Saltwater
Everglades
National Park Flamingo
Less than an hours drive from Miami and situated
at the southern most tip of mainland Florida this 1.5 million acre (2,354 sq miles)
park is the largest subtropical wilderness remaining in the United States today.
This truly diverse ecosystem ranges from the open prairies of the glades, cypress
swamps, freshwater ponds, brackish bays, rivers and creeks bordering a seemingly
endless maze of mangrove islands all the way to the open Gulf of Mexico on to
the fragmented saltwater keys of Florida Bay.
Fishing
within the park boundaries is undoubtedly the most diverse in all of Florida and
perhaps anywhere. Targeted species of fish within the park reads like a who's-who
of game fish: snook, tarpon, bonefish, redfish, permit, seatrout, mangrove snapper,
cobia, tripletail, mackerel, many varieties of sharks and even largemouth bass.
Aside from the most popular fish and depending on where you are fishing you will
most likely encounter a mixed bag of other species of fish while in search of
your favorite quarry. Some examples of these would include ladyfish, jacks, saltwater
catfish, barracuda, sawfish, goliath grouper, black drum, pompano, bluefish, sheepshead,
flounder and more.
Fishing within the park boundaries is undoubtedly the
most diverse in all of Florida and perhaps anywhere. Targeted species of fish
within the park reads like a who's-who of game fish: snook, tarpon, bonefish,
redfish, permit, seatrout, mangrove snapper, cobia, tripletail, mackerel, many
varieties of sharks and even largemouth bass. Aside from the most popular fish
and depending on where you are fishing you will most likely encounter a mixed
bag of other species of fish while in search of your favorite quarry. Some examples
of these would include ladyfish, jacks, saltwater catfish, barracuda, sawfish,
goliath grouper, black drum, pompano, bluefish, sheepshead, flounder and more.
Angling methods within the park parallels its diversity. Whether it is
fly fishing tackle, plug or spin casting, that you prefer, there are a variety
of approaches and skill levels available. You can sight cast to tailing redfish
on a shallow mud flat; be pole silently along a protected mangrove shoreline as
the tide ebbs out probing every downed tree, pocket and undercut for snook; ease
up a tight serpentine creek in search of baby tarpon at every bend and creek fork;
drift fishing the huge grass flats for seatrout; stake out on the edge of a seagrass
flat with fly ready in hand to intercept giant tarpon as they make their seasonal
migrations; chum in fish eager to eat such as sharks, mackerel and snapper, or
"run and gun" the open gulf in search of tripletail and cobia.
Seasons,
tides and weather conditions often dictate a day's float plan and do change throughout
the day as windows of opportunities open and close - offering yet again more opportunities
just a short ride away.
Biscayne Bay National Park
 This
"other" South Florida national park, easily accessible from Miami and
Ft. Lauderdale is one of South Florida's best kept secrets.
Located right
at Miami's doorstep, Biscayne National Park begins at Key Biscayne and runs along
a southerly chain of more than 40 undeveloped islands until it reaches Key Largo.
The vast stretch of flats, bays, finger channels and islands that run this 20
mile stretch are actually the beginning of the Florida Keys which extend to the
southern most point of the United States, Key West. Of the parks 180,000 acres
95 percent is below the water's surface. Besides the famous coral reefs, the Park
protects 14 continuous miles of mangrove shoreline - which is the longest uninterrupted
stretch of mangroves along the east coast.
The spirit of the park is water
and marine life and it is here that some of the most challenging light tackle
fishing takes place in gin clear waters. The big three targets within the park
are bonefish, tarpon and permit. The bonefish is by far the most sought after
by visiting anglers as almost everyone who has a fly rod, and many who don't,
aspire to land "the grey ghost." This desire is fed by the fish's 25
mph burst speed that the bonefish provides during its exhilarating run, often
more than 100 yards, when 1st hooked. Not the easiest quarry, these sleek runners
provide multiple, intense runs that will test an angler's tackle and skill.
The
powerful tarpon and elusive permit provide "alternative' targets at various
times throughout the year and depending on conditions.
Large tarpon migrate
through the area, providing anglers sight fishing "shots" at fish that
can reach in excess of 150 lbs. Casting small lures or flies to these cruising
bruisers can be a humbling experience - but the thrill of the hook-up and the
surging, aerobatic crashing jumps that follow are well worth the effort.
Probably
the least targeted species of the "big three" is the permit - most likely
because the permit has such phantom-like qualities - despite its size. Fish that
exceed 30 lbs. are, while not "common," often seen and caught in the
waters of Biscayne National Park. In the crystal clear waters of the Park, it
is still often difficult for anglers to pick out these targets, whose dark backs
seem to be there and then gone in the same instant. This provides the ultimate
challenge - and can be rewarded with the ultimate goal - landing a permit on fly. <
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