AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2004 ISSUE

Florida’s east coast anglers cross the ‘Stream in search of hot yellowfin action.

It’s the night before the trip. You’re restless with anticipation and can’t sleep. It’s that big-game feeling and you’re just as excited as the first time you headed offshore. As you clear Sebastian Inlet it’s still dark and hours before the sun will rise. You’re tired and you think it’s entirely too early to be out of bed, but damn this feels good! You’re making your way offshore through a crisp one to three foot chop with visions of tackling the most powerful fish in the ocean.  It’s amazing to witness the sky come to life as you clear the eastern edge of the Gulf Stream. Watching the sunrise, you realize you’re now 80 miles from the mainland while the rest of the world is still asleep. 

AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2004 ISSUE

Wading can definitely be a fun and productive way to fish, even if you own a boat. And often, stealthily wading may be the only way to score. For instance, you may be ready to tear your hair out when seeking redfish on a particular day. No matter how many times you cast, your presentation is ignored and even the gentlest of deliveries results in spooked fish. Or perhaps, the fish aren’t so timid but they’re bunched up in really skinny water, where the only chance to reach them is by climbing out and quietly stalking on foot. Though before you take the plunge, I’d like to provide a few tips to help make the most of your trip.

AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2004 ISSUE

Three, two, one, Blast off!

Visit Florida’s Space Coast for astonishing trout action.

Along the Space Coast of Florida, in the backyard of NASA, rockets and space shuttles are not the only things out of this world. While most visitors to this area are looking up through binoculars at the next marvel of technology to blast into space, inshore anglers are looking down through polarized amber lenses for the next sign of fish. Light tackle and fly fishing enthusiasts travel to these shallow water estuaries by the thousands every year in search of the largest redfish and gator trout Florida has to offer.

AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2004 ISSUE

With water temps on the rise, cruising cobia have west coast anglers scanning the horizon
well above the rest of my crew I find myself looking out over the horizon for tell tale signs. A hundred yards away off the bow an irregularity disturbs the surface of the otherwise calm emerald green water. I proceed to notify everyone aboard this just might be what we are searching for. Moving closer and closer I make out several brown figures through the glare on the water. Confirming my first assumption, It’s a pod of cobia working their way up the beach! I calmly remark to my crew to get ready and offer a distinct landmark to use as a reference for their cast.