Fishing has been great of late. Off the beaches Bonita and Kingfish have been prevelant. Caught my first Kingfish from my flats boat the other day and chasing the Bonita has been a ball. I've learned to be patient and wait for the fish to come to us instead of motoring after them only to find there gone when you get there. Spoons, plugs and flies all work all the time, it's just getting the bait in front of them.

My son Dylan hooked his first Bonita the other day. When he hooked it, it came toward the boat and he said "they don't fight that much", then the fish turned and made a sustained run untill he only had a couple of turns of line left on the reel. I started the boat and we landed him after a long fight. He was amazed. We caught the King trolling a chartreuse bomber long-A lure.

Because of the warm weather there are still some snook in the passes and along the beaches. We had a good fall run of Redfish but thet're now being caught in good numbers in the backcountry.

There are still tarpon being caught although spotty. I've had great luck tarpon fishing in the past fishing on the full or new moon during or just after a cold front in the late fall or early winter. I fish specifically in the morning when the tide starts rushing in. I look for strong rips or strong currents which congreate the mullet. The nastier the weather the more active the tarpon are. Big flies and plugs or live bait all work.

The mid day low tides were having this week are excellent fly tides. Fish are still on the outside but are also being caught deep in the backcountry.
Below are a few recent catches.

In order below are: local fishing legend John Brossard with a nice Naples snook, Everglades Angler customer Eric Christensen had a great day fishing with Capt. Aron Blaisdell pictured with a nice Red and Bonita and another local angler, my son, Dylan Ward with his first Bonita and Kingfish. Well done guys.
See you on the water.
Mark Ward- owner Everglades Angler

Mark,
Great pix and good info. Just wanted to let you know that you were spot on last Saturday when you told me to fish the outgoing tide at Clam Pass at Sun up. There was about an hour and a half where I just slayed them. Every time my fly went in the water and took deep, I got excited to see what was on the end of the line. Caught mostly Ladyfish, Jacks, and a few cruising snook. Those shock tippets that I bought from you last year work great. Thanks again we'll talk to you soon.
Tight Lines,
Rafe

Mark,
Great looking fish, and congrats to your son. I am getting more and more anxious for my arrival to Naples. It is great to hear that the fishing has been as good as it is. Hopefully it will stay this way through the month. I will be stoping into the store sometime this upcoming week for some of the necessary iteams. Anyways, good luck on the water this week and I look forward to meeting you finally and getting out of the cold and snow of Montana and into the warm and sunny. Tight lines.
Mike Kmon

Mark: I am looking forward to fishing with Capt Ken on Sunday morning. Glad to see that nice snook and red , hope they will still be around when I get there. Mike Catanese

Should be good Sun. Cool front going thru the next or so and and then back to warm.
Thanks
mark

Wow Mark that it great and your son looks like he had a GREAT day out there with you.

We just got down from DE for the winter and can't wait to fish!!!!!

If you are ever looking for a someone to fish with and share expenses or whatever I am available as CREW frequently. I belong to the Naples fish Club and we do this kind of stuff often.

GREAT day Mark Tight Lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!