ShipRex

I have fished bass there a bunch of times over the last 25 years. Usually it is not very good, but it's something to do on a windy day. I have snorkeled there, but lately there are more gators than ever. I have not seen any oscars or peacocks in there. Just brim, gars, and a few bass. Occasionally a 4-5 pounder. I thought it would be good after being closed while they built the new highway but I got in there and caught nothing. I don't see why they closed the original boat ramp on the N side, and built a ramp on the S. side? Then a month or two after it opens, they closed it to rebuild the saltwater dam. I do not see why people cannot fish there while they build the d**n dam? And why can they not open a ramp on the salt side too? They took out two ramps after promising not to, to build the road! (Long Sound ramp and the county line ramp) Walking the banks is sweltering hot and buggy and the fish see you coming. Also, you will have a hard time presenting your lure from way above the water, casting out over the weedy edges to the deep and pulling in vs. in a boat, casting along the edges of the weed drop off. Bicycling along and fishing the culvert ponds you will see the gar I'm telling about and pee-wee bass. The problem here is that too many redneck bass fishermen think the bass are good to eat. Really the bass are loaded with mercury and toxins and they taste swampy and mushy. If more people released their catches here we'd see some bigger fish. They should have the ramp open when the d**n dam is fixed, next year? The first people there when it opens will keep all the big fish, and after that, it's too bad for the rest of us! You can get in there now by going to the "closed ramp" area and dropping in a small boat or canoe off the steep bank. Also, you can put in on the road to the Everglades at a small turn-off and run to the end of that side, and portage over to the big canal side. Both ways are not worth the effort; I've tried. If your family is visiting, it is a good place to show them some birds and gators on windy day in the winter.