Fishing the TT and the Glades

draku007

I need to get out of the never ending winter here in NJ and I'm coming down to the "Sunshine State" to catch a fish or two on a fly. I'm planning on renting a boat near the Everglades airport and FISH!!!

With that said I'm coming into new territory as I never fished anything like the TTI. I'm not sure what to expect, where to go, etc... I think I should keep going south as that's where the fish such as tarpon will be coming from.

Any help and tips will be highly appreciated. I'm staying near Naples and if you think there is better fishing near Naples this time of year please let me know. I'm really going blind here and hope someone can point me the right direction here.

Thanks.

PS Are you seeing tarpons in the area already?

dtobias

If you've never fished the 10k before, I would highly advise investing in a charter for just one of your days...you will learn so much in even just one day. (I do not operate my charters in that area.) The 10k is not an area to be taken lightly. I've towed several mosquito ravaged novices in after they spent a hellish night stuck out there either lost or with a damaged lower unit. That being said, it is truly a wonderful place and my favorite spot in all of Florida to fish. I can suggest a couple of captains if you'd like a referral. Good luck and let us know how you make out. Catch 'em up.

10kman

dtobias wrote: »

If you've never fished the 10k before, I would highly advise investing in a charter for just one of your days...you will learn so much in even just one day. (I do not operate my charters in that area.) The 10k is not an area to be taken lightly. I've towed several mosquito ravaged novices in after they spent a hellish night stuck out there either lost or with a damaged lower unit. That being said, it is truly a wonderful place and my favorite spot in all of Florida to fish. I can suggest a couple of captains if you'd like a referral. Good luck and let us know how you make out. Catch 'em up.

No way would I go south of EC by myself.Rather consider launching from Marco or Naples.For when you are coming down,you should
find tarpon Naples and south.

draku007

@dtobias - I was considering to hire a guide but my wife will be on the boat as well and such trips never go well. Please PM me some names in case I decide to hire someone.

@10kman - you wouldn't go because there is better fishing south of Naples or because you're not crazy ?

FYI I'll be spending 2 days on the bottom of Longboat Key and 2 days on Estero. Any tips for for beach/wading fishing around these locations highly appreciated.

One more question about wading in the bays and channels - is it safe to wade on the shallow (chest deep) flats? I always had a fear of alligators and sharks. I'm talking about north of Naples regions.


Thanks for the input guys.

dtobias

@ Draku...I can suggest Capt Derrick Daffin in Everglades City....fished with him for years...a great captain and real funny guy to spend a day on the water with....his phone number is 239-695-3513. Also, you can try Captain Charlie Phillips...his number is 863-517-1829. If you can book a day, you definitely will not be disappointed. I charter out of the Estero area, but don't wade fish myself. I do see some folks on the west side of Estero bay from time to time....there are some inshore flats on the southeast side of the bridge over New Pass and some more flats between the ramp at Lover's Key and Little Carlos Pass. The flats tend to get deeper as you get closer to Big Carlos Pass and there's alot of boat traffic especially on the weekends. Depending on when you come, more towards summer, you can walk the beaches early morning and at dusk/dark and cast the shorebreak for snook. Hope that helps some. Good luck and enjoy your stay.

blewitupsir

draku007 wrote: »

@dtobias - I was considering to hire a guide but my wife will be on the boat as well and such trips never go well. Please PM me some names in case I decide to hire someone.

@10kman - you wouldn't go because there is better fishing south of Naples or because you're not crazy ?

FYI I'll be spending 2 days on the bottom of Longboat Key and 2 days on Estero. Any tips for for beach/wading fishing around these locations highly appreciated.

One more question about wading in the bays and channels - is it safe to wade on the shallow (chest deep) flats? I always had a fear of alligators and sharks. I'm talking about north of Naples regions.


Thanks for the input guys.

The ENP and 10,000 islands area is huge, basically just consider an area 100 miles long, by 12-15 miles deep and that gives you our slice of heaven. Its can be a tough fishery in that there is so much area, and about 90% of it looks like it should hold a fish, but only a small portion really does. I would also second hiring a guide just to purly cut down the learning curve for you and make your trip more sucessful as far as the fishing is concerned. Also I would say that no matter what guide you choose no matter the location the trips with your wife coming along should be just as good as if its just yourself. (unless you fish to get away, and thats a different story) We are blessed in that we have many great proffesional captains and guides who take great pains to ensure that each and every customer they have aboard has the best chance for sucess they can possibly be given. Check out florida-guides.com for a list of guides in the area, and as was said before Capt Derrick is great, as is Capt Brandon who runs Everglades Bait and tackle. For boat rental check out Glades haven, they also have cabins available for rent there as well. Let us know when you are coming down and I am sure many will give you a better report of whats going on.....and there might be one or two tarpon around right now as well.:fishing

FishinMcNut

Yep- florida-guides.com is an excellent resource for professional captains.

charlemagne

Don't rent a boat at glades haven unless you want it breaking down on you! The cabins are fine, but not the boat rentals.. their kayaks are fine as well.. if you want good reliable boats.. go to everglades boat rentals. Just speaking from experience! And definitely get a guide, it will make your learning much easier!

Charles

draku007

After contacting over half a dozen guides (fly fishing guides only) the common theme was "booked for the next fest weeks". I couldn't wait any longer and decided to book a boat before it's too late. I'm renting a boat from glades heaven (already made the reservation) on Sunday 4/6.

Any tips on fishing the glads around glades heaven area would be highly appreciated.

charlemagne

If you have a cell phone, get Navionics! Seriously.. it can be a lifesaver back there on your first trip! Also, make sure they don't give you boat 7! I just checked the tides and it looks like that strange slow moving water that I had last time.. try fishing outer islands and stay near the channel markers.. and those glades haven boats do not draft too shallow.. so be careful even at high tide its easy to run aground there.. I almost did it several times my first trip out!

Charles

Turner River Terror

Soon as you go under the Choko. Bridge just go straight across to the other side.
Lot's of Osyter Bars there for Top water and Jigs.
Most of the Fish are on the outside right now cause the Snook are staging for Spawning and the White Bait has arrived on the Beaches.
Comer Key out front on a falling Tide is real good for Trout on the Flats. Fish the Flow on the Eastern side bout 5oo yards toward the North Mangroves. You'll go thru a Cut right as you get close to Comer . Start Drifts as soon as you swing thru and can see the Island.
It's just a Speck of an Island. No real Trees.
I got Married 30 years ago on it.

draku007

I have cell phone and downloaded Navionics app the free version. Do I need to purchase the charts as well (I think I do but double checking).
Does ATT have coverage there on the water?

Thanks for the help and I'll post a report in few days.

snookaffinity

No to ATT coverage

draku007

The trip was a blast even though no fish was caught. The wind picked up late morning making it almost impossible to cast and rocked the boat a lot on an open water. I also talked to a guide at the boat ramp and his clients and they didn't have any luck either.

As I mentioned before the trip was really cool and we enjoyed riding the boat and exploring the area. Highlight of the day ware dolphins swimming along our boat.

Navionics app was the best $10 spent. We would be so lost without it.

We had boat #1 and had no issues with it.

Thank you all and I'll be back there for some tarpon action soon.

dtobias

Sorry you didn't have any luck out there, but it really is a great place to fish. If you get to put in some time there, you'll find the fish. I need to trailer over there for a couple of days soon.

charlemagne

Thanks for reporting back.. and I'm glad you enjoyed your navionics.. that thing is a lifesaver! also.. good job in avoiding boat #7 lol

Charles