I went for a long journey on the SUP with Alex and Dan. Started off with big laid up tarpon…then some shot at tailing permit. Big reds the whole way. Late evening the bones showed up. The weather was stellar and so was the fishing. The No-seeums were rough. I will be more prepared next time.
Wind, wind, wind. It come with the territory of Spring in South Florida. I know to accept it, but at this point but its still frustrating. Tons of nice fish to be had if you manage it out on the big water. I myself have been hiding in the bushes. Here are a few from the last week…
Every year about the beginning of March my mind starts to wonder from the shallows of South Florida. Despite the fantastic opportunities for permit and tarpon this time of year, all I can seem to think about is cobia! I basically learned to fish in the Florida Panhandle during my military days there, and every year since I moved away I have always returned for a week or two in April. Spring time in Destin is a magical time headlined by the annual migration of cobia or “ling” as they are referred to along the emerald coast waters. Every fishable day in March and April everyone from 12ft jon boats with a ladder tied to it to multi million dollar sport fishers head out the pass to patrol the beaches in search of cobia. Most days are filled with long boring stretches of nothing but staring at empty water with a few intense chinese fire drills throughout the day. I can’t really describe how exciting it is when you finally roll up on a nice fish or pair or better yet the elusive wads (4 or more) chugging along on top towards the West. This year was nothing short of awesome compared to recent years. As I type this there are deckhands cleaning and cooks preparing cobia captured from today. I had a fantastic time with old friends and the food we ate was incredible. The ultimate goal was to catch a nice cobia on fly this trip…I was only able to fly fish one day due to tournaments and weather. I had some great shots but just haven’t found the right fish at the right time yet. We did manage some really great fish including an 84 pounder that was caught aboard the Charter Boat Outta Line w/Capt Trey Windes. The fish ended up winning big fish in the Ling A Palooza tournament. We also had one of the best days in recent years aboard The Full Draw w/Capt Justin Destin. If you are ever in the panhandle and interested in a Charter these guys can do it all and are really great Captains. Thanks to all the great friends that helped make my trip a success. Until next year…
Cheers,
Tex
Jimmy Park w/84lber caught w/Capt Trey Windes on the Outta Line
I know…its old news now. But some of these memories are too good to forget. Just some more pics…Hootie Hoo said it best already.
Watch and learn about how bonefish use the tides and their senses to track down food.
- Tex
It’s been cold. I’m over it. Ready for Spring. Bahamas, Destin, cobia, tarpon, bonefish….it will get better. Stay tuned…
Guest Report by Hootie Hoo of our Bahamas trip last week. All photos by Jason Hawkins and Chris Lewis
I can’t do it justice….but here it goes. Vince, the godfather of SWC recently made the journey to the Keys to catch his first bonefish on fly. This was his only shot…one day, one chance to catch his first bone on fly before the big Bahamas trip. Luckily we had one of the finest guides in the Keys to make it happen, Captain Derek Rust aka Gentlebro. Vince has long been predicting that he would drive down and get it done on the first shot. The first 5 hours he stood watch on the tower…nothing. Then…just as predicted, a school of bones appeared. Without hesitation, Vince put out the perfect shot…fish on! Unbelievable…one day to get it done and in January of all months. Fish came to hand and we all celebrated! Minutes later Captain D took the bow…bonefish 12 o’clock…his one and only cast of the day resulted in a nice bone. More celebrating. Could we pull the trifecta??? The Godfather said it wouldn’t be a problem so of course it happened. Minutes later I took the bow…same story bonefish 12 o’clock…fish on! 3 for 3. Now we can go to the Bahamas…I will be standing side by side with the Godfather…no telling what will go down!
Winter…it’s been fun…it’s been real, but I’m ready for Spring. Enjoy.
~ Tex
