Feb 14, Alligator Alley Report

[BassinLou]

Headed out to MM35 with my BIL yesterday. We fished Miami Canal North from 9am-4pm. Wind was from the NNW at a constant 15-18mph. Water temps was 61.5 degrees. The day started slow, but we managed a few fish on stickworms. The frog bite was really slow. I did manage some blow ups but no connections. As the day lingered on and the bite had no real excitement, I switched over to a jig. Jig fishing has never been my strong suit, however if the day ever came I would know what to do with them. Well... the day came. Shortly after i started throwing the jig I landed a beautiful 5.5lb bass. The bite was not constant but I was catching. Shortly before we left I landed another 5lbr. Due to Valentines Day I had to leave the water earlier than I normally would, and I left nice fish to be found. Doesn't matter though. The fishing is only going to get better out there anyways in the next few months, and I will pick up where I left off. Overall we landed 22 bass. Biggest were the 5.5 and 5lbs. Measuring 20.75" and 20" respectively. 

 

 

 

[A-Jay]

A couple of nice bass ~

 

Congrats

 

A-Jay

[whitwolf]

Nice work Lou!

[geo g]

way to go Lou!!!!!!

[Dwight Hottle]

Good bass Lou.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Sounds like good times.. WTG Lou!!!

[Shane Procell]

Great fish Lou!

[BassinLou]

Thanks guys. I was fortunate to have stumbled across the pattern. It was really fun. 

[westcoastcater]

I'm new here, and have been down AA a few times, and would love to fish it.  I have a canoe, and reading some of the posts, it seems most use bass boats, but is it completely crazy to use a canoe to fish the canals? 

[BassinLou]

I'm new here, and have been down AA a few times, and would love to fish it.  I have a canoe, and reading some of the posts, it seems most use bass boats, but is it completely crazy to use a canoe to fish the canals? 

 

Welcome to BR.

 

Here is my humble opinion in regards to canoe use in AA. Will I do it? NO. Depending on the wind, which can be pretty stubborn at times, will  make canoeing challenging. The wind will push you along just great, but you have to fight your way back against the wind. That's not easy. Especially if your by yourself. I have seen people fishing on yaks but they are not out there too long. I guess once they see the volume of gators they turn right back around. Which leads me to my next point. Gators. If your afraid of them, then AA is not the place for you. I am not going to lie to you. Some gators will get really curious and follow you around for a bit especially if your catching fish. If you have a small tin with a small motor then you will be fine. I see those all the time. Hopefully this info helps. Best of luck, and be safe if you do decide to go launch your canoe. 

[SamTheHam]

I've seen canoes in sawgrass comming out of the flats. I wouldn't do it in the alley.

[westcoastcater]

Thank you both for your opinions.  Until I get a larger boat, I will just fish from the bank at the rest areas. 

[geo g]

I have fished from a canoe several times along the Alley and Sawgrass both.  That was 35 years ago when I was far less cautious.  Like Lou said big gators can be intimidating, since that time I have had my bass boat slammed by a gator tail, and with a friend a big female hit his trolling motor, and held her ground and would not retreat.   That being said,  I have caught one of my biggest bass way back in the flats at sawgrass, in a canoe.  It was a day I will never forget, very exciting and yet very peaceful in the out back!  Most of the time we were in 1 foot of water and then we would find deeper holes.  Deeper holes held quality bass.

[westcoastcater]

I've  seen many gators while fishing, but only one seemed to not have any fear of humans, but they seem to be much more aggressive there.