A Florida Hello
4-2-2013
We’ll be getting back to you late this week with a report on fishing the Gulf of Mexico. It’s amazing, though, that such an expanse of water can be so greatly affected by cold weather and water temperatures, like a Wisconsin pothole. During the same week in 2012, Scott Heitman of New Berlin and I were averaging 50 to 100 whiting, pompano and sheephead, a great tasting, hard fighting southern gamefish, every day.
Just a week ago here in Perdido Key near the Flora-Bama line, shore fishing was excellent, as it had been through the winter months. But with an extended cold snap, and maybe my arrival on Friday, shut it down, like my arrival might shut down a good Wisconsin bite just about anywhere. It will turn for us and we will report. But after two days of six hours of fishing each day, we haven’t seen a fish or felt a hit.
We did arrive Friday and purchased out of state 7-day licenses for $30.00 at Gray’s Tackle, a local bait shop. We also purchased frozen shrimp for bait and last year’s killer; a pack of Fish Bites that the whiting, a trout-like good eater with the exception of too many bones, couldn’t lay off of. Fish Bites are florescent orange tough piece of bait that virtually doesn’t come off the hook even in the wicked salt water surf so it’s a good bet for a package that costs less than $5.00. We do lose shrimp to the current often.
Like last year, we did not bring our own rods, but purchased Diawa 7-foot rods and reels already loaded with 30-pound test line at Gray’s tackle. The package is only $34.00 and the combination makes a good row trolling rod for muskies on our own lakes. We will break the rods down and carry it on our flight home Thursday. Look for a full Blog report Friday.
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| Scores of Wisconsin anglers fishing the Gulf in Perdido Key, including Scott Heitman of New Berlin have found the fish uncooperative through Easter Sunday. Fishing picked up slightly on Monday. Hopefully, extended warm weather will bring hot fishing again. See next report from Florida this Friday. | |
As for the current fishing, it stinks. We’re talking to many Wisconsin anglers, maybe a dozen, who are also taking their spring breaks here and experiencing the same poor action. Throw in Michigan and Minnesota anglers, and we have heard of one pompano and one small shark caught in two days by maybe 20 fishermen. When it’s hot though, it’s really a blast.
Stand by for the full report. Right now, on Easter Sunday, Lori and Scott’s wife Robin Heitman are allowing us to lie on the couch and watch the road to the final four. We’re about to eat shrimp and fettuccini alfredo, courtesy of two great wives.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors.
Shoot straight.
Dick Ellis