oleta river state park by kayak

[jjb176]

Anybody ever fished Oleta River State Park area in a kayak? Thanks for any info ... Jeff from Kodiak

[E-Glades]

i have fished Oleta by kayak. It was about 2 years ago. It is an OK area by Miami metro area standards. The best spot we found was an old cement pier that acts as a current break. fishing the corners just outside the current - A few ladyfish were holding on the one tide and I caught a small snook on outgoing at that same old pier. and my buddy caught a barracuda while just banging the edges of the mangroves.

[jjb176]

OK, are there better areas in the Miami metro area? I'm going to be riding my bike around town and need to rent a kayak, too. Oleta looked like it fit the bill pretty well. And what should I use - shrimp, bright clausers, leaders, etc.? I must confess to being more of a salmon fisherman these days. What's the best way to work the mangroves? Can't wait to wacth Penn State win the Orange Bowl and slay some fish, SE style ...

[E-Glades]

when are you going ?

I will say having fished a lot of the east coast of FL and several areas of the Everglades that Miami by comparison stinks for fishing. that said - it still beats a lot of freshwater areas. I was just in Miami last weekend and hit one of my shore tarpon spots. I did not see a single fish.
It is decent for tarpon in the warmer months at some locations.

As far as fishing the mangroves cast right to the submerged roots as close as you are comfortable. - let it sink almost to the bottom and begin stripping. I strip faster the warmer the water.

[E-Glades]

actually there is a decent spot for sea trout just north of the Julia Tuttle
Causeway. Over just north of the causeway on the Miami Beach (East) side of that portion of the bay - near the hospital. I don't recall what tide. But lots of small channels where the water drops from 2 down to 4 feet. clousers in chartruese and white. 20 fish day perhaps. accessicle by yak and within the miami metro area.

[lemaymiami]

Here's another suggestion. Drop your kayak in at the 79th St. boat ramp (yes, that's an ugly area - take appropriate security measures...) and head south from the boat ramp. Within in about 200 yds south and a bit to the east you'll notice one or two small spoil islands. For about two miles to the east and south is a huge flat (if you look at a chart of that area almost the entire distance from Julia Tuttle Causeway (36th St) up to 79th street is one big flat) with north and south channels only on the Miami or Miami Beach side. It's a great place for a beginning saltwater angler with a fly rod. Lots of small 'cudas, nice sized trout, small snappers, the occasional big snook or small tarpon. The water's fairly clear. Some portions of it will barely float a kayak at low tide. The entire area's a manatee zone so you'll rarely see anyone running across it. Think shallow water weedless flies, popping bugs, Gartside Gurglers. If you get a strike and lose your fly it was a 'cuda... Note any areas where pelicans are working, that's where the baitfish will be. There should be some very nice sized trout nearby that will respond to flies worked deep near the bottom. Good Luck.

[jjb176]

Thanks for the solid advice. Can't wait to give urban anglling a shot. Anytime you have to "take appropriate security measures," you know you're in for an interesting day of fishing. And it's nice to no there won't be a ton of boats slicing by me, if manatee zones do indeed prevent that from happening. (I've seen pictures over the years that prove the contrary, and I'm sure it's a hot topic down there.) ... I'll be in town one or two days before and after the Orange Bowl, which is Jan. 3. Go State (as in Penn, not Florida). Penn State 38, Free Shoes University 13. Bowden offically senille by 2007; Paterno still coaching the Lions in 2010. Tight lines.