I arrive in SW Florida yesterday for a 30 day work detail. I moved away from here 12 years ago and so get to come back and help burn so I'm excited to see my old friends and fish when we're not busy. Today I got situated, bought some groceries and then my friend took me out on his skiff fishing. Caught a nice sized sheephead on a lure which is very difficult, landed a decent jack and one small snook, not a bad way to start my trip! All fish were caught on the same lure, a Vudu Weedless Shrimp. While of fishing a flock of Flamingos flew overhead. They're around and not common but I had never seen one in the US so that was a treat to see. We'll start burning later in the week after these small rain storms come through. There's a lot of burning that needs to get done some we'll be busy traveling all over the state to get it done. I'll keep ya'll updated...
Nice!
Great way to start a trip!!!! Keep the reports coming PJ, hopefully all goes smoothly for work. - john
Snuck out for a quick session today. I managed a decent snook, a micro tarpon and a micro snook!
The micro fish reminded me of the micro sturgeon I caught.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/39/1583-210125022519.jpeg)
We need to have a micro fish section. I caught a 3 pound albacore last year(no pic)
This little peacock bass was smaller than the lure! The babies run in large schools and are extremely agressive!
Quote from: Maxed Out on January 21, 2025, 03:12:30 AMWe need to have a micro fish section. I caught a 3 pound albacore last year(no pic)
micro fish are cool
@PJ, love the micro Tarpon
here is my Micro Triggerfish entry
I only catch big fish.... ;)
Quote from: Crab Pot on January 22, 2025, 03:32:54 AMI only catch big fish.... ;)
They can't get big if they don't start out small!!!!
If you end up going further north let me know. We got small fish here too 8)
Quote from: Crab Pot on January 22, 2025, 03:32:54 AMI only catch big fish.... ;)
They can't get big if they don't start out small!!!!
;) ;D :d
Firefighting in the swamp requires very specialized equipment. Here's some of the equipment I'll get to operate or ride in while I'm in Florida.
I've caught micro YT that were smaller than the Sardines used for bait.
Nice rigs, where are the rod holders?
I like the one on the 4th pic, it looks like an RC crawler
I'm with Swami on this one - those are some really cool looking machines - where are the rod holders? - -john
There a couple places to stash rods!!!!
There's a bit of controlled-burn pyromania in many of the fire people I've known.
Fire pics
Very cool pictures and that snake looks mad,,,, ;)
Beautiful snake but he does look annoyed
Never actually seen one look cheerful. That would be weird.
Must be totally weird taking preemptive measures for you and your team PJ!
Snake would have made a great hat band!
Steve
We burned at Loxahatchee NWR (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arthur-r-marshall-loxahatchee) today to try to restore some duck habitat. The area is surrounded by ditches and ag fields everywhere so before everyone arrived I fished the ditches and was rewarded with 2 big 3' long snakeheads! They're very aggressive and fight hard. Gonna try to catch a few more tomorrow morning before we head to Cape Canaveral to burn for the next 5 days. Fish and fire pics
Spent the last few days burning at Cape Canaveral Space Force in Titusville with the Air Force Fire Crew. It was a fun couple days
Nothing biting in mosquito lagoon? Well, besides the obvious.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on February 09, 2025, 01:59:48 AMNothing biting in mosquito lagoon? Well, besides the obvious.
We fished the IRL and caught mostly ladyfish
Great reports PJ. Please keep 'em coming.
We did a 1800 acre burn at Merritt Island NWR right next to Cape Canaveral National Seashore yesterday. It was a restoration burn for spartina grass and coastal scrub. In order to get it to burn properly you have to head fire it so the burn was exciting at times. This was the last burn I'll do before I fly home on Sunday. My boss here gave me the next 2 days off to try to get a little more fishing in and to see some friends so that's nice.
Woa you scored a mega slam for species
No shortage of rattlesnakes out there, another healthy looking one. Enjoy some fishing, gotta be a couple more fish to cross off the list
What an awesome way to make a living! :al