by Keith Lozott, Contributing Writer
Let’s get to the redfish action that we were treated with! I have struggled to describe to my friends who didn’t go or couldn’t go how phenomenal the fishing was. I would venture a guess that 90% to 95% of the reds we caught were all sight casted and for the avid, recreational or novice angler this will put your fishing senses into overdrive. We would scan the GPS for areas that fit our pattern of where we thought the fish would be and sure enough they were there. We used the trolling motor and slowly went up creeks peering for reds patrolling the shorelines. I fished the back of my skiff most of the trip on the polling platform where my line of sight was at the perfect position for locating fish. Martin fished the pointy end of the skiff where he stood on the cooler/casting deck with his fly rod cocked and loaded. We were like an oiled machine trading turns casting at cruising fish and we experienced hook up after hook up after hook up. Quite a few times fish would come within five yards of the boat and I would pitch an Exude Dart or DOA root beer chartreuse paddle tail jig rigged weedless in front of them and they would pounce on the offering without a care in the world. They very well may have hit a beer cap rigged weedless for all we knew. Martin would drop fly’s right on the head of fish and they would explode on the fly instantly. So many times, we would break out into laughter how insane the bites were because we were so use to the spooky reds of the Indian River or the Treasure Coast or the numerous other spots we’ve fished in Florida. I’m not saying we don’t sight fish for reds in Florida, but there is something genetic in the Louisiana redfish that makes them not care that you are nearby. For example, we hit a few oysters thirty or forty feet from several fish and they didn’t move only to be caught a few minutes later.
One of the most memorable trips of my life thus far was fishing with Captain Ray Van Horn of the Gypsy Angler and my wife for my 40th birthday. I must start this sentence off by giving major props to my wife for powering through an extremely long day of fishing. We fished for around 8-10 hours including the boat ride. The boat ride was almost as awesome as the fishing with absolutely the most amazing scenery you can imagine. The wildlife we were able spot included bald eagles, sharks, tarpon, dolphins and I’m sure I forgot to mention several other species. The fishing which is why you’re there in the first place, is off the hook! We caught trout, redfish, snook, jacks, and had a few tarpon give us a look. I will say I wasn’t beefed up for a tarpon if it would’ve hit anyway, so thankfully it only gave us a look. In one of the bays on the other side of Oyster Bay, I was working a Mirrolure Catch 2000 trying to catch trout, when a six and half foot bull shark crushed the lure. The shark launched itself halfway out of the water when it turned on the lure, which made for a heart beating experience. Of course this all took place ten yards from the Ranger Phantom skiff we were fishing out of with Ray Van Horn. On a funny note the bay we were fishing had all the oysters in it and Oyster Bay didn’t, according to Ray. I will say the trip with Ray was amazing and I can only imagine that any guide you choose for your trip will be amazing as well. I’ve nothing but praise for the guides in the Glades from everyone I’ve spoken with. Book your trip today and start by calling a recommended guide today, they’ll be extremely appreciative that you did!