Tips and Tales
Follow the West Wind
AS FEATURED IN THE WINTER 2004 ISSUE OF SOUTH FLORIDA SPORT FISHING MAGAZINE By Jan Stephen Maizler
Sun-drenched days, tropical breezes, incomparable Gulf sunsets and non-stop drag screaming action, all in an unforgettable, beautiful setting!The Gulf surf behind the West Wind Inn was a sight to behold. Backlit by a yellow and orange sunset, countless schools of shimmering glass minnows worked their way along Sanibel’s pristine beach. Every few seconds, their rain shower sounds were shattered by the suction cup strikes of hungry snook that seemed to be everywhere! All this action was literally occurring in knee-deep water right at our feet! My fishing partner, Jim Porter, smirked as a lurking snook nearly collided with his leg. Off to my right, another snook went airborne after a mouthful of silvery bait.My only dilemma in the darkening kaleidoscope was simply where to cast. A throw parallel to the beach might score one of the remaining snook that still had an appetite, but the odds favored casting to the hundreds of exploding jacks, ladyfish and sea trout a mere forty feet from shore. I’d chosen my fishing tackle based on prior experiences fishing these fantastic waters. In the snag-free conditions of the open surf, the ultra-light six pound spinning outfit was ideal. My terminal gear consisted of a short double line to a thirty pound fluorocarbon leader, topped off with a quarter ounce white Spro bucktail jig.It was simple: one quick flick into the thrashing melee and a hookup was immediate. On some of my casts, I would jump a ladyfish, only to have the bait grabbed by a nearby jack or trout just seconds later. Jim and I fished this frenzy until the painted sky darkened and we could no longer see our rod tips. It’s important to note that in order to protect egg-laying turtles and their hatchlings, darkness is a legal mandate along many Gulf coast beaches. It was now pitch black as Jim and I made our way back over the sand dunes to the Inn. The day had come full circle, since earlier that day with rods in hand we had walked to the beach to greet the dawn. On only his second cast that morning, Jim hooked, landed, photographed and released a beautiful snook in the high teens. The great thing was that this first day of our short trip was only a prelude to the upcoming full day on the water fishing with native Sanibel guide, Captain Mike Smith. The West Wind Inn makes Mike their first choice when they want a day of action for their guests.It’s rare for a family resort destination to not only offer first class fishing right at its back door, but also provide shelling, beach walks, swimming, biking, as well as proximity to some of Florida’s finest restaurants, art galleries, and wildlife preserves. You simply could not find this incredible mix in Key West, Cancun, Freeport, Cozumel, or even San Juan. Sanibel and Captiva Islands stand alone in offering this unique blend of amenities for a resort destination, and the West Wind Inn is in the epicenter of it all on Sanibel’s West Gulf Drive. The West Wind Inn had it all: a large pool with adjoining bar for snacks and drinks, a great restaurant, rental bikes, beach lounges, spectacular gardens, and an excellent variety of accommodations. The first time I visited the West Wind Inn, I knew I was in for something special as they handed me a shell guide and collection bag upon my arrival!
BEGINNING THE SECOND DAY-It was a brief but highly effective dawn beach patrol that resulted in a few snook and sea trout. The warmth of the rising sun at our backs reminded us that we had to leave the Inn at 7:15 sharp to meet Captain Mike at the Punta Rassa boat ramp just beyond the Sanibel Causeway toll booth. As we drove up, we saw Captain Mike’s 21’ Lake and Bay skiff right away: it appeared to be gleaming in anticipation as it lay alongside the dock. As we climbed aboard, I inquired about his live bait forays in the predawn hours. Mike smiled as he opened two huge livewells: both were chock full of threadfin herring and pilchards, or whitebait as they refer to them locally.As we settled aboard and stowed our gear, Mike laid out his game plans for the day. Plan #1 would be to run 100 to 200 yards off the Gulf beaches in search of feeding fish. Mike said recent reports indicated huge schools of glass minnows were being ravaged by tarpon and mackerel in the early morning hours. Plan #2 would kick in as the sun climbed higher and the day warmed up. We’d be heading to the inside waters behind Sanibel to fish the ‘Ding’ for snook and redfish. Mike fired up his Yamaha 225 and idled towards the channel which led to open water. Once in the clear, he pushed down the throttle to what felt like warp speed and in mere moments we rounded the bend near Sanibel Lighthouse into the open Gulf.It wasn’t long before we spotted the unmistakable site of skyrocketing Spanish mackerel and free-jumping tarpon out in the distance. I could feel my heart pound with excitement. Mike idled over to the largest feeding frenzy and cut his motor about fifty yards away. Making his way to the bow, he lowered his electric motor into the water. Its strong silent pull added to our excitement as we crept towards the action in ‘stealth mode.’As we approached casting distance, Mike pulled two rods from the upright holders on the console. They were well equipped spinning outfits spooled with what I like to call ‘8/30’ Power Pro, which meant that we’d have the long casts afforded by the thin 8 pound diameter, but the fighting strength of 30 pound mono. PowerPro is an ideal choice for tarpon because of the line’s no-stretch properties which allow solid hook-sets. The terminal end consisted of a double line, 30 pound fluorocarbon leader and a 3/0 Gamakatsu hook.Mike told us that we’d bait up with the threadfins, as they were a perfect choice: too big for the Spanish mackerel, but candy for the tarpon. I lowered my lively bait into the water just beneath me, thinking Mike was going to get us even closer with the electric motor. Seconds later a tarpon exploded on my bait right at my feet, startling me and drenching me with spray. I gave the fish a few second count and struck hard….once, twice, three times. Up came the silver giant, flashing brilliantly in the morning sun. The fish greyhounded across the green Gulf for more than thirty feet before plunging back into the water with a furious splash. The battle then settled into a predictable pattern: maximum pressure when the fish rolled or wallowed and a quick bow when the fish jumped or bolted. Fifteen minutes later the silvery giant was alongside the boat, ready for release. I estimated its weight at about sixty pounds. Not a bad way to start any day! After a brief victory celebration, we noticed the bait schools were now a hundred yards west, fleeing their predators. Off in pursuit of the action we went. Within five minutes we were back on top of the commotion. Jim and I cast our threadfins and were hooked up within seconds. It was a brief double-header with one fish jumping off and the other chafing through the leader. We took a breather and rechecked a thunderhead that had been heading our way. Playing it safe, Mike recommended we speed over to Ft. Myers Beach. Topping off at close to 50 mph, his rig did an excellent job of keeping us out of harm’s way. As we sat just offshore of a sunny beach, we watched the ferocious thunderstorm cross Sanibel Island. The drenching rain showers took an hour to pass. When we finally returned, the minnow schools were long gone. Mike suggested that the storm may have driven the bait into the surf, but the falling tide would put the action out of our reach. He felt the time was right to run behind Sanibel and explore the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve.
INTO THE DING-Captain Mike cranked up the engine and off we flew. Mike was happy that we were fishing on the new moon. Just like the full moon, the spring tide effect would create tidal levels and current velocities that were stronger than average. Mike felt that both the snook and redfish were more active during these periods. Nobody knows the Ding better than Captain Mike, who has fished the area for the last twenty years. We entered one of the small entrances to this maze-like jungle. Since the tide was falling, Mike raised his engine on its jack-plate and idled in for the remaining half mile.Captain Mike’s tactics in the Ding were fascinating. He would only use his bow-mounted electric motor to approach his honey holes hiding in the cracks and crevices of the countless creeks, bays, and islands. Once the boat was about forty feet from a favorite spot, he’d stake it out to keep the skiff stationary. Now in position, he would net a few frisky pilchards from his livewell and toss them high up into the mangrove treetops. Moments later pilchards would rain down on the snook hiding in the shadows, and then all hell would break loose! Mike smiled at all the pops and calmly said, “looks like they’re really hungry today.” As a few silvery survivors raced out of the entangled roots to hide in the skiff’s shadow, Mike recommended I pull one of the spinning outfits out of the rod holders.The equipment was well thought out: stiff long graphite rods with fast retrieve spinners.Each filled to the brim with braided line to maximize two tackle qualities: sensitivity and low stretch, both translating into a better feel and more fish-pulling power. He baited my 1/0 hook which was tied to a two foot length of fluorocarbon leader. Recommending I toss the bait into one of the shadowy mangrove pockets, I made a good cast and the strike was instantaneous! The snook and I did a seesaw battle, but good technique and quality tackle had him boat-side in just minutes. We admired the roughly six pound fish for a moment and then released it unharmed.Suffice it to say that every stop we made, we hooked nice snook, redfish, or jack crevalle. The technique was the same: accurate casts into shadowy pockets and a keep-him-coming fighting technique. Mike’s spots were as endless as his knowledge of the Ding and by midday, we were exhausted. It was time for a break. As we idled back out of the preserve, Captain Mike encouraged me to return when the fishing really turned on! I laughed and responded that I was thinking the same thing.Mike again mentioned the glass minnow schools might be right in the wash behind the West Wind Inn, and that dusk was a great time to fish the surf. I told him he could count on Jim and I being there, but little did I know what lay in store for us……
WHEN YOU GO-Get off I-75 at exit 131 onto Daniels Road. Follow this west past U.S. 41 until you reach Summerlin Road. Turn left on Summerlin and follow it right to the Sanibel Causeway toll plaza. When you get to the Island, turn right at Periwinkle Way. Follow Periwinkle for 2.6 miles to Tarpon Bay Road and make a left. Follow Tarpon Bay to the stop sign for West Gulf Drive and make a right turn. The West Wind Inn will be 2 miles ahead on your left. You can’t miss it. West Wind Innwww.WestWindInn.com1-800-824-04761-239-472-1541Captain Mike Smith1-239-770-68791-239-573-FISH
Website: http://www.WestWindInn.com
No comments:
Post a Comment