Flamingo escape

[ninja tuna]

Everglades National Park

I had an itch that needed to be satisfied so I took a short trip. I wanted to try the paddleboard in the no motor zone lakes in flamingo.  There is very little information on fishing them but i figured they had to have fish.  I am not talking about the ones right off the road.  I am talking about the ones further away that you have to take the boat to.  So I was planning on getting up early and getting down there early.  Planning took a lot longer than I wanted to admit and errors on my part had me going to bed when I wanted to wake up. Crack of noon though, I had the boat in the water and on the way.

The water outside of flamingo was murky with the windy conditions.  But as soon as I was east of snake bight, the water became crystal clear and the reason I drive so far to fish settled in.  To me, I love running through the shallow clear water waters looking for sharks, tarpon, and any of the other sealife and it is completely relaxing.

I went to a bight area that I had never been to.  A few winding turns and I shut down as I see the entrance.  Anchor the panga and look around.  I see another boat just tucked inside the entrance. I am sure this guy is as astonished as I am.  Got the board ready and off I go. The other boat was a guide soaking some bait out of the wind.  Said hello as I was quickly passing by.   

The channel going is at least 6 feet deep. My paddle did not touch. There were some big spider webs that went across.  Small small snook and tarpon were popping the minnows on the surface. like 6-8 inch small.






After about 10 minutes of paddling.



The water was murky but there was a lot of bait inside.  Every so often the bait would shower in different sections.  There were a lot of jack in there chasing them.  I thought I saw a big snook head come out of the water after some but it was farther away.



There was a lot of area to explore but with the wind it would be tough, along with the fact I had to watch the time.  I fished the mangroves around the entrance and a little out where the bait would get hit.  I did not even make it to the other lakes.  Definitely a lot of potential here.  Bugs were bad either.

Caught several of these.  This was the smallest.  The bigger ones self released at the board.



Caught this guy at the mangroves.



Next cast in the same area, his buddy fell for it too.



I wanted to make sure I was back before dark.  Fished right out in front at one of the keys and got this guy.



Coming in. 

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

Wow. What gorgeous pictures. But excuse me, I've got to go shovel some *snow* now!

[jdmotes]

 Killer place, Flamingo. I grew up in Miami area during the 50's and 60's. My parents were avid fishermen and I was the baby of the family; so I was dragged all over south Fla.. I bitched at the time but wouldn't trade it for the world today!     Paddle on,   JD

[Chilly]

I use to fish a lot in Flamingo, the Snake Bite area with my flats boat and West Lake in a canoe. This time of year West Lake can be excellent.  Look for clear water, usually on the north side of the lake and an early start between 6:00 AM and 10:00 A.M. The good thing is you can launch your SUP from the dock or small boat ramp that's there. The picture was taken on West Lake.

[Old School]

Looks like an awesome trip.  That's a big jack for inland waters.  He could pull you around a bit if he wanted. 

[StandUpRyan]

Awesome pics. Good catch.

[ninja tuna]

Thanks everyone,

Nice tarpon chilly, I will definitely be exploring those areas more in time.

Oldschool, that was actually one of the smallest jacks, I saw some chasing my lure that were more than double his size.

[Chilly]

Ninja, I was looking at your pictures again and just notice that you almost got an Everglades Grand Slam if you would have caught a Tarpon, maybe the first on a SUP!

[ninja tuna]

Believe me, a tarpon would have made my day without the others.  I had my fly rod with me, but the wind was blowing pretty good.  A tarpon is definitely on my list as well as bonefish and permit.