Anybody familiar with Miami fishing?

[AndyG]

Just found out last night our construction crew is heading to Miami saturday. How about short notice. We might get to fish some on our off days, Im packing the boat anyway. We'll be pretty close to the airport I think. Any help on where to go for largemouth? I know they have peakocks, but largemouth are what we want to fish for. Thanks.

[Fntsyfbgod]

I would fish the canal or river that has peacocks. It also has largemouth bass. You can use Largemouth lures and catch both they arent the huge 20lb peacocks in the Amazon. They are butterfly peacock bass and dont get that big. Mixed bag would be fun and really how many people in Kentucky could say they caught a peacock bass.

[FlyLie]

Andy, some of the lakes in residential development areas have decent LM. Also, take look at all those canals which run from the Everglades to to the Coast.

Lived in the area (south fla), but that's been about 25 years ago. Good luck and enjoy.

[FlyLie]

Andy,
Just remembered, if you get on highway 84 (alligator alley) and go west out of Miami toward Naples, it takes you across the Everglades. I believe there are/were a few places to launch near the highway...check with the locals. But, watch out for the gators...serious!!!
Gary

[davidsa]

Andy-

Just in Miami myself near the airport in early Feb. Traffic is so crazy in that area that fishing there never hit me. I drove up to Lake Okeechobee and fished (2 hour drive).

I'm sure I passed a ton of fish on the drive but I have free lodging in LakeO. Headed down next Friday for a 6 day trip. Can't wait to bail on this KY cold winter!

[JoeB]

The canals around the airport are full of peacocks, if this winter weather didn't kill them. S. Fla lost a lot of snook and tarpon this winter due to the cold, and I would think that the peacocks would be susceptable too. Hopefully not. LM fishing around Miami really isn't that great. You need to go the the everglades or Big O to have decent bass fishing.

[AndyG]

The canals around the airport are full of peacocks, if this winter weather didn't kill them. S. Fla lost a lot of snook and tarpon this winter due to the cold, and I would think that the peacocks would be susceptable too. Hopefully not. LM fishing around Miami really isn't that great. You need to go the the everglades or Big O to have decent bass fishing.

Do you know the closest place in the everglades to launch from the area I'll be around?

[FlyLie]

Andy, here's a link that might get you started. Gary

http://www.bassonline.com/alligator_alley.html

and

http://www.myfwc.com/RECREATION/FW_forecasts_sor.htm

[ugglyotter]

Just returned home from Florida and I went across Alligator Alley from Naples to Miami. There are boat ramps right next to the road. Seen lots of bass boats there. Go to the ramp that has the most boats in that area. Although not lots of places to turn around. Just like the other person said on here I would try this the canals look very nice. Don't worry bout the gators they wont bother you. Just don't bother them. Alligator Alley is a tow road.

[AndyG]

Guys thanks so much for all the help! This eases the pain of leaving my home lakes right when the prespawn frenzy is about to cut loose. We're just working 40hour weeks on this job so I should get to fish 3 days a week. I hope to have some neat pics to post when Im back.

[Shimano4Life]

Guys thanks so much for all the help! This eases the pain of leaving my home lakes right when the prespawn frenzy is about to cut loose. We're just working 40hour weeks on this job so I should get to fish 3 days a week. I hope to have some neat pics to post when Im back.

Hey Andy, remember too that you will be fishing some brackish water (with salt in it). I would rinse off everything once you're finished fishing and even clean and lube reels when you get back, or down there if you can. I know the salt content isn't extremely high unless you're fishing in the ocean, but all the water in that particular area does have salt in it. If you don't clean them you can really do damage to bearings, the gears, and even the finish of the reel. Most of it will be "pitting", but even something as small as this will cause your bearings and gears to be really noisy. If not cleaned immediately, it can really break down working parts in your reels. Just thought I would remind you.

[nonamesleft47]

Man, you'll have a ball. I have fished down there a few times over the years. I always just drove around until I found a good canal and then pulled over to fish. I can remember catching baby tarpon, gar, bass, snook and all kinds of cichlids. The bass were fun but the exotic stuff was what always made my day. I spent one Saturday following a canal and it led to a place where it poured into a small pond. When I fought my way through the jungle to the head of the culvert it was full of tarpon, they were anywhere from 2-3 feet long and would bite literally anything you threw in there. They stacked up like shad in that running water. It still ranks as one of the best fishing days of my life and it was almost 20 years ago.