Miami Multi-species Madness

[Ham]

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. 

 

 

[Ham]

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. 

[Johnsfolly]

12 hours ago, Ham said:

I caught a pile of Lane Snapper.

This is a lane snapper. They do look alike with juvenile muttons.

[Johnsfolly]

14 hours ago, Ham said:

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 hate to say this but you still need to catch one😉. That is a buffalo trunkfish.

Piers are such a great place to catch multiple species. Never more true than when fishing in FL.

Great job to you and @FishnDave on your successes!

[FishnDave]

Alright.... I didn't get on OAF while we were on the trip, so I'll play "catch-up" now.

Got up around 2 am.  Flew in to Miami on Wednesday morning.  Got the rental car (Toyota ForeRunner), and had a couple hours to kill, waiting for Hamilton to arrive.  I figured I'd just get my fly rods assembled and chill out, so I didn't PLAN on anything.  But we texted, and Ham told me to go catch something, so I started looking at Google Maps for some water near the airport.  First spot was a bust, no parking, no access.  2nd spot had parking and access.  Goofed around on a canal for awhile.  Didn't see any fish. Bummer. But I eventually caught THE fish I wanted most on this trip... Spotted Sunfish!  Little one, and I didn't know I was going to be catching a buttload of them later.  Flyfer #1 of the trip!  I was excited!

Found a huge culvert with current.  I dropped a fly in front of it, a small fish came out, then a bigger one darted out, and I was able to catch that fish.  Flyfer #2!  Jaguar Guapote!

 

[FishnDave]

Picked up Ham at the airport.

We found a take-out Chinese Food spot to grab some lunch.  We got SCREAMED at by the chef.  Several times.  We were confused by what he was trying to tell us.  And there was a language barrier.  Apparently I wasn't allowed to order certain items on the menu.  Great start to the trip! 😅

Our first fishing spot was pretty cool.  Saw some fish that wouldn't bite. Our lunch came with white rice we didn't want to eat.  We ended up using it as chum.  These fish can't possibly have seen rice before.  But it worked really well.  Caught some NICE Zebra Tilapia, up to 14"!  Flyfer #3!

Very strong fish, a LOT of fun to catch.  Even the little ones were cool.

I put on a Micro Gamechanger and caught a couple Florida Largemouth Bass.  Flyfer #4!

 

[FishnDave]

I want to give credit where it is due...  @Ham spent many months researching this trip, looking for access spots, soliciting advice and tips from locals and folks who have fished the areas we wanted to hit, and looking for the species we wanted.  HUGE KUDOS to Hamilton!!  He put us on fish all week!  And when he'd catch something he knew I didn't have yet, he'd call me over and help me try to catch them on flies.  Such a great teammate!    THANKS, HAMILTON!!

[FishnDave]

Day 2 saw us embark on fishing along the Tamiami Trail.

First stop, I caught some Mayan Cichlids (not a Flyfer for me).

I caught a couple Coppernose Bluegill here.  Flyfer #5!

I also caught some Florida Largemouth Bass and Warmouth here.

 

 

[FishnDave]

We moved along to other spots.    We fished a spot that definitely had Ruddy Bowfin.  I think I had one on, but we definitely didn't catch any of them.  

I caught more Mayans

More Warmouth

And more Spotted Sunfish

 

[FishnDave]

And we saw some large lizardy-things.  Not sure what they are.  Long-snouted Snappers?  Chime in if you know what they are... 😜

This big gal had babies along the shoreline and under the trees.