The state of Florida, with it’s vast coastlines, wonderful climate and impressive fisheries, claims to be the “Fishing Capital of the World”. Few areas can dispute this claim. Its reputation is well deserved and touted by anglers worldwide. The sugar sand beaches of the pan handle, the tarpon flats off Homosassa Springs, Pine Island Sound, the marshes of the northeast, the lagoons of the west central peninsula, the sailfish alley of the southeast coast and the crystal clear waters of the Florida Keys comprise a big part of this wonderful fishing paradise that we call Florida. However, the crème’ de la crème’, the best the State has to offer, is the waters surrounding Chokoloskee Island in the western side of Everglades National Park. It is rich in history, rich in opportunities, rich in diversity and rich in experience. Located only 90 minutes from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Myers, few places can rival the western park area. It is a massive nursery of marine life that feeds a diverse array of sport and food fish.

There are few charter skippers in south Florida who would disagree with the merits of the good old planer rig. Wahoo, dolphin, kingfish, and grouper all fall prey to this extremely effective method of getting your bait deeper in the water column. Currently, inshore & offshore trollers really have only two effective methods of getting their baits down deep. These include the previously mentioned planer rig and down riggers. Both have their benefits as well as inherent problems although over the years improvements have been grudgingly made.

Just as you have to learn to cast, pole a boat or tie a proper knot, out on the flats, you’ve got to learn to see the fish on the bottom.  It was a steamy late afternoon back in 1982 when after work I stopped by the local fly shop in Islamorada. Mike Hyman, the owner wasn’t there but Don Gapen (the inventor of the freshwater Muddler Minnow fly) was in the process of putting out the “gone fishing” sign.

This year, south Florida’s winter was as cold, vicious, and as ornery as it could be. Icy blows chilled and kicked up our waters from the back bays to the Gulfstream. While the early spring months may still feature some encore fronts, they inevitably will bring warmth while the sun will be higher in the sky and the days will be longer. As south Florida’s marine waters begin to warm, inshore anglers will break through their winter thaw, and begin the water temperature watch with excitement and expectancy. After spending too much time in the sixties, surf temperatures will climb back in the mid-seventies. This lifts the starting gate for south Florida inshore anglers to pursue the return of the dynamic duo, the tarpon and the bonefish.

The Gulf Stream flows through the Florida Straights between the Keys and Cuba, at an average of two to four knots, moving more water in a single day than all the rivers of the world combined. Where the shoreward edge of the Gulf Stream encounters the slope of the Continental Shelf, some twenty miles south of the lower Keys and Key West, exists a sport of kings. Fishing for the almighty blue marlin.

As Mike’s 33’ Dusky drifted quietly on the Gulf Stream 15 miles offshore of Hallandale, a giant sphere of green light could be seen hovering below the surface in all directions around the boat. The entire group was constantly amazed by the marine life which cruised by to check out the electrifying bright green glow, which appeared to penetrate 100’ into the depths.

Don’t overlook  the Palm Beach coast as a springtime kingfish hotspot

"What is that?" someone muttered as a dark colored torpedo shaped predator sliced its way across the surface heading directly towards the unsuspecting blue runner. While we could only guess at what was causing the disturbance, I was 100% sure that the blue runner knew he was in big trouble as he struggled ferociously for freedom.