Roadside Ditch Snook & Tarpon Fishing In The Everglades

I've always wanted to stop to do some roadside ditch snook and tarpon fishing in the Everglades.
Just last week, I finally got my chance.
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This was such a memorable trip and I'm so grateful we were able to stop and fish these creeks on our way back from The Keys.
A trip like this also goes to show that paying attention can cause you to make slight adjustments that can lead to your success.
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[@Saltstrong]

Want the Fish Finding Secrets for YOUR area? Here's a shortcut: bit.ly/3kkS9js

[@rickyklippel4510]

I think that fish at 11:10 is a mayan cichlid not positive though

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to post the name of the fish!

[@ProjectReel]

Awesome roadside fishing, that unknown fish was a Mayan chiclid. If you ever find smaller 3”-4” sized ones they make great live bait for tarpon

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to post the helpful comment!

[@reubinbishop8010]

Next time you doing this type of fishing buy some marabou crappie jigs. Get 1/8 and 1/16 oz jigs. a 3pk of each size would be around $5. You will do well with the Mayan cichlids and also catch peacocks, Oscars, largemouth, and small snook. I don't know about tarpon, I never manage to catch many of them.

[@johnlong8157]

Definitely was a Mayan cichlid. Very prevalent in those waters now.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks so much for posting the helpful comment!

[@MJ-km3qz]

I caught that same species fish out on the Merritt Island wildlife refuge in a canal five months ago. I’ve never been able to figure out what the hell it was, but it’s definitely in the same species fish that you were holding in the video.

[@Saltstrong]

How cool! It seems as if mayan cichlid is likely the name of the species based on the input so far.

[@muskietime]

Fun Video. Love the canals. To me, most important gear is: Line: If you can not see the lure “pickups”, you will lose many fish. I like Berkley Nano-Fil for lighter spinning setups with a 10’+ medium quality fluorocarbon leader tied with the FG Knot which I learned via Salt Strong. Thank you for that too! Reel: Buy the most expensive Shimano, Diawa or Penn you can afford. A cheap reel with cheap drag will fail of the best fish. Also, a quality reel with proper maintenance will last decades. I prefer Shimano. Rod: “Feel” is transmitted from the line through the rod to the reel. Quality rods ($100+) will be lighter (less fatigue), stiffer (easier and more precise target casting), have more sensitivity. That 7’6” might be outstanding. I prefer 2 piece rods for east of storage and transport. Pliers: There is never a need to touch a hook when in a lively fish and is also safer. Just my personal experience. Be Well.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing your intel

[@stevehogan8829]

Myan Cichlid. I love catching Bowfin/Mudfish. Glad you had fun down here.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for posting the nice comment!

[@daviddesmond2143]

I recognize where you are fishing from. Fun to see you catch them and glad the gators did not find you.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheTonysean]

Great video, good to see you trying something new out. I don’t have a boat to get out to the awesome places that you fish. So this is a good change of style of fishing to see. Keep up the great work.👍🏼

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks! Will do!

[@reubinbishop8010]

It was a Mayan Cichlid.

[@TheFishingNomad]

Fished that same spot once and all I got were houndfish or needlefish of some type. Might have to give it another try.

[@azukarzuchastux8066]

John 3:16 KJV: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” King James Version

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the post!

[@frankgordonsmith4795]

amazing

[@Saltstrong]

💪💪💪

[@RRFISHING1]

Luke, great video, As an Insider Club Member, where can I get the analysis vide info? Thanks

[@Saltstrong]

The link to the Insider Report is usually in the public blog on our website. Here's the Insider Report for this video: www.saltstrong.com/insiders/quick-tackle-adjustment-saves-the-day/

[@stevehogan8829]

Well of course I would have torn the front off and put the short tail part back on...Nice work.

[@Saltstrong]

I like keeping the front better so that I can still cast it far. Used this exact setup today in a Tampa Bay creek, and jumped 6 tarpon... fun video coming soon.

[@FishingWithDL]

Awesome video Luke and Matt. Me and my buddy will be making our way down to Islamorada in a few days and we plan on fishing along tamiami trail on the way down. Tight lines guys! 🎣

[@Saltstrong]

Have fun and best of luck!

[@1stCme]

how far west on tamiami trail???

[@Saltstrong]

The exact spot is shown in the Insider Report from this trip for Insider Club members.

[@makecheese2066]

What bait did you use?

[@Saltstrong]

Check out the full blog on our website and you can see all the gear we used. You can find that here: www.saltstrong.com/articles/roadside-ditch-snook-tarpon-fishing/

[@MichaelSmith-xr4og]

It's called a cichlid

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to post the name of the fish!

[@yrw231]

What area is this in?

[@Saltstrong]

Around the Everglades. Not sure what exact area they were in.

[@RustyReels]

Awesome!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@kennethjones4469]

That last one you caught was a bowfin.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@ElvisAldarondo-w5z]

That was a tilapia... Now there's a similar-looking fish it's an invasive species that has 89 vertical striped just like tilapia but it has a turquoise. On its tail those are Mayan cichlids

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the comment!