October 02, 2012
By Bob Bramblet
The Indian River Lagoon runs south along Florida's east coast from Ponce De Leon Inlet approximately 150 miles to Hobe Sound and is part of the Intracoastal Waterway. Its many inlets provide the tidal movement that is crucial for maintaining a healthy fish habitat. Miles of natural mangrove shoreline, man made structure, spoil islands and grassy flats combine to create a complex ecosystem with high habitat diversity. As a result, large numbers of snook, redfish, trout and tarpon can be found here, and the Indian River Lagoon has become a world renowned destination for sport fishing.
I met well known, full time Guide Dee Kaminski on the Ft. Pierce flats just off the North Causeway. Dee has been a Guide in this area for many years and has a reputation for finding fish. She was voted by her peers as the 1st runner-up for Kayak Angler or the Year, and Guide of the Year in the Kayak Angler Choice Awards 2011. A look at her picture gallery on her website, www.reelkayakfishing.com and you will see why she is held in such high regard. Also paddling along with us were my fishing buddies Mark Naumovitz, fellow Blogger for Florida Sportsman, and FS Editor Sam Hudson.
The weather forecast was pretty dismal, with winds predicted at 25 plus mph. As we launched, we were a little relieved to find it wasn't that bad. There was a breeze and a slight chop to the water. We paddled a very short distance toward a mangrove island. It was still a little dark and I saw Dee stop paddling and pick up a rod. I took that as my queue and cast my bone colored Zara Spook. I twitched the bait once and it was engulfed with a huge splash! A nice redfish had slammed it and took off, my drag screaming! I laughed and yelled out “fish on!” while the fish towed me onto the flats. I landed the first fish of the day on my first cast, and the fish weren't done.
FS Blogger Mark Naumovitz with a nice red!
The next one to hook up was Mark, landing a nice red just after I released mine. There were fish moving all around us in the choppy water. They were not easy to see, but not impossible. I placed a couple of well aimed casts near an area where I saw movement in the water. A big splash and I had another red on. I landed the fish, released him and turned back to look at the launch. I was surprised to see all this action was happening within 100 yards of the launch! This was turning out to be a great day.
As we moved on, we all continued to catch fish and I had some of the most beautiful “blow-ups” on my topwater bait. Some sizable fish were just slamming the Spook, most were misses. Dee was busy guiding us to our fish and had yet to catch one herself. Sam had several trout and redfish, Mark had the same and I had three reds and a nice jack. I had to get off the water early and we started moving back toward the launch. Dee stopped guiding and landed herself a very nice redfish. A perfect end to a perfect morning of fishing. I was off the water and loaded up by 10:30!
Since I started this blog, I have met many people and have fished a lot of new places, and some familiar ones as well. I have shared all of my new fishing stories and most of them are true! I still have many more of you to meet and a lot more fish to catch. If you have time and want to share some of your fish and techniques with me, email me at bobbramblet@gmail.com.
