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Everglades and 10M Islands
April 19, 2001

You sometimes get lucky and other times it just happens. That's fishing. We all like the easy fishing. You put a piece of bait on, throw it out and bring fish back to the boat. I have said it before and I'll say it again. Sometimes it is easy being a guide. And boy howdy that's the scenario that I have been experiencing in past two weeks. A nineteen pound snook, limiting almost everyday on same. Reds, trout, tarpon, and mangrove snapper, all are catching hell from me and my customers. I have been having a ball. Doesn't happen like this very often, but wend it does, I have to tell somebody. Seems as if the white bait is here and about in abundance one day, with only two throws from me required and then 2 hours of marathon cast-netting the following day. If you get the bait, and the winds aren't bad, it can be almost nonstop action. Admitted, that most of these fish are below the 26" slot. But hey, your string is being pulled. A lot can be said about busy fishing. One in ten will be a keeper. And a few will be one of the big girls. Keeps ya honest.

If you fish the Glades backcountry, you have to be aware that the water back there is salt water. Those ol' black back snook don't see white bait back there, and if the feed is on, get focused. I've been taking the white bait back into the creeks, with good results. You have pick your spot thought. Around the creek mouths have been most effective, with the tide outgoing. Use stout tackle here or you will be spending a lot of fishing time rerigging. Some of these fish are above the 33 inch mark and in good health. You can figure the rest. Some folks don't take their customer's into the backcountry. They ride and fish on the "outside." I enjoy the backcountry as much as someone who has never seen same. And they's BIG fish back there. Vast, vast and vast.

If you are among the chunk and grind crowd, you do have to work for them. The fish in the back country can be scarce, but if you find one, in all probability, many are nearby. With forage limited as a result of NO fresh water coming into the back country, the bass, bream, and chilids are nonexistent. An advantage to hard bait folks. Timing and location are the main reason for success in hooking up on those black-back snook.

Tip of the week...
Something's you just don't think about. I had alittle trouble with my trolling motor. Went to Smiths Marine in Ft. Myers, Motorguide repair station, to have it repaired. (941-939-5776). Wizz-kid Jason, Ron, and Craig dropped everything to help me get back on the water. While there, a gentleman came in with a Great White trolling motor that needed minor repairs. These folks will fix it while you wait at times, if possible. Craig trouble shot the motor. While doing this he took off the prop and found enough mono-filament around the prop shaft to spool two Shimano Stradic's 6000s. Nuff said. Check yours and be sure to put alittle grease around the shaft and pin.

Tight lines and be safe..
Capt. Tom Haynes
MOUSENFISH@aol.com
(813)973-0774