Residential Bass

South Florida is dotted with small ponds and lakes in countless residential communities. Many times, these ponds are loaded with big largemouth bass just waiting to be caught. When weather or tides prevent me from hitting the saltwater flats, I usually go pond-hopping.

Community pods are holes dug for fill dirt that are then filled with water and stocked with bass

 

 

I decided to hit a few holes with fishing buddy Joe Jones for a few hours. We visited a couple of ponds in Bonita Springs. Usually these ponds are barren edged with not a lot of features. They often vary in depth as well. Any structure like a drainage pipe or lily pads will attract bass. Most of these ponds are not overfished so the bass will readily take any bait. I have experimented with spinners, crankbaits and even live shiners, but topwater works best for me.

 

Look for any structure that will attract fish

Even fountains will attract bass as they help aerate the water

 

 

It didn't take long to start finding the fish. Topwater works well because it attracts bass as it creates a commotion on the water. Joe and I kept hooking fish after fish.

 

Given an ample amount of time, some of these bass can top 10 lbs. Florida bass enjoy year round growth and quickly reach trophy size. Because these ponds are thriving mini ecosystems, they attract other animals. Many types of birds come in to enjoy the baitfish.

So, next time you visit South Florida, pack a fishing rod and visit one or more of these aquatic gems!





 

A Morning Hike

Looking into the Swamp

East Bonita Springs borders one of the most pristine and beautiful areas in the country, the Corkscrew Swamp. The Audubon Society has it's "crown jewel" sanctuary here, and Thomas Edison and Henry Ford used to hunt the area. Recently, I took some time to hike a small portion of it to practice photography.

The Long Road In

 

I began my trek in the early morning. My goal was first to spend a little time outdoors, and second to get some experience with my new camera. I use the automatic settings currently, and once I get used to the functions, I will try my hand at manual settings. Below are some of the images I captured.

 

Berry Close-up

Mossy Log

Palm Fans

Running Water

Air Plant

Fishy

 

I caught some wildlife images as well. I just missed an otter as he dove in the water and took off. Maybe next time.

 

Well Hidden Tortoise

Butterfly Close-up

American Kestrel

Black Snake Posing

 



Young Ibis

Feeding Ibis Trio

Vulture

The Family

 

I don't know what was more fun, hiking through these woods, of taking photos. Any excuse to get out is good enough for me!









Fishing with New Friends

One of the very best things about kayak fishing is the opportunity to meet new friends. Most kayak anglers are friendly people and are very approachable either at the launch or over the web. Brad Hole and I met on social media, and when he advised me he was coming into town, I jumped at the chance to meet a new fishing buddy.

Brad Hole is an accomplished kayak angler. In addition to being a fellow Hobie Fishing Team member, he has Pro Staff positions for Ram Mounts and Kokatat. He and his fishing partner, Todd Switzer, recently founded Kayak Fishing Washington, a website all about kayak angling in the Pacific Northwest.

Brad has also been visiting the Southwest Florida area with family for 20 years. He is familiar with the fishing opportunities here as well, so there was no learning curve. This was just some enjoyable fishing. On the first day, we launched into Estero Bay at Hickory Pass. It was a negative tide and I had hoped the low water would give away the redfish. We moved into the pass and along some good oyster beds. Mullet were everywhere, but no redfish. Brad scored a small trout and Joe Jones caught a snook, but it was a rather lifeless day so we opted for lunch and a cold beer.



Brad with a small Estero Bay trout

Joe with a lively snook

Over lunch, Brad and I discussed fishing in the area. He indicated he had caught plenty of reds and snook over the years, so I suggested peacock bass. I told Brad I had a couple of options. We could catch them by kayak in Naples or we could hike through the Everglades to some forgotten lakes that I have been exploring with Jim VanPelt. Brad, with a true adventurer’s spirit, chose the latter and we made our plans for the following Monday.

We met early in Naples and began the hour long drive east. Brad was accompanied by his Dad Ed, and I brought along Joe Jones. We arrived near the location and hiked in the rest of the way. Right away Brad scored a tiny peacock bass, followed by an Oscar. Joe landed a big Oscar as well. It looked like the beginning to a great day. Ed and I began catching largemouth bass and we all were on fish. The bite seemed to slow, however, as we made our way around the lakes. There were many largemouth landed, but not many of the exotics we came for.

 

 

 

 

 

As we worked the edges for fish, I began to observe our surroundings. The Everglades is such a magnificent area teeming with wildlife. I captured a few images of the sights I was lucky enough to see. Around noon when the day began to really warm up, the fish started to turn on again. Still not the larger fish we normally caught here, but they were lively. Brad landed a mayan cichlid and completed his Florida exotic slam.

 

 

 

 





 Lunch was at Joanie’s Blue Crab Café, back drop to several films including “Gone Fishing”. We talked about fishing and solved all the world’s problems over an ice cold beer. A perfect ending to a great day. I met two new fishing buddies with whom I know many adventures lay ahead.

Peacock Bass in Naples

Our South Florida climate allows for some pretty spectacular fishing opportunities. Ranking high on the coolness factor are peacock bass. These exotic cichlids are a transplant from the Amazon River that were introduced in the 1984 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission in SE Florida canals. Over the years they spread west and now reach from Miami to Naples.

Cichla ocellaris

The Golden Gate Main Canal runs through Naples at the south end of Golden Gate City. Our point of entry was a boat ramp in the community park on Santa Barbara Blvd. This broad canal runs east to west and has many smaller t-canals and lakes along its length. Dave Harper, Ken Taylor, Jeff Gabrick, Joe Corrigan, Ryan Dekeyser and I launched into a chilly morning in hopes of catching peacock bass. For some on the trip, it would be the first time catching them.

Map of Golden Gate Main Canal and surrounding areas

 

I worried that the temperature would be an issue for these tropical fish. We started catching largemouth bass right away on topwater. Ken caught another native, a warmouth, in the cool morning water as well. We made our way to an intersecting canal as the sun came up, warming the water. Joe scored the first peacock on topwater. It was his first and he caught another during the day.

 

 

As we entered a lake area, we split up and worked the edges. Many more largemouth were caught in the clear water. Some were caught on topwater and some on crankbaits and minnow lures. I caught a couple of very small peacocks that were about the size of my lure. They can be very aggressive. Jeff and Ryan caught several largemouth in their quest for a peacock bass.

The sun warmed the air and eventually the water. The peacocks became more active and Dave scored a beautiful example. After a good fight, he landed a very nice female. Soon after, I landed a smaller female peacock on a mullet lure. The fish were a little deeper than usual, but we were finding them.

After a few hours, we headed in. Jeff, Ken and Ryan were denied the peacock bass they were seeking, but now they knew where they were and how to fish for them. It will be a matter of time till they land them. It was a great morning with great friends and I look forward to the next time.

Caring for your Chariot part 1

I love my truck. I have had it for almost 10 years and I have used it to carry kayaks to my favorite fishing areas since day 1. I have put over 130k miles on her travelling all over Florida and to North Carolina and Virginia. When the first signs of rust appeared, it didn’t look so bad so I paid little attention to it.

Over the years I carried many kayaks on a roof rack. After fishing the saltwater, I would at least rinse her off or wash of the salt water. Sometimes I would be out fishing for up to a week in remote areas and couldn’t rinse of the salt. The clear coat on the hood and roof went first. Then, small rust spots around the windshield and doors.

By the time I realized I was in denial, the rust made a hole in the roof and rain water was leaking into the cab. I was hoping to put another 100k miles under her wheels, but at this rate she would be scrap. I know little about body work so I met up with Dave at Jack’s Auto Body in Bonita Springs. His obvious experience while preparing an estimate made me feel better.

I removed the racks that had adorned my chariot since I have owned her and dropped her off at the shop. Three days later I get a call to pick her up. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised! The rust hole was gone as was the countless other smaller spots. It was an expensive fix, but well worth it.

I talked to Dave about the causes and effects of rust. He pretty much told me what I already knew. If you carry kayaks on top of your vehicle, you will eventually have rust problems. It doesn’t matter how well you rinse, it will only postpone the inevitable. All we can do it watch for it and use rubbing compound on any rust spots as soon as they appear.

My next project is getting new paint and restoring my chariot to her former glory. It took almost 10 years for the rust to take hold on my vehicle and now that I carry my kayak in the bed of the truck, I hope the next 10 years will be rust free.