105 anglers in 54 boats participated in the Flagler County Sportfishing Clubs 19th Annual Inshore Fishing Tournament last Saturday. There was $4000 in prize money paid out to the winning anglers. Close to $3000 was raised for the Stewart-Marchman Foundation of Flagler County. Here are the top 3 winners for each category. Black Drum - 1st – Amy Cauley 3.6 lbs, 2nd – Amy Cauley 3.6 lbs, 3rd – Mike LaMonica 3.6 lbs. Redfish – 1st – Billy Page 6.1 lbs, 2nd – Winn Cummings 5.95 lbs, 3rd – Melissa Page5.5 lbs. Flounder – 1st – Dave Tucker 4.55 lbs, 2nd – Al Scott 3.75 lbs, 3rd – Chris Stewart 3 lbs. Trout – 1st – Chuck Kaszupski 2.45 lbs, 2nd – Chris Herrera 2.45 lbs. 3rd – David Wright 1.95 lbs. If there is a tie in the weight of a fish the tie is broken by the first one to weigh their fish in.
The ICW has been alive with mullet on there migration south. The mullet coupled with the rain that dropped the water temperature about 5 degrees has turned the fish on. Sunday there were fish erupting as school after school of bait headed south. Mullet were being chased out of the water into the air and the fish were ascending after them. It was quite a site to witness. Trout, snook, jacks, redfish and tarpon were all part of the feeding frenzy. There was even a porpoise that put on a show. Boats were stopping to watch as the dolphin was leaping and spinning to heights of 10 feet out of the water. The dolphin show lasted about 5 minutes.
Lou DeFazio and I were lucky enough to be there to see it all take place. It was one of those fishing days that you’ll remember for a long time. We caught so many fish that day that we lost count. Using artificial baits we landed trout to 19”, small reds, snook to 23”, jacks in the 4 lb range and even jumped a tarpon that hit a mirrolure right next to the boat. The 40 lb tarpon jumped twice, spit the plug, and was gone.
Fishing in the surf and from the pier has also picked up. Johnny Garrett at Flagler Beach Bait and Tackle on the pier reports that reds from 26” to 35” are being caught on the incoming tide. Flounder to 23” are also being caught. Bluefish, pompano and Spanish mackerel have all began to make their presence.
Jake Jaquish at Highbridge Bait and tackle reports lots of snook, triut and tarpon in the area. Jake says the snook are hitting in the early morning on skitterwalks and twitchin raps.
Occasionally I like to report on the fishing in different areas of the state for anyone that may be doing some traveling. John Inman and Dave Goddas recently traveled to Chokoloskee in the Everglades for two days of fishing. The duo chartered a boat where the captain put them on lots of fish. In two days, using live bait, they had over 75 snook and redfish. Not a bad couple of days fishing.
Photo: John Inman with an Everglades snook. It was one of over 75 fish caught in 2 days of fishing out of Chokoloskee.
The ICW has been alive with mullet on there migration south. The mullet coupled with the rain that dropped the water temperature about 5 degrees has turned the fish on. Sunday there were fish erupting as school after school of bait headed south. Mullet were being chased out of the water into the air and the fish were ascending after them. It was quite a site to witness. Trout, snook, jacks, redfish and tarpon were all part of the feeding frenzy. There was even a porpoise that put on a show. Boats were stopping to watch as the dolphin was leaping and spinning to heights of 10 feet out of the water. The dolphin show lasted about 5 minutes.
Lou DeFazio and I were lucky enough to be there to see it all take place. It was one of those fishing days that you’ll remember for a long time. We caught so many fish that day that we lost count. Using artificial baits we landed trout to 19”, small reds, snook to 23”, jacks in the 4 lb range and even jumped a tarpon that hit a mirrolure right next to the boat. The 40 lb tarpon jumped twice, spit the plug, and was gone.
Fishing in the surf and from the pier has also picked up. Johnny Garrett at Flagler Beach Bait and Tackle on the pier reports that reds from 26” to 35” are being caught on the incoming tide. Flounder to 23” are also being caught. Bluefish, pompano and Spanish mackerel have all began to make their presence.
Jake Jaquish at Highbridge Bait and tackle reports lots of snook, triut and tarpon in the area. Jake says the snook are hitting in the early morning on skitterwalks and twitchin raps.
Occasionally I like to report on the fishing in different areas of the state for anyone that may be doing some traveling. John Inman and Dave Goddas recently traveled to Chokoloskee in the Everglades for two days of fishing. The duo chartered a boat where the captain put them on lots of fish. In two days, using live bait, they had over 75 snook and redfish. Not a bad couple of days fishing.
Photo: John Inman with an Everglades snook. It was one of over 75 fish caught in 2 days of fishing out of Chokoloskee.