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anyone here into fishing? (2 Viewers)

...Well that's different, but honestly something to consider.  Cheaper than the 360 Angler...can be outfitted with 2 seats.  Appears to store in small spaces and is easily transportable (Love the hitch basket mounting option).  It's ugly/odd looking, but for what I would use it for, something to consider.  Thanks!
Yeah, they make a compelling case other than the aesthetics.  I'm zeroing in on one for a service platform for when my boat is on the lift and something I can keep on the floating dock to just go out for short fishing trips. For the price, I haven't found anything new that competes. And I like the fact that the seated position is  up a little higher than a Kayak or small boat.  Would be even better with just a leaning post but it looks like that would be an easy mod.

 
Yeah, they make a compelling case other than the aesthetics.  I'm zeroing in on one for a service platform for when my boat is on the lift and something I can keep on the floating dock to just go out for short fishing trips. For the price, I haven't found anything new that competes. And I like the fact that the seated position is  up a little higher than a Kayak or small boat.  Would be even better with just a leaning post but it looks like that would be an easy mod.
Mini skiff would be bad###. Inflatable pontoon would be cool and give you options. Even a pelican could serve this purpose.

 
Mini skiff would be bad###. Inflatable pontoon would be cool and give you options. Even a pelican could serve this purpose.
Yeah, if I find a mini skiff or jon boat at the right price I might go for one of those.  But, nothing inflatable (lots of oysters and barnacles to deal with around my dock), and whatever I get must be self bailing.  Even in the ICW, little boats can get swamped quickly and non self bailing is a recipe for trouble.  One of the reasons I like the round one.

 
Fat Nick said:
We stay at South Seas too - I used Ramer Fishing Charters.  Captain Jason was FANTASTIC.  His boat isn't big, but it's outfitted with all kinds of cool gear.  Would totally recommend him again in a heart-beat.  We did a charter on the first Tuesday we were there, and had so much fun we went again on Saturday.  He picked us up at the marina back behind the front gate.  If you end up calling him, tell him you know Nick and his son Connor who did two charters with him back-to-back in August say hi!
Small world.  I was told that the ponds there hold tarpon.  I tried on fly last time I was there but no dice.  Have you had the orange cake at the bubble room?

 
I would love to find an old Hells Bay hull to restore.  The problem is every one I have found is still worth a new Civic.

 
I would love to find an old Hells Bay hull to restore.  The problem is every one I have found is still worth a new Civic.
For sure.  The problem is, they aren't that old.  Just barely getting to 20 years old now.  But they really redefined shallow water fishing. My next inshore boat is either going to be a shallow water skiff or a Panga.  But next up is bigger offshore before I get to that.  

 
SWC said:
is there bonefishing in the keys at all i am just wondering take that to the bank brohans 
brohans i am sorry to be a pest but if anyone knows the answer to this i would apprecaite your help thanks guys take that to the bank

 
probably not in the mix here but going back to ND on Jan.14th to ice fish Lake Sakakawea with my 2 sons.   Walleye, Northern pike.   Average day ice fishing for the three of us should be 12 to 20 walleyes.   Should be in an ice house so some jigging involved but 10 flag tip ups withing 75 yards of ice house baited with chub minnow.   Flag goes up-fish on.

later dudes.

 
Small world.  I was told that the ponds there hold tarpon.  I tried on fly last time I was there but no dice.  Have you had the orange cake at the bubble room?
So I fished the small pond by the front gate - definitely no tarpon.  Some tilapia that don't really bite bait, and some cool Mayan Cichlids that get about the size as a bluegill and fight like crazy.  Good for some fun fishing with the little guy on cloudy days since it was 100 yards from the unit we stayed in.  I was hoping for some peacock bass or something, but no dice.  I saw a guy fishing one of the ponds by the golf course with some heavier gear.  Maybe that's what he was looking for.  

JFC the Orange Cake at the bubble room is fantastic.  Maybe the best cake I've ever had.  Be sure to try the Key Lime Margaritas at Keylime Bistro - those are awesome too.  Last summer was our 3rd straight year there.  Stayed at South Seas the first time, then rented a house on the bay roughly behind the Bubble Room the 2nd time, then back to SS this time.  We'll probably go back again next year.  Fantastic place.

 
For sure.  The problem is, they aren't that old.  Just barely getting to 20 years old now.  But they really redefined shallow water fishing. My next inshore boat is either going to be a shallow water skiff or a Panga.  But next up is bigger offshore before I get to that.  
What do you have now?

 
What do you have now?
It's a hybrid made by Starcraft.  22ft, 200 HP Yamaha.  Center console with T-Top but deck boat upper layout.  Slightly more aggressive dead rise than a typical bay boat but not enough for serious ocean work and too much draft for good inshore work.  I'm comfortable up to about 15 miles offshore here on a nice day but I want to be able to run to the stream and Bimini with confidence. And I'm a bit hampered by my dock since it's so tidal there are times of the year I don't have 18" to get out at low tide and have to also consider tide times as well as weather for offshore trips. So I'm going to get a bigger offshore boat and keep it either in the water (if Sporty) or on a rack or trailer (if CC) at a marina about a mile up the river. I'll keep the current boat for now for the river but eventually replace it with a lower draft skiff or Panga with a jack plate.

 
It's a hybrid made by Starcraft.  22ft, 200 HP Yamaha.  Center console with T-Top but deck boat upper layout.  Slightly more aggressive dead rise than a typical bay boat but not enough for serious ocean work and too much draft for good inshore work.  I'm comfortable up to about 15 miles offshore here on a nice day but I want to be able to run to the stream and Bimini with confidence. And I'm a bit hampered by my dock since it's so tidal there are times of the year I don't have 18" to get out at low tide and have to also consider tide times as well as weather for offshore trips. So I'm going to get a bigger offshore boat and keep it either in the water (if Sporty) or on a rack or trailer (if CC) at a marina about a mile up the river. I'll keep the current boat for now for the river but eventually replace it with a lower draft skiff or Panga with a jack plate.


I am also shopping for an offshore boat, I am looking specifically for ~15 year old 29 or 31 Fountains with no power at a reasonable price. It may take me a year to find one, but I want to refit everything with new engines. 

They are a wet boat, but they can hold a large capacity fuel tank, get good fuel economy, generally priced more reasonable than contenders, regulators, etc, and there are enough of them on the market from the early 90's to give me some confidence in the long term potential.

My previous boat only had a 180 gallon tank and that was not enough for the fishing I want to do.

 
Ron Swanson said:
It's a hybrid made by Starcraft.  22ft, 200 HP Yamaha.  Center console with T-Top but deck boat upper layout.  Slightly more aggressive dead rise than a typical bay boat but not enough for serious ocean work and too much draft for good inshore work.  I'm comfortable up to about 15 miles offshore here on a nice day but I want to be able to run to the stream and Bimini with confidence. And I'm a bit hampered by my dock since it's so tidal there are times of the year I don't have 18" to get out at low tide and have to also consider tide times as well as weather for offshore trips. So I'm going to get a bigger offshore boat and keep it either in the water (if Sporty) or on a rack or trailer (if CC) at a marina about a mile up the river. I'll keep the current boat for now for the river but eventually replace it with a lower draft skiff or Panga with a jack plate.
What length?

 
Fat Nick said:
So I fished the small pond by the front gate - definitely no tarpon.  Some tilapia that don't really bite bait, and some cool Mayan Cichlids that get about the size as a bluegill and fight like crazy.  Good for some fun fishing with the little guy on cloudy days since it was 100 yards from the unit we stayed in.  I was hoping for some peacock bass or something, but no dice.  I saw a guy fishing one of the ponds by the golf course with some heavier gear.  Maybe that's what he was looking for.  

JFC the Orange Cake at the bubble room is fantastic.  Maybe the best cake I've ever had.  Be sure to try the Key Lime Margaritas at Keylime Bistro - those are awesome too.  Last summer was our 3rd straight year there.  Stayed at South Seas the first time, then rented a house on the bay roughly behind the Bubble Room the 2nd time, then back to SS this time.  We'll probably go back again next year.  Fantastic place.
That orange cake.....

I fished the first 2 ponds on the left as you drive in.  Found about the same as you.  I took the golf cart and went on the fairways one evening, but the weather turned on me.  I think we are planning to go back this summer.  I love it there. Duly noted on the Margarita.

 
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Yes, plenty of bonefishing in The Keys. Summer time is best.
thanks bromigo is there anything that works in late january i may have a chance to get there like 1 in a hondo but if so it has been dream of mine to try to catch a bonefish on a fly rod thanks for anything you go take that to the bank brochacho

 
thanks bromigo is there anything that works in late january i may have a chance to get there like 1 in a hondo but if so it has been dream of mine to try to catch a bonefish on a fly rod thanks for anything you go take that to the bank brochacho
Yes, you can catch them year round. I just got one about a month ago in Biscayne Bay. If you're hoping to catch one by yourself from the shore (or wading), Id say you have a VERY slim chance. You really need a guide if you want to have the best odds. Fly rod also adds an extra layer of difficulty. Many days its just too damn windy to throw flies and you'd have much better luck with a piece of shrimp on a spinning rod. 

Good luck brohan!  :fishing:

 
thanks glidemigo i am pretty much broke all the time so a guide is probably not in the cards but i will do some internettin and see what i can figure out i am actually pretty good with a fly rod on account of the salmon and trout runs in the tribs here in the waukee little known secret outside of the midwest i suppose and also the smallie fishing here in milwaukee and points immediatley north is pretty fanstastic also a sleeper secret take that to the bank brochachos 

 
thanks glidemigo i am pretty much broke all the time so a guide is probably not in the cards but i will do some internettin and see what i can figure out i am actually pretty good with a fly rod on account of the salmon and trout runs in the tribs here in the waukee little known secret outside of the midwest i suppose and also the smallie fishing here in milwaukee and points immediatley north is pretty fanstastic also a sleeper secret take that to the bank brochachos 
I'm usually too cheap to hire a guide too. You're probably looking at $400 min (not including tip). I have DIY fished for bones probably 7-8 times without a guide. I finally caught my first unguided one last summer in the Bahamas. Basically just got lucky that there was a whole school sitting in plain site. If you already have the fly skills, just finding them / seeing them will be the hard part. If you're wading on a big flat, it's extremely difficult to see them from water level. A guide not only knows where to look and what to look for, he/she also has the advantage of being up on the poling platform so they can see much more area. The one time I went with a guide, we probably caught 4-5 each in a couple hours and I didnt see a single one of them. He would just tell you which direction and how far to throw and next thing you knew, you had a fish.

 
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That orange cake.....

I fished the first 2 ponds on the left as you drive in.  Found about the same as you.  I took the golf cart and went on the fairways one evening, but the weather turned on me.  I think we are planning to go back this summer.  I love it there. Duly noted on the Margarita.
Yep.  Same two ponds I fished.  The one with the little island in the middle had the best stuff.  I forgot to mention I saw a Sheep's head in there, along with a small school of Mullet - there must be some kind of access there, or maybe that's all stuff that washed in there during the last big hurricane that is still in there.  Regardless, it's odd seeing salt water species in a land-locked pond.  The 2nd pond looks like it connects back into the mangroves somehow.  I swore I saw a peacock bass when I drove by in the cart one time, but I never saw it again.  

I'd be really curious what you find in the fairway ponds.  It kind of shocked me to see a guy fishing them.  I usually take the cart up to the rock jetty at Redfish pass and fish up there when I can fish solo.  The rocks are too scary to have a 5-year old around.  The first two years we were up there, I caught a lot up there.  Snapper, Jacks, some other smaller stuff.  I saw some big Snook patroling the shallows, but couldn't get them to bite.  This time, for whatever reason, NOTHING.  Not sure if it was the current or what.  I've never had luck fishing off the t-dock or off the sea wall personally.  Too many snags and the current is just too strong.

 
Yep.  Same two ponds I fished.  The one with the little island in the middle had the best stuff.  I forgot to mention I saw a Sheep's head in there, along with a small school of Mullet - there must be some kind of access there, or maybe that's all stuff that washed in there during the last big hurricane that is still in there.  Regardless, it's odd seeing salt water species in a land-locked pond.  The 2nd pond looks like it connects back into the mangroves somehow.  I swore I saw a peacock bass when I drove by in the cart one time, but I never saw it again.  

I'd be really curious what you find in the fairway ponds.  It kind of shocked me to see a guy fishing them.  I usually take the cart up to the rock jetty at Redfish pass and fish up there when I can fish solo.  The rocks are too scary to have a 5-year old around.  The first two years we were up there, I caught a lot up there.  Snapper, Jacks, some other smaller stuff.  I saw some big Snook patroling the shallows, but couldn't get them to bite.  This time, for whatever reason, NOTHING.  Not sure if it was the current or what.  I've never had luck fishing off the t-dock or off the sea wall personally.  Too many snags and the current is just too strong.
The one with the little island is the one I had more success at also.  I spoke with a fly guide and he told me about the Tarpon in the ponds on the dL.  He did say baby tarpon but still.  I agree about the jetty.  I typically will go if the boys are in the pool with their mother and I can sneak away.  I still haven’t gotten a snook to bite.  Typically I am on fly, but I am going to have to bring a few spinning setups next time.

 
MTskibum said:
I am also shopping for an offshore boat, I am looking specifically for ~15 year old 29 or 31 Fountains with no power at a reasonable price. It may take me a year to find one, but I want to refit everything with new engines. 

They are a wet boat, but they can hold a large capacity fuel tank, get good fuel economy, generally priced more reasonable than contenders, regulators, etc, and there are enough of them on the market from the early 90's to give me some confidence in the long term potential.

My previous boat only had a 180 gallon tank and that was not enough for the fishing I want to do.
With the price CC's are going for these days, that's a good strategy.  I don't know about in TX but in FL Suzuki is running away with the repower market and is giving some great deals. That, coupled with the latest electronics and gadgets can make the right older hull a steal. 

I live within a couple miles of Boston Whaler, Everglades, Edgewater, and a couple other top tier builders and I just can't believe the volume they are cranking out at the prices they're getting. None of them can hire enough people. I hear Freeman and Yellowfin are on multi-year waiting lists now.  The good news for the rest of us is the majority of these boats are financed so when it crashes we can take advantage.

 
With the price CC's are going for these days, that's a good strategy.  I don't know about in TX but in FL Suzuki is running away with the repower market and is giving some great deals. That, coupled with the latest electronics and gadgets can make the right older hull a steal. 

I live within a couple miles of Boston Whaler, Everglades, Edgewater, and a couple other top tier builders and I just can't believe the volume they are cranking out at the prices they're getting. None of them can hire enough people. I hear Freeman and Yellowfin are on multi-year waiting lists now.  The good news for the rest of us is the majority of these boats are financed so when it crashes we can take advantage.
There is an 11 year old Freeman project hull without engines for the low low price of 150,000 dollars over on thehulltruth.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/1040080-2008-freeman-33-hull-trailer-no-motors.html

There are a few brands of boats that I think are good, but always overpriced, I would put Boston Whaler and Grady White firmly in that category, on the other hand there are boats that last 30+ years that depreciate faster such as Fountain, ProKat, Donzi, Proline, Seacat, McKee, etc. This is where I will be focusing my efforts. 

My goal is to get a 28'+ boat with new wiring, new electronics, new fuel tank, reinforced stringers, and new engines for under 50k. With the understanding that I will need to put in some serious sweat equity to get to this price point.

I do see the Suzuki prices in Florida, and people from Texas do drive over there to get those prices. But we do not have those prices locally. I even looked at Mercury and it was cheaper to buy them in Florida, get them shipped to a local authorized mechanic, and have them mounted here.

 
The one with the little island is the one I had more success at also.  I spoke with a fly guide and he told me about the Tarpon in the ponds on the dL.  He did say baby tarpon but still.  I agree about the jetty.  I typically will go if the boys are in the pool with their mother and I can sneak away.  I still haven’t gotten a snook to bite.  Typically I am on fly, but I am going to have to bring a few spinning setups next time.
After you mentioned Tarpon, I googled it, and there's a youtube video of some kids catching a small one in the long pond at the north end of the resort - maybe 18" - 24" long.  Regardless, that's pretty darn cool.

I typically use spinning gear and a 4-piece travel pole.  I've tried all kinds of bait from shore.  Whole shrimp seem to work the best.  Squid (which I use a lot in OC MD) don't catch much.  DOA shrimp lures are supposedly great, but I haven't had much luck with them.  

When I was out with Capt. Jason on the charters, he would use a cast net to get live bait.  That worked great.  Pinfish especially.  We caught a ton of big redfish and snook literally on the other side of Redfish pass on North Captiva around one of the docks, so they're there...but they seem to like live bait.  I think next time I'm going to get a cast net and pick up a bucket on the way from the airport so I can try live bait from the shore.  Seems to make a big difference.

 
There is an 11 year old Freeman project hull without engines for the low low price of 150,000 dollars over on thehulltruth.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/1040080-2008-freeman-33-hull-trailer-no-motors.html

There are a few brands of boats that I think are good, but always overpriced, I would put Boston Whaler and Grady White firmly in that category, on the other hand there are boats that last 30+ years that depreciate faster such as Fountain, ProKat, Donzi, Proline, Seacat, McKee, etc. This is where I will be focusing my efforts. 

My goal is to get a 28'+ boat with new wiring, new electronics, new fuel tank, reinforced stringers, and new engines for under 50k. With the understanding that I will need to put in some serious sweat equity to get to this price point.

I do see the Suzuki prices in Florida, and people from Texas do drive over there to get those prices. But we do not have those prices locally. I even looked at Mercury and it was cheaper to buy them in Florida, get them shipped to a local authorized mechanic, and have them mounted here.
That's awesome. I wish I had the time to put in the sweat equity now.  Between work and travel I barely keep up with maintenance and wind up contracting half of that out.  I'll keep an eye out for you for any hulls down here that might pop up locally.

 
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Everytime this topic pops back up to the front page I read it as "Anyone here into fisting?" 

:oldunsure:

 
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Went on my Mosquito lagoon trip today. Caught 12 Redfish today this one was the first and the smallest. Man those guys put up a fight,I was worn out by the time we were done. Of course it didn't help that I had the flu,but I wasn't going to let that stop me.

https://imgur.com/a/AYgRIzz

And of course the one that got away probably the biggest of the day.

https://www.facebook.com/ed.darden.3/videos/2953532331325520/
Nice! Any slots?  Today was a beautiful day.  At least it looked like it from my freaking dek.

 
Nice! Any slots?  Today was a beautiful day.  At least it looked like it from my freaking dek.
All but one. We released them all though. We used Spot and Tail Charters Pat Rood. He is from your neck of the woods I believe. He put us right on the fish when he found the spot he wanted we weren't out there 5 minutes and we were catching fish. Highly recommend him.

 
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I'm jealous of those who are able to fish right now.  Winter sucks.  I've been spending all my free time organizing and preparing for the new season.  I've got a pretty full schedule of tourneys lined up for the year already.

 
I'm jealous of those who are able to fish right now.  Winter sucks.  I've been spending all my free time organizing and preparing for the new season.  I've got a pretty full schedule of tourneys lined up for the year already.
Agreed. But I am going up for my annual ice fishing getaway on Leech Lake in northern MN in a couple weeks. Four days. Mostly perch, some walleye and pike if we happen to go after them.

 
Agreed. But I am going up for my annual ice fishing getaway on Leech Lake in northern MN in a couple weeks. Four days. Mostly perch, some walleye and pike if we happen to go after them.
Small world. Ice conditions on Leech have been bad, but I'm finally getting up there this weekend and will be back there again in 1/31-2/2. Where do you go? We usually rent off of Pine Point. 

 
Small world. Ice conditions on Leech have been bad, but I'm finally getting up there this weekend and will be back there again in 1/31-2/2. Where do you go? We usually rent off of Pine Point. 
We stay at Brindley's Harbor, and they move us all over

 
We stay at Brindley's Harbor, and they move us all over
There's a current commercial with Matthew McConneghay (sp) where he's doing some ice fishing, but he's not actually holding a rod.  He drills a hole and uses one of those flag contraptions to let him know when he has one on.

Do real ice fishermen roll their eyes at this?

 
There's a current commercial with Matthew McConneghay (sp) where he's doing some ice fishing, but he's not actually holding a rod.  He drills a hole and uses one of those flag contraptions to let him know when he has one on.

Do real ice fishermen roll their eyes at this?
Well, I roll my eyes at McConaughey commercials. But those things are called tip-ups and are very common, yes.

 
We stay at Brindley's Harbor, and they move us all over
:thumbup:

Ahh, that is Pine Point also. We always go with the sleeper shacks due to night fishing of walleye... nothing better than getting woke at 3 AM by a rattle wheel with a lunker on the line. We've been pretty consistent catching 1-2 rogue walleyes in overnight hours, and even caught a nice 4-5 lb eel pout overnight last year. 

 
There's a current commercial with Matthew McConneghay (sp) where he's doing some ice fishing, but he's not actually holding a rod.  He drills a hole and uses one of those flag contraptions to let him know when he has one on.

Do real ice fishermen roll their eyes at this?
I roll my eyes at the thought of doing it from the back of a Lincoln, but I enjoy tip up fishing. Our typical outing involves an 8x18 ice castle as a home base and a good bit of scouting using GPS for nearby bottom structure to set tip ups. I jimmy rigged an alarm system so that I know when the tip up gets hit while I'm in the ice castle, or overnight. It has <> 100-150 yard signal strength. 

 
:thumbup:

Ahh, that is Pine Point also. We always go with the sleeper shacks due to night fishing of walleye... nothing better than getting woke at 3 AM by a rattle wheel with a lunker on the line. We've been pretty consistent catching 1-2 rogue walleyes in overnight hours, and even caught a nice 4-5 lb eel pout overnight last year. 
We got a big eel pout last year too. Disgusting. Supposedly they're good eating, but I can't imagine.

Good luck!

 
There's a current commercial with Matthew McConneghay (sp) where he's doing some ice fishing, but he's not actually holding a rod.  He drills a hole and uses one of those flag contraptions to let him know when he has one on.

Do real ice fishermen roll their eyes at this?
Tip ups are a blast to fish with. You’re allowed 5 per person in Pa

 
There's a current commercial with Matthew McConneghay (sp) where he's doing some ice fishing, but he's not actually holding a rod.  He drills a hole and uses one of those flag contraptions to let him know when he has one on.

Do real ice fishermen roll their eyes at this?
There's even an entire lake/town in Michigan that calls itself Tip-UpTown USA because they are so common. Houghton Lake.

 

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