Water LIFE June 2020 by Water LIFE magazine

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Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, Venice, Estero, 10,000 Islands and the Gulf

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The Charlotte Harbor Reef Association

June 2020

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Robert Henzler Snook 8

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Christopher Perry catches a nice snook

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Beki Morrow and Beth Senoraske with a Jumbo Jack in Cape Coral

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Mark Brown with 159-pound tarpon caught in the Pass

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Note from the Editor** Iʼm flat on my back in bed, immobilized with a sciatic nerve injury, Iʼm holding a laptop up with one hand and typing with the other... I apologize for where this monthʼs edition is a little rough around the edges. Weʼll do better next month... I hope!

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Contributing Editors:

Photography: ASA1000.com Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Baitshop: Fishinʼ Frank Upper Harbor: Cameron Parson Peace River: Capt. Dave Stephens Punta Gorda: Alan Williams Estero: Capt. Joe Angius Everglades: Capt. Charlie Phillips Sailing: Fran Burstein Pier Fishing: Bobby Vitalis Diving: Adam Wilson From the Ponds: Nicholas J

Allegiant has Allegiance to No One but Allegiant COMMENTARY BY MICHAEL HELLER

Charlotte County announced it doesn’t have enough hurricane shelters to protect the population. So in a worst case scenario, could part of Sunseeker be used for a shelter? There are some pretty big and plenty high up enough areas, that with a little additional ‘boxing-in’ could shelter 500 people easily. A couple of crews of block masons could make part of what is standing now into a 4-sided shelter area, but the planning must start now. Someone should look into this soon. Hurricane season is here and the 6 tall cranes on the Sunseeker site are still in place. Allegiant announced they are flying and that they are not reserving empty seats for distancing or requiring masks. In times like these it’s easy to see your neighbor’s priorities. Charlotte County invested heavily in the airport expansion to accommodate Allegiant. The Charlotte County Commissioners invested millions in the new walkway under the 41 bridges to allow the Punta Gorda Harbor Walk to connect to a Sunseeker walkway and then connect to Bayshore Park. Now people are wondering what will happen if the project fails? Why does this always happen in Charlotte? With the Laishley Park development, then at Murdock Village and now at Sun-

seeker, the Charlotte Commissioners continue are attracted to unicorns, offered up by colorful circus barkers. The County forced homeowners along Bayshore to sell their homes. They rezoned and removed a number of local businesses on the site and for what? A promise? ... from a developer? In the 70’s I was working for a company that built high rise condos in Lauderhill, Iʼve been around developers before, on the other coast. The County Commissioners over there require developers to put up a Performance Bond, a legal instrument that guarantees the project is completed. If it does not, the County gets the bonded amount. It’s insurance. Usually those bonds are at least enough to clean up the mess. But in Charlotte County it appears, they just went on the developerʼs word. My thought going ahead, is that this project and Allegiant Airlines itself are toast. We’re gonna get stuck with this. It will stand as a monument to the Charlotte County Commissionerʼs stupidity... a big monument. Or, I say tear it down, put it on barges and haul it out into the Gulf. The Sunseeker Artificial Reef would make some fine fish habitat. As President of the Charlotte Harbor Reef Association I will buy the big brass plaque memorializing the combined stupidity of all those involved.

FIRE DESTROYS FISHINʼ FRANKS

On Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend, a 22 year old man, allegedly DWI, from Punta Gorda was travelling southbound on US 41 at a high rate of speed (Iʼd guess 65+mph) when he lost control of his Nissan truck, crossed thegrass in front of the Shell Station and struck the raised curb to the left side of the building. The truck then launched into the air, probably 15 feet up, gravity took over and the truck came down on the roof of Frankʼs, right over the newly built rod and reel room. The truck exploded into a huge fire. Frankʼs business is a total loss. “We looked around the next day but it was all ashes, even the cinder block crumbled,” Frank told me. Everyone is heartsick for Frank and his wife Terry, but Frank told us they are going to reopen, hopefully very close by. The fishing community is coming together to help Frank and Terry, who for years have helped everyone else. This is Good Karma in action! If you want to get in on it, go to: Rebuild Fishinʼ Franks on facebook.

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By Cameron Parson Water LIFE It's officially summer time! Fishing is already hot with tarpon, sharks, and cobia scattered about the Harbor. But summer always brings another friend...rain. And lots of it. Enough rain will allow the local spillways to start flowing over into saltwater, offering even more action within just a few minutes of the house. Once the canals start filling up, baitfish will be washed over into the saltwater side. Snook, tarpon, even bass and the occasional redfish can be caught. You can often see these fish feeding close to the wash and even see bream or tilapia trying to jump back up into the fall. Chances are there are some bigger fish lurking behind them. Most of the bait washed over will be fairly small. I like to start off with a DOA Terroreyz in black/gold flake or black/silver flake. Other good baits are the Storm 3" swimshad in either shad, mullet, or golden bunker. But be aware of the amount of snags along the bottom and bring plenty of lures with you. You'll go though a few. Topwaters will work also also. The gold or chrome Zara Super Spook Jr seems to reign supreme as far as spillway fishing goes. There are always mullet of

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all sizes around these areas. The Spook is a good bet at catching fish. Start by tossing your lure as far as you can into the turbine. Keep your line taught enough for the lure to stay off the

usually be hanging around the mouth of these pipes. Look for the flowing water and you’ll find the fish. I usually switch to a floating frog in these scenarios. If fly fishing, try a pattern resem-

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Fish Pix bottom to avoid snags. Fast presentations aren't needed as the lure will flow away from the fall, looking completely natural to the surrounding predator species. You'll know when you get popped...you’ll either see the line jump or feel a solid thump. Culvert pipes are also good places to look for fish. Most will be coming from a retention ditch and flowing into a pond. Bigger bream and bass of all sizes will

bling a glass minnow. Black/silver or brown works extremely well due resembling the bait that washes through. Popping flies will work when out and away from the wash. Heavy gear is not necessary but some places will hold some hefty fish. Medium power gear is optimal but it doesn't hurt to have a heavier rod rigged with a bigger swimbait. Tarpon of 80+ pounds can frequent some areas and a few big snook will surely be hanging around. It's right around the corner. Early morning and later in the evening will be the best bites. When you see the water flow, you'll know it's the right time to stop and wet a line. Catch some fish!

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Ronald Walsh Justin Medina Christopher Perry Dylan Schaefer Alyx Schaefer Emma Koebel Gage Lawrence Rollie Sporer Michael Ribas Logan Karol James Reardin Robert Johr Steven Johr Liam Berman Trey Setser Thomas Jurisko James Jurisko Leonardo DʼOrazio Luke DʼOrazio Anthony Rice Ethan Rice Olivia DeSimone Darlene Russo John McCullough Ryan Larson Daniel Acosta Julius Acosta Ben Koebel Ryan Beadle Shawn Boe Devin Boe Lydia Zobrist Molly Vermeulen Mitchell Vermeulen Sarah Richardson Nathan Richardson Joshua Richardson Caleb Richardson Brayden Hayes Jacob Florea Juliana Florea Gabe Setser

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CHARLOTTE HARBOR: By Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Is it just me or does it seem it’s been very windy this year? Iʼm sure we probably ask this question every year, but the winds have got to subside sooner or later. The good news is the summer fishing pattern has begun to kick in for us. Over the years I have built up a batch of clients that like chasing juvenile tarpon. All of these clients have had their time on the rod with the larger version at some point. Most people (not all) donʼt like to chase the big boys after that photo opportunity. Or maybe just donʼt have the stamina to tangle with a 100+ pound fish in the Florida heat. So targeting tarpon that are 15-30-pounds can be very exciting, especially on light tackle. You get the thrill of watching a fish leap from the water numerous times, and you’re not to tired to do it over again. Over the next few weeks we should start seeing these lil guys moving onto the local flats and bars. Tides play a big roll on where these guys are. Spending some time on the water will help you locate them. My bait of choice is what is in the area of the fish. Normally the local food source is your best option. Also artificial lures work well,

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Snook are more than OK!

I recommend matching your lure to the food source. Another big summer fishery will be our snook. This is the time of year when spawning starts to take place. Snook spend a majority of the year in brackish deep waters hiding from the cooler months. As the water warms, it’s very necessary for these fish to move into waters that have a higher salinity level. So

look for schools of snook to start moving to the open flats, several things need to happen for a successful spawn. The number one thing is a proper salinity level. The other is an area with good tidal flow, and an estuary that the fry can survive in. Today I fished clients from Texas, they understood why people fall in love with a fish today. After catching several of our most prized game fish, they was completely in love with these guys. Marty, looked at me and said my God, you have a fish that has everything an angler could ask for. A fish that hits like a freight train! A fish that jumps when itʼs hooked! A fish that tryʼs to use everything, even your power poles to break you off. He couldnʼt understand, why our state doesnʼt do more to protect this great fishery. Well buddy, I fully agree with you because I also love this fish very much. We have one of the greatest sport fish here, we need to protect our fishery. We have lost so much habitat, and grass due to poor water quality. It makes me realize, when I fish clients that catch their first snook, what we actually have to lose!

If you would like to experience some of Charlotte Harbor’s finest fishing, call or send me an email. All of our charters are private and customized to fit your needs. Capt. Dave Stephens 941-916-5769 backbayxtremes.com

JUNE 2020

FISH PIX!

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Ella Swearingen barracuda Took Ella out for her 13th birthday launching from lighthouse marina.

Nice Everglades bass Capt. Fred Gowdy

FISH PIX!

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Wendell Branham

Robert Henzler, 36-inch snook

Easton Drew. 3 years old. First snook. South Gulf Cove.

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Report from the Ponds:

ahhhh. So Close!

By Nicholas J Water LIFE Bass Addict I had some very exciting hook ups this past month, on May 3rd. Early morning I hooked my Trophy Pond Monster of the month on the Booyah Popping Frog then that same day at sunset hooked a mega bass on the Zoom horny toad. It wanted to pull me in, it was a hard fighter that had never been hooked before. I had it right at the bank edge, when I lost my footing fell back to the ground, lost the tension on the line and out popped my hook and I lost the bass. I was totally heart broken! It would of been my new personal best and the one. I hope I get a second chance to hook it again. Then May 10th, on Mothers’ Day, I hooked another trophy Mama Pond Monster Bucketmouth on the Zoom horny toad, you got to try them. Horny toads produce quality hook up's when the bite is very tuff, even when nothing else is working. Trophy bass

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can't resist them, believe me. May had it's up and downs, it's highs and lows with a lot of hits, misses and heartbreakers and I wish I could do it all over, just to have a second chance to hook the one again! May stayed pretty

consistent as the previous months, with super hot gusty swirling windy days and evenings, it was tuff to get a break from it even early in the morning - it was usually windy by first cast. The barometric pressure was still a big factor on the bass bite, continually rising and falling barely ever staying steady, that's been the pattern and I don't expect that to change much. It’s all about the weather now and there’s not much we can do now, Hurricane season officially starts June 1st., and we already had our first two tropical storms that reeked havoc here on Florida, with severe wind and rain storms. The good news was we needed the water to help with the fires and drought situations, but the sad news it messed the ponds up again, with all the run off stirring up the sediment

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making pond water clarity an issue when water levels increase quickly it messes with the fishes equilibrium and bite till they re-stabilize. My last pond therm depth reading at 40 yards out was 98-degrees at 10 feet deep, that's bass bath water lol! Now more then ever, great polarized glasses are a must. You need every advantage for sight fishing ponds from the bank ... especially when it's a tough bite already. And speaking of bank cruisers, I have started to notice male bachelor groups and rogue bull males slowly popping up along the banks and was able to hook some real nice one's by sight fishing, early morning - when it’s calm they seem more active along the banks. It wasn't a cake walk for me this past month, trying to hook up with trophy pond monsters, but I was able lure and land some real nice lunker largemouths. Even with all the tuff bite weather, 98% of the bass I hooked this past month were all on the Zoom horny toad. Nine out 10 bass would follow the bait right to the bank edge, you have to pause the bait and let them pick it up, then, once they start heading deep again set the hook. The other two percent, the strikes were out deep. As soon as you feel a nibble or tug you have to pause the bait until you feel a second tug or nibble to make sure they inhale it, then wait 3 seconds then set the hook. Besides the Zoom horny toad my bait recommendation for the month is a Sticko Worm on a weightless weedless hook set up. This works great for floating on top water or a slow dead fall along the bank edges or bouncing off the bottom in shallow water. It's fun and effective for hooking bass. June is here now and I look forward to celebrating Father's Day which is also my B-Day... a trophy Largemouth of a lifetime, that's all I want...Lol. Nicholas J.

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Who Took My Parking Spot ? On the Line By Capt. Ron Blago Water LIFE Senior Staff Being in voluntary isolation for the last two months has given me a lot of time to think about some of the problems Charlotte Co. has with their boat ramps and fishing piers. Over the years, as a member of MAC Iʼve had a hand in the building andmaintaining the Placida, Ainger Creek, Lemon Bay Sunrise Park (Bay Heights), Port Charlotte Beach, Laishley Park-South Gulf Cove , El Jobean and Spring Lake boat ramps. The MAC, over the years, has kicked in taxpayer funds for all 12 boat ramps and the 5 fishing piers in the county. They even put up money for a boat ramp that never got built ( Cattle Point Dock); Iʼm still trying to find out where that money went. I had hoped that helping to provide access to boaters and fishermen who wanted to enjoy our local waters would solve our water access problem ...... but I was wrong, it only started a whole new set of problems. What good is a boat ramp that doesn't have adequate parking space ? Anyone who has tried to launch their boat on a Sunday afternoon knows there is not enough parking spaces for those who need them. When this was brought up years ago; the countyʼs answer to the problem was to start charging parking fees to use the boat ramps, even though parking fees have never resulted in one additional space. With the recent pandemic and the large number of people losing their jobs and forced to self isolate at home; a lot of people are putting their boat in thewater for a day of sunshine and social distancing. This has put a strain on the already limited parking. Recently, a friend and I decided to get out of the house and do a little fishing and get some fresh air. I suggested we try our

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luck from the Placida Fishing pier. I had not been there for a number of years since they finished the road work around Coral Cheek bridge and the Fishery restaurant and Mericarbo facility were torn down. The first thing that caught my attention was the two port-o-johns at the beginning of the entrance to the pier. The month befor the port-o-john at the Ainger Creek

path to the water and it is now a kayak launch. I donʼt know if the kayakers cut the path themselves or the county did it for them but they took all the parking paces from the fishermen using the pier. That just doesnʼt seem right. When I got home I got on the county web site and found that the county has 19 official kayak launch sites and Placida Pier is not one of them. It got me wondering if there were more un-official launch sites around the county. Before I am accused of being antikayak let me say in my own defence that I own two kayaks and a canoe and I use them often, but I have

JUNE 2020

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Capt. Ken Mercer with Nauti Knots Charters. Boca Grande, FL

noticed the explosive growth of kayaks in our area and Iʼve noticed more and more of them on the water. It seems that more and more of them are sitting on people's docks ; you know that when Walmart is selling them it's a big thing . The problem is we donʼt know how many we have. Since kayaks, canoes and paddle boards kayakers fill up the small parking lot at placida, while trailer boaters park along the Placida Road have no motors, they are not required to be registered vessels . If you canʼt count them you canʼt tax boat ramp was removed. I was told that it them. Now is the time for the county to was part of the countyʼs pandemic protecstart tion plan. I was wondering if the county planning for the growth of this new had a different set of rules for boat ramps? boating user group. How do they get acThe next thing I noticed was that of the cess to the water and where will they park. dozen parking spaces available, they were Having them use the existing facilities all occupied. Since it was a Tuesday, I used by registered boaters and fishermen couldnʼt believe all these people were will not work for long. The county has to fishing on the pier. provide the kayakers these new facilities It turned out they werenʼt using the and have to figure out how to pay for pier. At the end of the parking in the midst them. Captronb@juno.com of the no parking signs, someone had cut a

Jim and Michelle Grady 14-foot great white... lol ;-)

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Jen Johnsky was trout fishing with the family. When she caught this surprise tarpon in Bull Bay

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• Best Pr ic es and Com plet e Fit m ent Ser vi ce

• B o a t L i f t C a p a b i l i t i e s - E n s u r e P r o p e r F i t m e n t , C o r r e c t To n g u e W e i g h t , E a s e O f L o a d i n g •

Wowza!

SHARKING: in a word... By Capt. John Brossard I have been on the water a lot these days and it seems like everyone else has the same idea too. As long as you have moving water, the sharks are biting. From tiny 6-inch sharp nose to 10 foot tigers, they are here now! Try using the appropriate tackle for what size fish you are targeting. With the water temperature at 82 to 84 degrees, chum comes out at the pace of 1 block per 2 hours. And with as fast as it melts, sharks are hanging around the back of your boat on a regular basis We had a 9-foot tiger bite just under the keel the other day on a live Crevelle Jack with only his tail cut off. On the Shark Chaser the trips have been very productive, including from 4-feett of water in the back country, to 5 to 7 miles off the Everglades and Marco Island. I went North to Lemon Bay to do a little fishing and found Black-tips and very large lemon sharks biting just before and after sunset, last month... Lots of activity after dark in that Bay. "Tip of the Day" Go fishing with different people and observe what they do. I still learn something every trip I take with other fishermen. Whether it's using coated wire or snipping the tail lobes of a live bait so it does not tangle, and also puts out signals to attract larger fish, we are always learning, even in fishing. Tight lines and go Sharking, it is good for the soul. Capt John Brossard 239-777-9279 www.SharkChaserCharters.com

• C o m p l e t e Tr a i l e r M a i n t e n a n c e a n d R e p a ir Pa r ts a n d A c c e s s o r ie s

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from Water LIFE magazine

f fr ro om m W Wa at te er r L L II F FE E m ma ag ga az z ii n ne e

Brendan Cronin

Ron Lester, baby cat6ch. went right back in!

from Water LIFE magazine

Mark Salvaggio 26 inch grouper, caught in the Gulf 12 miles out from Stump Pass

Matt and Dave

Mike Ricker

Brad and Lydia Zobrist. Cut bait

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Caroline & Uncle Dave with her first snook from Carmel, Indiana. Snook Caught in SW Florida!

Keith Booher of North Port with one of many! May 8th 2020

Creek monster catfish! Caught by Joseph Daniel

37-inch Bonnethead, free-lining shrimp, Charlotte Harbor, May, 2020. Mike Dougherty

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READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix! Weʼll use ʻem!! see page 4

Gary Reger catching Alligator Gar on the Myakka River

g live , 11,

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Ben and Elizabeth Hatfield Tarpon Englewood FL

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Mike Perkins 31 inch snook at Iona Shores today

Mike Meehan

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FISH PIX! f fr ro om m W Wa at te er r L L II F FE E m ma ag ga az z ii n ne e

26 inch slot redfish catch at Boca Grande by Michael Mitchell

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Joseph Daniel largemouth at Horse Creek

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Shout Out to all my Boys at the 10th Mountain Division!! This is what we fight for! Big Snook in SW Florida! Rangers Lead the Way!! from Water LIFE magazine

Scott Mix, Jack Crevalle, Pine Island Sound. Estero Bay tarpon 40-inches

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JUNE 2020

READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix! Weʼll use ʻem!! see page 4

Mike and Luke with a nice snook off Hobbs Point

Robert Henzler Snook

26 inch snook caught by Jim Ramsey from Indiana

34 inch fatty. Katrina Daniel's biggest so far!

FISH PIX!

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Jen Perkins caught this 26.5 inch snook at Iona Shores this morning Trey Setser age 8 caught this beautiful snook in Venice

Night Tarpon bite Boca Grande pass on the 8th Capt Johnny Riggs

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Mike with the invisible large grouper

Tyler proffitt My first snook

Todd, Michelle and Mike with a nice limit of Amber Jacks. 4ʼ-6ʼ waves and the fish were eating

Jack Harrington catch and release 34" Pine Island Sound snook with Capt. Rob Hayes

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Brendan Cronin

Crystal Hamsher landed this slot Snook in the skinny water of the Myakka

Lyndsey Hamsher landed this 8 lbs. hog while dock fishing in the river

This is Emma with a large Trigger fish outside Venice Inlet

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Everglades & 10,000 Islands - Solid Tarpon Bite By Capt. Charlie Phillips Water LIFE / Everglades City As May ends and June gets rolling, I feel like it’s a new beginning for our area. As of my writing this article, many of our restaurants are back open and allowing dining inside, hotels are renting room and most of my guide friends are starting to have the phone ring again. Don’t get me wrong, we are still way off the pace and this mess will have longlasting impacts, but its good to get back a degree of normalcy in our day to day lives. Thru all these challenges, one thing that has stayed pretty darn consistent thru it all has been a solid inshore and offshore fishing bite every time I have been out. That good fishing is not from a lack of pressure either as our waters are busy, so for me it’s a great sign of the health of our fisheries and a sign of good things to come. Starting inshore there has been a great bite on juvenile redfish this past month in many of the deeper cuts and channels on the low tide using shrimp tipped Don’s potbelly jigs in white and white and red. These jigs are a staple for my boat and a tactic we employ on most all trips, to target most all things that swim. The past several years I have seen large crops of these smaller redfish during this same time period so it’s wonderful to see the trend continue. Speckled trout action has been strong as well in these same areas if the jig gets away from the mangroves and in the flow of the channel trough. Also, some keeper size mangrove snapper have been coming to the box as well, which is always a tasty addition. On the calm outgoing tide periods, many have been focusing on a solid tar-

I caught this large mouth in Englewood at the sports complex. I caught it on a spinning lure. It was about 2lbs. photos: Capt. Joe Garcia

pon bite as fish return to and migrate past our waters. Live and artificial offerings both are fine, and the basic tactic I like to employ is a slow controlled drift working a live bait behind the boat, often on a balloon. That’s just my way and everyone has their own style. Capt. Joe Cass of Joesnook.com has been havinggreat success with the migrating tarpon on most all the trips he ran this past month. Capt. Joe is one of the best we

have in our area, so if you are looking for a great day on the water give him a call and tell him Capt. Charlie sent ya. Offshore there are still tripletail and cobia around you just must keep your eyes open to find em. Lots of big snook offshore on the piles now so don’t assume that fish you can’t get stopped was a goliath. A live or fresh cut bait in a live bottom area west of the D tower will net you some solid eaters in both the grouper and snapper category thru June as well. Ya’ll be safe out there, stay healthy and we will see you next month.

Capt. Charlie Phillips, President, Florida Guides Assn. Owner/Captain, Hope Fishing Adventures Everglades City, Florida hopefishing.com 863-517-1829

Ron Smits from Bokeelia landed this giant Tarpon in Boca Grande pass . Estimated weight over 200# . James Marko helping hold her up

PAGE

Joe with a Naples backyard Turfbuilder Tilapia on an ice fly

Dave B sea trout Charlotte Harbor w captain George

Barb F pretty sea trout Charlotte harbor w captain George

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JUNE 2020

READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix! Weʼll use ʻem!! see page 4

Rollie Sporer, Redfish

Jamie w sea trout alligator creek w captain George

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

JChris Tully South Gulf Cove. I was surprised. Not the kind of snook you catch very often

John w heavy snook Charlotte harbor w captain GeorgeJohn w heavy snook Charlotte harbor w captain George

FISH PIX!

Quinn Tardif of NC with a nice catch and release Bonita just off of Englewood

from Water LIFE magazine

Shelley H. nice trout by Pine Island

Gabriel Setser age 6 caught this keeper by the Venice inlet

Cale Yehl 10 years old large mouth bass Catch and release in pond Sandavol Developement Cape Coral. May 10th

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Estero Bay: the

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New Normal

By Capt. Joe Angius Water LIFE Estero Times are changing, but the love for everything fishing remains. Fishing chose me and unfortunately, fishing likes money, so I’m an advocate for do-it-yourself projects. Typically the most expensive part of DIY is time. Utilize this gift of time wisely and remember that maintenance matters. It’s for the safety of you and others around you. Enjoy what Southwest Florida has to offer through boating and fishing responsibly. Tarpon fishing is in full effect along the coast of Southwest Florida. Boca Grande, considered the “tarpon fishing capital of the world” has been loaded with big fish and countless anglers trying to get their fish of a lifetime. There’s no doubt that Boca is the place to land a giant, but for me it’s really not worth the

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organized chaos. In Southwest Florida there are dozens of spots that will produce the same result without having to deal with ten other boats powering down to a rolling school of fish, while casting their crabs at you. The most overlooked areas to fish are along the beaches or even in the

backwaters of our bays. It takes a truly skilled, knowledgeable, and patient guide to get their clients on the fish that are off the beaten path.

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Last month was a blessing and a curse for water enthusiasts. The blessings came in the form of quality family time, less pressure on our fisheries and waterways, and some grateful enough to continue working. Unfortunately, the curse placed a heavy burden on people that rely greatly on tourism and our fisheries. As a captain, I was ready for the tarpon season to kickoff the way that it usually does. Obviously this wasn’t the case, with cancellations and very few charters being run seemed to be the new normal. At this point more people want to get back out on the water to fish and it’s been the best I’ve seen our fishery in a long time. Southwest Florida’s economy is dependent on our tourism. Now more than ever is supporting locally vital to our community. My hope is to see a strong start and finish to tarpon season. This can have an enormous positive impact on our region. The most toxic attitude comes from what we feed our minds. From flooding our minds with social media posts and news broadcasts, the only way to keep a healthy and clear mind is to interact safely with one another and get outside. Enjoy what our area has to offer through fishing,

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boating, shelling, or bird watching. Be responsible and mindful of others as we go out in public to experience these treasures we take for granted. Captain Joe Angius 727-234-3171 speakeasyfishing@gmail.com www.speakeasyfishing.com

SCUTTLEBUTT

Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True

COVID IN OUR WATER? Researchers track high levels of COVID-19 in Florida wastewater South Florida sewage is "chockfull" of the virus. Swimming areas like Ben T. Davis Beach sometimes even have to be shut down when the local health department finds high levels of fecal bacteria.“Our wastewater is chock-full of the virus,” said Marty, who has been looking at concentrations of the virus in sewage since Miami-Dade began taking samples in March. Ever since then, scientists have been working to estimate how many people are sick based on the concentration of virus in the wastewater. Marty is increasingly worried about the potential for broken sewer lines, or even overflow during major rain events like hurricanes. The city of St. Petersburg previously struggled with multiple accidental releases of raw sewage or partially treated wastewater. Marty adds COVID-19 has no problem with saltwater and thrives in human blood, which is considered a salty environment. OOPSIE Australian authorities boarded the container ship APL England in the Port of Brisbane anchorage following an incident in heavy seas where the Singapore-flagged

vessel briefly lost propulsion and rolled violently causing approximately 40 containers to fall into the ocean southeast of Sydney. PLUG AND PLAY The Maid of the Mist

sightseeing tour at Niagara Falls has been running since the 1840s with a brief hiatus for the Civil War. Its operations have stayed essentially the same over the years except for the transition from steam to diesel.The passenger dock sits on a narrow strip of land at the base of the Niagara Gorge, just below Horseshoe Falls and about a mile and a half above a set of powerful rapids. Thereʼs no navigable waterway in or out, and no access road. Passengers arrive by elevator from a parking lot at the top of the gorge. For operational purposes, the site is isolated – so isolated that it requires its own “shipyard,” a $30 million maintenance pad complete with a 200-ton pedestal crane at the base of the

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Brendan got this nice mutton off ft Myers last weekend. sorry bud.. there was no other place left in the magazine!

Argentine black and white tegus (commonly called Argentine giant tegus) are large lizards that have established themselves as an exotic invasive species in several areas of southern Florida, and are now believed to have reached Georgia. They can grow to be four feet long and can weigh over 10 pounds. many people who encounter them often report them thinking they look like a baby alligator.

gorge. Now the Maids of the Mist boats will be electric powered. The first 5wo boats began sea trials in December and are schedulad to go into full service later this year.

OYSTERS Officer Fox was on water patrol in Withlacoochee Bay when he observed a commercial oyster vessel with two subjects on board. The vessel had multiple bags of oysters and he followed it to the Highway 40 boat ramp in Yankeetown to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed 14 bags of untagged oysters which were seized and returned to the water. The subjects were cited accordingly

STOP BEING SO LAZY, COME UP WITH SOME NEW STUFF This big RIVER SHRIMP story first appeared in the Sept 2014 issue of this magazine. Now, last month it resurfaces in the Charlotte Sunʼs Waterline magazine, Same author, same words, with a differemt photo credit. You guys are supposed to be a newspaper... start acting like one...... that is all.

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READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix! Weʼll use ʻem!! see page 4

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f r o m Wa t e r L L II F FE E m ma ag ga az z ii n ne e

Albert Sklarski ,Snook In Sanibel

Attached are picture of catches on the Jersey Devil out of Burnt Store Marina. Amberjack caught on May 3 40 miles out. Bob Mercier, Captain, Jersey Devil Steve Strodel, Deep Creek

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Teri Schmunk catches a Snook in Punta Gorda Isels.

Barb F awesome day w Captain George. Awesome snook

Capt. Bob Mercier

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John w a great snook w captain George

Wow what a lunker Big Bass Port Charlotte Lake Len Ostrowski

Nicholas Bowman Port Charlotte Niagara Waterway 4.5 pounds

Wow what a lunker Big Bass Port Charlotte Lake Len Ostrowski

Jamie F w/ beautiful snook w captain George

Steve Moll Punta Gorda

Chuck

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phogypsum Stack System [FL0000752] to facilitate the CLOSURES and LONG TERM Care activities at those separate Mosaic Sites. The CLOSED Mosaic North Phophogypsum Stack adjacent to the Mosaic Bartow Chemical Complex is permitted separately under Permit No. FLA267911. Have they got you confused yet? Thatʼs their plan. This permit includes an AUTHORIZATION for Mosaic Bartow Chemical Facility and Mosaic Bartow South Phosphogypsum Stack to receive Process wastewater from the Mosaic Plant City Facility (FL0000078), subject to the Department's review and approval of the construction and operation of a truck unloading station at an appropriate location at the Bartow Facility. This unloading station and Process water transfer is pursuant to the provisions of the order Granting Temporary Deactivation of the Phosphogypsum Stack System (Temporary Deactivation Order) for Mosaic's Plant City Facility, OGC Case No: 17-1163. This NPDES permit authorizes the continued operations at the facility associated with the management and disposal of phosphogypsum and associated wastewater, and the monitoring of authorized discharges from the Bartow Chemical Plant Facility. Non-process wastewater and stormwater from the facility discharged through Outfall D-001 to Skinned Sapling Creek, Class III Fresh Waters and thence to the North Prong of the Alafia River where Outfall D-002 discharges treated process wastewater, non-process wastewater and stormwater to an unnamed ditch that flows into segment Wetland identified by the permittee as Cedar Branch, Class III Fresh Waters, then to Wetland Six Mile Creek, which flows for appropriately 6 miles, ultimately entering the Peace River, Class III Fresh Waters, then flowing 65 miles south to one of Florida's Crown Jewels Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, FL. This permit also requires permittee to complete corrective measures associated with with REPAIRING CONCENTRATED SEEPAGE from the facility's active Phosphogypsum stack, and COMPLY with associated POST-RePAIR operation and monitoring requirements.

READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix! Weʼll use ʻem!! see page 3

27” red grouper on pin fish in 78ʼ fow by Wayne Kaleciak on 4/29/20

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DANGER! PHOSPHATE MINING

MOSAIC wants MORE

Commentary By Tim Ritchie Water LIFE / March Against Mosaic On April 28, 2020 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection filed an INTENT TO ISSUE for the Mosaic fertilizer Bartow Chemical Plant. The original application was made on June 25, 2018 to the Department of Environmental Protection for Renewal of the existing National Pollution Discharge Elimination System NPDES Permit No (FL0001589). This permit authorized the continued operation of both the Bartow Chemical Complex and the Mosaic Bartow South Phosphogypsum Stack (SGS) system to process water treatment pond and Type III extended aeration sewage treatment. I believe the complexity of the application process is designed to intentionally hide the big picture, that Mosaic is slowly polluting our clean water. The Chemical Complex produces phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and ammoniated phosphate fertilizers containing secondary nutrients and micronutrients. Electrical cogeneration also occurs in the plant. The Chemical Complex plant area and cooling ponds are located on the north side of the State Road. Phosphogypsum produced, a by product of phosphoric acid production, is disposed of by STACKING ONTO the synthetically lined Mosaic Bartow South Phophogypsum Stack (SGS) [approximately 575 acres Process water is then used to transfer the phosphogypsum byproducts (the Radioactive Toxic Pollution) to the Mosaic Bartow South posphogypsum Stack. The process water is then routed, via a pump located in the process water channel on the North-West corner of the Bartow South Phosphogypsum Stack, to the lined cooling pond area and into a below grade ditch that flows back to the chemical plant. The facility may store process water in an additional 200-acre above-ground-lined Regional Process Water Storage Pond (RPWSP) also referred to as the Regional Holding Pond (RHP), permitted under Permit No.FL0000752. additionally, Process water may be transferred to the Mosaic Bartow Chemical Plant from the Mosaic MULBERRY Phosphogypsum Stack Closure [Permit FL0334944] and the Mosaic Green Bay Phos-

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12 year old Analia reeling in her first Tarpon

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12 year old Analia with a juvenile Goliath

Photo by Tim Ritchie 2-17-2020 MOSAIC BARTOW Chemical Plant, MOSAIC BARTOW North Gypstack and MOSAIC BARTOW SOUTH GYPSTACK. MOSAIC is nothing more than a toxic chemical company that uses our clean water to produce radioactive waste... which can never be cleaned up.

The permit also includes monitoring requirements to ENSURE there are NO potential Impacts to GROUNDWATER RESOURCES. This Permit is for Renewal and Modifications. If you notice, its almost been 2 years since the permit was applied for. Why has it taken so long to ISSUE AN INTENT? Well lets start with in 2015 Mosaic Green Bay facility was a major part of the $1.8 billion dollar environmental fine, then only 6 months later Mosaic had an Environmental Disaster at the Mosaic Mulberry/New Wales 2016 Sinkhole which 215 Million gallons of Mosaic Toxic Pollution dumped into the Florida Aquifer for 19 days before Mosaic, FDEP or EPA notified the Public! Then in July 2018 Mosaic came to DeSoto County and decided they would bully them into submission to build 8 CSA's Clay Settling Areas at the end of King's HWY, in-between SR 70 & SR 72 and HWY 17 in Desoto County, so they can truck more Mosaic Toxic Pollution back and forth from other county's into Desoto County...

problem is, that location will be right next to Charlotte County and the Peace River which provides Charlotte, Desoto, and Sarasota County's residents drinking and bathing water. I, and a group of 16 citizens from Charlotte, Desoto, Sarasota and Manatee County's, filed a Petition for an Administrative Hearing and on May 19, 2020 we were informed it was DISMISSED, without prejudice, which means we have 15 days to file an Amended Petition which we are doing. This is the most important Water Issue in the entire State of Florida. Mosaic Fertilizer L.L.C. Phosphate Mining and Chemical Plant Facilities are destroying the Peace, Myakka, Alafia, Manatee and Little Manatee Rivers, all the creek's stream's, fish, wildlife. This NPDES Permit should not ever be renewed because of Mosaic Fertilizers constant abuse of the State of Florida's Environment and the dollar amount of Environmental Fines are in the $ Billions, not millions but BILLION'S!.

Joni-Kaye Luckey Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Boca Grande

Harbor Health

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By Capt. Alan Williams Water LIFE Upper Harbor Since the pandemic nightmare has become a new part of our lives, whether we like it or not, changes have come about. One of the main things affecting our harbor and waterways is the amount of people on the water. I completely understand the reasons: Itʼs healthy for our bodies and minds. But ever since the uptic in boat traffic, Iʼve noticed more and more trash floating in our waters. Iʼm on the water almost every day and I’m picking up floating and mangrove locked trash on every trip. Iʼm not trying to sound like an environmental hero, but Iʼve come to the conclusion there are two types of people on this planet… those that give a crap and those that donʼt. I didnʼt grow up on the Harbor and have only lived here for four years, having moved here from the Southeast Coast (Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale), where I resided for over 40 years. In the time Iʼve spent on the waters here, Iʼve seen the quality of the Harbor and river go down every year. I canʼt imagine the difference of twenty to thirty years in terms of healthy grass, oysters, mussels, scallops, clams and other filter feeders that have been decimated. After the last hurricane, it stirred up the bottom of so many areas that it brought on a domino affect of change. One can only imagine what is in the muck on the bottom of our rivers and harbor. I understand no testing has ever been done

Reid Locke 7 lb large mouth from a pond

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on this muck, probably because the “powers to be” donʼt want to open up that can of worms. Algae has taken over whatever grass fields we had. Itʼs like a Corona Virus for the Harbor. It seems as if every bit of grass has algae trying to smother every blade of turtle grass. On a positive note, I

Charloittre Harbor still boasts quality fish today, like the snook and the cobia shown here, but more trash on the surface,excess algae, and too many nutrients coming in are cause for long term concern.

have seen new grass coming up in previously baron areas, so there is hope. We also have a filamentous algae that covers many areas of the upper harbor and rivers. I had hopes that the colder water temps of winter would of knocked it back,

and to a degree it did, but not enough. The uptick in algae growth is caused by primarily one thing: humans and overpopulation. Okay thatʼs technically two things, but itʼs one in the same. One thing I have noticed in my winter travels is the lush green lawns in the canal neighborhoods. It irritates me to see lawn

crews and homeowners blowing all the nutrient laced debris in the water, all in the name of a pretty yard. STOP IT! The bottom line is that we are all in this together. If you love our waterways, and are reading this publication, then you do. We all have to take care of our harbor and rivers. Think about what happens when you

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fertilize your lawn to make it look perfect. To me, an unnaturally green lawn is far from perfect. I know what it means. My home waters before I made Charlotte Harbor my home was Everglades National Park. I witnessed first hand what manʼs interference did to the lush waters of Florida Bay and the Bights of Flamingo. The waters got out of balance and the high salinity levels destroyed the lush grass fields that made sight casting to tailing reds and snook a thing of the past. Once the downward spiral starts, it’s a short trip to murky water and no grass. The same is happening to the fertile waters of Biscayne Bay in Miami. They now have10-percent of the grass that they had a few years ago. The bottom line for a healthy estuary is balance. Nature plays a big part of this equation. We are the other part of the problem as well as the solution. I donʼt mean to sound all “doom and gloom” because we still have a tremendous world class fishery. Unfortunately, we are at a tipping point of either saving our waters or tipping the scales of just remembering the “good ole days”. I believe the closures of snook, red, and trout have definitely helped boost the numbers of our fish, but if our waters cannot support a healthy ecosystem from the smallest to the largest, we are all in trouble. Itʼs all up to us, every one of us. We can do it! See you one water. PS: The snook bite is on fire! Capt. Alan Williams 954 -347-5275

Kerry with a 40” Barracuda out of Stump Pass Gary swearingen barracuda and grouper

Laci Hamsher landed this beauty in the back waters of the Myakka River.

Jodee Armstrong Charlotte Harbor

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Sam Giroux with a Key west grunt and a monster snook

JUNE 2020

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Fish with one of our Guides

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The BIG-4

TARPON The Silver King has arrived. Pass & Harbor

BackBay Xtremes Capt Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com

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Fish you can expect in

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June

SHARKS Lots of hungry SNOOK Are on fire. Nice roaming around. Big & Little fish near the coast

JACK CREVALLE Marrauding wolfpacks of jacks are around

June – Predictions and Suggestions

Peace River Charlotte Harbor Frank at Fishin’ Franks 941-625-3888

If you want to help Fishin’ Frank reopen after the fire, go to the Rebuild Fishin’ Franks page on facebook Lemon Bay, Placida, Gasparilla Sound Capt. Kaelin Olayer Flyin’ Hawaiian Fishing Charters 941-716-1425 June is the month a lot of offshore anglers look forward to- the start of American red snapper season. Federally permitted for hire charter boats are allowed to keep red snapper beginning on June 1st, and recreational season opens up June 11th. Gag grouper open up June 1st as well. To be successful in catching a few of those tasty creatures, be ready to make some long runs! Depths of 125 ft. and even deeper seem to be the ticket for red snapper. When targeting red snapper, be sure to bring a variety of bait such as squid, sardines, pinfish, sand perch and maybe a few threadfin or Spanish sardines. Be sure to also keep a free lined bait out the back of your boat for a shot at a blackfin tuna or wahoo when fishing at those depths. If making a long run is not your thing, the wrecks from 5-30 miles offshore have been full of action! The barracuda are schooled up and happy, they have been biting cuda tubes and live bait. Am-

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Nearshore water temps are low to mid 80s Most fish are feeding

berjacks have been loaded on the wrecks and have been chewing the live blue runners pretty well. We have been seeing a lot of mangrove and yellowtail snapper on the deeper wrecks. The closer to shore wrecks have had a few permit on them as well. Sharks and goliath grouper are loaded on just about every piece of structure in the Gulf right now, so itʼs a race to get your fish passed the predators. Inshore fishing remains consistent. The snook are starting to get a little more schooled up, and some are even moving out to the beaches. Bull Bay to the outside bars around Boca Grande have been popular spots for snook. Redfish have been roaming around the same areas. Some fish are starting to school up and roam around the outside bars around Cayo Pelau to Turtle Bay. Some nice scattered redfish and snook are along the mangroves around Bull Bay and Turtle Bay to the West Wall. Tarpon fishing is red hot right now! There are lots of fish inside Boca Grande Pass and they are hungry! Plenty of tarpon are scattered along the beaches from Captiva Pass to the Venice Jetty as well. Live small pass crabs have been the preferred bait of choice for the silver King. Capt. Kaelin Olayer Flyinʼ Hawaiian Fishing Charters Captkaefishing.com & FH Offshore Charters Fhoffshorecharters.com Cell: 941-716-1425

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Burnt Store in the day and my name is Jay

95˚ 90˚ 85˚ 80˚

75˚ 72˚ 70˚ 68˚ 50˚ 45˚

FISHING RIGHT NOW:

DEPENDS ON FRONTAL PASSAGE Englewood Bait House

Head-Boat Offshore Fishing 941- 475-4511

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