Wanaflatsfish Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Finally got the opportunity to get out on COTO's HPX-V 17.... He's got the skiff tuned perfectly for shallow water fishing of Flamingo. It had been years since I've been out on the flats of Flamingo...I've fished the canals and some of the areas out front. Years ago Coto fished all the islands and flats of Flamingo.... We decided to go yesterday, wheels up at 0330 from FLL and at the dock by 0545 along with about a doz boats..... We decided to head out to and begin our day on the flats of Jimmy Lake and had a few shots, but, no love....we moved of this flat as about another 1/2 dozen boats began to to come up on the flat and things were getting a bit busy....we moved to another and more boats....ugggh...by now, we counted at least 20-25 boats within sight...not good. So, we decided to make a move to the outer flats and some of the big islands out front.... We stopped in some of the canals and found some reds for dinner..... COTO was up on the tower most of the day and his eyes are much better than mine....he would say, Dino, 1 O'clock, 20 yards, redfish - CAST !!!! I'm like where, where He was snipping the reds off the tower with precision casting....of course, I had to take them off the jigs when they arrived boat side We decided to make a run to another of COTO's old spots and ran across the skinny tot he back side of an island.... Pole and troll in effect, we dropped off plane and were making our way into the island. COTO sees a set of bubbles and some push...he nails the cast and then it's game on.... We were only in about 18" of water and the big girl was ripping line and running straight off into the flats...we couldn't figure out what it was as we had seen some jacks and small sharks....no head shake, no jump...just pure power...drag screaming....COTO says, I think we are going to need the net finally, the big girl gave us a profile view. And, almost on cue, we both shout out......it's a snook... I'm fumbling trying to get the stow way net out of the hatch - note to COTO, let's keep the net out So I can grab it easily... After a nice fight....she come aboard for a few pics and then swims off to get ready for the breeding season.... A few pics of the day...these were shot with my Iphone11 and I processed using Lightroom...next trip I'll take long my Nikon gear...it's been too long since I've shot... Overall...1/2 dozen reds...two home for dinner with COTO...i had a few mid size snooks and a nice mid slot reds...cant' wait to get out front again !!!! Saw Big Dave and Mike...I"m sure their report will be forth coming....great to see you guys..... COTO ON THE TOWER OUR BIG GIRL FOR THE DAY.......we forgot to measure the big girl as we wanted to get her back in the water quickly and in good health as we saw quite a few bull sharks crusing around......but, as perspective the front of the hatch is 32"...he has a ruler in the sea-deck....we think she was 35-37"...but, a big girl in any book 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabear Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Great story , great snook , great pictures = a great trip . Thanks for sharing Joe R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donh Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Now that’s a snuke!👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Beautiful girl . 🇺🇸🏴☠️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coto Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Had a great time Dino. I haven’t been out there since March 5 so I am thankful the park was opened up. Lot of boats and a lot of floating grass but a beautiful day. The icing on the cake will be blackened redfish tonight for a Mother’s Day dinner. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh141 Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Very Nice Guys, I miss that skinny water out front. The Pathfinder just can not compete with the skinny boats. Kinda miss throwing at Red Triangles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dave Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Nice work fellas! That was a purdy soap fish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dave Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 We had a fun day, but no big girls like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted May 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Well done...those were the size of the reds we saw on the flats....but, no love for us..... I"m addicted to the front.....COTO says until I loose 50 lbs, no more poling my fat ARSE around for him.... On the diet this AM. dc 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coto Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Sight casting is my favorite type of fishing and it was a beautiful day for that till the winds picked. I'm glad you were hooked up as well Dave. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coto Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Dino we gotta get back to that Snook hotel we found, it's too bad we rolled up there like a drive by shooting and spooked everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donh Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Sounds like an opportunity for a little long rod exercise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted May 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Coto said: Dino we gotta get back to that Snook hotel we found, it's too bad we rolled up there like a drive by shooting and spooked everyone. Yep, they were running across the little lagoon into the mangroves like piglets on their way to the barn to eat dinner.... At least we know we have a somewhat healthy fishery..... Too much dead grass DC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dave Posted May 12, 2020 Report Share Posted May 12, 2020 21 hours ago, Coto said: Sight casting is my favorite type of fishing and it was a beautiful day for that till the winds picked. I'm glad you were hooked up as well Dave. Coto, I probably weight 100 lbs less than Dino! I'll go with you sometime! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted May 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 On 5/12/2020 at 12:36 PM, Big Dave said: Coto, I probably weight 100 lbs less than Dino! I'll go with you sometime! yeah, but then the bow would stick too far out of the water...I have designed my body to be the perfect ballast for the 17 on the bow....with Coto and the motor on the stern...we float perfectly flat ..... dc 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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