Fishing Report from Spotted Tail 11/17/07


Hi! I forgot to put in my report last week that this weekend (Friday and Saturday) I would be at the Coastal Angler Magazine Fishing and Boating Show at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, on SR 44 just east of Interstate 4. C’mon by and see us!

Monday Maxx and I took two of his friends, Brian Jaye and Jimmy Whose Last Name I Don’t Know, canoeing on the Little Econlockhatchee. Maxx picked a short stretch, starting at Riverside Park, on Lockwood Avenue in Oveido, and going to CR 419. It was probably for the best- the river is choked with blowdowns. In the mile and a half (approximately) that we went we had to get out of the boats and drag over fallen trees at least half a dozen times, and there were that many again that we just managed to slide under. We didn’t bring fishing tackle but it sure did look pretty, if you’re willing to put up with all of the hazards to navigation. The river dropped at least a foot since last week.

Tuesday I went to the no motor zone, a solo trip. I had visions of tailing black drum and giant redfish. When I got there the wind was out of the north at about 10 mph. Need I say there were no tailers to be seen? No black drum at all, didn’t see the first one. I saw a couple of reds that may have hit 20 pounds but didn’t get a shot. I had four or five good shots at reds. I was using a black Bunny Booger, got two bites, and caught two slot reds. They weren’t high in the slot either. Altogether I saw somewhere around 15 redfish and one big honkin’ trout. We had a simultaneous spot, seeing each other at the same moment. He zoomed out of there in a hurry, but swam right in front of me just to show me how fat he was. On one hand it was disappointing that my fantasy didn’t materialize, but on the other hand it was a beautiful day and I had the entire place to myself. Very nice indeed, that.

Thursday I went kayaking on the Indian River, again by myself. The water was clear but tannin stained and it was hard to see. I found one tailer that I didn’t get and saw two other fish, too late to do anything with either. Blind casting a bendback I got a nice trout, about two feet long, and hooked a solid red that came unbuttoned after 10 seconds or so.

Yesterday I was at the show. Mark Nichols, Mike Hakala, Tom Van Horn, Ron Novitzsky, Chris Myers, and Rodney (of course) were there, along with a number of people I don’t know. It’s a nice little show, worth a visit if you don’t have to drive too far.


Remember- Life is short- GO FISHING!

Life is great and I love my work!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
member Florida Outdoor Writers Association (www.fowa.org), Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (www.seopa.org), Indian River Guides association (www.irga.org)