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Official G Loomis NRX Flyrod Launch in South Florida.

 08.13.2010

Location: Flyshop of Miami

8243 South Dixie Highway
Miami, FL 33143
(305) 669-5851

Time:  8:00pm-9:00pm

Come join me at the official launch of the new G Loomis NRX line of flyrods at the Flyshop of Miami on August 13th.  There will be horderves and drinks served for this event.  It took many years for G Loomis to finally release a new fly rod.  From what I have heard, G Loomis has implimented the latest resins and highest modulus graphit into their new NRX series of fly rods.  The top shelf components blend together to make this the most sensitive and lightest weight fly rod G Loomis has ever produced.  Will the new NRX top the old GLX Classic series of rods in line feel, light weight, and sensitivity?  Will the NRX be more powerful of the G Loomis Crosscurrent series?  Come and find out for yourself.  Feel free to contact me or anybody at the Flyshop of Miami for further details.  We look forward to seeing you all there.

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I recently had the privalege of attending the 2010 DOA Lures Outdoor Writer’s Festival in Jensen Beach.  The accomodations were provided by the River Palms Fish Camp and Cottages, which proved to be an excellent location this is centralized amongst the great snook fishery that the St. Lucie River had to offer.  The many fine sponsers in this event ranged from top manufacturers in the industry from Minnkota to Shimano.  Minnkota had a chance to showcase their Talon shallow water anchoring system, which was pretty impressive in my opinion.  I like the fact that everything is contained into one unit and is able to be unplugged and removed when needed. 

We also  got to test out a bunch of latest gear that spinning Shimano had to offer.  I got to fish the new 3000 and 4000 size Stradic Ci4 spinning reels and I was extremely impressed.  I will likely be replacing my Stradic Fi reels and adding the new Ci4 series reels to my arsenal.  The 3000 and 4000 Ci4 Stradics feature carbon fiber reinforcements, a bigger spool (2500 and 3000 have same body, but 3000 had bigger spool), and different handle knob.  I also had the pleasure of being able to fish the latest Stella 1000 on an ultra light G Loomis Trout rod.  The combo was refined, smooth, and extremely light weight.  I have been asked on many occassions if Stellas are worth the high price tag.  My answer is “definitely.”  Stellas are the flagship reels in the lineup and the top of the line reel in the industry.  The refinement in finish and smooth operation scream out Lamborghini Murcielago.  Catching a 5lb snook on this mini outfit felt like pulling on a fish twice it’s size… definitely lots of fun for catching smaller fish and plenty of power to cast a light DOA Shrimp a country mile.  I was also told to keep an eye out for Shimano’s new line of clothing and accessories as they will be releaseing an entire apparel filled with technical fishing clothes, rain jackets, and even lures amongst other surprises.  Starting with the launch of G Loomis’s new NRX series of rods, Shimano’s Terez rods and Ci4 reels, there will be great things to anticipate coming from Shimano/G Loomis in the next couple of years.  The new Ci4 Stradics will be released this September, while the NRX Series of rods will be released August 13th. 

The fishing was only bested by the comraderie.  We had a fun two days on the water.  I was fortunately paired up with my good buddy Capt. Eric Davis of the Vero Backcountry.  Capt. Eric and I fished together earlier in this year’s Maverick Boats Vero Backcountry Fly tournament.  This warm summer day, we were joined by a represntative from Shimano.  Our morning started strong as I pulled the hook on a big snook first thing while throwing a DOA 5.5 BFL.  We kept the streak going as we started pulling out plenty of snook and a few other surprises from underneith the docks using the venerable DOA Glow shrimp and DOA CAL shad tails.  I don’t know what the highlight of the day was as we caught about 30 or so snook, rescued a pigeon that was entangled in monofilament under a bridge, hooked some freshwater gar, and pulled the hook on a huge largemouth bass.  Despite the windy conditions and dirty water, I think we pulled off pretty well.  Upon returning to the docks, those who fished for bigger snook were successful bouncing the bottom with DOA Terroreyz and Shrimp as there were quite a few 40 inch class snook caught.  We had some bad ass BBQ that evening and then followed it up with a short fishing trip the following day.  Upon leaving the event, I was already looking forward to next year’s.  Thank you to Mark Nichols, DOA Lures, Minnkota, Shimano, and the rest of the sponsors for making these events happen. 

New Minnkota Talon

New Stradic 3000Ci4

they do eat from behind sometimes

Operation Pigeon rescue

Flounder caught on Stradic 4000Ci4, Teramar Rod, and DOA CAL

Snookzilla

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As I hammer down paperwork and prepare some presentations for important corporate meetings this week, I thank God that I had the opportunity to make a 5 day trip up north this last week to take a short break from the madness ahead and relax on a short sabbatical.  The first leg of the trip brought me to meet with my buddies Capt. Will Le (Native Fly Charters) and Capt. Ron Wilter for a few days of redfishing in the Space Coast (Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, Indian River Lagoon).  Capt. Ron had a little local private fish camp that I was able to stay at named “the Wack”.  While on the water, we had some tough shots at many weary and emotionally distressed redfish but we were able to capitalize on feeding some of these Goonie redfish using custom tied redfish flies, Sebile Topwaters, and various DOA plastics.   I would have to say, if it weren’t for being able to throw a full clear Monic Fly line, some of the redfish I hooked would not have been possible.  Besides the great time I had on the water, time off the water was great as well as I got to experience a little of what a surfing community was all about and sample some of the fine cullianry delights the space coast had to offer… think Mango Mahi, fried soft shell crab, crab meat stuffed blackened grouper, Oak cHill chowder (gator tail, clam, and red chowder fixins), and some local Italian dining.  The Space Coast of FL from New Smyrna Beach to Cocoa Beach offers a great inshore fishery for redfish and trout.  I can’t wait to get back…

I almost had my fill on the first leg of my trip but there was more ahead.  I left “the wack” after a few days of redfishing and headed to the big snook central of FL near DOA Lures headquarters.  Stay tuned for more…

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According to several reliable sources, it is published that the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf has finally be capped off and the flow has gone from a small trickle to a complete stop this afternoon. The only thing left to hope for is that the cap will hold and final measures to completely seal off the leaking pipe will go through with success. Many lives in the northern Gulf coast have been impacted by the Oil spill that started April 20th. The recovery period will be along one but the road to recovery has begun with the end of the flow of oil. This is indeed a small light at the end of dark tunnel.

This is my first sigh of releif in the 85 strenuous days of watching the leak closely with just about every free second I had available. Luckily, the beaches and shorelines of my home waters in South Florida have not been impacted by this BP Oil Spill. Our waters are still pristine and full of life. With proper management and a movement towards a greener tomorrow, let’s hope we can avoid this same type of dissaster in the future.

From the Weather Channel:

BP: No Oil Leaking into Gulf from Busted Well
by The Associated Press , on Jul 15, 2010 4:00 pm ET

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A tightly fitted cap was successfully keeping oil from gushing into the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in three months, BP said Thursday. The victory – long awaited by weary residents along the coast – is the most significant milestone yet in BP’s effort to control one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Kent Wells, a BP PLC vice president, said at a news briefing that oil stopped flowing into the water at 2:25 p.m. CDT after engineers gradually dialed down the amount of crude escaping through the last of three valves in the 75-ton cap.

“I am very pleased that there’s no oil going into the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, I’m really excited there’s no oil going into the Gulf of Mexico,” Wells said.

The stoppage came 85 days, 16 hours and 25 minutes after the first report April 20 of an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that killed 11 workers and triggered the spill.

Now begins a waiting period to see if the cap can hold the oil without blowing a new leak in the well. Engineers will monitor pressure readings incrementally for up to 48 hours before reopening the cap while they decide what to do.

Though not a permanent fix, the solution has been the only one that has worked to stem the flow of oil since April. BP is drilling two relief wells so it can pump mud and cement into the leaking well in hopes of plugging it for good by mid-August.

BP has struggled to contain the spill and had so far been successful only in reducing the flow, not stopping it. The company removed an old, leaky cap and installed the new one Monday.

Between 93.5 million and 184.3 million have already spilled into the Gulf, according to federal estimates.

Source:

BP Oil Spill Stopped

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Well, after much thought I finally decided to let go of my 17 HPX-V.  This boat has brought me many memories and caught loads of fish.  As of a couple of years ago, I went and did a complete makeover on the boat rigging it for tarpon and bonefishing on the ocean.  This means it has been modified to run faster and drier then most other 17 HPX-Vs. This skiff is set up to handle big water, float shallow enough to conquer the demands of Flamingo, Biscayne Bay, and the Florida Keys, and display maximum agility while on the pole.  Set up to run with maximum bow lift, this skiff can run on it’s pad trimmed high with the tabs all the way up.  All service, installations, and modifications done by Shallow Water Customs and Erics Outboards.

2004 Maverick 17 HPX-V
-Yamaha F90
-Tournament Console with 3 plumbed wells
-2009 Ameritrail Trailer (loaded and set for dry launch)
-Powerwinch RC30 for trailer
-Garmin 545 GPS
-Wang Anchor Bracket with 5′ Wang Anchor
-Custom Toe rails by Shallow Water Customs
-All pumps recently replaced by Shallow Water Customs
-All brand new wiring and switches rigged by Shallow Water Customs on March 2010. 
-both brand new Lenco Trim Tab Actuators and trim tab switch
-Navman 2100 Fuel Scan meter
-Lowrance depth finder/water temp gauge (2.5 round gauge)
-Custom Sea Deck in cockpit, on front deck, and under rod gunnels
-New higher Capacity Aluminum Gas Tank installed by Maverick Boat Co.
-Powertech 3 blade 19 pitch PTR Prop

The entire hull is structurally perfect… no squeaks, no flex, no weak spots, nothing annoying to have to put up with.  Motor purrs like a kitten and runs great.  Trailer hubs never touched saltwater.

Asking $16,800.00

available for immediate sale

For serious inquiries, please email me at HonB3nzo@aol.com or call me at 786-298-1436.

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Tarpon and Bonefish are two of the most sought after species by fly fisherman from Biscayne Bay to Key West.  We hold a very special fishery here where we don’t have the fish that are easiest to catch, nor do we have the biggest population of either of the two species here, but what we have here in South Florida are some of the worlds biggest, toughest, and most challenging bonefish and tarpon.  As a guide in Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys, it always brings a smile to my face on days where I have seen my anglers from various experience levels conquer their firsts.  Because I don’t guide full time, I get to spend quite a bit of time on the bow as well on my off days and study and learn these fish from the angler’s point of view.  This aids in helping me coach the marksman on the tippy end of the skiff in delivering their presentation and finally sealing the deal. 

In recent weeks, I guided two incredible anglers to their first tarpon and bonefish on fly.  In the few recent days, I was able to accomplish the same again with another two anglers, but this time, these two anglers were not locals.  My buddy Capt. Willy Le of Titusville caught his first big tarpon on fly on the bow of my Maverick Mirage.  In the days to follow, I then guided a Noweigian angler from London to both his biggest bonefish and his first tarpon on fly (before this day, he had only saltwater fished in Mexico).

It’s a great feeling to be the man on the watch tower when you have anglers who can listen and get it done… but then again, there is a part of me that would rather be on the pointy end of the skiff most of the time.  This is where guide becomes angler, fish becomes teacher, and fly tackle is put to it’s rounds.  All the coaching and directing I’ve done from the watch tower comes into question at this point.  This gives new definition to practicing what I preach…

My buddy Dr. Tony and his father joined me for a day of tarpon fishing recently in the upper Keys.  Tony’s dad brought the HD Video camera and was able to capture some great footage of lots of tarpon, lots of frustrating moments, and moments of victories.  Our afternoon of fishing was great as we threw at singles, pairs, and giant hoards of big tarpon travelling up and down the ocean side of the Keys.  We started off with lots of tough shots into a strong breeze at fish that were snuffing our presentation on every good shot.  A quick fly change and adjustment in presentation was key and I finally hooked a rather large tarpon throwing into one of the biggest strings of tarpon I had ever seen in my life.  The victory dance ended before it began as the silver beast leaped several times into the air while I was clearing the flyline and had the last loop of line wrap around my watch.  It was a quick death for my brand new monic fly line as the watch cut right through the fly line in one loud “SNAP”.   I made up for this the next round as I hooked and tamed one shortly afterwards.  Tony hooked another fish minutes later that made for Miami and never looked back.  We tried to chase but the fish was still ripping line off of Tony’s reel like as if we were sitting still.  I didn’t manage to shoot a bunch of photos but I did manage to shoot a couple shots.  Our main focus was on shooting video so stay tuned for some raw footage from this day.

Bonefishing isn’t the greatest this time of year as days are very warm and shots are limited to the cooler hours but knowing how to work with this can lead to some pretty good fishing.  It also helps when you are fishing with one of the world’s best bonefisherman (Tim Mahaffey).  Office work was a pretty slow week so my buddy Tim and I decided to take off for 4 hours during the middle of one day and do a little bonefishing in Biscayne Bay before having to return to our land locked duties.  In the short time we fished, we managed to catch 4 decent bonefish on fly, one of which was close to double digit status.  On this day, we fished with Monic full clear fly lines which gave us the edge when the water was ultra clear, winds were low, and the sun was high.  Fishing with full clear fly lines do take a little bit of getting used to, but because you now to read the fish in relation to where your fly landed, it does force you to become a better angler.

Days are getting longer and temperatures are getting warmer, but the fishing is as always… AS GOOD AS EVER!!  Stay tuned for more of the good stuff…

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I recently accepted an invite from Tom and Rich of Saltwater Experience to ride out on their camera boat and shoot some still images during the filming of a sunset Tarpon show.  Being an avid tarpon fly fisherman, bait fishing was something somewhat foreign to me but admitedly, watching a tarpon come up and crush a mullet struggling on the surface was a pretty cool sight.  I was caught off guard during several cool scenes that would have made for great photos but I guess other opportunities on the water will give me another chance to capture the particular image I seek.  Nonetheless, it was a good time hanging out and dinner that evening at Almas, located inside Hawks Cay Resort was absolutely stellar. 

Here are a few photos from the SWE shoot.

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I had only accomplished my first tarpon on fly back in 2006 and my first bonefish on fly shortly afterwards but the determination to continue pursuing these two fish have made them my 2 all time favorite flats species to target. 

I had a chance to be involved in this same type of acheivement with three truley dedicated anglers dedicated anglers in the last few days.  I was able to put Jason Sullivan on his first bonefish on fly, I put Jeremy on his first bonefish, I caught the first big tarpon on Jeremys 18 HPX-V, and on the most recent outing; I guided Charles Foschini to his first big tarpon on fly.  I am struggling to tie enough flies to keep this fly box stocked with the right stuff but with the supply depleating faster then restocking, I may be putting a call to Peter Smith at SSFlies this week to place an order for a bunch of flies.

This is certainly the best time of year period as sight fishing just couldn’t be better.  Catching fish and keeping tallys only comes second to creating more memories on the water, but I am happy to realize that I have been lucky thus far and truley blessed to have caught tarpon on each dedicated tarpon outing this season, be it in the Keys, Pine Island, or Sarasota.  We’ve spent days on the water facing two opposite ends of the weather spectrum in the last few days from 25 to 30kt Northeasters to slick calm windless days when you are trying to pole the boat faster just to create enough of a breeze that is somewhat cooler then seemingly stagnant air that surrounds.   Each different condition dictates the path my HPX Mirage decides to travel and the different configuration of feathers the fish will eat (or not eat).  This skiff has seen conditions on 2 opposite spectrums from a nasty rolling ocean chop constantly breaking over the bow, to still backcountry basins, to sitting in line waiting for the giant strings of big tarpon to flow through for a shot… come these next couple of months, it will see many many more.

Flip = Game Over

It has certainly been an incredible Spring/Summer thus far.  Memorial day weekend is upon us and I will be in the Keys shooting photos on the camera boat with the Saltwater Experience crew and possibly sneaking out for a late afternoon of poonin.  There will be lots in stored for June and many different destinations… stay tuned for more of the good stuff…

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Key Largo Conch House

100211 Overseas Hwy

Key Largo, FL

305-453-4844

It is tough to find good seafood in the Florida Keys.  Why, you ask?  Because with so many seafood restaurants and so much access to fresh seafood, it is hard to chose a place to eat at.   

I recently made a second visit to the Key Largo Conch House (http://www.keylargocoffeehouse.com) with my buddy Jeremy after a long and tiring day of tarpon fishing.  The first time I ate there was impressive, but the second time absolutely blew me away.  The atmosphere is a casual “Keys’y” laid back type feel, but not the touristy sand and island feel that just about every other restaurant has; the Conch House had more of a locals place feel to it.  The Conch House is nestled admist a forest of trees, hidden and discreet.  Don’t let the bushy “shack in the middle of the woods” outlook fool you though.  What lies inside is some of the best food, cleanest presentation, and best service around in Key Largo.  You feel right at home, comfortable, and not overwhelmed with that touristy feel like in most other restaurants in the Keys. 

This is the place to be if you like a quality home cooked quality meal.  The Lobster and Conch Ceviche is a must order item on the menu.  This dish is prepared with the freshest ingredients and spiced just right.  It is a refreshing dish to start your meal after a long day of being out on the water.  Couple this dish with the fried cracked conch appetizer and you have the perfect yin and yang.  The cracked conch is lightly breaded and with herbs mixed into the light breading and fried to perfection, not too dry, but not soggy with grease, just perfect.  The Yellowtail fish tacos hit the spot just right for lunch.  I had the Yellowtail Florentine last time for dinner and was very impressed.  The presentation was great and the taste was second to none.  It was definitely the best yellowtail snapper dish I had ever had.   If you crave deserts, they have a selection of home made deserts that are different each day.  The home made Key Lime Pie was the best pie I had ever had.  It was not too tangy, nor too sweet… the texture was smooth and I actually finished an entire slice of Key Lime Pie for the first time in my life.  The Conch House also offers a large variety of different teas and coffee, which they are famous for.  Being Asian, I have had just about every type of tea imaginable and I will admit that the Conch House offers some of the most amazing iced tea.  I will definitely be back to try the different flavor tea and coffee they offer. 

Visit the restuarants website at www.keylargocoffeehouse.com or better yet; next time you are in Key Largo, get in your car and drive down to the Key Largo Conch House for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  I guarantee you will be impressed. 

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