T his is the 2nd year the white summer shrimp did not bless Daytona with a decent run, matter of fact 2013 is going down in the record books as a “skunk.” Daytona produced very few shrimp and the sizes were small. We held out hopes the St. John would resonate with “howling” announcing the shrimp were thick and plentiful but that “holler” never was spoken. Florida has run out of options. We shall not speak of the white shrimp until 2014. Scallop season was epic in both Crystal River and Homosassa area. Great sport for kids until you hear of a shark encounter with a report of a 3 foot bonnet shark curious about a small child with scallops in his hands. Child and shark are fine. Lobster season was busy in the Keys and it seems the “niche” areas of angling are trending vs. solely fishing hook and line. The brown winter sweeter tasting shrimp have been plentiful all summer in the New Smyrna, Edgewater and Oak Hill area but the sizes has averaged 4 inches and under. The 2013-2014 winter season kicks off in December when I hit the road for my first tour stop at the New Smyrna Fly Fishing Club (on 12/9 – Free to attend, your invited).
The Academy will be scouting for shrimp activity in Oak Hill this month and will report the findings at LeeNoga.com. Please, if you capture a bizarre looking shrimp, please put it in the freezer and call me (386)479-4175. The State is tracking shrimp mutations. The last 2 years for the winter run has been plagued by long standing La Nina’s, late runs and water temperatures above normal. Technology continues to evolve with the shrimplights. The 3rd generation of the popular MacDaddy shrimplight comes to market this month with great upgrades. The Academy & Captain Lee will be exhibiting & selling the MacDaddy lights (several models) at the Oak Hill flea market every Sunday starting in November.
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