Translate anything you'd like, including this entire site. English to 8 languages. Click on the fish.
The shallow grassy flats areas of the southern Gulf  is world renowned for its snook and redfish fishery
Check out this Salmon Video
Dawn on Pine Island Sound......Gulf of Mexico
THE worlds largest fishing Search Engine
Click here for Live Doppler Radar of Ft. Myers and the Southern Florida Area
Send in your favorite photo's and they'll be posted on the photo page. Mail to:  jabomano@yahoo.com
Florida's Gulf of Mexico is my second home...the south Ft. Myers area to be exact. If I'm not fishing these abundant waters for snook or redfish I can be found flying kites or searching the local nurseries for exotic fruit which I also raise. The trees and plants that I find are either  planted at my parents home who live here or left in pots to be tended to by my son Steve who lives in the area. Flats fishing though is one pastime I can't seem to get enough of. The Gulf at daybreak miles off the coast and drifting alone among the plentiful mangrove islands that dot this area. Complete silence except for the gentle slap of the water against the boat, a light wind through the trees and the relaxing sound of the lure breaking the surface of the water.
Virtual Street Directory with SEARCH Quite an unusual search engine
click your back arrow to return   
Video
Watch as a school of Indian River reds is worked over. First on is a 28 pound monster. There are 20 other videos to watch for free. The longest running time is over 7:00
   This is typical of the average size red fish caught in the mangrove islands of southern Florida. In the summer they like to lie under the shade of the mangroves and can be easily enticed into chasing either live or artificial bait. I usually wade out and slowly work the tree line...with results like this. This beautiful red fish was caught directly behind guide Kirk SanCartier and released. He is one of the premier guides in the area and specializes in live bait.
Snook and redfish are at their peak numbers in the early summer months and the months preceeding the rainy season, but locating them could be a bit time consuming. The service of a local guide is indispensable. Fees are usually offered in half and full day trips. Full day is highly recommended although high daily temperatures should be a consideration in July and August. Temps could be well into the 90's and being on the water intensifies the heat. Fees usually range from $250 to $300 for a half day and $400 for an all day trip. This is for the boat and guide not per person. Up to three anglers can split the cost.
Captain Kirk SanCartier with a healthy southern Gulf of Mexico redfish.  In my opinion one of the best guides in Florida.
Haster's Creek. Tobaza Cliff. Click Here
FACT: There are more Reds on the Coastal flats at present than at any time in the last 20 years thanks prinipally to harvest restrictions.
Finding redfish is simple once you understand their patterns. When water temperature is above 70 degrees reds will be on the flats. The best time to fish is when the tide is turning...water coming in or going out of the flats. This is where the flats boat comes into play. It's a very shallow draft boat and is built to handle this shallow water. Reds are VERY noise sensitive so be careful how you move around in the boat. Many anglers (including myself) prefer to wade the flats to minimize noise. When the water is less than 18" deep the redfish can be located visually as it tails. This is when the fish noses in the mud for food and its tail sticks out of the water. Wait until it's moving to another location then cast your bait ahead of it. More than likely, you'll get a hit. Like I said before, this fish is a BULL and once hooked get ready for a ride.
A great on-line angling e-zine and resource site
This is the oldest magazine in the business first published in 1939. Every month it devotes a huge section to Gulf Coast fishing. The magazine also features an on-line site with invaluable info and monthly articles
The Official world record red fish is 94 pounds, 2 ounces taken from the waters of North Carolina.
The official Florida state record for a red fish is 52 pounds, 5 ounces but the potential for breaking that record in the near future is very bright. Due to the federal water protectionism status afforded the species in the 1980's along with the ban on commercial fishing, these fish are turning into monsters, especially in offshore waters. An angler recently hauled in a 63 pound red off Fort Myers Beach over 25 feet of water but because it was caught in federal waters (nothing over 27" may be kept) the fish couldn't be documented. It will only be a matter of time before the record is broken
This is a Snook. Click here for the whole story.
Scott Talyor of Sun Coast Flats Fishing guides out of the Pine Island area. Pine Island is one of the premier flats destinations of the world.
Two knots that may help you in your quest for reds
Uniknot
Polomar
Fish the Homossasa flats and river with flats guide Mike Locklear. With 20 years guiding experience, fishing success is guaranteed. Book him at Homossasa Fishing.com
The best search engine...period!
If you need more help with your knots, try these "How to videos." Nothing could be easier.
One of my greatest pleasures is fishing these waters for snook and redfish
Watch a live video with no delay of Garrison Bight in Key West Florida
Videos courtesy eAngler. One of the top fishing site on the web.
Click to take a look
Always be observant of the weather. Storms can appear almost instantly over the Gulf
Click here for Tornado info
Click here for Hurricane info
Oldest known photo of a tornado.
August 28, 1884 near Howard, South Dakota
After you're done learning your knots, you may be ready to hit the Redfish Tour Trail
home