Water LIFE June 2017 by Water LIFE magazine

Water LI FE

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

The Don Ball School of Fishing

June 2017

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Gus Swinski, Cobia, caught last month, wade fishing in Charlotte Harbor.

Txt Us Ur Fish Pix! see page 14

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Ashley Dean, Mother's Day redfish in the Myakka Cutoff

Drew Berninger with his Uncle, last month, and a Boca Grande Tarpon

Ned Zobuk with a 39 inch Snook!

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Fort Myers store !! Fishinʼ Franks#2

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eMail letters and photos to:

Edgewater Drive: The new road is open but now the Spring Lake Boat Ramp Is closed!

Charlotte County Parks Department confirmed the Spring Lake Boat Ramp is now closed until August for the rennovation of docks and pilings. We ask: Why wasnʼt this done during the almost three years the road in front of it, Edgewater, was closed to traffic?

THREATS FROM THE MANATEE FOLKS

Hi Mike. I received a letter yesterday from a reader that was upset with some of the manatee information in Water LIFE. This person who did not sign a name or give a return address or contact info just said that he will not support any of the advertisers in your mag because of the misinformation about manatees. He also said he will tell all his boating and golfing neighbors and cohorts, too. It is amazing to me what people think when they read or hear information that is the truth and then refuse to believe it because it doesnʼt fit with

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MIke This poor tarpon was pulled in by a client who hooked the rig that was used to snag it out of a prespawning school found in Boca Grande Pass! It is such a shame that people are still out there snagging these Apex Sport Fish that travel to our back yard to take part in a very important spawn each year! It's really unbelievable how many people try to defend this unethical and ridiculous fishing technique! Every local charter captain I know who is worth his salt stopped dropping jigs on those tarpon in Boca Pass many years before the "Boca Jig" was banned. They did so because they realized that far too many of the fish were not intentionally foul hooked/snagged but nonetheless, the number of snagged tarpon was far too high to keep doing it with a clear conscience! I guess until the State of Florida wakes up and realizes that no artificial tackle of any kind should be allowed to be dropped into these 30- to 50-foot tall schools of pre-spawning tarpon during May and June simply because a high rate of unintentionally snagged fish exists, the people who still do it can keep right on abusing our beloved tarpon fishery. Way too often these days I see people copping out and saying crap like "it's a free country" or "there's no law against it" instead of doing what's right for their community and our society as a whole. I personally choose to set what I believe is a better example for the future of my community and my fishery, both of which I care deeply about the future of! Capt. Rhett Morris

their beliefs. I just wanted you to know that we strongly support your magazine and value your opinions as well as know you do base articles on ʻfactsʼ. We appreciate the non-mainstream influence that other larger publications are influenced by in how honest their articles are written. We will continue to advertise in Waterl LIFE and I am sure other advertisers that received this ʻunsigned letterʼ will continue support for you also. Thanks, Captain Dennis Kirk, Nav-A-Gator Grill at DeSoto Marina Mike: I got a letter about your manatee story. What a waste of good trees! Izzy Rogner

Re: Manatees: Its scary how misinformed the public is and the environmental following and those that benefit from God's creatures can only wear one prescription of glasses. I love the manatees too by the way and believe they have rights as well. However, they are seagrass eating machines 30-50 pounds a day I think. I never hear of a concern for their destruction to the submerged aquatic seagrasses. I can tell you when the seagrasses disappear so does everything else. First the grass gradually dissappears, then the fishing drops off and 10 years later there are no fish. Capt. Chuck Eichner

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Contributing Editors:

Photography: ASA1000.com Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Baitshop: Fishinʼ Frank Peace River: Capt. David Stephens Punta Gorda: Capt. Chuck Eichner Venice: Glen Ballinger Estero: Capt. Joe Angius Everglades City: Capt. Charlie Phillips Kayaking: Bob Fraser Sea Grant: Capt. Betty Staugler Beach Fishing: Mallory Herzog Pier Fishing: Bobby Vitalis Sailing: Peter Welch

On the Cover:

Gus Swinski, caught this beautiful cobia last month, wade fishing Charlotte Harbor. Then he texted us the photo. Look at how clear the water is.

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16 Tons of Tires Loaded from River Bottom JUNE 2017

By Michael Heller Water LIFE editor Back before Hurricane Charley hit Punta Gorda in 2004, before the new Convention Center (which isn’t big enough to host the local High School’s graduation, so this year the kids had to graduate in Fort Myers... shame on you Punta Gorda! ... but I digress.... Back before Charley, were there tires dotting the shallow river bottom behind the Convention Center? Or were the tires deposited there by the storm? I don’t remember. For years I have seen the tires, spread out, in three or four feet of water, on the sandy bottom, all appearing to be equally barnacle encrusted. If you stood anywhere along the new Harbor Walk railing behind the Convention Center, looking at the majestic water view, or if you were up on the little grassy noll where they set up for the outdoor weddings, you could see the mosaic of submerged tires. Only murky water or the dark of night hid them. I’ve talked about those tires numerous times in print. I have published photos. I talked to the County, I discussed them at our Sea Grant Advisory Council meeting, I even went so far as to talk with my friend Fishin’ Frank about he and I just going out and picking up Punta Gorda’s trash for them, but when we got close to getting it all together, someone, maybe it was Marine Patrol, said we’d need to

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have a dumpster on shore to deposit the tires in. Our plan sidetracked after that. I was surprised no one else complained. It was an eyesore when you jogged, biked or walked past, but finally I gave up. Then, coming across the 41-Bridge last month, I saw a boat with two men in the water behind the Convention Center. I knew immediately what they were doing. I pulled off 41 and with my own tires squealing on the fresh black-coated driveway, I wheeled around behind the building for a quick picture. A few people were at the Harborwalk rail, watching the progress from shore. One of the people was Cathy Miller, supervisor of the Punta Gorda Canal Maintenance Division. I introduced myself and we talked. They were picking the tires up, I found out, because someone called and complained. “It’s not our responsibility,” she told me, “we are really only responsible for the canals.” The city, she said, had to coordinate their effort with the DEP before they could pull the tires out. In all, they retrieved 57 tires, in two boatloads. Then all 3380 pounds of water-saturated tires went to the county landfill. At one point Cathy asked me, “Do you know where these tires came from?” Maybe someone put them out for fish

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Jason Pearson takes a tire aboard while Gary Koska gets ready for the next one. Shane Kelly and Jim Atkins are the workers in the water pulling the tires up. In all 57 were collected.

habitat, I speculated. It’s illegal but people do it. “I think they came from the gas station that was over there,” Cathy replied, pointing 300 yards away, beyond the pink Char leVois condos, to where the old S&S Money garage was. Pictures of S&S made the National News after Hurricane Charley, images showing the entire building blown away leaving only a lone Pontiac, perched up in the air on their lift. “Maybe,” I said, and the next day I

called the new S&S Money garage. I spoke to the owner who was at the station in Punta Gorda. “Do you remember if you had a lot of tires at your shop when Charley hit,” I asked. “We didn’t stock many tires.” she said. “Back then I got my tires from Larry, down the road on 41.” OK then. So another Charley mystery goes unsolved, but what’s really important is, the tires are finally gone and the River is that much better off. Thank you Cathy!

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Summertime...

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and the fishin really has been easy By Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor You know it’s summer time on Charlotte Harbor when sun screen and bottled water are the top two things on your list of fishing items. We have been getting temperatures in the mid 90s during the day, this has been bringing our water temperatures in to the 80s. Our summer afternoon thunderstorms should start to kick in now, normally this helps keep the water a little cooler. The fishing has been very good lately. I have been doing mostly flats charters with a few tarpon trips mixed in. The snook fishing has been very good lately. We have still been catching some good numbers of over-slot fish in the north end of the Harbor. On a recent charter, Rich Bernardini caught six fish over 36 inches long. I’m not a marine biologist, but I think the higher salt levels have kept these big girls in the area. I’ve also heard of other species of fish and crabs being caught in areas that they’re normally not found. Tarpon should begin to make an even stronger showing in the Harbor this month. The holes in the Harbor are generally the first places to find them. Also the mouth of the rivers will hold good numbers of fish.

The key to locating tarpon is to get out early. If you see schools of bait on the surface, turn off your outboard and just drift. The chances are you will start to see fish rolling or free jumping. If you spend five minutes or so without any sign of fish, move on to a different location. If you like targeting the juvenile tarpon, the canals have been holding good numbers of fish. I got a call from a client that has become more of a friend. He wanted to try to get his two boys on some juvenile tarpon. We attempted this last year, and ended up going snook fishing. So I had a little fire in me after not being able to get it done. I picked up Ivan and his boys Jordan and Tyler, we made the idle back into a canal I knew had a lot of fish in it. The second cast confirmed we was going to be able to get it done; the youngest angler, Tyler, was hooked up with about a 15-to 20-pound tarpon. This little guy put three fish in the air and landed two before anyone else hooked one. His big brother wasn’t going to be out

done though. He didn’t get as many tarpon, but he caught the biggest and also finished the day with a nice snook. After last year it was a great juvenile tarpon trip, we put 8 or 9 fish in the air and got 5 or 6 to the boat and caught some snook, plus Jacks and a few of those things with whiskers also.

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

JUNE 2017

Stump Pass Groin Project

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PAGE 7

On The Line With Capt. Ron Blago Water LIFE Senior Staff

The Stump Pass dredging project is now 90-percent completed. A combination of equipment breakdowns and bad weather has caused additional delays for the $4.5 million dollar project. The latest timeline had a predicted completion date of June 2, but during three days of wind and waves that came with a strong frontal passage late last month, when asked, Coastal Engineering Consultant’s president Michael Poff said: The contractor is currently shut down for weather. No surveys can be performed at this time due to sea conditions. We will evaluate the changes when they start back up and surveys can be performed safely. Due to the weather the date has slid a bit. Both the dredger and rock subcontractor need 6 - 8 solid days of work to complete the channel dredging and the rock placement, respectively. Then they will need about a week or so for demobilization. So what have we gotten for our money? Already over 200,000 cubic yards of sand have been removed from the Pass and used to expand the beach at Stump Pass State Park; additional sand has also been placed on the northern shoreline of Knights Island. The area south of the Pass from Palm Island to Don Pedro State Park, which is in pretty good shape, will receive sand as the need arises. There are a few things about the new alignment of the Pass that might take some getting use to. The new channel was dredged in a southwesterly direction. As you exit Stump Pass you will hug the shoreline of Knights Island and then make a gradual turn to the west to get offshore.

This is the new ʻgroinʼ under construction at Stump Pass. The mountain of sand (below) will be backfilled between the groin and the shore. In time the rocky structure could become a formidable fish magnet.

This alignment was selected so that the highest volume of water will be directed into the newly dredged channel. This should increase the velocity and prevent the new channel from filling in. A word of caution to boaters who are used to going directly west out of the Pass and head directly for the large steel navigational marker that marks the entrance of the Pass. It is expected that this area will become even more shallow as the Pass stabilizes. Navigational markers will be in place in the next few months that will mark the new channel for boaters. In the mean time, caution is advised. The terminal groin (i.e. jetty) is located on the north side of the Pass. The groin starts on shore at Stump Pass State Park and extends approximately 600 feet into the water and then slopes downward approximately an additional 500 feet underwater . A lighted marker will mark the end of the groin. Please no not be foolish enough to speed through the marker and the end of the above water groin. That is not a short cut to Stump Pass and you will definitely be putting your life in danger. The purpose of the groin is to prevent sand migration from the north and filling in the pass.

This project was started in 2012 and is the result of a lot of money and a lot of hard work by a lot of people too numerous to mention. It is hoped that the Pass will now stay open for the next 10 years with only minimal maintenance required;

but there is no guarantee, a major hurricane or even high winds from the west can cause major damage. Mother Nature calls the shots. We just pay the money and take our chances. CaptRonB@juno.com

All ʻBout Boca

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By Mallory Herzog Water LIFE Fishing Boca Grande, is a small town with a lot of BIG fish and possibilities, located on Gasparilla Island, off Florida's Gulf coast, with miles of beautiful shoreline, white sand and clear waters. On the island, it’s old Florida charm. Easily accessible by car or boat, park dockside for lunch and explore the banyan tree covered road ways and boutiques. Recently I showed off the Island to a life long friend from Ohio. We spent the afternoon downtown, before taking a boat ride to the islands and Gulf beaches. It’s as if you step back in time. I like to park mid-island and walk to wherever we are going to take in all the sights. Locals and guests often travel by golf cart. There is truly something for everyone. On the water, it’s a fisherman's paradise. Travel out to Boca Grande Pass and witness the alluring sight of schooling tarpon, rolling along so close you can almost touch them. These fish call in anglers from around the world during the April- July migration we see locally. This is where Charlotte Harbor and Gasparilla Sound meet, flushing the surrounding waters out into the Gulf of Mexico. During this flushing tide "pass crabs" or

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calico crabs flush out with the tide. When this begins, anglers grab their dip nets and go to town, scooping up the male crabs for bait, leaving the egg bearing and female crabs to drift with the current out to sea. While we were fishing many of the other boats were loading up on bait for an evening of fishing. There is really nothing quite like it. Tarpon has been fished here dating back to the late 1800s. These fish have been sought after for centuries for their majesty and

Richard Simms with a very fine tarpon

strength. Fast forward to today, hundreds of anglers are packed into a small area, fishing right next to each other. This can be intimidating to new fishermen, who are used to the lone quiet shorelines of the local back country. Tarpon fishing in Boca Grande is fast paced action. The captains maneuver their vessels like a game of chess, putting their anglers in the best position for the bite. Depth ranges from 40-70 feet in the pass. All around us rods were bent and fish were rolling and jumping though the air. Clearly the sea here was alive.

Recently our guest Richard Simms, a fellow outdoor writer and guide from Chattanooga Tennessee, joined us for a chance to hook into a silver king. He and his wife Barbara came out first for a sunset trip and then had two others scheduled that week. The tarpon were waiting on them. I don’t think they fished for 15 minutes before Barbara had a fish flying though the air. Richard stuck a larger fish that gave him quite the battle. He was hooked up for

nearly a half hour, and during a downpour. This fish just wouldnt quit, jumping multiple times. Lucky for him, the fish was staying hooked. Capt. Andrew was able to grab the fish for some one on one time with Richard. What a welcome! And what another perfect island memory Is the electric feeling you get while in Boca Grande due to all the good memories its given to its visitors over the years? I think so. Ending the week guiding friends and their children, exploring the islands and white sand shorelines was like something out of a movie. When you live here you often lose touch with reality, and all the beauty right in our own back yard. To book a trip with Capt Andrew Herzog Call or TXT 941-661-0304 Visit http://bigbullyoutdoors.com

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When The Wind Blows PAGE

By Fishin’ Frank Water LIFE Baitshop You know, for a guy with so many boats I don’t get out much, but last weekend I got a chance to take out my little boat, which is a 15 foot skiff. This is the boat I want to use for creeks and exploring. Anyway, Terry and I headed out for a day of fishing the River. And not a bad day, we used frozen pilchards for bait – here is a tip when you are using them: bring a pair of scissors, a knife mushes up the bait too much. First stop, the I-75 bridge, as it was about 8:30 in the morning and the winds were light – you and I know, by afternoon the wind will pickup. We anchored up at the bumpers and started out putting a half of a pilchard on at a time, using two #2 split shots, ... just to see if we would get a hit and no problem getting a hit. Cast once, the bait hit the bottom, tap, tap, tap, bang! Bait gone! Putting on a new bait I casted just a bit closer, by that I mean my bait hit the concrete and slid down. Risky – it is very easy to get stuck on the barnacles or debris, but it worked and bang, a nice little goliath grouper was on its way up to get its picture taken. Notice the round tail, that is the way tell a goliath from any other grouper in the area. I have seen this species in dark colors like this one and then light colors with red or browns, it has to do with where you catch them. A goliath will try, like almost all fish, to blend in with the back ground colors. After the little grouper it was cast and pick, pick, tap, tap, and bait gone. So I switched to a slip sinker rig so I could feel right when the fish started to bite the bait, rather then after it had already taken the bait. Once we switched I caught a couple decent size mangrove snappers, but having forgot the ice chest for keeping the fish cold, it was a catch and be released day for them.

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It seemed that the snapper and grouper were closer and the Hello Kitty moments were just out 2-feet or more from the pilings. With the wind picking up and the tide starting to change we left the bridge to try a couple islands, but with no luck. Then we fished the channel between the islands of Bird Key and Long Key, good spots before they dug in the water pipe to Punta Gorda, which screwed up the fishing there. It would have been great if when they placed the pipe they

JUNE 2017

would not have put all of the dirt back and left a trench. That would have made the fishing even better than before, but, instead, they left a hill or long bump which made things worse. Cleaning out some of that muck while they were right there would have been the right thing to do, environmentally. After trying the islands we went up to the trestle on Shell Creek. As we motored there were fish, not boiling at the surface, but swirling would be a better word. We started casting, I was using a Storm twitch stick and T had a paddle tail jig on. She saw a fish bust the surface right between the pilings and cast right on the swirl, but the fish has swirled right over a piling, so T broke off. Then, at the other end of the trestle, a big school of what I thought were jacks, was blowing up on the surface chasing bait. Once I had pointed the boat in the right direction we drifted in. Talk about a blind chicken getting a kernel of corn, the fish started breaking the surface right in front of us. I put a, if I might say, prefect cast, just the other side of the fish and the shad lure did not make it 3-feet and then bang, fish on, and when it jumped and I saw the line on its side I was stunned. Not jacks at all but a school of snook, - 20- to 28-inches, feeding like a bunch of jacks...what fun. Shell Creek is a great spot to fish on the windy days, peaceful and not a lot of boat traffic. We did however see one guy while we were heading home who must have been having trouble with the seat cushions on his boat. The poor fellow must have spilled something on his pants, as he was not wearing any, I assume to keep from staining the cushions with what ever he spilled. And the seat cushion must have been stuck as he kept banging his hips against it. I did not stop to help hm as he seemed to have it under control. All in all it was a really nice day on the water, with birds, fish and even a herd of manatees, 7 of them, that swam by the boat while we were anchored at the trestle. Frank@fishinfranks.com Port Charlotte 941- 625-3888 Ft Myers 239-634-1043

CANVAS & UPHOLSTERY

Solid Consistency

JUNE 2017

The Southern Sector

10,000 Islands / Everglades City

By Capt. Charlie Phillips Water LIFE / Everglades City It’s been a solid month down in the Everglades National Park and 10,000 Islands. It’s gotten back to summertime heat without the rain and storms, but with plenty of wind instead. The wind has kept me inshore most of the month, but the bite has been consistent. Lots of big snook coming from the outside keys, especially those with fallen timber and good flow. Live bait has been the go-to, when you can find it, but artificials are producing as well. I didn’t catch many redfish this month, so not much to report there on my end. Did see a few of my fellow captains finding

Capt. Adam Mickelson guided this unknown angler to a large snook caught on live bait on a shallow water rockpile

KAYAKING: Sit-On-Top Tips For Fishing From a SOT By Bob Fraser Water LIFE Kayaking

I want to give you four tips to make your kayak adventures better by pointing out some mistakes my clients make when they go kayaking with me. Although I instruct them on kayaking and fishing before we launch, they still make these mistakes. Tip #1 When getting in a kayak at the launch site donʼt step in the middle of the kayak or try to

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PAGE 11

some here and there. Soft plastics worked around the oyster bars and bar edges would be my thought, as well as chunking up any ladyfish you catch and putting it out for the redfish to find you. As the water warms up, this option is always a good one. The fish slow down and letting them follow the scent of fresh ladyfish or mullet can Capt. Joe Garcia put Mr Tony Camps on this speckled trout on one of his recent trips. work surprisingly well. Tarpon catches are the norm now thru our region, with anglers targeting Live crabs on a 2/0 circle hook fish using live and dead baits out by the with a rod heavy enough to mud hole off Goodland, or in the back bays tackle these hard fighters before with fly and artificial. Saw some big fish re- the sharks get on you is the key. ported this month from those that spend a Permit, for me, are my favorite good deal of time targeting the Silver King as I love the drag screaming runs they produce and the with their anglers. Offshore, the permit bite has been insane finicky nature they have. But I when you can find a window to get out. will share this tip: when there is one single permit, they can get very picky in what they take, but add a bunch of buddies to Capt. Joe Snook Cass guided Jennifer to her largest tarpon. the party and they will often feed with reckless tine. Y’all be safe out there this month, and abandon as they have to feed or with that last thought in mind, make sure to a neighbor will. Great fun and a watch the weather if you are down in the beautiful species to target. I Glades and 10,000 Islands. Trying to come would say fishing for these fish in from offshore thru a big band of southbound thunderstorms is not a fun experishould continue on into June. June is looking to be another ence….trust me on that!! Take care and see you next month. great month, and I am keeping Capt. Charlie Phillips: 863-517-1829 my fingers crossed that these litCapt. Joe Snook Cass put this angler on the tripletail tle rains we are finally starting to e-mail: hopefishing@hotmail.com Web: hopefishing.com using the fly rod see will soon become the daily roustraddle the kayak. The best and safest way to enter a kayak is by sitting down in the kayak facing away from it, as you sit down reach for the opposite side of the kayak with your hand to stable yourself and lift your legs over the side. Tip #2 When getting out of the kayak either at the launch site or in shallow water swing your legs over the side and push yourself up with one hand on the side and the other hand in the middle of the kayak. Itʼs easier to get out if you are in 12-16 inches of water. Tip #3 While fishing from a kayak, be careful not to

lean over the side too far, because you can lose your balance and wind up in the water. I have seen my clients lean over the side to grab their hook to put another piece of bait on the hook or to take a fish off and do this. I always tell my clients to leave enough line out, so the hook or fish is even to the end of the fishing rod, then they can swing the line towards them to rebait or remove a fish without leaning over. After instructing them at the launch site about doing this, I still look over and see them leaning over the side of the kayak to grab the hook or fish.

Tip #4 One of the reasons I like the sit-on-top kayak model is because of the storage behind the

seat. I keep a small cooler and my milk crate with my gear behind my seat. The easiest and safest way to get anything from behind your seat is to swing your legs over the side to access the back end of the kayak. I see people turn and twist their body around while they are facing the front. Reaching too far across your body can cause you to lose your balance and your weight will cause you to tip over.

Be smart and be safe on the water. Always check the wind conditions before kayaking.

Bob Fraser, Kayak Fishing Guide 941-916-8303 bobmfraser@gmail.com www.kayakfishingwithbob.com

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Zealand 3/2 Pool Home, two docks, 12 miles to Cayo Costa and Boca Grande. Tarpon, redfish and snook fishing. Manatees and sea turtles, Go shelling or nap on your boat! $329,000

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FISH PIX!

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John Carpenter of Englewood 36-inch snook Capt. Charley Bohley of Charley's Charters fishing Estero Bay, on May 11, had the honor of taking out Ryan (father) and his son Alex who were celebrating Alex's 15th birthday.

Mike Mitten of Illinois with an eater size Charlotte Harbor speck, caught with Ron Tandy

Carol Weitzel, pompano at the mouth of Alligator Creek.

Out 30 mi with Cap'n Doug Wright, Jerry Pirillo got his First "Fire Truck" red grouper on his 61st Birthday 30 + inches... what a fight! Brian Massey, tarpon

Sandy Tandy with a couple nice Charlotte Harbor speckled trout just prior to them providing an excellent dinner.

Alex Geml, Snook , 32 inches

Stephanie with a redfish and 2 cute pups

Theresa Sabatini, and her 84-year-young dad, Vince Slomian, from Illinois, catching canal cats

Cap'n Doug Wrig us on grou

JUNE 2017

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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

Ian Roberts from Fort Myers released this gap snook My name is Joshua Ledbetter, I caught this today in Englewood on a live shrimp. Permit.

Anthony Intorcia, big porgy

Ashley with a red and and Sean Dean with a snook, Mother's Day in the Myakka cutoff

ght does it again, successfully puts uper, 30 miles out of Gasparilla!

Brian Scholle of Dekalb, IL 39-inch snook Myakka, River on a Johnson Spoon

Above: Rebecca Hughes, Northport, first bass which started my love affair with freshwater fishing. Right: Bonita springs... my first freshwater snook

Steve Gant 52" kingfish out of Boca Grande. Caught while fishing with my Dad, Don Gant last Wednesday 5/10/17

Don Sabatini, Limited Grouper in 100-feet of water, May 10.

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Mike Hadden of Tallahassee caught this nice linesider on Wednesday May 10, 2017 while fishing with a group of firefighters at Stump Pass. Mike was jigging a white Gulp! with a 3/8th oz jig head.

Robin Vandenbroeck, roosterfish, Tropic Star, Panama May 2017

Two nice big bass caught by artist Dale Werner in Naples

Dave Wright with jack caught in Osprey ICW

Emerson "Emmy" with her Pop-Pop Frankie, with her first snook. Port Charlotte, May 2017

Roughly a 115-pounds, 5 1/2 foot long Tarpon caught in Boca Grande Pass on Friday April 28th. We did not bring the fish into the boat. Capt. Steve Ahlers #spookedagain #firsttarpon after building this beautiful 23 Morgan.

Glen Ballinger, Louisiana offshore haul

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Paul Bruner with an outstanding New Zealand brown trout caught on a fly rod, congratulations Paul!

Ron Tandy Jr. with a nice catch and release Northern Pike, taken in Ontario, Canada

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wet hands on a fish you will be releasing. No Dry Towels, it wipes off vital fish slime. Hold big fish horizontally so as not to damage their ʻinnerds,ʼ donʼt hold big fish from the jaw, it could tear or break and donʼt put your hands in the gills. No Fishy Fish if you are not in the picture it may not get into print.

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Txt to 941-457-1316 include (at least) your name and type of fish (txt only, voice calls cannot be answered) You may also eMail pictures to: waterlife@comcast.net

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Cheryl Sanders, first redfish caught (ever) on our new boat

Stephanie, snook

Nicci Hogeback of Punta Gorda, 41-inch cobia

Phillip Huber from Kloten, Switzerland caught this nice red grouperabout 30 miles He was grouper fishing for the first time on the Gulf last week. He was visiting his sister Connie in Harbour Heights.

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

Will Blackwell and his most recent lunker.

Captain Grayson on the Myakka River, caught in the secret Hazeltine Hole

Right: is Buddy Newton with a keeper Pompano. and me (Cameron Parson) with a big snook

Good Day fishing with Captain Terry, Fish on Charters

Freeline Fishing PAGE

By Capt. Chuck Eichner Water LIFE Inshore Fishing in southwest Florida often seems quite complicated. You have to consider tides, moon phase, water temperature, fish migrations, baitfish migrations, boat traffic... and those are just the most basic factors. I often hear fisherman talk about having a hard time catching fish and I would be the first to admit that Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf are quite challenging. But every fish that swims is hungry this month and they must eat constantly as the water temperatures get into the mid-80s. The gamefish-prey relationship is now at a pinnacle, with baitfish nearly everywhere. June is the month to have a record day and the method is quite simple: Free Line Fishing. Free line fishing is done in three basic ways: 1) From an anchored boat, 2) From a drifting boat, 3) From a boat that is bump trolling. I generally consider a free-line on my boat as a rod that has a hook and leader only and the rod is cast out, stuck in a rod holder and forgotten until the drag starts to squeal. When in the Gulf, I usually use a short piece of wire to prevent bite-offs from vicious attacks from kingfish,

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sharks, barracuda and mackerel. For bait, it is hard to beat a live blue runner, pinfish or threadfin herring, however I often use a frozen Spanish sardine. That’s right dead bait! It cannot get any easier than that. When fishing from an anchored boat I am always chumming to bring something off the bottom, but of course fish come from all depths to investigate. While snapper and grouper fishing I frequently hook up all the toothy critters named above along with bonita. On a rare occasion you may jump a tarpon, catch a rogue mahi or entice a sailfish. The free lined bait lofts in the water column and undulates with the wind, wave and tidal action. A float can be used to maintain a specific water depth. Free line drift fishing is a very effective method. Offshore, or near shore, I look for baitfish pods on the surface or in the water column. I then sabiki the bait in the water column and put them out on a free line from either corner on the transom. With 2 free lines out and some wind you can cover a lot of territory. When the drag starts singing, push your waypoint button before picking up the rod so you can go back to the same spot which often will produce other strikes! While free-line drifting you can drop a jig head on a lighter rod baited with squid or shrimp

and have fun with snappers! In deeper waters you can fish vertically for grouper with bait or vertical fish butterfly jigs. Since you are fishing under the boat you have no interference with the free-line rods. Also, run one long and one short line. Long is way, way back behind the boat and short could be from 20 yards out or more. I find the longest lines behind the boat end up with the occasional blackfin tuna as they are very boat shy. If you have a windless day, use the same method above, but run the motor and occasionally bump it into gear to keep the lines straight and cover water, thus the term bump-trolling. What tackle to use is always a gamble. I love to go light, but when I am getting spooled on a 5000 series reel with 20pound test, I wish for a tarpon rod with 60-pound test, however, a 10 pound kingfish is not much of a challenge with a tar-

JUNE 2017

pon rod. Hooks depend on the bait size but generally a 4/0- to 7/0 circle hook does the job with the lightest leader possible. The sweet sound of a singing drag is guaranteed in June and it’s not rocket science! Anywhere from the beaches on out are fish that are hungry and not too choosy. It just can’t get much better than that!

Capt. Chuck Eichner operates Action Flats Backcountry Charters He can be reached at 941-628-8040

JUNE 2017

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Estero Bay: Fishing to Beat the Heat By Captain Joe Angius Water LIFE Estero Let’s face it; every month for me is my favorite month for fishing. There will always be fish to catch every month regardless of what the wind, weather, or tides are doing. It is the captain’s and an-

gler’s ability to adapt to these unique conditions and situations that will make them successful. This month is no different, with June showcasing extreme afternoon temperatures reaching well over 90 degrees and heavy evening rainstorms. I will have clients ask me when the best time to fish is in June and will reply with, “As early as you can wake up to meet me, in the late afternoon and evening, or at night to beat the heat.” Offering a variety of charters such as my evening and night-time ‘Beat the Heat’ charters not only allows my clients to fish away from the brutal Florida sun, but also gives them the opportunity to fish in a different environment. Clients have told me these unique experiences have changed their perspective on fishing and the way they view Southwest Florida as a whole. Fishing under a bridge for a trophy sized tarpon at night, or sight-casting to snook near a residential dock light is something indescribable and the memories will last a lifetime. Fishing Estero Bay in the evening before dark often provides anglers with an exceptional bite. As long as there’s no rain or lightning over the Bay, anglers can find themselves catching redfish, snook, tarpon, sharks, and goliath grouper. It is extremely important to cast net large quality bait beforehand to reap the

benefits of evening fishing. This month I focus a lot of my attention on netting threadfin herring, pilchards, and mullet. The baits that I use range in size from 6to 10-inches. Hooking them through the nose with a 1/0 or 2/0 Owner inline allpurpose hook allows the bait to swim naturally producing the most strikes. If this doesn’t produce a bite, then I would suggest adjusting your leader strength and length, along with the size of the bait and hook you are using. Try a loop knot to let the bait swim even more freely. Anglers fishing in June need to be prepared. Fishing in the mornings and afternoons are great, but the Southwest Florida heat can really take a toll on your body. Remember to always drink enough water even if you don’t think you are thirsty or need it. On a few occasions I’ve even had clients and I experience dehydration and heat exhaustion. There

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should always be water in the cooler for everyone on board. Wearing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and the proper fishing attire will help prevent issues and insure all anglers are safe, comfortable, and enjoy a great fishing experience. Captain Joe Angius (727)-234-3171 Speak Easy Fishing Charters www.speakeasyfishing.com

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Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True ject and asked if he was fishing. The subject stated he was only “grabbing oysters.” After inspecting a bucket of oysters, the officer asked the subject if he had any other resource in his car, and he replied “no” and gave permission to search. A bag was found in the vehicle with four whole stone crabs, one of which was egg bearing. The subject said he hid them under the passenger seat because he wasn't sure if they were legal. They werenʼt. He was cited.

LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY A Lee County couple was forced to tread water for three hours in Charlotte Harbor after their boat overturned in choppy water during last monthʼs frontal passage. They were rescued by TowBoat US Charlotte Harbor, who were already out.

CRAPPY BAIT SHOP Lee County FWC officers conducted a marine sanitation inspection on a floating structure used as a bait shop near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. During their investigation, the officers discovered that the vesselʼs sewage was pumped directly into the water. The bait shop owner was cited for the violation and provided information about how to properly dispose of human waste. (Editor notes** Boy did he get off easy!) YOU CANʼT HIDE While on land patrol near Tampaʼs Courtney Campbell Causeway. An officers watched the subject for several minutes and realized that he was swimming back and forth facing the seawall as if he were spearfishing. The officer approached the sub-

UNSTUCK Officers responded to Lake Nash in Holiday to assist Pasco County Sheriffʼs Office with the retrieval of three individuals that were stuck on the lake. One small vessel had become stuck when the wind had blown it into heavy hydrilla. A Good Samaritan had also become stuck while trying to assist the other individuals. Officers safely removed all the individuals and brought them back to shore. We assume the boats were retrieved later. NO DRONES Officers were called to assist a Jonathan Dickinson State Park Ranger with a park patron flying an apparatus (drone) inside park boundaries. The patron refused to comply with the park rangerʼs repeated requests to stop flying the drone. The park patron was issued two infractions, one for failing to comply with park staff and the other for deploying a flying apparatus inside a state park, which you canʼt do. THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF FISH ON THE PLANET is one humans rarely see because it's small, ingeniously camouflaged and lives between 100 and 250 fathoms down in the ocean. It's the bristlemouth, a member of the genus Cyclothone. Most species grow to no more than three inches in length. Its preda-

tors include shrimp, which gives you a sense of how puny this fish is.

Successful turkey hunt in Immokalee. Jack Cronin age 12 and his younger brother, B-man, age 10. Both birds were taken at dawn.

DOG GONE Officers responded to an alligator attack involving a dog at a local park and boat ramp on Lake Okeechobee. After speaking with the owner of the dog and finding out where the attack happened, they located the alligator and dog. A licensed alligator trapper was called and, with the assistance of the officers, the alligator was safely caught and turned over to the trapper. The alligator was nearly 11 feet long. THE PARTY MUST GO ON An FWC officer in Bokeelia noticed a vessel at the marina that had many fresh oysters lying on the deck and under a wet carpet. He approached the indi-

Peace Ricer Clean Up

The Nav-A-Gator Grill & Marina will sponsor the 22nd Annual Peace River Cleanup Saturday June 3. Both the Navigator Boat Club and Charlotte Harbor Parrot Heads will be helping organize the clean-up. The cleanup will stage at The Nav-A-Gator beginning at 9am. A prize will be awarded for the most unique/unusual item found. All boaters, boat clubs, canoe and kayak clubs environmentalists, nature lovers and all organizations, as well as individuals, are welcome to lend a hand and are really needed to continue the efforts of keeping the beautiful Peace River healthy and pristine. Sponsors of this yearʼs cleanup include Womack Sanitation, and Peace River Distribution. If your group, organization or club would like to help sponsor and/or donate trash bags, disposal gloves or water please contact 941-627-3474. Participants are encouraged to bring a boat, canoe, or kayak. Free dockage and slips also provided for those who come by boat. After the clean-up itʼs time to “Party with a Purpose”. The Nav-A-Gator Grill & Marina will provide live music from 2pm-5pm, cover charge of canned goods & non-perishable food items. vidual watching the boat and asked him if he had harvested the oysters. The individual stated that he had harvested the oysters earlier that morning. The individual admitted to knowingly being over the bag limit for oysters because he needed them for a party. The officer allowed him to pick through the oysters and keep the best ones to fill his limit. A total of 9, 5-gallon buckets (approximately 350 pounds) were returned to the resource alive. Then subject was issued a notice to appear.

TAKE MORE LOBSTERS IF.... Rewards for recreational and commercial participants in this summerʼs Lionfish Roundup include: A commemorative coin to validate membership and, if qualified before July 26, the opportunity to take an additional spiny lobster each day during the 2017 sport season (July 26-27). Participants must have commemorative coin as proof of participation. BIG DEAL The container ship COSCO Development has set a record as the largest vessel to date to enter the expanded Panama Canal. The ship measures 366 meters in length and 48.2 meters in beam. She began her voyage in Asia and is now also the largest ship to arrive on the U.S. East Coast.

MANATEES WERE TO BLAME Officers responded to a boating accident on the Caloosahatchee River where a vessel struck a double-piling manatee marker and the operator abandoned the vessel at the Centennial Park Boat Ramp. The manatee marker was broken off at the water line and there was significant damage to the vessel. The officers lo-

cated the operator and charged him for leaving the scene of an accident and for failing to maintain a proper lookout.

ALGAE AND LIVER DISEASE According to Ohio State University researchers, people living in areas with significant blue-green algae blooms are more likely to die from nonalcoholic liver disease than those who don't. Research showed that Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties make up a striking "cluster" with a high rate of both blooms and liver disease deaths. It is the only such cluster in Florida and one of 65 scientists found nationwidee. The death rate from liver disease not related to alcohol was nearly twice as high in the four counties as the national average during the 12 years of the OSU study. The study found a suspicious link between the toxin, called microsystin, commonly found in blue-green algae, called cyanobacteria, but it did not go so far as to confirm blooms cause liver disease. Research continues. PADDLEBOARD SPEARFISHING The FWC actually cited a man for this last month... because he was targeting gamefish.

Sea Grant Update JUNE 2017

By Capt. Betty Staugler Water Life / Sea Grant Lots going on as usual in the world of Sea Grant; locally, around the state, regionally, and around the nation. Here’s some highlights: At the national level, the biggest news is that we are on the chopping block again…Ouch!! Yes, in the President’s 2018 budget for NOAA, our Federal partner, we are zeroed out, as are many other science related programs. We were also zeroed out in his 2017 budget, covering the remainder of this year, but Congress restored our funding before passing that budget last month. We are now hopeful the same will happen for 2018. On a regional level, I will be giving a presentation at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting this month in Naples. The presentation will summarize two studies, one completed by Florida Sea Grant, and the other by UF’s Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, on angler perceptions and use of venting tools and descending gear when releasing reef fish experiencing barotrauma (floaters that can’t get back down on their own). The results are based on surveys conducted statewide with anglers in 2014 and 2015. Recall, in 2008 venting tools were made mandatory when fishing for reef fish. That requirement was repealed in 2013 when new descending tools became available. With the venting tool requirement in place, anglers were not free to use the new descending tools. The repeal however, created a lot of confusion with many anglers thinking they were no longer supposed to vent fish. Current research shows no significant difference in survival between fish vented or descended. More important in terms of survival, is doing something quickly to get a fish that can’t get to the bottom back down to depth. At the state level, Florida Sea Grant in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis-

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sion is working on developing a “green” certification for guides. The certification will be voluntary and will recognize guides that incorporate a variety of sustainable measures in their business practices. In order to gauge guide interest in such a certification and determine topics to include we conducted a statewide survey by email with a random sample of guides a few months ago. Results

It may not look exactly like this (lol), but a green certification for fishing guides is coming soon

were very favorable. Of special note… More surveys were completed by Charlotte County guides than anywhere else in the state. You guys are awesome…Thank you!! Locally, from February through May, my office hosted a water quality seminar series. Each seminar featured two speakers on a water quality related topic. We had great speakers from around the state that covered topics ranging from tracing pollutants, harmful algae blooms, reuse water, and Florida Friendly Landscaping. Also locally, my Sea Grant colleagues from southwest Florida and I just finished our annual Marine Fisheries Regulations and Management Workshops. These half day workshops are offered to agency staff who work in the area of marine fisheries. We’ve been doing these workshops for about six years in partnership with FWC’s

Division of Law Enforcement in order to bring these folks up to speed on the ever changing fisheries regulations. Speaking of fisheries management, FWC is currently gathering public input on the future management of goliath grouper. It is possible that goliath grouper could open for limited harvest in the near future. If you would like to provide input visit: http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/goliath-grouper/ Also on goliath grouper, this month will be the 8th Annual Great Goliath Grouper Count. This dive survey is a collaboration between Sea Grant and FWC and was developed to help fill in life history gaps. Life history information is needed when doing stock assessments and because goliath grouper are long-lived, gathering complete life history information is difficult. Continuing on goliath grouper, earlier this year I spent time on the Caloosahatchee with an FWC colleague trying to catch juvenile goliath grouper in blue crab traps in order to tag them for additional life history research. We got skunked and with the coming rains are probably out of luck for this year. If you are reliably encountering goliath grouper in the rivers (in traps or hook and line), we’d be interested in hearing from you. Finally, coming up this summer will be the 9th Annual Great Bay Scallop Search in Gasparilla Sound & Lemon Bay (I’m targeting August 5th), and the 8th Annual for Pine Island Sound Scallop Search (TBD). These annual surveys provide a snapshot of bay scallop distribution and abundance in our local estuaries. If you have a shallow draft boat and like to snorkel, we’d love to have you help with the survey. In Gasparilla Sound and Lemon Bay, this half day event is the only adult survey conducted on bay scallops.

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Capt. Betty Staugler, Florida Sea Grant Agent. UF/IFAS Extension, Charlotte County (941) 764-4346

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By Peter Welch Water LIFE Sailing Safety begins with knowing the RightOf-Way rules and Chapman’s Piloting book is an excellent starting point. The rules begin when you want to leave the dock. A boat already in the channel has right of way. The vessel being overtaken has right of way (sail or power). A vessel hauling trawls or restricted by draft have right of way. If you travel at night where there are commercial vessels in draft restricted areas you must know the meaning of various light patterns. I once mistook the dim lights 3 feet above the water for night time fishermen. When the huge search light came on I found it was a large Adagio out front in a Dec 2015 Ckub race. tug pushing several fuel barges. Implicit in the rules is the skipper’s bur- Below: Adagioʼs starting line damage den to keep good watch. Where safety is at issue that task falls on the entire crew. This is especially true at the start of a sailboat race, where the desire is to force other vessels to your starboard, away from you. That creates a “hole” to your port that allows you room to drop down and get more wind to accelerate the boat. That is also the time when crew are occupied with sail trim or following the skippers request, had to be away and delegated to experior reporting what other boats are doing, it enced crew. The damage to his boat Adagio may be that sailors on adjacent boats are was significant but Dennis Peck’s BDnot watching “traffic” or that crews are SAILING.com made the port side repair dealing with equipment problems. Or that quickly and in time for the next race series. the normal skipper is away (from the helm) The port side damage indicated that and his duty has been delegated to experiDave’s crew was “not at fault,” however if enced crew. there had been significant injury, maritime That was the case when Dave Atkinson law would have made the analysis and ver-

dict very complex. Dave and his crew won the Non Spinnaker class with the repaired boat in that series and Dave now claims to be retiring from racing. Being a safe sailor requires staying within the limits of your skills and the boat’s ability. For example: It is not safe to rely on diesel auxiliary propulsion in large waves. Diesel fuel becomes contaminated by its affinity to attract water vapor. In high waves that crud will stop the engine. In heavy wind, a cruising sail boat should have a small jib and a mainsail with a minimum of two reef points available to reduce sail area. Roller furling mains are prone to debilitating jams in higher winds so, with those, reduce sail area early.

SUMMER SAILING PROGRAMS

Safety for youth sailors begins with good training and matures via supervised practice under a variety of conditions and on a variety of boats. This is the season for that training and Charlotte Harbor is blessed with three organizations that are qualified to teach the US Sailing course

JUNE 2017 Gree ngs from Vermont and Lake Champlain. While Larry and I spent the winter in warm and sunny Punta Gorda, Cool Change, our 34-foot Catalina, was winterized, covered and perched on a cradle in the Shelburne Shipyard here in Vermont. Since returning to Vermont, we’ve waxed, touched up the bo om paint and completed a list of chores to keep us comfortable and safe for a summer of sailing and adventure on the lake. Today’s forecast is for light and variable winds, becoming south in the a ernoon. Waves are nearly calm, the water temperature is 48 degrees and, wouldn't you know it, there's a race scheduled for this a ernoon. The boat should be in the water by the me you get this. Fran

that leads to small boat competence in sheltered waters. Charlotteharborcommunitysailingcenter.com Has three sailing camps for youth. Boats used suit the size of the students from 8 to 18. The Center at the Charlotte Beach Park also has boats that are accessible to a wide range of mobility and age. There are family memberships for year round boat use also. Contact and registration thru the web or at 941-773-6326 Chysailing.com has summer learn to sail for beginners and advanced youth sailing. Located at the Yacht Club at 4400 Lister Ave Port Charlotte. More information on their web. Learntosailswf.com has sailing camps for youth at the Punta Gorda Bayfront building 750 Esplanade. Two types of boats used to suit student size. More information on their web.

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