Posted by Mike Smith on March 28, 2002 at 14:02:57:
...crusing some paddling sites and I ran across this one. For a Florida based paddler, California must be like another planet. You guys are talking about threasher sharks and T (tiger?) sharks and bottom fishing in 100' of water. Holy Big Freaking Fish, Batman! Just to give you guys a taste of Florida paddle fishing, here goes. Canoes and kayaks are on fairly equal footing here. I am a canoe owner, but soon I hope to add a Wilderness Systems Tarpon to my "fleet". We mostly fish the flats (6" - 6' deep) for snook, redfish, and trout. Some of our less sane brothers go after tarpon (2 - 200 pounders) in there paddle craft. There have been no reports of people being towed to Mexico by a 200lb tarpon, but it is bound to happen.
A couple of questions - I saw someone refer to catching redfish. I doubt this is the same fish we have here. Ours is related to black drum and is sometimes called a croaker or red drum. Is yours a type of snapper? Also, how are you guys rigging to go after large fish? Are sea anchors part of the game plan? Interesting site. I will be checking it out more often.
Mike Smith.