September was good month; October prospects look better



John Mallia of Lancaster, N.Y., paddles through a mangrove tunnel on the way to Mose's Hole off southern Tampa Bay.



Randy Honaker Jr., of Tampa shows off a hefty trout.



September was a very good month for Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing.

Redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, bluefish and snook were consistent and provided thrilling action.

Regular client John Mallia of Lancaster, N.Y., had a couple of good trips early in the month. We fished Sarasota Bay off Stephens Point the first day and Bishop Harbor and Mose’s Hole off southern Tampa Bay the next.

Day one in Sarasota Bay yielded quite a few spotted seatrout, ladyfish, redfish and flounder. Trout ran from 13 to 19 inches. Redfish went from 17 to 22 inches. Most of the fish were taken on D.O.A. CAL Jigs with gold or copper crush paddle tails.

The trout were caught in the deep grass off Stephens Point. Redfish came from the channel leading into the Crosley-Horton Estate just north of the Ringling Mansion.

That area has been providing steady redfish action on topwater plugs and CAL Jigs.

The next day, we fished Bishop Harbor and Mose’s Hole off Tampa Bay. Mose’s Hole is a seldom-fished remote area only accessible via mangrove tunnel. Mallia caught a bunch of spotted seatrout to 18 inches and a redfish. We also managed snook and ladyfish.

Most of the action took place on Bomber topwater plugs, CAL Jigs and Rapala Skitter Walks.

Randy Honaker of Centerville, Ohio, his son, Randy of Tampa, and Justin Pfaff caught spotted seatrout, ladyfish and sugar trout on what turned out to be a very slow day off Stephens Point. The fish were taken on Gibby’s Big Eye Baitfish flies, Clouser Deep Minnows, CAL Jigs and D.O.A. Deadly Combinations.

Gary Herbert and Dean Panse of Michigan had an outstanding day in Sarasota Bay near Buttonwood Harbor. They combined to catch 35 spotted seatrout to 19 inches, 13 flounder to 17, five redfish to 24, ladyfish, croaker and sugar trout.

CAL Jigs and D.O.A. Deadly Combinations produced all of the fish.

The highlight of the day came at mid-morning when a mama manatee and her calf swam up to Herbert’s kayak and allowed him to pet them.

We have been encountering manatees on most every trip to the Buttonwood Harbor area.

On solo outings, I have been catching and releasing redfish to 32 inches, spotted seatrout to 7 pounds, flounder to 19 inches, bluefish to 5 pounds, croaker, ladyfish, sugar trout and snook to 30 inches.

The weather is beginning to cool. The water temperature is dropping and fish are starting to feed.

I look for very good action through October and into November.

Pompano, Spanish mackerel and bluefish are here, but their numbers will increase daily as the water cools.

I have openings in October, a great month to fish. The best thing about October is there aren’t many people around and there’s little competition.

The Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers and the Sarasota Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association will hold their 7th annual Fall Fly Fishing Challenge Oct. 29.

The catch, photo and release event will feature an Open Division, for guides and anglers fishing with guides (all anglers are eligible to compete in the Open Division), and a Fly Angler Division (no guides).

In the Open Division, eligible species include snook, redfish and spotted sea trout. Those in the Fly Angler Division will fish for a variety of species, including snook, redfish, spotted sea trout, bluefish, ladyfish, flounder, snapper, jack crevalle, pompano and permit based on a point-per-inch system.

Entry fee is $50 and includes an awards BBQ at the Ken Clark Auditorium, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Applications are available at area tackle shops or on line at http://ccaflorida.org and http://mangrovecoastflyfishers.com.

Call Rick Grassett at 923-7799 or Steve Gibson at 284-3406 for information.

Steve Gibson

Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing

www.kayakfishingsarasota.com

(941) 284-3406

Snook, redfish and spotted seatrout provide fun

John Meuschke of Sarasota shows off an oversized redfish that he caught on a D.O.A. CAL Jig.

John Meuschke's flounder.

Despite very hot and humid conditions, fishing remained steady.

Fishing before daylight and early morning in Sarasota Bay, Bishop Harbor and Tampa Bay, clients managed snook to 32 inches, redfish to 25 and spotted seatrout to 26 ½ on a variety of lures and flies, including D.O.A. CAL Jigs, D.O.A. Deadly Combinations and Schminnows.

John Meuschke of Sarasota had a good day in and around Buttonwood Harbor, catching a plethora of different species. He caught spotted seatrout to 19 inches, flounder to 18 and redfish to 32 on CAL Jigs.

Redfish are schooling on the flats and can make for fast action – if you can find them. These fish are mainly oversized and will hit most anything tossed their way.

Snook, spotted seatrout, flounder, ladyfish and redfish have been cooperating in Mose’s Hole, a secluded spot off Tampa Bay only accessible via a mangrove tunnel. This is a fun spot that has been providing steady action on both the incoming and outgoing tide.

We traveled south to Charlotte Harbor and launched at Ponce de Leon Park. Our target was tarpon. We found them and jumped a 125-pound fish on a D.O.A. Baitbuster.

We returned to the harbor and fished with Capt. Rick Grassett of the Snook Fin-Addict. Tarpon were plentiful in the Peace River and adjacent canals, but not very cooperative. We jumped three fish on D.O.A. TerrorEyz. We anticipate tarpon fishing to improve this month.

Tarpon in the harbor, canals and river range in size from 10 to more than 100 pounds. You never know what size tarpon will hit your lure or fly.

Action has been steady in Sarasota Bay off Stephens Point. We’ve been getting snook and spotted seatrout before daylight on flies around lighted docks.

After daylight, we’ve been drifting the deep grass and getting spotted seatrout to 26 ½ inches, pompano to 3 pounds, bluefish to 3, ladyfish and flounder on CAL Jigs, D.O.A. Baitbusters and Gibby’s Big Eye Baitfish Fly.

The sand bars along southern Tampa Bay have been yielding redfish, spotted seatrout and a surprising amount of flounder. Top lure has been the D.O.A. Cal Jig with copper crush or gold paddle tail.

Sight-fishing can be very productive on the sand bars. The water is clear and shallow and the bottom is white sand.

In addition, there are bonnethead shark and blacktip shark available on the sand bars.

We’ve also seen a few tailing redfish at low tide.

Bishop Harbor off Tampa Bay has been producing decent numbers of snook, redfish, flounder and spotted seatrout.

Temperatures should start to drop later this month. And that should result in a flurry of action. We anticipate schools of large redfish on the flats, spotted seatrout over the deep grass, snook around dock lights and flounder in sand holes.



Steve Gibson

Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing


www.kayakfishingsarasota.com


(941) 284-3406

Fall Fly Fishing Challenge set Oct. 29



Co-Tournament Director Rick Grassett



The Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers and the Sarasota Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association will hold their 7th annual Fall Fly Fishing Challenge Oct. 29.



The catch, photo and release event will feature an Open Division, for guides and anglers fishing with guides (all anglers are eligible to compete in the Open Division), and a Fly Angler Division (no guides).

In the Open Division, eligible species include snook, redfish and spotted sea trout. Those in the Fly Angler Division will fish for a variety of species, including snook, redfish, spotted sea trout, bluefish, ladyfish, flounder, snapper, jack crevalle, pompano and permit based on a point-per-inch system.

Entry fee is $50 and includes an awards BBQ at the Ken Clark Auditorium, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Applications are available at area tackle shops or on line at http://ccaflorida.org and http://mangrovecoastflyfishers.com.

Call Rick Grassett at 923-7799 or Steve Gibson at 284-3406 for information.

August heat can make for some hot fishing



Last August yielded this Charlotte Harbor tarpon via a D.O.A. TerrorEyz.



The humid, sultry days of August scare off most Florida anglers.

Don’t let the heat beat you down.

There is some fine fishing this time of year – if you’re willing to get up early and hit the water before daylight.

I have been fishing Bishop Harbor for the last two weeks and doing pretty well. I’ve been getting some nice snook, redfish, spotted seatrout and a surprising amount of flounder on topwater plugs and D.O.A. CAL Jigs.

Best bet is to hit the water early and cast a topwater plug anywhere you can find mullet and/or baitfish. The morning bite usually lasts until about an hour after dawn.

On several occasions, I’ve taken Slams (snook, trout and redfish) very quickly.

I’ve also been fishing Mose’s Hole, a pristine area only accessible via kayak. To get to the hold, you have to paddle through a picturesque mangrove tunnel.

First time I fished Mose’s Hole, I caught six snook and four redfish. Since, then I’ve taken a number of redfish, bigger trout, flounder and some monster ladyfish.

I also have been fishing in Tampa Bay and poling the productive sand bars. The white sand and clear water can make for some exciting sight-fishing! I have caught a few redfish, spotted seatrout and flounder. There are plenty of bonnethead shark cruising the bars, but I haven’t hooked up.

I plan to drive to Punta Gorda to look for tarpon in Charlotte Harbor. If I get a calm day, I’ll bet I can find them. First trip down a year ago, I was met by tarpon all over the place. It was strange. I saw tarpon tails and fins in almost every direction I looked.

The tarpon there run a variety of size. Many are 20 to 40 pounds, but you’re also likely to hook into one of 100 pounds or more.

I use medium-heavy spinning gear, 20-pound braided line and 50-pound mono shock leader. Lure choices include D.O.A.’s TerrorEyz, Baitbuster and Swimming Mullet.

Flies also work well when conditions are right. When I get a fly-fishing opportunity, I use dark flies on a 9-weight rod with a sinktip line.

We should start seeing schooling redfish any day. They group up this time of year in preparation for their spawning migration into the Gulf of Mexico. I often find schools of 100 or more redfish, most of which are well over the slot limit. All it takes to hook up is to get your fly or lure near the school.

Beach snook fishing this summer has been, um, crappy. We’ve had a lot of west wind and rough conditions along the beach.

My best day has been seven snook.

I did take newcomer Jim Asaph of Englewood out and he caught two of the nine snook he hooked. They were the first snook he’d ever caught.

Asaph, a spin angler, caught his fish on a D.O.A. Shrimp.

The heat really doesn’t get to me. Usually, I’m too busy fight fish.

Anyway, I’m most often off the water by noon.

July fishing has been productive on a variety of species



Josh Milby fishes near Buttonwood Harbor just as the sun begins to rise over Sarasota Bay.



Jim Asaph of Englwood shows off a Button Harbor seatrout.

The Southern Drawl Family took a two-week vacation at the end of June. We visited family in Michigan and spent several days in New York City.

It was the first vacation in a long, long time in which I did not take a fly rod or spinning rod. I didn’t fish the entire two weeks.

But I certainly was refreshed when we returned.

Business made a surprising upturn in July (normally a slow month). And the fish certainly were cooperative.

I fished Jim Asaph of Englewood and he had a good day on his first kayak fishing trip. We fished Buttonwood Harbor off Sarasota Bay and caught spotted seatrout to 22 inches, flounder, ladyfish and redfish. We caught a surprising amount of slot trout (15 to 20 inches). Most of them came while drifting the deep grass in front of Whale Key.

We caught most of our fish on D.O.A. CAL Jigs (1/16-ounce head), with gold or orange crush paddle tails. The D.O.A. Deadly Combination and MirrOlure MirrOdine were also effective.

Mike Milby of Washington, D.C. and his son, Josh of Lakewood Ranch, joined me for a 6-hour outing in the same area. We totaled more than 50 trout to about 20 inches, four flounder, ladyfish and three redfish. All came on CAL Jigs and Deadly Combinations. We fished a grass edge just south of Whale Key and the deep grass in front of Whale Key.

Joe Bradley of Michigan made his kayak-fishing debut a couple of days later. We anchored on the north side of the Buttonwood Channel and caught spotted seatrout and ladyfish on CAL Jigs with orange crush paddle tails. We then fished the grass edge just south of Whale Key and did well on trout and ladyfish. The Deadly Combination also produced a few trout.

I did a solo scouting trip in the same area and totaled 60 trout to 25 inches, ladyfish, jack crevalle, bluefish and flounder, using CAL Jigs, Deadly Combos and MirrOlure MirrOdines. My biggest trout came from just off the north side of the Buttonwood channel.

Tarpon are starting to show up in and around Buttonwood Harbor. I’m seeing them every trip, but haven’t hooked any.

In addition, there are at least four manatees in the Buttonwood area. They like to “investigate” the kayaks.

Beach snook fishing has not been great – for a variety of reasons: rough water, dirty water and low tide. I’m hoping things improve because I’ve get several trips in the book.

Freshwater fishing is on the back burner. Our rainy season has started and local rivers are running high and fast.

Next month, we anticipate bull redfish to begin schooling. Last year we found them in the Buttonwood area and in southern Tampa Bay. When we find a school, it’s usually automatic. The fish will hit most anything you cast.

As always, I’d like to thank m sponsors: Native Watercraft, D.O.A. Lures, Go Fish! Sportsmans Sunscreen and Peak Fishing.

Also, just wanted to let you know that I’ve begun writing for the Sarasota-Bradenton edition of Coastal Angler Magazine ( www.coastalanglermag.com/magazines/2011/sarasota/). My first article is scheduled to appear in the August edition of this growing publication.

Steve Gibson

Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing

www.kayakfishingsarasota.com

http://www.coastalanglermag.com/magazines/2011/sarasota/

(941) 284-3406

Snook the best bet in the surf; trout cooperating in the bay



Dr. Craig Amshel of Apollo Beach battles a bonnethead shark at boatside. (Photo by STEVE GIBSON)



We’ve been fishing mostly Sarasota Bay or fly fishing along the beaches for snook over the past month.

I would rate the fishing a 5.5 or 6 on a scale of 10.

In Sarasota Bay, we’ve mainly been concentrating around Buttonwood Harbor and
Stevens Point.

In Buttonwood Harbor, we’ve been getting spotted seatrout to 23 inches, flounder to 16, bluefish to 3 pounds, Spanish mackerel and, of course, plenty of ladyfish. All are being caught on D.O.A. CAL Jigs with gold paddle tails and D.O.A. Deadly Combinations.

At Stevens Point, we’ve been fish dock lights before daylight and getting snook to 24 inches and a few spotted seatrout trout on flies (Schminnows and Gibby’s Duster Minnow). After daylight, we’ve been fishing the deep grass off Stevens Point in Sarasota Bay and getting spotted seatrout to 25 inches, ladyfish, flounder and a few bluefish. All are hitting Gibby’s Big Eye Baitfish Fly and D.O.A. CAL Jigs with gold paddle tails.

Steve Legore of Anna Maria Island joined me on an outing in Buttonwood Harbor. We caught plenty of fish, but most were small. We managed to catch spotted seatrout, flounder and ladyfish on D.O.A. CAL jigs with gold paddle tails and D.O.A. Deadly Combinations.

Todd Dawson of Manatee County and Dr. Craig Amshel of Apollo Beach joined me for an outing in Buttonwood Harbor. The action wasn’t spectacular, but it was consistent. They caught spotted seatrout to 19 ½ inches, ladyfish, flounder and a 3-foot bonnethead shark – all on D.O.A. CAL Jigs with gold paddle tails.

Mike Texidor of Miami did a beach snook trip with me along Casey Key and caught his first saltwater fish on fly rod. Mike, a repeat client, caught a snook and a ladyfish on my D.T. Variation and Tom’s Greenback. The fish were plentiful, but very tough. Mike probably cast to more than 300 snook in calm and clear conditions.

Beach snook action is improving. I fished with Ken Taylor of North Port this morning and did well in trying conditions. We combined for nine snook on Gibby’s D.T. Variation and D.O.A. Shrimp. All of the snook were small. We fished the surf along Manasota Key.

I did a freshwater outing on the Manatee River and had a good time. We caught a number of largemouth bass and bluegill on Myakka Minnows. We also hooked seven larger channel catfish and landed one – all on Myakka Minnows.

I do tie D.T. Variations and Myakka Minnows commercially. They’re $48 per dozen (plus postage).

They’re great flies and I’ve been using them for years. If you would like to purchase them, please let me know.

I took a busman’s holiday this week and fished with my friend Rick Grassett of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Services. We fished the inshore Gulf of Mexico and had shots at 300 tarpon or more. Rick hooked one and fought it for 25 minutes before the hook pulled. He also had a couple of other tarpon eat the fly, but didn’t hook up.

This is fantastic tarpon fly fishing. I encourage all of you to book Rick if you’re desire to hook a tarpon on fly.

You can reach him at (941) 350-9790. You need to book him at least a year in advance for tarpon season (May-July).

I am sending this report out early because Kathy, Morgan and I and leaving on a 2-week vacation. We’ll spend part of it in Michigan and some in New York City. Kathy (our travel agent) has our NYC trip already arranged. We’re staying on Times Square and we’ll see Mary Poppins on Broadway, tour the NBC studios and take a bus/boat trip around the island.

As always, I would like to thank my sponsors: Legacy Paddlesports, D.O.A. Lures, Go Fish! Sunscreen, Temple Fork Outfitters, Peak Fishing and Economy Tackle/Dolphin Dive.

If you’re on Facebook, please send me a friend request. You can also follow me on Twitter @gibby3474.

Steve Gibson

Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing

www.kayakfishingsarasota.com/

http://gibbysfishingblog.blogspot.com/

(941) 284-3406







Gibby's Myakka Minnow is one Mighty fly



Gibby's Myakka Minnows appeal to a variety of fish.

I am really astounded by the success of my Myakka Minnow.


It’s a fly that looks really good, casts extremely well and, most importantly, catches fish.

I took Randy Honaker of Centerville, Ohio to The Everglades late in May and he caught a load of fish – most all on the Myakka Minnow. Honaker caught a few bass and panfish early in the day on poppers. But he made the switch to the MM when the topwater bite ended.

It was fish after fish after fish.

I created the Myakka Minnow about six years ago.

Here’s the story:

The Mighty Myakka Minnow was born out of frustration. I’m sure you’ve been there.

Imagine a day on the water with fish busting minnows throughout the morning. But after several hours, you still have nothing to show for your efforts. You cast into the spray of minnows, but your offerings are ignored repeatedly. The fish are so keyed into the tiny minnows that they ignore everything else.

Although the scenery is nice and weather gorgeous, it sure would be nice to feel the tug of a largemouth bass or hand-sized bluegill.

This happened to me several times while fly fishing on the Myakka River near my home in Sarasota, Fla.

After one unproductive outing, I decided to try and come up with a fly which would imitate the minnows the fish were so excited about.

I knew that the fly had to be no more than an inch long. It had to look like a minnow. It had to sink. It had to have large eyes.

After a few hours of trial and tribulation, I came up with a workable prototype and couldn’t wait to give it a try.

Next time out to the river, I had several Myakka Minnows in my box and one tied on my 4-weight fly rod. It didn’t take long to realize that I’d hit a home run. I picked up bass, bluegill, stumpknocker and tilapia while blind-casting. I kept my eyes open for scattering minnows. When I saw fish attacking minnows, I’d cast the Myakka Minnow into the fray.

Success is so sweet!

Over the years, the fly has worked very well and achieved a national reputation of sorts. It’s a pattern the Flymasters of Indianapolis featured in their Intermediate Fly Tying Class last spring. I’ve had email inquiries about the fly from interested anglers all over the country. I’ve even sold hundreds of them.

The fly isn’t a magic fly. But it does work very well when small minnows are the main food source. Then, it seems to be magic.

In fresh water, the fly has produced bass, bluegill, shellcracker, stumpknocker, redbreast sunfish, speckled perch and tilapia. Capt. Rick Grassett of Sarasota caught a nice brown trout on the Myakka Minnow in Montana. I have caught barramundi on it. You can tie it on larger hooks and go after saltwater fish. It has resulted in spotted seatrout, snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, jack crevalle, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, tarpon and little tunny.

Capt. John Hand of Ruskin took a couple of No. 1 Myakka Minnows with him on a trip to Nicaraugua. He was targeting guapote (rainbow bass) and mojarra. He caught both.

“The Myakka Minnow was the only fly they’d hit,” said Hand. “And my guide said he’d never seen either species caught on fly.”

I’ve discovered exotic species in the Florida Everglades absolutely love the Myakka Minnow. Used to be that I’d catch oscar and Mayan cichlids on poppers. But when the topwater bite ended, that was the signal to go home. However, I’ve learned it’s really the signal to tie on a Myakka Minnow. The fly has taken thousands of exotics over the years.

It’s a fun fly to fish and an easy fly to tie.

I’m sure there are similar flies out there somewhere, but the pattern was born in my head. I’ve never seen a fly like it in any shop or catalog.

Tie and few and see what you think.

What works best for me is to cast it out, let is sink for a couple of counts, then work it in erratically. I like a couple of 2-inch strips and a pause. But you’ll figure out what works best for you.

If you do not wish to tie them, I gladly take orders. I sell them by the dozen. They’re $48 per dozen, plus shipping.

Give me a call at (941) 284-3406 or email me at steve@kayakfishingsarasota.com.



Myakka Minnow



Hook: No. 10 WR-004 White River Nymph Hook (from Bass Pro Shops)

Thread: Fine mono

Tail: Clipped marabou

Weight: 6-8 turns of .20 lead wire

Body: Bodi-Braid by Spirit River

Eyes: 3D Prism Stick-On

Coating: Devcon 2-Ton Epoxy



Instructions



Step 1: Put hook in vice and attach thread on the hook shank near the point of the hook.



Step 2: Tie in a small amount of marabou and clip to about ¼ inch.



Step 3: Tie in .20 lead wire and wrap 6-8 turns.



Step 4: Tie in Bodi-Braid at the hook point and wind up to just behind the eye of the hook. Wind back to about mid-shank, then forward again, building up a minnow-like body. Whip finish.



Step 5: Add eyes, coat with epoxy and allow to dry.



I have a fly rotisserie to turn my flies while they dry.

The reason I use Devcon 2-Ton Epoxy rather than 5-minute epoxy is that it allows me to do about six to eight flies at a time. If you use a 5-minute epoxy, you can do one fly at a time.

It’s a quick and easy fly to tie. And it will result in fish.

My favorite color combinations are gold body and chartreuse tail, black body and black tail, copper body and charteuse tail and silver body and chartreuse tail.