OUTDOORS

30 THE SUN OUTDOORS JUNE 30, 2021

A community that cares

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with fishing guides. These hardworking men and women make their living on the water and that’s where their unique skills create lifelong memories for their clients. Many of my most unforgettable times on the water have been in the company of guides, writing about their exploits and exploring their special worlds.

Guides and the fraternity of friends that share this passion really stand out and stand up when it comes to helping a fellow guide in need. Captain Aaron Lowman grew up in his father and mother’s tackle shop on Anna Maria Island. Starting in the late 80s, Bill and Jennifer Lowman grew Island Discount Tackle into “the” Island tackle shop. That’s where Aaron soaked up the stories and the exploits of Island guides like Captain Tom Chaya and Captain Todd Romine. Captain Justin Moore worked at the shop in the late 90s and would take young Aaron fishing on weekends. Island Discount Tackle was all about Island kids and ran a popular fishing tournament, “Fishing the Islands,” that supported The Center of Anna Maria Island. The Lowman’s generosity was extended to Island anglers who would come in weekly to pay tabs. Moore remembers the Lowmans as “big-hearted; when I got my captain’s license, they congratulated me and gave me a generous bonus to help start my business.”

As the old adage goes, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” It's appropriate that their son, Aaron, would grow up to become a respected guide himself. Aaron and his wife, Danielle, had their first son, Will, just six weeks ago. Then the unthinkable happened as Aaron was felled by a brain aneurism on Thursday, June 17. It was a windy day and Aaron had canceled his tarpon trip, moving his angler to another day. He had talked to his dad, Bill, that morning as they did most every day. Then there was the second call from Danielle - the call no father ever wants to get. Aaron had collapsed and when Bill arrived, the paramedics were there working on him.

Today, Aaron is at the University of Florida’s Shands Memorial in Gainesville fighting for his life and the family faces an uncertain future. At the suggestion of Captain Justin Moore, Bill and Jennifer set up a GoFundMe page to help with the medical expenses, mortgage payments, newborn expenses, household expenditures, boat, and myriad other costs they face. All funds will be deposited directly into Aaron and Dani's personal bank account. Bill and Jennifer in their own words have been “overwhelmed with the support of the local angling community.” It’s an honor to be associated with a community that puts all things great and small aside to help friends in need. Please pass the word to others and donate to help this family that has always supported our islands.

Captain Aaron Lowman with his wife, Danielle, and newborn son, Will

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Flats offer alternative on windy days

CAPTAIN DAVID WHITE

The wind has kicked back up a bit around here lately, so getting offshore has been a bit more of a challenge lately. But we here at Anna Maria Charters have been making the best of it, choosing our offshore trips wisely and taking a lot of people inshore.

Offshore, fishing for red grouper, red snapper, mangrove and yellowtail snapper remains consistent. Although the full moon can play a slight role, we’re still filling the boxes. Live shiners and dead sardines are our baits of choice. Inshore, the mangrove snapper are getting much bigger. We’re also getting keeper gag grouper here and there. We’ve been working the grass flats for trout, snook and redfish as well. Although this tarpon season has been a bit peculiar, we’ve still had some good days with them. I assume things will be good this week after the moon. Good luck out there! CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon in the coastal gulf on several trips recently. Conditions were good and fish were plentiful as we approached a full moon last week. Longtime friends and clients, Cliff Ondercin from Sarasota, and Dennis Ondercin, from Middleburg, Hts, OH, tarpon fished in the coastal gulf several days with me, jumping numerous tarpon and catching and releasing one. They fished hard to finish strong on the last day!

Tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf should continue to be a good option depending on conditions. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and more. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, toxic spills, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED Randy Price, of Parrish, shows off an American red snapper in the 25-30 lb range, caught with Captain David White of Anna Maria Charters.