Ambergris Caye, Belize Fishing Report, 02-09 March: Find the Mud, Find the Bones

This is as much a travelogue as it is a fishing report.  For our second leg of "get the hell out of the cold weather," Mary and I headed down to Belize.  

If you're looking for a great stay in the Caribbean, Belize, and specifically Ambergris Caye, is tough to beat.  Belize is easy to get to, the airport is modern (and air conditioned), customs is fast, and in no time your on the puddle-jumper for the 12 minute flight to San Pedro town on the island.  Oh, and while your waiting for the flight, the Belikin Store is a must stop for your first of several of the national beer of Belize.

The variety of lodging opportunities has expanded greatly since Mary and I first ventured there in 2010.  Plenty of hotels and resorts, Air BnBs, and fishing lodges.  We've opted to stay at Mahogany Bay resort for many of our trips.  A Hilton property, it's a short taxi ride from the airport.  Accommodations are very comfortable, and the place has all the resort amenities.  Perhaps most important, the resort owns a private beach about a 15 minute boat ride away.  If you're into sun and cocktails, it's a great place to hang out.  And if you want to do some DIY fishing, there are plenty species to go after; Barracuda, Snapper, and of course, Bonefish.

I spent most of the week wading around the beach for Bones.  Air temps hung around the low 80s, water temps were in the 70s.  And the water was gin clear.  The only issue was the winds, which averaged around 15 MPH for the time we were there.  Even then, the winds were mostly blowing from the east, so downwind casting proved not too much of a problem.

The up side of DIYing wading is just enjoying the surroundings.  The down side is you're at the mercy of fish swimming in your vicinity.  I managed to spot a good number of Bones, and had some shots, but couldn't manage a hookup.  The only fish I brought to hand was a 15-inch Barracuda.  (Since I was by myself, trying to handle the toothy fish while snapping a photo proved a bit difficult.  So I spared losing a finger and deferred from taking a photo).

I was getting a bit frustrated, so reached out to Reel Belize (www.reelbelize.com), an outfitter and fly shop located in town.  Fortunately, owner Lori Ann was able to fit me in for a charter on Saturday.  

She hooked me up with Mario, and on Saturday morning we headed out.  Having failed on my own, I really wasn't interested in chasing Tarpon or Permit.  My only request to Mario was simply to "feel the tug."  

And Mario did not disappoint.  We started out in skinny water looking for tailing fish.  We saw some, but cross-casting in 20 mph winds was nothing short of comical.  It didn't take Mario long to recognize my limitations, so we headed to deeper water (3-4 ft) to look for feeding fish.

If you're not sight-fishing, you're looking for areas of mud being stirred up, which means the Bonefish have their snouts in the bottom looking for small shrimp.  From there the process is pretty uncomplicated.  Cast into the mud, let the fly sink, then short strips with the rod tip in the water.  When you feel like you're stuck on something. it's a fish.  A strip set, raise the rod tip, and the fight is on.

Over the course of the day Mario put me on a lot of fish.  And, given the winds, he positioned the boat so my casts were mostly downwind.  Over the course of the day, I landed 10 Bonefish, most going from 15-18".  All put up a great fight all the way to the boat.  Also managed a couple of small Jacks and 2 small Snapper.  

                                   

                                   

We've fished with several outfits on San Pedro, but I'd highly recommend making Reel Belize your first call.  An outstanding day on the water!

If you're not into fishing, San Pedro offers some great spots for dining.  The golf cart ride into town is kind of bumpy, but it's worth venturing outside the resort.

Saul's Cigars is a must stop before dinner....

Carambas restaurant is right across the street.  Lots of local seafood to pick from...

And cooked to your liking... 

Sunday was out last day in paradise.  One more chance to catch a DIY Bone.  The beach staff said late-afternoon was a good time for Bones to come into the beach area.  Of course, when Mary and I got to the beach rigged and ready, the staff said there were schools of fish swimming around that morning.  Go figure....

Mary decided to fish that day, and we waded out a bit from the beach to thigh-deep water.  Mary took a few minutes to get her casting down, but eventually managed to get the shrimp pattern out to a respectable distance.  Within minutes of casting, I felt the tug and set the hook on what would be my first and only DIY Bonefish of the trip.  As I was working the fish, Mary looked at me and asked if our lines were crossed.  Turned out she had a Bonefish chasing her fly as well, but unfortunately missed the take.

We were just in the right place at the right time, which is how it works sometimes.

We continued to fish until the last boat was ready to head back to the resort, but only managed that one fish.  

We returned to Cape Charles Monday to temps in the upper 60s, only to return to 30s and snow flurries a few days later.  No matter.  We can suck it up for a few more days until this place fully shakes off winter.  Then it's on to Stripers, and the return of Reds, Specks, and Flounder.

Soon. very soon.

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Ostrica Update 01 Mar

Until now, Ostrica was not much more than ideas, a plan, and a project.  Great to see the first steps toward a farm, a home, and a berth for Mikey D Fishing. Wivell Construction started on the pier last week.  The first pilings were driven through a few inches of soft mud and into several feet of hard bottom.  Just a matter of time before Lesley and I are enjoying views of Nassawadox Creek, and Mikey D Fishing is launching for reds, seatrout, cobia, and flounder.  

Tight Lines, 

Mikey D Fishing

St. Petersburg, FL Fishing Report 05-12 February: A Little Southern Exposure

 Yeah, it has been awhile....

The fishing from November through January has been downright awful.  There were very few days in November when the wind wasn't howling, and then from December-on it just got too cold to fish.  The solution pointed to warmer climes, so Mary and I lit out for sunny Florida.

On a recommendation from the Salt Strong Facebook page, we headed to St. Petersburg, and stayed at the SkyBeach Resort, right on Tampa Bay.  I'd give the hotel about a B.  Room was okay.  The on site restaurant (Luma) was fantastic.  Nice Tiki bar.  Marina with boat lifts.  Only problem was the hotel prohibited fishing there.  Major drawback.

First stop on day 1 was at St. Pete Outfitters to gear up and get some intel.  Great inventory of spin and fly fishing gear.  

Another great shop was Gator Jims, located close to the hotel.

The staff at St. Pete Outfitters pointed us to Ft. De Soto State Park.  A short drive from the hotel which offered ample DIY wade opportunities.  We spent most of the week fishing the Arrowhead Picnic Fishing Area located at the northern part of the park.  A large basin protected by a seawall, guys who fish there regularly said it normally fished well.  Conditions the week we fished it, however, were less than ideal.  The arctic weather which drove us out of Cape Charles had pushed down to most of Florida.  While air temps gradually rose into the high 60s to low 70s, water temps didn't move north of 60 degrees.  

So the fishing was slow, but we still managed to feel the tug a few times.  Slowly bouncing a paddle tail off the bottom produced some bites.  Chartreuse and New Penny colors worked well.  A couple of Flounder, some Trout, and a Ladyfish.  Saw some Snook, but couldn't get them to eat.  

DIYing it is fun, but you really need to get out with a guide when fishing new water.  So I spent a half day with Capt. Matt Luttmann of Inshore Action Fishing Charters.  We did reasonably well; caught about 15-20 Specks that went between 15 and 20" fishing drop offs and around boat docks.  

Given the spontaneity of our decision to bug out, I'd give the trip a B+.  Definitely needed to get on the board, and get the blog going again.  A few more days of warm weather and the fishing would have improved dramatically.  But, timing is everything.  

Temps in Cape Charles have moved out of the frigid zone, but still too cold to wet a line.  Hoping that as we move into March we'll see temps more conducive to getting on the water.

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing.

Jacksonville, Fl Fishing Report, 24-28 October: The Hunt for Red October

 Fishing around Cape Charles has simply been awful.  Not sure what's going on, but we've only landed a few slot Reds and one keeper Trout.  

When the fishing is slow, you go looking for fish.  Normally it's another spot nearby.  But in this case, Capt. DiPaola and I headed to Jacksonville.  The main purpose of the trip was to reunite with former squadron mates from our time at HSL-42 over 30 years ago.  A phenomenal weekend, coming together to remember the halcyon days of "daredevil" (😅) flights, retell old and remember new sea stories, eat like kings, down a few bourbons, and smoke a few cigars.

And do some fishing!

Fortunately, close friend, squadronmate, and avid angler Curt Toomer not only lives in Jax, but had just purchased an East Cape skiff, and was ready to put it through its paces in the back creeks of the intracoastal waterway.

Normally you need to schedule three days on the water to get one day of good fishing.  Well, the fishing gods smiled on us, becuase we had four great days of catching.  The weather cooperated; sunny skies and temps in the 70s.  A bit breezy with a frontal system that started moving through Saturday.  But the beauty of Curt's skiff, with it's six-inch draft, was being able to find calm water up in the little creeks that feed the ICW, which is where the Reds, Trout and Flounder hang out.

                                                 

We fished with medium and light spinning tackle, tossing live mud minnows and shrimp on the bottom, or under popping corks.  Essentially we'd cruise up into a back creek looking for fishy spots; drop offs, points of grass, and channels.  The idea is to fish the spots, and if nothing seems to be going on, or the fishing slowed, you motor to another spot.  

And Capt. Toomer found the spots!  Over the course of four days we landed Reds, several in the slot, lots of Speckled Trout, several keeper Founder, and a Black Drum.  

     

                                                      

The fishing aired out the stench of recent fishing up north.  More importantly was reuniting with old friends, amazed at how we survived our time on gray-Navy hulls and in cockpits, but grateful for the experiences, and the enduring bonds of comraderie and friendship.

Tight lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Cape Charles Fishing Report, 10 October: Yeah, it's Trouty Water

 Quick trip out before the Nor'easter.  Fished the outgoing tide.  Overcast, air temps in the 60s.  Water temps in the upper 60s.  Bit breezy.  Water a bit dirty.  Kind of cold to wet wade, but manageable.

Started at Plantation Creek.  Nothing going on. So headed up to the fish weir.  Figured there may be another trout hanging out.  Tied on a Mirro-lure; clear sides, pink top, chartreuse belly.

There was one.... Solid 20-plus inches.  Decent hook up, LoL.  

Once this weather blows through, things should get pretty spicey.  Get the waders on and hit the water!

Tight Lines,

Mikey D Fishing

Cape Charles Fishing Report, 02-08 October: "Neither rain, nor, snow, nor gloom of night...."

 Or food poisoning, will keep the dedicated angler off the water.

Well, except for one day.  Captain DiPaola was set to head down to CC for some fishing on Saturday.  But the night before he called and reported that he might be a no-go for the weekend.

Some timely advice from RN Mary Felker, a subsequent trip to Urgent Care for some Zofran and a few bags of IV fluids, and he was back in battery for a Sunday morning outing.

The fishing continues to remain slow, although there are signs pointing in the right direction.  Last Thursday evening I trekked up Plantation Creek to fish a small lagoon on the incoming tide.  I'd visited the area the day prior at low tide, and it looked really fishy; grassy banks, lots of bait in the water, and most importantly a pretty firm bottom.

I stood on the highest point I could find, figuring that as the tide came in, I'd spy Reds.  Around 3:00 in the afternoon I spotted a couple of fish circling into the lagoon.  Time to fish.

It was good that I'd checked the bottom at low tide, because the water came in fast, and I had to stand in the grass to get a cast out.  But at 1600 I chucked a Redfish Toad-colored paddletail on a weedless jighead out into the lagoon, and BAM, my first Red of the year was on.  Must have hit him on the head and pissed him off.  Had to drag the fish up the grass a bit to get hold of him and snap a bad photo before releasing him.  But the Red was all of 28", over the slot.

That was it until Sunday when Joe showed up.  We got on the water around 0930, catching the outgoing tide off the mouth of the creek.  For awhile it looked like all fishing and no catching.  We saw fish, but they'd scoot off before we could get a good cast.  We finally spotted a school of 6-8 fish, I got a decent cast in the middle of the school with a gold Johnson Spoon, and after a couple of bumps a fish slammed the lure.  

That was it for the day, and for the next couple as well.  I fished Monday and Tuesday, saw a few Reds, but once again couldn't get them to bite.  Walking back home yesterday I stopped at a fish weir and tossed a chartreuse and pink soft plastic.  The bottom looked trouty; grass and sand potholes.  A great spot for Speckled Trout to hold.  Needlefish did a number on my lures, but I was pleasantly surprised to hook a couple of trout.

Water temps are still warm, but we've got cooler weather coming in this weekend.  Time to get the waders ready for cold water and hungry Reds and Trout.

Tight Lines, 

Mikey D Fishing

Bounty of the Bay steamed clams recipe from Cherrystone Aqua Farms.  Melt a stick of butter in a deep pan over low heat, and add a diced shallot, 4 diced garlic cloves, a few tablespoons of Old Bay, and a tablespoon (or 2) of red pepper flakes.  Add a cup or so of white wine, and stir to blend the ingredients.  Turn the heat up to medium, and add 50 middle-neck clams.  Stir the clams into the sauce, cover, and wait for the bivalves to open up.  Remove from the stove (or grill), add some toasted crusty bread for dipping, and viola!