Boynton,delray,boca ? Where To Fish Without Issues?

[RipNlips85]

Hey guys was just wondering if any of yall from this area know any decent places to fish without issues. I've looked around on google earth and everything that looks good is either in a gated community or FPL property west of 441. I've been out to Lox refuge but the only place they allow to fish from land is down by the boat ramp and out on the fishing dock. Last time I was out there I took the risk and fished just east of the boat ramp by a pavillion and hooked a nice fatty and then got caught by U.S Fish and Wildlife.Was told I could'nt fish in that particular area not sure why but it was a great spot.It makes no sense why we need to have a fishing license to fish but everywhere I go all I see is no fishing signs and I'm getting tired of canal fishing.I don't have a boat and have always fished from the bank with good results.I live on a decent sized lake but the bass are still small it was dug out when the neighborhood was built so they still have a good while before they grow to be hogs. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.I'm not trying to fish out someone's honey hole but just a decent spot where there are'nt any no fishing signs. I grew up in Davie and have fished all over that area but since moving to where I am now it's a good little drive to get to my old honey holes down south.P.s If any of yall live down by the Bass Pro Shops In Dania. Fish the lake out front by the entrance off of Ravenswood you gotta park in the grass next to the road and jump the walk rail next to sidewalk,there are some really big bass in that lake.The bass in my profile pic was caught there

[SirSnookalot]

I live in this area and I know many places you can fish with no trouble, personally I'd hold off and wait until the bite gets better.

I've placemarked 2 places, you can easily park at each spot and walk the bank. The location off Yamato is loaded with lily pads and holds a lot of fish.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=205722576351840746262.0004c70afa99cc9ccca63&msa=0&ll=26.387026,-80.212297&spn=0.039828,0.080252

[RipNlips85]

Thanks "TarpoNHunter" I'll give those spots a try this week if the weather holds out.I know during the summer the bite slows a bit and If I do any fishing during this time I try and get out later in the evenings while the water temp is a little lower.I'm actually going to be staying at my mother in laws this upcoming week to watch the dogs while my fiance,mother in law her aunt and grandmother are in Cabo. I had to stay behind due to work.My mother in law lives on a lake which has some nice size bass in it mainly due to all the shad that are in it and am bringing all my tackle and gear to try and tear them up.I actually have a pic of a wild shad in my gallery the size of my hand that I picked up on the grass after it jumped out on to the bank while it was being chased by a monster bass.Wildest thing I've ever seen ! She lives off of Cain Blvd between Yamato and Glades.

[RipNlips85]

P.s the spot you marked on Yamato is right near my mother in laws house.She lives in the neighborhood just east of that spot on the south side of Yamato the one where the houses wrap around the big tree head she lives on the lake just to the south of the tree head that's the one with all the shad.I'd say try it out but it's gated and guarded so would have a hard time getting in.Also the other spot by mission bay is good as well I've been there a bunch of times also alot of shad in the lake on the south side of glades.The lake on the north side behind the plaza did'nt produce much for me it looked like a good spot but i did'nt bring anything up and fished it a good 2 hours.But a buddy told me he's had some good luck there so I guess the bite was off the day I was there.I also know of another place I just found a few days ago.It's on Ponderosa and Glades.If you take Glades West of 441 and take it too Ponderosa and make a left the lake will be on your left about a 1/8 mile next to a small park.Only place to park is in the grass next to sidewalk.I was there yesterday but got rained out before I was able to catch anything also the water is fairly clear looks like a decent spot.

[SirSnookalot]

Many of those private ponds hold some very nice fish and really do not get too much fishing pressure. As with most of them, even with shore access, parking is a problem.

Much of the time when I'm venturing out of my own community I'm fishing canals, parking is not as much a problem, some of them hold freshies (tarpon and snook).

I know dozens and dozens of places.

[RipNlips85]

Sounda good i've been trying to find where the snook are. Only place I know is the hillsboro canal lock at military just south of palmetto park rd. havnt caught any out there yet though.i was throwing mirror lures not sure what else to throw. I caught one years ago on a rattle trap but never could again.

[shallow thinker]

Also try Lake Ida in Delray Beach and Lake Osbourne in Lake Worth. Both have parks with open shorelines. The canal system that links those 2 lakes extends to the C15 canal in Boca and up to the West Palm Beach canal. It has a healthy bass population and a bunch of places to park and fish. Good luck!

[RipNlips85]

Thanks "ShallowThinker" A buddy of mine also mentioned both of those lakes.I'm gonna give them a try soon.

[SirSnookalot]

When there is water this place can hold both snook and tarpon, it's usually very low in the winter but should have water in there now, a fluke rigged weedless would be my bait of choice. I don't get to Markham park but I've read many reports about that area holding snook and tarpon.\

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=205722576351840746262.0004c7326705de5628bd8&msa=0&ll=26.385161,-80.235236&spn=0.004979,0.010031

[RipNlips85]

Wow I wouldve never guessed that lake at south county regional park would have snook and tarpon in it. Guess i'll find out tomorrow since I have the day off. It takes me like 2 mins to get to that park from my mother in laws place. Im running out to wallyworld now to pick up some more stick worms and see if they carry any flukes.ill let you know how it goes hopefully it wont rain....

[SirSnookalot]

I made a mistake, I cleaned out my places on google map, didn't realize the bookmarks would disappear. Snook and tarpon are not at the park, they are in the canal off Old Everglades Pump road, there is a spillway there.

Also there is an alcove off the hillsboro inlet @441 in an apartment complex. That alcove is known as "Tarpon Lake".

A bank fisherman cannot cover water like someone in a boat, in order to catch some nice fish I have found it's the out of the way obscure spots that work best for me.

[wrat]

Okeeheelee Park

forest hill west of jog ...tons of golf course ponds as well as the main lake..used to walk the bank there all the time before I got a boat

[SirSnookalot]

Sounda good i've been trying to find where the snook are

Snook are up and down the beaches now, bridges in the ICW and inlets, Jupiter is fairly hot now. Snook fishing is about the right water conditions with the right tide, they can be extremely picky and lethargic to strike.

[bocamike]

Been looking high and low for local knowledge for fly fishing waters without hassle.  This thread albeit ancient since last update offers exactly what I am looking for.  I can only hope my plea will awaken some of these ideas for me to consume.

 

I live precisely in the geography described (Cain Blvd. Glades to Yamato in west Boca Raton).  I'm a 10 minute drive to South County Park; would appreciate to hear what to find there now, and in which body(s) of water.  It's been a couple years since I tried West Delray Regional Park (at the west end of Atlantic), and am thinking of returning after a lengthy hiatus.  Wonder if anyone has any recent knowledge out there?  As far as the neighborhood lakes around Glades and Cain, I'm interested for pointers there as well.  One disadvantage being a fly fisher is that some areas discussed here with steep banks require a strong backbone casting rod to muscle up the catch.  Consequently, I'm restricted to easy access, close to the water approaches.  

 

I've not tried Boca Rio canal, although I've driven along there many times but was never impressed, maybe due to the uncut grass/weed approach.

 

I have never explored the Lake Ida/Osborne chain, but am considering hiring a guide to see what that has to offer. (did I mention I am a boatless angler?).

 

Lastly, several years ago while driving down the Fla Tpk we exited at Indiantown Rd where we found Riverbend State Park just across the road from the exit booth.  It would appear the bass fishing on fly might be a worthwhile venture there in the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River.  At least in a section of sandy-bottom water near the kayak launch ramp it was obvious the bass were there, and elsewhere near the picnic shelters it appeared there was easy access to the water.  I wonder if anyone has any fish-tales from that water hole?

[Stanley]

I really have not found any good places for fly fishing from the banks in Palm Beach.  Just the canals.  Most places does not have any room for the back cast or it has a walking\bike trail within 10-20ft of the shore line.

 

If you just want to have some fun and don't care much about the size, try Twenty Mile Bend off of 98 (Southern Blvd - west).  Its a few miles past Lion Safari.  Shoreline access is limited to about two spots but there is room for fly casting.  Tie on a steel tippet and have fun with the bowfins and Pickerels.  Can cast from the boat ramps (if no-one is there) and a little further down off of the levee.  Beware of gators and don't stick your hand in the water.  In the summer months, a lot of nuessence gators there.  I've done ok with the bass fishing there also.

[bocamike]

I appreciate that tip, re. 20 mile bend.  I first heard of that spot almost 35 years ago when my son (then 15) and I joined the Astronomy club of WPB, and they talked of going there for clear sky telescope viewing.  Guess I wasn't interested then in fishing that spot.

 

Unfortunately, that's a far trek for me but if I can't locate decent catch closer to home, I might give it a try sometime.  Thanks for the mention of that spot.

 

I get the idea this specific forum is not too active of late.  Except for your response to my post this week, there's been no apparent activity for about 3 years at least.  I wonder if there's any way to make some noise to draw more attention here.  Or, is there some other thread which has taken it's place for current knowledge?

 

Yesterday and today I investigated some local spots, namely Boca Rio canal from 18th. st. all the way to Clint Moore (observed from all the respective crossroads in that distance.  I wonder if anyone here has testimonials of any of that terrain?  Am I correct to think there is access on Clint Moore, west bound on West side of the tpk overpass?  How about south side of Yamato east bound just on West side of tpk overpass?  Lastly, any hassle parking in the Office Depot parking lot at Glades and TPK, and walk into the Boca Rio on east side of OD?  I became spooked at  that spot previously as I was confronted by a pair of toothless, homeless bums living in a cardboard structure in the woods near the canal.  Not sure if that situation remains.

 

Come on guys.  Let's have a little chatter on behalf of we boatless fly fishers in  west Boca.

[hawgenvy]

On 1/8/2019 at 4:58 PM, bocamike said:

 

Come on guys.  Let's have a little chatter on behalf of we boatless fly fishers in  west Boca.

Bocamike, those lakes around Palmetto Park Road and Glades Road west of 441 can be can be very good. Some, naturally, are signed "no fishing," and for most of the others there is no good place to park, but if you can get there you can probably do well. I have bank fished quite extensively around BR and almost always do better in lakes and ponds than in canals. Boca Rio road canal usually sucks. Try the ponds around commercial buildings and industrial parks. They are usually not signed or patrolled and generally have wide open grassy areas for fly casting. And there are residential ponds all over the place. If you know people in gated communities or golf course communities with ponds you should definitely try that. Some of those ponds have virgin (never been hooked) bass.

 

Also, you can start a new topic on this site, such as South Florida (or Boca Raton) Fly Fishing. But Boca is pretty localized so you're not going to get a lot of attention no matter what. Unless the topic is golf!  

[bocamike]

Hello Hogenvy.  I just realized you are also a Boca fishing guy.  I gotta ask, on your Avitar that lunker you are holding must be 10+ lbs, but more importantly, it appears that is a golf course in the background.  Curious what golf course, and secondly, how do you go about fishing golf course puddles without getting shooed away by the marshals/  I live in Boca Chase which you might know is but a short jog to South County park (where I've not even been tempted) but Ospry Point GC poses interesting possibilities.  In the other direction is Southwinds GC with lots of attractive water, but from past experience there's no way to go on that property until all golfers are gone for the day.  i think the same can be said for Boca Muni.  i guess all the private golf clubs are impossible, so I've not even bothered.

 

I have a very promising 35 acre retention lake right here in the neighborhood where in years past I have bagged some decent bass on spinning tackle.  Now with Fly gear as my choice of sport, I'm trying to learn how to negotiate the steep, jagged shoreline to drag my catch out of the water without cutting it off on the submerged structure.  Another nearby haven for decent bass is one with little or no free space for the back cast due to the hedge and tree plantings.  I'm  trying to perfect a working presentation there so i can reap the benefits.

 

I'm looking for the day i can pose one of those 10lb lunkers in a photo for my own show and tell.  Once we get through all these windy condition days, I hope to get back out there.  In the meantime, I'm having a blast learning to tie new patterns using an assortment of fiber products.  Beats the heck out of bucktail, in my opinion.

 

I hadn't thought of your suggestion that to advertise here for strictly local to Boca knowledge is falling on deaf ears, or no ears at all.  Thanks for your reply.  

Cheers, Mike

[JGPE1]

Boca Mike  - I’m new to Florida - I bought in Boca Chase last year and was down there in December and I fly fish too. I’m permantly moving there in a couple of weeks. My fly fishing experience is with trout. I just started saltwater fly fishing at Boca beach and one of the inlets when I was there in December. I also fly fished one of the canals behind my house and caught a bass on a clouser. I tried a Gurgler but not a bite. I’m also looking for other freshwater places to fly fish but haven’t had too much luck in Boca. I have been spinfishing more than fly fishing when in Florida. 

 

I also tie my own flies and Im trying to locate a fly fishing group or club that meets to tie local flies and discuss presentation etc. 

[bocamike]

Good morning "J".  I think we might be able to call this a "small world" connection.   For you to volunteer that you will be moving here in a couple weeks really takes the cake.  In which sub-division did you purchase your home?  I'm in Bentbrook where I too have"the canal" in my back yard.  The canal is fully land-locked and basically encircles all of Boca Chase.  Over the past months the Snakehead menace took its toll on the bass and blue gill population; I'm inspired to know you caught a bass in the canal on a clouser.

 

There is a retention lake at the end of my street (178th. with a gate on Cain Blvd... get a key for $5 from the property manager).  The lake is 35 acres dug out of coral/shale and is said to be up to 70' depth in the middle.  It holds lots of bass but during cool weather like now it is difficult to get down to them due to the sharp, steep banks.  No water craft is allowed, so it's strictly a half-mile of walking to fish the shoreline.

 

i tried beach fishing but decided that's not my desire.  For kicks i found a "boatless fishing web site which focused on specific communities up and down the shore. Some guys thrive on that environment with lots of tall fishing tales to share.

 

Me, I'm a seasoned (76 year old) with lots of fly fishing wishes and dreams, a couple of decent rods, a few dozen self-tied flies, and hoping to soon hire a guide on a nearby lake (30 minute ride) for my first shot at Peacock Bass.  Until reading this note from you, I was thinking of going solo on a half-day Peacock charter.  I'd welcome the opportunity to split that ride with you in case that would be of interest.  Looks like the popular price is about $275 for one or two anglers.  We can further discuss that thought when you get here.  Given local weather this time of year (unpredictable wind conditions until April or so), I have no desire to risk it until the weather cooperates.

 

The nearest "club" I've heard of is up in West Palm Beach.  There's lots of local knowledge and great service at the local fly shop: "Ole Florida Fly shop" on N. Federal Hwy, in Boca.  Daren is the owner; he's been there as long as I can remember (25 years or more).  Check out his web site for more info.

 

There's more to talk about but to continue here is akin to giving away the key to the lock box.

I'm sort-of new on this forum so I don't know if there is a Private Message capability.  So, here's my email address if you wish to be in touch that way: mpilgrim@bellsouth.net.

 

Anxious to hear from you.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[bocamike]

Hey, anyone around this topic these days?  i see the last entry was several months ago, but I've now learned that I have a keen interest in this same part of west Boca Raton as discussed above.  My primary interest is bass on fly but I keep a bait caster on hand for when  fly seems not to work, or for days when the winds blow.

 

I've driven past that Ponderosa housing development on west Glades Rd. but haven't observed the body of water identified there.  Can anyone report if that remains as a good honey hole with available parking (even if on the grass)?

 

Has anyone tried the water each side of Cain at what is called Lakes at Boca Raton located a block south of Yamato?  Looks like very limited back cast access for fly fishing on the east side of Cain, but not so bad along the north shore of that body  of water.  I've parked on the grass (where the sign says no parking on grass) and have not been towed yet.

 

Are there fish in the small ponds at the intersection of Yamato and SR-7?  I see parking is available, but have never seen anyone fishing there.

 

While continuing to locate bass holes with easy access out here in the western reaches of Boca, I have also  expanded my travels to include Boca Rio canal (too much noise from the Fla. TPK to suit me........I go fishing to relax and to get away from the clamor of traffic speeding by).  Have also tried the El Rio but to no avail.  Even the bodies of water at the  County park at the end of Atlantic, west Delray Beach look fishy but offer no prizes either.   I wonder if maybe my timing is all wrong.  At this time of year is it typical for the fish to be laying low?  When should the bite pick up?

 

I'd sure like to know if anyone can name any local honey holes worthy of a visit from a skunked  fly fisherman?...... Or, let me know if I should just stay home and wait for the bite to pick up.