Flamingo Out Front and Whitewater Bay Winter fishing in the Everglades backwaters is something you can do enjoy because it’s cool and there are no bugs. There are no storms to worry about and a good fishing trip can be easily planned with a little preparation. The trip needs to be planned according to wind direction and speed. Cold fronts in winter are a common and constant ordeal causing winds to shift throughout a day trip. I can remember being out in the morning and feeling the winds out of the west and by the end of the day wind directions changed to “northeasterly”. Listen to your local marine forecast and schedule your small boat trip according to the weather. In the Everglades it’s easy to find a sheltered spot away from howling winds and still catch plenty of fish. The bite has been good for seatrout and snook in Whitewater Bay. Use curly tail jigs for both species. The SHE-DOG topwater has been a hit when fishing close to the wood for snook especially. In the Shark River area sheepshead and goliath are striking natural baits. Use live shrimp for sheepshead and cut baits like ladyfish for grouper. If you can get some mullet that would work great for snook and tarpon. DOA baitbusters are also good to throw in the backcountry. Many of the small ponds and lakes nearby can also provide some adventure and great fishing. This time of year I usually like to take out my ghenoe, a cross between a skiff and canoe. It is stable enough for two people to stand simultaneously and a great platform to flycast from. We catch an assortment of species like snook, jacks, and even bass and get away from all of the hectic boat traffic. The Florida Bay near Flamingo has been very good for fishing. It takes about the same amount of time to get to Flamingo from Key Largo than it does from Flamingo to the Harney River. Lot’s of baitfish flopping around. One day we even spotted several rolling tarpon near the mud flats. Drum, trout, jacks, and redfish are available in good numbers. Get set for fishing adventures in the ‘Glades this winter, where there is always something fishy happening! Call Capt. Ariel for a NO FISH, NO PAY charter and explore Whitewater Bay/Flamingo with him on your boat or his. Choose from one of three vessels: a 16’ custom Ghenoe, 18’ Hell’s Bay flats skiff, and 21’ Bay boat. Fly fishing? Family fishing or business trip? Call now to book a trip. To contact him call (305) 552-9788, (305) 431-6936 or online www.captainariel.com