New Flamingo Reports
Can't belive that there were over a hundred boats down at Flamingo, Fri, sat &Sun. Both houseboats gone from the Marina and yet no fishing reports. Whats going on? We had a great day on the water on Fri. Couldn*t have had a nicer day. The fishing was on the slow side. Trout, snapper, lady fish, shark and tons of catfish. Now, lets hear something. Capt. George the voice of experience
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I didn't think that they were still renting out house boats are they back and available?
You'd have to contact the marina store to find out since that's where the concession is run from... At present the marina store still isn't open - but I am seeing rental 'yaks and canoes - so that part of the operation is up and running. Don't have a clue about the houseboats but if they're not at the dock they may be getting sorted out after last fall's hurricane. Houseboats don't do well in high winds.... If you call the Visitor's Center (305) 242-7700, they may be able to provide a current number for the folks that run that concession. Good luck, and post up what you learn - there will be anglers paying attention since this is the time of year for houseboats in the backcountry...
We were there as well on Friday but had a frustrating day, fly-fishing tarpon... No bites, no joy - but we did find good numbers of fish in Whitewater and also out along the coast at Ponce... Only saw one skiff hooked up all day long (and there were quite a few working big fish with flies...). Two days later (Sunday) I was over on the 10K side of things and it was slow for us there as well (but that was probably the doofus poling the boat - me....). My next outings are scheduled for the night scene in Biscayne - hopefully the wind will lay down by then....
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
I was there on Sunday.
Caught a limit of nice trout and reds pitching live bait in creek mouths on the incoming tide. Ran the buoys looking for triple tail. Found one keeper but he wouldn't bite. Struck out looking for Mr. Snook in Whitewater Bay.
... and yet no fishing reports. Whats going on?
It probably has something to do with the new format. I noticed the number of fishing reports drop dramatically.
This past week was mostly the same except the Gulf was muddy and we didn’t find anything. Found trout in Whitewater though.
Over all the fishing is disappointing. I’m thinking the loss of the grass flats has taken its toll. Out front is a huge muddy mess. The back held in there but not as productive now. Anyone have ave any inside information from the NPS or the SFWMD?
Yes, the Florida Bay side is in trouble - but the interior is in really good shape comparatively. I was at Flamingo last Wednesday and Thursday and we were fly-fishing in poor conditions (understatement...). We did find a few big snook up shallow -mostly buy poling up onto fish we couldn't see... Results? poor- but all of that was the cold waters and muddy areas stirred up by the wind (Tarpon Bay up to the north had perfectly clear waters - but just cold..). On Saturday and Sunday I was over at Chokoloskee and we did pretty well - mostly because the weather had moderated and we were able to fish in warmer waters... My angler on Saturday caught a pair of nice reds - my youngest angler on Sunday was able to sight-cast at a school of black drum with a lure and hooked up with two good sized fish. Not bad at age 13 to take a 14 and a 16lb drum - all on his own.... That same day we found ourselves in large numbers of permit just a bit offshore - all of them finning out at the surface (no joy -but we didn't have any small lively crabs with us..).
I'll have a proper report late today with lots of pics - but like I said it was all about the weather this past week - and yes, it's been a strange year as far as weather goes... I don't think the fish know where to be with all the ups and downs of wind and temperature.... All of that will end as we get closer to April... I hope.
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
Thanks Capt. Lemay for the report. You have great knowledge of the area and certainly are accurate in your evaluation of what is going on. My last visit to Whitewater and the back country N and E of there and up to Tarpon Bay, Otter Creek indicated to me also that the water seems good, but cold. I had from 67 to 70. April should be much improved.
Flamingo backcountry chickees are open.
North backcountry chickees still closed.
Beach sites open.
Camped February at New Turkey. Beautiful, protected beach site.
Every night had a couple sail boats come in.
New moon w/ negative tides.
Found a few fish, mostly trout.
Gags, few snook, several of the usual suspects.
Didn't see a red for 3 days.
Fished front and back.
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
The grass die-offs have left huge areas bare with nothing to hold down the bottom sediment, so any type of chop stirs everything up suspending tons of sediment in the water column. That area will be in bad shape until the grass situation changes.
Hello Bob,
Yes I enjoy "hotel camping", but if it's just me paying, $500+
can go a long way towards other expenses if I pitch the tent.