Frequently Asked Questions- For Everyone
Q: Where is there food?
I generally get mine at Publix. They're all over Florida.
In Titusville, Bagel World on Garden Street makes killer sandwiches, opening most days at 5 AM. Allow at least 30 minutes for this stop.
Q: Where is the bathroom?
A: In Titusville, the last one is at Burger King. There are currently port-a-potties at Parrish Park and Haulover Canal. There are chemical toilets along the beach in the national seashore. Two of these are accessible by skiff. Other than that there are islands or a bucket in the skiff.
Q: What time do we start?
A: I prefer to start at sunrise most of the year. In the hot months I like to be on the fishing spot at first light.
I am pretty flexible on my start times, though.
Q: What is the best time of year?
A: There really isn't one. We have year-round fishing, the nature of which changes with the seasons. You could have a career day or get completely skunked on any day of the year, and this happens on back-to-back days.
Q: What should I bring?
A: I have all the tackle. You need to bring foul weather gear, sunblock, polarized sunglasses, a hat, and your own refreshments. Please dress for the actual weather, not for what you hope it will be. Do NOT trust the weather forecast.
Q: How many fish can we expect?
A: It's fishing, so I'm not sure you can expect anything. A beautiful day and good company are what it's about. The fish are a bonus, a gift from God. Some days we get 50 or 60. Other days we get none. Most of the time it's in between. A decent day for a fly fisher is about two dozen shots, with five fish boated. Spin fishers will usually convert more of their shots.
Q: Can we bring fish home?
A: I encourage catch and release. If your main interest is filling a cooler with fish, you should contact someone else. That having been said, as long as you stay within the law I don't have a problem with taking fish home to eat. I do not give my fish to my anglers; for example, the bag limit on redfish is one per person per day. Two anglers could keep two redfish. My fish is not included.
Q: Do I need a fishing license?
A: I have a license that covers the anglers in my boat, so if you are fishing from the skiff or are in the canoe with me you do not need a license. If you are kayak fishing then you do need a fishing license. Visit the link to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to obtain a license online.
Additionally, I have a use permit for the areas we fish as well as liability insurance.
Q: What is the law?
A: On redfish, the bag limit is one fish per person per day. The fish must be between 18 and 27 inches. If it's a judgment call I release them. On seatrout, it's a four fish bag limit with a slot between 15 and 20 inches. Unlike redfish, trout season closes in November and December. Also, while the law allows you to keep one fish over the slot as part of your bag, I encourage anglers to release oversize fish so they can pass those genes on! For more details, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
Q: What happens to my deposit if the weather is bad?
A: Bad weather days are the bane of existence for a fishing guide. First, I will not call a trip for a forecast. The weather man is wrong too often. If we get to the dock and it's not fishable, the angler makes the call. If we can't go the deposit is returned.
For Spin Fishermen
Q: I want to bring my own spinning tackle. What should I bring?
A: A 6 to 7 foot medium light action rod matched with a quality reel like the Shimano Stradic 3000 or 4000, loaded with new 10 pound test monofilament, or better yet 10 to 20 pound test Power Pro or Stren Super Braid. I supply all leaders and terminal tackle.
Plug fishermen should bring equivalent tackle. I don't supply plugging tackle.
For Fly Fishermen
Q: I want to bring my own fly tackle. What should I bring?
A: My standard answer to this is to bring a nine foot, eight weight rod with a matching floating, weight forward line. A seven- or a nine-weight will work as well. I usually recommend over-lining by one size, for example, an eight-weight line on a seven-weight rod.
Very good casters can use lighter tackle if desired, especially for slot sized reds and seatrout.
Q: How far do I have to cast?
A: My standard answer to this is 50 feet, but it's not that simple. Casting accuracy and especially speed of delivery are extremely important components of fly fishing success. Poor casters will have a difficult time catching our spooky redfish.
Q: I tie flies and want to bring a selection. What should I bring?
A: You want to be able to cover the entire water column (not much of a problem in two feet of water!) Some flies must have weedguards.
Clouser Deep Minnows, #4-1
Bendbacks, #4-1/0
“Minnow” patterns. Examples of this type of fly include deceivers, Enrico Puglisi’s flies, Polar Fiber Minnows, etc, sizes #1-3/0
Crabs (Merkin, for example) #4, 2
Seaducer, natural grizzly, weighted and unweighted, #4-1/0
The Bunny Booger, #2, 1
Rattle Rouser, for blind casting, #2
Dupre Spoonfly, especially for blind casting
Popper/Slider, especially for blind casting, #2
If you have a question I haven't addressed please feel free to contact me.
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