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Middle Keys Trip – May 2013
Just returned from our annual spring trip to the keys. As usual, we spent hours in the shallow water trying to convince tarpon to eat our flies. I’ve got an elevated respect for guys like Honson and Collin and the Florida guides and recreational anglers who are feeding these fish on a regular basis…this is not an easy game. We endured countless rejected shots from ocean swimmers, but it is worth the price of admission to watch them stream by the boat in clear water. Not to mention, I feel like we are learning a little more about these awesome fish with every failed attempt…which is really what it is all about. Fortunately, there’s always a tarpon around willing to eat an artificial lure or a live mullet at a bridge…allowing us visitors a chance to put some fish in the air before they make it up to the Carolinas. Looking forward to next time.
Weekend Round up, Tarpon from the boat, Tarpon from the Kayak, More Florida Sportsman Calendar Shoot.
After a day much needed rest and catching up on sleep the last two day was a a continuation of hectics scheduling.
Saturday I was up at 3am to make the drive down to Boca Grande. I was hired to shoot some action team photos for Team Reactor Watch. I was suppose to be there by 6am so I had to be driving by 4am.
The bite in the pass wasn’t great and the fish they hooked was eventually lost to shark. Sad but this time of year the big sharks in Boca are ravenous.
By noon I was back at the ramp as I had to be home to get cleaned up rest and off to another gig. This next gig was for a fellow fisherman Thomas Cope. He wanted to me to take reception event photos in Ozona Florida another 3 hours away in the “opposite direction” of Boca. After food and rest I was there by 6pm.
By 10am I was driving home and needed to be asleep. The next morning is another 3am wake up call. I had to load they Kayak and gear which took extra time. This trip was to fish for Tarpon in Kayak. The drive took me 1:30 minutes we were launching as the sun was coming up.
Though the conditions were slick calm, there were not much fish to be seen. Actually we saw nothing until almost 10am. The appeared but were not eating anything we had. The threadfins were thick and we even had crabs. They wanted nothing to do with it. We were done by 1pm… hungry and thirsty.
by 2pm on the drive back I was almost falling asleep on the wheel…it’s starting to catch up to me. As I type this, the alarm is set to 4am.. I have to get to sleep soon so I can get more than 4 hours of sleep tonight!
ps. More Florida Sportsman Calendar Shoot photos coming up soon. (you are welcome)
Permit, Tarpon, Florida Sportsman 2014 Calendar Shoots.
As you know I have been running the G.Loomis owner’s tournament series. There has been three of them so that has kept me pretty busy every weekend.
But what you don’t know (some might have guess) that I”m also shooting the 2014 Florida Sportsman Calendar. Normally this isn’t an issue. However what is an issue is the time frame. The shoot is due next week so I have been burning the candles getting all this to fit.
True to the Saltyshores style, I do not shoot fish that has been in the cooler. This makes it tough but having freshly caught fish equals much better quality images.
The coordination of time, people, fish, locations, weather has not been the easiest to deal with. We are getting it down however and it is looking very promising.
Hustling and hustling to get these things done has been the agenda the last two weeks. This allows for little time to do reviews, videos or even fish myself.
But not to neglect you guys any longer here are some images from the shoots.
I promise though, this will be the best Florida Sportsman Calendar ever 
Tarpon season in Boca Grande 2013: First trip with Robert McCue
Had the opportunity to ride on a charter today with Capt Robert McCue down in Boca Grande Florida.
If you do not know Boca Grande is consider by many to the Tarpon fishing capital of the world and for good reasons.Every year starting in May, Boca is the main stopping point for migrating giant tarpon. The get in the pass and feed on bait and crabs that is being flushed out by the strong summer tides.
Today was my first trip this year down in Boca Grande and also my first time on Robert’s boat. Robert has been tarpon fishing for over 20 years. He is consider a tarpon expert by man so needless to say, I was pretty confident he knew what he was doing.
Waking up at 3am and meeting at 5am was the only part that kind of, for lack of a better word.. “sucks”. Not this would normally be an issue, but this week, I had a lack of sleep nd was feeling a bit run down.
After picking his client, we got to the spot before the sun even came up and listen for rolling fish. It did not take long and pods of fish started to show up.
The bite was excellent in the morning and slowly tapered off. We were on the fish the entire time, but as you know, when they don’t eat they don’t eat.
The day ended about 11am when the client wanted to end the trip as they are fishing the next day as well. We ended the day with 6 eats, most were in the morning, and landed one.
It was a good trip with lots of fishing being seen and I capture some cool shots. With the low ratio of hooked fish opportunity for jumping shots were minimal however.
The jumping is very substandard but wanted to show them to you guys before I delete them. I will have to return soon to get better shots that is for sure.
Destin Cobia Fishing 2013
Seven hours, seven long drawn out hours it takes for me to make drive from Tampa to Destin. It’s an annual trip I make to chase the cobia migration. I’ve been doing it ever since I moved away over 20 years ago. When I was much younger I was obsessed with trying to win tournaments and catch records. I wanted to catch a fish so big my friends would tell me stories of it years later. I’d fish the waters from Panama City to Biloxi searching for fish. I would usually take a month off work and fish everyday on the boat if the weather permitted. If the seas were too big, I’d simply spend the day on the pier with the rest of the pier-a-sites. We’d stand long hours on the big rock dock tirelessly scanning the water in hopes of getting a shot at a passing fish. It was there I honed my skills of pinpoint accuracy casting a 3oz jig. The anglers with poor eyes, bad accuracy, or lame jig working ability, usually went home empty handed. The saying, a poor fisherman soon becomes a vegetarian, may have originated by someone fishing on a pier. Although it seems like cut throat fishing, I’ve always enjoyed it. It was easy on the body and I got to spend time with my friends, however nothing was better than hopping on a boat and searching the fish out.
Over the many years the tackle and baits have changed. I grew up fishing with custom built Fenwick 968 or KC 696 rods. Reels were typically the old Mitchell 302s or the Penn 706Z. Line was mono, usually 25 or 30lb test. Baits were some type of fin fish (pinfish, mullet, croaker etc) or a crab. Fast forward to the present and you’ll still see all the old tackle and baits still being used. However now, Van Staals and Zeebaas reels loaded with braid seem to more prevalent. Eels get imported to all the local marinas and tackle stores. They have made many a stubborn fish suddenly develop and appetite that lead to their demise. I like to think of them as cobia crack. Seems legit since each eel goes for about $5.
Now that I’ve gotten older and see more gray in my hair I’ve come to realize what I truly love about the sport. I love the anticipation of what each day brings on the water. I enjoy the time spent with my friends telling stories of our past, sharing our lives. I don’t think I ever get tired of Capt Bill telling me tales of the old south, similar to painting a mental picture that would rival characters in a Fannie Flag novel. Tales of people getting tied to fighting chairs and abandoned, or women who washed away their inhibitions with alcohol. Smuggling stowaways from Cuba or sinking sailboats in the Panama Canal. I love watching someone new to the sport catch their first cobia or even better yet their biggest ever. I love that even after all the fresh fish dinners and faded sunburns I still get to keep the memories of a great time spent with the ones I care about. It is for those reasons I continue to return home each year.
Near Shore fishing adventure with Jason Stock, April 2013
I have known Jason for a few years now. Back in the day he was guiding out of kayak and still does depending on the conditions.
These he fishes and guides out of Sarasota/Bradenton Florida area and added a nice bay boat to his JMSnooky guiding services.
Usually when Jason and I go out fishing it has been a pretty good day more times than not. Well with the exception of the “bayou” where we are cursed every time.
It has been a while since Jason and I got out on the water. The schedule just have not been working these past months but today it came together and I was there to meet him and his brother Jeremy at the ramp at 8am.
The day started off a bit slow no tide movement and iffy weather. I was hoping it would not be one of “those” days. We decided to do a little near shore fishing. To me near shore means 15 miles or less. In this range you can see land still.
This time of year(spring) the fishing can be excellent and today it was.
The day started off a bit slow but once the tide started to flow the bite turned on nicely.
We started to catch gags, sharks, king fish, cudas, a few permits. We ended the day with an excellent flounder bite and a cobia to top off an excellent day of fishing.
This time I actually got to fish so I actually have photos of me fishing. Yaaay! 
Results: G.Loomis Owner’s spin Tournament results Tampa Stop, April 27th 2013
April 27th
22 Anglers checked into the Gandy Boat ramp in Tampa, Florida at 6am. The picked up their id chip and were off to fish about 6:45 am.
The all artificial lure event targeted species for the photo release event was snook, redfish and trout. The teams are allow to use their top fish of each species.
At 3:30 pm they came back for the official weigh in at the
The weigh in location was sponsored by Hopkins Carter Marine and tackle supply.
at the
West Shore Yacht Club
First place finish:
Goes to the solo team of Kasey Arrowsmith fishing out of Hobie Kayak to take the win at the Tampa stop with a 72 3/4″ Slam.(solo kayak)
2nd Place team was won by Charles Statham and Rodney Nelson with a 69″ Slam (kayak team)
3rd Place team was team Snatch Master Made up of Mike Manning andJoseph Mann with 68 1/2″ slam
Raffles were given out for G.Loomis Schwag after the weigh in.
The next free entry G.Loomis tournament will be in Punta Gorda Florida on May 11 th, a Saturday.
http://www.facebook.com/GLoomisOwnersTournament
If you are interested in joining please sign up here. The entry is free as long as you are a G.Loomis rod owner.
http://saltyshores.com/wordpress/g-loomis-owners-tournament-registration-form/
First place: Kasey Arrowsmith
2nd place: Chuck Statham and Rodney Nelson
3rd Place: Mike Manning and Joseph Mann
Calcutta was team Breathe Like a fish once again for uploading the most photo to the facebook page.
Fishing for 2 hours at a time equals lots of fishing time, big snook, big redfish, big trout
Every time I come on there and post, I say things like: “I have not fished in a while, I’ve been busy.. “.
Well this time I am not going to say that. Even though I have been busy and I have not gone on any trips lately, I have been fishing quite a bit the last two weeks.
Since I live near the water, it is easy for me to go for a couple hours here and there, fitting the fishing in. Small two to three hour trips during optimal tide and conditions have been more productive than not.
For the most part for ease of prep, launching and cleaning it has been on the kayak.(Hobie Pro Angler 14)
The snook has been out and on the feed the last two weeks. I have heard tarpon are being caught as well as reds and big trout on the flats. Spring fishing in Tampa bay is here.
Here are the fish photos from the last two weeks.
Today I will be on a shoot but will be posting up the rules and details about the first G.Looms owner’s tournament in Sarasota April 21st this weekend.
This snook was caught last night on zara spook top water after I saw them busing a pod of mullet at sun set.
The Gold Rush has been working for sunset fishing especially for snook.
Rat reds under the mangroves at high tides. Use a heavy jig head 1/4 oz to get to the bottom. Casting skill is a must using arties on higher tides in Tampa.
Chuck with a fat tournament fish. I fish with Chuck and his buddies down in Sarasota for the Sticken’ Pigz tournament. No shortage of fish down there right now including some monster trouts being brought in.
Casting around one morning I hooked this 28″ redfish. That day the dark colors did not work they wanted the clear with silver glitter.
My personal best trout at 27″ same day as above .. silver glitter clear DOA cal.
Cheap jig head with a Logic Lure logix plastic
Good old shrimp!
Silver Fleck Logic Lure.. was the key in New Port Ritchey as we were “scouting” for a shoot later that week.
March/April Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report
If you can find a day that’s not windy or storming to get out and fish the Indian River or Mosquito Lagoon, then the fishing should be pretty good. Schools of redfish are still around and with the water temps warming up a bit, more singles should scatter the flats which I prefer to fish rather than large schools.
Lots of big sea trout are still lurking the sandy areas and have been taking well presented artificials and flies really well. I’ve been impressed with the numbers of big sea trout that I’ve seen this year.
Don Thomas – a well respected author, outdoor journalist, and photographer from Montana is a doing a piece on the Mosquito Lagoon for a couple fly fishing magazines. Here he displays a smaller fish that beat about 5 bigger fish to the fly, it was crazy watching them fight over it. His wife Lori took some great shots this day. To learn more about Don visit his site: www.donthomasbooks.com
Dale and Robb from Vero Beach, FL. had a fun day catching schooled up and tailing redfish along with some nice trout on D.O.A. shadtails.
Phil from Michigan had to deal with chilly Florida conditions the day after a cold front, fishing was a little tough in the morning, but once the sun heated things up a bit the bite turned on.
Matt and Bill from Oregon had an excellent day catching a bunch of redfish and trout on both fly and spin tackle. This was their first time ever fishing in saltwater.
Tony and Cori from Milwaukee had a fun half day on the Lagoon.
Martin from S. Carolina proudly shows off his biggest Sea Trout to date. A bunch of these came to the boat along with some mid slot redfish.
13 year old Marlin Wakeman and his dad Rufus from Jensen Beach, FL. joined me to try and get Marlin on his first sight casted redfish. Marlin got his wish and also got his biggest redfish to date.
Alissa from Tampa, FL. is now hooked on the Mosquito Lagoon, she has been having some great success sight casting to tailing and cruising redfish using D.O.A. Lures.
She also sight casted her biggest redfish to date using a D.O.A. Baitbuster, what a treat to watch this fish do a 180 on the lure and engulf it right in front of us.
same fish different view
…and something a little creative using Alissa’s eyes as the main subject.
-Capt. Willy Le
www.NativeFlyCharters.com
Easter Sunday fishing for Sheeps head, for a little change of pace today, first impression Fox Diablo 350 fishing reel.
This Easter Sunday I got out fishing with an old racquetball buddy of mine Todd. With the lack of tide movement today I wasn’t sure how the bite would be. I do know that the sheepshead has been plentiful and he wanted fish to bring home. I told him to stop to get some shrimp in case we run into some decent size sheepshead.
The first part of the morning with lack of water moving it was slow as I expected. We cased lures for about an hour and yielded a 21″ redfish for our efforts.
Besides the birds feeding on small bait and the occasional mullet jumping around there was not much sign of activities. I started looking in deep rocky area hoping to run to some spring snook and sheepheads. This move was a good one as we came across a lot of snook sunning themselves in this 80 degree weather Easter Sunday. Surround them were mullet, snappers and sheeps head. I power poled and re rigged to utilize the shrimp. We used 1/O hook with a split shot.
Immediately the first case got a inhaled by a snook and broken off. Then we landed a small snook. This commotion sent the rest of the snook hiding. This did not slow the snapper or the sheepshead down however. The bite lasted about 45 minutes then it was over. A lot of terminal tackle was lost to structure that 45 minute. At the end of the day, Todd got some fish to take home to the fiance and all was good.
Fox Diablo 350 spinning reel
New gear tested on this trip: Fox Diablo 350
My first time using the Fox Diablo Fishing reel. “The Diablo 350S has a gear ratio of 4.9:1 with a maximum drag setting of 20 lb and weighs only 13.2 oz.” At 13.2 oz which lean towards the heavier side compare to today’s reels in the same price range. However with 20lb drag that is quite nice. I did my best to to balance thing out a bit by putting it on a Shimano Cumura rod with a 20lb braid.
My first impression so far, is that it is solid and sturdy. With the weight, I would not want to cast artificial with it all day long during a tournament outing but for bait fishing or fishing where there is a not a demand on constant casting it should be fine. For a captain who’s gear gets used a abused this will work out great.
Now if you are a fan of the durable Penn SS series you will like the fact that these are design to be easy to service and durable.
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