GaffMarchApril

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G a f f M a g. R e p o r t s

Fishing Reports and Articles

Fishing Report
March/April
2006

    Hopefully the March winds have left with the passing of March and we can get down to some of our normal drifts. My Maverick HPX-V has been
a blessing in these winds giving me the ability to pole into a stiff wind without killing myself.
    I hope all of you have been finding the permit as well as I have this past month. Fishing with Rob Mallin from Village Office Supply in New Jersey
for two days, Rob said, “Having a double permit with a bonefish on at the same time is a very exciting thing”. Both anglers were fishing the South
Florida flats for the first time and with a little coaching the two-day score was four permit and two bones.

With a good wind comes a little security for the flats inhabitants. The bones and permit tend to really eat well during a 20-knot wind. True, it is a little
harder to see them, but on the other hand it is also harder for them to see us. The wind also covers the splash down of your offering much better. If
you have ever tried to land a shrimp near a tailing bonefish in flat calm water, you know what I mean. Most of the time you get the reaction that you
have hit him in the head with a baseball or something. So if it’s blowing, don’t hesitate to go fishing, you will be happy you did.
    Look for the permit to be in the two to three foot ranges along the bonefish flats as they follow mudding rays. This is one of the easiest ways of
spotting fish and a great chance to approach those fish when they have their attention focused on something other than your approach or if there are
any sharks around. Work an edge looking shallow for bones as well as deep for the chance of a shot at a permit and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Yes it’s true, I am know going “OFF THE DEEP END” My new Panga 27LX is here and I am just totally in heaven. The 27LX is the same hull design
as my old 28 but with an overall length of almost 29 feet. . I have a Key West style T-top, a 45-gallon live well in the integrated transom, a leaning post
tackle station and the best engine on the block to push her. My new twin 150 E-Tec’s by Evinrude are just amazing, and with the new bracket off the
transom the performance is astounding. Jack at Sea Power Inc did the deed and hooked me up with an awesome pair of engines. How about THREE
MILES a gallon from a TWO-STROKE!!!!! All the power and performance of a two stroke with the fuel efficiency of a four-stroke engine was just a
dream until now!!!!!

            I’ll see you “On the Flats”

Gear Check
    Now is the time to get out your 11 & 12 weight fly rods to prepare for the Tarpon runs of spring. You can loosen up in Whitewater Bay blind
casting for the kings to get yourself into the rhythm of throwing the heavy rods again. Clean your reels and lines then check your backing and don’
t forget to throw out any old rusty hooked tarpon flies. See Ashley at Don’s Bait & Tackle for the latest patterns and “let’s get it on”!!!!