Ham

31) Warmouth I didn’t get a Warmouth on fly last year. I got quite a few on this trip. First one came out from a gap in the rocks at our second stop while I was residing on struggle street.I got bigger and prettier ones later.

Dave is trying to avoid unnecessary carbs these days. He did agree to close the trip with a Sunkist Salute.

30) Mayan Cichlid My Lifer and FlyFer all in one. The fish kill knocked their numbers down enough that I don’t hate them at all. These fish are Big Fun to pull on. I got to sight fish some too

29) Coppernose Bluegill I find the Coppernose Bluegill really interesting. It took a little bit for me to get any of the larger ones on fly. Sadly, my largest one came on bread while trying for Midas Cichlid.

If I lived < 10 hrs away, I’d do a trip down there every year. As it is, I hope I make it down there before I get too old to fish Hard.

28) Zebra Tilapia A digital friend shared this location with me, but little details about how to catch em. Dave and I had to work that out. They run your stuff really hard, but often refuse to eat it. We needed to keep switching flies and find a fish here and a fish there that would eat. The first one I hooked straightened the hook on a bluegill fly I tied. I wrapped sheep wool around a hook to make a slow sinking, maggot looking fly. It gotten eaten immediately, but was useless against that tank. You’d better not have your line wrapped around your rod tip or you are going to have a broken rod. They were a lot of fun to catch.

I ❤️ your dream.

So, a few lessons learned from the MMM trip. 1) You can be over prepared and have stuff be in the way. I had too much I wanted to try to do and too much gear as a result. I will do better next time. I think I had the right number or rods/reels, but one should have been a dedicated back up left if it’s case in suitcase. 2) Tamiami trail is amazing and has so many possibilities, but even great spots aren’t great every day. We spent too long in spots trying to make something happen when somewhere just down the road it is happening. Every spot should get 15 minutes to work/ be looked at. If you aren’t feeling it after 15 minutes leave. We got better at this after a day or so. The corollary rule is that no spot should get over an hour unless it is a really big spot and you are moving along. If you’re catching Spotted Sunfish, Coppernose, Warmouth, and Mayans at will, but after an hour it’s still just those fish MOVE. 3) Florida Gar are weird. We presented to a lot of them and in the day time they were picky and not eating or good, but at dusk they would choke on it. If you want a Florida Gar on fly, fish for tarpon at dusk and you’ll get one. 4) maybe 5 days of fishing and a travel day would have been better. The 18 hour days with heat/humidity were wearing me down. I got overheated multiple days. I only had one night where my legs got cramps though. #stayhydrated 5) African Jewelfish are every bit as annoying as tiny Longears, Mosquitofish, and mummichogs. They will not let you get a bait down to other micros that are slower to eat. 6) 50 years of bass fishing does not prepare you for tarpon fishing. The violence of those fish in confined spaces is overwhelming and my ingrained desire to turn that fish NOW was not helpful. I went 0-5 and that really hurts my feelings, but I really believe that equipment failure cost me the last one. I would have dearly loved to have that bigger than I dreamed of tarpon in the water at my feet, but it’ll have to wait. I truly believer I could have handled the 12-24 inch tarpon without too much difficulty, but I shopped at the wrong store for those. muy was an awesome trip with so many memorable moments both fishing and non fishing. Lots of laughs. Thanks Again @FishnDave

Tuesday morning was a disappointment. I had looked at canals heading east out of Homestead, Fl that connected to the ocean. Research showed lots of species I was interested in catching. We sleep in just a touch 0700 grabbed a quick complimentary breakfast and then headed out. i stopped a little early. Clear water with massive grass beds, but not a lot of fish moving. Headed downstream and found chocolate milk with spinach. A work vessel was chopping up the grass beds to keep water flowing out at a good rate I guess. Some connecting canals looked better, but the only bites were mosquitos. So trying to be cognizant that we had little time, on to the next spot, but mapping was being dopey and could not get us there. It kept trying to route us down muddy farm roads and private roads. So, I gave up. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have routed to Snake Creek Park or Falls Boat Ramp or back to the Zebra Tilapia hole BUT I was trying to be better at staying on task and not give in to just catching fish. We tried Dave’s Jags canal and we each caught a fish. His was wonderful. Mine was quite small. Technically, I caught the made fish of the trip so I have that going for me. Fantastic trip! I missed (more than) a few of the fish I really wanted, but found some that I didn’t know were out there. It was a little Bad Luck with that hard cold snap that killed thousands of fish a few weeks before we arrived. I appreciate Dave’s willingness to humor my whimsical pursuits. We fish well together and helped each with fish locations or fish landing multiple times. I told Dave we would get him his target species and exceed his goal of 100 species Lifetime on Fly. As it turns out, I was right. Thanks Dave! I hope we can do another crazy trip together!

Coppernose Photo upgrade

@Johnsfolly No Worries Man, correct a fish ID anytime ; I think that’s the same fish that my wife caught. The Oscar was cool. I saw the pair guarding fry. I was able to get the make to eat a fly.

So, Dave is absolutely whacking the White Grunt and it took me a LONG time to get one on fly.I was able to get a Yellow Tail Snapper on fly which was cool. I got a few on bait as well. Dave got one on fly too.I got a Schoolmaster Snapper and a Lifer Damselfish on bait.Life was abundant around the pier. Barracuda hung around looking for someone to make a mistake. The nurse Shark was working hard making a living. We saw a nice Stingray and then a Manta Ray swam by. We had seen a FULL grown manatee swim by us at our first stop. Fun was Fun and all, built I told Dave I needed to go throw on the far side of the pier because Krista had caught two Scrawled Cowfish over there last year and I wanted one.I got more fish after that including more of the Chubs which I was silly enough not to take a picture of every one of them and to make sure I got good pics so I don’t know which of the chubs I got. I got a keeper Mangrove Snapper. and some more Yellowtails, but we ran out of time and had to load out. it was a wildly successful day. And I celebrated as usual.

So. we rolled up on White Street Pier around noon. The Big free parking was closed, but we found a free spot and gathered “all” our stuff. I ended up having to walk back for ProCure scent. Dave was all fly, but I was going to fly fish and use bits of frozen shrimp I bought. I had also bought a chum bag and a frozen block of chum. The idea was to pull numbers of fish close and fly fish them. It pulled a huge amount of fish both in species and in raw number, but it also made them really picky. We had to pull the chum bag at some point because a nurse Shark was tugging on it. Then, it melted away faster, but it lasted most of our fishing trip. The chum bag DID NOT make the trip home. I started with fly and stayed with it off and on. i had some surprising successes and some mystifying failures. Porkfish are Fun. White Grunt are omnipresent. I caught what I think is a Houndfish, but I have terrible pics. the first shocker of the day was this Mock Blenny that ate a fly. I needed help with this ID for sure. I had not gotten other my surprise with the Blenny with this terminal Phase Slippery Dick ate my Fly. I’m tickled pink (or sunburned/overheated) at this point, but lots of time to go. I busted on some chubs that I can’t 100% say what species they are. I have been saying Bermuda, but might not be correct. I caught three Gray Snapper. One of them managed to bite my finger while 8 was removing the hook, but Luckilythe big teeth got a fingernail and not flesh. Look Ma, No Blood.I did not expect to get a Sgt Major on fly, but I did.I caught a pile of Lane Snapper. I don’t think any were juvi Mutton’s, but I will consult John. we are halfway through the surprises, but I have to Hop on a plane. Dont change that Dial. More to follow.

Dave and I intended to sleep in a little bit, but we both woke up before daylight and saddled up. started the day fishing the rocks that protect the base of the bridge. Started right at daybreak. Dave was successful. I was not. Wouldn’t it be neat if he would post on this thread. anyway, Dave had very little salty stuff on his fly fishing Life List so ding,ding, ding Dave is adding to the list. We gave the first spot an hour or so and headed further south. Next stop was Horseshoe Beach. I’d like to spend an 8 hour day there. We spent like an hour. I rigged a size 16 with earthworms for bait (I had not bought shrimp yet). Salty fish will eat worms, but not like shrimp. I was planning on minis and micros, but a pod of decent size Parrotfish rolled up and I of course presented to them. I make micro rigs ahead of time at work. Usually, I use 2-4 lb line. This one was a 2 lb line version. Well, I saw the Parrotfish suck up the worm and gave him a friendly wrist hookset. He responded by heading to Mexico at a high rate of speed. He pulled lots of drag and popped me when he hit 2 nd gear. I re-rigged with 8 lb and a size 12 hook and kept an eye open for the Parrotfish. Dave caught another FlyFer and broke off on a Sting Ray! I got a Slippery Dick, a Big Bluestriped Grunt, and a brace of Yellowfin Mojarra. Next stop is White Street Pier on Key West, but I need to mentally process everything that went down first. Probably tomorrow afternoon.

Day 5 was a Grind. We went all in on Bullseye Snakehead. We saw them. I had short strikes. Dave had a follow. Neither of us caught one. We both got Peacock Bass and Mayan Cichlids on fly. Dave got another magical fish that I can’t disclose. But overall we left out first spot Hot and bothered (ehhhh frustrated). Off to Weston. I pushed all my chips in for Salvini Cichlid. I got the first one and then tried with fly. I failed on that deal, but dang are they cute. while I was trying with fly, I decided to drop a worm in a place I thought should have em. it did, just none that would eat a fly. mission accomplished sort of. sooooooo, we then rolled the dice again and headed to Coral Reef Park to try for Midas Cichlid. Know to be difficult and almost impossible on fly. Dave liked those odds. We saw fish. I presented natural baits to them. They stared at them with great disdain. I was Lucky enough to Get a Great Coppernose photo upgrade. Buuuuut Dave took the pic for me and has not sent it to me yet. Back in the rental we headed south. We are at Edgewater Lodge tonight. Me being a slow learner, I micro fished after we got some stuff out of the car. caught two, dropped one. Missed some bites. ID to follow. A little sleep and then out last full day. I am trying to be disciplined and not get hung up of number of fish caught, but rather to stay focused on target species. I’m getting better at it

My loop size varies. Old eyes and wonky fingers. I doubt you need to follow my lead there.

I have tried. daily. He won’t. He prefers to post from Home PC. 🤷🏼‍♂️

So, while getting our knots tested at the Barra place, I casually brought up that we were gonna north to try for Redbreast Sunfish and asked if Michael if he knew of any closer. He gave us the juice on a local spot. The rub is that it was the opposite direction from Orlando stuff so likely we could not do both. #choosewisely We opted for Michael’s spot. It was the right call, but like so many side stories of the trip things got weird. There was a family broken down on the side of the road at our pull over. We spent a little time helping them get a cell phone some juice and gave them some cold waters and encouragement. The Dad came and watched us fish some. I interacted with them more than Dave cos someone has to. But, we get to the spot and split up a little bit each taking different areas to try first. This is a Team effort so we are working together to catch all the species we can. I was busy catching a Redearand a Golden Shiner. No pic when I hear Dave’s Happy Shouts! He had his Flyfer Redbreast. I moved down closer to him and I was catching mostly Spotted Sunfish. After Dave caught another Redbreast, I borrowed/commandeered his flyrod set up and caught my Flyfer Redbreast. I caught several on his gear and my gear. bigger ones on spinningWe finally had enough of the heat, biting flies, and limited access and quit early to get additional rest. I’m usually not that smart, but I have Dave to help me. another Sunkist Success moment for Lifers and Flyfers

Our day started at 0602. On the road by 0645. 3 1/2 hour trip north to Osceola Outback Adventures. Michael and Christine were out guides and they were very friendly and very helpful. The fish were a little slow today. We paid our dues at Pond One and Pond Two. Lots of fish flashing our flies, but not taking. A few nips at the fly, but not serious eats. About a 1/2 hour in, I got the first one. It was my biggest one ; about 7 lbs. I got another nice one at Pond Two.then we’re went to Pond Three and had fun. I switched over to Peacock Bass for the final 30 minutes and got one. I hope to get more tomorrow, but I love a bird in hand. I had a Great time and would love to go back. I fully recommend it. Thus ends the first half of our day. The second have will wait until tomorrow.

Lolz, this is a FISHING trip.

Too Big. They had a fish kill and I think a lot of the little ones died.

Well, Day Three was amazing as well. Highs and Lows for sure. im too beat and too much happened to put in a thread like this. I got four Lifers and a Flyfer. I saw some mystery fish that I don’t know what they were. My Tenkara pole was some how broken in the car. It’s my fault. I should have secured it better every time I used it. I will try to repair it at home. I’m now 0-5 on tarpon hooked and a bunch more missed hooksets. The ones I am hooking are way too big to do much with. They are tiny little spots and I’m shore bound. Earlier today I lost a real nice one one a Zoom Super Fluke. I survived 3 or 4 jumps, but he was very green when he came off. The second one tonight was on a black gurgler I tied. Great eat, Good Strip set. Multiple strip sets. I let him run. I gave him line when he jumped. I kept pressure on him. BIG jumps. Fast runs. I kept the pressure on him and he was tiring I had him swimming by about 10 feet off the rod tip when my Lamson Liquid broke. The spool fell out of the reel. I was trying to deal with that and he got slack and was Gone. I had him on for minutes. Dave had time to finish landing another Florida Gar and come to me to cheer me on. Dave is killing it. He is catching so many fish and so many Flyfers, but I refuse to steal his thunder. Long hard day. Up at 6 (<6 hrs of sleep). Hot/Humid. We quit fishing at 8:23. Hit back to room after 9PM. Late supper again. Unwinding and prepping mentally for tomorrow

Tarpon ate a game changer about 10 feet off my rod tip. I was throwing it on an Echo BAG 8 weight with a bass bug line. I missed bites on a mouse gurgler thrown on my TFO Axiom II 7 weight with an SA Amplitude line. Both reels are Lamson Liquids.

So to nitpick, I spent too much time on the east side of the trail. we stop looking for Pike Topminnows and found more Mayan Cichlids and the African Jewelfish. mad dash to State Road 29. found a bridge we could fish. Dave picked a side. I took the other. I got and epic eat from a bigger tarpon than I wanted to hook and a few seconds of joy followed by heartbreak as it tail walked and threw my fly. we kept trying and I think I missed more tarpon and snook. I had to settle for a Flyfer Florida Gar

I got out of order Flyfer Florida LMB