Exploring Florida's Fishery (February 2019)

The last four years, I've spent a week in February visiting my Gramps in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  In addition to good conversation with Larry, shuffleboard and Publix sandwiches...I always find time to wet a line.  On this trip, though, I was joined by two of my best fishing buds, which meant extra adventure was in store.

While A and my sister experimented with different combinations of Corona, Landshark and tequila on the beach, the fishing crew headed two hours north for a half day of guided fishing on the inter-coastal waterway. 

Heading out early in the morning

Stoked!

Despite bringing my fly rod, our guide insisted that live shrimp would produce the best results.  The local technique involved casting a hooked shrimp, then jerking the attached bobber-contraption to simulate the clicking of a scared shrimp.  Before long, we started pulling fish in.  While they weren't huge, we were stoked by the sheer diversity of species.  It's always exciting not knowing what's on the end of your line.

Doing our best to stay out of the sun

Small Jack

Ladyfish

Pufferfish

Coaxing a lil extra puff...

Sheepfish

Catfish - didn't want to hold

Snook

Biggest fish of the day!  Speckled Trout

Successful day!

Back in Fort Lauderdale, I finally cracked out my fly rod to explore the retirement community lake.  In past years, I've caught small largemouth bass by stripping a wooly bugger along the far bank.  Although I needed to dodge giant iguanas, angry geese and curious retirees, this year did not disappoint.

Homemade Wooly Buggers

                                      Demonstrating the art of making the same fish look bigger.