This is my first time ever in The Everglades.  I’ve been farther south because I’ve been all the way to Key West but have never been in The Everglades before.  It’s not summer yet but it’s pretty dang warm and humid already.  Not what I’d call oppressive but certainly not comfortable either.  At least the rains haven’t started yet, I should be long gone.

I came here to fish and I went on two different charters.  The first day we were going out to a wreck where we should have to been able to catch a variety of fish.  We picked up some shrimp and Captain Billy tossed a 12 foot casting net to pick up the rest of the baitfish.

We tried hard to get out to the wreck but it was just too rough.  We stopped at a couple other spots, but the wind was blowing hard enough that the trolling motor couldn’t hold us on the structure and standing up in the boat was more than a little dicy.

Back inside the Ten Thousand Island area we had much better luck.  We caught snook, mangrove snapper, jack crevalle, catfish and trout.  Captain Billy filleted the mangrove snapper and I took advantage of the little kitchen back at the condo.  Very good delicate whitefish.

The following day I went out with a guide that’s a 6th generation Everglades City resident.  He’s more interested in flight instruction these days building his hours for a shot at an airline pilot’s job – but once in a while he has to take a charter out so he can pay the bills.  Captain Miles took me to one of his favorite places where he and his grandfather still go fishing.  Very peaceful and serene, especially when compared to yesterday’s rough ride.  This is a dead tree on the water’s edge with LOTS of bromeliads (air plants) growing on it.

We saw quite a few tarpon (small ones) rolling in the calm water between the mangroves.  I actually had one on the line at one point but he jumped out of the water and spit the lure back at me.  He was about this size.

Fossil research shows that tarpon are prehistoric fish.  They get up to 8 feet long, 280 pounds and can live over 50 years.  Catching a tarpon is a bucket list adventure that I’m finding out is going to be quiet a bit more difficult than just chartering a tarpon trip.  I won’t bore you non-fishermen with all the details, but if you are interested – we’ll talk.

Another bucket list fish for me is Peacock Bass.  These are very aggressive fish and to catch a big one you have to travel.  Brazil, Colombia or Venezuela are your best bets for something in the 30 pound range.  However – I found out that they actually have Peacock Bass right here in Florida – not as big but still, it’ll check the box.

That’s a Peacock Bass – they are a wary fish and if you’re aren’t wearing fishing camouflage they’ll see you way before you ever see them.  Okay – that’s a bit of a stretch, my fish camo is just belt and suspenders in the sunscreen department.  Captain Miles knew exactly where to go, and we were able to sight fish for Peacocks.  Trying to catch a fish that you can see is pretty exciting.  I caught several of these hard fighting fish, I’d still like to catch something 20 TIMES larger – but this was a very fun fishing trip.If you have ever wanted to go on an airboat ride, the Everglades is the place to do it.  I decided that since today was going to be a shortish ride – I’d hang around and take a little tour on an airboat.  I was there when they opened at 9:00 but I was the only customer.  The folks at Speedy’s didn’t hesitate and even though the cost of admission likely didn’t hardly cover the fuel used, they sent me out by myself.

It was fun sliding around in the mangroves doing spins and having a straight pipes small block roaring right behind your head.  Gotta do that at least once if you get the chance.

On our way back I saw this huge catamaran.  I did a search and found that there is a video  showing you around this 62 foot boat.  The video is cool but they never tell you the price.  The other thing that I liked is the name of the fishing boat parked in front of the Meglodon.  Bottom Scratcher.  I doubt that it’s an original name, but it’s the first one I’ve seen – it made me smile.  Don’t forget that you can click on the picture to see it full size.

The ride from Everglades City to Sarasota is mostly flat and straight so not much to report there.  There was this guy – they cut the grass then just tilt the mower deck up and use it to trim back the “hedge.”  Now I know where the Redneck Hedge Trimmer comes from.That’s about it for this leg – One more fishing charter here in Sarasota….. Stay Tuned.