Miami/ft.lauderdale Area

[Bluebasser86]

My wife and I are planning on vacationing in this area the third week of May for our 5th anniversary. Interested in some suggestions on where to stay, things to see and do. We'd like to stay close to the beach as possible in a safe area without breaking the bank (4 nights). I'm also interested in getting into some peacock bass and snakeheads as I've never caught either and would really like to. Wouldn't mind doing some inshore fishing as well. Tons of guides out there so I'd like to hear any suggestions or if there's areas I might be able to do without the help of a guide that would be even better.

[HookdUP]

As far as fishing you can really do any and everything you want to do .... You can fish the canal along st rd 84 and catch tarpon snook 10lb large mouth and peacocks and snake head ... I haven't been home since last May and when j was there j caught everything from black groupers in the keys to peacocks .. Lemme know what your hearts set on and I'll tell you what where and when or who to call and talk to

[SamTheHam]

i would suggest trying to look for resorts or hotels near Hollywood beach. There is about 2 miles of Boardwalk style walking up and down the beach and should be less expensive then in south beach. Also more relaxing, unless you are interested in experiencing the south beach nightlife which in that case staying in brickell or south beach would be your best bet. As for fishing, hookdup is right you can do all sorts of fishing down here just depends what you want to do. Captain Shane on the forums targets the peas and bass from a boat. Reeldealadventures also targets peas and snakes but bank fishing. For inshore fishing I would recommend taking a trip to flamingo park. It's a full day but it's well worth the trip to Florida salteater Everglades where you can catch snooks, reds, and tarpons. Miami inshore fishig is a local captain that specializes in flamingo. He can also take you to do some inshore in biscayne bay which is a lot closer.

[Bluebasser86]

I probably should have posted this a lot sooner but this is where we're staying;

3081 Harbor Drive
Fort Lauderdale (Florida), FL 33316

 

I think my biggest thing I'd like to try to catch would be a peacock. Would there be anything around there that would give me a shot at doing that?

[Gotfishyfingers?]

The closest freshwater from where you will be staying, that holds peacocks would be either be the State road 84 canal or the Griffin road canal both are west of 441/state road 7. The city of Davie and Weston have peacocks  throughout but you would have to look on google earth or drive around looking for some spots. There are plenty of spots to pull of and fish too.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Oh and the city of Margate, especially c-14 holds Snakeheads and the canal West of Markam park in the city of Sunrise holds Snakeheads as well.

[geo g]

Captain Shane would be an excellent guide for the area, and a great guy.  Lots of bank fishing areas all over the place.   The further south you go the better chance of peacocks. 

[SirSnookalot]

Your a couple a feet off the beach and very short walk to the inlet, both daybreak and sunset is a great time to fish it.  We are coming into that time of year where the beach can get hot.  Beach shouldn't be too crowded early and late.  Look for the blue signs that say guarded area, that's for swimmers, it's ok to fish it before the lifeguards get there.  The inlet just before dawn on the outgoing tide, that's snookarama.

Peacocks would be good in the afternoon, too many people on the beach.  I personally love catching peas but they never take top billing over fishing the surf, peas are fun but there really is no comparison.

 

Tons of restaurants there, I highly recommend the Greek Islands on the corner of A1A and Oakland Park.

[Bluebasser86]

Thanks for the tips on restaurants. I'll be with my wife so fishing is certainly not the main objective of this trip but peacocks are at the top of my list of fish I'd like to catch so if I get a chance I'd really like to try to catch one. Problem is, my wife is absolutely terrified of snakes and lizards, so unless I leave her at the hotel and go fishing (always a wise decision when you're on vacation together  ), I'm not sure how much bank fishing I'd be able to do. Does anyone know of any guides that give a discounted rate if they aren't booked that day? I know some will do that occasionally to try to fill an empty spot. We can't really afford 300-400 for half a day of fishing. 

[SirSnookalot]

Thanks for the tips on restaurants. I'll be with my wife so fishing is certainly not the main objective of this trip but peacocks are at the top of my list of fish I'd like to catch so if I get a chance I'd really like to try to catch one. Problem is, my wife is absolutely terrified of snakes and lizards, so unless I leave her at the hotel and go fishing (always a wise decision when you're on vacation together  ), I'm not sure how much bank fishing I'd be able to do. Does anyone know of any guides that give a discounted rate if they aren't booked that day? I know some will do that occasionally to try to fill an empty spot. We can't really afford 300-400 for half a day of fishing. 

Yesterday I had "tip" on a good peacock spots in the Griffin Rd area, once I got there I realized I had been there before, lol.  It was about a 45 mile ride each way, I went for a change of scenery.  I saw quite a few peas, no snook or tarpon, they weren't in the most aggressive mood.  Most were quite small, less than a pound I would think.  I fished hard, managed only 1 strike without a hookup at location #1, nice fish.  At location #4 I had a few chasers. caught couple of small ones.

There are more peas down there than where I live, the upside for size might be better too.  I'll go back down there one day, but a 90 mile trip is long way to go for fish of that size.  What I did like about that area the water is more open, I have way more muck and crap floating in the water where I live.

This was my best of the day.

[Choosylobster]

Yesterday I had "tip" on a good peacock spots in the Griffin Rd area, once I got there I realized I had been there before, lol.  It was about a 45 mile ride each way, I went for a change of scenery.  I saw quite a few peas, no snook or tarpon, they weren't in the most aggressive mood.  Most were quite small, less than a pound I would think.  I fished hard, managed only 1 strike without a hookup at location #1, nice fish.  At location #4 I had a few chasers. caught couple of small ones.

There are more peas down there than where I live, the upside for size might be better too.  I'll go back down there one day, but a 90 mile trip is long way to go for fish of that size.  What I did like about that area the water is more open, I have way more muck and crap floating in the water where I live.

This was my best of the day.

Where in griffin is this location?? I live 2 min away. I would gladly appreciate it if you could share the location. Thanks man.

[BassinLou]

Yesterday I had "tip" on a good peacock spots in the Griffin Rd area, once I got there I realized I had been there before, lol.  It was about a 45 mile ride each way, I went for a change of scenery.  I saw quite a few peas, no snook or tarpon, they weren't in the most aggressive mood.  Most were quite small, less than a pound I would think.  I fished hard, managed only 1 strike without a hookup at location #1, nice fish.  At location #4 I had a few chasers. caught couple of small ones.

There are more peas down there than where I live, the upside for size might be better too.  I'll go back down there one day, but a 90 mile trip is long way to go for fish of that size.  What I did like about that area the water is more open, I have way more muck and crap floating in the water where I live.

This was my best of the day.

 

Snook!! That's a beauty of pea in your new Avatar. 

[SirSnookalot]

Where in griffin is this location?? I live 2 min away. I would gladly appreciate it if you could share the location. Thanks man.

A canal adjacent to Vista View park

 

Snook!! That's a beauty of pea in your new Avatar. 

This one was caught in Delray near Lake Ida.

[Choosylobster]

A canal adjacent to Vista View park

 

This one was caught in Delray near Lake Ida.

Thanks man. I'm going to go right now and try to find this canal. I went on google maps to try and figure out which one it is.

[BassinLou]

Thanks man. I'm going to go right now and try to find this canal. I went on google maps to try and figure out which one it is.

It's the canal that parallel's Griffin RD on the North side more likely. Runs right between Orange blossom and Griffin Rd. 

[Choosylobster]

It's the canal that parallel's Griffin RD on the North side more likely. Runs right between Orange blossom and Griffin Rd. 

Dude I had no luck in finding this place. I was right by Vista Lake Park and I thought I found the canal, but I saw no peacocks. The only activity I saw in that canal was a HUGE tarpon. And I've never hooked a tarpon before. I would like to learn how to catch them, but I have no clue.  I ctrl-print the google map to show you where I was. The orange mark is where I thought the canal was.

 

[SirSnookalot]

You had the right canal. I saw most of the peas just off Griffin, southern part of of the canal.

You don't always see peas (but they are there), they like to hug the shore line, sometimes under vegetation.  This time of year my biggest peas caught are not the ones I'm seeing, blind casting 15-20' or so off the bank.

I liked the water down there a lot, wish my water was a nice, the entire area is good for peas.  I meant to take a pic of the lure I was using, I forgot it's in my car.  The most beat up lure I've had, but it's a peacock slayer, trebles are all bent up too, lol.

[Bluebasser86]

Okay, so looking at that map we'll be staying about 30 minutes from that canal so that's not at all out of the question. I'm not going to be able to bring the full arsenal. In fact I'll probably be limited to a single travel spinning rod and reel with maybe a 3700 box or two with some gear. From what I've been reading they seem to like smaller baits with either lots of flash or color to them and bass jigs and plastics are basically a waste of time. Anything else I should know about them? Are they like largemouth in that they feed better early and late in the day or does it really matter? Is there anywhere in the area I might have a chance to run into a snakehead? Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it. 

[SFL BassHunter]

Dude I had no luck in finding this place. I was right by Vista Lake Park and I thought I found the canal, but I saw no peacocks. The only activity I saw in that canal was a HUGE tarpon. And I've never hooked a tarpon before. I would like to learn how to catch them, but I have no clue.  I ctrl-print the google map to show you where I was. The orange mark is where I thought the canal was.

 

I think they hit cranks and jerk baits. Probably some top water stuff too. They eat mullet so I would throw a big silver or chrome bomber. I actually have a nice big one but I never bring it with me when freshwater fishing. Then I spot tarpon rolling down the d**n canals and then I have to go home and cry myself to sleep lol. Thats overly dramatic. But it does suck.

[SirSnookalot]

First off 2 3700 boxes, I don't that own much stuff for freshwater and I catch them all the time.  Peacocks will hit anything or any color, I've caught on black lures and black crappie jigs.  I would suggest 3 items for them, nothing else is really needed.  Rapala flat rap, it's chrome and does not dive deep, a regular xrap is a deep as I would go.  Inline spinners or roostertails, then white crappie or marabou jigs.  I use a ml rod.  Conventional wisdom says mid day, I've caught as many at first and last light, as with any fishing it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

 

Never seen snakeheads in that area, I don't get down there too often, may have to further north for them, a little heavier gear is needed.

The mullet have been thick by the inlets, a lot of snook.  I caught 3 yesterday morning, mine were only about 10# but I have witnessed 35-38" ones, that's getting pretty good.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Okay, so looking at that map we'll be staying about 30 minutes from that canal so that's not at all out of the question. I'm not going to be able to bring the full arsenal. In fact I'll probably be limited to a single travel spinning rod and reel with maybe a 3700 box or two with some gear. From what I've been reading they seem to like smaller baits with either lots of flash or color to them and bass jigs and plastics are basically a waste of time. Anything else I should know about them? Are they like largemouth in that they feed better early and late in the day or does it really matter? Is there anywhere in the area I might have a chance to run into a snakehead? Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it. 

Are you Flying or driving? I've got extra spinning set-ups you can borrow while your here. All my baitcasters are lefty but if you bring your own reel, I have extra rods you can use to. I live just a few miles from where your staying. Just lmk..

[Choosylobster]

You had the right canal. I saw most of the peas just off Griffin, southern part of of the canal.

You don't always see peas (but they are there), they like to hug the shore line, sometimes under vegetation.  This time of year my biggest peas caught are not the ones I'm seeing, blind casting 15-20' or so off the bank.

I liked the water down there a lot, wish my water was a nice, the entire area is good for peas.  I meant to take a pic of the lure I was using, I forgot it's in my car.  The most beat up lure I've had, but it's a peacock slayer, trebles are all bent up too, lol.

Snook I was using X-rap but I had no luck in getting any hits. I was casting where the grass was on right hand side and no luck. do you have a picture of the crank you were using so I could go buy one.

[Choosylobster]

I think they hit cranks and jerk baits. Probably some top water stuff too. They eat mullet so I would throw a big silver or chrome bomber. I actually have a nice big one but I never bring it with me when freshwater fishing. Then I spot tarpon rolling down the d**n canals and then I have to go home and cry myself to sleep lol. Thats overly dramatic. But it does suck.

Let me tell you dude that Tarpon was HUGE!! I thought it was a whale (being sarcastic) but for real it was BIG! That sucker would've broke my freshwater rod if I would've hooked him. I have a saltwater fishing rod, pen reel and a uglystick rod that I'm going to take out there and see if I could catch that beast.

[Choosylobster]

Okay, so looking at that map we'll be staying about 30 minutes from that canal so that's not at all out of the question. I'm not going to be able to bring the full arsenal. In fact I'll probably be limited to a single travel spinning rod and reel with maybe a 3700 box or two with some gear. From what I've been reading they seem to like smaller baits with either lots of flash or color to them and bass jigs and plastics are basically a waste of time. Anything else I should know about them? Are they like largemouth in that they feed better early and late in the day or does it really matter? Is there anywhere in the area I might have a chance to run into a snakehead? Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it. 

I know a guy that lives in my condo that all he does is snakehead fishing. He drives up to Coral Springs to catch them. If I see him I'll ask him some questions and let you know.

[SirSnookalot]

Snook I was using X-rap but I had no luck in getting any hits. I was casting where the grass was on right hand side and no luck. do you have a picture of the crank you were using so I could go buy one.

That particular lure is discontinued, I can't find any.  Try the Rapala flat rap, it's chrome and it's a fairly shallow runner.  More important than the lure is having patience and let it happen, it can take time they can be very finicky.

I didn't do much myself this morning, caught 1 jack at the beach then stopped for some peas, no strikes.