I just went on the Everglades Kayak Fishing 5th Annual Paddle-In, a 12 mile round trip excursion through Chocoloskee Bay, Indian Pass to Indian Key for a picnic gathering where the host (EKF) had conch chowder, Bratwurst and fresh fruit for the attendees. There was a good turnout of about 70 yakkers maybe more. Heading out with the tide and returning with the incoming tide was easy going. With the less direct route back fishing it was over 13 miles round trip.
the launch site (ENP Gulf Coast Ranger Station, Everglades City, Florida)
7:00am heading out across Chocoloskee Bay for the channel
The mouth of the channel
a wing drying station
caught up with a paddler who left 20-30 minutes before I did (liesurely pedaling is faster than liesurely paddling)
Indian Key dead ahead
9:20am on Indian Key .. not too many early birds
view in opposite direction
Exploring Indian Key
The yakkers arrive in droves
The host's arrive by boat and set up and serve
yakkers beginng to part and catch the incoming tide back and fishing
fishing the flats with a friend where I was surrounded by 3 manatees
me in my Revolution fishing
The Route Taken
I highly recommend the trip even just for a liesurely day trip. You must plan your trip with the tide. It runs 2 -4 mph and working against it for any distance is brutal.
