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Paddle Fishing and Hiking Report

January 16, 2021 by · 1 Comment

Paddle Fishing and Hiking Report

Thank you for reading this Mosquito Lagoon paddle fishing and hiking report.

For the small audience that was interested in my Sienna van conversion, I have renewed that project, since the holidays are past. I posted a link about the start of the second phase (solar power installation) here-
https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/sienna-camper-van-conversion-phase-2-starts/

FISHING

I’ve had better weeks catching.

Monday- I went fly fishing by kayak on Mosquito Lagoon on Monday. I hoped the cold would have cleared the water. It did not. But it was low, 0.4 feet on the Haulover Canal gauge, so I could see a little.

I had three shots. Got the first fish, a red, on a brown slider, was ignored by the other two. Good thing the weather was awesome. Long day getting only three shots otherwise.

Thursday I took a five mile walk on the Florida Trail, from Barr St. to Snow Hill Road. Beautiful walking day, temperatures in the 50s. Trying to keep moving, so I can keep moving.

Friday I launched the kayak at River Breeze for the first time in almost a year, I had heard that the water was clean up there, and for the most part it was. There was no grass anywhere.

I paddled pretty hard, covering ground, looking for fish. I hit many of my favorite spots. I was thinking I’d be running another picture of Pepe le Pew in this post when, to my utter surprise, I got a bite while blind casting into a hole. It was a trout, close to 20 inches. A few minutes later I got another, smaller, one. I was spin fishing, using the 3″ shad.

Not huge, but it chased the skunk.

That was it for the day from a catching standpoint.

There was very little life in the water. I ran over a single redfish. Mullet were scarce. There were no crabs, no baitfish. All my favorite holes (with that one exception) were barren.

But the water was clean in most places I passed.

I passed a gentleman in a motorboat who told me the water temperature at that spot was 59F, the warmest he’d found that day. He hadn’t see much either. Now 59 is cold, but I’ve found and caught reds in colder water than that. I think that after six years of algae, no grass, etc, the food supply is mostly gone. No food, no fishies. Sad.

So it’s not an encouraging report, but that’s life and fishing in Florida in 2021.

Thank you for reading this Mosquito Lagoon paddle fishing and hiking report.

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2021. All rights are reserved.

 

Filed Under: Fishing News, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , ,

Christmas Report from Me to You

December 25, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Christmas Report from Me to You

Thank you for reading this Christmas Report. I trust and hope everyone is having a lovely and safe Christmas.

Blog post this week- Baggage- Confessions of a Globe-Trotting Hypochondriac, by Jeremy Leon Hance – A Review

This is an awesome book with my highest recommendation.

Monday– cold and windy, I stayed home. It was the solstice, a day I usually try to get out, too. In the evening we went out to see the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. It was cloudy.

My solstice fish.

Tuesday– went fishing by paddle at Mosquito Lagoon. Had shots at three fish, got one. The other two spooked off the slider. Then I got this from Dave Caprera-

“After three weeks of futile searching, I finally caught one. I also missed approximately 29 others. It was one of the best days I have ever had on the lagoon.

“It was ‘cold’ (48 degrees) and breezy (8-10) when I ventured out at 9am. I first stepped outside with shorts and a t-shirt, returned for a sweatshirt, went outside and returned again for a windbreaker. I wore them both all day.

“Two things were immediately apparent. The water was down about a foot from what it had been. Water level in the lagoon is not just tides but wind patterns. It had been unusually high and I would say it is back to normal. Because of the cold spell this past week, the water was so clear that you could see through the ice all the way to the bottom. The sky started out clear blue with some cirrus clouds as the morning progressed.

“I did the Cedar Island loop ending in the Roach Motel. I had been there twice previously with little success. Today there were fish everywhere. 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, 5’s and 8’s (What’s the next number in the series? What is the series called?) So, it raises an imponderable question, why?
1. They were always there. I just couldn’t see them in high dirty water.
2. The change in water level, clarity and temperature caused the fish to change location.
3. Christmas is coming and the fish wanted to be good little boys and girls so Santa will bring them presents.

“Clear visibility is a blessing and a curse. Fish were seeing me from 50 feet away. They wouldn’t blow out. They just would not eat. I had a number of follows and chases, I even saw one open its mouth, a couple of tugs, but trouble getting a hook set (size 4, laser sharpened.) I started with a Borski slider, went to a Kwan bunny, but caught my fish on a Chico’s snapping shrimp. My belief has been that pattern doesn’t matter much, it is about the presentation, but the snapping shrimp has a much smaller profile so it may have been about the size.

“The fish was 21 inches and among the smaller fish I saw.

“Happy holidays. Stay safe.” Amen to that. And David, thank you for writing most of my blog. 🙂

Two of the dozens of spoonbills we saw.

Wednesday– Took my bride to MINWR to see the wildlife along Black Point Drive. Same as last week- freaking spectacular! Saw four redfish in the ponds with the birds. They were near the “NO FISHING” signs.

A pair of reds, pushing.

Thursday– finished getting my little trolling motor ready for the Bang-O-Craft. Time to take her for a spin. I read Christmas eve that Leslie West had passed. Mississippi Queen! Life goes on for the rest of us.

Our Christmas cactus bloomed just in time!

Friday– MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you for reading this Christmas Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report · Tagged: , , , , , ,

MINWR Fishing and Hiking Report

December 18, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

MINWR Fishing and Hiking Report- with some Florida Trail, too

Thank you for reading this MINWR Fishing and Hiking Report! Tried to keep busy this week!

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

Monday– Worked on some mini-mags for my Magma Now account. If you’re looking for something to do while you’re at work, please visit my page at https://magmanow.com/@spottedtail/

Fish on the first cast, not often a good thing.

Tuesday– Took the kayak to Mosquito Lagoon. You know, I like to think I’m all 21st century and past superstitions, but when I catch a fish on the first cast I just feel kind of jinxed, ya know what I mean? Then I didn’t see another fish until mid-afternoon. Got one more bite, pooched it. Still tossing the slider. Note to self- make some more.

I’ve been getting my fish on these sliders. I’ve been pressing the barbs down before using them.

Wednesday– A front came through, mostly stayed home.

The woods were dark, and lovely.

Thursday– Went to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Visitor Center is closed, because of COVID I suspect. Fished with a spin rod along Gator Creek road for about an hour, did not touch one.

The resurrection ferns were happy because of Wednesday’s rain.

Went hiking on the Palm and Oak Hammock trails, on which I had never been. It was cold and overcast, so there were no bugs. The woods were lovely and dark. I saw an otter, but did not get a photo.

The maple leaves have changed colors and the trees are mostly bare.

Went hiking on the Scrub Ridge trail. Did not see much there.

Lots of birds on the Black Point Wildlife Drive!

Drove the Black Point Wildlife Drive. There were SO MANY birds there, just awesome. All kinds, even pink ones. Very worth going.

FT trail head.

Friday– Took a hike on the section of the Florida Trail from the Flagler Trail head on Snow Hill Road to Brumley Road. It was chilly and nice for hiking! Started about 0900, got home 1330. A lovely walk it was!

The trail looked great!

 

Got to cross this bridge.

 

Found some pitcher plants, in bloom no less.

Thank you for reading this MINWR Fishing and Hiking Report blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or walk on a trail!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Photo Essays · Tagged: , , , , , ,

Part Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Part Information

November 28, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Part Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Part Information

Thank you for reading this part Mosquito Lagoon fishing report, part information. I did not intend to post a blog this week, but surprised myself with my industriousness.

FISHING

Sunday I took my bride for lunch (Sunrise Bread Company) and a drive on Biolab Road. There were quite a few truck fishermen soaking shrimp there. They were all catching fish, black drum, trout, catfish. So there’s that. Not my cup of java, but if it works for you there are fish there.

Alfred Hitchcock would love this.

Tuesday I went kayak fishing with a fly rod in Mosquito Lagoon, in spite of high, dirty water and a fairly stiff wind. I figured it would be tough fishing. It was cool enough that I wore my chest waders, quite a delightful day actually.

Nice tail.

In six hours of hunting I saw a handful of fish. Managed two bites, both on the redfish worm, the last coming right before I left. I caught, photographed, and released that fish, and went home happy.

The release.

Information

Florida butterflies are in danger. The fluttering species that inspire wonder, pique curiosity and support our natural environment need protection. More than any other state on the east coast, Florida is home to 178 different species of native butterflies. Sadly, many of these species are imperiled, with some already now gone.

You can help! Click this link for more information on how!

The US Department of the Interior, which has crapped all over the country the last four years, has loosened up some money for Florida finally. Read about it here…

Have you ever seen an exploding whale? This is laugh-out-loud…

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OK, it’s black Friday weekend. Books make wonderful gifts! Here are a few suggestions!

Fishing Florida by Paddle– Sprinkling colorful history throughout, author John Kumiski highlights the state’s best paddle fishing destinations, both freshwater and saltwater, including the bass of Farm 13, the redfish and trout along the Big Bend Paddling Trail and the snook and tarpon of the Everglades. Learn the locales and what to do when you get there, including launch points, shuttles, rentals, tackle, techniques and more.

The Indian River Lagoon Chronicles- On December 1, 2013, five intrepid paddlers launched their vessels at JB’s Fish Camp in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Their destination? Jupiter, Florida, 160 miles distant. During their nineteen-day voyage of discovery they travel the length of the Indian River Lagoon, meeting birds, snails, manatees, and mangroves, dolphins, scientists, restaurateurs, and seagrasses, other paddlers, the ghost of Henry Flagler, and much more.

Into the tale of their journey is woven the forgotten history of the people who lived along the lagoon’s banks- Indians, soldiers, settlers, agriculturalists, fishermen, treasure hunters, entrepreneurs, dredgers and many others.

What They’re Saying About This Book-
“Found a copy of the Indian River chronicles…couldn’t put it down, well done sir…thank you!” -Steve Betts

“Wow! really enjoyed the read. You did a fantastic job of catching the spirit and adventure of the trip. I especially enjoyed the historical notes along the way. At the end I had tears in my eyes…” – Darryl “Bones” Benton

Pura Agua, by Rodney Smith- Smith’s passion for clean water, for a healthy planet, shines on every page, as does his love of surfing.

Proceeds from the book go to the Marine Resources Council of Central Florida and to Anglers for Conservation, making a purchase of Pura Agua a donation to two important, water-centric charities.

If you’re aware of your surroundings and you’ve been in Florida more than 10 years, you don’t need Pura Agua to tell you there are water quality problems here. For those who have been here five years or less, though, Pura Agua should be required reading.

Get a copy of Pura Agua. It just may change your life.

NOTE TO READER- I could not find a way to order this title today. When I get that information I will include it an another post.

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In my last post I asked that readers follow me on Instagram. I’m @spottedtailflyfish and would still appreciate it if you would follow me.

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As soon as this is posted I’m leaving for a week-long paddle-fly-fishing trip to Everglades National Park. Even with a cold front coming through, there should be a decent report next week.

I hope everyone had a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Thank you for reading this Part Fishing Report, Part information blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or paddle!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing News, Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Part Fishing Report, Part Update

November 21, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Part Fishing Report, Part Update

Thank you for reading this part fishing report, part update. I posted a blog last week but did not distribute it via Mailchimp. For those who missed it, the link is below.

Fishing– haven’t done much. I met Rodney Smith and Tammy Wilson at Titusville’s Sunrise Bread Company on Thursday. Tammy works on the All Waters Adventures charter boat out of Port Canaveral. She said all the port captains are calling this month “no fish November.” It’s been so rough they can’t get out of the port.

This cypress tree added a bit of autumnal color to my Econ River paddle.

Having said that, last week I paddled the Econ from SR 419 to Snow Hill Road. No fishing tackle was carried. The gauge was at 8.5 feet that day. The Florida Trail crosses the river by means of a footbridge about two-thirds of the way down the river. The water was so high I could not go under that bridge, and had to go around it. Weird, but there you go.

I had received a hot tip the bass were feeding in coves along the Econ, so Monday I launched the Bang-O-Craft at CS Lee and ran up the Econ to verify. Disclaimer- two or three weeks may have passed between receiving said information and acting on it. At any rate I enjoyed a beautiful day, but did not see nor touch any fish.

Thursday, after the above-mentioned bread company ron-day-voo, Rodney and I took a ride on Biolab Road. Mosquito Lagoon looked brown and terrible. A hard east wind had it all chopped up, too. There was a couple truck fishing, and as we passed them we could not help but notice they were measuring a fish. Naturally we stopped. It was a black drum. They told us they had caught ten, and before we drove off they hooked another one. They were just soaking shrimp. That’s my hot fishing tip this week.

Monarch butterfly.

We saw some birds, butterflies, and one obese alligator. We talked about how, at one point in time, you could drive the Biolab Road, see tailing reds from your car, park, wade out, and catch them with a fly rod. Looking at the water now even I have a hard time believing we used to do that.

Gulf fritillary butterfly.

In my last fishing report I asked that readers follow me on Instagram. I’m @spottedtailflyfish and would still appreciate it if you would follow me.

Head of obese alligator.

I just started using a new app called Magma, where I put together a short photo essay about fly fishing in the everglades. You can see that at https://magmanow.com

Body of same alligator.

The link to last week’s photo essay on the Orlando Wetlands Park is https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/orlando-wetlands-park/

My Mitzi Skiff, a 17 foot boat with a 60 HP Yamaha 4-stroke, is for sale. Asking $11.5 K. Lots of extras!!! Call me at 407.977.5207 if you’re interested.

No report next week. I’ll be preparing for a week-long paddle-fly-fishing trip to Everglades National Park.

I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Thank you for reading this Part Fishing Report, Part Update blog!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or paddle!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Fishing Stories, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report · Tagged: , ,

Another Not Much Fishing Report

September 18, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Another Not Much Fishing Report

Thank you for reading another not much Fishing Report. As I said last week, the subtitle of my blog is “Fishing and other bits of life.” This week the other bits of life again overwhelmed the fishing.

Why I did not fish out of Port Canaveral this week-

The waves have been kind of LARGE.

Why I did not fish the Econ this week-

I like the gauge reading 2.0 or less.

Why I only fished one day this week- cat to the vet, wife to the dentist, car to the shop, and getting ready for Saturday’s yard sale… 

Please feel free to stop by and say hello!

Did kayak fly fish on Tuesday, Mosquito Lagoon. The water was the highest I’ve seen it this year, with the gauge at 1.4. It has continued to rise all week and is currently close to 2.0. With the clouds, wind, and dirty water it was near impossible. I had only two shots in almost five hours, got one redfish. Leader was in the rod when the fish took the fly.

One good thing about the dirty water- they can’t see you, either.

But if you live in central Florida and have not been able to find time to fish, you’re not missing much.

Something to think about: if you fish the wrong fly long and hard enough, it will sooner or later become the right fly. – John Gierach

Life is great and I love my life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Uncategorized · Tagged: , ,

Not Much Fishing Report

September 12, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Not Much Fishing Report

Thank you for reading my not much Fishing Report. The subtitle of my blog is “Fishing and other bits of life.” This week the other bits of life kind of overwhelmed the fishing.

This has to be the internet article of the week- https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/the-health-benefits-of-farting/ar-BB18UyMu?li=BBnba9O

On the Tuck

The Featured Artist of the Week is local artist John Gilbert, who specializes in watercolors, gyotaku, and illustrations. His work is colorful, vibrant, and beautiful. Of course he’s an angler. Visit his website at https://www.johngilbertartist.com

Deep Creek

Sunday– Didn’t sleep well Saturday night. Visions of a big project involving a van kept me awake. My mind was fairly seething.

One thing that was painfully obvious to me was that before any big projects could happen I needed to be able to get at tools and materials that were buried under a year’s (at least!) accumulation of domestic detritus. Spent the morning cleaning the garage, then relaxed in the afternoon and watched the Red Sox.

Monday– no way am I going out in a boat on Labor Day. Got my sister to join me for an expedition to the landfill, where we chucked five cartons of unsold books as well as the back seats of the Sienna. See ya! Stopped by Mullet Lake Park on the way home. Yes, it was jammin’, cars, trucks, and boat trailers about a mile down Mullet Lake Park Road.

Took pictures of stuff I want to sell in the afternoon, put them on facebook. Some of the ads had instant gratification!

Tuesday– wanted to fish, but stayed home and sold a canoe. If you have a boat for three years and it hasn’t seen the water in that time, it’s time to get rid of it. I did. I now have one canoe left.

I also worked on the new bed for the van https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BlvZu7ZnWJszXVXKyM7uZX7eMM5FdzZ5/view.

Ripping boards- not as fun as fly fishing.

I’m using all repurposed materials in constructing the bed, so after ripping 2x8s and cutting everything to size, it was time for sanding. Hours of it. Piled the lumber neatly, cleaned up the mess, and took it easy all afternoon. Tied more flies. Can’t have enough flies!!!

The sleeping surface of the bed will be polycarbonate panels.

Wednesday– tried fly fishing from a kayak in the soup we call Mosquito Lagoon. We have a cat named Lulu. Lulu sheds a lot of fur. Once in a while I’ll take my fly brush and brush her. Then I take the collected hair and use it to make dubbed bodies. I tossed a Lulu fly at a tailing black drum and it ate the fly. BAM! I knew it would work, but am grateful it actually did. Many thanks to the kitty for its donation.

Black drum on the Lulu fly.

Thursday– had a long list of errands and things to do, tried to make a dent in it. The van was not ready to carry paddle vessels. I used 5200 adhesive to put a skid plate made from Seadek at the back edge of the roof, and then made and attached two tie down points that come out from under the hood. I’ll put the rack crossbar extenders on tomorrow.

Friday– if you’re going to make a camper, you’re going to need a bed. I spent all day Friday, quite a warm and humid day, working on that bed and perspiring. I do have the first iteration complete, though. Need to pull the seats out of the van and install the bed.

Saturday– Last week I cleaned the garage. Next Saturday we’re going to have a yard sale. So this Saturday was spent getting ready for that.

The wonderful thing about knowledge is that it is genuinely limitless. There is not even a theoretical possibility of exhausting the supply of ideas, discoveries, and inventions. – Matt Ridley, from The Rational Optimist

Life is great and I love my life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report · Tagged: , , , ,

Another E.C. FL Fishing Report

September 5, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Another E.C. FL Fishing Report

Thank you for reading my E.C. FL Fishing Report.

Monday– NOAA predicted 1-2 foot seas with an 11 second period. A bathtub! Reality proved the NOAA prediction incorrect, although the Mitzi was up to it. Launched at the port at 7 am. Right outside the port birds were everywhere, screaming and dipping. I did not see any fish, so I headed to the cape.

There were some small fish breaking there. I tossed a Krebs popper a few times and came up with a Florida-sized bluefish.

The wind was southwest so I stayed close to the beach. The water was dirty. There were big balls of glass minnows, and the only things bothering them were sharks and birds. Weird.

Casting a tan Clouser minnow around one of the balls, I got a small jack and then a nice pompano. Surprise!

This fish was a pleasant surprise.

Did not see any tunny or mackerel.

On the way back there was a school of menhaden in the bight. No fish that I could see. That was it for the day. The boat was on the trailer at noon. The skies opened up shortly after that.

Tuesday- non-fishing day to say the least. Had an early MRI, love those.

Afterwards I brought the chariot in for service. Sue and I have been talking about getting a minivan, the idea being we would turn it into a camper, then drive to San Francisco to visit Maxx and Catalina. My thought was I would see what they (AutoNation Toyota, Winter Park) had on the lot while I waited for my car to be serviced. Just checking out the scene.

They had a 2014 Sienna with 67,000 miles on it.

My car needed $1700 worth of work, but was worth $3000 as a trade-in.

I, to my own great surprise, drove the Sienna home. This is close to what we want to do with it-

Thursday I took the back seats out of the van, then had U-Haul install a trailer hitch and wiring.

Friday– went kayak fly fishing on the grossly dirty Mosquito Lagoon. Ran into Ed Wisecki at the boat ramp- Hi, Ed!

Found a rare trio of redfish, tails barely breaking the surface as they cruised. Doubt I could have seen them otherwise. Dropped a black Clouser Minnow in front of them- Score! Did not see much else. It was hot but otherwise quite lovely, at least until the skies opened.

I feel blessed to have found a fish like this in the soupy waters of Mosquito Lagoon.

There are many good fishermen and some great ones, but there is only one you. – Ernest Hemingway

Life is great and I love my apparent retirement!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: , , , ,

Another East Central Florida Fishing Report

August 29, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Another East Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading another east central Florida Fishing Report. Kind of fished around this week, and none too seriously at that.

Monday– in spite of 20 mph winds and 60 percent rain chance I went kayaking on Mosquito Lagoon. I saw exactly one redfish while wading, put the slider three feet in front of it. The fish crushed the fly and I got it. Unbelievable, with the dirty water and in that weather.

Tuesday– stayed home, tied some flies and listened to Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Mose Allison, and Jethro Tull. Good times.

I made a flock of faux fishies.

Wednesday– beach day with Susan. Brought a cheap rod and reel I found along the Econ, a sand spike, and some shrimp. When the wind is from the southeast you get the Miami mud and terrible fishing. My first bite didn’t take long, and it was memorable- with a double hook rig, two (at once!) hardhead cats. After releasing the sixth one I gave up. I just sat and watched the waves and the birds. Nice morning!

License tag of a car parked at the beach. But the Red Sox are terrible this year.

Thursday– Susan wanted to go for a boat ride, so we hooked the Mitzi up to the car and went to Mosquito Lagoon. Figured I may as well look for fish at the same time. HA! The joke was on me.

Susan takes her boat rides seriously.

The Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon are both in full algae bloom mode. The water is brown, opaque, disgusting, heart-breaking. We rode around for two hours. The best water I saw was green instead of brown. You certainly get a different perspective in the skiff versus the kayak. Every time the algae blooms (every summer for the past six or seven years) I wonder if the water will ever clear up again. One of these times it won’t, I fear.

Friday– joined Walt Sheppard for a Spruce Creek kayak trip. Armed with a six-weight, I sallied forth to do battle with whatever Leviathan I could find.

I missed my first four bites. Guess I wasn’t ready. The third, fourth, and fifth bites were a baby tarpon. The hook stuck in number five. I was able to leader the little guy before he hopped off. Fly was a small bucktail streamer.

John with a baby tarpon. File photo by Tammy Wilson.

I did not get another bite, but did have to drag my boat a ways. I followed a six-inch long mantis shrimp, which I apparently spooked, about 20 feet. Those things look like they would be mighty tasty. Very graceful, beautiful creatures they are.

A Poem

We, this people, on this small and drifting planet
Whose hands can strike with such abandon
That in a twinkling, life is sapped from the living
Yet those same hands can touch with such healing, irresistible tenderness
That the haughty neck is happy to bow
And the proud back is glad to bend
Out of such chaos, of such contradiction
We learn that we are neither devils nor divines
– Maya Angelou

Life is great and I love my apparent retirement!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

East Central Florida Fishing and more Report

August 22, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

East Central Florida Fishing and more Report

Thank you for reading this east central Florida Fishing and more Report. Only fished two days this week. 🙁

The More (most of it)
September is nine days away. The year is flying by!

There are two tropical storms churning out there. Both are supposed to hit the same spot on the Gulf coast. Someone’s gonna need some prayers and financial assistance….

Government Newspeak- announce a new initiative with no funding or personnel. Brilliant! https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2020/08/20/musings-on-florida-and-the-politics-of-pythons/

Cheryl Kumiski, the official sister of the Spotted Tail, is an artist working in glass. You can see her work, and maybe purchase some of it (unique and thoughtful gifts) at this link- https://www.etsy.com/shop/cherylkumiskiglass

Lion Cub in glass, by Cheryl Kumiski

The FISHING!
Monday Walt Sheppard joined me again for some action out of Port Canaveral. My goal was to get him some tunny on fly. We found the bluefish and Spanish mackerel first, then went looking for tunny.

At first they were no-shows. I kept looking, and they started showing. Walt got his first on a sting silver. The tip-top fell off his spin rod though, and rather than use mine he picked up his fly pole. Perfect!

It took us a few opportunities but we finally got close to a group of fish that kept breaking. Walt laid the fly into them and BAM!

 

Walt got this tunny with a glass minnow fly.

The process repeated itself a few minutes later.

Then Walt said to me, “You should get one.” So I did. By now the fish were going off pretty good, but it was noon, and it was hot. Walt said, “I’ve had enough,” so we loaded the boat and headed home.

Thanks for a great morning, Walt!

Tuesday‘s visit with the pulmonologist was less fun than Monday was.

Wednesday Susan and I went to the beach up at New Smyrna. The surf fishermen were catching a few whiting. The surfers were loving life.

Thursday I went kayak fly fishing on Mosquito Lagoon. The water was as high as I’ve seen it this year, 1.4 feet on the Haulover Canal gauge https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?02248380. It’s real dirty, too. It took a couple hours but I found a shallow area where I could kind of see the bottom. There were a few redfish there and I used a slider to catch a couple. It was more fun than the pulmonologist visit.

I (and the rest of humanity) will be happy and relieved when the pandemic is over.

Life is great and I love my apparent retirement!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,
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