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DIY Adventure: Snook in the Everglades
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January 14, 2011
DIY Adventure: Snook in the Everglades
by Kirk Deeter
For those of you dreaming about fly fishing in warm places, before you shell out the big bucks to jet off to some exotic island lodge, here's a do-it-yourself adventure to consider. Try fishing for snook and baby tarpon in Everglades National Park. You can camp along the way but bring plenty of ice, skeeter spray, and pure water. I'd recommend going in the cooler months.
Kayak fishing is an amazing experience. My buddy Al Keller and I hooked up with Captain Charles Wright at Everglades Kayak Fishing, who dropped us off with two boats (and a big cooler) on an little key for several days. Exploring the labyrinth of mangrove-ringed bays was one of the best fly fishing adventures of my life. At one point, paddling across a muddy bay, I counted the fins of 25 sharks, a few of which swam up to check me out, but they bolted away with the splash of the paddle. It's a real, rugged, "out there" experience for sure.
And I happen to think snook are one of the coolest, perhaps under- appreciated, species that can be caught on a fly. They attack with gusto, and fight hard. There's definitely something special about seeing a long shadow on an oyster bar, or tucked under the mangrove roots...making a cast...stripping the fly...and watching that fish accelerate. Once you see that, life just isn't the same.
Anybody done this? Anyone interested?
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Comments (15)
Own three kayaks and am shopping for a fourth. Just last season caught everything from carp, muskie, bass and redfish from my yak.
My only saltwater adventure was while on vacation in Hilton Head last Spring. I dumped the yak into a swampy area just prior to high tide. The redfish were on the oyster bars catching crabs and such. I caught a lot of fish and not a soul in sight for a 1/2 mile any direction.
Nothing puts you on top of fish like a kayak.
Deeter, what did you guys think of the Native Ultimate kayaks?? I've been holding off on getting one for a year or so now and hoping to finally pull the trigger on it this Spring, but haven't actually gotten to test one out. What was your impression? Thanks.
I loved them. I would make sure you got in one, and found the right seat setup for you... makes all the difference in the world. Sounds silly, but if you're going to be spending hours in one, A) comfort is a real concern, and B) You need to have a functional casting/paddling system... the seat is the deciding factor. I loved how these boats tracked... super easy to keep on a straight course. Balance wise, I could stand in mine, but didn't really feel the need. They're also pretty quick. Lastly, they slip into skinny water... we had pretty good tides (3-foot) and if you weren't paying attention, you could find yourself sitting in the mud waiting for the water to come in...
I wish I had one of these kayaks myself.
I spent about 10 minutes sitting in the Hobie Yak with the mirage drive at ISE in Denver, as expensive as it is, it would be ideal for me to have that model to throw in the back of the truck and head out for small ponds and lake carp. I signed up for an on the water field test this spring to go and try one out.
otter,
Check out the Freedonhawk kayaks. I tried one on the water this summer and really liked it. Good for lakes and ponds but not so much for creeks and rivers. They have pontoons which give you the ability to stand and cast.
More food for thought. I enjoy my 10 footers. I just throw them in the back off the truck and I am off to anywhere. They slide through the jungles of thick swamps well also.
As for the DIY adventure, I've been plotting a few myself, time and money are the kicker when I try to execute them.
Anyone want to gift me a fishing kayak?
i'm in deeter. when are we going?
Kirk, were you fishing out of the 14.5 Ultimate? I'm looking for a crossover kayak for both fishing and duck hunting and that was one of the models I had my eye on.
Do you think that Ultimate would be stable enough for shallow water duck hunting?
Hi Chad. I was and I do... especially if you're looking for a boat that you're going to be getting in and out of. I wouldn't jump shoot from it... but for setting out blocks, pulling into the cattails, staying seated, or getting into a blind... great. And the dog would be fine in it. My 2 cents...
Cool. Thanks, I'll have to put it on the possibles list...
Looks like an awesome trip, Kirk. This is the kind of low-key, DIY, "go there and figure it out," type trips that make for great reading and inspiration.
Great info, thanks. I've been looking for one that can haul some gear on camping trips and hopefully even hunting trips too, so a lot of sit on tops seem problematic, and my current sit in has it's own limitations. But now you've got me thinking of the 14.5 too, rather than just the 12'...always a decision to make!
I went fly fishing In Marco island Florida for snook and it was awsome
Canadian Style Fishing!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l0Pp0GvAoI
Post a Comment
Own three kayaks and am shopping for a fourth. Just last season caught everything from carp, muskie, bass and redfish from my yak.
My only saltwater adventure was while on vacation in Hilton Head last Spring. I dumped the yak into a swampy area just prior to high tide. The redfish were on the oyster bars catching crabs and such. I caught a lot of fish and not a soul in sight for a 1/2 mile any direction.
Nothing puts you on top of fish like a kayak.
Anyone want to gift me a fishing kayak?
i'm in deeter. when are we going?
I went fly fishing In Marco island Florida for snook and it was awsome
Deeter, what did you guys think of the Native Ultimate kayaks?? I've been holding off on getting one for a year or so now and hoping to finally pull the trigger on it this Spring, but haven't actually gotten to test one out. What was your impression? Thanks.
I loved them. I would make sure you got in one, and found the right seat setup for you... makes all the difference in the world. Sounds silly, but if you're going to be spending hours in one, A) comfort is a real concern, and B) You need to have a functional casting/paddling system... the seat is the deciding factor. I loved how these boats tracked... super easy to keep on a straight course. Balance wise, I could stand in mine, but didn't really feel the need. They're also pretty quick. Lastly, they slip into skinny water... we had pretty good tides (3-foot) and if you weren't paying attention, you could find yourself sitting in the mud waiting for the water to come in...
I wish I had one of these kayaks myself.
I spent about 10 minutes sitting in the Hobie Yak with the mirage drive at ISE in Denver, as expensive as it is, it would be ideal for me to have that model to throw in the back of the truck and head out for small ponds and lake carp. I signed up for an on the water field test this spring to go and try one out.
otter,
Check out the Freedonhawk kayaks. I tried one on the water this summer and really liked it. Good for lakes and ponds but not so much for creeks and rivers. They have pontoons which give you the ability to stand and cast.
More food for thought. I enjoy my 10 footers. I just throw them in the back off the truck and I am off to anywhere. They slide through the jungles of thick swamps well also.
As for the DIY adventure, I've been plotting a few myself, time and money are the kicker when I try to execute them.
Kirk, were you fishing out of the 14.5 Ultimate? I'm looking for a crossover kayak for both fishing and duck hunting and that was one of the models I had my eye on.
Do you think that Ultimate would be stable enough for shallow water duck hunting?
Hi Chad. I was and I do... especially if you're looking for a boat that you're going to be getting in and out of. I wouldn't jump shoot from it... but for setting out blocks, pulling into the cattails, staying seated, or getting into a blind... great. And the dog would be fine in it. My 2 cents...
Cool. Thanks, I'll have to put it on the possibles list...
Looks like an awesome trip, Kirk. This is the kind of low-key, DIY, "go there and figure it out," type trips that make for great reading and inspiration.
Great info, thanks. I've been looking for one that can haul some gear on camping trips and hopefully even hunting trips too, so a lot of sit on tops seem problematic, and my current sit in has it's own limitations. But now you've got me thinking of the 14.5 too, rather than just the 12'...always a decision to make!
Canadian Style Fishing!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l0Pp0GvAoI
Post a Comment