KVD Retiring from Tournament Fishing

[yobuck]

No ive not used the ramp at the Rt 60 bridge, i realize that you can fish the river from there also.
But ive been using the Coleman landing ramp because again its easier for me.
As for the salt water, yes im 10 minits to a beautiful facility on the Indian River Lagoon, about midway between the Sebastian and Fort Pierce inlets.
Fact is that untill about 7 or 8 years ago i only fished salt water.
My first 10 years living in Florida full time i lived in the Keys near Marathon.
But i can no longer tolerate the rough ocean water, and i prefer not spending time flushing the engine, and hosing everything down after i arrive home.
Fresh water fishing allows me to just park my truck and go sit down.
But hands down id prefer the salt water.
God willing ill be 88 in 3 weeks, and im just thankfull for what im still able to do.
Starting on Oct 22 after my summer layoff, ive made 40 trips averaging 5 hours each on the water, plus the trips to and from and the launching and retrieving, always alone.
Ive caught 652 Crappies so far, all released, plus bass, blugills, and a few other types.
Plus i get to see a few deer and turkeys enroute, and of coarse lots of friendly gators.

 

[Lee7588]

No ive not used the ramp at the Rt 60 bridge, i realize that you can fish the river from there also.
But ive been using the Coleman landing ramp because again its easier for me.
As for the salt water, yes im 10 minits to a beautiful facility on the Indian River Lagoon, about midway between the Sebastian and Fort Pierce inlets.
Fact is that untill about 7 or 8 years ago i only fished salt water.
My first 10 years living in Florida full time i lived in the Keys near Marathon.
But i can no longer tolerate the rough ocean water, and i prefer not spending time flushing the engine, and hosing everything down after i arrive home.
Fresh water fishing allows me to just park my truck and go sit down.
But hands down id prefer the salt water.
God willing ill be 88 in 3 weeks, and im just thankfull for what im still able to do.
Starting on Oct 22 after my summer layoff, ive made 40 trips averaging 5 hours each on the water, plus the trips to and from and the launching and retrieving, always alone.
Ive caught 652 Crappies so far, all released, plus bass, blugills, and a few other types.
Plus i get to see a few deer and turkeys enroute, and of coarse lots of friendly gators.

I've fished saltwater all of my life, but I hate cleaning the boat afterwards. That being said, I have just recently decided to sell my last saltwater setup. I love going offshore but anymore it is cheaper for me to take a charter out and I don't have to clean the boat or the fish. Late November I was on Cypress Lake in the mouth of canoe creek fishing with my son. I began hearing this noise that wasn't native to the area. After paying better attention to what I was hearing I figured out what it was. There must be a herd of elk on a ranch right there. The bulls were bugling and they were within 300 yards. I was going to take my camera and wife there the following week. We were working a kids fishing tournament but we didn't stay over in the RV park and didn't put the boat in a slip so she didn't get to see or hear them.

 

[yobuck]

I've fished saltwater all of my life, but I hate cleaning the boat afterwards. That being said, I have just recently decided to sell my last saltwater setup. I love going offshore but anymore it is cheaper for me to take a charter out and I don't have to clean the boat or the fish. Late November I was on Cypress Lake in the mouth of canoe creek fishing with my son. I began hearing this noise that wasn't native to the area. After paying better attention to what I was hearing I figured out what it was. There must be a herd of elk on a ranch right there. The bulls were bugling and they were within 300 yards. I was going to take my camera and wife there the following week. We were working a kids fishing tournament but we didn't stay over in the RV park and didn't put the boat in a slip so she didn't get to see or hear them.

Yes, there are just some sounds that are special, and an Elk bugling is certainly one of them. Another is the Loon, in my opinion just as nice to hear. Im originally from PA, having been here in Florida for 24 years at this point. We have a family owned camp in the NC area of PA right in the heart of the Elk area. Having them in the yard there is very common, and of coarse the bugling is heard there very often during the rutting season. Weve had 3 shot on the camp property so far, but we havent applied for the tag draw ourselves.
Most of my freshwater fishing prior to moving here were regular trips to Canada, mostly Quebec, and of coarse the Loons were plentiful there. Thats one thing i really miss by living here.
I lived in the SE area of PA, only a couple hours drive from the Jersey and Delaware coast. So salt water was what i mostly did, and we did alot of it.
But i was then in a position where i could deal with the fuel cost, which was then of coarse far more reasonable.
Todays fuel cost for a day offshore would be impossible for me.
I had a 25 ton masters license before i moved here. And i was hired on at a resort where i lived in the keys with my 25' Grady White. So again the fuel cost was covered by the charters.
The fuel truck came right to my house, and pulled the hose back to my dock. Fortunately we werent required to buy our fuel at the marina, Even the larger twin diesel boats that were kept there had the fuel delivered at the dock.
Today i hardly even use the 20 horse Merk on my Jon boat.
Most days it dosent even get started till im ready to load it back on the trailer. The electric trolling motor is mostly all i use.

 

[Lee7588]

Yes, there are just some sounds that are special, and an Elk bugling is certainly one of them. Another is the Loon, in my opinion just as nice to hear. Im originally from PA, having been here in Florida for 24 years at this point. We have a family owned camp in the NC area of PA right in the heart of the Elk area. Having them in the yard there is very common, and of coarse the bugling is heard there very often during the rutting season. Weve had 3 shot on the camp property so far, but we havent applied for the tag draw ourselves.
Most of my freshwater fishing prior to moving here were regular trips to Canada, mostly Quebec, and of coarse the Loons were plentiful there. Thats one thing i really miss by living here.
I lived in the SE area of PA, only a couple hours drive from the Jersey and Delaware coast. So salt water was what i mostly did, and we did alot of it.
But i was then in a position where i could deal with the fuel cost, which was then of coarse far more reasonable.
Todays fuel cost for a day offshore would be impossible for me.
I had a 25 ton masters license before i moved here. And i was hired on at a resort where i lived in the keys with my 25' Grady White. So again the fuel cost was covered by the charters.
The fuel truck came right to my house, and pulled the hose back to my dock. Fortunately we werent required to buy our fuel at the marina, Even the larger twin diesel boats that were kept there had the fuel delivered at the dock.
Today i hardly even use the 20 horse Merk on my Jon boat.
Most days it dosent even get started till im ready to load it back on the trailer. The electric trolling motor is mostly all i use.

I've never been fortunate enough to experience looms other than on TV. One day I will get to hear them. I'm sure you have seen this but if not it is a sight. When fishing in lake Kissimmee look onto brahma island, you will see rams, buffalo, axis and sika deer, along with pigs and where ever else is one there. Just don't step foot on the island it is private with lots of cameras. I will be spending tomorrow on Kissimmee with my buddy, he wants to speck fish. I told I would fish with him but I was also bring a couple of bass rods

 

[yobuck]

I've never been fortunate enough to experience looms other than on TV. One day I will get to hear them. I'm sure you have seen this but if not it is a sight. When fishing in lake Kissimmee look onto brahma island, you will see rams, buffalo, axis and sika deer, along with pigs and where ever else is one there. Just don't step foot on the island it is private with lots of cameras. I will be spending tomorrow on Kissimmee with my buddy, he wants to speck fish. I told I would fish with him but I was also bring a couple of bass rods

As a rule i fish twice a week, depending upon conditions.
Wind makes it hard for the way i prefer fishing.
I like to use a 10' ultra lite with about 3 or 4'of 6# line hanging below the tip. And either a 1/16 or a 1/24 oz jig with some type of a plastic grub on it. Then i get close to the weed beds and very slowly swim the jig along just a couple feet under the water. Crappies feed up not down, so its best to have the lure above them. Some times i stop and just drop the jig into small openings in the weeds, but thats where the wind can really screw things up with the boat.
Last Friday i went to Garcia, i hadnt been there in about a year.
I knew the wind would be bad at my normal place, and i knew it would be o k on the south canal from Garcia.
Sorta like picking a place to glass when hunting. Be thinking about the sun angle before you go. Might be best to go there later in the day.
Anyway the wind wasent an issue, but the hydrilla certainly was. It has really taken over there since id been there last.
My trolling motor kept getting fouled in it.
Today i went to my normal place, and as usual there was no one there.
The lake looked like glass, which is very unusual. But the water level has dropped even more since last week when i was there last. Ive been having launching issues lately due to that, so today i decided to just leave and head out for Blue Cypress instead.
There is a road called Blue Cypress road leading back 5 miles to the lake from Rt 60. I hadnt hardly turned off of 60, maybe 1/4 mile and a nice gobbler strutted across the road right in front of me.
There was a hen running ahead of him about 25 yards or so.
So they are no doubt gathering up their flock of hens at this point. I often see deer on that road also, as there are only a couple of ranches along there and lots of open space to see them.
I have seen the buffalo standing in the water at Brahma island, but i didnt know about the other species.
Im thinking about heading out there myself for red ears when they are in the lily pads. Ive not been there for that and id like to check it out. This months full moon should be a prime time.
If you hear anything about that id like to know.

 

[Lee7588]

I'll be heading to our Georgia property soon look for a few birds then some pigs. After that I get to go to a ranch on the other side of town for some birds. I'll let you know the fish are biting tomorrow evening. I know a few fellas that take weighted jig heads and bend the hook eye sideways. They claim it helps the hook set

 

[Lee7588]

As a rule i fish twice a week, depending upon conditions.
Wind makes it hard for the way i prefer fishing.
I like to use a 10' ultra lite with about 3 or 4'of 6# line hanging below the tip. And either a 1/16 or a 1/24 oz jig with some type of a plastic grub on it. Then i get close to the weed beds and very slowly swim the jig along just a couple feet under the water. Crappies feed up not down, so its best to have the lure above them. Some times i stop and just drop the jig into small openings in the weeds, but thats where the wind can really screw things up with the boat.
Last Friday i went to Garcia, i hadnt been there in about a year.
I knew the wind would be bad at my normal place, and i knew it would be o k on the south canal from Garcia.
Sorta like picking a place to glass when hunting. Be thinking about the sun angle before you go. Might be best to go there later in the day.
Anyway the wind wasent an issue, but the hydrilla certainly was. It has really taken over there since id been there last.
My trolling motor kept getting fouled in it.
Today i went to my normal place, and as usual there was no one there.
The lake looked like glass, which is very unusual. But the water level has dropped even more since last week when i was there last. Ive been having launching issues lately due to that, so today i decided to just leave and head out for Blue Cypress instead.
There is a road called Blue Cypress road leading back 5 miles to the lake from Rt 60. I hadnt hardly turned off of 60, maybe 1/4 mile and a nice gobbler strutted across the road right in front of me.
There was a hen running ahead of him about 25 yards or so.
So they are no doubt gathering up their flock of hens at this point. I often see deer on that road also, as there are only a couple of ranches along there and lots of open space to see them.
I have seen the buffalo standing in the water at Brahma island, but i didnt know about the other species.
Im thinking about heading out there myself for red ears when they are in the lily pads. Ive not been there for that and id like to check it out. This months full moon should be a prime time.
If you hear anything about that id like to know.

The wind was tough today. Red ears are on the pads. South of Overstreet and east of bird island on the east shore. There was a cluster of boats catching em.

 

[yobuck]

The wind was tough today. Red ears are on the pads. South of Overstreet and east of bird island on the east shore. There was a cluster of boats catching em.

Thanks for that information, ill have to look at my map to refresh my memory on that location.
Ive always heard that you just run into the wind untill you smell fish. then stop and fish this time of the year.
Ive only ever caught a few of them by accident, and never a big one.

 

[Lee7588]

Thanks for that information, ill have to look at my map to refresh my memory on that location.
Ive always heard that you just run into the wind untill you smell fish. then stop and fish this time of the year.
Ive only ever caught a few of them by accident, and never a big one.

Those guys yesterday in that cluster boats were pulling them up left and right. Along with some specks. Overstreet there's a boat ramp there a lot of the airboats launch from there so it might be worth the extra little drive if you don't want to run so far in your boat

 

[yobuck]

Those guys yesterday in that cluster boats were pulling them up left and right. Along with some specks. Overstreet there's a boat ramp there a lot of the airboats launch from there so it might be worth the extra little drive if you don't want to run so far in your boat

OK, now i know where you mean.
Ive been to that place one time, but not with my boat.
The place there is also called Middletons fish camp too.
The original Middletons is at Blue Cypress, and named for a guy by name of Joe Middelton, who unfortunately died before i got chance to meet him. But i did meet his wife who continued to run the place till a couple years ago.
I think there might be a child of his by an earlier marriage running that place up there.
Mark Evans, the guy who makes all those lake maps used to also run an airboat out of that place and maybe still does.
Its a long way back that road to the lake as i remember.
Just checking my notes, its 54 miles for me to the rt 60 bridge,
and 56 to Coleman Landing.
I wouldnt doubt it could be 70 to that location.
I think they are anywhere where there are lots of pads, and for sure there are lots of them down close to rt 60 also.
Thanks again.

 

[Lee7588]

OK, now i know where you mean.
Ive been to that place one time, but not with my boat.
The place there is also called Middletons fish camp too.
The original Middletons is at Blue Cypress, and named for a guy by name of Joe Middelton, who unfortunately died before i got chance to meet him. But i did meet his wife who continued to run the place till a couple years ago.
I think there might be a child of his by an earlier marriage running that place up there.
Mark Evans, the guy who makes all those lake maps used to also run an airboat out of that place and maybe still does.
Its a long way back that road to the lake as i remember.
Just checking my notes, its 54 miles for me to the rt 60 bridge,
and 56 to Coleman Landing.
I wouldnt doubt it could be 70 to that location.
I think they are anywhere where there are lots of pads, and for sure there are lots of them down close to rt 60 also.
Thanks again.

Yes Middleton's fish camp too is also the name. Yes they were fishing on the edges of the kicker trails going through the pads hopefully that helps. I'm thinking my son and I are going to run over the headwaters next week and do a little fishing. Want the few ways I get to spend time with him so I take every chance I get.

 

[yobuck]

Yes Middleton's fish camp too is also the name. Yes they were fishing on the edges of the kicker trails going through the pads hopefully that helps. I'm thinking my son and I are going to run over the headwaters next week and do a little fishing. Want the few ways I get to spend time with him so I take every chance I get.

Well its 2 weeks ago today since i was there last at least to drive past on my way back to lake Godwin. And i can tell you that the parking lot was mobbed.
On the other hand Stickmarsh which is just a mile further was almost empty.
If you come via rt 60, turn left on 512 which is about 7 or 8 miles west of 95. One mile from 60 on 512 is Garcia, the parking lot is only about 100 feet back from 512. It would only take a minit to drive in and back out to check the place out.
5 or six miles further is Fellsmere. First thing you come to is a tackle shop on the left, where Roland Martin hangs out.
Make a left there, and go to the stop sign and make another left, and go about 4 miles to the road on your left back to the lakes. If you cross the canal bridge stop, turn around and go back across the bridge. That will be the C54 canal, and you will come to a ramp for that within about a half mile on your way back.
You can get a map for headwaters at the tackle shop, and there is another shop on the opposite corner run by a very nice Mexican guy who mostly sells live bait and makes very nice cast nets. He has the maps also.
If you decide on Stickmarsh, after you launch stay to your left thru the cut in the trees, go slow, and angle to your left to the berm on the left separating Headwaters. run down along that berm to the tree line and turn right along that tree line.
You will come to where the lake merges with Farm 13, and you will have run thru the deepest safest water to get there.
Stickmarsh is full of stumps so dont just go plowing across it.
Especially now with the water being low.
The left side of Farm 13 has a rip rap berm, again separating Headwaters, follow that down to the SE corner to a lock.
If that is open and water coming in you wont need to go anywhere else.
I would keep a dead rod in a holder with a hook and a minnow on it while casting.

 

[Lee7588]

Well its 2 weeks ago today since i was there last at least to drive past on my way back to lake Godwin. And i can tell you that the parking lot was mobbed.
On the other hand Stickmarsh which is just a mile further was almost empty.
If you come via rt 60, turn left on 512 which is about 7 or 8 miles west of 95. One mile from 60 on 512 is Garcia, the parking lot is only about 100 feet back from 512. It would only take a minit to drive in and back out to check the place out.
5 or six miles further is Fellsmere. First thing you come to is a tackle shop on the left, where Roland Martin hangs out.
Make a left there, and go to the stop sign and make another left, and go about 4 miles to the road on your left back to the lakes. If you cross the canal bridge stop, turn around and go back across the bridge. That will be the C54 canal, and you will come to a ramp for that within about a half mile on your way back.
You can get a map for headwaters at the tackle shop, and there is another shop on the opposite corner run by a very nice Mexican guy who mostly sells live bait and makes very nice cast nets. He has the maps also.
If you decide on Stickmarsh, after you launch stay to your left thru the cut in the trees, go slow, and angle to your left to the berm on the left separating Headwaters. run down along that berm to the tree line and turn right along that tree line.
You will come to where the lake merges with Farm 13, and you will have run thru the deepest safest water to get there.
Stickmarsh is full of stumps so dont just go plowing across it.
Especially now with the water being low.
The left side of Farm 13 has a rip rap berm, again separating Headwaters, follow that down to the SE corner to a lock.
If that is open and water coming in you wont need to go anywhere else.
I would keep a dead rod in a holder with a hook and a minnow on it while casting.

Thank you for the valuable information. Yeah we will definitely be going at a slow speed through there just making sure we don't tear up a prop or lower unit. After this week of having the air show right beside my house I'm going to need a quiet day on the water. The air show is pretty cool but after about 40 years of it kind of get tired of it. But not many people get to see the Blue Angels at their treetops

 

[yobuck]

Thank you for the valuable information. Yeah we will definitely be going at a slow speed through there just making sure we don't tear up a prop or lower unit. After this week of having the air show right beside my house I'm going to need a quiet day on the water. The air show is pretty cool but after about 40 years of it kind of get tired of it. But not many people get to see the Blue Angels at their treetops

Well we in Vero beach get to see them every 2 years.
They have gone on record saying this is their favorite place.
Their families get to play on the beach, and of coarse they are treated like the stars they are every place they go.
I live about a half mile as the crow flies from the airport.
So all i need do is look out my window when they are here.
They arrive on thursday before the big weekend show.
So by the time they leave, everybody in town knows for sure they were here. lol