Gulf of Mexico Fishing - Part 3

Memorial weekend here in the US saw big crowds hit the beaches so decided to leave the fishing alone, mainly for safety sake, can't go casting a fly rod with crowds about.

Still walked the beach on a regular basis and saw quite a few fish passing through which was promising, also a few schools of tarpon were about, but the local boats offshore didn't appear to be getting into them. Interesting to watch the fly fishers on the skiffs and how the guide would suddenly change his position when he new the capability of the caster given the wind conditions.

Tuesday saw me & Mrs G up bright and early and down at Coguina boat ramp for 6 am for a trip with our good friend Capt Chad Gamble of Hook And Ladder Charters in search of the 'silver king' the Tarpon. We headed south for a couple of miles just as the sun was coming up, lovely sight. Dolphins were playing on both sides of the boat as we searched the waters for signs of our quarry.

After a few quick calls by Capt Chad to one of the other boats it seemed that they had managed to hook up just North of Longboat pass so a quick turn round and we headed back north, we eventually arrived in the general area we managed to spot tarpon rolling on the surface. Hopes were high as we drifted over the area, rods loaded with blue crabs they were cast into the area as we came on the spot, nothing happened the fish had disappeared. A quick run over to the other boat who was still hooked up to take some photos for them and one very happy angler, fish was estimated to be between 90 & 120lb, then it was off further north still looking for these elusive fish

 

Arrived at Bean Point just of the tip of Anna Maria where the Gulf meets Tampa Bay another 4 boats were alraedy fishing the waters but no one was hooked up. Suddenly the water erupted as Tarpon were jumping everywhere, now was our chance. We drifted over these fish about eight times and didn't get one single hit yet they still get on crashing out around us. At one time so close to the back of the boat that the spray wet the skipper. None of the other boats were doing any better than us it was really strange.

All these fish were an awesome sight but very frustrating, still thats fishing.

 

The rest of the week so far has been mainly Ladyfish and Jacks but sadly not in great numbers, bait fish are still scarce on the beaches although there were signs of more birds diving last night and this morning so things may be looking up.

 

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Tight lines for the weekend where ever you are fishing

 

 



Gulf of Mexico Fishing - Part 2

Spent Tuesday fishing with Capt. Chad Gamble of Hook & Ladder Charters. Kingfish were the target between 5 to 8 miles out in the Gulf in about 40 foot of clear blue water.

Fly rod was to hand but we needed to get the fish interested first so a few shiners were thrown in and were taken straight away. You could see the fish cruising around below. Light spinning rods were baited and nothing. We could still see the fish but they weren't interested.

First run fought like a grouper and took us straight into the reef and sat there until he broke us off. Next run was to my wife Joyces rod and she was into the first Kingfish of the day. Screaming reel as the fish ripped of line only tobite through the leader. We we trying with and without wire traces but the fish seemed to be wary of the wire.

Mangrove snapper

We could see snapper below us picking up the offerings and they started hitting hard, but for small fish do they fight hard and once hooked all they want to do is get back into the reef. We had numerous rod bending moments with these until we managed to keep one on, best Mangrove snapper of the day was just a little over 4lb.

Eventually we managed to get the Kingfish on the feed, but trying to keep them on was another thing. Sometimes you have to wait whilst you saw them coming in and swiping at the bait and other times it was as soon as the bait hit the water they took it and just went off on a searing run.

Nearly there

Lemon shark

Also managed to hook into a lemon shark, not very big but on light tackle it pulled real hard. Safely realeased after a few very quick photos.




Fishing was fast and hard and the fly rod even got to try its luck, I had a kingfish come up to the lure and swipe at it twice before giving up, a couple more tried but each time they turned away after going right up to the lure. Repeated changes brought us no luck so it was back to the bait rod, it was amazing to see in such clear water.

Whilst the action with the Kingfish was at its hotest we spotted a large shark, possibly a bull shark at least 2 feet wide and 10 feet long looking to strike at any of the fish we hooked. So it now became a case of carefully watching when anyfish we brought to the boat for unhooking.

The frenzy of hooking these fish and hearing and seeing the line scream off was awesome at one point there was smoke coming from the reel the fish was stipping line so fast, these fish really are built for speed.

Nearly time to go when a pod of about 20 dolphins cruised around the boat after this the bite had pretty much gone but what a great site to see.

Back now to Sarasota Bay to play some music, eat some Orios and lay some flowers for my daughter, miss her lots, love her forever.

The photos here are only a few from the day if you want to see some more visit Cheshire Fly Fish page on Facebook and I'll create an album there. Give us a like if you wish.

WWW.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk

Tight Lines

Gulf Of Mexico Fishing - Part 1

It was time to get the trusty saltwater fly rod out and see what we could catch, the beach is now alot quieter after the weekend people have left so it's much easier and safer.

Morning couple of hours produced a couple of small Jacks but saw a couple of Tarpon & Cobia cruise by but they weren't interested in the fly, infact they just didn't look interested at all.

Evening saw a dramatic weather change. From now breeze and clear blue skies, it was a wind shift in 3 directions in a matter of an hour. The blue skies had been replaced with black clouds and the odd clap of thunder in the distance. Need to keep an eye open for any lightening, if that's about them I'm off.
The clouds blew through and no sign of rain or storm, it was really strange but more importantly the fish were in the mood.

First was a Blue fish of about 2.5lb fought fairly hard. Then came a shoal of Jacks and they really do fight on a fly rod.

 

 

Lady fish soon appeared as well, great sport they are so acrobatic you loose more than you land due to them thowing the hook when in the air. Spanish Mackeral made a very brief appearance and this was a first on the fly for me

 

Tight Lines

 

More Gulf Fishing action coming soon

 

Visit us on our Facebook page Cheshire Fly Fish or web site www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk.

 

 

 

CPPD Day

Unfortunately due to the weather conditions and other commitments the clients lessons that were planned for Saturday had to be cancelled, disappointing but beginners need to be able to get the most benefit from their session.

Attended the GAIA CPPD day yesterday on the River Ribble. Informative day from all the instructors who gave presentations and who were more than willing to share their knowledge with you.

Tried out a couple of new prototype single handed rods (very nice) as well as a Loop Skagit set up on a 6# (may treat myself to one of those in the future).

Weather wise it wasn't good, raining, wind and cool in the afternoon but as usual this didn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who attended.
Despite the weather and the rising river it was nice too see a hatch of olives coming off and even fish rising freely too them.

Well organised event, look forward to the next one.

If you're out there this week, Tight Lines


Visit us on our Facebook page Cheshire Fly Fish or web site www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk.

River Tay

Annual week up at Kenmore in Perthshire on the banks of the mighty Loch Tay. Hoping to catch one of the 'springers' that run this river. Didn't hold too much hope as the water although it's a lovely height is freezing, 5c. So I don't expect too much action although beats a lot lower down are catching some big fish.

But it's nice to be in good company and nice surroundings.

Fished on the Sunday evening for a couple of hours on the Tirinie beat of the River Lyon that joins up with the Tay at the Junction Pool. Very difficult wading just down from the Comrie bridge as the water was quite high. Managed to get in lower down and fished all the way down to the Junction Pool, without even seeing a fish. The river coming out of the Point Pool onto the Junction was really quite high and as i was fishing that for salmon on Tuesday & Thursday it really need to drop some.

River Lyon - Tirinie Beat,  upstream to Comrie Bridge

River Lyon, downstream to Junction Pool

Eventually managed to get a couple of offers on a small gold head fished tight to the far bank but nothing came to the net.

Tuesday and it was time to Fish the Bolfracks Estate upper beat, nice water that I've fished many times before. River had dropped ever so slightly but still running very cold. Never saw or touched a salmon all day which was disappointing. Early finish as it was my wifes birthday so slap up meal was called for.

Bolfracks Estate, Point Pool

Bolfracks Estate, Millers Bed & Pipers

Wedenesday and it was off for a look at the salmon ladder at Pitlochry, amazed at so few fish had gone through this year only 52 on the counter. Did see a couple of big fish in the viewing tank as well as a few jumping in the river. If you've never been and get the chance take a look at it, its worth a look.

Back on Bolfracks on Thursday, again on the Upper beat, river had dropped about 6 inches since Tuesday but still very cold, water temperature needs to be a good few degrees higher. We fished hard all day covering all but one of the pools, Shepherds.
Spent some time watching the Osprey diving for fish on the Lyon, he was doing as well as we were.

End of the Point pool an otter suddenly appeared a couple of quick rolls and a dive and it was gone, so probably were all the fish in the pool, still it was really nice to see.

A brief hatch of March Browns just after lunch brought some very quick sport, but they were so difficult to keep on. Mat managed a nice brownie of about a pound & a half, so he was pleased.

Heard on fish jump just after lunch but neither of us spotted it, then along came 4 rafts full of school kids so out our lines came and just as the 3rd raft was passing up came a large bar of silver right next to the raft. We fished on until about 8.45 that night and it showed at least another 4 times times but it just wasn't interested in anything we put across it.

Never mind that's fishing for you.

Mat on the croy at Millers Bed

Mat on the Point Pool

Millers looking at Pipers

Loch Tay & snow capped Ben Lawers

Busy weekend ahead, clients booked in all day Saturday and the CPP Day with GAIA on the River Ribble on Sunday.


If your out there fishing this week Tight Lines

Visit us on our Facebook page Cheshire Fly Fish or web site www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk.