Water LIFE March 2021

Water

LI FE

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

The Charlotte Harbor Reef Association

March 2021

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Colleen with another Trout. Gasparilla Island

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Angler is Jason Thompson Fish is a black grouper Weight is 80-pounds

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February the Slim Jim is back from the dead sporting a nice sw fl red grouper

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Caught by Tim Koth from Wisconsin at Iona shores 27 inch snook This is his best snook yet !!!

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MARCH 2021

MARCH 2021

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The (t)Ides of March Capt. Alan Williams Water LIFE, Upper Harbor In like a lion, out like a lamb. The coming of March made me think about the upcoming and guaranteed winds that will accompany it.

Weather patterns also got me thinking about the word patterns. The term, in relation to fishing, was supposedly coined by bass legend Roland Martin many years ago, in relation to finding a repeatable pattern to locating and catching more fish. It holds true whether your targeting freshwater or saltwater fish.

The idiom “It's not where you fish, but when" denotes a pattern of tidal influences, knowing that the first hour of an incoming or outgoing tide can be your best bet for locating feeding fish.

I use the analogy that fish are like factory workers, at slack tide they blow the whistle and relax, read the paper, smoke a cigar, take a nap, you get the point.

As the tide turns and starts moving, the whistle blows again and they get back to work. A pretty much guaranteed pattern.

Your job as a fisherman is to be in the right spot at the right time to capitalize on this pattern.

Weather, moon phases, wind direction, barometric pressure are all dependable tools to understand when trying to pattern your favorite species.

Trout comes to mind. When trying to

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pattern them, if you're catching them in 5- to 6-feet of water, make the most of it by not spending your time in 2feet or 10-feet of water. Although a quick look in these depths will usually solidify the depth you found them in, in the first place. The goal with patterns is to maximize your time on the water. This is especially important to guides who have to produce results in the shortest amount of time when the clock is always ticking.

Nature patterns are predictable too.

Seeing birds sitting high in the trees or diving on baits can tell you what to expect from that area. The time of year can also tell you what to expect from a particular species such as redfish and tarpon. Red October is a good hint of when to focus on their movements.

Spring is the kick off time for tarpon showing up in the passes and along the beach. A pattern within a pattern is know-

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ing the best time to target these fish.

The outgoing hill tides wash the pass crabs out of the rivers and Harbor right into the mouths of these hungry fish.

The bottom line is to be observant of the clues and facts nature gives us. Understanding and trying to repeat patterns can make or break your day.

On another note, the fishing has been good overall. Sheepshead are still in the cross hairs of the hungry fishermen right now. The peak of their spawning ritual should be happening this month. As with

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any open species, only take what you need for a meal. A limit is not always necessary so be responsible with your dinner plans.

Enjoy your time on the water and make it productive. Take a kid fishing when you can. Pass it on. See you on the water.

Capt. Alan Williams 954 -347-5275 awilli9412@aol.com

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Water LIFE inc. waterlife@comcast.net www.WaterlifeMagazine.com Ellen Heller Publisher Michael Heller Editor

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Sunseeker Resort... No-Progress Report COMMENTARY BY MICHAEL HELLER

If you have been watching the project site you would have seen some activity this past month. There is one area of the center building, the parking lot, that has had some metal studs and air conditioning ducting installed looks like an office. There is another area on the building closest to the bridge where some materials have been delivered to the second floor and they are patching concrete here and there. I am guessing these are contracts that were already let out and material that had been ordered, so the contractor went in to do his work. That’s one possibility. Another posibility is that the building permit is coming up on one year of inactivity and having just the barest minimum amount of work going on might be enough keep the permit alive. Selling this project with a live building permit might make a sale go easier too. I have to guess because the County will not tell me anything.

Good day Mr Heller, Since construction has ceased at Sunseekers project the thing that bothers me the most is the giant cranes that loom over the project and rte 41.

Shouldn't they be removed/ lowered for safety reasons ie storm or other catastrophes.

Can't you picture one of them falling on rte 41 and then hearing,that's never happened before.Then there's simply for aesthetic reasons.

Thank you for keeping us updated on the "PROJECT " John Quimby

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No More Plastic In the Ocean MARCH 2021

Commentary By Michael Heller Water LIFE editor Fish like structure - it gives therm a place to hide and ambush prey. Structure also attracts smaller fish and crabs and if the structure is of the right making, barnacles, oysters and other small creatures will grow on it, all of which contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

It was with that idea in mind that 25 years ago a group of men, most of them involved with the local CCA chapter (which was a robust organization in those days), came up with the idea of putting concrete reef balls under the docks in Punta Gorda Isles. That was the impetus for the founding of the Charlotte Harbor Reef Association, of which I am President today.

In time, the Reef Association placed almost 100 reef balls under docks in PGI and after 15 years on the Reef Association board, my curiosity asked: how are those reef balls doing? So I put on my mask and sneakers and waded under some docks.

It didn’t take long to figure out that the reef balls had sunk deep into the black oozing muck which makes up the bottom of the waterways. Our reef project was a noble effort, but I believe it was a failure.

Seeing the need for habitat and structure 25 years ago was not a unique vision. Around the time the Reef Association was founded, David Wolf was studying marine organisms in college and experimenting with artificial structures for underwater habitat.

In conversation last month, Mr. Wolf told me he went on to make money in real estate and then retired to go back to his college interest of underwater habitat. In 2014

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Ocean Habitatsʼ Artificial Mini Reef

he started the Ocean Habitat company. Since then he says he has sold or installed “5000 (mini reef) units.” Unlike our own concrete reef balls, Mr. Wolf’s structures are made of plastic and unlike reef balls that sat on the bottom, Mr. Wolf’s ‘reefs’ float under a dock.

Mr. Wolf told me he uses a special closed-cell foam for flotation and that the corrugated cardboard looking ‘decks’ are actually a special virgin polypropylene plastic that is chemically inert. The corrugated layers allow little sticky-footed marine organisms to “get a better foothold,” he told me, adding that it is the same material used to wrap dock pilings. “Barnacles and oysters have no problem adhering to it,” he said.

According to Wolf, the oldest habitat he has installed is “24 or 27 years old,” at Marco Island. “The poly

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propylene holds up to UV and has a 500-year life span. It takes 60- to 70-years for it to begin to shed,” he said.

Mr. Wolf also told me he had talked to the Army Corps of Engineers and they told him since it’s not on the bottom he didn’t need one of their permits. “The DEP told me we didn’t need their approval either, because it is not permanently attached,” he said.

The rope he uses to hold his mini reefs together is a special marine type sourced from a Commercial Fishing supplier. The attachment is now a stainless steel cable.

His website says the reefs sell anywhere from $237 up to $687. Individual sections can be hooked together to make bigger reefs. The reefs hold organisms that filter the water, and “every little bit helps,” Mr. Wolf said.

But I’m skeptical. In spite of Mr. Wolf’s apparent dedication to quality materials, I just can’t imagine anything plastic floating underneath my dock, tied to one of my dock pilings with a stainless cable... And having it survive. And it certainly isn’t coming out easily ahead of a storm. I’ve watched the water in my canal. It is violent at times. I’ve seen concrete docks destroyed. How does a stainless steel cable not shred plastic? It’s like the game rock-paper-scissors! But it’s not a game, it’s the ocean and although there may be places these reefs will survive longer, longer is not long enough. Stuff happens.

In my way of thinking, no matter how high quality it is, this is simply more plastic going in the ocean. Just because polypropylene lasts 500 years doesn’t mean it will be in one piece in 500 years. The fact that plastic breaks down slowly doesn’t mean it won’t break up – how long does the closed cell foam last? Fish will eat all the pieces of all of it. It just seems like a bad idea to me.

I think David Wolf is sincere in his desire to help the environment, but I think these plastic reefs are not the solution; in fact, in time, I think they could turn out to be part of the much bigger problem; plastic in the ocean.

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Has Spring Sprung?

By Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Has spring sprung?,.. or did we have a false positive? Well here in the land of sunshine it is often hard to tell. Over the past few weeks it may reach sun tan weather and then turn to sweatshirt

weather. If you think you have a hard time figuring out your attire for the day, imagine being scaly and wet!

March, for the most part in Southwest Florida, means the we’ve seen the

last of the cold fronts pushing from the north, however I’m sure Mother Nature will sneak one or two more in.

For the last couple months one of Charlotte Harbor’s most sought after game fish has been laying low. Snook is a tropical fish that during the winter

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months get lethargic and doesn’t feed very often. However when spring sets into South West Florida, these guys awaken from a hibernation slumber and begin to feed heavy to regain lost weight. During the cooler winter months we still can target these tropical fish, often catching the smaller guys.

Larger snook, however, are much harder to target during the cooler months and have small feeding windows. But as the water temperatures continue to rise and stay above 70, the larger fish come out and play and they will begin to feed more frequently.

Locating these bigger fish can be tough this time of year. Often areas that held fish the year before will not hold fish the next. I believe this is due to loss of natural habitat and food sources.

During the cooler months large snook feed on slow moving food. One of the food sources that large slumbering fish feed on is crabs but over the past years this is a food source that has taken a tremendous hit.

Another food source is mullet!

Charlotte Harbor was once renowned for its mullet fishery. Without a doubt, the most overlooked fish that inhabits our fishery is mullet. I know it’s hard to believe, but our fishing community was built on these non-biting fish. It is important to understand that our fishery is dependent on these fish. The larger population of mullet that inhabit our waters is an indication of a healthy ecosystem.

But over the past years our grass flats have taken a major hit and this has caused a trickle down effect. Our whole estuary revolves around the natural grass that grows in our Harbor.

MARCH 2021

If you have spent time fishing the past few months I’m sure you have noticed the algae that is floating in the Harbor. This is a unnatural algae that is due to too much nitrogen. This algae is

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Maria Lee 7lb 24 inch Bass( Cape Coral canal)1/29/21

Jeff from Minnesota cashing in on some good fishing here in South West Florida 18”+ Sheep w/Capt Pauly J

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blanketing our natural grass flats that our fishery is very dependent on. If you love this Harbor, and especially those goofy fish you see jumping while your out enjoying a sunset cruise, please keep in mind the future of our estuary and keep in mind how fragile of an ecosystem we have.

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 www.backbayxtremes.com

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AJ Lepere snook Boca Grande

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Tarpon Showing - Bulls and Hammers Follow

By Capt. John Brossard Water LIFE Sharks We had some cold weather last month which contributed to some really cool water temperatures. At one time the water was 64-degrees in the Everglades. Not very often does that happen.

But now with the water warming up to the 70s and 80s, it brings a lot of sharks back to the area.

Pretty much all the local species are back this time of the year, so it’s a great month to catch a variety and a quantity of sharks.

Fishing the back water at high tide and the outside and nearshore wrecks on the low tide seems to be the trick for me.

Some of the by-catch has been large tarpon and goliath grouper. They are fun to catch as well.

The red tide that was here part of February is all gone in the Naples and Everglades area.

Tarpon are starting to show up in the mud hole off Goodland, therefore the Bulls and Hammerheads are following along.

It is always good to shark fish where tarpon are located.

Boca Grande is another good area in the Pass when the tarpon show up.

Capt John Brossard - 239-777-9279 • www.SharkChaserCharters.com

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Carter Gorski with a really nice canal Crevalle Jack and grandpa with 4-year old Conner and grandpaʼs first Sheepshead

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Young Archer Allen having a nice day on the water in Tarpon Bay with Capt. Paul

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Mike Lambert, Alton NH Left

Kevin Gassman, Derry NH Right

Working the Canals

By Cameron Parson Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor

Last month I touched on spring time fishing...quite a bit. We have a variety of species that migrate through, so there are multiple shots at multiple species most every day, inshore and offshore. Most of the fishing is done either on the flats, in the Pass, or in the open Harbor around bait schools. And it's often breezy, making some situations difficult.

But, the local canals take on a bite of their

own, with snook, snapper, jacks, and tarpon cruising around.

Canals offer cover from the Gulf breeze. They also offer some great fishing along the deep bushes, docks and sea-

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Capt. JoGene Holaway sharing one of the better largemouth black bass caught on his custom colored BASS Addiction GEAR, Fatso Stick and released

walls.

Docks and bushes offer the fish some shade in the heat of the day. Flowing water is like AC to a fish. The most common culprits are snapper and snook, but it's nothing unusual to run into jacks, tarpon, grouper, and black drum.

Working the canals may seem tedious, but the payout can be well worth it. Even if the fish lack in quality, they often make up for it in numbers. And there's always that chance you'll hook a good fish... Very possibly on the next cast. Keep your trolling motor steady and keep grinding.

Artificials like D.O.A. shrimp and jerkbaits can be skipped under docks and bushes. You'll know if there's a fish home pretty quick when you start your retrieve.

But, work the lure all the way to the boat.

That snook may not be home, but it's pretty common to have a decent jack blitz the lure right as it's pulled out for another cast.

If you're not into throwing lures, live bait is the option. Shrimp will catch the snapper and maybe a drum. Pinfish and whitebait are the better baits to toss under docks and against walls. Using whitebait and pinfish seems to weed out the smaller snapper, allowing the opportunity to put a few better fish in the cooler.

Utilize live chumming in areas you're seeing fish such as tarpon roll, but not necessarily feeding. They'll turn on to the live bait pretty quickly for an easy meal.

Bait that escape the tarpon usually end up being eaten by snapper and snook under the docks. Jacks won't be very far behind, eager to chase and eat a live bait at will.

Freeline your bait or use a float as an indicator. They'll usually eat either way.

Catch some fish!

Cameron Parson can sometimes be found at Rio Villa Bait & Tackle in Punta Gorda (941) 639-7166

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Susan Stanich. My first Sheepshead!

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Ron Roker holding one of his best Big O largemouth bass. Caught on a custom colored Bruiser jerk bait and released.

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Caught surf fishing in January 2021 at Boca Grande Troy Ferrill, Englewood

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Captain Doug Padgett, 34 1/2-inches 15-pounds redfish, East Wall, 2/13/21

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Dan Graham with 1st tripletail

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Mike, Dan and Eldon with our red groupers caught in the Gulf of Mexico.

Photo taken by Cap. Larry

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4-1/2-pound red for Earl Horecky, at sunset.

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Cameron Petroff, Punta Gorda snook on live shrimp

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Ron Smits from Green Bay Wisconsin caught and released this Juvenile Goliath Grouper in 90 FOW west of Boca Pass

Amberjacks,Gary Quillen caught and released in the Gulf on Reel Funs Charter

Corey & Rachel Zumstein catching at Marco Island

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22-inch snook at Iona shores Jen Perkins

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Nice lunker w Captain George. 38 in snook

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Robbie Wilson caught a Jack Crevalles off his dock in Punta Gorda. First fish caught since moving from Virginia last October.

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Amy Neri- Largemouth Bass- Lake Panasoffkee

Ben catching a nurse shark

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Danny catching snapper with a hand line

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Joe Sheaffer with a nice Placida Pier Snook 2/17

Ed asks; Please pick one publication, Joe

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Sean from PA. getting his snook on with Capt. George

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Ed Kimmet from Indian caught this black drum his dock in Port Charlotte

Big Al with a nice snook caught in Englewood on a live pinfish.

Joey with a snapper

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Ben & Morgan with Goliath Grouper. Released.

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Beauchamp doing his thing

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Nicholas J. with a lucky Feb.13th 21-inch, Bank Battleground Bass

Jorge Garcia, 23-inch sheepshead, Boca Grande

Capt T

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Mike Perkins 24-inch snook Iona shores

Rhenda from Rotonda West caught and released this 23-inch grouper near the Boca Grande fishing pier. If only it were in season!

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Mike sheepshead, Charlotte Harbor

My first time fishing.

Colleen Joerndt of Port Charlotte. Spanish Mackerel at Anna Marie Pier

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Mike and crew Charlotte Harbor

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Erick, tripletail

Tom with a nice Charlotte Harbor snook

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Steve caught some winter time snook

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Grouper caught fishing with Capt. Joe Miller

Lily Rogers visiting Punta Gorda.

The largest of 5 snook

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Louise and Brian from Englewood.

Her biggest red grouper ever!

24-inch Gafftopsail Catfish caught in Englewood ICW canal behind the house! Caught by James Guimond

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Hank with his first Jack Crevalle caught off the dock in PGI

Steve with a 29-inch snook catch and release on the Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda pier

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MARCH 2021

Joey Nuenfeldt, Eau Claire WI Jack Crevalle caught near Venice

Laura Pierce, Eau Claire WI Jack Crevalle— Her first saltwater fish!

Brian “the fish slayer “ Allen caught and released this sea trout under the Goodland bridge.

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Andy and Jan Murray.

Crevalle Jacks. PGI canals

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Henry Hunkele caught these 2 nice bass on a green hot-n-tot in a pond at Miramar lakes

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Bart Besaw from Green Bay Wisconsin with a dandy triple tail, caught off a crab pot with shrimp. West of Boca Pass

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Bryan grouper's in the Gulf

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Sheepshead, & flounder Stump Pass ( I let 16 go back!)

Ron Hatt, Rotonda

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Spring Fling is Happening!

By Capt. Joe Angius Water LIFE Estero Now is the time where optimal weather and amazing fishing come together to make for one of the best months on the water. Yes, the month of March has a bad rap of being considered “the windy month,” but while this claim may still hold true this year, it won’t stop the fish from being hungry.

With the way fishing has been this past month, I have high expectations for the weeks ahead. Sheepshead, redfish, snook, trout, tripletail, and kingfish are just a few examples of what can be caught right now. Great water quality and an abundance of baitfish is what will make the month of March an unforgettable fishing experience.

One fish species I don’t normally discuss this time of the year is tarpon. Typically the residential fish move way up into the canals and creeks or completely migrate their way down south. There are a few areas that I can go to and try to catch one, but it makes for a long day of hunting down only one fish.

But on one of my most recent trips I fished a backwater mangrove ledge and came across a school of juvenile tarpon.

We ended up jumping two and landing one, but there were at least 15 to 20 fish rolling. This tells me that we didn’t have the cold weather here long and strong enough to push them very far away.

Water temperatures in the back bay have been 75 degrees on average. Not only do tarpon enjoy these warmer water temperatures but snook, redfish, and trout do too. It’s also making the fish feed more and not be so lethargic.

Shrimp and cut bait have been working wonders catching all different species, but it’s the chumming and use of live pilchards

By Bobby Vitalas Water LIFE Pier Fishing This pompano was caught at Tom Adams Bridge Pier in Englewood. You can catch pompano in the morning or afternoon hours. The legal length to keep the pompano is 11-inches or more, measured from the fork of the tail. And this pompano was caught from low to high tide. Pompano are also a good eating fish.

One of the ways to catch these pompano is to use pompano jigs. A good brand pompano jig to get is the Eupro or the Silly Willy. Many pompano jigs come in many different colors and weights, and, if you like, you can make your own pompano jigs too – I make my jigs.

The color I am using is a yellow and white jig with a pink fly (teaser) and weight which is 1/2-ounce. When fishing for pompano, you can also use live shrimp.

Shrimp can be used to catch many different species of fish. In addition to my pompano, I also caught this sheepshead too at this pier.

This sheepshead also was caught from low to high tide.

And, the legal length to keep the sheepshead is from 12-inches or more.

The spot to fish for sheepshead on this pier is under the pier around the pilings,

that produces a consistent bite.

In March when the back bay bite is slow and the weather permits, fishing our local reefs is the next best bet. Fishing the reefs is also a great way to load up the cooler with fish to bring home for dinner.

When I’m fishing a few miles out into the Gulf I’ll have several different rigs setup so I’m ready for anything.

There’s one rig that I’ll always have

Winter Staples

tied on: a knocker rig. It’s simple and catches most anything off of the wrecks.

From my braided line I’ll have a small but strong swivel. Attached to the swivel is a long piece of thirty to forty pound leader.

Before I tie on my 2/0 Owner hook I’ll slip a 1/4oz or 1/2oz egg sinker on. This setup catches sheepshead, snapper, small grouper, and many more species!

Don’t miss out on the countless opportunities Southwest Florida has to offer

or, cast out to the pilings at the end of the pier. A good bait to use to catch sheepshead is live shrimp or live fiddler crabs. When putting the shrimp or fiddler crabs on the hook – the hook size I use is

through fishing. Be sure to keep current on the rules and regulations. It’s our responsibility to obey these rules to ensure a healthy fishery for our future generations to come. Remember to support local businesses and fishing guides by getting out and “do” Florida.

Captain Joe Angius 727-234-3171 speakeasyfishing@gmail.com speakeasyfishing.com

a 2/0- to 3/0-circle hooks. And, when using these baits, try using the lightest egg sinker weight as you can. When fishing at this pier, for my main line, the minimum is nothing less than 10pound test braided line. When fishing with lures or bait, the leader line I am using is Sufix 25-pound test 100 percent fluorocarbon line which is nearly invisible in the water. So, have a great time fishing!

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Ron and Rachel Smits from Green Bay Wi. Did well on Permit in 40 fow west of Captiva Pass on live shrimp.

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MARCH 2021

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Brittany Cortes snook and redfishes from the Pine Island Sound

Hans Buehler Oconomowoc Wisconsin snook catch and release Peace River, largemouth bass and a tilapia from a Port Charlotte pond, and some red snapper fishing with Capt. Kaelin out of Stump Pass into the Gulf.

MARCH 2021

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SCUTTLEBUTT

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Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True

Alligators “icing” or “snorkeling,” helps the alligators breathe. photos, last month from Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Who knew there were gators in Oklahoma?

NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS In Charlotte County, the County with so many old people, the Charlotte County Commissioners and the Punta Gorda City Council all had a chance for COVID vaccine shots in January, way before anyone else.

Some took advantage of the offer.

Shame!

PATTERNS AND TOOL USE Killer whales have been observed using their large size and speed to create waves that knock seals off ice floes and into the water. Humpback whales use a technique called "bubble net feeding" to corral plankton and small fish near the surface of the water where they can easily catch them in one gulp. Bottlenose dolphins use a similar technique called "mud-ring feeding," where they stir up a plume of mud with their tail causing fish to jump out of the water into the mouths of waiting dolphins. But the coolest case of tool use involves about 5-percent of the population of bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia. These dolphins tear basket sponges from the seabed and wear them over their beaks for protection while foraging along the rough areas of seafloor.

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Ashley Mills (left). Her biggest fish ever. From Wichita Kansas mackerel Matlacha bridge and Bart Steele from Wichita Kansas, 36 inch cobia at Matlacha bridge

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Carol with a nice Estero Bay black drum with Capt Fred Gowdy

Don and friend from West Virginia with a nice river jack in Estero bay with Capt Fred Gowdy

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Cameron Smith stump pass

Big Jack caught off the dock in PGI by Mark Simone

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Redfish caught with Capt.

Fred Gowdy

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Elijah with a fat bass

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Regatta Sailing

MARCH 2021

2.4mR EDGE Midwinters CanAm #3

Water LIFE

photos and text By Fran Burstein

The third of five CanAM (Canadian/American) Regattas took place on Charlotte Harbor February 20 and 21. The 2.4-meter boats may be small, but they are tough and are able to handle winds reaching 25kts and the sailors in this weekend regatta got Sailors sit low in the Edge boats plenty of wind to test their skills.

Seven boats raced both days. Bruce Millar and Tony Pocklington dominated the racing finishing 1st and 2nd respectively for three of the four races and then reversed their positions for the fourth race.

Sunday dawned with strong North winds and racing was postponed until 11:00 am when the rising tide brought in enough water for the boats to get out. Winds were gusting to at least 19 kts and the sailors were in their element and loving it.

Two races were completed with Millar and Pocklington holding onto the first and second positions.

Scores after six completed races: First - Bruce Millar, Second -Tony Pocklington, Third - John Seepe.

H2O - A fleet of eleven H20 boats and crew began the first of four scheduled races in moderate wind Saturday, February 6. As the day went on, the wind picked up and the intensity of the racing increased. I was on the anchored Signal Boat taking pictures, and from my perch, my experience was different from that of the sailors. I asked Christie Van Heek if she would comment about her experience that day racing her boat, Flying Cloud? She reported, “The first three races had moderate winds of around 10 knots, perfect for racing. It died on the fourth race downwind before turning right and came honking out of the northwest at close to 15 knots, the maximum racing wind for the Harbor 20. It made for an exciting race as adjustments had to be made quickly to the cunninghams, boom vangs, back stays and sails to keep the boats from excessive heeling. All boats finished within the time limit and the scores were relatively close.”

The Harbor 20 is a relatively new boat on Charlotte Harbor and the size of the fleet has grown quickly to 18 within the last couple of years. Christie said that there are some very experienced sailors and others who are just learning, and while there is competition on the racecourse, there is also a lot of camaraderie among the sailors.

Overall standings with four races scored: First- Jeff Scholz, Second-Bernie Coyne, Third- Bob Knowles

March - Sailboat Racing March 13,14,27,28. H20 RacingMarch 20- The Leukemia Cub Regatta. For more info: Islesyc.com/On_The_Water/Iyc_Sail_Club March 14 and 28 Punta Gorda Sailing Club Racing-.

March 5-7.The Conquistador Cup Regatta - For more info: PGSCweb.com/racing.htm March 1,8,15,22,29 Platinum Point Yacht Club Racing-. For more info: www.ppycbsm.org or 941-639-0733.

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Isabel Metzger caught this 30-inch red in Charlotte Harbor

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Brady Metzger pulled this 22-inch snook from under the neighbors dock.

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Drew Metzger caught this Crevalle Jack in Charlotte Harbor

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Todd Metzger caught this 28- inch Crevalle Jack.

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Red Tide: Misinformation and Half-Truths MARCH 2021

On the Line Opinion By Capt. Ron Blago Water LIFE Senior Staff It’s been a slow month as far as Red Tide is concerned. No Red Tide has been found north of Ft. Myers, with only a few small patches of Red Tide found in the Naples area. Still, local media were showing stories of the potential harmful effects of Red Tide. The only news of significance was the announcement that the Rosknap Institute of Sarasota will be testing some people on Pine Island in order to determine the long term impact of Red Tide has on our bodies. They just received a grant of $400,000 from the National Institute of Environment Health Sciences to study the problem.

It amazes me how much money the government has thrown at the “Red Tide Problem,” especially in the last 10 years with very little to show for it. There seems to be progress on answering the big questions like; how and where Red Tide starts and how can it be stopped or at least can we mitigate the damages, but all the research seems to be going into finding scapegoats to blame and investigating problems we have no hope of solving.

Even if you find Red Tide causes brain cancer, what are you going to do

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the River of Grass in a hope that grass would filter out the nutrients; they even started to build a massive reservoir to hold excess water and give the nutrients a chance to filter out. It seems to be the

about it; maybe evacuate every person who lives within 25 miles of the beach?

That’s never going to happen.

The harmful algae problem has had a lot of publicity the last three years mostly in the areas south of Ft. Myers.

It was noticed that large areas of blue-green algae began showing up in Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. The Boca Grande Pass was beautiful last month general opinion was fertilizer used in the farming area was kick the can down the road game, just getting in the water and causing a high moving the nutrients from one place to level of nutrients that would feed the blue another. green algae. When the water was high in Now everyone has someone they want the rainy season, they would open the to blame for the problem. The farmers in floodgates and let the algae and nutrients the agricultural zone take a lot of the run down the Caloosahatchee River down blame but let’s face it; they have been to the Gulf of Mexico. This just spread growing sugar cane there for over a 100 the blue - green algae down the river years and are under strict government leaving a green, smelly mass of goo. control of their water discharges. Or we To try to remedy the situation they can blame the phosphate miners at MOtried to get more water to flow south into SAIC, or the waterfront homeowners for

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using septic tanks and fertilizing their lawns. Everyone has to share the blame, even your friendly government and here is a new piece of the puzzle: With the high levels of nutrients comes an explosion of water plants like water hyacinth and water lettuce which block boat channels. The FWC has the job of keeping these channels open for navigation. So now they hire outside contractors to spray herbicides on the water weeds. The trouble is that the dead weeds sink to the bottom and decompose to form a layer of muck that serves as a booster shot of nutrients for naturally occurring toxic algae blooms including Red Tide.

Over the last few years the FWC has spent over $100 million on aquatic weed removal. To make things worse, a group of fishing guides and watermen have been following these contractors around and found that some of them have been just dumping these herbicides in the water, and calling it a day.

All is not lost yet, there is another method to remove these water weeds.

They can use mechanical harvesters that rip the weeds out by their roots where they can be disposed of properly inland.

You have to start with small steps to solve a big problem. Just remember what Pogo said “ We have met the enemy and they are us.”

Captronb@juno.com

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Herb Holbrookʼs 34 inch snook catch and release Placida

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A nice redfish caught in Estero Bay with Capt Fred Gowdy

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Marty shark in the gulf

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Kyle Raymond, mutton snapper

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Ryland Rogner, African pompano

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PAGE 17

John Knoud, mutton snapper

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Matthew Howard with a 6-pound bass.

Capt. Bill with redfish and a grouper

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L L II F FE E

Capt Lou Silva and Capt Chris Fanelli with a couple stud Permits

Jess with this slob of a permit she landed while fishing with Capt. Lou Silva

Rich Espositoʼs 7 1/4 pound red caught on a Mirrolure in 12-inches of water with Earl Horecky on push pole near Pineland.

This completed an all-artificial slam

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Everglades and 10,000 Islands:

By Capt. Charlie Phillips Water LIFE 10,000 Islands I love this time of year. These mid 80degree days, fair weather with some windy days followed by flat calm are some of my most looked forward to each year. February was interesting, it started fairly cool but not really cold, but it had many windy days with quite a few days being near unfishable even in the islands due to heavy winds. It’s pretty typical for this time of year, so nothing unusual here, but still, it doesn’t make it easy to stay on the hill when the sun is shining and the temperature is perfect, but the wind is blowing near hurricane strength. Such is life this time of year!

This past month saw me camping a few nights with guests and running trips targeting most things that swim in my waters. Speckled trout fishing remains steady around the grass areas down south as well out front on the higher tide stages. Corks with shrimp as well as jigs and hard balls are good options in both areas pending the depth of the water. Using the jigs tipped with shrimp slow hopped on the bottom we will usually pick up mangrove and lane snapper, ladyfish, jacks, catfish, pompano and when we are working inside channels, snook and redfish. It’s a great method and a go-to for me on most all trips.

MARCH 2021

4-legged Night Raiders

Bucktail jigs are easy to throw, they are cheap and best of all they work. Give them a try.

I talked about doing a little camping this past month and wanted to offer a few pointers. In the Everglades National Park there are designated campsites that in-

clude beach, inland, and the chickees that everyone loves. All have their ups and downs. Tons of info available on the national park’s website including how to reserve one now and pay the associated fees. If camping in the park a word-tothe-wise, rules matter, follow them. The rangers will come around and check for permits and will check to ensure that all requirements are being met.

Another option is camping outside the park in the 10,000 Islands and there are options for several islands that have nice beach sites. White Horse key is one of the most popular offering good depth for anchorage in most tides and winds. It’s popular though, so plan to get there early if you want to get a spot and don’t be looking for privacy. Thru a weekend there will likely be other campers as well as daily visitors ... it is popular!

And if you go, learn to double anchor, I use an Anchor Buddy (google it) to avoid that embarrassing high and dry grounding as the sun comes up.

And most importantly, get ready for raiding parties! These islands are not uninhabited, they are slap full of raccoons that are going to probe everything you have for food and water. Make sure you lock it all down tight, including your vessel if it is touching the beach.

Be safe out there and see you next month.

Capt. Charlie Phillips, President, Florida Guides Assn.

Owner/Captain, Hope Fishing Adventures Everglades City, Florida 863-517-1829 hopefishing.com

MARCH 2021

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The BIG-4

SHEEPSHEAD Still around on dock pilings and jetties

BackBay Xtremes Capt Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com

941-916-5769

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Fish you can expect in

MANGROVE SNAPPER most everywhere in the Gulf

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PAGE 19

March

CREVALLE JACK in and out of the canals

TROUT on the bars and in the flats potholes

March – Predictions and Suggestions

Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, few kingfish already and we are still seePlacida, Gasparilla Sound ing a stellar mangrove snapper bite. We Capt. Kaelin Olayer have been seeing them on just about Flyin’ Hawaiian Fishing Charters every type of bottom and they’re eating everything! Catch and release gag and We’re finally starting to see some black grouper have been abundant as warmer air temperatures and it’s starting well. Porgies and lane snapper have to heat the water up. I’m excited for this been consistent out in 65-to 70-feet. The pattern as it brings the baitfish back out red grouper bite has been on fire out in and starts to get our migratory fish back the 100-to 110-foot range, along with in our area. I expect to see a push of some nice mackerel yellowtail and bonita snapper and out in the vermillion Gulf along snapper with some mixed in. early season Sheepshead tarpon that have been should be lingering right around around on the corner. the near Our shore wrecks back county and ledges. fishing is Some big starting to amberjacks heat up as FISH PIX! Robert Brenning, big snook caught off and cobia old railroad trestle by Boca Grande some snook are still linare starting gering around the wrecks mixed in with to creep out of their winter homes and some sharks. Shrimp, Pinfish and cut start to feed before their spawn. Deeper sardines have been the ticket offshore. mangroves have been the ticket for them I encourage everyone who has a when the tides up. We have been seeing a love for our inshore fishery to email great number of redfish as well in the FWC and ask them to keep our gamesame areas. Trout remain consistent in fish shut down for at least another year. the deeper grass flats and potholes along As tasty as they are, we haven’t fully with some pompano. Sheepshead are recovered from our red tide disaster. still around on the deeper docks and bridges, shrimp and fiddler crabs have Capt. Kaelin Olayer Flyinʼ Hawaiian Fishing Charters been the ticket for them. The pilchards Captkaefishing.com Cell: 941-716-1425 should be showing up inshore, with this FH Offshore Charters warmer water.

Fhoffshorecharters.com Out in the Gulf, there have been a

The water is warming Nearshore water temps are now l0w 70s Time change this month

95˚ 90˚ 85˚ 80˚

75˚ 72˚ 70˚ 68˚

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Englewood Bait House

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50˚ 45˚

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MARCH 2021