Florida Fishing Reports

July 17, 2007 - Night Snook - Trout Aplenty - Atmospheric Hippy Shots

People say that Florida is flat. This is because it is quite flat. However, when you take into account the massive thunderheads that form in the summer, you can get quite a range of visual topography. It rivals any mountain range in the world. I've been fishing and watching these massive storms boil on the horizon. It's amazing and constantly in flux.

The fishing has been status quo. Lots of snook at night. Lots of trout all day. Catfish, redifish, and ladyfish spread around the flats. It's hot by 10:00 am and you don't want to go back out there til' at least 6:00 pm unless it gets overcast. Nothing really amazing in terms of fishing, just nice steady action.

You hippies will be just pleased as punch about this report. It's more colorful than a tie-dye and has more nature and landscape shots than a Greenpeace brochure. So, tie back your dreadlocks, grab a handful of sprouts, throw on that Enya album and enjoy, dirtbag!

See? Every day it gets like this.


I've been watching these mangroves grow for like 10 years. It's not the fastest process, mangrove growth.


As you can see, I caught this redfish on a black and white clouser I tied myself. The pinnacle of angling achievement. I am awesome.


The anvil tops of thunderheads are from scraping against high winds as they expand upwards.


Hippy photography discussion: "Whoa." "Dude." "Whoa." "Dude." (repeat 10x)


I tried and tried to revive this fish. Finally, I just added it to my creel.


If you look closely you'll see the paragliders.


I like to fish lures until they're completely torn apart. A lure without a tail is just a shorter lure with less action. It's all about presentation!


This is a 280 lb. tarpon. I caught it with a purple and white deceiver I tied from my own hair. I used a fly rod I built out of bamboo. I grew the bamboo myself and watered it with tears. I spun the line out of lawn clippings and spider silk. This photo is actually a drawing so the fish would not be harmed in any way. I am such a tool.


Millions of these under the lights and out on the flats at night. I need to start bringing out a big rod with a circle hook. Ladyfish are incredible bait.


These were swarming through the lights and jumping in the boat from all over the place. I found one in my shirt pocket!


Artsy!


This snook was actually not under the lights but hanging out on a oyster bed in the dark.


Snappah!


Hippy shot 27411.


Hippy shot 27412.


Trout on strike king jerkbait with cloud reflection.


Oysters are sharp but quite tasty.


Abstract trippyness.


Nice cool blue sky. Ironically it's about 95 degrees out.


Ye ole' seatrout shot.


I love the fishing and weather in July. Amazing time to be anglin' in Sarasota.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

May 29 - Giant Trout - Sea Monsters - Hippy Shots - Night Snook

My buddy Randy from La Jolla was in town for the memorial day weekend and we managed to get in some fishing while he was here. I'd been chanting how much better the fishing is in Florida than in San Diego so the pressure was kind of on to put my friend into some fish or risk looking like a real idiot. We managed to catch a huge variety and number of fish which made me pretty happy. The species count while he was here included redfish, bluefish, snook, trout, ladyfish, lizardfish, mangrove snapper, and the wily sailcat. Randy totally outfished me but when you're guiding it's better to focus on your guest. In fact, some people claim that its HARDER to guide someone to fish than to actually catch fish. This must be the case because god knows I'm a much better fisherman than Randy. Report follows.

How's this trophy trout? The trout fishing was completely off the chain.


We were in fish right from the first cast which was a huge relief considering I'd mentioned how good the fishing would be like 400 times the night before.


You have to give this needlefish points for trying. How are the teeth on these things?


Sadly, at the end of the day, Randy was eaten by a huge lizardfish. That's what happens when you outfish the Hornetbear. Really bad stuff. Remember this at tournaments.


I styled this osprey with a hairdrier to get this shot. Notice how nice and poofy he looks.


I told randy this was a huge snook and to pose for a picture with it. Joke's on you buddy.


Action! Non Stop Action!


Pretty nice flounder! This flounder was lucky I didn't have a cooler or ice wih me. I think if you don't have ice to preserve the fish you're being a real putz by keeping it. keeping a dead fish on a stringer or cooking in the Florida sun is a great way to make them taste like crap. The secret to preserving fish is mix the ice with sea water. This makes a super cooled salt slurry which makes the fish preserve perfectly. Seriously. It's the best way to ice down a fish.


You just never know what you're gonna get out there...


Hippys love sunrises. They also love goofy hats. Therefore they love this photo.


Got out night fishing too. Didn't get anything huge but had some really big blowups. Actually, the night fishing was the toughest of all the  fishing we did. Night fishing is usually a total slam dunk but it was pretty tough going.


Another massive trophy fish for Randy. Well... He though it was.


Lots of mullet under the lights, too. Lights with lots of mullet don't seem to have that many snook.


Tons of bait everywhere but the snook just were not there yet. The tide was the last part of a incoming which just wasn't doing it. I think outgoing is better at night.


That was it for the fishing. I am going to say we pretty much scored. Super steady fishing and lots of variety. Now to dazzle you with some Jacques Costeau style stuff. read on!

the conditions were quite clear in this spot.


You hippys know you're all freaked out over this shot. You love it.


I felt pretty safe even though these were everywhere...


Sawfish! You never see those. What a tremendously skilled diver I am.


Jacks everywhere! What an incredible dive.


Whale Shark! Amazing! This is the dive of a lifetime!


Hey! What the hell are all these people doing standing around 50 feet under water? I've discovered Atlantis!

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

May 8 - Barracuda - Snook - Manatees - Trout

It's been a while since my last report. I've been in beautiful New York and San Diego for most of April. Went fishing in Mission Bay in San Diego and caught a sweet banded bay bass. She was about 13 inches long and freaking vicious. Like a 13 inch sea tiger, she was.

Anyhow, I'm back, and the trout fishing has been just wide open here in Sarasota. I've been using lures that were in goodie bags from tournaments and you know those things never work. I've STILL been able to catch tons of fish... When the free stuff is working you know the fishing is on. The fish have been mostly in about 4 feet of water usually with some mullet hanging out in shallower water nearby. Well. Lets get on with it.

Wow! Shocker. That's a barracuda! I never catch those. This one hit this Mann's Jerkbait about 2 feet away from the kayak. Theyre a strong fish. Some people like to eat these but I find them to be a little slimy and gamey.


A common sight in Sarasota these days.


I read that needlefish get so big in the South Pacific that people get speared by them when they jump out of the water. That would suck. That's why I wear Teflon body armor whenever I'm fishing. And a helmet. And blow a whistle continuously. Safety first!


People often talk about "matching the hatch" when fishing. This is directly counter to the funky chicken lure school of fishing which dictates "anger the fish with non-natural and annoying color." Here, the funky chicken school gets another vote. Or there was a hatch of hot pink and green minnows. I don't know but funky chickens sure work.


Ye ole funky chicken claims another victim.


Yet another trout falls for the ol' pink and green.


One nice thing about the state of Florida being on fire is the pretty sunrises...


Small pods of bait were all over the place. When the wind is calm you can really see what is going on. Also a hippy shot. Twofer!


I got into a HUGE group of manatees. I'd say there were 15 of them cruising around in a huge school of mullet. That's a lot of giant mammals to be next to in a kayak.


A manatee sneeze. They do this a lot. They also fart almost continuously. What you guys eating? Cabbage? Phew!


The heads are so little compared to the massive bodies. I noticed this when I was riding them around the bay like Aqua Man. I love riding manatees. Can't get enough of that.


This one was very good to eat. Ummm. Garlic manatee kabobs. Love em'.



This snook pulled me right into the mangroves with it. I caught it anyhow. You're going to have to do better than that to trick the Hornetbear, Mr. Snook.


This is a root beer colored 5 inch Manns Hardnose claiming a victim.


This is the first tailing redfish I've ever seen in Sarasota. They're really big, I guess.


It's pretty sad how beat up ALL the manatees I've ever seen in the wild are. Look at these prop scars. People need to stop running and gunning the flats and keep their 300hp bass boats in the fricking channel. It's just lame.


Thats it. Fishing is great.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

March 13 - Trouts - Red - Nature Shots out the Wazoo

Phew. the fishing has been a little tough in the greater Sarasota metro. Caught a bunch of trout, ladyfish and some other fish but it hasn't been the wide open free-for-all that I experienced the last few months. Ironically when the fishing is not that good the photography gets really good. There's something about not catching hundreds of fish that really makes you look for nice photos. Ying and yang, i guess. Anyhow I have some nice looking artsy shots and enough fishing shots to keep it somewhat about the fishing.

I find myself really looking for new kinds of fishing shots. Underwater. In action. etc. Thats where its at. keeping it fresh. I like to document the fish caught but leaving them in the water is probably more interesting, long term. Thankfully, a hippy shot will never go out of style. Shoot, at the end of the day most people like the hippy shots BETTER than the fishing shots. What a crazy world. Who thought people like sunsets better than a picture of a 14 inch trout. Weird. Well, here's the report

I consider Little Sarasota Bay to be sort of a Walden Pond with million dollar homes, power boats and jet skis.


Yow. Not even a bird or plant in that thing. Totally abstract weirdness.


I was fishing when the world started to melt. It was freaky. Fortunately I had my fishing ruler and took some measurements and got everything back to normal.


Better throw some fish pictures in... This is the wily sea trout putting up a fight.


I'm starting to realize that fishing isn't really about fish. It's about the experience. Fish are just a small part of the overall package.


Had to get the ruler out again for this one.


I like the upside down bird reflection in this photo. I also like ice cream and Snoop Dogg records. Snoop rocks.


I'm sure you're thinking, where are the fish? Well it's my post and I'll show a fish when I'm good and ready. Now, just sit back and enjoy this cormorant.


Now, enjoy this cormorant... again.


Ok. Ok. It's supposed to be about fishing. Here's another fish.


Umm. Well. There might be some really small minnow type fish in the water under this bird.


I call this picture "stick"


Gamefish! Pretty color on this one as well.


Don't Forget: Limit you catch. Wear sunscreen. Don't be a complete tool. Pick up trash.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

February 14 - Snook - Reds - Tons of Trout

Hola amigos. The fishing is great. I was in Washington DC, our capitol, where the fishing totally sucked.  I'm back and it's real nice again.

I've been getting out and enjoying some darn steady action. Trout, snook and even the elusive Sarasota redfish have made an appearance. The snook are in the canals and trout are in the deep potholes and redfish are kinda in-between those two places...

Anyhoooo... all I use is jerkbaits on a 1/8 leadhead. Spoon? Nope. Topwater? Nah. Texas rig, doa shrimp, live kitten? No, no, no. I've been just going with what works and its been killing it.

Just put a dab of peanut butter on your thumb to catch snook.


Ahh. The beautiful sea trout. These little guys are thick right now.


You catchy the reeedfeeesh then you don't. They are a wily breed.


This, friends, is a massive trophy lizardfish.



Small redfish are all over the bay these days.


This is the first pinfish I've caught in the last 2 years. Amazing. When I was growing up this is what I exclusively fished for.


Funky winter weather makes the clouds do this... Totally different than the thunderstorms of summer...


Catching fish from the dock rules. It's the minimalist in me. I call this photo "hobie, cat".


I think it's a little crazy to not touch the fish at all. Grab em' carefully but with authority. Get the hook out. release.
I love the XTOOLS unhooker. It's like a endoscopic surgery instrument for deep hooked fish.


The best hippy shots occur at sunset. Even a mostly cloudy one will fire up those crazy mothers...


When the fishing is really good you can catch em' on a bare jig.


Ahh. Canal fishin'. The fall leaves. The avian life. The grocery bags and plastic chairs caught in the trees.


Hornetbear's Anglin' Gear Corner: This little anchor is the best. It holds in all but a freakin' gale and you can knock it over the side with your elbow when you catch a fish drifting. I love it.


Hornetbear's Rigging Info: You cannot have a soft bait that spins around in the water. Make sure you drag it through the water at a good speed and watch the action of the lure. You want it to stand or wobble slightly when retrieved. If it's hooked badly it spins and just doesn't look like a fish swimming in the water column. Don't let your bait spin through the water. Fish like a natural presentation.


Fishing remains steady.

Note to Anglers Everywhere:
It's a fine line between knowledgeable fisherman and know it all jerk. Do the right thing. Be cool. Teach by example. Make friends.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

January 21, 2007 - Underwater Sea Trout Photos

The fishing remains quite strong around here. I have been fishing on bad tides, during howling winds and the fish have been everywhere, almost exclusively spotted trout.

All the top secret spots have been brimming with sea life.


as you can see, I've been mostly fly fishing with surface poppers.


Penn Reel Tribute Shot -- I guess these reels have been sold to Shakespeare -- I love the simplicity of these reels.


Hippy, bask in the tripped out glow of this shot...


You can see why fish flip around so much. Hunter S. Thompson fish eye view.


It's really hard to get a focused underwater shot.


Been fishing my buddy's Hobie kayak lately from his place. I think the boat is 12 feel long and has a very flat deck and low profile compared to my Tarpon 14. I like the handles that are built right into the kayak.


Trippy man.


One of those hippy/meat fisherman crossover shots.

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Jan 2, 2007 - Holiday Report - Big Trouts - Snook - Reds

If you have a dial up connection go and get some coffee now... and maybe a donut... and maybe read "War and Peace".

However, if you have a fast connection get ready for some pictures!

YO! Hippys! You're going to be pretty fired up on this report. There was a crapload of nature out there looking all beautiful and stuff...


Hmmmm. Perhaps a larger bait would be in order... The Barracuda were out there and they were pissed. I'd say a six footer hit this guy in about 18" of water. Yipes.


Look at the action on the surface! Call the discovery channel people!


Note teeth marks on this ladyfish. Lets go swimming! Fun!


Mr. Ladyfish, I suggest you swim as quickly as you can away from here. Really. I mean it. This is no place for a ladyfish today.


Hippy shot? Fishing Shot? Only the ladyfish knows for sure...


Hmmm. Does anyone smell incense?


It's peaceful on top of the water. Underneath its a totally different story.


Nature shot? A fishing shot? An abstract artsy shot? Or just the tail of another stupid trout?


No question here. This is a flag burnin' flashbackin' bare footed hacky sack kickin' tree huggin' hippy shot if I ever saw one.


There are so many trout and redfish around here right now.


These pelicans are huge. Why, just one fed my whole family for 2 weeks.


This photo probably makes you feel moody, pensive and yet strangely free. Or, it may make you feel like covering your french fries with your jacket. It just depends.


Hows the cormorant hovering in the background? What a lousy day this redfish is having. I hope my singing cheered him up.


This is not a good place to fish. No fish here. keep moving. next stop Ft. Meyers.


Sweet. Ansel Adams would totally dig this shot.


I call this shot "trout #74" for obvious reasons.


I call this shot "bob the 6 fingered monkeyfish" for less obvious reasons.


This was a 26" snook. I caught this fish 3 times and landed him the 3rd time. Same dock. Same bait. I'm almost sure of it.


This is how easy the fishing is here. You just reach in and grab them.


This fish exploded. It was pretty wierd.


Sweet hippy shot here. Even though this bird would claw your hippy eyes out given half a chance. Ospreys hate hippys.


Redfish and docks. Two great things that go great together.


This sweet trout measured 27". The big trout have been all over the place this winter.


Phew! That's it! The fishing has been just stupid lately. Get out there! Happy New Year!
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Dec 10, 2006 - Big Trout - Redfish - Wide Open Fishing

Fishing is amazing right now. Plain old awesome.

There has been just wide open trout, redfish, jacks, etc. Basically everything but the wily snook has made an appearance lately. Windy? Cold? Who cares!

I'm even getting a little paranoid about the backgrounds of my pictures because the fishing has been so hot. Is everyone catching fish like crazy?

Anyhoo, here's some pictures to check out. Enjoy!

Sweet trout pulled from the fishin' hole.


26" trout which is a little too big for the camera!


Strangely, Fish and Game did not come by. They were definitely checking boats...


This ladyfish is probably not having a great day based on present company...


Tons of redfish schooling...


Tons of trout.


Run for it! That cormorant is coming...


Jacks were up on the oyster beds.


Another sweet redfish.

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Dec 2 2006 - Reds - Snuke - Trout - Night Shots - Hippy Shots

Greetings anglers of the Atlantic, Gulf and some hangers-on from the Pacific! I am thoroughly bummed to report that some of the finest pictures I've ever taken in my favorite month (October) I ran over with the lawnmower. That's right. The camera was waterproof but was NOT lawnmowerproof. I will definitely seek out that feature in my next camera. I had thrown the camera up into the grass after a late night of dock light fishing and I atomized it the next morning. There were some hippy shots on that thing which would've made Jerry Garcia tear up. But, alas, that's how it goes.

I can now report my new camera purchase is the new Pentax OPTIO W20. It's 7 mind warping megapixels and I got 2 batteries for extended trips into the everglades or outer space or whatever. The grand total with a 1 GIG memory card was $320.00  -- I did not buy the warranty because my experience with the OLD Optio was so good and the camera itself had improved so much in 1 year that I felt that the warranty didn't equate to the improvements in the camera and it's resolution. If it breaks I'm screwed. That's the devil may care kind of person I am.

The pictures I had included these highlights:

1. HUGE jacks under a dock light. The jacks had pulled me so close to the light that the photo was a illuminated with the light from the dock light instead of the flash. It was some Ansel Adams photography I was layin' down.

2. Big Ol' SLOT snooks. Really. Lots.

3. Snook everywhere. Just plain old everywhere.

4. Snappers, lizardfish, hippy scenery aplenty and other aquatic bric-a-brac.

5. The Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot and Paris Hilton totally sober watching CNN at 2 in the morning. It was HOT!

Oh Well.

This brings me to the belated November installment of the report. I have been travelling all over the place which has, annoyingly, cut into my fishing. Las Vegas has no fish except at the Mandalay and the Mirage and there is no access there to speak of. I heard about an easement but security is quite tough there... I finally managed to get out a few days and shoot enough pictures to make a decent report. The weather has been cold and windy but the fishing has been strangely awesome. When the air temp gets under 70 I usually assume a total skunking but, amazingly, the fishing was really good. The howling winds, wildly low tides and freezing temperatures really piled up the fish into deep channels. The wind also creates a pretty predictable current which, if you're all zen tuned in, you can pretty much ESP the exact location of the fish. Lets get on with it.

This is a 20 inch trout. I was fishing next to some guide with some clients who were getting skunked. He was all tucked out of the current and just not where the fish were. So I staked my kayak out and started fan casting like a psychopath to mark my terrain. I was catching tons of redfish and trout right here. Nothing huge but steady action...


This is a release shot. These are good for several reasons. 1. It means you actually released the fish an didn't kill it during a 30 minute photo shoot. 2. You can't show the same fish over and over being released. You basically know this is the only shot like it. 3. You just never know what you're going to get. Sometimes a artsy underwater shot. sometimes just your hand. Unpredictable! Adventure!


One thing a photo does a pretty bad job of doing is showing how cold and windy it is. Suffice it to say it was quite cold and windy.


Night fishing is just so easy. You just cruise over to the light and get to catching. I can catch fish in an hour and be back by 9:30. Sweet.


Kind of a hitchcockian hippy shot right here. Sometimes you take a photo that's a little disquieting to the typical hippy. That's the breaks, dirty hippy. Live with it. It's not all sunshine and moonbeams out there.


Caught tons of small to mid sized redfish. Schools of them would chase the unlucky winner to the boat. Really. I couldn't buy a redfish this time last year. What a difference a year makes. I bet in 2 more years ther'll be tons of nice fish hanging out in Sarasota.


Note the oysters beneath this here redfish. Right after this I cut my thumb wide open on an oyster I caught. I pulled it in like you do when you catch the wily shellfish. I was briefly excited, then denial, anger, and finally acceptance. I grabbed it like a real dummy and started bleeding copiously. You should have seen the blood. Final destination III blood. Video game blood. I tried to keep fishing but it was just too gnarly.  I was all casual in grabbing it and I swear it was razor sharp. I don't carry much in the way of first aid (read: none) with me and I was a little concerned to tell the truth. So I applied some pressure a gingerly paddled back to shore.


We debated the virtues of polarized amber glasses for awhile then Mr. Redfish mentioned that he was choking to death so I let him go. But I still think amber is the best color. I don't care what that stupid redfish said.


Tons of these. Man, I wish you could see the pictures I lost. Imagine this fish but part dinosaur, part cougar and part rabid ferret... that's a jackcougferrasaur! very dangerous... Borat like...


HIPPY! Up and atem! That's a blurry feeding osprey shot!


Dock light trout. Simple. Beautiful. Like a haiku.


Is this a mangrove snapper? It looks a little different? If there's a snapperologist out there please reply...


I've switched to light Penn gear for all my anglin' needs. This picture captures all the fishing gear I use except for a 25lb bag of fertilizer and a stun gun and a thermos and a big dip net and a 3wt fly rod spooled with phone cord. that is all I need. really.


This is a picture of my beautiful leg. Too bad that small snook got in the way. Otherwise, I bet Tyra from Americas Next Top Model would send me an email. You know she's on all these fishing forums. She's into legs... She's just too busy to post. Tyra! I know you're reading this. It's Steve! Text me...


And that friends is it except one final aside...

My website http://www.hornetbear.com is getting ready to expand it's boundaries. As you may or may not know traditional fishing forums discard your wildly valuable fishing reports. Seriously. I know. that's crazy talk but it's TRUE! So, if you're into it I would like to archive all the good fishing reports (cubs, prowler13, Minnow, DaveR, Monkey, Slowride, Slingshot, Texas Anglers, Anyone who is funny, ET AL!) I'd like to have a rough location, season and other info to store the photos. I  prefer funny reports but if you're humorously challenged, I understand. Big fish are awesome. As are super hot chicks, hippy shots and people sinking their boats at the ramp. I want to store, with permission, great reports. It's the coolest thing about fishing forums (except arguing over idiotic ethics, politics, and bait preference which is really cool and super smart) Please PM me or email me at steveschadt@gmail.com. brothers and sisters, fish on.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

AUGUST 27 – JACKS – SNAPPERS – TROUT – SNOOK – FISH APLENTY

Have been fishing in the early morning and late evening and it’s been pretty darn good. As long as you avoid getting electrocuted by the massive thunderstorms there’s a grip of fish out there. I’ve tuned into some hot spots and have caught a whole array of sea life.   I even caught a black drum which I’d never even seen in my local waters prior to this encounter. From dock lights to aimless drifting, once you tune into where the fish are it’s non stop catching. Report forthcoming.

This is not actually a harbor in Maine like it says…In fact, it’s now a big pile of rubble in Sarasota…


They wily black drum. I’d never caught one of these before and was happy to add him to the species list. Now all I need is a whale shark, monkfish and a coelacanth and I can retire from fishing and move on to big game hunting in Africa. This probably will happen in September. That’s when the coelacanths are in the intercoastal…


The elusive Sarasota catfish. A rare and cagey breed highly desired by sportsmen around the globe. I bet you guys in Alaska are dying to come down here and catch some of these beauties. Beware! Their poison spines are second only to their laser vision and spitting venom in terms of anglin’ danger! Truly a fine catch. Accolades to me.


There are SO many trout around right now. They’re everywhere and up to about 18 inches.


Mangrove snappers are the finest eating fish in the sea, besides pompano and steak.


This lure really produced. It doesn’t have much “wiggle” but everything was chewing these up. I had to bite the top off to get the jig to sit in there properly which is pretty nasty but, hey, I’m fishing and therefore things that are normally unacceptably gross are suddenly ok. Like throwing a cast net full of 3 week old greenbacks. Like reaching your hand into a hot bag of gulps. Like running ladyfish slime through your hair and laughing like you’re insane and talking to the fish and… You DON’T do that? Oh. Ok. My bad. Anyhow…biting the tip off really does work.


I’m not sure why this heron was standing on one leg. Maybe he had worked out earlier and was sore. Perhaps some hippies can shed some light on this behavior… He stood there for quite awhile. Fricking goofball heron…


This heron is behaving in a more traditional manner. I really like this shot because its so peaceful. What you can’t see in this picture is the loud fart I’m about to crack. HA! Take that nature boy!


This is primo snook habitat! I’ve caught some really nice fish here.


Wide open jack fishing right now. The lure can barely touch the water before getting exploded on. That is a really fun kind of fishing. Jacks drag you all around the bay. I was fishing in front of a house throwing a cocktail party and you could tell that all the dudes were dying to get out there. It’s my favorite kind of fishing.


Jack at sunset. I was using the strike king jerkbaits in ivory. Those are the ultimate lures for catching tons of fish because they are indestructable. They never snap or lose a tail, they just get kind of fuzzy, which the fish really seem to like. I also think white is the best color, period, end of story, for all conditions. High visability but still looks like a fish, not some chernobyl refugee.


You can see the magic lure hanging out here


This is when the fishing gets really good. This is also about 25 minutes before they alert your next of kin how good the fishing must’ve been.


This is primo jack fishing, right here… Hippies also will have something to keep them busy. Everybody wins here.

 
Are you serious? This is one lucky fish.


So, this story needs to be told. I’m coming back after sunset and catching fish everywhere. I’m catching short snook after snook under the docklights and finally I get to the best docklight in history. I lightly cast out and finally hook a serious gill rattling big snook. We tussle and the hook pulls next to the boat. The lure flies by my ear and completely wraps itself around the other pole, and I mean completely. I’m having the best snook fishing in months and I’ve managed to incapaciate not one rod but both that I’d brought. I seriously had to cut both lines and start over. After I’d stopped crying and pouting I managed to catch a few more fish but the magic had passed. That’s how it’s done. You don’t want to catch em’ all. Conservation minded anglers know it’s important to tangle all your gear into a tight ball right when the fishing gets really good.

Ladyfish were running through the lights too. This is a pretty big ladyfish…


Here’s a snook. These were all over the place after sunset. I had to stay FAR out from the lights to avoid spooking them. It’s easy to ruin a good light by getting too close.


A final hippy shot for you, starbeam! Now go wash your feet. I mean it.

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

AUG 13 – SLAM – WIDE OPEN FISHING – REDS – SNOOK – TROUT

Hey dudes and dudettes. I’ve been night fishing and it’s been pretty amazing. The heat of the day dissipates and the fishing really turns on. Just plain old wide open fishing, non stop. Fish jumping in the boat, monster fish spooked in 8 inches of water, can’t stop catching ladyfish good. The tides have been ripping and when you get to the spots where there’s some flow, lookout. It’s pretty crazy, actually. You start out and the water is completely still. Paddle about a mile to a narrow spot in the intercoastal and…blam. Fish everywhere.

A quick note about dock lights. Dock lights here are tough to fish with lures. In my experience, these snook usually are fat and happy. A little glow in the dark piece of plastic is a hard sell. You’ll get some half hearted strikes but, really, the legend of just pulling snook after snook up from beneath the lights is just that, a fantasy. The reality is the little buggers are easy to spook and surrounded with perfect little shrimp to eat. Hucking and chumming white bait works, of course, but that’s really not very sporting. Chumming for snook is easy. If I ran a charter I'd do it all day long. Fat Jimmy Johnson from Newark needs to catch a fish... However, as a sportsman from Sarasota, I refrain.

I know the snook lights within a mile of my house well and, man, it’s hard work to pull a snook out. You basically get 1-3 chances to present your lures and then its pencils down, they’re on to you, move on.

Headed out at sunset… tide was medium, zipping out, heading to an extreme low @ midnight. Wind was out of the north/variable @ about 10 knots. I headed out and went straight to my spot where the tide moves the fastest. Hooked up right away and there was a ton of surface action. It was mostly ladyfish (I think) but I caught a potpourri of fishes and quickly rang up an inshore slam. The wind and the tide were balanced almost perfectly and I was able to just sit in the same spot without drifting or even changing position. I moved around from boil to boil catching fish everywhere. 

Well. Lets get to it.

Hippy! Front and center! This picture is crazier than that time you were camping in Oregon and found that driftwood that looked like Jerry Garcia riding on a giraffe! Check it out.


This is a hot spot for snook. Don’t paddle under it, though. I predict the whole thing will be just below sea level in about 2 months. A couple weeks ago it didn’t look like this. It’s so decrepit that I don’t like to get close to it. You can watch it slump more and cave in more every day. I’ll start taking pictures of it and we can have a marina collapse pool. I’m predicting hurricane Helene, Sept 25 takes her out. Place your bets!


Redfish! Caught a bunch of these up to about 20 inches. They were hitting right on the surface, shouldering the ladyfish out of the way. It was hard to catch big fish because there were so many small, angry fish.


Terpo! On the davits! You’re for real. Don’t forget your friends. You’d never get this photo because it’s your boat. I love that hull style.


Wouldn't be a fishing report without a catfish...


Mangrove snappers were freaking everywhere too. I caught one that had to be about 3 inches long. I should’ve kept them because there were so many. Cleaning fish at 1:30 AM in the dark with mosquitos is just not worth it.


Hey hippy! The compost pile is doing fine and your ladybugs seem to be controlling the aphids. Now look at this freaking photo! I know. I know. The channel marker is manmade. But otherwise it’s nice, right? Play your pan flute to indicate “yes.”


Mirrolure. I like this little lure. It’s a suspending one and though I like the auditory gratification of night fishing with a topwater, this one really catches fish. Same lure was catching snook under dock lights. Solid.


Hippy shots are where you find them. This ladyfish was crawling with hippy mojo.


Snook on a glow shrimp under a docklight. Imagine, if you will, about 20 slot fish all stacked up and Lil’ Dummy here goes for the lure. The big ones are wayyyy beyond this. That’s how they got big.


This is an awesome snook light. It’s amazing, really. Some lights only have mullet. Some are empty. Some are always teeming with snook. This one makes sense to me but many seem to have no rhyme or reason.


Redfish under the lights. This lure had no tail to speak of and still was catching fish. The puppetmaster doesn’t need no stinkin’ tails.


The ladyfish were everywhere and pretty big. I love catching fish. People say they would fish all day and only want to catch one fish if it's a good one. I disagree. I love steady action. Call me crazy.


Caught a bunch of these too. This was a pretty typical one. Had a couple big ones shake off next to the boat. Trouts have soft mouths. You can’t horse them.


Fun night fishing but I’m ready for fall. That’s the best time to be a fisherman in SW Florida or anywhere (besides Antartcia). Gets cooler and all the fish have been getting big all summer. Bring it on.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

JULY 4 REPORT - TROUT - BAIT - OPTICS - FISHING LITERATURE

Is it hot enough for you? Maybe throw on a sweater or a ski cap. That’ll definitely do it. However, fish really, really seem to like the sweltering saharan heat of the Florida summer. I’ve been catching fish at all sorts of weird times of day in the hot, hot, hot sun. Tide, wind and time non-withstanding, when you find the fish they’re there in spades. I haven’t really seen them under the mangroves or on the shallow flats; at least during the day. I think the really shallow water just heats up too much and it can’t hold any oxygen. Get into about 5 feet of water though and theres fish everywhere. It’s a free for all. Bait. Pinfish. Grunts. Clownfish. Penguins. Say goodbye to the tails of your lures because, well, theyre not gonna be there long. I’ve been reeling so fast I didn’t think anything could catch up except maybe a cheetah or a perigrine falcon. Trout, snapper and ladyfish have been rediculously, stupidly abundant. I straightened a hook on what was probably the biggest redfish in the world. Thing was probably 13 feet long and I think it had some kind of bionic laser jaw. Too bad I didn’t catch it cause’ that’d have been one sweet picture what with the world record redfish and the bionic parts and all... Life can be cruel that way. Report follows.

So… We’ll start off this report with a example of just how much bait is in the water.


It’s amazing you can even catch anything on a lure. I think sometimes they eat lures just because it’s different. Like ordering chicken at a steakhouse…


“Hey! Lets all go left for awhile! Then, we can go right. Then we’ll get eaten. Sound like a plan?”


Rainbow! You know you love it, Mr. Hippy. Take it in. Take it all in. Now go wash your feet.


This is really pretty right up until you get electrocuted. Sometimes, sitting in the middle of a giant bay with a 7 foot rod in your hand seems pretty darn stupid…


Trout are all over the place just itching to get caught. Theyre one of the best fish to eat. Waaaaaay better than a gamey ol’ redfish.


Everybody was enjoying the glass minnows.


Now this is a good fish to eat. I’ve been keping lots of fish lately for the smoker. Everything tastes good when its smoked. Sorry hippies. Fish have died.

   
This is my ultralight carbon fibre paddle I won in a tournament. I’m not that big a fan of ultralight paddles. Apologies to Bending Branches. I like the hat! Everybody who paddles boats says “oh I love that light paddle!” my experience has been that in a wind they blow all over the place. Theyre too light and are always trying to take wing. I kind of miss my unbreakable plastic Hobie paddle that stayed put. I don’t even think it’s that big a difference in terms of exertion. I mean that pulling the blade through water is the hard part… so what if it weighs 22 ounces or 48 ounces… I kind of like the heavy ones.


Everybody loves glass minnows. It must really suck at the bottom of the food chain…


So, I finally got really, really nice polarized glasses. Polarized glasses make a huge difference, epsecially when the sun is high in the sky. I got HABER sunglasses which are amazing. Theyre glass optics and coated on both sides. I like them better than Costas. They really change the way the flats look. I can see the contours of the flats now and sight fishing is totally different. It turns out there are LOTS of fish in the shallow water, Who knew?!  I’ve owned lots of polarized glasses and these are the best. Conversely, I just had a pair of Bill Dance polarized glasses and those mothers reeeeealllly suck. It’s like Bill Dance isn’t trying to put me on the fish like he said, and might be just trying to make a buck. Bill! Why you gotta play me like that? Polycarbonate polarized lenses just basically and completely suck. You might as well just look through shot glasses. Shoot. Go ahead and drink the shots first. But you gotta love that Bill Dance Fishing Bloopers video he does. That’s pretty funny so it’s ok to sell cheap sunglasses with your name on it. Why, I’d sell Hornetbear glasses and say they had x-ray polarization and shot lasers and made you smarter. So, I can hardly blame Bill. He’s pretty funny. But his glasses suck. Hard.

Wow! These really do work! Look at that definition of the flats and the oyster beds! I’m just a catfish but these are far and away the best polarized glasses I’ve ever worn. Now could you please return me to the water you sadistic monster?


Oh yeah... Pancho the catfish was right about these things. They really are the finest optics money can buy. Well I’m off to the smoker! See you on a Ritz cracker!


I love ladyfish. They’re beautiful and so fun to catch. Also fun to chop into bait! There are beautiful colors in this photo…


Textbook hippy shot.


RoboRedfish did this to my jig. Before you start with the “cheap jigs” line of discussion know this jig had caught literally hundreds of fish and had been bent back into shape a few times. My fault. Good gear is a good idea although really good gear never catches anything. It’s a fine line…


This is another aside and it’s a literary one. There is a rich and diverse history of writing devoted to fishing. Hemmingway. Steinbeck. Twain. There are many, many great writers that found parallels betwixt fishing and life. It’s all just a metaphor, really. With this in mind, have you guys ever seen the fly fishing blogs out there? I really, really wish I was into fly fishing because from a literary standpoint it’s heads and tails over spinning tackle. However it is critical to note that most of the heavily focused fly fishing prose is completely consumed with FRESHWATER fly fishing, where it really does present an advantage. Matching the hatch. Presenting a 1 milligram lure 50 feet away. Why, if  I lived next to a river in Montana I’d fly fish my brains out! These guys also argue like school girls over the ethics of catching a 6 inch brook trout! I said a 6 inch brook trout! It’s amazing but kind of compelling. The people who write the blogs are facinating and the writing is good and the fishing is pretty cool too. You need to check this out. It’s another world.

http://www.tatteredfly.com
http://www.troutunderground.com
http://moldychum.typepad.com/moldy_chum/
http://fishingjones.blogspot.com/

If I was flyfishing in Montana this would be a really big deal because it’s a spotted saltwater sea trout.


An intercostal runs through it. By H. Bear.


Sublime. Sublime. Sublime. Its an amazing ride, Hippies!


That’s it! Fin.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Last edited by Hornetbear on Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:47 am; edited 1 time in total

JUNE 14 – SLAMS – SUNRISES – STINKPOTS – SAILCATS – STORMS

Greetings fellow fishermen! Fishing has been good this last week with the possible exception of the tropical storm that blew over the palm tree in my front yard and dumped 4 inches of rain and fertilizer into my fishing spots. I do, however, believe that fresh water infusion will eventually really help the fishing. The water just gets too clear inshore when there’s no rain. Also, brackish water is what the inshore fish of SW Florida really dig. So, the fishing is going to turn on in a big way, If the wind ever stops howling. Report forthcoming.

To preface this report, is spans a couple days though I plan to describe it like it all happened in like 90 minutes which makes me look like a really gifted fisherman. Read on friends.

Tropical storms make for some nice sunrises...


Surface action aplenty.


The Angriest Fish In The World!


You really shouldn’t ever stake a kayak out and walk away. No matter what when you get back it’s always just barely hanging in there. I almost set my kayak free to roam across Tampa Bay in a 20 knot wind one time. 5 Miles from the launch. Mucho stupido. It does make a rather peaceful picture though. Right up until it drifts away…


Ha! That’s a great Groucho Marx impression! You’re one funny redfish. You have amused me so I shall let you live.


Now THAT is a freaking catfish! Look at the size of that mother. Also I’m teaching “Catfish Handling 101” at the community college.


This is a sweet, top secret fishing hole. Just walk in bare feet down the sidewalk, catching snook. Simple.


I call this picture “redfish” for obvious reasons


I call this picture “The American Revolution And You.” I’m quite insane.


This snook was like, “You better put me down and go check on your kayak, dummy.”  And I was like “You can talk?” And then there was this big flash of light and I smelled burning rasins and incense and then I woke up with all my clothes on inside out. It was wierd.


When I get some treasure I’m totally going to bury it here. Textbook spot.


Trout, do you think that cloud looks like rain? Answer me damn it! You trout are such know it alls...


Chartruse is the new white. It’s in all the magazines.


Tangs. Not the breakfast drink, the little fish.


Mango snappers. Not the breakfast drink, either


Juvenile Mango? Grunt? Racoon?


Hippy! Get the hell over here! This is just what you need to finish that windchime.


This is a sheepshead. Underwater. Hanging out with me. We’re buddies. Sup’ my sheep?


Managed to do a little stinkpottin’ with the terpenator too. We were going to go out and give a baitfishing for tarpon seminar but it was a little too stormy for the HMS Terrapin. So put some greenbacks into the deadwell and went out to slay the flora and fauna of venice. Fun!  This shot is of Terp manhandling a redfish from the bow. He eventually lost it next to the boat and was like “Well, I got the best part of the fish… the fight” and I was like “you suck and you lost it and it doesn’t count unless you boat it.” Good times.


I let Terp outfish me because it’s his boat and he’s super sensitive. That’s the only reason he caught fish and I didn’t. it’s definitely not a skill thing.


Another beautiful day fishing the peaceful wilderness of SW Florida. Fire up the outboard! Crack me a beer! Crank up the tunes!


That’s the report!
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Last edited by Hornetbear on Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:29 am; edited 1 time in total

MAY 6 - OLC TOURNAMENT - TRASHFISHPALOOZA!

Well. The tournament I was in didn’t go so well. Only four people actually caught fish in a brisk 30MPH wind. I was sitting out there thinking that tournaments really suck. I did, however, foul hook a sting ray so technically I was not skunked and would’ve survived another day on a deserted island. I also ended up winning 5th place overall because I had one good performance in the series. So that was cool. But otherwise sucked.

AHH. THE SUN RISES OVER I-275.


THE CURRENT WAS RIPPING THROUGH HERE ON THE WAY BACK.


A REALLY NICE PICTURE OF THE TROUT MAULER LURE EVERYONE HAD TO USE FOR THE TOURNAMENT


HIPPY SHOT OF SANDPIPERS IN BAY


I GUESS YOU COULD CALL THIS AN UNLUCKY HORSESHOE…


THIS WAS REALLY FUN TO UNHOOK.


MAKO WINS THE OLC!


HERES THE CARBON FIBER PADDLE I WON. I WOULD ESTIMATE ITS VALUE AT AROUND $35,000.


A big thanks to ERICK and Canoe Country Outfitters who put together this tournament. It’s a really good time.

So the rest of the week I’ve been on kind of a trash fish tear. I’ve been in them. I think the lizardfish national convention may be happening in my neighborhood. I’ve caught em’ all. That stingray set into motion a non stop assault of inedible and downright goofy looking fish. I took pictures of them, of course. I should buy an aquarium for some of the crap I’ve been catching!

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT FISHING – THE SCENERY


THIS PELICAN LOOKS PISSED.


I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MANY LIZARDFISH I’VE CAUGHT LATELY…


A FISH THIS STUPID HAD BETTER BE POISONOUS…


JACKS ON TOPWATERS ARE FUN. I WAS CATCHING THEM ON AN OYSTER BED IN ABOUT 8 INCHES OF WATER.


ALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS…


THE TROUT WERE AROUND TOO.


DON’T LEAVE GULPS ON THE HOOK OR THEY PETRIFY INTO LEATHER. I DON”T KNOW HOW TO GET THEM OFF. MAYBE SOAK EM. GROSS…


That’s the report! Nothing remarkable but there’s some fish. How often do you see a report with a sting ray, ladyfish, jack, pufferfish and lizardfish? Why, with a catfish that’s a double slam!
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“Any man, in the right situation, is capable of murder. But not any man is capable of being a good camper. So, murder and camping are not as similar as you might think.”
- Jack Handy

APR 26 - GOLIATH GROUPER - TROUT FREE FOR ALL - BAIT APLENTY

Hey dudes. The fishing has been good and I'm happy to say there is promising news for the forthcoming tarpon season.

I've been fishing my traditional haunts and it's interesting to note that fishing definitely comes in waves. You catch fish in a spot, then you don't. You catch trout, and then you don't. You catch ladyfish after ladyfish after ladyfish then, well, you don’t… See?! Ebb and flow.Ying and yang. Low tide and high tide in the great cosmic fishing continuum.

So, I’ve been in an ongoing “high tide” of trout fishing. I’m trying to catch snook. Do the snook care? Nooooo. They know the season is coming to a close. Just hang tough for 5 more days and you’ll be spawning your eyes out without anyone cooking you with garlic and butter. Well… Some people will still cook you with garlic and butter. But, they’d have done that when you were only 15 inches long. So it hardly counts. You’re always in season in the trailer park…

Did I mention the bait? It’s everywhere. Big crazed balls of it hanging out all over the intercoastal. I can’t believe the life I’m seeing. The bait looks happy like there are not that many predators around. I’ve still caught some fish but it’s not quite to the frenzy of summer…yet.

That brings me back to the fishing which has been really good. I haven’t ventured out into the gulf but I hear they’re enjoying good fishing out there as well. I’m so lazy. I fish the back yard. Report follows.

THIS IS A HUGE BALL OF GLASS MINNOWS. THEY’RE EVERYWHERE. IT’S A GOOD TIME TO BE A TERN.


THIS IS AN INTERESTING PICTURE…LOOK AT THE BIG FISH SWIMMING THRU THE LITTLE FISH… BAIT IS OUT THERE IN SPADES.


THIS IS 2 DAYS OF BOBBER HARVESTING. THEY’RE EVERYWHERE TOO. I JUST PADDLE AROUND PICKING THEM UP.


THIS IS A HIPPY BAIT PICTURE. IN THE UPPER LEFT YOU CAN SEE THE SILOUETTE OF THE GLASS MINNOWS. IT’S A TRIPPY PHOTO.


THIS IS A TROUT MAULER LURE… WELL… MAULIN’ TROUT!


I THOUGHT I’D CAUGHT MY BIGGEST LIZARDFISH LAST WEEK BUT THIS MOTHER WAS AT LEAST 11 INCHES. HOW BIG DO THEY GET?!


THIS IS ANOTHER TROUT.


CAUGHT A FEW OF THESE UNDER SOME DOCKS TOO. THIS IS A NICE PICTURE OF A SNAPPER.


HEY BUDDY. SEEN ANY SNOOK?


APRIL 29 IS THE DATE OF THE OLC TOURNAMENT THAT FEATURES THIS VERY LURE! THEY WORK! AMAZING! MUCH BETTER THAN A SPOON…


SAW MY FIRST TARPON OF THE SEASON. THREW THIS TO HER AND GOT THIS BLURRY BIGFOOT PHOTO BACK.


THREW MY LURE INTO ABOUT 8 INCHES OF WATER NEXT TO A DOCK AND CAUGHT THIS! EXOTIC! I”LL SEE YOU IN 15 YEARS…


That’s it. Fishing has been steady. Trout maulers rock. Big tournament this weekend at Weedon Island. Wish me luck! Fin.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“Any man, in the right situation, is capable of murder. But not any man is capable of being a good camper. So, murder and camping are not as similar as you might think.”
- Jack Handy

APR 13 - TROUT EVERYWHERE - GALE FORCE WINDS

Here is the secret to catching fish. That’s right. The one absolute certain way to slay all forms of sea life and dominate your local fishing area. Do not tell anyone. Also, do not go publishing this on the internet on some kind of public forum either… I mean it.

1. Buy the Newspaper.
2. Read the outdoor section VERY CAREFULLY.
3. Absorb everything.
4. Reread mission critical sections if you have to.
5. Commit it all to memory as you will have to call upon it whilst out angling.
6. Now go out and do the exact opposite. That’s right. I said it. Opposite day, every day.
7. If it says no trout, be sure to go trout fishing
8. If it says fish in the morning, the night is the ticket.
9. Turn the fishing graph upside down and use it that way.

The newspaper is trying to trick you and you must fight the urge to believe it. That’s the same newspaper that said, “2004 worst hurricane year ever!”  That is also the self same newspaper that said, “Real Estate Continues Mercurial Rise!” I mean, who would put all the best fishing spots in a public newspaper and sell it for 50 cents?! That’s almost as stupid as putting it on the internet for free! These articles are just meant to deceive the unwary angler. Consider the local “fishing report” debunked. I have spoken on the internet, under an alias, so you KNOW its true. Trust me. Report follows…

I read in the local fishwrap that the trout fishing had completely shut off and there wasn’t a trout ANYWHERE in Sarasota.

“Worst trout fishing in 20 years.” The headline read.  “Guides unable to locate spotted sea trout anywhere.” it proclaimed.

As a conspiracy theorist, I knew what this meant. The newspaper was, once again, trying to hide something. I immediately suspected that the trout fishing was turning on in a big way.

I grabbed all my ultralight gear and headed for the closest grass flat, stat.  I was rewarded with, of course, wide open trout fishing. They were everywhere. None were bigger than 22 inches but man they were thick. Every cast thick. I’m sick of catching sea trout thick. Somebody send a ladyfish over here thick. It was 6 year old nephew fishing easy.

RED TIDE KILLED EVERY TROUT IN THE WORLD EXCEPT THIS LUCKY SURVIVOR, APTLY NAMED “LUCKY THE TROUT”


I BET I CAUGHT 100 OF THESE IN 2.5 HOURS


IT WASN'T ALL TROUT FISHING THOUGH. EVEN THE WILY SAILCAT MADE A CAMEO...


I WENT THROUGH ALL MY WHITE LURES AND HAD TO SWITCH TO GREEN WHICH REALLY SLAYED THEM.


“IF YOU COULD READ, I’D SHOW YOU IN THE PAPER THAT YOURE REALLY NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE”


The WIND was cracking. Oh man. I am sick of all this wind. I’d go as far as to say that the wind blows. It was whipping across the bay making for quite a brisk drift. There were whitecaps and sea spray and generally sucking conditions. Good thing there were fish. I just went with it and would drift along various flats merrily catching sea trout. The worst part about the wind is if you can’t get a fish instantly unhooked you start to really lose position on the flats. I’m ready for the doldrums of summer. Bring it on.

LOOK! SPOTTED TARPON! THAT’S AMAZING!


TAKE A GANDER OF THIS FREAKING MONSTER. WHATS THE IGFA RECORD ON 30LB LEADER? I SHOULDA BROUGHT MY CERTIFIED SCALE…


HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE WINSLOW HOMER WATERCOLOR WITH THE BROOK TROUTS JUMPING? IF YOU AREN’T FAMILIAR WITH WINSLOW HOMER YOU SHOULD LOOK HIM UP. HES A REAL ANGLER’S ARTIST. THIS PICTURE IS KINDA LIKE THAT. THERE IS SOMETHING SYMBOLIC ABOUT A FISH IN THE SKY. AND ITS PRETTY DARN FUNNY, I THINK.


SEE? THIS IS FROM A SERIES OF REALLY SPECTACULAR FISHING PAINTINGS HE DID. HE VISITED FLORIDA AND THE BAHAMAS A LOT, YOU KNOW…


YOO HOO? MR. HIPPY? YOU OUT THERE? TAKE A LOOK AT THESE TRIPPED OUT CLOUDS, DUDE.


UH OH. HIPPIES LOVE TRIPPED OUT CLOUDS BUT HATE MUSCLE BOATS… DILEMMA!  DRUM IT OUT, BROTHER. DRUM IT OUT.


TRAGEDY! THIS JACK WAS HUGE. LIKE 35 INCHES. I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM… PROBABLY GOT FOUL HOOKED. OR DECIDED THAT, IN THE LIGHT OF RECIENT WORLD EVENTS AND THE INSTABILITY OF HIS AGGRESSIVE REAL ESTATE SPECULATION, LIFE JUST WASN’T WORTH LIVING ANYMORE. HARD TO SAY


OHHHHHH! THAT’S A NICE LOOKING LIZARDFISH. I REALLY, REALLY NEEDED THAT CERITIFIED SCALE TODAY…


LOOK AT THE TAIL OF THIS LURE. SHEEPSHEAD? PINFISH? BRITISH PERSON?


YOU WANT TO WEAR A SLIVER COLORED WATCH WHEN CATCHING TROUT BECAUSE THEY MATCH REALLY NICELY.


HEY! WE’RE TROUT FISHING OUT HERE. SPLIT, PUNK.


MANY SPECIES WERE CAUGHT. ALL WERE RELEASED. THIS ONE IS PRETTY TASTY THOUGH. NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO WITH JUST 1 MANGROVE SNAPPER. TABLE FOR .3 PLEASE!


NOTICE THAT THIS GUY DIDN’T EVEN CARE IF THE LURE HAD A TAIL OR NOT…


Man! The fishing was fun. Nothing really phenomenal in terms of fish but it was fun and steady fishing. What’s exciting about fishing is you just never know what you’re going to see next. That’s the cool part. It’s the thrill of the unknown. The fact that the big one might be just around the corner… Fin.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“I brought you a tuna sandwich. They say it's brain food. I guess because there's so much dolphin in it, and you know how smart they are.”
- Marge Simpson

APR 3 – SNOOKS – JACKS – LADYFISH – LEEZARDFEESH – TROUTS

You really can’t complain about the weather right now. It just doesn’t get much more perfect that this. Light winds. Beautiful cloudless days with crystal clear azure water. Basically picture perfect Florida weather. I, however, plan to complain about the fishing. It’s thin! I haven’t gotten skunked lately but it’s been darn close. As in “oh thank you god it’s a lizardfish” close.  As in, “Whew, I caught this one eyed ladyfish” close. Why, a person might start fishing with bait it’s been so tough out there! Well. It’s not that bad.  But…man… it’s been tough going. I did manage to angle some fish up from the depths. And I took some pictures to prove it. These pictures span a few days…Report follows…

THERE IS MY NEW STAKEOUT POLE WHICH I WON IN THE FALL FS TOURNAMENT! THAT IS ONE NICE LOOKING STAKEOUT POKE. MUCH BETTER THAN THE BROKEN DOWEL I WAS USING. THANKS CAPT. DICK.


THERE’S A NICE LITTLE FLATS BOAT CRUISING THE INTERCOSTAL. I BET GIRLS HAVE GONE WILD ON THAT BAD BOY.


SMALL SNOOK, WELCOME ABOARD! NOW, HOLD STILL AND…SMILE!


THIS TROUT REPRESENTS 1000 CASTS WITHOUT A NIBBLE. I GUESS THAT’S A MILITROUT IF YOU’RE USING THE METRIC SYSTEM…


IT WASN’T ALL BAD ABOARD THE HMS HORNETBEAR. THIS WAS A PRETTY NICE SNOOK, REALLY.


I CAUGHT THIS FREAKY LOOKING ONE EYED LADYFISH. I HOOKED HER IN THE LIP, TOO. I SAID TO THE FISH, “LUCKY FOR YOU, MODERN CATARACT SURGERY ALLOWS AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST TO REPLACE YOUR CLOUDY LENS WITH AN ARTIFICIAL LENS, THUS REGAINING VISION IN THE RIGHT EYE. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SAVE UP ABOUT 6500 DOLLARS OR GET DECENT LADYFISH HEALTH INSURANCE. I RECOMMEND A PPO PLAN IF YOUR WORKPLACE OFFERS IT.”


HERE’S A PRETTY STRONG ARGUMENT FOR SPENDING MORE THAN 14 DOLLARS ON FISHING RODS. I SWEAR THIS ONE CORRODED AND BROKE WHEN IT WAS EXPOSED TO THE NON AIR CONDITIONED ATMOSPHERE RIGHT OUTSIDE WAL-MART. IT’S A BERKELEY. BOOOOOO.


HERES A SHEEPSHEAD CARCASS THAT HAS BEEN KICKING IT UNDER MY DOCK FOR DAYS… I THOUGHT THE SHARKS WERE GOING TO EAT HIM?! I GUESS THEY WERE STUFFING THEMSELVES ON ALL THOSE CRYPTIC MORTALITY SNOOK…THAT I NEVER SEE… ANYWHERE…EVER…


HIPPIES REJOICE. IT’S A PRETTY FLOWER. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS NO FRAGRANCE. SO YOU’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO REEK OF BODY ODOR UNTIL YOU BATHE. THIS FLOWER CAN’T HELP YOU. SORRY.


ORNITHOLOGICAL FACT: THE COMMON NAME FOR THIS BIRD IS “BLUE-HEADED AFRICAN MONKEY CHICKEN.” REMEMBER THIS SO YOU CAN IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHEN YOU SEE ONE.


YOU GOTTA ADMIT THE COMMON LIZARDFISH IS A GUTSY LITTLE DUDE. THIS IS LIKE YOU OR I TRYING TO EAT A GERMAN SHEPARD WHOLE.


GOOD OLD RED HEAD AND WHITE BODY. IT’S A TIMELESS FISHING CLASSIC. LIKE HOOKING YOUR BUDDY WHEN YOURE DRUNK OR CATCHING A SNEAKER IN A CANAL.


MAN! CAN THOSE LADYFISH JUMP!


YOU’VE SEEN LOTS OF PICTURES OF HUGE SNOOK LATELY. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE PICTURES.


OH! SWEET! CATFISH! DOES THE FUN EVER START?


THIS JACK IS THINKING, “I REALLY, REALLY HATE THIS GUY.”


HERES A CLOSEUP OF THE WORMS THAT LIVE IN THE TAIL OF THE COMMON JACK AND MAKE THEM NOT SO DESIREABLE TO EAT…


AND YOU THOUGHT THE OTHER SNOOK WAS SMALL! GOOD THING THIS CAMERA HAS AN OPTICAL ZOOM.


HERE IS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL LIZARDFISH. MARK SOSIN, LETS SEE YOU BOAT ONE OF THESE BAD BOYS. THOSE TEETH ARE SHARP! I MIGHT GO AHEAD AND GET THIS ONE MOUNTED…


TROUT, YOU LOOK KINDA LIKE A COORS LITE. CONICIDENCE? I THINK NOT.


I JUST CAN’T RESIST A LADYFISH SHOT. I’M WEAK. I LOVE EM’


So. That’s the report! It’s been fun but I sure haven’t seen the giant trophy fish that I pretty much expect to see every time I go fishing. Tomorrow is another day.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“I brought you a tuna sandwich. They say it's brain food. I guess because there's so much dolphin in it, and you know how smart they are.”
- Marge Simpson

FEB 25 - TROUT - TROUT - TROUT - LADYFISH - TROUT - TROUT

Oh, there's plenty of trout out there. Mucho trouto (that's Spanish for lots of trout). They're about 14 inches long and angry at the world. Filled with trout fury and ready to unleash it upon any unsuspecting lure that wiggles by. Terp and I got out on Saturday and caught some fish. We also enjoyed some gale force winds. Report follows.

Launched at 8:00 AM and headed out into the maelstrom. I got sick of waiting for Terp to do his extensive rigging ritual that seems to involve bungee cords, milk crates, waders, coffee and lots of other gear so I quietly paddled my minimalist rig out to the open waters.

Turns out I completely missed the photo op of the century because as Terp launched the H.M.S. Sanford And Son he managed to dump his milk crate, tackle box, rods and lures into the water next to the dock. He said it was a complete yard sale. You can imagine the photograph which this would've been... alas...

We met up at the mouth of the canal and saw RIK off angling in the distance. We decided it would be best to run through where he was fishing to make sure it was a total dead zone.

"THANKS FOR PADDLING THROUGH THIS AREA. THAT'S A REALLY BIG HELP, GUYS. I BET THAT WILL REALLY IMPROVE THE FISHING."


RIK hucked his lure at me but I knew I was safe.