Well it's almost time.. leaving this coming Saturday the 13th... and hope to be fishing by Tuesday the 16th.. can't decide where to fish first (flamingo everglades or anywhere in south florida (miami to jupiter inlet) since choosing to fish the offshore tournament.The best tides for Flamingo start the 15th and fishing there is why I planned those dates a while back. I can pick any two days in the month of May to fish tournament according to weather or convenience. Since there isn't any place to park a trailer where I'll be launching for the tournament, I'm leaving the trailer at home and only taking one kayak. Was hoping to have two with one hooked up with trolling motor for Flamingo, but it makes things too complicated this trip and don't really like the idea of pulling a trailer 1300 miles one way.

Dania Beach is where I used to fish offshore, near Hollywood, Fl... you can launch just past the Dania Beach pier in area where beach goers know is for kayak launching. Will probably try to catch live bait on pier before launching as pier is open 24/7. Been a long time since fishing offshore and I'm hoping its flat calm.



Been doing spring cleaning at the house since I've had a bunch of stuff going on with canoe, kayak, trolling moter, new graph, and work. Haven't even thought about fishing in a couple of weeks.. I'm beat already.

All cleaned up

I’ve seen lots of videos of guys doing well launching out of Dania. Looks like water gets deep fast.

I never had a depth finder on the kayak back then but I believe the first reef is around 20', the second 50', and the third reef 150'. About two miles out to the third reef and then it starts dropping about a 100 feet per mile ... was out on a calm day 6 miles one time and guy in boat told me we were in over 600'. hoping I can stay between the second and third reef where I've had the best luck on kingfish.

Awesome thread!

Made it to my usual place I stay in Florida City, near Homestead and about 50 miles from Flamingo. Unpacked, picking out what all I'll be using tomorrow.. rods, reels, and baits. Stopped by BassPro in Clearwater and bought some heavier gear for this trip.. Usually use just bass gear.. I'm going for bigger fish this trip.. in Flamingo and offshore. Mounted a Shimano Sargosa 6000 with over 260 yards of 30lb braid to 50 lb leader to 8' fast tip, medium heavy StCroix Avid spinning rod rated 14 to 40 lbs.. Sargosa has 22 lb drag. I might get pulled out of my kayak this trip if I hook a big one. I've never enjoyed using heavy to me rods and reels.. it can get scary. oh well.. will try to report back tomorrow late on first day.

just headed out the door to get something to eat... 7 shots fired

Awesome set up!

Good stuff!

What is the baitcasting setiup?

It was a 7’ St Croix Avid Inshore with Shimano Tranx 400.. Damn snook kicked my tail and busted that rod this morning..

Had alarm set for 4:30 a.m. don’t remember turning it off or maybe I set it around 1:00a.m. but didn’t turn it on.. Was up late trying to figure out go pro.. gave up and left it at motel. On the water around 9:30.. incoming tide.. wished I been on the water as planned because the snook were biting.. and I was prepared for battle. Most in 20 to 24 inch range but had a monster bust me off when it wrapped me around my stake out pole.. seriously I rarely use it but was fishing a cut that I’ve fished for years and the snook are going to drag you into the mangrove roots . I’m anchored with stake out pole and anchor trolley.. hook a big one… drags me in a circle with bow of kayak pointing to stake out pole and I’m fighting fish behind me.. with or without being anchored this fish was getting away.. scratch one doa bait buster.. Tie on another and catch a few more.. miss several.. I’m fishing around a spoil island, then paddle on further to the next one.. same deal, snook everywhere.. can hear splashing and screaming by boater with kids that are battling them too ..Spoke to them later and the sharks were attacking the snook they were catching.. I ended up landing 8 snook, 2 jacks, and several lady fish.. almost went home at 2:00 pm as I was happy in spite of breaking rod. Beautiful day on the water.















Checked out West Lake on the way out.. don’t think I want to fight mosquitoes there.. may rest or look for an ugly stick tomorrow.

I am sorry to hear that. I am afraid that if I went to the Everglades, the fish would tear up half my gear and the salt water would finish off the rest. I have a Daiwa BG2500 that would probably survive if it didn’t get spooled.

Stopped on side of road looking for alligators on the drive from park entrance to Flamingo.. smallest alligator I’ve ever seen.


Another pic of big snook I posted earlier.. I took some [censored] phots yesterday.. was afraid it might kick phone out of my hand like last year.


Great weather yesterday.. sunny early and then got cloudy and light showers to cool off.. temp low 80s with light breeze.


Friendliest crows you’ll ever see


I’ve been up since 3:00 after passing out early yesterday.. may have to sleep some more as tackle shop won’t be open for a while.

Oh man that sounds like my luck.