FISHING

2008 Halibut Adventure by DJ

Well all, I’m back in the blue waters of the KANO inlet nestled among the wooded rain forests of the Charlotte Islands. The skies today are steel gray with low clouds that swirl and hang over the islands trees like the smoke from a smoldering forest fire. The wind is low and the ocean is at peace. The waves remind me of a pond more so than the fierceness the north pacific in this area is so known for.

As our float plane arrives and water skies along the surface to the side of the HS Salmon Seeker, we all breath a sign of relief as we exit the small craft. The crossing over the Charlotte’s well timbered peaks is always an exciting ride. This time, we did it in heavy clouds and fog. Flying too low out here could mean an unplanned meeting with disaster.

Once upon the Seeker, which was an old Government Exploration ship converted into quaint yet compact state rooms and an equally compact galley, we quickly stowed our gear and collected our Mustang survival suits. Well worn by countless prior guests, these yellow waterproof outfits are a two piece setup with bibs under a hooded storm jacket. Made to protect you from the cold, wind and water, they really do their job. Once dressed for success we’re out to the boats.

Tarpon Fishing

I was able to do some fishing for a little while this evening with a friend Capt Danny Brown, His Dad is Capt Gregg Brown who both are guides in the Florida Keys and friends with Captain Tw. I went down this weekend to originally work on the house in Key Largo and figured I had a little time this evening to try my luck tarpon fishing. I have had plenty of success fishing with my friends Capt. t.w., country 6068 and keys angler on several game fish like snook,redfish and trout but never have I landed a tarpon yet and that all changed this evening. We got out to the fishing spot at about 6:00pm and drifted along side the bridge using small crabs and mullet for bait, we must of fished for at least an hour or two with no hits.
The tarpon i am told are more active very early morning and late evening i guess you would say like a whitetail there similar in there feeding times. The sun was hitting the horizon and you couldn't have asked for a better sunset, it was a beginning to a beautiful evening. About 8:30 pm the sun had gone down and I could hardly see my bober but the moon was full and lighting up the water it was very quiet and we were just sitting there enjoying the view, about this time i heard a fish explode like someone just threw a bolder off the bridge in the water Danny yelled out fish on i grabbed the rod set the hook as hard as i could and watched this monster come out of the water completely it was amazing to say the least.

The Thrill of the Airboat Ride

An old-fashioned airboat ride is one of the best ways to see the rivers and marshes of areas like the Florida Everglades – as scenic a place as you could ever hope to visit. Airboats are a long-established part of the scenery, and there’s nothing quite like hopping on to one to get a tour round the wildlife and scenery of these beautiful waterways. An airboat ride is a thrill for visitors of all ages. There’s no reason to sit on a boring barge when you can see the rivers and marshes from a genuine old-fashioned airboat. The distinctive shape of the big rear propeller is about as close as you get to a symbol of the Florida Everglades, short of the alligators themselves – and you don’t want to get too close to them! Visitors consistently say that taking a ride in an airboat was the most exciting and memorable part of their whole trip. The thrill of the airboat ride is how close you get to nature and the great outdoors, with the wind in your hair and the spray from the water adding to the experience.