Running thru 2015, the innovative Fish for the Future tournament is open to anglers anywhere in the world, with divisions and awards for twenty gamefish species. “With the iGHOFISH app we can now actually …
Bass Hitting On Summertime Patterns
23 Apr 20189:08 AM
While many parts of the country are still dealing with ice, snow, and ridiculously cold temps, here in Central Florida our bass are already in their summer patterns. And that means we are having a fantastic time catching them a variety of ways on both live and artificial baits.
Imagine the sight of working your favorite topwater bait back and forth, in perfect rhythm, across the submerged grass beds when the water explodes and it looks like someone sank a 5-gallon bucket the suction hole is so huge… you feel the weight of something really, really heavy, set the hook and your rod just doubles over like you snagged a stump… then drag is peeling off your reel as the fish is screaming across the lake, it jumps skyward and it’s The Biggest Bass you have ever seen! That’s the kind of scene that plays out quite often here, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Whether we are fishing the Kissimmee Chain, or one of the other lakes close by, there is something for everyone. We cater to all anglers from the well experienced to the novice, families, and kids of all ages. With summer vacation approaching, grab the family, pack up the “Wagon Queen Family Truckster,” and come on out to see all that we have to offer!
Visit http://www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com/to book Captain Scott Taylor for your next Central Florida Bass Adventure!
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![](mailto:?subject=Capturing Convicts: Sheepshead Rigs & Tips&body=This post covers some of the best rigs for year-round sheepshead fishing in North East Florida. Many people do not have problems catching convicts but everyone does it differently and there is always a new way to learn. They are great tasting, fun to catch, and a good option when the weather is poor and Redfishing is slow or your clients are die-hard bass fishermen that “set the hook” a little too much. If you would like to learn more about catching sheepshead or have a special way that you do it, drop a comment at the bottom.
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The Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) are chewing right now in St. Augustine. With even some of the most novice anglers racking up double digits in a weekend, there are no secrets on how to catch them. Everyone does it a little differently even though most anglers say they do it the “right way.” Here is a little bit about what has been successful for me sheepshead fishing around St. Augustine for many years.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SheepsheadBoy.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5256" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SheepsheadBoy-300x295.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="295" /></a>Photo courtesy of Florida Memory “Sheepshead boy” Note: Not me…
I mainly use three different techniques for capturing convicts. The most common way is with a slip sinker rig, next is with a jig head, and last is with a speargun or gig. Usually the most successful days come from using the traditional slip sinker rig but I have racked up some serious meat with the speargun.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_9946.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5257" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_9946-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Mustad O’Shaughnessy live bait hook Extra Short 1/0 or 2/0
These are great hooks for tucking a fiddler crab or two on. Occasionally, I’ll use a double strength version of these hooks that is even better for fishing the nearshore wrecks and other deep water.
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Hooks are some of the most important choices in fishing.. obviously. These hooks have rarely failed me on all kinds of fish including on sheepshead.
Leader: Following is a six to eight-inch section of 20 pound monofilament leader tied using Uni-Knots directly to the hook and swivel. Swivel strength is always a bit heavier than the heaviest line I might use.
Weight selection: I use the lightest weight I can to get to the bottom. A 1/2oz to 3oz weight. Anything heavier than 3oz will make it hard to feel the sheepsheads bite and react before they are gone.
Rod & Reel: A bait caster reel thrives when fishing for sheepshead. I stick to the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur series. Either the S, C3, or C4 models are great choices depending on budget.
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Choosing the right rod for sheepshead should be based on strength, longevity, and length. A shorter rod with more back bone will help you tremendously when wrenching that convict out of the pilings. Save your money on buying super high-end fishing rods while sheepshead fishing because if you go enough, you will break a tip, bust an eye, or scratch it up on the barnacles around pilings.
Shoreline / Shell bottom fishing for Sheepshead
This is a very fun way to get into the convicts. Sometimes they are really chewing on the shell banks and other rock bottoms around this area. The traditional sheepshead rig will not be very effective in this situation because you will miss many bites.
Try using a jighead combo on spin tackle with a fiddler crab or shrimp.
Here is how:
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An 1/8th oz head with a 2/0 hook is just the right size for keeping a crab on the bottom long enough to get the bite. Following that is about a 2 foot piece of 20lb or 30lb Monofilament tied line to line to the main line using a double Uni-Knot. If you have the crabs to spare, using two fiddlers on one hook with a jighead will catch more fish.
As a disclaimer, you should always adjust your tackle to your fishing conditions regardless of what you are fishing for. Tides, wind, water clarity, and bait all play a factor in line choices and hook sizes. Sometimes Sheepshead are wide open and others they are very picky and need a little bit of encouragement.
Bring a shovel to crush up chum, like oysters, and to scrape barnacles off of pilings. The investment of time collecting a full bucket of chum will go a long way.
Remember to be respectful when fishing around docks and scraping peoples pilings, they paid a lot of money for their docks and sometimes forget that they do not “own” the water underneath it.
Be safe and Catch fish!!
By Guy Harvey Resort Pro Team
Captain Jakob Hardy
<a href="http://www.Fishardy.com">www.Fishardy.com</a>
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/capturing-convicts-sheepshead-rigs-tips/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey and Vaughn Cochran Team to Create Black Fly Bimini at the Bimini Big Game Club&body=FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—OCTOBER 6, 2010—<a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> announced today he is teaming with fellow artist, conservationist and fly fishing personality, <a title="Vaughn Cochran's web site" href="http://www.vaughncochranart.com/artgallery/" target="_blank">Vaughn Cochran</a>, to launch Black Fly Bimini, a Guy Harvey Outpost Outfitter operation.
Black Fly Bimini will operate out of the newly reopened <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biminibiggameclub.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina</a>.
In making the announcement, Harvey commented “this legendary Club overlooks flats abundant with bonefish and permit. Vaughn has the skills and passion to help us promote Bimini’s remarkable back-country fishery for its great fishing and mesmerizing natural beauty.” Commenting on the varied fishing opportunities his Bimini Outpost has to offer, and their spirited competition as renown offshore and back country anglers, Harvey is quick to add, “looking at Vaughn is a bit like looking in the mirror, so I’m sure glad he keeps his fishing to skinny water!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/vaughn20cochran20with20bonefish.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-140" title="Vaughn Cochran with Bonefish" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/vaughn20cochran20with20bonefish.jpeg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="263" /></a>
Black Fly Bimini will organize all of the Big Game Club’s backcountry fishing programs, with on-site staff, operations and merchandising support. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Cochran and his fly fishing wife, Jean, oversee Black Fly Inc., a collection of enterprises featuring fly fishing merchandise, art and travel. The couple has recently opened Black Fly Bonefish Club, their newest lodge, located on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas.
“Hands down any day, for a pure adrenaline rush, the Grey Ghosts of Bimini can hold their own against the Man in the Blue Suit”, Cochran notes, referring to the Blue Marlin that is synonymous with Bimini’s reputation among off-shore anglers. “Now with the help of the island’s legendary bonefishing guides, we’re going to revitalize awareness of the great bonefishing that Bimini offers.”
In addition to featuring Guy Harvey sportswear and gifts, the <a title="The Outfitter Shop at the Bimini Big Game Club" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/the-outfitter-shop.htm" target="_blank">Outfitter shop</a> at the Bimini Big Game Club will feature Black Fly merchandise and fly fishing supplies, including assorted flies developed by Cochran especially for conditions on the Bimini flats.
About Vaughn Cochran
A Florida native, Cochran grew up in the art community of St. Augustine and earned art degrees in ceramics and painting at the internationally known and respected Art and Printmaking Department of the University of South Florida. Becoming one of the most respected fly fishing guides in the Florida Keys, Cochran later managed some of the legendary fishing lodges of the Caribbean and Central America, including Parismina Tarpon Rancho in Costa Rica and Turneffe Island Lodge in Belize. Along the way, he nurtured his artistic calling, and today his works are found in numerous private and corporate collections, including a recent one-man exhibition at the IGFA’s main gallery.
"Although I still enjoy painting the traditional fishing and seascape scenes that I'm known for, my newest work is in the pop style from earlier in my painting career. I started with pop art fish and have moved on to other images and icons of the fishing industry, he said." These paintings are now available as prints as are many of his more traditional scenes of the flats he fished on a regular basis.
With his quick wit and entertaining laid back style, Cochran is a frequent host and guest of various fly-fishing TV shows including the popular “Spanish Fly” with fishing pal, Jose Wejebe.
What started out as Vaughn Cochran's marine art gallery years ago has turned into one of the most unique destination fly shops in the U.S., Black Fly Outfitter, a full service technical fly shop specializing in saltwater flies, custom fly kits, fly rods, fly reels and clothing for tropical fly fishing destinations around the world.
The company’s sumi-style Black Fly logo adorns a complete line of fly fishing merchandise, gear and gifts. Original paintings, fine art prints, ceramic tiles and art pottery, Black Fly merchandise and additional T-shirts are available at www.vaughncochranart.com.
About Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina
Founded as a dinner club in 1936 in Alice Town, the island’s cultural hub, by Nassau entrepreneur and bon-vivant, Neville Stuart, the Big Game Club has over the last 74 years hosted world-class fishermen, major tournaments, international celebrities and tens of thousands guests looking to bask in the unique “Islands in the Stream” mantra made famous by author Ernest Hemingway who fished and lived in Bimini in the mid 1930s.
Today, the Big Game Club’s Outpost concept is designed to take the resort beyond that of a “fishing lodge (though admittedly a majority of visitors will be there for the world class fishing) to create an eco-destination attracting both fishing and diving enthusiasts while focusing on adventure travel, sustainable tourism and marine conservation.
The Big Game Club, which is located on the main navigation channel in Bimini Bay, currently features a 51-room resort and a 75-slip marina capable of accommodating boats up to 145 linear feet. By Spring 2011, a full service fuel dock will be operational.
There are Phase II plans that will include a Guy Harvey Theater, guest lecture series and interactive sessions with Dr. Harvey and the Guy Harvey Research Institute at NOVA Southeastern Oceanographic Center and day trips to the Bimini Biological Field Station’s world-famous shark lab. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-and-vaughn-cochran-team-to-create-black-fly-bimini-at-the-bimini-big-game-club/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bouncer for Sale at Guy Harvey’s Bimini Sands Beach Bash, Bonfire & Tournament&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/gho-btb2014-logo-cc.jpg"><img id="i-1964" class="size-full wp-image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/gho-btb2014-logo-cc.jpg?w=650" alt="Image" /></a> “Legendary Captain” Bouncer Smith Auctions Bimini Fishing Charters To Benefit Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and IGFA, During Guy Harvey Outpost Beach Bash Bonfire & Tournament at Bimini Sands Resort & Marina June 26 - June 29 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 8, 2014) – Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts announced today plans to offer Bimini fishing charters with IGFA “Legendary Captain” Bouncer Smith during its upcoming Beach Bash Bonfire and Tournament. The June 26-29 tournament will be hosted by Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, the newest member of the Guy Harvey Outpost Expedition Collection of offshore resorts and lodges. Guy Harvey Outpost has opened on-line tournament registration where anglers and their guests can bid on half and full day charters with Capt. Bouncer. Auction proceeds will go directly to the IGFA and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation to benefit conservation efforts in Bimini and its surrounding waters. “This is a first for me,” said Capt. Bouncer. “I’ve taken clients to Bimini to chase world records, but this is a special opportunity for anyone of any age who wants to learn first-hand my secrets of the Bimini fishing grounds.” Added Mark Ellert, president of Guy Harvey Outpost, “Fishing Bouncer and his 33-foot Dusky is the difference between fishing and catching, whatever your target species might be in Bimini. If you want to improve your odds at winning this tournament, chartering Bouncer is the way to do it.” Capt. Bouncer and crew will be available for half day charters Thursday afternoon and Friday and for a full day charter the day of the tournament, Saturday, June 28. The tournament format will provide prizes for all ages and species, with boat awards and scoring incentives based on largest fish caught and released. A separate billfish division will award both teams and anglers with the highest aggregate points based on the number of billfish caught and released. “With awards for length not number of fish, luck will be a factor and should create some surprising winners for non-billfish species. After all, even blind squirrels find nuts on occasion,” adds Capt. Bouncer with his trademark smile. Tournament festivities will kick off Monday evening, June 23, in Fort Lauderdale with a pre-departure dockside party hosted by <a href="http://www.papaspilar.com/">Papa’s Pilar Rum</a> at the <a href="http://www.biminiboatyard.com/">Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill</a>. Capt. Bouncer Smith will be on hand to offer tips on current Bimini fishing conditions and techniques. From there the action moves to the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, with pre-fishing and social activities on Thursday and Friday, June 26 and 27. Saturday is tournament day, with fishing from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, followed by beachfront pig-roast and awards ceremony that evening.For more information and to register for the tournament or bid on a Capt. Bouncer charter, call Guy Harvey Outpost at 1-800-513-5257 or visit <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/BeachBash">www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com/BeachBash</a>. About Captain Bouncer SmithInducted by the IGFA in 2014 as a “Legendary Captain”, Capt. Bouncer Smith is a South Florida sport fishing pioneer. Respected for his intimate sport fishing knowledge Capt. Bouncer Smith has devoted his life to sharing fishing with others through his radio shows, magazine articles, seminars, and IGFA “conservation through education” efforts. Fishing out of the Miami Beach Marina, Capt. Bouncer and his 33’ Dusky center console are icons among South Florida charter boat captains and crews, having won most major South Florida fishing tournaments during his career. For more information visit <a href="http://www.captbouncer.com/">www.captbouncer.com</a>About The Guy Harvey Outpost Beach Bash, Bonfire and TournamentThe Guy Harvey Outpost Beach Bash, Bonfire and Tournament will be held June 26-29 at Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. The event marks the return of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts to Bimini, the birthplace of the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA), after a two year hiatus to pursue development elsewhere in the Bahamas and Caribbean. The event will feature an exciting IGFA compliant fishing competition, scuba diving, family-friendly Bahamian activities and much more, headlined by world-renowned marine artist and conservation advocate Guy Harvey and Florida fishing authority Capt. Bouncer Smith. During the event’s signature bonfire celebrations, 30-foot tall Blue Marlin wire sculptures by artist Bobby Little will be lit on fire Friday and Saturday night. The company expects the Beach Bash, Bonfire and Tournament to become a standing South Bimini summertime event at the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. For more information visit <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/BeachBash">www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com/BeachBash</a>. About Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts & LodgesGuy Harvey Outpost Resorts & Lodges promote sustainable adventure tourism and high quality watersport activities. With properties located in pristine waterfront settings, the company has become a symbol of ocean conservation and awareness while fostering lifelong memories for its guests. Its Signature Collection properties currently include the Tradewinds Resort on St. Petersburg Beach and the Islander Resort in Islamorada, and construction is underway on a 30-unit eco-lodge in the Galapagos Islands. Members of the company’s Expedition Portfolio include a network of independently owned and operated boutique hotels in Mexico and the Bahamas. For more information and reservations at all Guy Harvey Outpost properties, visit <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com./">www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com.</a>About Bimini Sands Resort & Marina Located 50 miles from Miami on the gateway island of South Bimini, Bimini Sands Resort & Marina features fully furnished villas with breathtaking waterfront views, a full-service marina accommodating boats up to 115 feet and three freshwater swimming pools. Bimini Sands also boasts several upscale dining options, including the island’s only sushi bar, and guests can enjoy a full complement of watersport activities. Minutes from Bimini International Airport, its idyllic location offers spectacular views of Bimini’s unparalleled blue waters and radiant sunsets, along with picturesque coral reefs and a secluded beach setting. Family-owned and operated for more than 15 years, Bimini Sands is one of the Bahamas’ best-rated family vacation destinations. For more information visit <a href="http://www.biminisands.com/">www.biminisands.com</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bouncer-for-sale-at-guy-harveys-bimini-sands-beach-bash-bonfire-tournament/){kind=link}
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