Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} One week in Florida. Where would you go?

A couple spots for DIY fishing that aren't great but you might be able to catch fish

tarpon Bay (there is a place that rents kayaks there, you can't wade fish).  I caught specks and jacks and saw redfish but didn't catch any.

Ding Darling National wildlife refuge - Fish the culverts where there is moving water.  Bugs can be horrible so wear pants and longsleeves.

Cayo Costa state park.  This is by favorite place to fish in that area.  You need to take a water taxi but i have had great wade fishing there for a large variety of species.  Reds, Snook, jacks, bluefish and spanish mackeral are things i have caught there.

There is a flyshop (i think it is still open but not sure) on sanibel that can give you suggestions as well. 

On Friday, August 9, 2024 at 2:02:43 PM UTC-4 David Vazquez wrote:

From Sanibel you're only about 1-1.5 hours from the Tamiami Trail. Drive east toward Miami and pick spots that look good (bridges, creek mouths, canal intersections, etc.). All hold fish, especially that time of year. Keep an eye out for baby tarpon rolling or fish busting. On the menu: snook, tarpon, peacocks, Mayan cichlids, Oscars, jaguar guapote, bluegill, jacks, gar, largemouth, bowfin, etc. It's a super cool fishery that's accessible by foot. Don't hook a semi on your back cast. 

Fish small very sparse EPs (size 6-8) in white, gray/white, brown/white, black, purple, and chartreuse/white, small Clousers in the same colors with small bead chain eyes, deceivers, or whatever. I'd also have some larger (2-4) baby cichlid patterns and a couple of gurglers in purple, black, and white. The main forage are mosquito fish, but there will also be some bigger fish feeding on cichlids. Topwater stuff in the low light hours. 6-8 wt rods and floating line are all you need. 

Beach fishing will be hit/miss that time of year, but you can probably find something. Jacks, snook, ladyfish, pompano, and whiting will be your main targets. Standard clousers, deceivers, and EPs should work. A sand flea or shrimp pattern wouldn't be a bad thing to have either. Walk the beach until you see birds, baitfish, or both. Don't overlook the trough five feet from the beach. It often holds the most fish. 

On Fri, Aug 9, 2024 at 12:54 PM Chris James <cja...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey all, my wife and I are planning a trip to Florida in late November, Thanksgiving week. 

We're looking at places to stay on Sanibel and Ceder Key. We assume traffic will be a mess with the snowbirds. 

I'd like to be able to walk/bike to the beach for fishing. I'm packing an 8wt and a 10wt, haven't really dug into flies yet, figured I'd hit a shop in the area.

Any thoughts on location? Open to other areas if the boxes are checked. I will be doing a guided trip for one of the days so having that local would be ideal. 

Thanks!

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