My summer hiatus in the Florida Keys is over and its back to the reality of a jam packed schedule of public appearances, seminars, radio shows, and top notch space coast fishing. I take the summers to do some hardcore fishing in the upper keys with some of my top clients and their families. One day we will be stalking bonefish on the flats the next we are offshore trolling for delicious Mahi mahi. There are always great catches down there but the best to me are the accomplishments of "Firsts." Guiding an angler to their first bonefish, mahi, redfish, or even tripletail sticks in my memory bank much longer than even larger catches. Perhaps it's the relinquishment of a long term goal or the tension of the fight once their dream fish is on the other end of the line? What does form as the first images when I think back to those trips are the smiles and laughter electrified by the knowing, that something has been experienced by those on that trip that is unique and great. A fishing experience unable to be duplicated again, like Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea (1952) it is the anger's own epic story.

Speaking of first now is the time to catch your first bull redfish. The North Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon is packed with large schools of spawning monster redfish. Get on the water at first light when the wind is at its calmest to locate these larger schools and beat the crowds. Top water baits and scented soft plastics will do the trick just make sure you up your tackle and leader to end the fight quickly placing less stress on these breeding fish. Please take extra care and time when reviving these fish during the spawn these fish exert their energy reserves and are more susceptible to death if handled poorly.

Water levels are up and there are large schools of mullet roaming around. Fishing these bait pods should get you a great bite of speckled trout with smaller slot redfish sprinkled in. Lastly we have been getting shots at tarpon in the 8 to 15 pound range on the flats. Make sure to get your lure directly in front of the tarpon's face to draw the strike and remember to bow to these silver princes.

I'll be sitting in with Boodreaux and Steve on Fishing Florida Radio this Saturday morning from Bass Pro Shops Orlando and conducting seminars throughout the day. Please stop by the booth and say hello.

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‘Til the next bite...

Capt. Mike Ortego
"The Florida Fisherman"

www.FloridaFisherman.net