It was a tough bite over the week

Between wind, low water and possibly a trace of red tide in areas, it was not the most p r o d u c t i v e w e e k o f f i s h i n g F i s h w e r e caught but it often took a good amount of effort

As the wind blew much of the week, offshore fishing reports were scarce A few boats that made the short journey to 40 to 50-foot depths in the gulf found large sheepshead willing to bend a rod Fishing l i v e s h r i m p f i s h e d o n t h e b o t t o m a l s o worked for snapper, grunts, plus catch-andrelease gag grouper.

Inshore, many anglers found tough fishing with a slow bite There were a few exceptions where action was steady with quality fish, but for most it was more fishing than catching

Bill Russell On the Water

Snook up to 29 inches were caught and released fishing around structure around the gulf passes, canal mouths around St James City, and Burgess Bay Baits included live shrimp, pilchards, pinfish and sub-surface lures Redfish, with a few pushing 30 inches went for live shrimp around structure inside the passes and a couple were sight-fished around sand holes on the low water near Burnt Store Marina

Spotted seatrout ranged in size from babies barely a foot long up to 21 inches They appear to be on the move as an area may produce fish one day then not much the next The best bet is to fish an area for a short time, if no results, move to another area, and repeat until you find a bite. Most trout reported came from 3 to 6foot grass flats in Pine Island Sound and the drop off of bar edges around Charlotte Harbor Ladyfish, an occasional pompano and bonnethead sharks were hooked by trout anglers as well

Those putting in the time scored with decent sheepshead fishing inshore around the gulf islands, oyster bars and structure Baits included shrimp, either live or cut pieces, and mud crabs, all fished on bottom

No hot bites were reported, but patient anglers were rewarded with a bucket of good fish

Another weekend, another windy cool front By mid-week winds should settle down and get fishing back on track Only q u e s t i o n , w i l l t h e w e a t h e r r e p e a t t h i s upcoming weekend?

To keep up on current fishing regulations, you can go to www myfwc comor download the Fish Rules app for the latest rules and regulations

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www fishpine island com; or via email at gcl2fish@ live com

Have a safe week and good fishin’

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning

County remote permit office at Pine Island Public Library

Lee County Department of Community Development opened a weekly remote permit office at the Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia in early January to allow residents to obtain permits for repairs to existing buildings damaged by Hurricane Ian

Due to the use of the service by island residents the past three Wednesdays, county staff will continue to be at the library each Wednesday at least through Feb 15

Scheduled hours at the re-mote permit office are 10 a m to 5 p m the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years

For more information, visit www leegov com/dcd or call 239-533-8585.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Windy and cold is a good time to find a protected area and fish for sheepshead This nice one plus others were caught on a live shrimp fished on a jighead near Cayo Costa State Park fishing with Capt Bill Russell works like magic Silberg admits they are still finding things out about each other after all these years, and says he finds that exciting

Lovegrove said spontaneity plays a big part of why the magic has lasted so long for the couple, while Silberg gives his wife the credit for being so creative, admitting what first attracted him to her was her love for life.

“She loves animals, she loves anything that’s new almost like a child it’s just very rare in adults and I was so attracted to that, and that’s never stopped, she’s always looking for new things it’s an adventure,” Silberg said

In addition to being handsome, Lovegrove said the qualities she most admired about her husband were his kindness and gentility

“I grew up in very chaotic family and Mike was so gentle and kind I never saw that in a man before It was almost like love at first sight,” Lovegrove said Lovegrove said although she and Silberg had similar backgrounds, as far as being raised in the Christian faith, she feels that in many ways, he raised her

“He had so much good in him and I didn’t really know what was right and wrong Being a young adult raised in an oddball atmosphere, I felt like Mike raised me and taught me about God and Jesus, kind of pointing me back in the right direction, so I could continue to create and I could continue to enjoy life,” Lovegrove said

In contrast to Lovegrove’s limelight artistry, Silberg said his passion is theology, in addition to hugging his wife as often as possible Jesus and the Bible have become an intense desire for him, as he has his own ministry, where he preaches online to quite a following This online ministry began shortly after the pandemic, when many people were not able to attend church

“I’ve been teaching and writing and involved in the ministry through the years, but this seems to be something that I truly enjoy,” Silberg said

Lovegrove said she often enjoys painting as her husband preaches on major holidays, offering her a nice mix, although she admits the stress of painting live keeps her from doing it all the time

When the charismatic movement came around in the 1960s, Silberg said he jumped in with both feet, crediting the movement for the shaping of his faith at a young age, as he considers himself both non-denominational and independent

Her husband’s faith was a welcome addition, as Lovegrove describes the island, when the couple first moved here 28 years ago, as “rough and tough ”

“We moved here because it was the only place we could afford We wanted to be on the water, so Mike came up with this thing Pray for Matlacha, and we’ve been praying for Matlacha ever since,” Lovegrove said

Silberg admits, although plans changed for the couple several times since Hurricane Ian, often having them wondering what they would do, things are finally taking shape and falling into place for them He describes the hurricane as a major setback but says he believes things will come back strong It is this brand of optimism and concern that Lovegrove counts as one of her husband’s biggest attributes.

“I think Mike’s biggest asset to Matlacha is his prayerfulness for all these years,” Lovegrove said

In response, Silberg believes his wife to be a powerful connector, bringing people together at the right time and for the right circumstance

“She knows a lot of people from all walks of life when anything happens, Leoma is able to connect the dots and get the people who are really needed to act,” Silberg said

What’s kept these two on Pine Island for all these years, they say, is a combination of the beauty of the island and the people

“For me it’s the tropical foliage and all the people who have come for 25 years, we’ve gotten to know them really well, and even all their families it’s really a community of family,” Silberg said

“The people really inspired my paintbrush Someone once coined me as the people’s painter, and I really kept that,” Lovegrove said