Great week of weather and fishing

For over a week, weather conditions were great, opening up various fishing options Boat traffic has slowed down considerably with the exception of tarpon hunters around Boca Grande Pass and a busy, beautiful Mother’s Day weekend

If you want to fish in a crowd, Boca Grande Pass is the place for you It’s peak tarpon time in the pass, the fish are there in big numbers and so are anglers As usual, the best times to lock into a tarpon are first light and early m o r n i n g h o u r s , t h e n l a t e afternoon until sunset or later

If you are lucky enough to catch an afternoon hill tide with a crab flush, even better

On the Water

If you never fished the pass around the boats, the better i d e a i s t o s p e n d a g o o d amount of time on the sidelines or outside the boats and observe

For the table, mangrove snapper was a good choice over light wind days Fish up to 16 inches were found around the passes and reefs and structure out to 50 feet. Live shrimp, small pilchards and pinfish were the best baits A few cobia were hooked over reefs as well

Various species of sharks from 3 to 8 feet were caught in 5 to 12-foot depths around Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound and north Matlacha Pass Baits included chunked ladyfish, mullet and jack crevalle fished on bottom or under a float If you are serious about catching a shark, go with a foot or more of wire leader

Anglers fishing the surf from Sanibel up to Cayo Costa State Park found snook cooperative with a few over 30 inches Live shrimp, pilchards, herring and small pinfish, plus small white flies, lures and soft plastics were top

PHOTO PROVIDED

During spring fishing you can expect to hook into a cobia anywhere. EJ Eckert hooked into this one while snook fishing a shoreline in Matlacha Pass with Capt. Bill Russell. A legal or keeper-size cobia now must measure 36 inches from tip of head to fork of tail. Previously it was 33 inches for a long time baits Usually, the snook are within a few feet of the beach cruising parallel to the shoreline or hanging around any submerged structure Snook season closed on May 1 Seatrout up to 20 inches came from 4 to 8-foot depths in north Matlacha Pass, west of Bokeelia, and inside the Gulf passes Baits included shrimp, pilchards and soft plastics A few flounder and cobia were hooked from the same areas.

To keep up on current fishing regulations, you can go to www myfwc com or 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 the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years

“He is doing OK We still have some issues, but we’ll get over them,” (Ron) Riepel said

According to lifetime VFW member Tom Ferguson, who spearheaded the event, the Lee County Board of

Commissioners declared May 12, 2023, as Corporal Wilbur Riepel Day

“The community came out in force to celebrate this momentous event, his 103rd birthday surrounded by friends and family You could feel the love, respect and honor of all who witnessed, from the Pine Island Elementary students, teachers, public servants, businesses and all those that attended, It was standing room only at the VFW - even Gov DeSantis had a representative present,” Ferguson said

Three weeks ago while talking with Wilbur and his son, Ferguson said, it was mentioned that his birthday was fast approaching That was all Ferguson needed to get his mind racing and he began thinking about the possibility of having a birthday celebration for Riepel Being a 25-year member of the VFW, he said he knew it would be an honor to celebrate this World War Two veteran

“I felt a plan beginning to form. Seven months after a devastating hurricane this was the perfect opportunity to have a large event and involve the whole community," Ferguson said "The past 3 years I have cultivated numerous contacts on the island and the outlying community All that had to be done was to mention an outline of the event and the giving began it wasn't what do you need, it was what can we do, and we want to be part of this special day

"With a small dedicated group of members of VFW Post 4353, the donations were coordinated and collected," he continued "The event was to the pinnacle of my leadership in the VFW I have planned numerous events in the past 25 years but May 12, 2023, will forever be remembered as the day the community stood still and celebrated a member of the Greatest Generation and an awesome example of humility; Corporal Wilbur Riepel Hopefully we will continue to be graced by his presence and awesomeness for another year I really enjoyed the planning, and watching it all come to fruition made all the effort worth it "

Hookers' 23rd Annual Pine Island Elementary Fishing Derby Sunday

The Matacha Hookers will present the 23rd Annual P fles, free lunch and two beverages, face painting, games, T-shirts and goody bags

PAULETTE LEBLANC

Islander Wilbur Riepel, seated above, during his 103rd birthday celebration at the VFW, Top, students and staff at Pine Island Elementary line up to greet Riepel on his special day.

Carmen's Kayak at Knight's Landing & Jug Creek Marina in Bokeelia, this Sunday, May 21.

The Hookers are looking for sponsors for the PIE students The donation cost is $35 per student and includes fishing rod and reel to keep, bait, trophies, bikes for raf-

Donations are welcome but not required for the child's participation.

V i s i t t h e H o o k e r s w e b s i t e a t www Matlachahookers org for additional information and to make a donation

PRESSMAN: experiencepreferred butnotrequired.F/T

PRESSASSISTANT: willtrain,F/T

PaidVacation, Benefits,401K,great workenvironment!

ApplyinPersonor emailyourresume

MetropolitanCommunityChurch

3049McGregorBlvd âSpeaktotheEarthanditwill touchyouã Job

REDBARN

Saturday,May20th 8amto4pm Sunday,May21st 8amto4pm

4901SW27thPl (offCapeCoralPkwy)

BeautifulFurniture, GorgeousHome Decor,Glassware, China,Linens, Clothes,3bedroom sets,Toolsandso muchmore, Donátmissit!

Pictures: facebook.com/redbarnestate anddemolitionsale

24óHOURSERVICE NOOVERTIMECHARGES FAMILY OWNED/OPERATED Lic#CAC1817070 (239)573-2086

Residential¯Commercial NewConstruction R emodels¯Repairs RoomAdditions

INSTANTREBATES AVAILABLE óAirPurificationSystems óHighEfficiencySystems óDuctCleani ng FreeEstimateson ReplacementSystems

CUSTOMDOCKS &BOATLIFTS WEBUILDQUALITY DOCKS HAWLEY CONSTRUCTION OVER20YEARS OFEXPERIENCE ALLINLEECOUNTY.

FREEESTIMATES www.marinedocks.net Call(239)561-8074 CBC026058

FreeEstimates 239-707-0654

Bonded-LicCBC058576-Insured BulldogBuildersInc.com

AFFORDABLE FREE ESTIMATES

NewInstallation IncludesPermit

2YearWarranty

RainBirdContractor

A+RATED-ANGIESLIST

Installation&Repair

Licensed&Insured

FAMILYOWNEDSINCE1981

LEE#LSO200031

CAPE#06938

Sanibel#S11-000923

Residential/Commercia l FullServiceGeneralContractor

*Additions

*Remodels *Renovations

30YearsExperience

VeteranOwned

239-560-5448 bestorcontracting.com

TOMáSCONCRETE,INC ànTractorService

Specializingin ConcreteSlabs Drives Patios

Sidewalks

Stucco-LandscapeCurbing SprayCrete-Keystone âNoJobTooSmallã

BackHoe-Grading-Fill

TopSoil-Rock-BushHogging PondDigging-LandClearing WefixDrainageProblems

LaborersWanted 239-543-3700

Cell239-849-5375

Licensed&Insured

License#CGC1532266 fortmyersbeachtalk .com fortmyersbeachtalk .com