02-20-2013, 08:00 PM
My experience is mostly in the Keys and Everglades, south of the locations you mentioned. I'd do the Marco/Sanibel area myself, and the guide you contacted sounds right for timing. "May." Or even June. It can get started up there in April, but the later, the better. Even April in the Keys can be iffy some years, so definitely go in May or June. Contact more guides too. Talk to a few and you might see a pattern in their answers. Ask about tides because they can make or break a trip. See if you can book favorable tides for the time and place you'll be fishing.
I don't personally know any guides in those areas, but Google probably does. I'd also visit the Florida Sportsman forums. They have specific forums for specific regions, and more information than you can imagine. Good information from very good fishermen too. And guides.
Practice Casting with those 9 and 10 weights. The front of a skiff is NOT the place to get comfortable. You need to cast quickly and accurately to 50 and 60 feet, at least, with some wind. Practice casting. Really. That's the most important thing to do, let the guide worry about leaders, flies, tides, weather, and the fish.
(I sure like that triple-rig you have on your profile picture! I haven't had the guts to try it with my truck, cargo trailer, and drift boat or raft trailer.)
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I don't personally know any guides in those areas, but Google probably does. I'd also visit the Florida Sportsman forums. They have specific forums for specific regions, and more information than you can imagine. Good information from very good fishermen too. And guides.
Practice Casting with those 9 and 10 weights. The front of a skiff is NOT the place to get comfortable. You need to cast quickly and accurately to 50 and 60 feet, at least, with some wind. Practice casting. Really. That's the most important thing to do, let the guide worry about leaders, flies, tides, weather, and the fish.
(I sure like that triple-rig you have on your profile picture! I haven't had the guts to try it with my truck, cargo trailer, and drift boat or raft trailer.)
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