Fly fishing basics

May 11, 2018

How does fly fishing work? It's really pretty simple. It's all about timing.Basically, it's a well-timed, back and forth motion of the fly rod that propels a tapered heavy fly line first backwards then forwards, carrying the fly along with it with it towards the target.In fly fishing, the heavy fly line is cast rather than the line being pulled from a spool with a heavy lure as in spin fishing.Besides the fly rod and reel, a few other items are needed to complete the outfit: a backing line, a fly line, a leader and fly.Since the fly line itself is only 90+ feet long, you'll need to ...

Having the right gear, rigs will help when hunting tarpon

May 4, 2018

Now that tarpon season is in full swing, common questions new anglers ask are "How do I rig for tarpon?" and "What size rod and reel, lines, hooks and leaders?"Rods and basic tackle. Where you pursue your silver king will determine your tackle selection. Will you be fishing just off the beach, the flats, in the passes or on the river at night around the many bridges? Are you a lure guy or live or dead bait fan, or a dedicated fly angler?Bridge fishing or heavy structure fishing for large and powerful fish like tarpon requires heavy tackle if you want a realistic shot at actually landing ...

Annual spring fishing fling under way

April 27, 2018

The spring fishing fling is on and deciding what species of fish to chase maybe the hardest choice you have.Tarpon are in the air, snook are at, or still heading to, the beaches and seemingly everywhere we fish including the Cape's canal systems where I've seen some nearly-thick-as-your-thigh jaw-droppers this past week but could not get the big bite.When beach walking, the early riser gets the bite. Any structure on the beach - wood rock or otherwise - are snook magnets during the summer spawn. A few white bucktails, a long rod with a good drag, bug spray and canteen and you're in ...

Tarpon time!

April 20, 2018

Here they come, bright silver chrome with many already here with more arriving daily to add to the existing population of resident tannin stained, golden hued, cold tolerant tarpon that are content staying here choosing not to migrate south each winter.Coming in from the Gulf heading north past Bonita Beach then Estero Island and Fort Myers Beach, a large group of tarpon prepares to enter San Carlos Bay but first must decide to continue their journey first west past Point Ybel, then north along the barrier island beaches or choose another path.The group splits, with many choosing the ...

Where there is food, there are predators

April 13, 2018

Recently, the Cape canals in my neck of the woods have been choked with clouds of baitfish and free jumping mullet, and where there is food there are predators looking to dine.With access to the water, I'll often spend time observing the activities of the marine creatures living in the canal system and often am amazed at the abundant life it hosts.Over the years I've learned to approach my seawall from the side where my body and shadow blend with a tall tree planted years ago. This past Wednes-day, I slipped into position just as the sun was breaking the trees and was treated to the ...

Practice your casting skills

April 6, 2018

My client had booked the trip several months ago and the date finally arrived. We had spoken several times over the phone concerning gear, tides and weather, even what to wear. I explained we would be casting open areas as well as sheltered creeks so knowing how to pitch, skip cast, flip and other bass techniques would be very important to the success of his trip.Arriving at the dock, my man was covered head to foot in the latest, brand new hi-tech fishing garb that not only promised to repel the harmful effects of the sun, defeat mosquitoes and laugh at no-see-ums plus, promised to keep ...