central florida destinations Archives

Bamboozled by Bass Fishing Report

March 1, 2024 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Bamboozled by Bass Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Bamboozled by Bass Fishing Report. Expectations- one thing you should never bring on a fishing trip.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Sunday I went to Buck Lake. I brought no expectations there, haven’t ever since the FWC went on their wild herbicide spraying spree and ruined the fishing there. But I still feel compelled to check it once or twice a year to see if it’s recovered at all. It has not. I got three dink bass and what turned out to be the fish of the week for me, a bowfin of three pounds or so. It declined to be photographed, but I have a photo of my feeble attempt. At least the weather was awesome.

Attempting to corral a mudfish. Didn’t happen.

Monday morning I drove to Ocala National Forest, which is where I carried my expectations. Having visited twice before and done well, the assumption was that history would repeat itself. Caleb Vogl came up Tuesday to fish with me. Wednesday he caught the fish of the trip, a two-and-a-half-pound largemouth. He was happy!

Caleb on Alexander Springs Run.

In three days of fishing, I got two dink bass on fly and a number of other dink bass on soft plastics. To no one’s surprise, my expectations were not met. You would think after a lifetime of fishing, I would know better.

Caleb again, with the fish of the trip, 2.5 pounds on his scale.

The coolest thing that happened? A dragonfly naiad climbed onto my boat to emerge. I photographed the beast swelling its wings next to the exuvium. It sat there until it could fly; then, ZOOM! Off it went. I had always wanted to see that.

A freshly molted dragonfly, with the discarded exuvium. Sorry about the background, but my kayak is yellow.

The trip was certainly enjoyable. The weather was wonderful, the lakes gorgeous. Got to see some stars! And Caleb is pretty entertaining! Not discouraged, I’m already planning another trip there.

And that, folks, is the Bamboozled by Bass fishing report. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go camping! 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.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: buck lake wma, florida bass fishing, kayak bass fishing, ocala national forest

No Fishing Report

February 23, 2024 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

No Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this No Fishing Report. Small craft advisories, cold, and workmen at my house kept me off the water. On the bright side, I did tie, and test, some new flies.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

I watched a video in which the narrator used an offset bass worm hook to tie a fly. I was, “Why haven’t I thought of that??” I got to work, making a few bunny strip eelworms, among other things.

A trip to the local retention pond to test the fly brought an immediate strike and a small bass to hand. Well, dang! This thing seems to work!

To make this fly, you need the hook, of course, and some magnum bunny strips, and some tying thread. After that, everything is an option.

I put the hook in the vise and started the thread. The hook I used didn’t have much of a neck, so the thread was wrapped around the bend. Then, I measured the bunny strip against the hook, and used an awl to poke a hole in the strip. The hook point was then inserted through that hole. The strip was cut at the tie-in point on the neck of the hook, and then tied in. Whip finish, finis! A true five-minute fly!

To some I added bead chain eyes, or a hackle collar. To one a rattle, to one a willow-leaf spinner. I haven’t tested the variants, but intend to next week.

A half-dozen bass gurglers got tied up, too. I already know how well those work!

Saturday, I joined the Oviedo Photo Club for a field trip to the Orlando Wetlands Park. It was good. I learned some stuff and met some nice new (to me) people. And I got some photos, too. See below.

As usually happens in places like this, you can get a severe case of lens envy.

Red-shouldered hawk.

Pied-billed grebe.

Great blue heron, roosting.

Dabbling ducks.

A poser!

This is what all those guys in the first shot were shooting, a sandhill crane and its chick.

And that, folks, is the no fishing report. I promise, there will be some fishing next week. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go camping! 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.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Fishing Reports, Flies and Fly Tying · Tagged: flies for bass, fly tying

Boreas Still Here, No Fishing. And Merry Christmas!

December 23, 2023 by john kumiski · 2 Comments

Boreas Still Here, No Fishing. And Merry Christmas!

Last week I wrote about Boreas, god of winds. Boreas still here, and again, no fishing. The Econ gauge as I write this is just under 12 feet, the Haulover Canal gauge at 1.5 feet, so fishing would likely be a waste even if I were to brave the gale. I might be getting cabin fever…

Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy holiday season! Merry Christmas!

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Great Blue Heron, Orlando Wetlands Park.

It was quite the week, though. A visit to the dermatologist to have pre-cancerous lesions frozen off my face. I remember all the fun in the sun I had for thirty years every time that happens. The winter solstice was Thursday. I love the pagan holidays! I disassembled the old camper build in my van and took halting steps towards building the new one. Rodney Smith and I took a walk at the Orlando Wetlands Park. Susan and I bought a new window install for our abode- cha-CHING! And, we had a guest blog by Julia Mitchell, enormously different than anything I might write.

Black vulture, Orlando Wetlands Park.

Purple aster, Orlando Wetlands Park.

American shad, St. Johns River.

Those of you who need fishing-related activity can take solace in the fact that the first shad to be caught in the St. Johns River will likely be caught between now and New Years Day. Dust off the shad tackle and get your flies and lures ready! Along with the shad, crappie, bluegills, a few largemouths, and if we’re lucky, those striper hybrids that Florida calls sunshine bass will be caught too!

Black crappie.

Largemouth bass, a very aggressive little one.

“Sunshine” bass, St. Johns River.

That’s the Boreas Still Here 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 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Uncategorized · Tagged: american shad fishing, birding orlando wetlands park, orlando wetlands park, St. Johns River, st. johns river shad

Looking for Tarpon Report

June 17, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Looking for Tarpon Report

Thanks for reading this Looking for Tarpon Report. Only two days this week were spent fishing, but I paddled one day, and walked another.

Happy father’s day to all the dads. The solstice is this week. Pagans, get ready to celebrate!

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Monday I took the Bang-O-Craft (which had been very lonely) and launched at Port St. John, with intent to go looking for tarpon. It was a long shot, but I have found them around there in the past. When I went to put the trolling motor on the boat, I realized the battery was still in the garage, on the charger. At least it was fully charged! With more breeze than I expected, I did not find the tarpon this time, and didn’t find much else, either. There was nothing at the power station.

I pulled the boat and drove up to Titusville, where I launched it again. I poled a long way and did not see much, except at one spot, where I managed to get a nice red on a plastic shad, and two snooklets on fly. No skunk for me this day.

Tuesday morning Tom Van Horn picked me up, then drove to Port Canaveral and launched his boat. We went north up the beach, looking for tarpon. We found and netted menhaden, which was the highlight of the trip as far as fishing goes. Although we saw a handful of tarpon roll, we drove home reeking of skunk.

Wednesday morning I paddled my canoe around Lake Mills. The cypress trees are gorgeous, and I spend a couple minutes observing an otter. Didn’t see much rooted vegetation (other than trees) in the water, or any fish. Wasn’t expecting tarpon there, though.

Wasn’t expecting tarpon at the wetlands park either, where I went walking Saturday morning.

Green heron.

White ibis, adult and juvenile.

Anhinga.

Four-spotted pennant on pickerelweed.

Four-spotted pennant on arrowhead (Sagittaria).

That’s the looking for tarpon report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, central florida fishing report, Fishing Reports · Tagged: Indian River Lagoon, orlando wetlands park, Port Canaveral, tarpon fishing

Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons Report

May 26, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons Report

Thank you for reading this Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons Report. There was rain and lightning every day this week, making fishing more interesting. Nothing like playing hide-and-seek with giant sparks to make fishing seem less important! In spite of that, a few fish were caught.

It’s Memorial Day weekend. Spend a moment or two silently, thinking about how lucky you are that thousands and thousands of Americans died fighting for your liberty. They deserve that much, at the very least.

The week started with a walk at the Orlando Wetlands Park. Wildlife doesn’t come any more accessible than at this artificial wetlands, where there is no admission fee.

Bullfrog.

Cooter turtle.

Night heron.

Great blue heron.

Roseate spoonbill.

Four-spotted pennant, ♀︎.

Sandhill crane.

Scott Radloff joined me for a paddle day on Mosquito Lagoon. I was hoping for great things. It was not to be. Scott got a couple trout. I stank like a skunk all afternoon. Lightning drove us off the water. We took the opportunity to cruise Biolab Road, the first time I’ve seen the south end of the lagoon for a long time. The water was fairly clear, but we did not see any fish, or fishermen.

I went solo to the Indian River Lagoon one day. Since I was greeted by a rainbow, you could guess what the weather was like. A red on fly, another on spin, and jumped a small tarpon with a fly. Off the water by noon, more than slightly damp.

Met some folks crabbing while checking out some old fishing spots. They were having good luck!

Passionflower, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.

Who can tell me what this is?

That’s the Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons Report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, central florida fishing report, Fishing Reports · Tagged: Indian River Lagoon, kayak fishing, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, orlando wetlands park, wildlife photography

Fishing and Paddling Around Central Florida Report and Photo Essay

May 7, 2023 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Fishing and Paddling Around Central Florida Report and Photo Essay

Fortunately, I got out paddling and walking this week. The weather, so unpredictable last week, was splendid every day. And it’s officially tarpon season, not that I’ll be going. No boat 🙁

Subscribers- no photos? https://www.spottedtail.com/blog . Please bookmark the page!!!

Monday and Tuesday I went paddle fishing on Mosquito Lagoon. I could be verbose, but will let the photos do the work. The water was clean and the seagrass was thick!!!

Swarms of minnows, clean water, and seagrass. Have we turned a corner?

There were snook in places like this.

Aggressive little snapper. I got two.

The dark patches are seagrass.

A manatee vertebra?

One of several.

One of many.

Wednesday afternoon saw me walking at Orlando Wetlands Park, camera in hand-

Great blue heron.

Roseate spoonbills.

Alligator mississippiensis.

Friday Jorge Hidalgo accompanied me down the Econlockhatchee-

The vessel.

Hooked up.

The fish.

The release.

Saturday found me paddling the Juniper Springs Run with a group from the Central Florida Freethought Community –

It was a very cool week! That’s the Fishing and Paddling Around Central Florida report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida, Photo Essays · Tagged: bass fishing fly rod, central florida freethought community, econlockhatchee, fishing and paddling around central florida, juniper springs run, mosquito lagoon fly fishing, Paddle Fishing Florida, redfish fishing

Fish and Birds No Fishing Report

July 15, 2022 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Fish and Birds No Fishing Report

Thanks for reading this fish and birds no fishing report. The format of this report will be different- no fishing for me this week! My only excursion was to the Orlando Wetlands Park, so there may be a few dragonfly shots here.

Responding to last week’s posting the video of the pigeon-eating catfish and my need to tie up pigeon flies for Mosquito Lagoon, subscriber George Fleszar wrote to me, “I think you might be better off trying Sternula antillarum tied on a 12/0 Mustad 3407-DT.” Good idea, George!

George also included this link-

https://youtu.be/h4pxLHG0Wzs Awesome! Thank you, George!

Now intrigued on the subject of bird-eating fish, I found this link-

https://youtu.be/OD6cQ2dh7Mo Incredible!

I went for a hot, sweaty walk at the wetlands park one morning, looking for dragonflies. Of course, there were some, but many fewer than my last trip. The four-spotted pennants’ numbers, in particular, took a nose-dive. But I managed to get a few decent shots…

Eastern Pondhawk, female.

Halloween Pennant.

Needham’s Skimmer, male.

Four-Spotted Pennant, female.

I do love the dragonflies! And you may gain more appreciation for them too, if you watch this-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJi61NAIsjs Just stunning!

Birds also eat fish. I found the following links in a book I’m reading (and highly recommend) titled, Beyond Words- What Animals Think and Feel, by Carl Safina. My first thought was, “How would he know?” Read the book- you’ll find out.

You know green herons fish. Did you know they can use bait?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Porp5v5lLKk They’re smarter than we give them credit for.

This one is of a problem-solving crow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gui3IswQ0DI I’ve had students who couldn’t have solved that one. Heck, I might not be able to.

Finally, the Audubon Society has just published the results of its annual bird photography contest, simply outstanding and an excellent use of your time-

https://www.audubon.org/news/the-2022-audubon-photography-awards-top-100?utm_source=pocket-newtab

That’s the fish and birds no fishing report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take 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, copyright John Kumiski 2022. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, opinion, Uncategorized · Tagged: Audubon awards, crow intelligence, dragonflies, giant trevally, green heron, orlando wetlands park, tiger shark

Another Econlockhatchee Fishing Report

June 2, 2022 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Another Econlockhatchee Fishing Report

Thanks for reading another Econlockhatchee fishing report. We’re early this week because I’ll be on the road.

Not a dragonfly, a black swallowtail works pickerelweed blossoms.

Sunday morning found me at Orlando Wetlands Park to chase dragonflies with a camera. Although the website says they open at 0800, the sign on the gate says they open at sunrise. In case you want to get there for the morning light. Anyway, there were loads of dragonflies.

Needham’s skimmer, male.

Needham’s skimmer, female. Viva le difference!

Four-spotted pennant, male.

Last one, four spotted pennant, female.

Memorial Day I did what I usually do- stayed home and hid. The plan worked perfectly.

Tuesday morning Susan dropped me, a fly rod, a camera, and the kayak off at the Econ, a little after 0800. The gauge read 1.9 feet. I mostly just floated and enjoyed the day, doing lots of wading, catching a few bass (no big ones) on a mouse fly, and taking pictures, until 1300. Then, supposed to meet Susan at 1500, I paddled like I meant it, for two-and-a-half hours. I was a little late…

Ebony jeweling, female. Didn’t see any males.

Wednesday I dropped myself off at the Econ, same kit as the previous day. I only took a few pictures though, mostly spending my time fly fishing. I lost the mouse in a bush, lost another surface fly on a strike, had a popper body come off the hook (need to talk to my fly tyer about that), and tried a streamer for a while.

The disintegrating popper. Next fish blew it up.

The streamer was tied for the Ocala trip, was supposed to imitate a golden shiner. I don’t think it looked at all like a shiner. Neither did some of the bass I saw follow it without taking.

The “golden shiner” electric sushi streamer.

But quite a few bass (no big ones) did take it, and the redbellies loved it. You wouldn’t think a redbelly could get a size 1 hook in its mouth, but there ya go.

Amazing cypress tree, probably the most unusual one on the river.

Buttonbush blossom. Smells the roses!

Thursday (as I write this) I ran errands and packed. I’ll be off in the morning, going to chase some trout with Tammy. I’m not a good trout fisherman, but I am bringing some camera gear.

That’s the early another Econlockhatchee Fishing report. Thanks for reading!

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

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2022. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, central florida fishing report, Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: adventure fishing, Bass fishing, Econlockhatchee River, florida fishing, fly fishing, kayak fishing

Indian River Lagoon Slams Fishing Report

May 27, 2022 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment

Indian River Lagoon Slams Fishing Report

Thanks for reading this Indian River Lagoon slams fishing report. There’s also an ode to odonata in here.

And while you’re out enjoying yourself this Memorial Day weekend, be safe, and spend some time thinking about all the people who have made so many sacrifices so that we can enjoy our way of life. The beaches at Normandy on June 6, 1944 jump to mind…

Odonata are one of 28 orders of insects.* Included in this order are the dragonflies and damselflies. You’ll find (if you’re looking) six families of dragonflies and three families of damselflies in Florida, over 100 colorful, insect-eating species all told.

Female four-spotted pennant.

These insects eat other insects, especially insects humans find annoying- gnats, no-see-ums, mosquitos. They do so energetically and colorfully- odonates are beautiful creatures and dragonflies are amazing fliers! Everyone who spends time in the outdoors should be thankful for the work the odonates do for us.

Male blue dasher.

I would like to be able to identify all the Florida species. Right now I can identify three or four. I am what is called a work in progress!

Don’t know the family, never mind genus and species. Anyone know?

* The taxa go Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus species.

Sunday

Found me at Orlando Wetlands Park, looking for dragonflies (and other stuff) to photograph. It’s a great way to get out and observe nature without having to compete for limited weekend fishing spots.

Needham’s skimmer, female.

Monday

Honey-dos. Move along folks, nothing to see here!

Monday evening found me looking at google maps, looking for new fishing spots, something I probably spend too much time doing. That having been said, I noticed something I never had before.

Tuesday

Found me in my kayak with a camera, a fly rod and a spin rod. First I tried to get dragonfly photos, which was somewhat frustrating. When the wind blows, the dragonfly’s perch waves around- very hard to focus. The frogs were a little easier!

Then it was time for checking out my “new” discovery. After only a few minutes I got a small snook with the spin rod. It was the only snook caught, although several handsome specimens were observed. The fly rod accounted for two redfish and a tarpon, all by casting blindly. Best of all, the place was reasonably easy to fish, even with a 15-knot wind. I’ll be back.

The water in the IRL isn’t crystal clear, but it’s not filled with algae either. Sight fishing is still possible if there’s good light.

It may be small, but it’s a snook!

The black-and-purple was the ticket this week!

Wednesday

Met Mike Conneen and River at 0615, different place on the IRL. It was not hot fishing by any means, but it was fairly steady. There was a fly rod in my kayak, which never got touched. WHOOOOOSSHHHHHH said the wind! We both got slams of trout, reds, and snook. Most of the fish were small, but there were a couple decent ones.

Odd observation- when we first got out onto the water, a string of pelicans flew over, 14 or 15 birds. The pelican in the middle of the string looked odd. Because it was in fact a spoonbill. Never noticed that before!

Thursday

Went to the IRL, different spot. It was blowey again, so my plan was to use the kayak to access the area I wanted to fly fish, and then wade.

Plans often get modified, but I did walk in the water for a couple of miles. For the sake of symmetry, I’d like to say that I brought a spin rod and it never got touched, but it got used. There goes the symmetry.

I fly fished for about three hours. The first fish was a dinker snook. At least it only took an hour of casting to get! Then a fat, picture-worthy trout nailed the streamer. Two species! A redfish laughed at my fly- I thought the presentation was spot on. I changed the fly. A red in the slot nailed the streamer on a blind cast. Three species!

It’s hard to be stealthy when tied to a kayak that the waves are slapping off of. Several fish were spooked this way. I picked up the spin rod.

Two more reds, one only a few months old, and a very fat trout hit the shad. After about six hours of wading, I loaded the boat onto the car roof, calling it a day well lived.

Friday

Errands and planning. Got to get ready for the weekend!

Three different species were caught every day I (and Mike) fished this week. It ain’t the old days, but there is some fishing out there, at least at the moment. That’s the Indian River Lagoon Slams Fishing report. Thanks for reading!

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

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

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2022. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, central florida fishing report, Fishing Reports, Paddle Fishing Florida, Photo Essays · Tagged: adventure fishing, dragonflies, fly fishing, frogs, Indian River Lagoon, kayak fishing, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, odonata, redfish fishing, seatrout fishing, snook fishing, tarpon fishing

The MINWR Fishing Report

May 20, 2022 by john kumiski · Leave a Comment