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UPDATE - NOVEMBER 20, 2000
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 Fall's
shorter days and cooler temperatures mark the arrival of improved
fishing. As salt marsh levels begin dropping, the snook move out
of the shadows and begin feeding along the banks. They're joined
in the shallows by hungry wading birds, which gives fishermen
a chance to view vast flocks of herons and spoonbills competing
with submerged predators for a baitfish meal. Watching shoreline
pyrotechnics against a backdrop of blue and pink creates an indelible
impression. Although some days may be better for it than others,
good snook fishing, along with the opportunity to view plenty
of wildlife while casting, remains consistent.
Despite the frenetic activity, fly selection is important. Although
most creeks are overflowing with schools of tiny "rain minnows,"
I encourage anglers to use larger-than-life attractor patterns.
I believe these provoke stronger strikes which in turn, result
in more fish actually landed. Incidentally, double-digit catches
are a regular Fall occurrence.
In addition to the snook, small tarpon usually make a late-season
appearance. These feisty three to fifteen-pound juveniles gorge
on the same small forage as the snook but in slightly different
venues, anglers armed with tiny streamers and ultralight rods
can rack up impressive scores.
Further inland, Butterfly peacocks continue to feed heavily in
preparation for winter. Right now, the weather's getting cooler
but whenever the sun shines and water temperatures hover in the
mid-seventies, the bite continues. Anglers should be aware that
now just like in springtime, large individual or paired peacocks
show up in area canals. On September 9 of last year, an angler
caught the all-tackle record in nearby Weston.
For the most part, grass carp fishing is finished until April.
However, at the time of this entry, a few trees continue to shed
berries and attract fish. Otto Lanz, DVM, from Virginia Tech is
an expert at out-foxing these giants and as you can see from the
photo, he has a way with large animals.
The rainy season's finally over but the water's still high. While
waiting in-between trips for Glades levels to drop, I plan to
paint-up a few bass bugs and tie a couple dozen flies for St.
John's shad.
I'm happy to say that I'm getting busier and don't always have
time to update the Land-Captain website. I will, however, be working
at Mark Castlow's Shallow Water Expo in Charleston, SC on January
13 and 14. If you're there, please stop by.
Please e-mail your inquiries to steve@landcaptain.com
and remember, I may not be able to address them all.
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