Photo: Branden Aroyan
Capt. Geoff W. Colmes 305.853.0741 Send Email

Destination - No Motors

 Fishing the Everglades No Motor Zones...

Fishing the Everglades No Motor Zones

It’s not that these areas are the solution to the most excellent fishing, it’s that they are unique, less traveled and maybe a little adventurous.

My reference to no motor zones is a narrower generalization that refers to anything that is legitimately 'no engines period' attached to your boat. Canoes, kayaks and even johnboats that can be poled, paddled or rowed are appropriate for these areas located throughout the State of Florida.

Until recently it took a considerable amount of effort to fish in these areas – especially in the Everglades. You either had to transport a canoe in your skiff and leave your skiff alone and tied up while you fished, or have someone drop you off and pick you up later. Some folks even hid old canoes so they didn’t have to transport them – the Park Service always frowned on that idea, confiscating many canoes over the years. None of these were easy options in my opinion. Now I use my Gladesmen to run to these areas, remove my engine and stowed it inside the boat, then I can pole, paddle or row to wherever I want to fish.

It’s not that these areas are the solution to the most excellent fishing, it’s that they are unique, less traveled and maybe a little adventurous. Like anywhere else, you must know where to go and many of these areas are immense. But who doesn't like the idea of going to an area that says… NO! Like the boy walking up the path with a stringer full of bluegill that comes upon an old-timer. The old timer says “son, where did you catch all those dandy bluegill.” The boy replies, “well sir, I went down that trail over there where that old sign says 'no-trespassin,’ jumped over that barbed wire fence where that old sign says ‘private property’ then went over to the little pond where that old sign says... no fishin.”

East Cape Canoes chose the name Gladesmen™ to pay tribute to the early 20th Century settlers in the Everglades that lived deep in the swamps or on the skirts of towns. They were genuine people who lived off the land and lived the life of true outdoorsmen. During this early period they were often filling the role of Guide, Hunter, Fishermen, and even the occasional still during the prohibition era for communities outside of South Florida. Nobody knew the marshes and backwater bays more than them so it only seems fair to recognize these hard-core outdoorsmen with a product that brings back Florida’s past to its present state with a product that can do it all in shallow water. I choose the Gladesmen because it will give me the versatility of a canoe with added features of a skiff to easily guide in the "no motor zones."

 FKFF - forum RSS feeds

floridakeysflyfish.com - The Everglades
Updated :

Glades last weekend...
Last weekend we had a three day, seven angler trip up in the Everglades (Whitewater Bay) based out of Flamingo. Unfortuantely we had the snottiest fishing conditions imaginable... with an approaching cold front we had continuous 20 to 35 MPH winds from...
Author : tarpon54@bellsouth.net
Publ.Date : Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:51:42 GMT

Re: Everglades Bass are Dumb
Steve... Were you on the bike trail I mentioned in an earlier post? Just curious, never fished there but I was wondering it that was it. Sounds like it was pretty good... any size? Did you try poppers?
Author : tarpon54@bellsouth.net
Publ.Date : Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:05:52 GMT

Re: Everglades Bass are Dumb
Geoff...no, I was up at JW Corbett Wildlife Mgmnt. Area, which is west of Jupiter.  I think you're referring to the trails near the Admin. office of ENP.  I haven't tried those yet, but they're on my radar screen for the future.

The fish I caught were ...
Author : MagicSFK@aol.com
Publ.Date : Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:45:19 GMT

Regarding the fish kills in early January 2008
Unofficial results from a very reliable resource who will remain anonymous: Lips Sealed

Regarding the fish kills from the big chill in early January 2008, there were significant kills in some areas of the park, but it seems the snook and goliath grouper stock ...
Author : tarpon54@bellsouth.net
Publ.Date : Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:28:10 GMT

Information and Links

Flamingo

The Everglades Flamingo Lodge is now closed due to damage caused by hurricane Katrina and Wilma, it's future is uncertain. Your best bet on lodging is now in Florida City, about a fifty minute commute but worth it!

Everglades Links

 

 

More Info...

No Motors...

The term "no motors" itself is quite broad and is not necessarily music to the ears of many fishing guides and anglers.

In many cases it has meant complete closures of what were once epic areas to fish; such as the Joe Bay system, Taylor River and Little Madeira Bay, all located in the Crocodile Sanctuary inside Everglades National Park.

Then came the closures of Seven Palm, Middle and Monroe Lake… but this was different; you are allowed in these areas but you cannot have an engine attached to your vessel. So when someone mentions “no motor zones,” find out exactly what they mean. Are they referring to combustion motors at idle only, manatee zones, electric motors only, canoe or kayak only or possibly not even allowing vessels at all?