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les becassines |
Fishing in South Florida |
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In a few weeks we will be going down around Ft. Myers. I have never been that far south on the west coast (after all, I've only lived in Florida forty-five
years) and I am looking for some fishing advise. I'd really like to catch a snook, permit, bonefish, mangrove snapper, or anything else that can be caught
there but we don't have in the gulf up here in the panhandle. I am not taking fly rods but instead will have a medium spinning rod and a medium heavy
baitcasting rod. The exact area where we will be is called Lovers Key if anyone is familiar with that area. I'd like to know what I can expect to find and
what ytou'd throw considering the rods that I will be able to take.
Skip |
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JM.fiberglassflyro... |
#1 | |||
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Skip, I get down to Ft. Myers several times a year with work and usually carry a rod or two. I can not give you any "local" advice but I will share
what works for me in that area. I never head that way without some essential "beach snook tackle" in my travel bag. Early mornings you can expect
to find Mr. Snook right in the surf. If your knee deep... the snook are behind you. (no kidding).
This is what works for me: 7' 6" Lamiglas S-glass spinning rod rated 3/4 to 2 1/4 oz, 10 to 20#. 3000 class reel loaded to the gills with 10# power pro with a 30# mono or floro leader. Im a plug guy for this fishing and my # uno, go to snook plug is a Rapala X-rap, SXR12 S, silver color. If I need to slow things down I'll change to a DOA shrimp on the same set up. If you move to the passes you might want to go with a "snook jig" like a red tail hawk, fished bumping the bottom. I however forgo the passes to sight cast cruising fish along the beach. I'm sure others can offer far better advice, but I hope this is a help. Cheers, jm |
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FLJohnny |
#2 | |||
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Skip,
I have no experience with salt water fishing. My own fault. I have fished the passes at Lovers Key several times although it was after dark with a spotlight and a gig. Snook and Redfish are not allowed but we took many Sheepshead and a mix of Spadefish, Flounder,Trout and Mullet. For a challenge we would try for Sand Brim. As far as I know Cap-N-Fly is still in Everglades City. I didn't do any hunting with Ned this past season and haven't heard from him for some time. It might be good for you to give him a call and talk snipe and fishing. http://www.sightfish.com/. I also have a good friend that fishes a lot out of Ft. Myers although I think they go a bit offshore. He is very knowledgable on the tackle and where issues. I can put you in contact with him if you would like. FLJohnny |
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les becassines |
#3 | |||
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I appreciate the advise. I will pick up a few lures between now and the time I leave. I think I am set except for needing a new spinning rod. Hopefully I will
find one I like at a price I'm willing to pay.
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JM.fiberglassflyro... |
#4 | |||
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Take a look at the Orvis Frequent Flyer rods if your in the market for a travel spinning rod. I recommend the 7' rod rated 3/4 - 2 oz. as a very good med.
saltwater spinner. A great Bonefish / Permit rod for the Keys when the wind is up. I've fished one all over Florida, Costa Rica and Nicaragua with no
complaints.
Cheers, jm |
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les becassines |
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JM, I was surprised by how few 7' 2-piece rods are out there. There are plenty from UL to med. action but not so may MH to hwavy. Unfortunately budget is
always an issue. The Orvis rod looks nice but I was hoping to get away a little cheaper. It is the same price as the 2-piece St. Croix Premier. I looked at a
Cabela's model that is on sale right now but I am not familiar with their rods. They have a 7', 2-piece rod rated for 10-20 line for $60. Either the
Orvis or the St. Croix will cost $140 unless one pops up on ebay in the next couple of weeks at a better price.
Cabela's Fish Eagle Rod |
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JM.fiberglassflyro... |
#6 | |||
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Skip, Some Cabelas rods in my opinion are great some not so great. A couple of years ago they offered a line of Trout spinning rods that were supereb.
Beautiful green im6 blanks, very nice hardware and even wood incerts in the reel seats. I liked them so much I ended up with every model they offered and even
managed another set for my wife. (wink) Those rods were discontinued and I very glad I have them. I love tiny stream Brookie fishing and for me most of that
fishing is pure UL spinning water. If you ever see one on ebay grab it for your next N.C. trip.
The only serious complaint I have had in the past with Cabelas rods is that on some models the guides are lower quality and simply will not hold up to salt or brackish water. That being said, if the rod your thinking about has fuji guides, go for it. You might also look at Steelhead rods. More likley to be multi peice rods. Two other rods you might look for on ebay are Wright & Mcgill essentials series rods, and Albright travel rods. Both are very well made and can often be had at a great price. Go to albrightflyfish.com and check them out. The web price on the Albright rods may be a little more than you want to pay but take a look. They are a very good bunch and there customer service is first rate. jm |
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irish snipe |
#7 | |||
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Hi Skip I bought a Shakespeare
Oberon Spin rod. This site does a travel version of it. I plan to use it on the mackeral that are due on the beach these next few weeks. It's a very
tidy rod for not much money.
Keith |
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les becassines |
#8 | |||
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Keith, I could not find that rod available on the American market. Shakespeare has made the Ugly Stik for a long time and that is the backbone of their market
here. It is a low modulus graphite/fiberglass composite rod that if nothing else has a reputation for durability. They also have an Ugly Stick Lite which to me
is a better feeling rod. It is lighter and more responsive. The standard Ugly Stik is a little heavy and the action too moderate or slow for my taste. I also
prefer the cork grip and foregrip on the Lite model over the foam on the standard model.
I ended up going with the rod from Cabela's. I stepped down to the medium heavy (rated for #8-#20 line) instead of the heavy model. I incorrectly listed it as being rated for #10-#20 line but it is in fact rated for #10-#25 line. The heavy rod is rated for 1/2-1 1/2 ounce lures while the medium heavy rod is rated for 3/8-1 ounce lures. I will be throwing lures in the 1/4-5/8 ounce range on this rod with most being at the lighter end of the range. I will also be taking a 2-piece St. Croix Premier casting rod and that is what I would throw anything weighing 1/2 ounce or more with anyway. Now I have to figure out what I want to use for a reel for the St. Croix. I got a couple of X Rap SXRs in silver and glass ghost, some glow in the dark DOA shrimp, 1/4 ounce bucktail jigs in both white and natural, and some Storm Wildeye Swim Shads in pearl and shad. Between that and the mirrolures, zara spooks, jigs, yo-zuri crystal minnows, and everything else already in my saltwater tackle box I think I have it covered. Skip |
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irish snipe |
#9 | |||
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Glad you got sorted Skip. I was having a look at what was available from Shakespeare for the U.S market and it is extremely limited. Then again I couldn't
find my own two piece model online either. The model I have has a cork grip. The one thing I have found with the shakespeare rods are that you do need to try
them as no two seem to have the same action.
Keith
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les becassines |
#10 | |||
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Here is a rod I really wanted. I have been watching the auction since it started but in the last day it has gone well past my budget.
Old Spinning Rod |
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irish snipe |
#11 | |||
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Yes, I can see your interest. I saw rods like that in the Orvis shop in NY and I really admired them then. Keith
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Snipe Shooter |
#12 | |||
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This is my fishing stick....it is considered a "light" stick compared to others.
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irish snipe |
#13 | |||
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SS no wonder the Koi are huddled in a group!!! :-)
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