OUTDOORS

18 THE SUN OUTDOORS JUNE 8, 2022

Making fishing fun

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

Lately it seems we’re constantly reminded how our experiences growing up molded us into the kind of person we are today. The all-too-often-heart wrenching news we’re seeing emphasizes just how important it is to give children positive, optimistic and life-affirming experiences growing up.

Introducing children to fishing, the natural world that supports it and working together with others to accomplish a goal can create the foundations of a healthy and well-adjusted adult if we strive to make fishing uncomplicated and as much fun as possible. Those experiences on the water leave indelible memories and help impart the importance of camaraderie, the natural world and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Creating unrealistic expectations can discourage young anglers and be the difference between the kindling of a passion or an aversion to the activity. The basics of fishing are easy to teach and don’t require expensive equipment. If there’s a cardinal rule to getting kids interested in fishing, it’s to keep them engaged. Children are naturally curious; they love to play in and on the water and are fascinated by the creatures they find there. Catching fish isn’t their main objective and you shouldn’t make it the focus of an outing. It’s important to plan a trip that includes other activities like swimming, wildlife identification and snorkeling as well as fishing. Being on the water provides an excellent opportunity to teach kids about their environment and boating safety skills. It’s important to let kids be a part of the adventure and getting them involved is a great way to interject a lesson in responsibility. Let them drive the boat even if they’re just sitting on your lap while you steer. Introduce them to navigating the Intracoastal Waterway and give them things to be in charge of such as making sure everyone knows where the safety equipment is.

Don’t start children out with cheap fishing rods and reels. Provide them with decent equipment that’s light and manageable. An ultra-light rig with 6-pound test line is a great way to start. Try and think like a kid when fishing. Children would rather catch a dozen pinfish in a half hour than wait hours for a chance at a bigger or better fish. Action is paramount; kids are easily bored and distracted.

Consider starting kids fishing with a small popping cork that they can watch for signs of action. If you can start teaching kids that the enjoyment of the adventure isn’t measured by the number or size of fish you catch, you’ll teach them an important lesson that many anglers never learn. If you can make the experience interesting for them, even if they don’t catch anything they are more likely to want to do it again. Kids might be more interested in collecting shells, counting crabs or looking for manatees or dolphins than fishing, so be sensitive to what’s bringing them pleasure.

It’s also important to emphasize safety, bending down barbs and making them aware of fish with sharp teeth and stingers like catfish and stingrays. These first experiences on the water are very important and you should consider a plan of action in advance in case the fishing isn’t great. The last thing you want to do is bore kids by sitting on a spot too long. Keep your eyes and ears open and you might learn a lesson or two from them!

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Every kid loves to drive the boat.

Grouper, snapper season open

CAPT. DAVE WHITE

Aside from this short bout of bad weather, we at Anna Maria Charters have been fortunate to have great weather and multiple fishing options lately.

Inshore, tarpon are biting in full force. We’re enjoying the outgoing evening tides with pass crabs. In the daytime incoming, we’re primarily using threadfin herring. Also inshore, gag grouper opened up on June 1. We’re already getting our fair share of keepers in Tampa Bay. Snook, redfish and mangrove snapper are also targeted right now.

Offshore, red snapper opened for federally permitted charter vessels. We’re catching those, red grouper, yellowtail snapper, amberjack and blackfin tuna using a variety of live baits and some trolling as well. We enjoy getting multiple species for table fare.

It looks like the weather is great this week and we’re looking forward to getting back out there!

CAPT. DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED Jason Ellis, of Bradenton, shows off a blackfin tuna caught offshore with Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters.

Help rid Island waters of lionfish

The FWC is offering prizes to divers, anglers and commercial harvesters who remove lionfish from Florida waters.

BY JASON SCHAFFER

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking help from divers, anglers and commercial harvesters to remove lionfish from Gulf of Mexico waters.

Anyone is welcome to join the lionfish challenge, a summer-long tournament open to participants from anywhere in the state of Florida. In divisions for recreational and commercial divers, participants will compete for several prizes including dive equipment, a Yeti cooler and more, and for the title of Lionfish King and Queen or Commercial Champion.

Lionfish are an invasive marine reef fish species that have the potential to harm native wildlife and habitat. The fish are native to the Indo-Pacific and were first identified off the coast of Florida in Broward County in 1985. They are now found in large numbers on both coasts of Florida. Since their introduction, lionfish populations have exploded and they are well established in Florida waters.

Lionfish reproduce quickly, compete with native species for habitat and food and have no natural predators in the waters surrounding the Island. The fish are highly venomous, and according to the FWC, lionfish are the most harmful marine invader to date.

The FWC has been one of the lead organizations to initiate procedures to not only evaluate the extent of the invasion, but also support control efforts and initiate removal incentive programs.

Anyone interested in learning how to harvest lion-

FWC | SUBMITTED The invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish has invaded the Gulf of Mexico.

fish should start with the following information:

WHAT: The most effective way to remove lionfish is by divers using spearfishing equipment.

WHERE: Although lionfish can be found in a variety of habitats, they are most commonly spotted on high relief structure in offshore waters. The state of Florida keeps data on all public reef sites located around the state.

HOW: Lionfish are easily harvested using a pole spear and a containment device. A pole spear is a very simple spearing device that consists of a short pole shaft (usually made of aluminum or Fiberglas), a removable multi-prong spear tip and a rubber band. A containment device is necessary for preventing a lionfish sting and for storing lionfish during a dive.

Do not grab a lionfish with bare hands. The venom of the fish is a neuromuscular toxin that’s similar to cobra venom, and is delivered through spines on its back. Despite that, if properly prepared, lionfish is edible and served at restaurants throughout Florida.

For more information on the tournament, visit www.fwcreefrangers.com.