Shallowfish.com

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Six and 7-weights are all the rage, and 9 and 10-weights have a growing share of proponents among the striped bass and tarpon gang, but the venerable 8-weight is still the staple rod among anglers who fish the skinny salt. Check out this comparison test by good folks over at Yellowstone Angler, who whipped the air madly for days to come up with their verdict. Controversial? Yes. The last word in evaluating rod quality and performance? Well, no. But the guys who did the testing are an accomplished bunch, the criteria for assessing each rod is impressive in its scope, and the detailed analysis (including dissenting opinions) makes for a solid resource for anyone considering a new rod purchase. Oh, and if you’re looking for a specialty rod for targeting smaller inshore species, check out their recent 5-weight shootout, as well.

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Captain Ned Small is an Everglades backcountry guide with a sterling reputation as a conservation-minded angler. He recently sent me these comments in response to a short article I posted on big snook: “The future of the sport will be a function of each of us taking the ‘long view.’ Catch and release is a form of giving back. We don’t keep any snook on my boat, that’s my decision…a quick photo and back she goes. As a wise man once said, “To know yourself, know what you love, and protect it.” Preach on, brother. A peerless sightfishing guide, Ned specializes in light-tackle pursuits, with an emphasis on fly fishing. If you’re planning a trip to the Glades to fly fish, he’s highly recommended. Check out the fly-caught fish on his gallery. Oh, and nice shirt, Ned.

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Had a couple of beers tonight, and I figure it’s time to start some crap with other anglers who are passionate about their game fish of choice. So soak this up, chump-diddles: my fish is badder than your fish, and I can prove it. I give you the…

Top 10 Reasons Why Snook Whip Ass

10. Racing stripe. Need I go on?

9. You don’t catch snook. You earn them.

8. Snook remind me of leaner, meaner, faster, stronger, more cunning version of striped bass. On second thought, they don’t remind me of striped bass at all.

(more…)

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Captain Charles Wright of Chokoloskee Charters reminds all “low profile” anglers that the Fourth Annual Everglades Kayak Fishing Paddle-In takes place this Saturday, February 23. Participants will launch (for the first time) from Park Headquarters at daybreak, and ride an outgoing tide to any number of fishy spots on the “outside”. Wright describes the event as “a great opportunity to meet new friends who enjoy paddling the area, learn a bit of the colorful local history and experience a wonderful part of Florida.” Last year more than 170 ‘yakkers made the trip. For more information, go here.

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When fishing shallow-water spots on very low tides — the kind that keep you from actually getting onto flats or into skinny-water areas — remember that gamefish are likely nearby, waiting for the tide to flow back in. Where do they stage when the tides are so low? Quite often, they sink into the deeper channels and cuts that border the extreme shallows, running up and down these natural “ledges” looking for shellfish and baitfish. A drop of a only a foot or two is all that’s required to hold fish. Work deeper sections with sub-surface lures like jigs or diving plugs, and work the actual transition points between deep and skinny water with floating plugs or flies. This approach is especially effective when fishing the last stages of a falling tide, as the last surge of moving water pushes baitfish, shrimp, crabs, etc. off the shallows and “over the edge”…often into the waiting mouths of predatory fish.

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The “rough cut” of a new short film titled “Equilibrium” made its way to my mailbox yesterday. It’s a noble effort that proves this group of anglers and ecologists has their heart in the right place, doing their best to stave off or (ideally) nix a proposed mine site that could jeopardize the long-term health of Alaska’s legendary Bristol Bay area. The film features moving footage of wild rivers, surly bears, sweeping wilderness shots and — yes — big fish, including massive rainbows catching air and missile-shaped pike unloading on topwater flies. If you fly fish, it will get your blood pumping while sparking outrage against anyone or anything that would compromise such an amazing resource — which is, naturally, what Equilibrium’s designed to do. Bristol Bay is a long way from SW Florida, but we should all empathize with anglers who are fighting to preserve a natural treasure. Consider investing a few bucks (or more) into this worthy cause. Visit the Castaway Films site for a preview, or to purchase your own copy. For more details on the mine and its implications, visit Felt Soul Media, a wonderfully irreverent blog that also features some outstanding photography.

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