Capt Mike goes to Florida

Landed in Orlando on Saturday May 21 and almost got the shaft from Budget rental car. Almost doubled the rental. After 40 minutes of saying I do not want the additional coverage they got the bill right. But did not have a car for us. They gave us instead a VW Turbo as a free upgrade. Makes you wonder if they had a Yugo for us first. Drove to Vero Beach and the famous Drift Wood Inn built by Waldo from old wood and who knows where else he got the materials from. Saturday night I fish the beach and hook up on a couple jacks. No camera but sure I would catch more I was not worried. Caught a look down also.

Next morning at dawn I hit the beach and boy did I hook up. I fought this fish in the surf on med spinning tackle for 45 minutes. A crowd of anxious fisherman followed me down the beach for a mile or so while the fight got closer and closer to the end. We saw it twice and it was a big nurse shark. A helpful fisherman walked out in the surf and tried to grab his tail. That fish just took off and went off shore.. Had to clamp down on reel before line was gone..Broke off at leader knot.
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Went to a local bar Sunday mid day for some bloody mary's.
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Next two days no bites both dawn and sunrise in the surf. But did get a lady fish in a park on the bay side on fly. May have a pic of it.
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Next two Days we went to Sebastian Inlet and fished both sides.
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Tried my hand at some flats along the way.
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Went to Robbie's and fed the tarpon.

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From there we headed South to Islamorada and fished two days on the flats at MM 74.5 That was fun. A small bone fish and a bunch of cuda's where caught. Same next day.
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Next stop is Little Torch Key and fishing was very limited to a small area in front of resort beach. Thought I could fish the canals but no fishing signs said no.


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Capt Mike

Sounds like you were busy, and hopefully had an enjoyable trip. No doubt a learning experience also as to what not to do next time.
I live in Vero Beach for 7 years now after having lived in the keys for over 10 years. Lots of good fishing in the area from
Sebastian inlet to Ft Pierce inlet and below. Ft Pierce has the better facilities for launching adjacent to the inlet which is also friendlier than is Sebastian. After owning twin powered boats in the 25' class for many years, I now find myself very happy with a 17' Key West sportsman with a single 90 and a bow mounted 55 rip tide. At 81 I have no problem launching and retrieving it alone at the many free
launch sites along the indian river between those inlets or beyond if I choose. And a bonus, within an hour from home I can have the same boat sitting on a picturesque lake fishing for bass and crappie/panfish. The St Johns river system which includes numerous lakes,
originates just west of Vero Beach in the marshes adjoining Blue Cypress lake, and runs (north) before emptying into the Atlantic at
Jacksonville. That system alone could require a lifetime to fully explore.
Just a few things to think about before your next trip.

Soundsc like fun trip