For the last 12 months Far Beyond has been an ongoing series of educational editorials, an avenue of sorts for the South Florida Sport Fishing Crew to share our experiences with you. As we recollected our adventures our focus has always been to provide the latest detailed information for the mid-range boat owner, while constantly relaying valuable tips along the way. Id like to continue the trend by delving deeper into some of the more popular tactics and techniques employed by the local pros.

Regardless where in the State you reside, combining stealth and agility may offer the wading shallow water angler the greatest odds of success.

The day started out like so many before, patiently waiting in the dark at the boat ramp for my angler to show. Right on schedule, Tom Sounds from New Jersey walked across the parking lot with a cup of coffee and a bag of doughnuts. I yelled, “Times a wastin, the snook are bitin!” A handshake, a few laughs and a jelly doughnut later, we were off. We headed north up the Indian River Lagoon with the sun just starting to peak over the horizon. Crystal clear skies and a 65 degree morning left me with an optimistic feeling about our snook fi shing success.

Seventeen Miles of Shimmering Jewels

Nestled along southwest Florida’s pristine coastline, Pine Island Sound sits just south of world famous Boca Grande Pass. The large numbers of small islands on either side of the sound are rich in history, some dating back to the Calusa Indians. Descendants of Paleo-Indians who inhabited southwest Florida thousands of years ago, the Calusas were originally called the “Calos” which means “Fierce People”.

Tucked away on Florida’s Space Coast is a small body of water home to year round heart stopping surface action! Shhhh….Don’t tell anyone!

Florida’s InlandWaterways...

are recognized around the globe as some of the best places on earth to fi sh for a number of glamorous shallow water species. Here on central Florida’s east coast, these waterways are known as the Indian River Lagoon system or as I like to call it, The redfish Capital of the World! There is however, a small part of this vast system that most anglers overlook. It’s the Banana River, and it’s where many of Florida’s record size bull redfish and largest gator trout are landed each year.

A little known haunt with big time potential! Article and Photos By Captain Jon Bull

Tucked away just west of the hustle and bustle of Sebastian Inlet, is an estuary that often goes overlooked when speaking of east coast hot spots. The Sebastian River lies on the Indian River/ Brevard County line, and thanks to its backcountry atmosphere, tends to be a year-round producer!

Recognized nationwide as the ultimate freshwater lure, spinner baits are quickly gaining respect amongst professional redfi sh anglers.

During our travels competing in the Pro Redfi sh Tour, my team mate Capt. Troy Mell and I, discovered more than a handful of new baits and quite a few innovative techniques. A number of which have proven to be very location specifi c, although not all of them. One lure in particular proved its worthiness in almost every body of water we fi shed.

Pursuing South Floridas most valuable commodity.

The French have a quirky nickname for the fish that here in South Florida we affectionately call the grey ghost of the fl ats. The French call bonefish banana fish As if Franco American relations werent strained enough in these tumultuous times, this insult to the honor of one of the most prized inshore game fish may prove an insurmountable hurdle to patching things up with the Europeans. Seriously, banana fish!

A pair of professional backcountry guides discuss the ups & downs of fi shing the tides.

Vivid blue Florida Bay water zipped beneath the boat’s slick hull, soon giving way to the amber-hued creeks of the Everglades. Two long time friends set out on a day of exploration. After a short wind-blown trip across the Bay and around the corner of East Cape, I pulled back the throttle on my new Evinrude powered 20’ Lake & Bay, gliding the boat to a complete stop.