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South
Florida Fishing - Flamingo Bay & Miami |
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South
Florida is one of the finest destinations for a fishing
excursion for it offers some splendid scenery and a wide
variety of gamefish in fresh and salt-water. I fish four
general areas that all offer a little something different.
They are: |
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Everglades
National Park (Flamingo) |
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This
is truly one of Florida's last frontiers located deep
inside the park where the freshwater marshes of the everglades
meet the salty waters of Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Here you will witness lush foliage, numerous birds,
and an
overwhelming population of marine and wildlife. This is an area
that I highly recommend for sightseeing if fishing isn't your
thing.
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But
for the fishing enthusiast you will find enlightenment here
as you indulge yourself in a rich game-fish population. Armed with
the gear of your choice you will have an opportunity to catch:
snook, tarpon, redfish, seatrout, cobia, grouper, mangrove snapper,
jewfish and some rather large sharks just to name a few.
The ramp at Flamingo is approximately 80 miles from Miami
International Airport. The average drive time is between 1 1/2
to 2 hours, but is always worth the trip. This area offers full
accommodations for multiple day stays which I do recommend;
as well as houseboat rentals for a lengthier adventure. |
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Upper
Keys (Key Largo) |
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This
is unique area is the eastern border of Everglades National
Park and offers some of the same species such as snook, redfish
and tarpon. But you are now closer to those ocean-side flats
of the Atlantic that are inhabited by bonefish and permit
which are in a class by themselves. The water is very clear
in this area and is basically a huge expanse of shallow flats. |
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Sight-fishing
here is the norm, where you actually hunt the fish in these
shallow waters and make delicate presentations with either
spin or fly gear. This is probably the most challenging style
of fishing, but when it all comes together it is truly art
and a testament of an anglers skill. The boat-ramp that I
access this area is a MM 113, which is approximately 50 miles
or a little less than an hour from MIA |
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Biscayne
Bay (Miami Beach) |
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When
you mention Miami Beach to someone the usual visuals are laying
our on a warm sandy beach, spying on a frosty beverage at
a resort hotel, or visiting the hotspots on south Beach. But
for all you fisherman out there you can incorporate some phenomenal
inshore fishing in with the above mentioned activities. One
of my departure points is located on South Beach just minutes
from most of the resort hotels such as the famous Fontainebleau
Hilton.Here you have access to flats that are regularly patrolled
by bonefish, permit
and tarpon. Landing either one of these fish is a feather
in your cap, for all three are known for making your drag
scream and your pulse throb. An during the spring and summer
months multiple shots at all three are common, giving you
an opportunity for catching
the elusive grand slam. In this area I also highly recommend
night charters, with neon
lites downtown Miami as your backdrop, the surrounding waters
come alive with snook and tarpon when the sun goes down. |
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Everglades
(Tamiami Trail) |
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Located
just 30 minutes west of MIA is the eastern border of the Everglades.
If you like to fish freshwater with fly or light tackle this
is the place for you.
This can also be a great alternative on those days when the
wind is really blowing.
Here you will target species such as largemouth and peacock
bass in the maze of canals, creeks, and ponds that span the
river of grass. There can be nonstop action in this
area and you always have a chance at trophy bass. |
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