Hello,

I just bought me a 21 ft Century and I'm going out for the first time next weekend.  I have done some fresh water fishing as a kid but I'm a beginner and I really want to get into fishing.  I'm asking around getting some equipment talk to some good guys over at sport authority but I'm still at a bit of a loss. I'd like something that I can reference pictures of fish and understand the regulations better, do you have any suggestions?

I just joined your site as I really want to learn to fish clean them as well.

Thanks,

Milton Sheen IV
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Milton:

You should know that our CapMel.com web site is more that just the forums. We have almost 900 pages of Florida fishing information available, including those categories that you reference.

You should start your journey on our home page at http://capmel.com/  and from there puruse through the hundreds of pages of Florida fishing information. You can use the "Search" feature at http://capmel.com/search.htm  to locate any topic you're looking for.

As to the issue your reverence, we have an article on cleaning fish at http://capmel.com/how_to-fillet_fish.htm -- pages of fish species pictures accessible at http://capmel.com/fish_species_pix.htm -- and comprehensive, up-to date rules and regs at http://www.capmel.com/rules_regs.htm

Welcome to our site and hope that you will visit often. 

Best regards, 

Capt. Mel Berman
 

Back to top





Dear Capt. Mel,

You have a great site that is very helpful.  As a Bradenton native, I have never fished in Key West.  I have trip booked for late May and taking my 19ft bay boat by trailer.  Have no idea where to start looking to fish or what bait etc.  Probably want to keep my small boat out of real rough water.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Wilber Geiger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Wilber:

 

One of the best investments one can make when fishing in an unfamiliar location would be to hire a local guide for the day, and then when you head out on your own, you'll have a good idea of where, when and how to fish that new area. Therefore, I would highly recommend that you contact a good Key West guide like Capt Steven Lamp. He not only can provide an enjoyable and productive day on the water, but also give you some valuable ideas for when you head out on your own.

For more on Capt. Lamp's charters, see http://www.fishingkeywest.com/index.html -- He can be contacted at: captstevenlamp@bellsouth.net  1-888-362-3474

Mel

Back to top





Capt. Mel;

I live along the Alafia River just west of 301. When I first moved here 3 years ago, I could catch Red Fish, Sheepshead, and a few snook. Last year and this year we only catch Cat Fish. Any idea on what is going on?

Thanks;

Craig VerPault
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Craig:

Though we had a bit of cooler weather, this past winter has been extremely mild . As a result, many of those reds and snook that usually migrate well up area rivers and creeks, could very well have left the comfy confines of the waters way up in the Alafia earlier – or even never gone up there.

Mel 

Back to top





Hi, I read in one of your articles that a Mitchell 300 was very hot in the 70's,  What is hot today, for fishing off the Dunedin Causeway, or, maybe Philippe Park?  I need a good over-all rig for sport fishing, catch and release type stuff.

Thanks, retired and having fun in a new sport.

John Chittenden
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear John:

There have been many technological advances in reel design since the good old days of the Mitchell 300. These days, most of the major name brands have many desirable design features at surprisingly affordable prizes that make then excellent buys. Currently, my own favorite is the Diawa reels.  However, this is no disrespect for such venerable names like Penn, Shimano, and others, who also make some excellent products.

I have currently been using the relatively inexpensive Diawa Exceler and find that it very quiet, smooth and, with the ball bearing bail roller, handles PowerPro perfectly. It has held up exceptionally well in the saltwater environment.

Some others tell me that the somewhat higher priced Diawa Advantage is also an outstanding selection, with an even better finish and design features – while still at a relatively affordable price.