclid, bowfin, bluegill and gar. Awesome place to fish and there were no crowds. If you ever get the chance to fish down there...go!!

Remo, nice batch of fish. I had heard that Peacocks were in many of the canals in Florida, never got a chance to fish them. I did get a bunch of Peacocks out of Lake Gatun, Panama back in 1990.

Cool that you got a peacock along with the others

Mike, looks like a fun time. How wide is the canal?

I know you said the gators were not a problem, but I am curious, did they give chase to any of the fish when they started thrashing around, when you hooked them?

(03-07-2021, 03:15 PM)Cowboypirate Wrote: [ -> ]I know you said the gators were not a problem, but I am curious, did they give chase to any of the fish when they started thrashing around, when you hooked them?

they would definitely come over and take a look at the commotion but none ever went after our fish.

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(03-07-2021, 02:41 PM)kentofnsl Wrote: [ -> ]Mike, looks like a fun time. How wide is the canal?

Kent, wide spots were 40-50’ wide, other parts 15’ and narrower.

Mike, glad you finally headed south. You're just 3-4 hours from world class fishing. Now that you got a small taste I see you returning for long weekends once a month. Hope the family is prepared for you going awol.

(03-07-2021, 04:00 PM)Riverdogs Wrote: [ -> ]Mike, glad you finally headed south. You're just 3-4 hours from world class fishing. Now that you got a small taste I see you returning for long weekends once a month. Hope the family is prepared for you going awol.

Yeah buddy. Next time we’ll drag a boat down and hit 10,000 islands. I could see myself buying a place in Everglades City.

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(03-07-2021, 04:12 PM)remo_5_0 Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-07-2021, 04:00 PM)Riverdogs Wrote: [ -> ]Mike, glad you finally headed south. You're just 3-4 hours from world class fishing. Now that you got a small taste I see you returning for long weekends once a month. Hope the family is prepared for you going awol.
Yeah buddy. Next time we’ll drag a boat down and hit 10,000 islands. I could see myself buying a place in Everglades City.

Everglades City! The thought of buying there crossed my mind on every visit. Looked close at some homes there and just outside Naples. Shoulda, coulda, woulda, at lower prices than now. There's tarpon in them canals too!

(03-07-2021, 04:58 PM)Tarponjim Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-07-2021, 04:12 PM)remo_5_0 Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-07-2021, 04:00 PM)Riverdogs Wrote: [ -> ]Mike, glad you finally headed south. You're just 3-4 hours from world class fishing. Now that you got a small taste I see you returning for long weekends once a month. Hope the family is prepared for you going awol.
Yeah buddy. Next time we’ll drag a boat down and hit 10,000 islands. I could see myself buying a place in Everglades City.

Everglades City! The thought of buying there crossed my mind on every visit. Looked close at some homes there and just outside Naples. Shoulda, coulda, woulda, at lower prices than now. There's tarpon in them canals too!

Yeah Jim, that place is very cool. You should have jumped on it!!

(03-07-2021, 05:35 PM)remo_5_0 Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-07-2021, 04:58 PM)Tarponjim Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-07-2021, 04:12 PM)remo_5_0 Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-07-2021, 04:00 PM)Riverdogs Wrote: [ -> ]Mike, glad you finally headed south. You're just 3-4 hours from world class fishing. Now that you got a small taste I see you returning for long weekends once a month. Hope the family is prepared for you going awol.
Yeah buddy. Next time we’ll drag a boat down and hit 10,000 islands. I could see myself buying a place in Everglades City.

Everglades City! The thought of buying there crossed my mind on every visit. Looked close at some homes there and just outside Naples. Shoulda, coulda, woulda, at lower prices than now. There's tarpon in them canals too!
Yeah Jim, that place is very cool. You should have jumped on it!!

I'm going to reveal my age but my first introduction to the Everglades was driving down to Everglades City in December 1984. Have thought about buying a place there more than a few times. Check out Chokoloskee as well. 5 miles closer to great fishing. Private Marina but fees are reasonable to launch. If it's the same management they always treated us great. https://www.chokoloskee.com/ways-to-stay...tal-rates/

Mike, have you caught any of those turtles down there yet? I think I'd almost take a gator to one of those snappers... Sure wish I could have fished more when I was down there, but I was lucky to get to fish on my mission P-day... You make me want to return now I can get in a boat and see the real fun of that area... Amazing how nice that area is when you get out of the population a little... Thanks for the post, I love to see them... Later Jeff

Awesome!!!!

Wish we were able to fish before you left for a much better place- a better fishing place.
After my incident, last year, I might want to head your way sooner than later. So jealous of what you're up to and glad you're enjoying life. That's all that matters and thanks for the occasional updates.

(03-08-2021, 04:58 PM)SkunkedAgain Wrote: [ -> ]Mike, have you caught any of those turtles down there yet? I think I'd almost take a gator to one of those snappers... Sure wish I could have fished more when I was down there, but I was lucky to get to fish on my mission P-day... You make me want to return now I can get in a boat and see the real fun of that area... Amazing how nice that area is when you get out of the population a little... Thanks for the post, I love to see them... Later Jeff

No turtles Jeff, but I have seen some big ones, I don’t mess with those snappers!!!

(03-09-2021, 05:40 AM)TheOtherSide Wrote: [ -> ]Wish we were able to fish before you left for a much better place- a better fishing place.
After my incident, last year, I might want to head your way sooner than later. So jealous of what you're up to and glad you're enjoying life. That's all that matters and thanks for the occasional updates.

I think it was a good move, big life change but sometimes those things are needed, life if short, make it count. Technically this is my “retirement” gig. After 20 years at SLCPD it was time to go, a pension sure helps when “retiring”. I am currently working on another pension down here, only really have to do 7 more years but I am still young(ish) and healthy so I’ll just go until I feel it’s time to be done. Luckily I have met some great fishing partners here so it has made the learning curve to saltwater a lot easier. Our next trip will be the Tarpon run in Boca Grande in may and June. Now that will be something.

(03-07-2021, 11:30 AM)remo_5_0 Wrote: [ -> ] Posted this update in the fly fishing section but figured you guys that don’t surf over there may get a kick out of it (and I did use some spinning gear). Left the Tampa area at 0500 on Thursday and on the water by 0900...we fished the east side of the trail in the freshwater. The water in the canal that runs along 41 is like fishing in an aquarium, crystal clear water and more fish than you can imaging. Gators are everywhere but they don’t bother you, no mosquitoes to speak of either which was a plus. The canal was way deeper than I expected and didn’t bring a sinking line for my fly rod, I did catch a few on heavily weighted clousers and did get some on top water poppers. The majority (over 100 fish) came in soft plastics fished weedless and deep although we did catch quite a few on top water plugs. I crossed off the Peacock bass from the bucket list. We caught multiple species including largemouths, oscars, mayan ciclid, bowfin, bluegill and gar. Awesome place to fish and there were no crowds. If you ever get the chance to fish down there...go!!

Great post! I just got back from there 3 weeks ago and plan to be a snowbird there. Wait till you catch a snakehead. They fight like northern pike. I fished the canals before but not the Tamiami trail but now you inspired me. I'll be hitting that canal in March next year.

Thanks for the post! I have had a trip planned for the past 4 months to everglades city at the end of April. We are going to be fishing inshore and fish the canal systems. We are making this trip pretty much to fish the everglades. I have been doing a little research on the canals. My son and I are mainly going after peacocks.I was planning on cruising around in the rental and fishing any open water we can get access to. Do you have any advice or recommendations? Do we need to worry about private land along the road?

(03-15-2021, 10:37 PM)scubabass Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for the post! I have had a trip planned for the past 4 months to everglades city at the end of April. We are going to be fishing inshore and fish the canal systems. We are making this trip pretty much to fish the everglades. I have been doing a little research on the canals. My son and I are mainly going after peacocks.I was planning on cruising around in the rental and fishing any open water we can get access to. Do you have any advice or recommendations? Do we need to worry about private land along the road?

I have not fished down there from a boat...maybe riverdogs will chime in or send him a PM he has fished down there a lot so he would be helpful with backcountry info. But the main canal running along 41 is all public as far as I know, even towards the east when you get into tribal land it is public, it’s only when you get off the main road and start fishing some of the other canals (on tribal land) you will need a permit. But I think all the other canals are mainly public and covered by FWC. Check the Internet to see where the tribal land begins.

remo_5_0

Tin-Can

2knots

Kent

Cowboypirate

remo_5_0

Riverdogs

remo_5_0

Tarponjim

remo_5_0

Riverdogs

SkunkedAgain

Deke3

TheOtherSide

remo_5_0

Realtorinutah

scubabass

remo_5_0