Was it all a dream or did this actually take place? Even as an experienced profession fishing guide, I am still shaking my head and asking this question after two unbelievable and unforgettable days this past week.
Tom Ress from Athens AL and his long-time friend, Ed from Lexington, KY, decided to take a couple of days and go fishing prior to attending the 24 hour endurance race in Daytona Beach. Fishing on the shallow flats near Titusville (40 miles east of Orlando), these two anglers caught more than 20 redfish – 16 of which were over 30 inches and 9 of which exceeded 40 inches. In addition, they chased and caught huge black drum in the shallow, clear water in glass-like conditions. All fish were taken with light spinning tackle and released to be fought on another day. Since words really can not adequately describe the action we will just let the pictures tell the rest of the story.
There is no place like home. There is no place like home. There is no place like home – especially for a fishing guide living along the central east coast of Florida. After spending a week and a half in the frozen tundra of northern Alabama, it sure was good to return home to the greater Orlando area. While visiting family though, our Florida weather was besieged by an artic blast which dropped temperatures and threw the Chamber of Commerce (along with the fish) into a near panic. However, I am glad to report now that both weather and fish have returned to normal.
Capt. Roland had several guide trips worthy of reporting over the past week or so. The first involved several local utes (youths) and took place in the Indian River near Melbourne (60 miles southeast of Orlando). The Ryan boys, Michael, Daniel and Joey had a grand time on their charter catching a number of redfish, snook, black drum, sheephead and snapper. Pictured below is Michael holding one of his trophies, a rare wintertime snook.
Rich Spycher and Rich, Jr, a father and son combo, escaped from the frigid regions near Chicago to enjoy our warmer Florida environs and do a little fishing. Chartered with Capt. Roland, these northwesterners had a great guide trip catching 7 reds to 26 inches, 6 black drum, 3 sheephead and mango snappers and one bluefish. Fishing the deeper shorelines of the inshore islands near the historic fish camp on Honest John Canals (65 miles southeast of Orlando), the action was nearly non-stop for about five hours.
Lee and Angie, a couple from Kansas vacationing just north of Orlando, joined two Native Sons Fishing guides, Capt. Roland and me, the following day, on the same waters, and fishing the same tides. And even though we caught a similar variety of fish, they were smaller and a whole lot less in numbers. Fishing can be fickle! All in all though, a great time was had by everyone on this gorgeous, sun-soaked day – evidenced by the smiles in the photographs below.
Finally, Ray Duval, an old buddy of mine from Baltimore, chartered last Friday for a little redfish action on the Banana River in Merritt Island (40 miles east of Orlando). The reds were plentiful and anxious to entertain. Pictured below are Ray and one of the numerous reds caught on the half-day guide trip.
