Tuesday Paolo and I dove down to meet up with Captain Pier Milito to fish the southern tip of main land Florida in Flamingo National Park. I have always wanted to fish the flats and this was an unbelievable opportunity to fish with Captain Pier who is truly a world class guide in every aspect. Also fishing with Paolo anywhere for any fish is always a great time.
Captain Pier did his job very well and put Paolo and I on more fish than I could count and we hooked up plenty of times. Paolo stayed true to the fly for the duration of the trip, but I was quick to change gear and throw whatever I thought would give me the best chance to land a fish.
The trip started out in the flats, in the traditional sense, but due to some murky water we changed things up and moved into the mangroves and fished more channels, inlets, and back waters. At one of the stops along the way we had a big salt water crocodile climb up on the bank in front of us and snack on a big fish that it had caught. Living in Nevada that is not something that you see every day. After fishing that spot for while we moved up that inlet deeper into the mangroves and found what I would consider to be a honey hole. There where fish feeding, and being feed on, all over the place. It was alive with fish, and all kinds of animals. We had another cool encounter with a crocodile at that fishing spot. We had a big croc swim up the canal right past the boat like we were not even there. Very cool!

At that spot I was lucky to land my first ever Tarpon and my first ever Snook. I also got smacked down by a really big Snook which was just as fun as catching one. I again got smacked down by another very large fish, but this one ate a smaller fish that I was reeling in. Both Paolo and I had a bunch of strikes, but we had a hard time finishing the deal. Let me tell you, just getting struck by one of these fish was an adrenaline rush. I have never felt that kind of horse power on the other end of a fishing rod.

Captain Pier Milito did his job perfectly. He put us on a bunch of fish, Paolo and I just did not put them in the boat, but I’ll tell you what, it was one of the most fun things that I have ever done, period. I would like to personally thank Captain Pier for the unbelievable fishing adventure. I would recommend this trip to anyone and would certainly recommend Pier Milito as your guide. If you are interested in this kind of fishing adventure please check out this website; www.fishingadventurecharters.com

Jay