Water LIFE March 2019

Water LI FE

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

The Charlotte Harbor Reef Association

March 2019

Txt Us Ur Fish Pix! weĘźll use Ęťem!

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FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Samantha V, off Gasparilla Island near the boxcars with her grouper while enjoying a wonderful day out fishing with her Husband and her Dad and Uncle Mark, while visiting from NJ

Brittany Cortes tripletail

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Nicholas J. with a nice largemouth

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MARCH 2019

MARCH 2019

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4/1/19

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SUNSEEKER I have read numerous columns by "MH" (I believe this is Michael Heller?) about the Sunseeker resort. Thanks! I have a question for him - why does he believe the local newspaper is not reporting what he is readily finding out?

Roger Klotz Punta Gorda Yes Roger, MH is me, Michael Heller.

The local paper lives in a world filled with unicorn dust, mis-placed hope and fantasy. I would guess they just really want to believe Sunseeker is actually going to happen. You would think the local paper would be looking out for the locals, but maybe they are just hoping for ad revenue in the future. They are desperate, you know.

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SUNSEEKER RESORT PROGRESS REPORT

A new rendering has been submitted to the county. Still no actual building plans or engineering....just a drawing, but according to Allegiantʼs press person, building will begin in “March or April.” How is this possible without any building plans? AccordThis is the latest scaled down Allegiant ing to the County, as of Feb 22, no rendering (above) for the Sunseeker mechanical or engineered plans project at Punta Gorda. I think it looks a had been submitted. Zero, nada, lot like the old State Prison at Raiford (right). There was no giant swimming none, Zip. pool or marina at Raiford, either.

The latest rendering, shows a big-city-like structure along the narrow part of the property near the bridge. There will be no “Longest According to Allegiant “a large swimming pool in Floridaʼ no pool at portion of the site will now remain unall in this new concept, and no Fabdeveloped.” How will that work with ulous Marina. Just 700-plus hotel the Countyʼs plan for zoning? I rooms and (I think) a convention hall. thought they couldnʼt build without Hide your sheep, Punta Gorda, combining all the 21 lots into one. there may be a big fleecing coming.

The previous site plan, it turns out, DEATH KNELL FOR THE NORTH JETTY BAIT HOUSE Sarasota County and the Army Corps of Engineers have plans to demolish the historic North Jetty Bait House. They have already began the process of starving it of funds and they refuse to do any maintenance or repairs… live bait is no longer available at the jetties.

Sadly, Charles Hines, a Venice High graduate, is spearheading the effort to sell this land for development. Nicole Rissler, park director, is also pushing for it to be closed and demolished.

MARCH 2019

Txt fish Pix ONLY to 941-457-1316

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

(941) 766-8180

never even reached the Countyʼs approval phase. It was just a stall.

Until I see a set of big, fat, whiterolls of signed and sealed engineered plans, with new red rubber bands around them, Iʼm still saying I think this is going to be a Real Estate Flip. I still donʼt think they have the financing, so Flip, Flip, Flip is still my way of thinking – MH

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Vol XVIII No 3 © 2019

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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: Capt. Chuck Eichner

SAFETY FIRST On the cover of your February 2019 "Water Life" I noticed you have a photo of a small girl North Jetty bait house at Venice age 4 or 5, holding a fish, while fishing offshore in a boat.

SAFETY FIRST: To the boat owner/captain and to the magazine: 1) The boat owner/captain, Florida Law REQUIRES all children under 6 must wear a life vest while the boat is underway with no exceptions. Even if the boat isn't underway, children this young should be wearing a life vest at all times while on the boat.

2) The magazine must be more aware of publishing photos where child safety is clearly at risk! Bob McDonald Editor notes: I see no risk, boat isnʼt moving, ʻshouldʼ is your opinion, not the law.

ADVERTISE HERE!

FishPix, text only number 941-457-1316

Venice: Glen Ballinger

Estero: Capt. Joe Angius

Everglades City: Capt. Charlie Phillips Kayaking: Silent Sports Sawfish: Tonya Wiley

Pier Fishing: Bobby Vitalis Diving: Adam Wilson

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MARCH 2019

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Chief says the Boat was Uninsured Michael Heller Water LIFE editor There is so much going on I don’t know where to start. The good part is the Governor has agreed to look at the phosphate mining gypsum stacks at Tampa Bay and hopefully he will take a position on phosphate mining in relation to our water quality. If you took our Day Trip and called the Governor last month, maybe your call was the one that influenced him!

Now, on to the dirt, lies and deceit.

I paid $25.25 to get the New Year’s Eve radio logs from the Punta Gorda Police.

Although I asked for all the radio transmissions pertaining to the wreck of the new police boat that night, what I got were redacted transmissions that began right after the accident.

I wanted the logs so I could hear if the volunteer, driving the City’s brand new boat, a $128,500 Boston Whaler, was under the direction of the police dispatcher when he crashed the new Whaler into Marker 14, just off Fishermen’s Village.

The boat only had 4 hours total time on it.

I bet it was going 30!

Pamela Davis, the Punta Gorda Police Chief had appeared before the Marine Advisory Committee (MAC) earlier last month to explain about the boat, but as luck would have it, when I listened to the audio tape of the MAC meeting, it just looped from the attendance roll-call to the pledge-of-allegiance and back to the roll call. I called the MAC secretary and she

sent me an unapproved and also redacted summary of the minutes, in which the Chief says: “One of the vessels, driven by a marine volunteer, was in an accident; hitting a piling. We are in the process of receiving an estimate to repair the vessel.”

Sound’s good, no big deal, right?

Yeah, well.... that’s not all that happened. Capt. Ron Blago, who was at the MAC meeting, told me the Chief also told

The wecked Punta Gorda Police Boat at Laishley Marina. The February Water LIFE online shows a bigger picture

the MAC the boat was uninsured since the City’s new insurance carrier didn’t offer marine coverage. You’d think someone in the City government would make sure they had insurance on a new City boat.

The Chief allegedly also said the volunteer was directed to the fireworks barge on New Years Eve to help with a recreational boater who had become entangled in the barge’s anchor line. I figure, the wreck

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must have come sometime after the anchor line was untangled. The Chief also allegedly explained there were two Punta Gorda Police boats out that night - the Police boat that was wrecked and a VIP Boat at Laishley Marina. But on the audio tape, the volunteer said the VIP boat was tied up behind his house when the accident ocThe battle against phosphate mining, 15 miles up the Peace curred.

River from Punta Gorda, is not over. The vote comes in June.

The crash was significant enough that the operator, it took them not (GPS would have displayed EVERY marker in the area), was also not clear.

15 minutes to locate him on the dark HarThis incident ends up right back in the bor because he couldn’t turn on the blue lap of the Punta Gorda City Manager, police lights, had to be air-lifted to the Lee Howard Kunik, the same man who failed Memorial Trauma Center. to ensure there was a safety policy in place But better yet, (I love better yet), when when Punta Gorda Police officer Lee Kohl I called Boston Whaler’s Commercial shot and killed Jeanette Knowlton, the Boat Division in Edgewater and spoke to local librarian, with a live round in an ‘acone of the team leaders in charge of retive shooter demonstration,’ two years ago. pairs, he told me he had seen the boat and Kohl and the Chief were simply fired. that Punta Gorda was told the boat was In the end, the new Chief will be lucky “totally compromised” and “way beyond if her head doesn’t roll too, but I don’t repair.” “Even if we wanted to fix it, we think it’s her fault. Setting policy and couldn’t,” he said, “... because the Commaking sure insurance coverage is in place mercial Division of Whaler is closing this is the City Manager’s job. month, .... and the mold that hull was laid There should have been two officers up from is no longer viable.” aboard the police boat. There should be The reason the volunteer was driving policy in place and training and a sign-off the new boat was explained to the MAC to operate every vessel. What if they had by the Chief as the regular Police Boat opto save you with that boat that night? Do erator was home with his wife who just you think the City would have been up to had a baby. Whether the police boat was the task? being operated with its GPS functioning or

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MARCH 2019

Estero Bay: Temps and Catchinʼ Going Up

Capt. Joe Angius Water LIFE Estero The Southwest Florida winter is passing by, and most of our traveling guests are experiencing record high temperatures for this time of the year. At times the weather reminds me of late Spring fishing, providing anglers with hot afternoons and a variety of fish species to be caught.

From tripletail and black drum nearshore to redfish and sheepshead in the backwaters, Estero Bay is alive and well. With warming water temperatures and an increase in bait appearing, our area will begin to see permit, cobia, kingfish, and large snook take the fishing spotlight.

To catch this wide variety of fish it's important to have an array of baits. Shrimp will almost always provide success on the water for anglers. Free-lined, under a popping cork, or tipped on a jighead, shrimp is a versatile bait to use to produce a bite.

When your targeted fish species begin to get choosy in what type of bait offering they want that’s the time you need to have different baits to present to them. For a full day of fishing it's not uncommon for me to have pass crabs, pinfish, grunts, shrimp, and white bait in the livewell. Being prepared in this way allows me to have the opportunity to land the "tough-to-catch" fish.

Working and understanding the tides is another way to have an edge up on the fish. The tide is going to either make them want to eat or become lethargic to reserve energy. My rule of thumb is a couple of hours before or after a tide swing is the most productive time to catch fish. When I refer to a tide swing I’m talking about the moments leading up to the beginning or the end of an incoming or outgoing tide.

To use this to my advantage, I make most all of my decisions on when and where to fish solely upon chasing the best tide swings. An example would be a slacking outgoing tide in the backwater not producing anymore bites.

This makes me want to fish areas where the incoming tide swing will occur the fastest, typically around the passes, channels, and beaches. Being mindful of small tips such as this one should lead to a successful day out on the water.

Fort Myers Beach and Estero Bay are showing promising signs of an amazing fishing season. March is known for being a windy month. It's best to get out on the water early and to be aware of changes in wind direction while offshore fishing. Whether it's

shelling, fishing, getting a drink at the local bar, or experiencing an eco-tour there's always a way to enjoy our unique environment.

Support local businesses and explore Southwest Florida responsibly.

Capt. Joe Angius (727)-234-3171 www.speakeasyfishing.com speakeasyfishing@gmail.com

MARCH 2019

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Stick With What Works Capt. Chuck Eichner Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor After 34 years of shallow water fishing I have learned many things that are important when it comes to outsmarting fish. With 17 of those years on Charlotte Harbor, I learned that fishing silently with no boat noise is paramount. However, a recent fishing trip was a bit of an eye opener when an old friend and I got together.

Capt. Mike Henry, the owner of a Canadian fly-in camp and seasonal local captain invited me to fish the shallows of the Gasparilla area on his shallow water boat. Mike is mainly a purist with lure fishing but he occasionally fishes shrimp as well.

Zipping across 10 inches of water for a ½ mile to get to some of his honey holes I sometimes wanted to close my eyes fearing running aground. That never happened and Mike would often take the boat off plane just feet outside of a sweet spot on a mangrove edge or in the middle of a flat. The first couple of spots he rolled into we didn’t do very well and I kept my thoughts to myself, but eventually with nary a fish I finally

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had the talk about being really quiet when approaching fish in less than 3 feet of water. Capt. Mike feels that the redfish and snook have become acclimated to boat traffic and that running up on them is not a problem.

It did not take long after that discussion before we had drags singing! Red-

fish up to 31-inches and snook to 35inches all came mainly on lures and a few on shrimp. That particular day we were throwing soft plastics and spoons and jumping from spot to spot. What was interesting is that each spot only produced 2 fish and that happened as soon as the boat was shut down - then fishing went quiet.

We both agreed that our local fish hate trolling motor noise and Mike even silenced his livewell pumps when fishing only turning them on when going from spot to spot.

One thing we know is that our fish move around a lot here. A spot you had yesterday does not mean the fish will be there today. With that said, some days it’s important to keep moving until you

find the sweet spot, but sometimes it is also wise to set up on a spot and wait for the fish to show up.

The two biggest redfish came when we anchored on a mangrove hole and soaked a live shrimp on the bottom. The biggest snook crashed my spoon out in open water when I burned it across a sand hole. I was fishing a light rod with 20-pound leader and could not stop the fish from running 20 yards of line and into the bushes! Too much pressure and the fish would bite my line, but not enough and I get sawed off on roots.

As it turned out, the fish dove 3-feet deep into the mangroves and got tangled up. Mike took one for the team and jumped in and wrestled the 35-inch snook out of the bushes by hand!

It was an exciting day of fishing with 25 snook and redfish boated, not counting sheepshead and snappers. Certainly a fantastic day, but I still can’t help wonder how many more fish we would have caught if we were even quieter.

Capt. Chuck Eichner operates Action Flats Backcountry Charters.

He can be reached at 941-628-8040

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MARCH 2019

One of my favorite months of the year!

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By Capt. John Brossard Water LIFE Sharkin’ March is a great time to do some shark fishing, either from land or from a boat.

The temperature of the water is starting to warm up in the 70s. That is when the fish start transitioning up from farther south, heading northward. A lot of different types are moving through including Atlantic sharp nose, brownnose, black tips and spinner sharks. There are now also the occasional hammerhead and tiger shark showing up.

This is one of my favorite times of the year to fish because you never know what you’re going to catch. In March I have caught goliath groupers to kingfish when trying for shark with wire leader.

Even the occasional tarpon and cobia come along the reefs.

This is the time of the year that I fish shallow Bays because they offer warmer water then the deeper holes. Also, shallow reefs are usually starting to get some action in March. More bait on the reefs equals more sharks looking for the bait.

The bait I use this time of the year is whatever I catch near where I’m fishing.

Whether it’s a whole mackerel or a blue runner; even carcasses from previous fish that you’ve caught is a great bait as a starter bait, before you catch fresh. And I always bring some frozen bait in case I don’t catch anything right away. Normally it’s the carcasses of a trout or a mackerel that I caught the previous trip that I use

for bait.

Ladyfish and catfish are always good also. When you’re using ladyfish you have to make sure there’s not too many catfish around or they will eat it first. But that’s sometimes when you get a surprise and hook a tarpon or a huge goliath

like catfish. I always cut off the hard parts of the fins to make sure it is easier to swallow. I also cut off the tail for the smell to come out. Happy Sharking. Email me some of your recent shark pictures and I will try to post them for you in my monthly write up.

Capt John Brossard 239-777-9279 sharkchaserfl@gmail.com sharkchasercharters.com

grouper. One of my favorite baits is catfish, whether it’s cut in half or used whole, because other junk fish normally

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MARCH 2019

Shark Fishing from Land New FWC Regulations

The proposed final rules include a mandatory no-cost, annual SBSF permit for all shore-based shark fishermen age 16 and older.

The proposed measures also include prohibiting chumming when fishing from beaches; Requiring immediate release of prohibited sharks; requiring prohibited sharks remain in the water (when fishing from shore and vessels);

Requiring the possession and use of appropriate cutters (from shore and vessels); and requiring the use of nonoffset, non-stainless steel circle hooks (from shore and vessels; consistent with shark fishing regulations in Federal waters). Staff also recommends clarifying current shark regulations through cleanup of the sharks and rays rule chapter and updating rule language related to recent changes to legislative shark finning penalties.

Staff recommends making the rules effective July 1, 2019.

Dragging A Shark

One of the Tampa Bay area men accused of dragging a shark in a viral video that sparked outrage across the country has pleaded guilty.

Michael Wenzel entered a guilty plea Thursday while appearing in front of a Hillsborough County judge, accepting the state's offer. One of his felony counts has now been reduced to a firstdegree misdemeanor charge. The second felony charge has been dropped.

Wenzel was sentenced to 11 months of probation and 10 days in the Hillsborough County jail. He will serve on weekends.

Wenzel also must complete 100 hours of community service. Half of those hours must be served at an animal shelter. His fishing license will be suspended for five years.

Robert Benac, the other suspect who was facing felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty, rejected the state's offer to reduce one of the two felony charges to a misdemeanor if he served 10 days in jail. Benac instead chose to go to trial on June 24. He is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years if found guilty on the felony charges he's facing.

Changes Happening BACK ISSUES @

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Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Well fellow anglers, it appears spring has made its way to South West Florida. We are experiencing record heat here on the Sunshine Coast and over the past few days I have seen the Harbor making some major changes.

The warming waters have got our gamefish on the move. The biggest mover will be my favorite target species. If you have read anything from me in the past, you know snook is my fish. For the past couple months these guys have been laying low, waiting for spring.

Now our water temps have finally made it above 70 degrees for a long enough period to get these guys moving.

After not feeding for the past couple months the key to locating feeding snook will be locating areas with good tidal flow and areas with deepwater access.

During early spring I like to focus on areas that are close to deepwater. If Mother Nature throws us a cold-snap curve ball, then a deepwater retreat will be what snook will be looking for. The warming water should start getting some of our pelagic fish moving into the Harbor too.

For readers not aware what a pelagic fish is, it’s a fish that migrates with the changing water temperatures. In the spring, as our water warms, they migrate north. In the fall they migrate south. The best part about spring is these fish tend to stay around longer.

Probably one of the most targeted pelagic fish that frequents the Harbor is cobia. The biggest issue with these guys is, there are countless ways to fish for them. If you don’t believe me, ask five different people. So I’m going to cover a few ways.

You have the anchor and chum technique. This is the same way you would target sharks, and you probably will catch a few of those also. It’s probably the easiest way... and most boring.

Stop by your local bait

PAGE 9

and tackle shop. Pick up a couple chum blocks and some cut bait. Get a slick going and flat line some cut bait behind the boat. I have noticed if you use a steel leader the cobia bite is not as good. The down side of not using one, well the sharks will bite you off. So that’s a decision you’ve got to make, but circle hooks do help.

My favorite way to fish these guys is to look for them on the local sandbars. Weather conditions however play a big part in this, calm winds and a sunny day are important. I like to slowly trolling-motor my way down the bars looking for these guys cruising for a meal.

Since cobia are dark brown they stick out like a sore thumb. Also keep an eye out for large rays, these guys like to hang around cobia because they disturb the bottom. As we move further into spring our fishery should only improve. Warmer water brings better fishing to Southwest Florida.

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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FISH PIX!

Cameron Parson Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Spring fishing is upon us and it's some of the most exciting fishing SW Florida has to offer. Tarpon, cobia, permit, tripletail, and multiple species of sharks are here for the warm weather and abundance of food. Sight fishing will be at its peak, it's all about keeping that rod ready to throw when the opportunity presents itself.

I often find myself fishing on the tops and outsides of the bars in the spring. Pompano is the usual suspect I'm after. There also always seems to be Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks, and ladyfish to tangle with.

And, more times than not, a stray tarpon, shark, or cobia comes along.

There are three spare setups I carry in case the opportunity arises. The first two are usually a 4000-5000 size rod and reel spooled with 20- and 30-pound braid. One will have an eel imitation and the other usually has a DOA Baitbuster for tarpon and cobia. The third is rigged with a small length of wire and a circle hook for sharks. I smash the hook barb down for an easy release on sharks. All three of them are ready to go whenever I happen to see any of these fish cruising along.

The window of opportunity is short. You'll only have so much time to react before your shot is blown. It's best to have the rods rigged and ready before you step on the boat.

A few years back, a friend and I were searching for pompano on the east bar. He spotted some fins popping out of the water about 50-yards from the boat. We decided to check it out, and it was a school of cobia. I failed to have that extra rod rigged and ready (just had a silly jig) while he pitched to them with a jerkbait for a quick hookup. Three other fish followed it to the boat, but the rod I had was like bringing a knife to a gunfight...nothing but a blistering run after the hookup and gone. Buddy's fish measured to be 39-inches, and plenty of those fish were much bigger.

Buddy was prepared, while I slacked in what I preach to other anglers religiously. That school of fish moved on within a few minutes after hooking up. It was still nothing short of exciting for a small while.

There have been multiple occasions when my friends and I have had chances at sight casting to rolling tarpon.

MARCH 2019

f r o m Wa t e r L I F E m a g a z i n e

Thank you all!

Keep those Fish Pix coming!

It's always while I'm drifting live bait for them.

While adrift, we're scanning the water for any sign of life. If a tarpon comes up for a roll, we toss a lure at it. Most times, it's usually a solid thump and a miss.

Other times, we hook up and get a few jumps before the fish tosses the hook. And on occasion, one will bite while blind throwing. We're just passing time until one decides to smash the live bait, which usually doesn't take very long.

Take some time and rig an extra rod or 2 to keep them handy while you're out there.

The excitement can come and go within a matter of just a few minCameron utes. Don't miss Parson works at your opportunity, Rio Villa strike when it does Bait & Tackle appear. in Punta Catch some fish!

Gorda 941639-7166

You have submitted almost 100 Fish PIX this month and almost all of them are in print in this edition!

A couple didnĘźt make it because we spotted them in another magazine. The one thing we ask; If you send your fish pix to us, please donĘźt send them anywhere else.

We pride our publication on your FRESH FISH!

Rotonda before the storm. 6 to 7 lbs.

Tim Flack

gRich Willingmyre with a 29" red grouper.

Clayton Adkins, snook

MARCH 2019

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Readerʼs Photos

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text us ur fish pix - see page 4

Katie Goodwin with an 19inch 4lbs bass.

Trolling Alligator Creek last evening got us a 30" Jack.

John Slattery, Me again with a 35 inch snook Maybe someday Iʼll make your cover ?

Thank you ! Love your Magazine !

Ed; maybe some day ;-)

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John Wolowicz from North Port craddles a large catch and release Amberjack caught on the Tommy V2

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

Fred OʼDell with Capt. Tom Fisher, Charlotte Harbor

Ken Leonard 27 inch redfish February 9 from a pier in Punta Gorda Isles. Released to be caught again

Large mouth bass on the River John Meneo

My son loves Fishing he's 5 yrs old Isaac Garcia he caught a mullet at the stone crabs ponds Port Charlotte and a jack Port Charlotte canal back of home

Cindy Bennett caught my first fish EVER a little catfish in the canal PGI 2/14/19

Brooks Bugg and his Mom Stephanie with Brooks' first mangrove snapper while visiting his Grandpa Dave and Grandma Sue in Punta Gorda.

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Readerʼs Photos

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MARCH 2019

text us ur fish pix - see page 4

FISH PIX! f r o m Wa t e r L I F E m a g a -

Steve Strong left a professional guide on Eagle Lake Ont Terry Huffman also a guide on Eagle Lake in his younger years. Team up for salt water action .

Jean Guy dʼEntremont with a 30” redfish

Mike Bowers with a snook

Sarah Marie with a nice snook caught and released in her back yard using shrimp

First pic is Trey Ashley and second is Kyle White with sunset snook in Port Charlotte

Cecil Sooley from Newfoundland likes fishing with Captain Rick Kelley

Sheepshead. Pirate Harbor. Barb Fickes

Robin Leach, Fishing with Captain Rick Kelley

Mike Hodgson first redfish, Gasparilla Sound 2/19

Crevalle Jack. Doug Courtice. Trolling the canals in PGI

MARCH 2019

Another snook PG canal. Barb Fickes

Jean Guy with 23-inch Spanish Mac

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Cohen Martz from Ohio. 32” snook on the Peace River

Cecil Sooley from Newfoundland

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Donald Burkett. Bull shark. El Jobean

Page Beal got this nice red grouper last year on spring break lots of fun from New Jersey

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Kent Ginter. Peace river redfish

Lilly Stein caught a big jack Feb 9th

Slim Jim fishtales prostaff member showing up with a nice porgy off sw florida

Slim jim up to his old tricks again throwing lunkers in peoples faces off of sw florida - the biteʼs been red hot

Scott Lehner 02-10-19 Keewayden Island

Paige Balsinger and Speckled Trout

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FISH PIX! f r o m Wa t e r L I F E m a g a z i n e

Greg Mahon, snook

ReaderĘźs Photos

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MARCH 2019

text us ur fish pix - see page 4

Avery F. Age 8 Jack fish in Punta Gorda

Two 18-inch mangrove Terry Huffman with Capt Bob on the Serenity

Kate F. age 10, in Punta Gorda

Mike, Port Charlotte. Offshore Boca Grande.

Red grouper Hershell Abbott Fishing with Captain Rick Kelley catches ladyfish snappers and a black drum for dinner

Little late night snook fishing at Alligator Creek, with Max. Mike Navakas, American red snapper.

Caught 47 miles west of fort Myers Beach, vented and released.

Harold Roebuck III with nice snook caught in Peace River

Couple of nice red grouper caught by Chuck Miller and Kirk Andreano they were both 28-inches and both caught at the same time and we need to thank Capt. Chris for putting us on the fish!

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Matt, bass caught on 10-inch worm

How MAC Funding Functions On the Line

Commentary by Capt. Ron Blago Water LIFE Senior Staff Each year in March the Charlotte County Marine Advisory Committee (MAC) holds their version of the Oscars, the awarding of grant money for various marine related projects in the County.

These recommendations then go to the Board of County Commissioners who have the final approval. This year there are 26 request totaling $1.4 million dollars ; unfortunately there is only $1.2 million dollars in the budget, so something has to give.

Where does the money come from?

The short answer is from us, the taxpayers; but to be more precise the MAC funds come from three separate sources, each with their own rules on how their money can be used.

The first source is State Boat Improve Funds. This is money the State returns to the local county from boat registration fees. This is now the smallest source of funds to the MAC ($144,000). The next source is from WCIND, the West Coast Inland Navigation District. That money ($450,000) is generated from fees on real estate; and has the most rules and regulations on how it can be spent.

The last source is the local Boater Improvement Fund (BIF). This is an additional fee added to all boats registered in Charlotte County. This has become the largest source of funds for the MAC

($532,000). This money has the least amount of rules on how it can be used and has been used in the past for many questionable projects.

Now let's look at some of this year’s request for funds.

The largest request by far, is the $500,000 requested to help fund what is

Ben W., Nate L. and Greg.

40-miles out off Boca Grande Pass caught these amazing Red Groupers

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Manasota Key Beach Renourishment Project. This is a proposed multi-million dollar project to put sand back on the severely eroded beaches of Manasota Key. Last year the County Commissioners, without a recommendation from the MAC, decided to take $200,000 from the MAC Emergency Reserves to help fund this project. This year there is a formal request for funding. This is another re-

The Charlotte Harbor Reef Associationʼs BE THE FISH program for middle school students is a MAC grant recipient. Here, kids net ʻcrittersʼ with help from the FWC Murdock Lab staff.

being called the Buckley's Pass Dredge.

This is a channel that would connect part of the Punta Gorda canal system with Alligator Creek. The problem is that all of this request would have to be funded from the Local BIF fund. This would empty that fund and leave 12 other grant requests without money.

The next biggest request is from Charlotte County Parks for $200,000 for the

quest that would be solely funded from local BIF funds – if this is to become an annual request it will seriously limit funds for other grants that need Local BIF money.

The next request is from Charlotte County Public Works for $83,875 for a new work boat. The subject of how boats used by local government should be funded is a contentious one. The fact that

Alex Kipper. 38-inch snook 15-pounds caught in 10,000 Islands, Everglades

the City of Punta Gorda's brand new $128,500 Boston Whaler Police boat, which was funded in last years MAC budget, hit a pilling and was totaled with less than 5 hours of use and was not insured at the time, will add much fuel to the fire.

The next series of requests are for annual maintenance and government required monitoring of past projects. $60,000 for maintenance to aids to navigation. $60,000 for artificial reef construction and monitoring. $50,000 for Stump Pass monitoring. The required appropriations certainly add up quickly.

The next group of requests come from non-profits groups that provide service to the boating community. These are relatively small grants, but have a lot of strings attached to them and are heavily scrutinized by the MAC members. Coast Guard Aux., Peace River Sail and Power Squadron and Sundown Flight of the Civil Air Patrol are a few examples. In recent years there has been an increase of interest in providing sailing instruction for children and disabled sailors. Currently the MAC helps provide funds to four groups that help them run their programs.

Each request the MAC receives is analysed and scrutinized by the MAC to make sure they conform with all requirements of the funding sources and all county rules. It's hard to qualify for these grants, and that's the way it should be; after all, it is our money.

Captronb@juno.com

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FISH PIX! txt us ur fish pix see page 4

Michael Collins caught this 36 1/2 inch snook on a paddle tail, 10,000 islands.

Brittany Cortes snook

Brittany Cortes big red

Ayden Rincones. Caught this nice nice snook in South Gulf Cove. 2/3/2019

Aidan Flack Small Peacock Bass and a largemouth bass

Michael Kusmierek , Sanibel island, trout Chris Dans of Punta Gorda with a 9 pound snook taken on Feb. 20 on the Peace River

Ron Smits from Bokeelia with red grouper . 110 FOW .

Larry Hall Venice Florida offshore fishingwith Capt. Joe

Mylan cichlids Rotonda

Craig McDonald redfish

Chevy Hicks. Tim Flack tilapia Rotonda

Dick Czech & Ron Smits from Bokeelia with Red Grouper . 110 FOW .

AJ 60 inches caught and release Capt Doug

MARCH 2019

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Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True ONLY ONE AGGREGATION From the FWCʼs aerial surveys: this year only one large aggregation (photo below) of several thousand live red drum was spotted off Egmont Key,

compared to an average of 6-7 aggregations seen in prior years, flying over the same area and time of year.

TOO QUIET? From dead dolphins and manatees to dumpsters full of dead fish, the sights of last year's disastrous red tide left a lasting impression on those affected. But what does it sound like? Eckerd College Marine Science professor Shannon Gowans acoustically tracks dolphins in Tampa Bay. She knows what a thriving underwater ecosystem sounds like.

Under normal conditions, it's the chirping and clicking of silver perch, spotted sea trout and snapping shrimp. In 2005, the year of another intense red tide, (editor notes 2005 was the year after Charley, like last year was the year after Irma) her microphones picked up something different: Almost complete silence.

"We had a student working on this and she called it an “acoustic apocalypse," recalls Gowans. Gowans is particularly concerned about invertebrates, like snapping shrimp.

"A lot of those species form the basis of the food chain. We know that fish can die, but what are some of the long term effects?"

Gowans is unsure if the silence is a result of

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Kim Lewis Sheepshead. P.G.I. Canal

everything dying or if the organisms are just quiet due to stress from low oxygen levels.

Either way, the stillness gives her reason for concern.

"We need to think about those sub-lethal effects. Just because it doesn't kill the animals, doesn't mean itʼs okay," The revealing sounds of silence make 2019 an important year to keep our ears to the water. "It will be really interesting to see what happens after this year. Gowans says the ecosystem bounced back pretty well in 2006, the year after the bad red tide. Hopefully, this year will be the same.

RED SNAPPER UPDATE At its February meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set the popular and economically important 2019 Gulf red snapper recreational season to open June 11 through July 12, with a possible fall reopening if quota is available. This season will apply to those fishing from private recreational vessels in state and federal waters and to charter vessels that do not have a federal reef fish permit and are limited to fishing in state waters only.

For more information, view MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings” and the agenda under “February 20-21.”

FISH KNOW WHATʼS WHAT In a recently published paper in Scientific Reports, researchers at the Beaufort Laboratory of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center and a colleague at the Naval Postgraduate School show that fish occupying habitats as deep as 120 feet can also be strongly affected by hurricanes.

Researchers affixed transmitters to thirty gray triggerfish, a commercially and recreationally important oceanic fish species that associates with rocky reef habitats in the southeast United States. These fish were tracked in an area off North Carolina during September 2017 as two hurricanes, Jose and Maria, landed along the North Carolina coast.

The researchers found as each storm ap-

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Kim Lewis Red grouper 100 feet - Gulf, 35 miles

proached, most of the tracked gray triggerfish quickly evacuated the 120-foot deep study area in the direction of even deeper water, and those few fish that remained in the study area swam much faster than normal. After the passing of each storm, many of the tracked gray triggerfish returned to the study area within a couple of days and resumed normal swimming behavior.

Previous studies have indicated that falling barometric pressure, increased runoff, or a change in water temperature are primary cues that fish use to determine that storms are approaching. Here, gray triggerfish evacuated the study area 1–2 days in advance of hurricanes, long before any changes in barometric pressure or water temperature occurred. Instead, the researchers determined that, as surface waves increased in size from each approaching storm, energy from those large waves was transferred to the bottom, resulting in sloshing of water on the bottom. It appears as though the sloshing of bottom water, or the related fluctuating water pressure from sloshing, was the cue to which gray triggerfish responded. Only the waves from larger storms can transfer enough energy to cause sloshing in 120 feet deep water.

A RARE 38-FOOT MALE BRYDE'S WHALE washed up along Sandy Key in the Everglades on January 29. With the help of the Everglades National Park Service, biologists with NOAA, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Mote Marine Laboratory, Marine Animal Rescue Society, the University of Miami and Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responders performed a necropsy (nonhuman autopsy) and took samples from the whale to try to determine how it died. An exact cause of death has yet to be determined.

FISH PIX!

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Little Man gettinʼ it done, off SW Florida!! Way to go kid!!!!!

In an effort to restore oceanic, highly migratory, fish from impacts of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 10 commercial fishermen have taken a voluntary six month break from pelagic longline fishing.

(Editor Notes: You read that right, TEN )

POTTED LIKE A PLANT While on land patrol near Port Tampa Bay, an FWC Officer saw a vehicle with two subjects fishing through the sun roof. Once the occupants noticed the FWC officer, both subjects started moving around in the vehicle. The officer decided to conduct a fisheries inspection and saw the driver had marijuana all over his lap. Once confronted the driver gave the officer the remaining marijuana in the car. The officer had the driver exit the vehicle and saw a vape pen in the seat which the subject admitted had marijuana in it. A records check showed the driver was already on felony probation. You know how this ends.

FISH PIX!

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Al with a redfish caught in Charlotte County

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10,000 ISLANDS

Transitions in March

By Capt. Charlie Phillips Water LIFE / Everglades City Need to address some changes you should be aware of if you are visiting the Everglades National Park with your boat.

Starting last month, the visitor fee requirements are now in place. I would encourage you to go to the park’s website at: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/fee-change-faqs.htm and check it all out before your next trip. Basics are, $30 for a 7-day pass, $55 for an annual pass for your boat. That pass will cover the passengers you have aboard your boat as well as you. You need to have this pass no matter where you depart and return from.

If you are doing more than transiting thru park waters, you must have a permit – not

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sure if the rangers are writing tickets yet, but I know they are stopping and looking for visitors having paid the required fees.

2020 will see the fee prices increase to $35 for a 7 day and $70 for an annual.

There is also a boater education requirement that will be coming very soon. Check the website and make sure to educate yourself before your trip down here. If I can help answer any questions, reach out – I’m glad to do it!

Now on to the fishing this past month.

Overall, we had a good month both inshore and on the offshore side, I really haven’t had much of a window to get out like I want due to the wind.

Speckled trout with some big fish in the mix have been down in the grass areas by Pavilion Key. Also, in that area and off the

MARCH 2019

Constructed in 1980 by retired businessman Bob Lee and abandoned in 1992, the Cape Romano Dome Houses continue to be reclaimed by the sea. Once on three shoreside lots, the Domes are now several hundred feet offshore. If you want to see them, better go soon!

beaches, we’ve had some solid catches of pompano... and Spanish mackerel have been around too. For both of those species I use a local jig, made in Naples called Don’s jigs. I like the pot-belly version in pink for the pomps and white with a sliver reflective strip for the Spanish mackerel.

Tipping the jig with a small piece of fresh shrimp is all that is needed and then a long cast with a short hop off the bottom for the pompano and a faster retrieve, darting like a baitfish, for the Spanish.

Oh, back to the trout, the FWC passed some new restrictions on trout stopping harvest of oversized fish on the Gulf coast.

This restriction didn’t get down to our area, but I would encourage you to release anything over 19-inches as these are the ones making babies for tomorrow.

And treat them kind folks, no rags, no dropping them on boat decks, Use wet hands, a quick release, and send them back on their way.

Looking ahead, March will really start the transition month, with tarpon pushing thru. My favorites are the big permit coming back in big numbers. A cobia migration and snook moving to the passes to start their spawn should start soon.

Gonna’ be a great month to get out on the water. Hope to see you out there and reach out if you need help with the permits for the Everglades National Park.

Capt. Charlie Phillips 863-517-1829 e-mail: hopefishing@hotmail.com Web: hopefishing.com

The seas were not angry.... So why did I sink my boat?

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We all jumped off the boat and I got Shawn to help me turn the bow back towards open water where she could face

By Fishin’ Frank the surf. And have done this hundreds of the waves. Once the boat was turned Water LIFE Baitshop times. around I took a quick check and no probIn business you start out doing just This time as the bow of the boat lems so far – the outboard had not gone business with companies, then you make touched the beach I felt the back of the under water, but the batteries were under friends and Shawn from A.F.W. has beboat drop about 10 inches as the wave apwater. When the batteries go under water come one of my best friends. Last month proached the shore. Oh Damn! This is Shawn decided to come down to Florida gonna suck! I hit reverse to try and get the they start discharging like they were being used. They will lose power quickly, so from Pennsylvania - hard choice as it was back of the boat away from where the you have a few minutes to get the post snowing like crazy. He brought his wife, wave would break, but forgot about the back up so the water is not shorting them so we decided a day of fishing, sightseefull moon. The full moon makes the out. So far this has been about 5-minutes ing and island restaurants would be a good tide/currant twice as strong as normal. since the first wave came over the back of escape for all of us. So the four of us, my That was my second mistake. The pull the boat. wife and his, headed out for the day. We from the wave dropped the stern far The next step was to get the nose of the started up on Shell Creek trying for tarpon enough down so the prop caught in the boat above the water so the waves can not and Shawn hooked up and lost one right sand and stalled the motor. keep filling the boat. away; – then they were So both our wives gone. We caught a couple grabbed buckets and catfish and said OK, let’s started bailing.

A couple move. minute break in the waves The fog, which was gave them time to get thick as we started the enough water out so day, was slowly clearing, Shawn and I could lift the so we followed the fading bow and now she was ridfog all the way out to ing the waves and only a Boca Grande Pass and we bit of water was coming fished the Phosphate in over the gunnels Docks for a while... but This is where I got no bites or hits – which lucky.

The boat was just was not surprising as too heavy with all of the The Lake and Bay boat is great for shallow water, but it sits low on the aft end there was a big ole full water in it for us to drag her moon the night before and big butt off the beach. If we had two more most of the fish will feed all night and not I restarted the motor, but too late. The people we could have done it, but luckily really bite again until afternoon. wave came over the stern only 2-inches a guy in a boat came up. I guess he noSo we headed out the Pass into the above the gunnel, putting 3-inches of ticed we were all in the water and boat Gulf and down along the shore line of water in the boat, making her just too was, I guess you could say, sunk.

Cayo Costa to do some shelling. We found heavy for the out board to pull back off He offered to pull us out so I held the a stretch of beach and even with rollers the sand. Then, at full throttle, just as the bow up while Shawn swam out and got coming in from the Gulf they were not boat started to back off the beach, two the rope from the guy, and I tied a bow that big as to worry me about dropping more waves broke over the stern and my line loop on my end as I know never ever them off on shore. “My first mistake” boat was sunk! hard tie my boat to another boat. So the The correct way to drop someone on So now I am standing in a boat full of guy started to tighten the line and I guess the beach is to put out a large anchor and water, the waves crashing over the stern he was a bit excited because he forgot to run your anchor line through the pull ring and washing everything in the boat out on the front of the boat and ease the boat onto the beach. You have seconds to come tie the rope to his boat. So Shawn swam back out and got the rope to the guy. Who backwards to the shore with the bow facup with a plan before the waves start deby the way, was an awesome person, and ing open water. The anchor line being at stroying the boat. I watched a boat that just a really nice guy. So with the rope the pull ring allow the boat to ride any had the same thing happen but it turned fixed to both boats, I held up my hand waves which might come in from wind or sideways along the beach, I arrived about telling him to just tighten the line, but not passing vessels. Ten years ago I worked 40-minutes after it happened and the boat to pull until I waved. What I was waiting out how to nose the boat up on the beach was already torn into pieces. So yes this for was a larger wave. Terry and Kathleen drop off the people and back out timing could be bad. had been bailing like crazy and had a lot

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of water out, but it needed just a bit more.

A wave came up I yelled ‘go’ Shawn and I lifted and the wave pushed the nose of the boat up, water dumped out the back and off she floated. Now the boat pulling us had drifted off to the side with the pull and was going to pull my boat, which still had a lot of water in, it sideways to the surf. It would have rolled over and we would have been done. Remember I said never tie to another boat. I was able to get the rope in my hands and my knees against the boat. One big pull and I had slack enough to get the loop off my cleat and we were floating free. So I asked Shawn to push the boat out as I scrambled over the side and turned the key. That Yamaha fired right up and when everyone was clear of the prop I idled out and then it was self bailing enough water to the get the wire connections to the bilge pumps out from under water so I could hit the switch - too risky with the wires under water. A few minutes of bailing and retightening a wire and both bilge pumps started pumping.

About then I looked back at the beach, Shawn and our wives had picked up the stuff and were walking along shelling and they did find some cool shells to take home along home with the story.

So 40-minutes from the first wave OMG to all of us, and then back on board and heading to lunch and the bar at Cabbage Key. This just seemed like the perfect Captain Morgan time. We were not even late for lunch.

After eating and a couple cocktails, thinking about what to do, none of us thought to save the ice. So with no cold drinks we decided not to stop and fish any more. So all in all, a great story and no one hurt and the boat is well. There is quite a bit of sand in the bilge but all of the Oak leaves and old grease and stuff is gone, and out side of me vowing to never get lazy about how I get people off the boat at the beach, the boat is cleaner than when I started the day, I am wiser and just a bit embarrassed. I wish we had caught more fish. That is really a let down, and plain embarrassing. But all in all it was quite the adventure. frank@fishinfranks 941-625-3888

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10th Charlotte Harbor Regatta

By Peter Welch Water LIFE Sailing Forty-three boats of five different designs competed over three race days in warm weather. That is just a macro look at the event. Each participant had a slightly different rating of “fun per dollar,� but I am sure that the multihull racers gave the Port Charlotte Beach park high marks for their prefered storage and launching modes. Regatta Headquarters at the park once again proved ideal for socializing and access to race management data. The Multi Hull boats sailed several miles south of the Beach Park and commenced racing one day later than the mono hull boats. This gave them time to practice and tune the rigging for what turned out to be mostly a low wind velocity event.

Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club (CHYC) hosted 2.4 Meter class (8 boats) and (8) Harbor 20s sailed out of their Punta Gorda home ports. They both raced close to CHYC two days before the multihull events in 10 to 20 knots (the highest wind of the regatta).

The 2.4 Meter boats have been making CHYC their winter base since the first Charlotte Regatta, however there was only one Canadian ( Peter Eagar) in this event.

He finished second, eight points behind winner Dee Smith of the USA. Local manufacturer of 2.4M boats Tony Pocklington finished a close third.

The Harbor 20s had four races with 8

boats. Jim Nuzzo and Jay Nadelson tied at 13 points with Jim getting second place and Jay third. Jeffrey Scholz was first with 11 points.

The racing focus turned to the south for multihull races that desired more course length in a stronger wind. The winds only got to 5- to 10-knots, but were constant enough for good performance by Hobie 16s (9 boats) and F18s ( 2 boats ).

The 12 Weta trimarans clearly wanted more wind and had occasional difficulty tacking. That said, the top three boats had some decent results after their worst race was deleted and the first place boat did not need to start the last race.

All photos by Fran Burstein

Sunday, Feb 24 boats fighting opposing wind direction and currents. Sail # 8, Alan Leibel (first place) from Toronto, Sail #23, Jeff Reihgold from Seattle, WA, Sail 142 -Charles Rosenfield, Newport, RI. 2.4 METER: HARBOR 20: WETA TRI: F18: Hobie 16:

FINISHING ORDER BY FLEET

Dee Smith USA 1st Jeffrey Scholz 1st Bob Hodges 1st Clay Selsmeyer 1st Tom Korzeniewski 1st

Peter Eager Canada 2nd James Nuzzo 2nd Knox Rodgers 2nd Dick Macdonald 2nd Jason Sanchez 2nd

MARCH 2019

SAWFISH: Saw Search Program

By Tonya Wiley Water LIFE Environment Saw Search is a global initiative to find, photograph, measure, and collect tissue samples from old sawfish saws.

“SawSearch” has taken researchers Kelcee Smith, from Louisiana State University, and Annmarie Fearing and Dr. Nicole Phillips, from The University of Southern Mississippi, around the U.S. in the search of old sawfish saws. Last June, with support from the Shark Conservation Fund and The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, their research led them all the way to the United Kingdom. Phillips, Fearing, and Smith extracted DNA from tissue samples, using the data to assess the relative health of remaining sawfish populations. The DNA from the old saws provides the researchers with baseline information of what sawfish populations were like before they were heavily exploited, which can then be compared to DNA from sawfish populations of today.

SawSearch UK might sound like a leisurely holiday, but most of their time in the UK was spent working in the basements of museums, entering data, riding trains, hauling equipment from city to city and conducting outreach events. The team spent a total of 30 days in the UK, travelled ~12,000 miles, visited 31 collections, collected data and samples from 528 sawfish specimens, and held 11 out-

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reach events. The rewards of the long days of sampling and travelling came with each collection visited, every specimen pulled from a drawer, and every museum curator they met along the way.

Museums play a critical role in all SawSearch expeditions by Kelcee Smith collects tissue samples from sawfish preserving natural history speci- rostra during a live sampling outreach event at The mens and revealing the unique sto- Deep Aquarium in Hull ries behind them in their data cited to tell the story of how he got the archives. saw and intrigued that it could be used in In addition to the museums and univer- scientific research. “I mean really, what sities the research team visited, they were are the chances that we would find a saw also able to find a few saws at some notacross the street from the hotel? Sawfish so-traditional venues. aren’t native to the U.K.,” said Smith.

During their stay in Edinburgh, Scot“The goal looking forward is to be The typical amount of a tissue collected land, Fearing and Smith discovered a saw able to take a tissue sample from in an unexpected place, at a fish and chips a sawfish from an unknown locashop across the road from their hotel. “As tion and be able to determine we walked passed a fish and chip shop, I where that animal came from. heard Kelcee gasp and then felt her yank Such a tool could be used for enme backwards,” says Fearing. “She told forcement purposes, to improve me to look inside the fish and chip shop our knowledge of historic sawand there, hanging on the wall, was a fish populations and understand green sawfish saw.” The next day, they how they have changed over went into the restaurant to talk to the time, ultimately translating this owner, explaining how they had traveled data into more effective conserall the way from the U.S. to sample saws vation strategies to promote rejust like the one he had on his restaurant covery” says Phillips. “Not only wall. The owner was perplexed, but kind, are sawfish saws without loca- Annmarie Fearing collecting a tissue sample from a largetooth sawfish rostrum in the UK and allowed them to collect a sample; extion information still valuable, I hope to go back to these curators one day and tell them where these specimens most likely came from”.

Saw Search You can help! If you own a sawfish UK with rostrum and are willing to donate a small Annmarie sample for this important research or have Fearing (left) & seen one somewhere, please call 1-844-4Kelcee Smith SAWFISH or email n.phillips@usm.edu.

For more information about endangered sawfish visit: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/smalltooth-sawfish or http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fish/sa wfish/ Contact: Tonya@havenworth.org 941-201-2685 www.havenworth.org

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March – Predictions and Suggestions Charlotte Harbor Frank at Fishin’ Franks 941-625-3888

BackBay Xtremes Capt Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com

941-916-5769

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17lb red grouper with Capt. Lou Silva

Explore!

Fish with a Guide

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Little man with a slob 22-inch mang off SW Florida! The kid has been red hot

Youʼll learn something and youʼll catch more fish!

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John Slattery, black drum on live shrimp!

Love your Magazine!

Everybody is tarpon crazy.

Resident fish 5 to 60 pounds are up on the Peace River. Watch for them rolling up by the power lines. If you don’t see them there go to the entrance of Shell Creek, just around the curve start drifting.

You might see them rolling, or stay right under Hwy-17 and take a hard left, there is a deep cut by the campground. Guys are launching 50-pounders up there every day. Snook fishing is going along really well, guys at El Jo at night have been catching 40-some-inch snook. The trick is catching bait there, either whiting or sugar trout. At Placida same thing.

Shrimp are only useful to catch the whiting and trout.

Been a bunch of permit in the Harbor and along the beaches. I saw a guy catch one at Ponce that was, maybe, 14-inches. From Englewood to Boca, look at your pompano close, it might be a permit.

Redfish are picking up on the east side down through Pine Island Sound. They are under the mangroves hiding in the shade or against the mangrove islands on the high tide.

Trout fishing is still good along Bull and Turtle Bay and by the ICW. Trout have to be more than 15- and less then 20-inches until May when the FWC will redo their silly ruling.

Still a lot of sheepshead, but they are smaller. This is probably the last hit of the sheepshead bite and then they are moving out. The spawn can last till fall, but the grouping around the Piers seems to be over. On nearshore reefs. It’s still a live shrimp bite for them, but the dinner fish: porgys, grunts, mangs, will be on squid once the shrimp migration is over.

Cobia has been on the east side, on the bar and from Alligator Creek and Cape Haze reefs out to the Gulf. There are many suspended fish in the water column right now. AJ and shark are picking up, with spinner, black tip

and bonnets in front of the bays and over by Gasparilla and Don Pedro. The bottom of Sanibel has a lot of bonnet and blacktip sharks. In the Gulf, I think spinner sharks have been showing.

Bass is still real good, lizards are the main thing - dark colored with a slow bottom-bounce. The bass are on the beds. Lot of exotics, but for bluegill and shellcrackers minnows have become the bait. I would normally only use worms but there are just so many minnows around now.

Lemon Bay, Placida, Gasparilla Sound Jim at Fishermen’s Edge 941-697-7595

Fishin’s been reasonably good.

A lot of sheepsheads in the neighborhood, on the piers and around the island down to the Phosphate Dock. Guys are catching them out of Gasparilla Pass and on the close reefs. There’s also still a variety of Spanish in and out on the tide.

And quite a bit of pompano up to Tom Adams Bridge and outside from Stump Pass through Boca.

Mangrove snapper have been around on the Trembly and Novak reefs. Also some cobia being caught at the furthest out reef this month. There has been baitfish coming in and a migration of fish following them and tarpon are swimming around by the big Pass.

Seatrout, the bigger ones, and redfish are being caught with shrimp on a cork. For redfish, float them up under the bushes.

Quite a bit of snook being caught, nice fish up in the 30inches. A friend in Placida caught 3 on root beer shrimp on a jig head. They go out very early in the morning.

Offshore, everybody is getting quite a bit of red snapper. Sometimes you gotta move, there are so many of them. Big amberjacks, yellowtail and mangs have been at the Bayronto. I’m sure all that stuff is pretty good out there.

Seems to be a lot of baitfish and the migratory fish are all moving.

Some bass around the neighborhood too, and a couple of catfish here and there in the canals.

Englewood Bait House

Head Boat Offshore Fishing Info: 941- 475-4511 live shrimp etc

MARCH 2019

The BIG-4 COBIA East side bars and near shore reefs

BACK ISSUES @

March

WWW.WATERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

Fish you can expect in

TARPON Up the Peace River Powerlines or Shell Creek

SNOOK Bigger fish at the trestles at night

JACK CREVALLE All around the Harbor, and area canals

Text Us Ur Fish Pix! see page 4

PAGE 23

Nearshore and inshore water temps are lower 70s Lots of fish are around Red Tide in gone!

95˚ 90˚ 85˚

Dan Brady, Sheepshead.

North Jetty, Nokomis.I am here from Michigan for the month.

I have REALLY enjoyed fishing down here!

I have fished several area beaches and had success. So much fun!!

80˚

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

George S. Landing with Capt.

Walsh. Jack fish

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Vince DeBari with a Charlotte Harbor sheepshead.

75˚ 72˚ 70˚ 68˚ 50˚

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

45˚

Miguel Perez port charlote canal back of home.

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Dylan Murphy Englewood sheeps head, red drum. Caught off shore Lemon Bay.

LAST CAST FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

This was the last picture we received before going to print this month

Matt Coulombe 24-inch spotted sea trout Guide: Mark Stryde Waist Deep Charters His secret spot!

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Payton Binns 29inch Red Grouper off Boca Grande

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Dan Dervay fishing with Capt. B Walsh.

Jack fish

FISHING RIGHT NOW: GREAT!

PAGE

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MARCH 2019