Coot bay, or West lake? Sunday 1/14/07

[swordfish]

So, here we go again... I HAVE TO GO... This sunday I will be going, will be picking up a prowler 13, and can even get a 15... Not sure yet as Ive heard the 13 is more stable.

The total cost for me? $40.00, YES you heard right 40!!!!

Anyway, Linesider might be able to make this trip and that would be awesome!!! Anyone else?

I want to try to fish Coot Bay and or West Lake... Has anyone here done either? I have heard good things about them from a few places and think that there might be a little bigger reds there and many more snook and such, definately sea trouts...

So if anyone has had any success or lack there of there please indulge me in the information thus allowing me to make a more edumacated decision on the matter. thank you.

[jighead]

Your hooked on that place! Nice addiction to get. I fish it all and no one place is my favorite some are better at different times of the year or weather conditions. Your report didn't suprise me. The protected waters will be a better chance at more and bigger fish. The water temp is a little low for early fishing. Everything that Prowler13 has brought to your attention is great advice. The same old saw about current,creeks,fishing the sunny side first,any tree falls etc........is all I could add or reemphisize. I would love to go with you but it isn't in the cards in the immmediate future.Tight lines my friend!

[swordfish]

Thank you... SO, then it sounds like a good Idea to go and drop some exudes, perhaps rootbeer colored, and the light colors as well... Then thats what will be done, so the warmer places first...

I cant say i dont like the cooler weather since It should mean (by logic) that the fish should be piled up on the flats trying to sun themselves, when outta nowhere this exude taunts them, at which point Ill use my trophy face and kiss em right before I let em go...

[jighead]

Yes Sir! I would agree whole heartedly with that M.O. To let you in on a not so secrete,secrete touts/shrimp tails in black/gray on troll rites in dark green. You're killin' me! all the best to you!

[frayedknot]

Were do you rent your yak?

[Fuzzy(as in not clear)]

swordfish,
Looks like I'll be down that way on Sunday 1-14. West lake is an option. My best days there were on warm days after a cold front. A little wind can be a good thing! The folks I fish with have used live shrimp, but slimies were 4 to one on decent catches. I start with darker colored swimbaits. If no luck, switch to lighter colors.

topwater plugs seem to work good most of the time and my favorite is the small spook. X-craps work, too! Most of my decent sized snook and reds were caught on smaller lures.

Unless it's blowing above 15, I'll probably be fishing some where between the campgrounds and Joe Kemp. look for my Jeep, I'll be the fuzzy old biker looking dude on an orange/mango Hobie'

[jighead]

You should try Lake suprise off US1 before Key largo. It's the eastern edge of ENP and does not receive the same pressure that all the areas you have mentioned do. Google Earth the "stretch" and give it a good look. You have driven by it a million times. Next time stop.

[Fuzzy(as in not clear)]

Yep, fished it a few times! You gotta watch the wind a little more there, though.

SW of the boat ramp at little Blackwater Sound about a mile there seems to be a resident population of slot sized trout most of the year.

If you go the other way, snook seem to hang around the south side of mangoves south of Alabama Jack's on Card sound Rd.

Did I just say Alabama

[krash]

You should try Lake suprise off US1 before Key largo.

This might not be a good idea.. as a yonger person I spent many many days skiing and para-sailing in Lake Surprise and little Lake Surprise, not to mention many Sunday afternoons at the Unwinder.

Was down for Xmas day, took Mom to visit my sister in Key Largo.. what a surprise. They are building a new, non draw bridge, over Goliath (Jewfish) Creek. There are cranes and barges, lots of construction in Lake Surprise's the water was very murk'ed up. They are in the process of installing very large and gradually increasing height concrete pilings for the approach ramps and exits to Gilberts and the TimeShare on both sides of creek.
Rumor is they may join Lake Surprise and Little Lake Surprise when its complete, and also that a new public boat ramp will be installed on the south side. The Ramp north on the stretch is apparently closed and being sacrificed for progress.

[Cookinman]

Sorry to hear it Riccardo - there goes a couple grand.....Ouch.

[swordfish]

then ppl wonder why theres homicides... sorry bout that my friend... renting does allow u try new models... but its nice to have ur own....

[Variable]

Ricardo, there were some pretty good deals on a classifieds posting on the Ft. lauderdale Yakfishing Club's website. Ya might wanna have a look in there.

[jighead]

Swordfish I got a chuckle from your reply to the missing yak. It's not a great Idea to kill a tyrant,but it's perfectly acceptable to pop a cap in the yak theif. I know, you were in the momment. I have no desire to start a debate,call you out or any other nonsense.Imho nether should anybody else. It just struck me funny. Riccardo I'm like you in the way you veiw this. It happened for a reason you don't understand at this time. Never the less it does SUCK. It's an oppurtunity to new ideas. Now back to the topic! Sword go get'em this weekend!

[Fuzzy(as in not clear)]

Sorry to hear about the missing yak Rijkaard. It was a nice am the day we were at Flamingo. Hope to fish with you and others from here.
I'll see ya down there sf.

Cookinman, remember what it's like, you'll be doing it again soon.

[swordfish]

Indeed Jighead, you do make a very noble point... LOL, however my general view is that you should NEVER steal a mans fishing stuff... or his way to get to fish...

LOL, DEATH TO THE KAYAK THIEF!!! May the fleas of a thousand camels infest his armpits... Also, may he try to fish with the yak only to get eaten by a tiger shark.

[Cookinman]

LOL, DEATH TO THE KAYAK THIEF!!! May the fleas of a thousand camels infest his armpits... Also, may he try to fish with the yak only to get eaten by a tiger shark.

.....and if he survives, may he drown in the bile and vomit of 10, 000 wild toads while struggling ashore.

Thieves suck - Period.

However Rijkaard thinking back to when my KZ 600 was stolen, I looked and found a 2003 R-1 Special Edition with 2K miles on it for dirt cheap from someone who bought the sleek machine without dad's permission Tsk tsk tsk....lol

So Seriously - when one door closes another opens my friend.
2 words for ya man, Prowler 13

[Cookinman]

2 words for ya man, Prowler 13

I like the Hobie adventure too, you can store as much as you want for a week of yakking, fishing and camping, but first and most important thing I need a SAFE place where to store it.
Anyway I'm goin' to try several models before making a decision

I can offer you my garage and do - however we live a bit far.

standing offer.

[Cookinman]

how are you doin' with the new comin' cookinbaby?

Easier for me than Mrs Cookin. Dr says 3-5 more weeks.

I like the Hobie adventure too, you can store as much as you want for a week of yakking, fishing and camping.

Not to mention you are understandably addicted to the Peddle drive!!! I would be too !!!

Fuzzy has one SWEET setup huh?

[swordfish]

LOL... Awesome, another little fisherperson in the works...

Ok, I have reserved the Kayaks... A friend of mine and I are going (He has a problem with his kidneys, and hes been dying to go so Im finally gonna take him out on the water)

I reserved a Prowler 13, and 15 so YEAH!!! Im all set to go my friends... All good to go. Not sure where Ima be exactly yet, but i gotta get in touch with Fuzzy to see what he thinks... then Ill make my decision. So till then if anyone else wants to go then well definately be there, Iron-clad for sure... Unless I perish in a car accident or something...

[Fuzzy(as in not clear)]

hey swordfish!

This is a quote from a fellow Flamingo Derelict while discussing windy days at Flamingo

"since you have a Hobie, you might consider towing the two dudes just inside Christian Point at Flamingo. Out of the wind, chance for snook, reds, trout, tarpon, shark, and catfish!

Put out a chumbag and let them bottom fish with live shrimp or live mullet. Luna may have some cracked oyster/crab chum ready for the big gathering in Feb.

* I would guarantee you would catch something.

You could do the same at West Lake on the North side, around the second or third point heading east. Would'nt want to drag them across to the other side and way over to where Luna keeps his pet.

Once the beer runs out, you could leave and they will be blown back to marina.

* guarantee does not apply to Reel Rush! "

[swordfish]

LOL... sounds interesting... LOL Well, I think We are all set on West lake for now, unless the weather begins to subzide NOW and is manageable by tomorrow. Either way, we are all set and I am about to start that long drive down to Florida Bay Outfitters.

I have a sad feeling that Linesiders superbly keen skillz are once again needed and he may have yet to miss out on this adventure as well... So a moment of silence for one of our fellow men who works 8 days a week...

Looks like I might be the only one down there because as of right now my friend is not feeling too well and might have to opt out... (hes feeling dizzy and hes sick, so dont know if its worth the risk, at this point is his call)

Either way, if all goes well I should be at the "launch" at around 6:15 waiting for Mr. Fuzzy. Exude should be the ticket of the day and I have refused to take any live bait as my trip is limited on funds... One red bull and a gallon of water... should be enough for a day filled with fishy hands...