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For those who have fly fished in SW Florida for redfish. Would u consider the marsh/grass fishing from NC to Jax to be the better year round fishery? Contemplating a move to SW florida OR the low country.
I fished Pine Island Sound and the Bulls Bay area for a dozen years or so. Always caught a bunch of fish but it was most productive chumming with live bait. Lots of grass/potholes and plenty of mangrove shorelines. Easy access to the Gulf as well. Big spanish and albies in the fall, trout and ladyfish year round. Only had a couple of years of bull reds and then the storms moved most of them out to the Gulf. Then the one fish that NC will likely never have in any numbers are the snook. An absolute blast to catch no matter what the size. However, the big negative for SW FLA is the abundance of red tide. It can wreak havoc on that fishery and when in full bloom is extremely irritating to your respiratory system. Would I consider living there.....?? Absolutely. But figure high temps and high humidity along with a pretty high property tax rate and it becomes less appealing.For those who have fly fished in SW Florida for redfish. Would u consider the marsh/grass fishing from NC to Jax to be the better year round fishery? Contemplating a move to SW florida OR the low country.
I have never fished SWFL, and there's still plenty I don't know about fishing in the Lowcountry, but I'll just say I think there's a reason all the fishing shows are primarily recorded in FL... Especially for fly fishing. The two periods during the year mentioned above for sight fishing spottail in the Carolinas are primarily because of the turbidity of our water due to the strong tides that push mud and silt around. Note this is not poor water quality, just murkier water due to suspended solids. That's why the best opportunities rely on tails in the air or schools of finning/backing fish in wintertime cold water. I love fishing here, but I don't know a ton of people who would say it's a more productive fishery than SWFL, putting aside the issues associated with red tide.For those who have fly fished in SW Florida for redfish. Would u consider the marsh/grass fishing from NC to Jax to be the better year round fishery? Contemplating a move to SW florida OR the low country.
Thanks Sandy. I will be retired in a few years and would like to pole and fish in peace. A lot of factors go into a big mive like this. Above all, after working in a jail for 17 years, just some piece n quiet. Right now it's a toss up. Gulf Tarpon are ample in my experience....migratory and juvies. But outside of summer/fall, reports of less than stellar red fishing/snook due to poor water management....that is the big concern. I like the fact that u can target reds year round in SC or Georgia. I wouldn't want to fish more than 3 days a week anyway. Hopefully i will figure this all out soon.I fished Pine Island Sound and the Bulls Bay area for a dozen years or so. Always caught a bunch of fish but it was most productive chumming with live bait. Lots of grass/potholes and plenty of mangrove shorelines. Easy access to the Gulf as well. Big spanish and albies in the fall, trout and ladyfish year round. Only had a couple of years of bull reds and then the storms moved most of them out to the Gulf. Then the one fish that NC will likely never have in any numbers are the snook. An absolute blast to catch no matter what the size. However, the big negative for SW FLA is the abundance of red tide. It can wreak havoc on that fishery and when in full bloom is extremely irritating to your respiratory system. Would I consider living there.....?? Absolutely. But figure high temps and high humidity along with a pretty high property tax rate and it becomes less appealing.
I've lived in eastern NC for the last 40 years. I'm currently blessed to have been a full time resident of Emerald Isle for the last 4years although I've owned property here for the last 20. Fishing for reds and other inshore species is very different from SW FLA. As fishnaa stated, chasing tailing fish in the grass behind the islands or fishing large schools of winter reds in sometimes crystal clear water is a drawing card for many anglers. We also frequently have decent fishing for reds in the surf. It's rare to see anyone chumming with live bait although live baiting with the abundant finger mullet is common. Our bull red fishery in the lower Neuse can be outstanding. Add to that a more temperate climate and NC gets my vote.