One Day on Banana River Lagoon

One Day on Banana River Lagoon

We had some crappy weather this week. We had a couple nice days, too. Caleb Vogl and I got out one day on the Banana River Lagoon. It was hardly gangbusters, but there were some encouraging signs.

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Caleb is a young guy, from Kansas City. He wants to be a fishing guide. Tom Doerr introduced us, asked me to help him. So I guess I’m in the role of mentor, or perhaps tormentor. At any rate, we went to the Banana River Lagoon on Wednesday. The water was moderately clear, and there was quite a bit of widgeon grass growing, which was good. Lots of Rhodophyta, too, not so good.

We paddled for well over an hour before seeing a fish. No shots were forthcoming. More paddling turned up a few tailers. Caleb hooked one on a DOA shrimp. It was quite entertaining, and he got this beast-

 

He carefully released it.

It did not start a trend. I only got a couple fly shots that did not work, and we each got one (more, in his case) slot-sized fish on spin tackle. When we got back to our vehicles, Caleb said, “Wow! We paddled a long way today!” Yes, we did. You’ll cover some ground fishing with me. Three fish between two of us in over eight hours. Good thing one was a career fish!

In other news, I’m doing a new build of my Sienna camper van. I hope to be finished next month (A-ha-ha-hahaha!). Here’s how the interior looks as of this writing-

The laminate floor is installed, the cabinet is in progress. The bed and sink vanity are still in planning stage.

Weather forecasts predict some pretty crappy weather this coming week, too.

Happy MLK Jr. Day Monday!

And that, folks, is a One Day on Banana River Lagoon Report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go on a walk! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

Visited Old Spots Fishing Report

Visited Old Spots Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Visited Old Spots Fishing Report.

I moved to Florida in 1984. Was a fisherman when I got here. I fished and guided the Banana River Lagoon, the Indian River Lagoon, the Mosquito Lagoon, the near-coastal Atlantic from both Ponce Inlet and Port Canaveral, and the St. Johns river system as my local waters, and have travelled and fished all over the state. Since I got here, and particularly over the last five or six years, I have watched the water quality decline, and the quality fishing areas shrink, to the current pitiful state. There are many places I have fished where I’ve thought at the end of the day, “I don’t need to check here again for a long time.”

This week was dedicated to visiting some of those areas again.

Monday I visited what used to be a favorite St. Johns River system lake. It was full of vegetation- milfoil, eelgrass, dollarweed, bulrushes, others. The bass fishing was fantastic. A couple years ago, when the FWC declared herbicide war on all aquatic vegetation, I visited this lake with Tom Van Horn. The vegetation was all dead or dying. The bullfrogs were silent. There were no alligators, and no fish. I don’t need to check here again for a long time.

Best fish of the day.

Monday’s visit was nostalgic. The marsh is beautiful. Bullfrogs sang loudly, and so did the blackbirds. Tilapia chased each other around. I snuck up on a four-point buck, in velvet, that was feeding at the water’s edge. I fished hard for six hours, came up with four dink bass. There is still no vegetation, and not many fish. I still don’t need to check here again for a long time.

Wednesday I launched the Mitzi at Kelly Park and ran it down to Pineda Causeway. Was hoping to see tarpon, and the weather was perfect for it. No tarpon, though.

Used the electric motor to work my way most of the way to Georgiana Island. Found one small school of large redfish. I didn’t think they existed anymore! One slurped up my bunny leech in plain view and I caught it, the largest red I’ve gotten on fly in 10 years. That was way cool! Truly, God smiled on me. The entire episode was so unlikely.

I could not lift this fish into the boat.

Other than that, there were small scattered trout. Ran north of 528 and checked from the Barge Canal to KARS Park. Saw a few reds, a handful of five pound black drum, and two small snook. Got one dink trout, did not touch another fish. I don’t need to check here again for a long time.

One dink trout.

Back at the ramp two guys had an open fisherman on a trailer. One of them came over to me. “You got a screwdriver?” he asked. “Of course, I have a screwdriver,” I said. “He doesn’t,” the man said, pointing to his buddy. “Then why did you go out with him?” I said. Seriously, if you have a boat, you need some basic tools. It doesn’t get more basic than a screwdriver.

Friday On a perfect morning Scott Radloff and I went kayak fishing on the Indian River lagoon. Our boats hit the water at sunrise, and we were out until mid-day. Not a fish did we see. I hardly made any casts. Beautiful morning, lovely birds, I don’t need to check here again for a long time.

All other things being equal, the experiment will continue next week.

Non-exclusionary by its nature, fishing embraces all creeds and colors, all manner and kind of man and woman, gay or straight, whole or broken in body or spirit; every seeker, every pilgrim, every hopeful traveler who believes that in the art and sport of angling something purposeful, meaningful, traditional, wonderful, fun, and spiritual can be found. – Paul Quinnett

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Central Florida Fishing Report

Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading my central Florida fishing report. Got out four times this week.

FISHING!

Monday- took a kayak to the no motor zone. Had not been in months. Was pleased to be able to see the bottom. Water clarity wasn’t great but it’s the best I’ve seen there in at least two or three years. There’s green stuff that looks like a rooted plant growing on the bottom, something other than seagrass. It looks like Caulerpa brachypus, a nonnative species originating in the Pacific Ocean. I’ve been seeing whatever plant this is growing in the Indian River Lagoon, too. The Caulerpa is yet another invasive exotic. Once it’s established is there any hope for the manatee grass to recover?

Caulerpa prolifera, another Caulerpa species. A new exotic for the Indian River Lagoon?

There was quite a bit of bait- mullet, what I think were pinfish, and schools of bay anchovies. I saw relatively few predator fish, maybe 25-30 altogether in about six hours, mostly seatrout and small snook, one redfish. No catfish. Relatively few rays, no manatees, only a few sheepshead.

At least one dolphin is still trying to make a living in the Banana River Lagoon.

Using a DOA Shrimp I got three bites, caught a one-pound snook, an eight-inch trout, and quite a nice trout, 22 inches or so. I wanted to photograph the snook and the bigger trout- both shook off while I was getting the camera ready.

For a fine overview of the Indian River Lagoon system, visit this link- https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-01/documents/58692_an_river_lagoon_an_introduction_to_a_natural_treasure_2007.pdf

Tuesday- I went bank fishing in the Econlockhatchee. I worked it hard with plastic worms and plastic shad. While I saw a few fish, I only had a couple bites from dink bass. Both jumped off. Did not catch a fish. Spent some time taking pictures.

You could tell it rained recently. The resurrection ferns look hydrated.

 

Cardinal flowers are blooming.

 

Wednesday- after lunch I thought I would go sunfishing. I have a 6.5 foot Kunan four-weight, an awful rod, but took it hoping to catch some redbellies and stumpknockers. I parked at Snow Hill Road and walked up the Econ a way, then started wade fishing back, tossing a sponge rubber spider. Catching was terrible. In three hours I got a small bass, a small redbelly, and a small bluegill. That’s it!

It was small, but was the best fish I got.

The highlight of the afternoon occurred when a swallow-tailed kite soared directly up the river, flying right over me. Those birds are so beautiful, I love watching them.

I heard a loud combustion noise coming up the river. I thought it was an airboat. Turns out it was two jonboats, each powered by a go-devil. They ran right past me without slowing down, close enough the spray off the transom of the second boat got me wet. I was furious. Back at the bridge there were two trucks with boat trailers. I photographed their tags, came home, and wrote the following letter, which I sent to the Seminole County sheriff and my county commissioner:

While wading in the Econlockhatchee River today, upstream of the Snow Hill Road bridge, I was nearly run over when two aluminum jonboats, each pushed by an air-cooled go-devil style engine, operated by two inconsiderate young men, ran right past me at speed. They were close enough that the spray coming off their transom got me wet.

There were two trucks with boat trailers (Florida tags IN5 8AX and IKZ Q81) parked at Snow Hill Road. They use the kayak launch like a boat ramp, damaging it in the process.

Lots of paddlers use that stretch of river, one of the few in Seminole County conducive to a peaceful day on the water. Those jerks in the motorboats have the entire St. Johns River system at their disposal. They don’t need to be tearing up a small, intimate waterway. I think motors should not be allowed on that stretch at all. As it is I believe there’s a 5 MPH speed limit there. These folks were way out of compliance.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to getting your response about this matter.

I got the following lame response-

I am sorry to hear about your experience on the river. With all of the stay at home orders we are seeing a lot of people on the river just trying to get out of the house.

I have copied Lt Pete Kelting on here who oversees our Marine Patrol function and can address your concerns.

Thursday- I took sister Cheryl to Port Canaveral. We launched the Mitzi and ran the beach. The wind was blowing pretty hard out of the west- running the beach was really my only option.

Big ladyfish and typical Florida bluefish, plenty of both, was all I got. I did see a couple tarpon roll. There was not a lot of bait. There were not a lot of boats, either! We saw a lot of dolphins and a couple of breaching manta rays in the distance. Also saw several free-jumping spinner sharks.

Friday had a small craft advisory posted. I stayed home.

I wrote back to the Sheriff’s department Friday morning-

I understand that. They shouldn’t be breaking the law and endangering people’s lives while they’re at it, though.

Lt Kelting has not contacted me. Evidently the incident is not very important. I write a blog every week and will be putting this entire correspondence in it this week. The men operating those boats should at the very least get a warning from the Sheriff’s department.

Later Friday I received a call from Sgt. Chris Stronko, Seminole County Sheriff’s deputy. He said that his office, the entire Sheriff’s department, was very busy. I can understand that! He also said they would track the boat operators down, give them a little education and a warning not to do it again. Which is really all I want. He also promised to get back to me next week.

I also got an email from Bryttany Workman at the Sheriff’s department-

“Thus far, we created an AP for the landing. We will assist the ER in monitoring as this area can be easily reached by patrol car. We will be on the Econ monitoring this weekend. In the AP are instructions for the enforcement of vessels exceeding the 5 MPH ordinance past the bridge. As I know you are aware, this ordinance does not exclude motorized vessels, just the provision that they cannot go over 5 MPH. In addition, I will talk to Jim Duby about the signage at that location. Currently, there is no exclusion in the signage for launching a boat on a trailer. If there is destruction to the river bank, we can address that in conjunction with DEP. We have launched our mud boat in the same location and stayed on the concrete erosion protection and not caused any environmental damage. I agree that this area has primarily been a canoe and kayak launch, and that was the primary intention. Let me see how the County feels about the designated use of this area and labeling it as such, as I have copied Jim. One concern for only designating “canoes and kayaks” would be language excluding small jon boats that could be hand carried similar to a canoe or kayak.”

I don’t know what APs and ERs are but assume the deputies do. I’ll let you all know what happens!

I was glad to see it was important enough to the Sheriff’s office that they stayed on it and got back to me about it.

Most fishermen swiftly learn that it’s a pretty good rule never to show a favorite spot to any fisherman you wouldn’t trust with your wife.” -John D. Voelker

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Happy Thanksgiving Space Coast Fishing Report

Happy Thanksgiving Space Coast Fishing Report

I hope all of you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving, and I thank you for reading this Space Coast fishing report.

The observant among you probably noticed I skipped last week. Really, there was nothing to report.

Non Fishing-
I have not used their services, but Elevate Destinations claims that when you book a trip with them, you make possible travel for those less advantaged. It seems a great idea. Check out their website here- http://elevatedestinations.com

Monday
Tammy, Mike and I were supposed to go fishing. Something about the 20 knot winds in the forecast scared off some of the participants. I went alone to the north end of the Indian RIver Lagoon, and enjoyed the birds and wind.

Thursday
Mike Conneen and I went to Spruce Creek to do some paddling. My first fish was a fat flounder. Have you ever noticed you never hear the words “catch-and-release” and “flounder” in the same sentence?

space coast fishing report

Happy and surprised by this fish, I invited it home for dinner.

In addition I got five redfish and two snook, all on jigs. With the exception of a 22 inch red, everything was decidedly below the slot.

space coast fishing report

This was my second-best fish.

Mike got some fish too!

space coast fishing report

Mike lost the big one 🙁

Friday
Tom VanHorn took me into the Banana River Lagoon. You still can’t see the bottom. While I brought a fly rod I really didn’t expect to use it.

My first fish was a monster sail cat, the biggest I’ve ever gotten. I cleaned a large chunk of slimy goo off my leader afterwards.

That’s a fistful of slimy fish, now!

We began hitting seatrout, fairly nice ones.

space coast fishing report

We hit several limits of trout like this.

We came to a spot where the trout action on jigs was hot enough that I broke out the six-weight. I can’t say I did great but I missed a few strikes and got a couple trout to about three pounds.

space coast fishing report

Even got some with the fly pole!

All-in-all it was the best fishing I’ve had since Irma passed by, which is certainly encouraging.

And that, dear reader, is the Space Coast fishing report. Thanks for reading!

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2017. All rights are reserved.

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Black Drum Images- A Pictorial

Black Drum.

Thanksgiving blessings to all. The holiday lies a few hours off. To central Florida fly fishers that should mean black drum begin appearing on shallow flats of the Banana River Lagoon.

We sight fish for these brutes, using seven-weight (some folks like more rod) fly rods with such flies as black Clouser Minnows, black bunny leeches, or Merkin crabs in brown. My preference is for size two hooks. a 1/5oth ounce lead eye. Weed guards are essential.

First you search for the fish. There are no guarantees you will find them. Sometimes it’s a long day, lots of water covered, nothing to show for it.

black drum

Searching for black drum in the Banana River Lagoon.

Sometimes, though, you hit the jackpot.

black drum image

John Thompson with a big black drum.

The best days for them are warm and sunny with little or no wind.

black drum image

The first time Barry Kent fished with me he got this black drum.

The water is cold though. You need waders unless you’re tough.

black drum

Greg Ritland fights a black drum.

Many moons ago I brought one of my students, a seventh grader, fishing there. He had a brand new fly rod. This is the first fish he caught with it.

black drum image

Matt Van Pelt broke in his new fly rod with this fish. He’s in his thirties now.

No one will mistake these fish for a bonefish or a rainbow trout. But they are probably the largest tailing fish in North America, reaching sizes over 100 pounds.

black drum image

It’s a face only a fisherman could love,

My good friend Rodney Smith and I had a banner day on drum one time.

black drum

Rodney Smith, when he had time to go fishing.

Another good friend, Rick DePaiva, has had more luck there than anyone else I know.

black drum image

Ricky D with one of the many big black drum he’s taken there.

 

black drum

This was the first fish we saw this particular morning.

 

black drum

We photographed the daylights out of this fish, taking advantage of a good fish and great light.

 

black drum release

We took several more fish this day, but this was the best one.

 

Black drum should be on the flats until about Easter time. Make some time to get out there and pursue these unusual fish.

 

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2012. All rights are reserved.

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