This area has had a long-standing reputation for ‘gator’ trout – those in the ten pound and up category. But it also has become one of the finest flyfishing areas in the state. Sight fishing a school of reds in crystal clear water and being good enough to cast to them without spooking them can be the thrill of a lifetime.
I fished out of a public ramp along US1 a while back with a friend. We idled the requisite manatee zone and headed straight across, east to the shoreline. NASA’s vehicle assembly building loomed as a great monolith while we fished.
My friend opted to wade the very shallow water while I remained in the boat and used the trolling motor. Let me say right off that a 23ft bay boat is not ideal for this kind of fishing! As my friend waded casting a red feather tipped spoon, I looked for moving fish from the front casting deck.
There were several large schools of reds working and feeding in the shallow water. I attempted to move close to them with the trolling motor to no avail. The water here is not influenced by tides and consequently there is little or no current. Without a breeze to push the boat quietly, stalking fish in my boat was less than successful.
My friend did manage a couple of small trout and one red, but for all the fish we saw, it was very disappointing.
I watched a number of other boats on the flats as they polled across in search of fish. With motors tilted, the boats moved silently across the shallow water with the aid of a poll and polling platform. High enough to see fish at a distance, the angler doing the poling can maneuver the small boat to intercept an approaching school – something I did with a trolling motor and a lot of commotion.
Another friend fishes the area of the Banana River, Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River. This one is a guide, and he does quite well. Captain Mark Thomas fishes this area year-round, and has very satisfied clientele.
The picture above is Captain Mark with a 35-pound redfish caught by Mrs. Nancy Fee. It was her first fish of the day, and five more like it followed. Captain Mark says she did things backward by starting at the top. Now she has to work her way down to the smaller fish!
Captain Mark’s guide business is Flats Action Charters. He has outstanding credentials and can guide you to fly or light tackle fishing up and down the central Florida fisheries. Give him a call! Maybe the next picture will be your fish!
