How's The Fishing In Your Area?

[rvadog]

This might be slightly off topic but I figured it was the best place for it.

I'm active duty Coast Guard and will be transferring this upcoming summer. It's time for me to send my detailer a list of places I'd like to go. I would love for some of you guys to help me out by telling me how the fishing/hunting is and how easy it is to get in the "outdoors". I would love somewhere where I could live close to fishing and hunting and make a reasonable commute in to work. I'm coming from NYC so anything is better than here! Some of my potential stations are:

Portland, OR

Portland, ME

Tampa, FL

Miami, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Ft. Smith, AR

St. Louis, MO

Louisville, KY

Anyone live any of these places?

[NEjitterbugger]

Not exactly in ME but in NH the fishing is hot i have caught these 2 fish in my past two fishing trips...(today and saturday)

[AndyTN]

The fishing in S. FL can be awesome. The hunting is lousy unless your into hogs. Unfortunately the cost of living and crime rates are both high and rising. KY has some great fishing and hunting locally throughout the state. I make a trip to hit several lakes there at least once a month and it's always worth the short drive.

[wisconsin heat]

Kinda tough, I'm shorebound only but i can still manage a few. Lately, my Northern pike to bass ratio has been about 1:1, in fact I caught 1 pike and 1 bass last time i went out. The northern scared me too, it was the first fish i caught on my new Mcstick jerkbait and its teeth frayed my line bad but I got it back

[SirSnookalot]

The fishing in South Florida can be good at times, but I would't pick it if I had a choice. Of the places listed I like Jacksonville, less hustle bustle, many places to fish with a few more species available, the fishing dramatically improves north of the Florida nipple. South Florida is a suburb of NYC.

[Quillback]

I live about 90 miles north of Ft Smith AR, there's plenty of fishing opportunity around Ft Smith if you're into bass fishing or other warm water species. If you're a deer hunter, lots of public land nearby, if you bow hunt for deer, the season begins in September (they may move it back to Oct. 1 next year) and runs into February, and depending on the zone you can take up to 6 deer a year.

Cost of living is low in Ft Smith, very little traffic, summers are hot, winters are mild.

[Bankbeater]

A lot of the city parks in St. Louis have lakes that you can fish. St. Charles has Busch Wildlife. All the lakes see a lot of pressure especially during the summer weekends. Mark Twain is around a two and a half hour drive, but the last I heard the bass fishing was not all that great up there.

Lake of the Ozarks is a pretty good bass lake, but you have to watch out for floating parties in certain branches of the lake.

Bull Shoals and Tablerock are pretty good also if you don't mind the drive.

[AndyTN]

South Florida is a suburb of NYC.

Not so much anymore, they are fleeing N also. Think more along the lines of a South American paradise lost.

[retiredbosn]

Never stationed in Miami but pulled into port there a few times, never left the base. Anywhere the street signs are in Spanish first I stay away from.

[A-Jay]

Welcome to BR Shipmate !

Your list is interesting.

I was never stationed in FL, but have friends who are / have been - big time fishing opportunities - both salt & sweet water.

However, Hurricane season can be brutal (no matter what your rate is).

Good luck on your re-assignment and hope you have a smooth move.

btw - Chose your rate - Chose your fate -

A-Jay

[BassinLou]

They do not call Florida and especially South Florida the fishing capital of the world for no reason. As far as hunting goes can't help you. I only hunt bass (and release of course). As far as Miami goes, I am born and raised here. Does it have its bad areas? Yes. But what city doesn't. Does it have its nice and pretty areas? Yes, plenty. As far as the people? We are a melting pot of many nationalities. Some more than others, however NYC? That's another melting pot of nationalities. Weather? Can't beat our winters. Summers are tough. Hurricanes? The potential is there. We have not had one (direct hit) for years. You are Coast Guard, they know our hurricane history. I am close to the Opa-Locka base. Hope my info helps. Good Luck. Be safe. Thanks for keeping us safe.

[retiredbosn]

Welcome to BR Shipmate !

btw - Chose your rate - Chose your fate -

A-Jay

We both know Bosn's Rule, lol

Not hijacking the thread, depends on how much you like to hunt v/s fish, KY has a lot of public land, great fishing ,etc. South Florida has monster bass, saltwater, and all the invasive species, peacocks, etc. Maine??? if you like smallies and hunting there ya go!!! The grouse hunting there is phenomenal, you also have the chance to be picked for a moose tag, deer hunting is good, bear hunting great. The fishing on the coast is great, stripers, last time I was there you could get lobster at the doc for like 5 bucks. If I was young and in good shape I'd pack my bags, lol. Then again in Oregon you have Elk, muleys, and whitetails, but you will drive more. Tough choices, hope you have a good detailer, but remember the longer you wait the fewer choices you have.

[rvadog]

It's a different process since your retired Bosun. I have to have my list in by November. No bonus points for putting it in early as he doesn't look at them until that day.

[SirSnookalot]

I was a South Florida snowbird for 25 years, have been a full time resident nearly 10, I love South Florida. I didn't move here because of the fishing, even though I do it everyday, South Florida fits my lifestyle and cultural background. Had I not had gr. children here I could easily have wound up in California. There are other parts of the country, some that have been previously mentioned, that have excellent fishing too, but I'd be a fish out of the water there, excusing the pun. Just have to make the best out of any location you pick, there is more to life than a fish, although we have some great ones down here.

[Bob C]

Never stationed in Miami but pulled into port there a few times, never left the base. Anywhere the street signs are in Spanish first I stay away from.

I can't get over that picture in your avatar. How in the crap do you stay in that thing? That looks worse than bull riding. What's the secret? Roll bars? Racing seats? Shoulder harness? Doesn't it hurt when you hit the water from that height? Crazy stuff.

Bob

[rvadog]

I can't get over that picture in your avatar. How in the crap do you stay in that thing? That looks worse than bull riding. What's the secret? Roll bars? Racing seats? Shoulder harness? Doesn't it hurt when you hit the water from that height? Crazy stuff.

Bob

[Bob C]

You guys are nuts. Other than that, Im speachless.

[MCS]

Lived in St. Pete and now Jacksonville. Beaches and some aspects of saltwater fishing are better in St. Pete, but hunting and fishing in general are better here in Jax. Beaches aren't bad either just rougher and more of a tide change. Plus it is very easy to get around. I live in south Duval almost to St Johns county just off 95 and it is 20-25 minutes to downtown. No very much traffic at all. Your only two hours to Olrando and their lakes, you have Rodman and few other lakes and Palakta an hour or so away and the Okefenokee too. If you like the southern hospitality but with beach and florida living then Jax is the place. Also have the best schools in the state if you have kids.

[retiredbosn]

You guys are nuts. Other than that, Im speachless.

Shoot fellas I'm older than that, the new 47's were coming on line when I got out. The one in my Avatar is the "Old Man" the 44footer. The 47 had the capability of being ran from the inside, not the 44. We were belted in and trust me it isn't for the faint of heart, but it can be alot of fun. Both myself and A-Jay ran the 44's. This was the reason for the snide remark Bosn's rule, we were and I guess still the one who operate the MLB, stands for Motor Life Boat, the old 44 was all steel and very slow, the new 47 all aluminum and pretty fast considering the mission. I truly loved my time in the Coast Guard, running those boats, its a thrill, hard on your body at times but wow!!! I miss it!!!!!

[rvadog]

Bosun, you'd be happy to know that although it has a inside cabin I've never seen it used. When the weather is nice everyone wants to be outside, when it's rough no one is allowed inside.

[retiredbosn]

Sorry your thread got hijacked. I almost went the MST school, had a friend who did, he retired the right way, and well the Old Man made an Old Man of me, lol. I was medically Retired in 94 after 7 years.

For those who think we were brave or nuts, we were told quite routinely, "you have to go out, coming back is an option". When someone called in with a SOS or Mayday, you just thought about them, it was not heroic or courageous.

[Bob C]

Sorry your thread got hijacked. I almost went the MST school, had a friend who did, he retired the right way, and well the Old Man made an Old Man of me, lol. I was medically Retired in 94 after 7 years.

For those who think we were brave or nuts, we were told quite routinely, "you have to go out, coming back is an option". When someone called in with a SOS or Mayday, you just thought about them, it was not heroic or courageous.

I have complete respect and admiration for you guys. It's certainly not for everyone. After the second wave my stomach contents would be emptied. I know you look at it as just a job. That's not what we see from the outside looking in.

[retiredbosn]

rvadog,

Just talked to my uncle, 20yr Navy guy, anyway he was stationed in Maine and Jacksonville, FL, did a few tours overseas as well. He said given the choices you have that Maine would be his choice as far as the outdoors stuff goes. Hunting is great, saltwater is good and smallie fishing is outstanding. Good luck with your detailer and upcoming move.

[Teal101]

I live in WA state and can relay some info about Portland.

For fishing the opportunities are endless. You have the Salmon runs during the spring, summer and fall. World class King salmon and Steelhead on the Columbia. Speaking of the Columbia, theres world class Smallie fishing as well. If you dont believe me, google it. The lower Columbia is regarded as one of the greatest unknown smallie fisheries around. Lots of fish, and big fish. State record is over 8lbs. 100 fish days are common. Walleye fishing is superb as well. The state record is 19lbs and it came from the Columbia. Lots of lakes around the area with Perch and other Panfish. Theres also offshore Salmon, Halibut, Lingcod and Tuna. If you venture far enough south on the coast you will run into stripers as well.

Hunting is great as well. You can hunt in WA and OR from Portland, double the opportunity for a monster muley or blacktail. There are whitetail here and there. Elk hunting is great as well in Oregon. Theres lots of opportunities for waterfowl on the Columbia and surrounding area.

Weather is mild for the PNW. Doesnt get too hot nor too cold. It does rain, but nothing like Seattle. You may see snow.

The area is gorgeous. Astoria is a short drive away and a beautiful town with lots of history. The oregon coast has a highway that runs down the entire length called the Scenic Byway. Lots of cool stuff to go do and see.

Traffic in Portland sucks, bad. Lots of congestion on the freeways. It is also a very liberal town. Lots of tree huggers and such. Lots of adult entertainment if you're into that sort of thing. Being on the I-5 corridor you're not very far from most of the big towns in Oregon and Washington as well. I believe it's about 2-1/2 hours to Seattle.

[Jim_M]

Good. My primary fishing hole's water temp ranges from 75-80 this time of year. Fish are active.