Archive for October, 2009

   

No matter how you shake it, stealth is key for catching more fish.  While the methods of being stealthy vary for different types of fishing and different types of skiffs, the end result is the same… if you want to catch more fish, they simply can’t know you are there.  Every boat and every angler can be stealthy… Are you?  Here’s my take on how beginners can become more stealthy.

Sound

How far away can the fish hear you?  Good question.  I’m not sure anyone knows the answer.  When I don’t know, I prefer to err on the side of caution… no noise is the best policy.   If you plan to approach an area, turn off your outboard and approach quietly from a good distance away.   The amount of noise and the proximity to the fish often depends on the depth of water… if you’re offshore on a 100′ deep wreck, chances are the fish can’t hear you.  However, you don’t have that luxury inshore.  The shallower the water, the better they hear and sense your presence.  They can certainly hear sounds inside the boat, like the sound of a dropped hatch lid or cooler lid, or flip flops on the deck.  So, they will definitely hear even the slightest sound outside of the boat.  A perfect example is when fishing for Bonefish or Redfish in less than a foot of water, a heavy push with the pushpole in the grass makes a slight crunching sound the fish can hear from 30+ yards away.  Use this as your guide… if you can hear it, they can.  Make your skiff silent, make your approach silent and you will catch more fish.

Sight

How do you become invisible to the fish?  Well, it’s a difficult concept, but an easy answer…  Don’t let them see you!   If you can see them, they can see you.  If the sun is lighting you up, they can see you.  If the sun casts your shadow on them, they can see you.  If you’re right on top of them, they can see you.   So, how do you combat all of these odds against you?  First and foremost, be silent… don’t give the fish a reason to look for you.  Second, keep your distance as much as possible… optimize casting distance.  Plan your day such that you can keep the sun at your back, giving you a better chance at seeing them before they see you.  There are no holds barred when it comes to being stealthy… know the tide tables so you can be in the right place before the fish get there, know the suns direction of visibility so you can see them first and keep your distance.  Use every advantage afforded you and increase your odds instantly.

 

 

  

Stay tuned for part two of this subject… I will expand more on technical poling skiff stealth and the steps I take to give my guests the advantage over other surrounding anglers. 

 

With water levels back to normal and a healthy dose of good weather, the fishing in Flamingo has been off the charts… lots of Tarpon all sizes, schooling Redfish and hoards of sub slot Snook. Although we managed a few big Snook this week, most of the big girls know when the season is open. Stealth was our most valuable asset… with the fish just coming off a couple weeks of abnormally high water, they were still slightly on edge. I made minor adjustments like moving slower or stopping completely (working the flat in small stages). Many times, stopping the boat and simply paying attention to your surroundings will give you a better idea of which direction you should pole. Patient anglers caught the most fish this week.

Sam Root of Saltyshores.com pulled into my driveway at 4:45 am last Thursday morning with energy drink in hand and cases full of the coolest Video/camera equipment available… easily a 100 lbs of cockpit filling gadgets. We later picked up Capt. Steven Tejera (www.KnotTightCharters), our guest angler, in Florida City on the way to Flamingo. We were met with light winds and only a few competing boats… it was going to be a good day. We were welcomed at our first stop by a team of aggressive under slot Snook… our Rapala Skitterwalks didn’t stand a chance and Sam got some good video. We bumped into an aggressive school of Reds on the way to the next area and I was able to get my Snook beaten Skitterwalk in front of them before they left. We moved East to find Tarpon and as we came off plane, a large one pushed off, leaving a trail of mud and bubbles. After a few minutes, we saw another one and a minute later another one, soon we were surrounded. All were large, smart fish… they detected our presence with the slightest noise or push of water, but we were determined to get our fly in front of one. After a couple failed attempts, we made adjustments for a stealthier approach… and it paid off. We had three eats and a busted leader before we finally stuck one… and it was a good one! Over ninety minutes, a broken 9 wt. fly rod and a worn out angler later, we finally landed her… with 75″ from nose to tail and a 37″ girth, the formula says she was 128 pounds. She was Capt. Tejera’s largest on a 9 wt. and the biggest for my boat this year. Of course, Sam got some bad to the bone video and underwater shots… here’s a teaser video to wet your appetite.

Tarpon in shallow water by Saltyshores.com

And, here are some pictures he was willing to share. Thanks Sam!

BTW, that’s an Ashley Cornelious (Don’s Bait and Tackle) fly!

Nice work, Steven… helluva catch on a 9 wt.

I had a little free time during the fight, so here are my pics…

Sam doing what he does so well…

He has no fear… What gators, crocs or sharks?

Here are some pics from the rest of the week…

Lots of these guys around… Dash’s Rapala Twitchin’ Rap saw decent action from the Snook and Tarpon that morning.

Tom and Nelson with Nelson’s first flats Snook…

   

Coach Tom doing what does, like it was his job.

   

  

Ken’s first Tarpon… Reflection perfection

Serious hang time…

The new chickee just outside of Garfield Bite…

This group of misfits were trying to steal my spot…

 

THE tournament of tournaments, where all the top guides gather and all the top professional fisherman dream of competition… Ok, so I fibbed a little.  It’s not the top tournament and only a few pros visit.  But, it’s definitely my kind of get together, where the rules are subject to change based on the fun factor involved.  Points are deducted for seriousness and the underlying theme of friendship and camaraderie are the priority. 

This was my fifth year in attendance, although, it was very nearly not.  Thanks to good friends and the support of Maverick Boat Company, I made it down in a year where there are very few certainties.  I am blessed to have great friendships and relationships… cheers to good people.

We were treated with great weather and beautiful sunrises…

I was fortunate enough to spend a day on the water with a true South Florida Legend, an extremely accomplished tournament angler and the man responsible for the boats I love… Mr. Scott Deal.  It was truly a pleasure to hear him tell the story of Maverick’s inception and some great tournament tales.  We caught Snook and Redfish on fly along the way, but the company was way better than the fishing.

I was also able to spend a day with the face of Maverick Boat Company, a legend in his own right, Skip Lyshon.  A special thanks to Jeff May and Kenny King for the great pics & video.

Skip now understands all the hubbub about Flamingo Redfish… there is very little like watching an orange submarine push a 8″ wake at 5 knots tracking down your bait and then hearing the explosive strike.  I love all types of fish, but these Redfish are special to me.  I had a blast with Skip as well… it was great to spend some time with him.

Maverick HPX-T \”Moving out\”

I’m already looking forward to next year!  I may have a new skiff in the barn to show off by then… we’ll see!