CHOKOLOSKEE By Capt. Zac Grossman Look this word up in the dictionary and you fill find that it means wonderful wilderness area with shallow waters, mangrove islands, birds of all types, and chocked full of fish. Actually it is only that way in my personal dictionary, with a synonym of Chockedfullofishky! To Florida residents this name is almost sacred as is the entire 10,000 island area all the way up to Naples. Those who have fished here keep coming back even if the trip is a three hour drive. Those who have not fished here yet have all heard of it and placed it on there list of "must visits". If you are a light tackle enthusiast then this is heaven. You can expect to go zooming across the water zigzagging between the countless mangrove outcroppings, some large enough to hold houses. The general area is called the 10,000 islands for this reason. If you have favorite tackle, bring it, otherwise you can be assured that your guide will have an assortment of quality spinning, baitcasting, and fly outfits. You can expect to hit many spots in a day, either blind casting where the water is murky or sight casting when your guide spots a fish. There is a huge flat that most guides know about and visit regularly. It is out in the open and unmarked, but for those in the know this is Trout Central. Here you will be able to drift along and cast any tackle you feel like. Spinners and baitcasters will be loaded with small jigs tipped with rubber tails, like the Coty or live shrimp. Fly casters will use clouser minnows and all will catch fish. You will have to pay attention to the fishbox to make sure you start releasing them when you've got enough for the table and don't forget to leave room for other species. That is where we separate the real guides from the wannabes. Now it's time to go visit those "secret" spots found through years of trial and error, poking into every opening and cut between islands to see what is living there and what stage of the tide they feed on. A top notch guide will lead you to all sorts of excitement including snook, tarpon, redfish, ladyfish, jack crevalle, mackerel, and sharks. All of these fish have their own hangouts and stalking them is part of the thrill. This is mostly sight fishing in very shallow water and the hit from any of these species is electrifying. Then comes the battle between a fish whose sole focus is getting into the mangroves and you, whose sole focus is to get it away from them. Many heroic battles can be expected and the fish will certainly win a share of them, but not all! A day in this area should mean periods of quiet poling, lots and lots of casting, and periods of pandemonium with light reel drags screaming. Then there is the picture taking as your prize is posed for the camera before going in the well or back overboard. On a recent trip my friends and I landed enough trout to work up an appetite for lunch (by 10:00 in the morning). Then we moved into those "secret" spots up channels that were only two flats boats wide. In there we fished at 30 foot wide openings and landed redfish, black drum, sheepshead, and jacks. Further up that channel we encountered a "lake" that he comes to sometimes. As we entered it we were greeted by a porpoise that our guide said always seems to be there. It actually recognizes him. It came over to the boat to be petted by everyone on board. What a special treat. He said this wild porpoise has been doing this for six years! This special event aside (I just had to mention it), if you want to have a great time in the premier light tackle back country hotspot of south Florida contact me and I will be happy to hook you up for an unforgettable fishing trip. I know you will also pronounce the name of this place Chockedfullofishky! (Click Here to book a charter)