Ok, so Amy and I are heading down to Florida in mid-March. We are taking a cruise, so I'm looking for ways to get some fishing in before the ship leaves, and after we get back. The thing that sucks, is that whatever we take down with us, has to stay with us on board the ship too. After watching videos from Scott and Ed doing the Tarpon thing, I'd really like to try that. But, how do you get a 8'6 rod down there?? Do you guys just use Jon's stuff? Otherwise, looking for advise for some smaller charters for anything else. Truth be told, I've NEVER fished salt water before, so I am as green as it gets for ANYTHING. BTW – she is all about fishing for whatever, so let the ideas fl! Thanks for the help.
Yes… All guides usually have some of the best gear. No Ned to bring anything…if your gonna be in Jacksonville you got good redfish and cobiia. Your gonna be too far from the Glades and big Tarpon but shallow water Redfish would be awesome. Also good Snook time as well. There's tons of places to fish from shore but you'll need gear. I'd hire a guide for a half day or full day. I can ask around for a good guide if needed? I lived 6 years in S. fla and been all over that state. You'd want to fish somewhere close to Jacksonville?
A big warning for ya…….you get into get shallow flats fishing… You'll forget all about Muskie… I'm serious!! Everyday I dream about Tarpon, Roosterfish, 30# Snook, big bull reds, Permit and many many more saltwater species. Once you get the Salt in your blood it NEVER goes away!!! I've spent the last 13 years married to my wife trying to convince her to move back down!! At the very least we go back at least a couple times each year….
I would contact a couple guides and see what they're on at that time. I wouldn't pay anyone for trout, no matter how big or how many they're catching. They're in a family with another fish called weakfish, that should tell you enough. If the guides can put you on snook, redfish, sharks or jacks you'll get a good saltwater experience. Sure they're not the glamour fish like bonefish, tarpon and permit but IMO two of those three are overrated.
Yeah..trout aren't anything special but they do get big up there and its fun to sight fish anything. I agree with Will. I wouldn't book a trout trip either unless its something you've been wanting to catch or numbers for the wife.
Sharks could be an option as well like Will mentioned. Man they can battle and fun but Reds or Snook would be ideal. There's really so many options…and so many guides… Cuda, Jacks, offshore etc….
I will have to disagree on Permit being overrated. Bonefish I can see and understand but Permit?? Every time I'm down there it seems everyone I talk to will not shut up about catching big Permit…30#+++. When I was in the Keys last month it was all about Permit…I do wanna catch one in skinny water for sure.
Something I find overrated for sure is big Grouper. Have no desire to catch a big one. A brutal, exhausting experience and no real action.
Next on my list is Roosterfish!! Need to catch one bad!!! Already putting the research in on the early stages of planning a trip to Costa Rica.
"detroithardcore" said:
I will have to disagree on Permit being overrated. Bonefish I can see and understand but Permit??.
LOL, I said 2/3 but wasn't specific. Permit is the one that isn't overrated, amazing fish regardless of size. Bonefish are really about the hunt. Tarpon to 75# are great beyond that I just don't find them fun.
Ha ha…I wrote that thinking….no way is he talking about Tarpon…The Silver King Will!! Now I really disagree with you! Lol! They are such a blast to catch with lures, fly or sight fishing a laid up beast. If you add up everything you want in an angling experience (tropical, remote, flats, sight fish, strikes, jumps, pull, fly, runs, plugs, etc etc etc) then it all leads to the Tarpon. Whopping a 150# Tarpon in 4 feet of water and complete chaos and it doesn't get much better. One amazing gamefish and such a blast in skinny water. I can't stop thinking about them!!! I could see little to no fun in the Boca Grande channel type fishing but not in shallower water and sight fishing to them. To me it doesn't matter the size…there all fun!!
"Will Schultz" said:
I would contact a couple guides and see what they're on at that time.
Any recommendations besides Jon Sebold?
"detroithardcore" said:
Yes… All guides usually have some of the best gear. No Ned to bring anything…if your gonna be in Jacksonville you got good redfish and cobiia. Your gonna be too far from the Glades and big Tarpon but shallow water Redfish would be awesome. Also good Snook time as well. There's tons of places to fish from shore but you'll need gear. I'd hire a guide for a half day or full day. I can ask around for a good guide if needed?
Ok, so our trip was not completely finalized (paid for) and Amy is also looking into leaving out of a port in Miami. That's a fair share closer to the Glades, ya?
You've never had any problems bringing down Muskie rods? Breaking or the likes? I do have a cardboard rod tube.
And yes, any recommendations would be great! I've heard too many horror stories with lazy guides who do nothing except take you by other guides boats and cast a reef. 🙄
Yeah…let me know when you finalize plans and where and how long your gonna be in the location you want to fish. I'll dig around on who you'll want to fish with. If you get around the right guides I think you'll be impressed at how hard they work!
If your in the Port of Miami your still gonna be pretty far from Chokoloskee. March is the very end of big adult Tarpon in the Glades. They usually are gone by the first week of April (weather permitting) and back out into the Salt. You can still hook up with guides around Miami for good bridge fishing, resident Tarpon and other areas/species very close to the Port of Miami. I'll do some digging around and get back to you….if your in the Port of Miami or Miami area for a few days then you got options to drive down to the Key's. Islamorada, Largo etc are not far from Miami at all. It really depends how much time you got before you get back on cruise…
Are you dead set on a cruise? Or entertaining the option of vacationing without a cruise?
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