I just returned from 8 fantastic days in SW Florida.  I'm going to spend much of next winter there, and plan to bring my canoe down and paddle/camp in the Everglades.  We took a Park Service mangrove swamp boat trip, and I can't wait to explore more of that country next winter.

Does anyone have experience doing this?

I also took a guided fishing trip in the flats, and caught snook, red fish, and sea trout.  So now I'm thinking about a boat to buy down there, something that will allow me to fish deeper for grouper and red snapper, but will let me fish the mangroves as well.  Probably dreaming....

prouboy

Puckster wrote on Mar 9^th, 2011 at 2:40am:

I just returned from 8 fantastic days in SW Florida.  I'm going to spend much of next winter there, and plan to bring my canoe down and paddle/camp in the Everglades.  We took a Park Service mangrove swamp boat trip, and I can't wait to explore more of that country next winter. Does anyone have experience doing this? I also took a guided fishing trip in the flats, and caught snook, red fish, and sea trout.  So now I'm thinking about a boat to buy down there, something that will allow me to fish deeper for grouper and red snapper, but will let me fish the mangroves as well.  Probably dreaming.... prouboy

I was an hour away and you didn't even look me up! Oh, I'm not feeling the love.......Waaaaa!  :'(

The Everglades Challenge started this past weekend. Here is a pretty good slide show. They even have a Superior expedition in the mix if you watch closely (my next boat primarily for the glades). The weather was horrendous and some had to drop out and one fellow was rescued by the coast guard.
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Here is "Water Tribes" website if anyone wants to keep up with the race.   (You need to Login or Register

Check out the upcoming "Cross Fla. Challenge" which includes a 40 mile portage. YIKES!

And then the "Ultimate fl. Challenge" 1200 miles and the 40 mile portage.
They got it going on down here. [smiley=thumbup.gif]

I could never do this within the time limits.........."YOUR LATE" >:( .........."Yea I Know, but there was this pod of big tarpon and they kept pulling the wrong way"...............

Where do you live MT?  I'm looking at a 20'4" Action Craft, with a 200 hp, for $8K.  Unbelievable deal!  Good flat boat.....but it's a "wet" boat...very shallow.    I like to fish the flats, but I want to be able to go deeper for sea bass, red snapper and the like.  I suppose I want "the perfect" boat, and I know such a thing doesn't exit.  

prouboy

I'm an hour from Ft Myers and an 1.5 from Naples.

Action Craft is a really good boat. At 20ft it will be more versatile than you think. You will be able to fish the passes and on a good day venture out 3 or 4 miles. I prefer specialty boats. Boats that try and do to much seldom do anything well. What I like about the action craft is they are wide and are still able to go fairly shallow even at 20 ft. If you get a "dry" boat you will likely not fish shallow. Besides, just add a few trim tabs and I bet your "wet" boat will turn into a "dry"boat with just a little flipping of switches.

You will be hard pressed to find 1 boat to snapper/grouper fish and flats fish on the gulf side, especially in the winter when the wind can blow most days. The keeper fish typically start at the 5 mile range and the "real" fishing is at least 10 miles out. I go on overnight party boats and we go 75 miles out and the depth is still under 200'. So to get into deep water on the gulf side you must go way out.

There are some fish to be caught in the passes however and the Action Craft would do just fine in that regard.

My "flats" boat is a camo painted 16' aluminum flat bottom. I have a 30 honda 4 stroke. I also have a set of aluminum oars mounted on pillow block bearings. Quiet indeed. My live well set-up is excellent for a small boat. A 20 gallon flow through with a high speed pick up. A 700gph pump as well as an airhead to make sure everyone stays happy. I don't fish until the bait is netted. Sometimes that can take a few hours. Get the bait and the fish will come ;).

Avoid using your electric motor. You must be silent. I don't like the push pole plan so I like my set-up. I go into the backcountry way deep....like scary deep and let the tide pull me through the islands and cuts and make corrections with the oars. Works like a charm.

Sounds like you are going to be living my dream.
This is a place you must check out since you will be in the neighborhood.
We generally go in November but hope to spend more time there someday.
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Jeff

Just came upon this 5 day itinerary for Everglades National Park.     (You need to Login or Register

Not trying to "one up" you MikeP (welcome aboard BTW) just add to the discussion...........I have been finding quite a bit of info on this site/forum which is dedicated to the Everglades.

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I think Mike will be on a permanant toadtrip.   ;D

PhantomJug wrote on Apr 6^th, 2011 at 2:52am:

I think Mike will be on a permanant toadtrip.   ;D

Lots of toads in south florida.....In fact a guy could spend a whole week and not see them all  ;).

So MT, since you like new gear, and this style of pant wear seem to be " gator proof", you might need to pick up a new pair of your believed Rail Riders in a size sufficient to be " sagging in " ;D before your Everglades adventure.

Since your states legislatures are looking to outlaw the style, you'd better get them quick ;)

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I work with a bunch of "sagging" hip-hop kids that I'd like too repeat the gator escape incident with, just for the advancement of science mind you ::)

Dude there would of been trouble since railriders don't rip. But then again the gator probably wouldn't of been able to pop holes in them to begin with since they're bullet proof.  ;)

Besides, the last gator that crossed paths was delicious. Just soak them in Italian dressing and milk for about 3 days in the fridge. They're nice and tender by then. Have someone else bring some wild hog or venison over and it's time to enjoy a regular redneck feast. Maybe throw in a softshell turtle for good measure. Makes me hungry just thinkin about it.

Quote:

Besides, the last gator that crossed paths was delicious.

Can't beat a good wild game meal and a belt or pair of shoes for your effort ;D