REEL TIME

THE SUN OUTDOORS DECEMBER 23, 2020

Cold weather angling strategies

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

Once again, late December’s cold winds have blown in, dropping water temperatures and requiring anglers to adjust their strategies. Winter fishing can be challenging, but there are opportunities for some excellent action for anglers who adjust their tactics and “think” like a fish.

While there are no magic bullets, awareness of conditions and perseverance can pay dividends when the thermometer plunges.

Popular species including snook, redfish and trout will often concentrate in areas where the surrounding waters are more moderate. Snook, the most sensitive, will migrate to rivers, canals and protected bays where the sun heats seawalls, dark bottom and the surrounding water. Areas where shallow bays and bayous funnel temperate water on afternoon outgoing tides can be particularly productive.

When fishing, pay attention to water that receives Ken Watkins landed this sheepshead on a DOA Shrimp on a sun-warmed winter day.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

the most sun during the day. Sun-warmed areas that are protected from cold winter winds produce conditions that are more desirable to cold-stressed species. The wind moves the water, keeping it from absorbing the sun’s rays. A combination of sun exposure, depth, and the color of the bottom all figure into the warm water equation.

When the weather prevents the sun from moderating water temperatures, look for deeper pockets to harbor fish. The deeper areas warm more slowly, but they also cool more slowly. Channels, holes under big boats in canals, deep potholes on the flats and boat basins are all potential refuges for fish during cold weather. Rivers and creeks are also good sanctuaries, depending on the conditions.

While many local species are negatively affected by the cold water, many, like trout and redfish, have a high tolerance. Others actually thrive on it. The best examples are sheepshead and black drum. These fish, while shunned by some anglers, are hard fighting, challenging to hook, and excellent to eat. Target sheepshead and drum around structure where they feed on barnacles and crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. One way to attract these species is to scrape barnacles from pilings on an outgoing or incoming tide. A small live shrimp or shrimp-tipped jig fished among the “chum” are good options. A small, stout and sharp hook is advised for a sheepshead’s tough mouth. A quick hookset is required for these bait stealers. It’s often said that you need to set the hook a split second before they bite! Tackle sensitive enough to detect their stealth bite is recommended.

Once you find the ideal conditions, remember to slow your presentation. Lures and bait fished slowly, and close to the bottom, will generally draw more strikes than a quick retrieve. If you’re in a promising area make sure you try varying your retrieve before moving on.

Another option for inshore anglers is to slow troll large swimming plugs along inshore ledges in the bay for grouper. Prime spots include areas along the Intracoastal Waterway as well as limestone outcroppings and structure in the Tampa Bay ship’s channel. Use your senses, experiment, be persistent, and you can experience some very good fishing during our cooler winter months.

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED Captain David White and Chris Ward, of Joliet, Illinois, show off a beautiful snook caught on a light tackle inshore trip.

Fish biting, weather permitting

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

Although the weather has been hit or miss here lately, the fishing has been pretty consistent. Low tides in the mornings have created a few challenges here and there. But once the water gets moving, the bite has been solid.

Inshore, the redfish, sheepshead, black drum, snook and the occasional pompano have kept our clients busy. The shrimp eaters are starting to move in pretty solid. These cold mornings have helped that! We here at Anna Maria Charters feel like the redfish closure has really paid off. We are consistently seeing more and larger fish than in previous years. But maybe we’re just getting lucky this year!

When the weather allows it, we are getting to the local ledges up to 9 miles offshore. Here we are catching gag grouper, hogfish, grunts and a few mangrove snapper. It’s not hard to fulfill a client’s dinner order when the weather will let us get out there a bit. The forecast looks hit or miss. But as to be expected this time of year! We hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday. It’s going to be one for the books for sure. No matter how you look at it!

COVID-19 devastates mullet, stone crab seasons

CINDY LANE | SUN

The coronavirus pandemic has destroyed the market for mullet and stone crab this fall, leaving many fishermen out of work, according to Karen Bell, of A.P. Bell Fish Co. in Cortez. Florida fishermen eagerly await the seasons for stone crab claws and mullet roe, which historically command high prices in domestic and international markets. But this year, many restaurants worldwide are shut down due to COVID-19, she said. Only one container of roe has been exported from Cortez this season, which left last month for Taiwan for Chinese New Year, Bell said. “We are buying mullet at a low, low price, not for roe, but for crab bait,” she said, adding that the stone crab market is equally poor.

City leaders said thank you Dec. 8 to previous board members and a few residents who’ve helped bring a feeling of community to Holmes Beach.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – As 2020 draws to a close, city leaders took a look back on the year and a moment to thank the residents who’ve helped make it a better year for Holmes Beach.

Recognitions during the Dec. 8 meeting included previous board members and residents who’ve contributed to city projects over the past calendar year.

Parks and Beautification Committee members Dennis Groh, Carol Hebden and Donna Ryan, all of whom resigned from the committee over the past several months, were recognized for their contributions to the committee and their work on the beautification of parks and greenspaces throughout the city.

Previous Planning Commissioner Scott Boyd was also recognized for his service to the city. Boyd was present at the meeting via Zoom and said, “It was an honor and a pleasure to serve.”

Former city Commissioner Pat Morton was recognized not only for his 17 years of service on the dais but also as Citizen of the Year, taking home the Louie Strickland Award.

This year’s Holmes Beach Employee of the Year is Amy Cox, a two-year city employee who works with both the building department and the city treasurer’s office.

The Community Partnership Award was given to the Hagen Family Foundation for their continual support of city initiatives, such as the improvements at city field.

Drawings were held for gift cards donated by local businesses to recognize the donors to the city’s Community Skate Park and the skate park bowl.

A $75 gift card to the Doctor’s Office went to Bonner Joy while Amy from the Blue Marlin took home a $200 gift card to Eat Here. Pitts Associates of Florida won a $200 gift card to Beach Bistro and the Kerchner family took home a $250 gift card to the Freckled Fin.

Adding to the fleet

A.P. BELL FISH CO. | SUBMITTED

The Walter T. Belle, a Broadfire formerly known as the Sea Hawk, prepares to enter the water at Cortez Cove Marina, where it is being rebuilt. A new wheelhouse is on the drawing board, followed by hydraulics, wiring and electronics. It will join the A.P. Bell Fish Co. fleet in Cortez.

RED TIDE REPORT

High Low (respiratory irritation, shellfish (possible respiratory irritation, shellharvesting closures, fish kills, water fish harvesting closures, fish kills) discoloration) Medium Very low (possible respiratory irritation) (probable respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills) Background (no effects)

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Water quality report

Bayfront Park North Bradenton Beach Coquina Beach North Coquina Beach South Manatee Beach North Palma Sola Bay South Good Good Good Good Good Poor

FROM PAGE 1

The entries were judged Thursday evening by Laura Micciche from the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, City Commissioner Carol Carter and city of Anna Maria Managerial Assistant Nick Poulin.

The judges were chauffeured around town in a golf cart piloted by Mayor Dan Murphy. Each judge ranked each entry on a one-to-five scale for street appeal, originality/creativity and design/use of lights.

Winners awarded

Late Friday afternoon, Murphy, Santa and Deputy Clerk/Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes hopped in a city golf cart to deliver trophies to the winners.

The first stop was at the Craft home.

“Thank you for decorating so nicely this year,” Santa said when presenting the trophy to Carol and Larry Craft.

“We’re just hoping other people will start decorating,” Larry said.

“You might have accomplished that. We had more participants this year than we did last year. We’re thrilled about that,” Haynes said.

When asked why they put so much effort into their Christmas decorations, Larry said, “Because people walk by and smile when they see this.”

“To spread Christmas spirit,” Carol added, noting this is the 17th year they’ve decorated their Anna Maria home.

The Craft's decorations include large pieces of driftwood and new this year are a lifelike replica of a reindeer and the Talavera Mexican pottery Nativity scene Larry gave Carol as a Christmas gift last year.

Having been informed that White was not home, the trio proceeded to the General Store.

A visit to White’s home the previous night revealed a whimsical decorating theme that includes an inflated unicorn and a festive table display.

BUSINESS WINNERS

“Thank you so much,” Anna Maria General Store business owner Brian Seymour said when Santa presented him with the colorful blue trophy.

Seymour then handed the trophy to Thomas Powers, the General Store manager who designed the winter wonderland theme that includes a dazzling array of blue, white and purple lights.

“When you walk under all the lights it’s real pretty,” Powers said.

When asked how it felt to tie for first place, Powers said, “Awesome. I wasn’t expecting it. Thank you so much.”

“We’re happy we were recognized for the effort our team put in. We took our cue from what they’ve done up at City Hall. We’re happy to be among all those that participated because it really does make the street look more inviting during the holidays,” Seymour said, noting he hopes to also decorate the new City Pier Grill next year.

Beach Bums co-owner Lauren Sato accepted the trophy from Santa on behalf of the staff and the company that assisted with the “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” themed decorations that feature an inflatable likeness of actor Chevy Chase and several other references to the Christmas comedy classic.

“They worked really hard on it. It’s been fun to hear everyone’s response and watch everybody get a smile out of it,” Sato said.

“We had wonderful entries this year and the displays were absolutely phenomenal. We appreciate everybody participating,” Haynes said before returning to city hall, where Santa received visits from youngsters while seated in the city’s Bright Holiday Lights display.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Driftwood and the word “Rejoice” are among the decorations displayed by Carol and Larry Craft.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN The Anna Maria General Store’s holiday display features blue, white and purple lights. The winter wonderland light display was designed by Anna Maria General Store manager Thomas Powers.

BIKES: Provided by AM resident

FROM PAGE 15 situation happened. If we can get bicycles to them, that’s a beautiful thing,” Wade said.

Augostini expressed his thanks to all who helped make this year’s bike donation possible.

“I want to thank all my neighbors and friends that drop off the bikes, and I’ve got some donations to help pay for tires and tubes, which have gone up in price, and parts that I need. A lot of the parts I take from bikes that are unrepairable. I thank all those people that have been a great help,” Augostini said.

He also thanked his wife for her neverending support of his efforts.

“My wife, Roberta, keeps me going,” Augostini said, noting he already has approximately 30 bikes to use for next year’s project.

The couple’s son, Craig

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Carl Augostini refurbished 13 adult bikes and 12 children’s bikes this year.

Augostini, and Craig’s wife, Lisa, were also on hand Friday. They live in Rochester, New York and are visiting for the holidays.

“He’s an inspiration,” Craig Augostini said of his father. “He’s something else. He’s a fantastic guy. My sister and I look to him as the greatest. We always had bikes and he taught me how to fix my bikes, mini-bikes, motorcycles and cars. I’m very mechanical, just like him.”

Wells Fargo bids adieu to Holmes Beach

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - Another one bites the dust as the city’s Wells Fargo branch is being readied for permanent closure.

In an email statement, Wells Fargo Communications Advisor Jacob Jordan said “The Holmes Beach branch will close on March 10, 2021. Branches continue to play an important role in the way we serve our customers, and as customer preferences change, so will our Opening of The Island Bank, now Wells Fargo, in 1962.

branches and the experiences customers have in them. We continue to evaluate our branch network and base our distribution strategy on customer trends, market factors and economic changes. This process leads to both expansion and sometimes closures. While branches are important in serving our customers’ needs, customers have more ways than ever to bank and are increasingly using digital tools for transactions such as check deposits.”

Customers of the bank branch were notified by letter the first week of December. The letter states that the closure of the Anna Maria Island branch of the bank will not directly affect customer accounts. The nearest open Wells Fargo branch is located at Manatee Avenue and 75th Street in Bradenton.

Currently, the Holmes Beach Wells Fargo branch is closed due to COVID-19 precautions. It’s unclear at this time if the branch will reopen at all before it’s scheduled to close for good in March.