Low of 62, high of 78
I launched the boat and went fishing alone yesterday. Leaving the canal system, my fish finder lit up with about a dozen targets just before the last bridge out. I pinned the boat down near the seawall in 2' of water, as the tide was nearing low, and cast live shrimp into the center of the canal channel where it was about 5'. I caught a catfish, which is considered a junk fish here because we have so many desirable species in our waters. After releasing the cat I cast another shrimp that produced a small stingray. You have to be careful with their barbs so after photos I just cut the line and sent her back where she came from.
I pulled up my anchor pin and headed into the harbor. The conditions were fair, with light winds on the way out. The forecast was for that to change so I didn't want to stray too far out alone. The extreme low tide would limit my near shore choice. I went up the Myakka River in search of redfish. I was able to run 22 knots per hour, a nice cruising speed in my boat that will easily do twice that.
There are several tidal creeks and tributaries that connect throughout Charlotte Harbor, and both the Peace and Myakka Rivers. This makes a shallow water boat like mine the perfect boat for these waters. I arrived at such a creek and, wow, was it low! I could see many crab traps completely beached on high ground. The tide was about to turn so there was no fear of me getting grounded...at least not for long, before the incoming tide would free me up. It was 10AM and the tide would rise by a full 18" by 5PM.
I got as near to shore as I could and raised up my outboard. I drifted along in the 10 knots of winds. The water was crystal clear but the bottom had a lot of seagrass mixed with occasional sandy flats. I could see oysters in the sand but no fish. I baited two rods with live shrimp and cast off. Several times my boat got stuck on a flat but I was able to use my anchor pole to push myself free. My baits kept getting wrapped up in seagrass. The fishing wasn't too great but, as the photos above show, it was a beautiful day of solitude.
I fished 4 different spots off the river and caught stingrays in 3 of the 4 spots. They must be migrating in for winter because they were everywhere. I endured a briefing passing shower and the winds out of the Northeast really began to gain strength by 2PM. Wave heights were picking up to 2-3' and my anchor pin was struggling to hold me when I was on the Western shore of the Myakka. I used my binoculars to scan some bays on Eastern shore and saw dead calm waters on the leeward side. I zipped over to a pristine position and pinned the boat down again. This area had a sandy bottom that produced more bites...from Stingrays.
There wasn't another boat in sight for miles. At one point I heard a noise that sound like slow marching footsteps. I looked up and saw beauty in motion. Dozens of Pelicans, flying in a perfect V formation, all flapping their wings in slow unison. I starred in awe as they flew out of sight. I wondered if there was some significance to the lead bird. What made him the leader? Is he always the leader? Do birds have alpha-males, like dogs? Yeah...I was pretty bored. But I was still loving life out here.
By 3:40 the weather radio alerted me that a small craft advisory was issued for Charlotte Harbor. I peered out through the binos and saw white caps a-plenty in the river. Time to pull up and head out. As I brought last line in, it was heavy with another Stingray. Instead of Redfish I was stung by rays....all day.
The ride home was a choppy one, through solid 3' waves. I was still able to run at 20 knots, although I did get airborn a couple of time. I couldn't resist stopping to photograph a rainbow in the distance. The only camera I had on board was my phone so today's pictures aren't the best.
Nonetheless, it was another gorgeous day of Messing About in South Florida.
Click on pictures for full screen image.
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