December 2023
As if Covid and RSV infections are not enough to deal with, now south Florida saltwater anglers must grapple with another dreaded illness that has no known permanent cure: MANGROVE MADNESS!! Unfortunately, one of the vicissitudes of a life of fishing in the Everglades is the extreme likelihood that one will eventually contract this pernicious disease. How do you determine if you are afflicted? Common symptoms include repeatedly attempting to make nearly impossible long casts to tarpon hiding under overhanging mangrove branches or in log-infested, narrow backcountry creeks.
Another sure manifestation is venturing into claustrophobic mangrove tunnels filled with numerous snags, clutching branches, and sticky spider webs in search of elusive snook.
Fortunately, when I contracted this wicked malady, I immediately sought medical attention. The good news, my doctor informed me, was that the latest scientific piscatorial research reveals that, as he put it quite succinctly, “the tug is the drug.” In other words, it is curable only by catching and releasing prodigious numbers of truculent snook and high-flying tarpon in mangrove jungles and other infested overgrown locations.
Actually, I would later learn that there really is no cure. However, intensive on-the-water treatment several times a week reportedly can forestall deadly relapses. I urge all my fishing colleagues in the Everglades to take appropriate action to prevent succumbing to this mind-bending disease!!
Breeding Area
In a more serious form of the disease the afflicted person can be seen in the tunnel waving a fly rod back and forth.
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Haha! Now that’s total insanity!
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The disease has an economic toll as well.
I got hit with it so hard, I recently purchased property at Port Of The Islands. I’m working on continued therapy from the mangroves at my back door. I’ve already gotten some relief with small snook and baby tarps from my kayak.
Thanks for the wonderful stories and information.
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That’s a typical side effect of the madness! I bought my place on Chokoloskee about 10 yrs ago. I like those mangroves and small creeks around POA. Wishing you a speedy recovery Brian!!
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Heading down for a month to Collier, Midway, and Flamingo! Any idea of the water heights? Low, high, or just right? Thanks!
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Lots of fresh water with all the rain we have been getting during the “dry” season.
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