Fishing For Exotics
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:12 amWith all the rain we've had this winter, I had to skip town for a couple weeks and get a little vitamin D in my system. Hello Sunshine State!
Two weeks in sunny south Florida is what I needed. The fishing options are mind blowing. Whether that's fishing the Gulf of Mexico for snapper, grouper, snook and drum, there are also some great freshwater options.
This year I was determined to check off a bucket list fish that I've dreamed of catching - a Clown Knifefish. These snake/eel-like looking exotic fish were once someone's aquarium pets now have taken refuge in the backwater canals in the Fort Lauderdale area. A kayak is a great way to target these fish along with peacock bass, largemouth bass, oscars, cichlids and snakehead.
While all these fish are know to hit crank baits and artificials, you can never go wrong with live shiners. We filled an aerated bucket of bait and loaded up the Hobie kayaks for a day on the water. A light weight bass rod and a small hook to allow the shiner to swim freely is all you need.
I highly recommend going with someone that knows the lay of the land. I went out with Brian Nelli of Pushin Water Kayak Charters. He supplied all the gear and a Hobie kayak for a great day on the water.
Two weeks in sunny south Florida is what I needed. The fishing options are mind blowing. Whether that's fishing the Gulf of Mexico for snapper, grouper, snook and drum, there are also some great freshwater options.
- Largemouth
- largemouthsm.jpg (158.04 KiB) Viewed 9215 times
This year I was determined to check off a bucket list fish that I've dreamed of catching - a Clown Knifefish. These snake/eel-like looking exotic fish were once someone's aquarium pets now have taken refuge in the backwater canals in the Fort Lauderdale area. A kayak is a great way to target these fish along with peacock bass, largemouth bass, oscars, cichlids and snakehead.
- Clown Knifefish
- clownknifesm.jpg (192 KiB) Viewed 9215 times
- Underwater Clown Knifefish
- underwaterknife.jpg (92.84 KiB) Viewed 9215 times
While all these fish are know to hit crank baits and artificials, you can never go wrong with live shiners. We filled an aerated bucket of bait and loaded up the Hobie kayaks for a day on the water. A light weight bass rod and a small hook to allow the shiner to swim freely is all you need.
- Peacock Bass
- peacocksm.jpg (187.4 KiB) Viewed 9215 times
I highly recommend going with someone that knows the lay of the land. I went out with Brian Nelli of Pushin Water Kayak Charters. He supplied all the gear and a Hobie kayak for a great day on the water.
