S Florida - Where To Go?

[heySkippy]

So, I used to go bass fishing quite a lot. 30 to 50 years ago. In Kansas, where a 5 pound bass is a Big Deal. When I moved to Florida 20+ years ago I expected I'd buy a boat and go fishing a lot, but I just never did. Instead I worked and bought cool cars and went on foreign vacations and stuff and never bought the boat or went fishing.

 

Flash forward to 2020. I retired at the first of the year. We bought a nice 5th wheel RV and a diesel truck to pull it around and we've been traveling and have big plans for getting out of the Florida heat this summer. Along the way, I also bought a 14' inflatable boat and a 3.5 hp engine. I've used this combo several times now and am comfortable getting is set up, motoring around, and tearing it down (boat rolls up in a bag). It's pretty cool - all fits in the bed of my truck and doesn't interfere with the 5th wheel.

 

I've got about 5 weeks before we take off with the RV for an extended trip and I'm wondering where I can take this little boat and catch some bass. I've driven both Alligator Alley and US41 across the Everglades a lot of times and wondered if those canals are as great for fishing as they'd look to be. I would love Love LOVE it if someone could point me towards some great places to launch my little boat and go fishing. I'm in Sarasota (about an hour south of Tampa) but could easily travel the Alley or 41 to the other side for an overnight or 2 expedition.

 

Thanks in advance!

[geo g]

On 3/12/2020 at 7:22 PM, heySkippy said:

So, I used to go bass fishing quite a lot. 30 to 50 years ago. In Kansas, where a 5 pound bass is a Big Deal. When I moved to Florida 20+ years ago I expected I'd buy a boat and go fishing a lot, but I just never did. Instead I worked and bought cool cars and went on foreign vacations and stuff and never bought the boat or went fishing.

 

Flash forward to 2020. I retired at the first of the year. We bought a nice 5th wheel RV and a diesel truck to pull it around and we've been traveling and have big plans for getting out of the Florida heat this summer. Along the way, I also bought a 14' inflatable boat and a 3.5 hp engine. I've used this combo several times now and am comfortable getting is set up, motoring around, and tearing it down (boat rolls up in a bag). It's pretty cool - all fits in the bed of my truck and doesn't interfere with the 5th wheel.

 

I've got about 5 weeks before we take off with the RV for an extended trip and I'm wondering where I can take this little boat and catch some bass. I've driven both Alligator Alley and US41 across the Everglades a lot of times and wondered if those canals are as great for fishing as they'd look to be. I would love Love LOVE it if someone could point me towards some great places to launch my little boat and go fishing. I'm in Sarasota (about an hour south of Tampa) but could easily travel the Alley or 41 to the other side for an overnight or 2 expedition.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[geo g]

I fish Alligator Alley at least 30 times a year.  There are ramps all along the alley and if you go to Mile Marker 35 you can also fish the Miami River which goes North to south.  Also north up the river I have heard a panther calling and a bobcat another time on the islands that boarder the canal.  Two weeks ago they killed a python right at the MM 35 parking area.  You can stay in your RV at MM35 they have good bathrooms available 24/7, vending machines, security 24/7 and its free.  Last week I caught 30 bass on the river, and was done by noon.  I have an 18 foot bass boat and over a 40 year period have had a few gators make aggressive runs at the boat during breeding season.  I say this because out there we have 12 to 14 footers and your going to be in a little inflatable.  Better you than me.  Big males will get territorial, and females will guard their nests.  So if you have some form of protection I would bring it, just in case.  Remember if you go during low water you will see at least 50 gators, and some will be within close proximity to your boat.  Good luck my friend, this is not Kansas!  LOL