Water LIFE September 2020

Wa t e r LI FE Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, Venice, Estero, 10,000 Islands and the Gulf

the Charlotte Harbor Reef Association

September 2020

FISH PIX! Water LIFE magazine

Carl Cucco, new to Punta Gorda, with a 28-pound gag grouper caught in 255-feet of water, off Boca Grande

FISH PIX! Water LIFE magazine

Kaitlyn Carey, catch and release trout. Cabbage Key.

$1Bill Challenge

FISH PIX! Water LIFE magazine

First Place Myan Cichlid: 13-inches Anthony Rice #320

3rd Period Winners

pages 6-9

This is Jaxon, Cam and Austin bream fishing in the canals they had a great time

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10/1/20

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SEPTEMBER 2020

ion

t c e l e e h t r e t f a l il Waiting ‘t

eMail letters and photos to:

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

(941) 766-8180

FishPix, text only number 941-457-1316

217 Bangsberg Rd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

Independant - Not affiliated with any other publication!

Vol XIX No. 9 © 2020

NO PART of this publication (printed or

electronic) may be copied, reproduced or re-used in any manner without specific written, witnessed and notarized, permission from the Publisher

Contributing Editors:

Photography: ASA1000.com

Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Baitshop: Fishinʼ Frank

Upper Harbor: Cameron Parson

Peace River: Capt. Dave Stephens Punta Gorda: Alan Williams Estero: Capt. Joe Angius

Everglades: Capt. Charlie Phillips Sailing: Fran Burstein

Pier Fishing: Bobby Vitalis Diving: Adam Wilson

From the Ponds: Nicholas J Office Dog: Agustus

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Sunseeker Resort Progress Report

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down 80-percent. Airline carriers are filing for bankruptcy – Avianca and Virgin Atlantic are COMMENTARY the most recent. Warren Buffet

BY MICHAEL HELLER has sold all of his airline stock.

Someone asked me ‘what do I doubt whether additional govyou have against Sunseeker?’ ernment money for airlines will Here’s what I told them: ‘They come any time soon. So will Alwill deteriorate our water quallegiant file for bankruptcy too? ity, they have done nothing to And if that happenes what oppose phosphate mining, they would that do to the Sunseeker have misrepresented their intenproject? Would they be forced tions from the beginning. I to sell? I bet they have considdon’t like what they are proposered a sale already. ing for Charlotte County. I’ve Last month the Airline Trandealt with developers like them sit Association said it will be at before.’ least 2024 before the industry According to a story by recovers. Maybe longer.

If a crane toppled, could it hit the gas station across the street?

WINK TV News, Sunseeker Since the Payroll Protection owner Allegiant Airlines said the six cranes on their site in Port Plan ended in July, 20-percent of Delta’s employees have now quit Charlotte are engineered to withstand a hurricane... so the cranes and as of September 30, the Flight Attendants Union contract runs will not be coming down. A friend suggested to me that, to conout which ends their guaranteed health insurance, so flight attentain the liability to the crane company, Allegiant might technically dants are looking for other work too. Replacing trained workers and own the cranes during construction. So if that’s true, an almost starting back up won’t be easy, even for the big carriers. bankrupt airline is now responsible for our public safety.

Allegiant Airlines has a lot on their plate and I have to figure I was getting gas at the old Raceway (now a Chevron station) Sunseeker just can’t be one of their higher priorities. I fear as their across US 41 from the Sunseeker site and I was thinking about that airline struggles to survive we will be looking at that hollow Sunwhile filling my tank. Then I wondered whether, if one of those seeker shell for quite a while. cranes toppled over ... it would reach the gas station?

Did you laugh at the idea of one of their cranes toppling over I looked up as the pump approached $30 and saw that a falling and landing on the gas station in a ball of flames? Don’t laugh! crane would have to cut through the high power transmission lines That scenario already took place once this year when an out of conon the way down...so the crane would probably be ‘hot’ when it hit trol pick up truck went airborne, landed on the roof of Fishin’ the gas pumps..... and KABOOM! Franks and exploded into flames, burning Frank’s place to the On a more serious note, airline industry revenues continue to be ground. It’s 2020, bad things are coming in twos. It could happen !!

Zoom Fishing Classes for kids see p 10

Thanks Michael for your monthly report on

Sunseeker/Allegiant Air itʼs always informative, please keep them coming.

We are not at all surprised by the shut down of this project, it wasnʼt right from the beginning for our beautiful paradise, what were they all think-

ing including our mayor and commissioners and to this day we have yet to hear about a “performance bond” if they have one in place, how long do we have to all wait before they can enact on imploding this “white elephant” or are we going to have to look at this for years and years?

We think so, so sad. Melanie

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Charlotte Commissioners: The Time Is Now

By Michael Heller Water LIFE editor COVID or no COVID we need to move ahead.

I know we are COVID restricted right now, but now is the time to be putting a bug in a lot of people’s ears about what we have, right here in Charlotte County. Around the Country people are planning their get aways for when things loosen up. Now is the time to give those folks an idea: There is beauty in Charlotte County!

Charlotte County is in a unique position to be able to offer the kind of outdoor casual, socially distant vacation people will be looking for. From fishing to sightseeing, from beautiful birds to spectacular sunsets Charlotte Harbor never disappoints... Now is the time to let the rest of the world know. I bet realtors share my enthusiasm too.

We are in a position to attract not just visitors, but the right visitors, people who will appreciate and respect what we have here.

Charlotte County is mecca when it comes to inshore and near shore fishing. Look at Mark Williams’ beautiful snook on this page - a regular guy in a plane old boat with a world class fish!

There is a litany of other species as well, fish that reside here, as well as migratory species, but you know this, you are here already! We need to tell others. We have spectacular tarpon and a gigantic shark fishery, we have groupers big enough to pull your arms out of their sockets, literally! And freshwater species around the area

are enough to satisfy anyone.

I think Charlotte County should adopt this magazine and share it on their website every month. People look at pictures, especially online.

Let’s let people see what we have.

We have the fish, we have the guides, we have the boats, we have the hotels and restaurants, when this pandemic is over we will need money to be moving around in our communities.

The Harbor is our only attraction, let’s get the word out!

Now isn’t the first time I have suggested this.

Maybe 8- or 10-years ago, a Commissioner refered me to the tourism division and the lady in charge of tourism only wanted to talk about kayaks and bird watching. Then five years ago I went to the County again and a different woman was in charge, it was no different........ except she also wanted more baseball.

Now it’s time to try again. The County already supports our Kids Fishing programs, we promote the sensible use of the environment and ethical angling. We cover kayaking, sailing and the environment. Sean Doherty is the new Tourism Director. I know him. I hope he can help.

The third time might be the charm. All those FISH PIX you guys are sending in are what sets this magazine apart and are what makes us the perfect vehicle to show the rest of the world what life on the water in SW Florida is really about. I hope this makes sense to the County. This would be good for everyone. What do you think?

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Mark Williams with a river snook. Me and Ryan Clark, my buddy, we caught ʻem yesterday! Thanks.

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SEPTEMBER 2020

Dollar Bill Challenge 3rd Period WINNERS! Now Fishing Period 4: August 16 - Sept 15

Bar racuda

L a d y fi s h

Gag Groupe r

First Place Ladyfish: 16-inches Lacy Hamsher #346

First Place Gag Grouper: 20-inches Dylan Shaefer #304

Ma ngrove Sna p pe r

Grand Champion will be announced in the October Water LIFE

First Place Barracuda: 35-inches Christopher Perry #303

First Place Mangrove Snapper: 10-inches Lacy Hamsher #346

S ailc at 941-584-4575

First Place Sailcat: 25-inches Caeded Roese #348 2nd place Sailcat #341 Juliana Florea 18.5-inches

239-935-8575

1516 SE 46th St. Cape Coral, FL 33904 (239) 549-2628

4295 Laura St. Port Charlotte. FL 33980 (941) 979-5219

2625 Davis Blvd Naples FL 34104 (239) 732-8050

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Dollar Bill Challenge 3rd Period WINNERS! Now Fishing Period 4: August 16 - Sept 15

Gr unt

B l u e fi s h

S pani s h M ack er el

First Place Spanish Mackerel: 25-inches Dylan Shaefer #304

First Place Bluefish: 19-inches Caleb Richardson #338

First Place Grunt: 9.5-inches Emma Koebel #306

Snook Black Dr um

Gar

First Place Gar: 27-inches Jacob Florea #340 2nd Place Gar # 302, Justin Medina, 21-inches

First Place Snook: 32-inches Reid Locke #342 2nd Place Snook: #328, Ben Koebel 16.5-inches

Thank You to our Sponsors!

First Place Black Drum: 36.5-inches Caleb Richardson #338 2nd Place Black Drum: #305 Alyx Shaefer, 35.5-inches

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SEPTEMBER 2020

Dollar Bill Challenge 3rd Period WINNERS! Now fishing Period 4: August 16 - Sept 15

Ja ck Crevall e

Bass

Myan C ic hli d

First Place Jack Crevalle: 27-inches Luke DʼOrazio #319

First Place Myan Cichlid: 13-inches Anthony Rice #320 2nd Place Myan Cichlid #341 Juliana Florea 12.5-inches

First Place Bass: 19.5 inches Reid Locke #343 2nd Place Bass: #303 Christopher Perry, 17-inches

Tilapia C a t fi s h First Place Catfish: 15.5-inches, Leonardo DʼOrazio #318

941-621-6621

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First Place Tilapia: 17-inches Jacob Florea #340 2nd place Tilapia: #302, Justin Medina 13-inches

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Dollar Bill Challenge 3rd Period WINNERS! Now fishing Period 4: August 16 - Sept 15

Tr out

Red G roup er

First Place Red Grouper: 26-inches Luke DʼOrazio #319 2nd Place Red Grouper: #305 Alyx Shaefer, 25-inches

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First Place Trout: 21.25-inches Joshua Richardson #337 2nd Place Trout # 328 Ben Koebel 16-inches

941- 639-2628

P i n fi s h

First Place Pinfish: 7.5-inches, Emma Koebel #306

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CHARLOTTE HARBOR:

By Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor In spite of all the crazy things going on, we managed to make it to September and September can be a very good month for fishing on Charlotte Harbor. A lot of good things are going on now.

For one, we should start seeing our redfish fishery pick up. In the fall months large schools of fish begin to move into the Harbor from the Gulf. These schools can often be found on the sandbars and along mangrove shorelines.

When locating redfish on open water I look for large schools of mullet. As mullet feed on the algae they stir up the prey that reds like to feed on – things such as small shrimp, crabs and bait fish.

Another fishery that begins to heat up now is the snook fishing. The main reason for this is the spawn is over and their winter preparations have begun. I know it’s crazy to think about winter, but a solid reserve of fat is a life or death deal for our snook.

A number of snook will still be on the flats and shallow mangrove islands.

However a large portion of these fish will also be moving closer to deep water access. Local canals will start having numbers of snook moving in. I like fishing around old crusty docks and deep seawalls with good moving water. Another

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Redfish on the Move

KIDS FISHING! 2021 ZOOM Classes! for 6th and 7th graders

This is the 20th year of our Kids Fishing Classes. place to locate these fish would be around deeper creeks or flats that have deep water access.

Although September is not considered a month for tarpon, tarpon fishing can still be very productive. We still have large schools of tarpon in the Harbor right now. This time of year schools of ladyfish will be chasing glass minnows all over. Many times I have found large tarpon feeding on ladyfish in these situations. Keep a larger rod on the boat, just in case, and watch for ladyfish feeding.

For you guys that like to bring some fish home for dinner, the mangrove snapper bite still should be decent. Normally the later it gets in the year the more it

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Include anglerʼs name and what kind of fish.

slows down. I recommend down sizing your tackle for them. Dropping down to a 20-pound leader and a No.1 hook will help with the bite.

Remember, it’s still storm season so keep your eye on the sky.

If you would like to experience some of Charlotte Harbor’s finest fishing, call or send me an email. All of our charters are private and customized to fit your needs.

Capt. Dave Stephens 941-916-5769 backbayxtremes.com

Because of current conditions in the County Schools, this year our classes will be ZOOM classes. Same program, same workbook, Same Capt. Cayle, but attend class from home, one night a week.

We will mail out the workbook.

Then one night a week we will have a live class for six weeks. Students receive a Shakespeare rod and reel and a tackle box full of local specific tackle and a t shirt. Costs is $15 For more info and early sign up:

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aquatic weed control poisoning all creatures

By Capt. Alan Williams Water LIFE Upper Harbor One of the most important issues in today's world is the health of our waters. It affects each and every one of us on a daily basis, whether we realize it or not. As Florida's population and urban sprawl explodes so does the stress on our environment and especially on our waters.

Maintaining water quality is a daily balancing act between trying to maintain quality and managing flood control.

Because of hurricanes and tropical rain it's a priority for the County to keep canals and ditches clear of excess vegetation and to ensure proper drainage during periods of storms. This is primarily accomplished by spraying vegetation killing herbicides on the plants in the water.

At Lake Okeechobee we have seen that the aquatic spraying creates decaying vegetation and a toxic sludge on the bottom and that sludge moves with the water every time they open the locks on the Caloosahatchee.

The spraying goes on non stop to control invasive species such as Hyacinths and hydrula, in spite of the fact that those plants are a bass fisherman's dream and also food source for manatees.

The problem lies in the fact they indiscriminately spray everything, usually from moving air boats. Good plants, bad plants, wildlife, habitat... it all gets sprayed. A lazy work ethic on the part of many of the boat operators only makes things worse.

Wide scale spraying is also taking place closer to home in an area you would not expect. Boats have been spraying in the Shell Creek Reservoir, directly above the dam and only feet from the water plant’s inlet pipe that supplies Punta Gorda. The spraying is so the pipe doesn’t get clogged up! The Reservoir is fed by Shell Creek and Prairie Creek which are also sprayed.

it is washed over the dam and carried downstream to sink in the Peace River or in Charlotte Harbor.

I've heard stories about the good ol’ days with grass growing far up the river as well as clear water and a sandy bottom in Shell Creek. Well, as you can see, we're a long way from those days now.

One of the things that got me really concerned was the condition of some snook I caught last month, up in Shell Creek. On two separate occasions I caught sickly and deformed fish (photo left). Is that related to the spraying? I have to Brown phosphate-laced foam and deformed assume so. Anglers have been findfish are found in the area, Manatees eat plants ing deformed fish in most of the that have been sprayed. All photos were taken sprayed lakes around the State. at the Shell Creek Reservoir last month.

Spraying kills the bait fish, so bass are starving too.

Another concern is for the manatees that frequent the area below the dam. They are eating vegetation that was sprayed and then had washed over the dam.

I would love to know what is in the bottom layers of our Rivers and Harbors, but to my knowledge no one tests the muck. Maybe no one wants to know?

We all have to do our part to protect our most valuable resource, one person, one family, one comother possibilities are the FWC, the City munity at a time. There are groups you of Punta Gorda, but most probably the can support such as Captains for Clean Water Treatment facility is doing the Water and P.R.E.A.C.H, the Peace River spraying, which would be especially trouadvocacy group.

We can do it if we all get bling since they also do the water testing. involved and do our part.

It's up to us.

The same thing that happens at Okee-

Sprayed vegetation washing over Shell Creek Dam

This spraying has been going on for years even though the reservoir is our source of drinking water. And equally as bad, the build up of toxic sludge from decaying plants on the bottom is neither tested nor controlled.

I tried to find out who is in charge of the spraying. I spoke with the County but they said they were not responsible. The

chobee happens at Shell Creek. The spayed and dying vegetation either sinks to the bottom or, loaded with chemicals,

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

FISHING REPORT: On a upbeat note, the fishing has been good around the Harbor. Snook are making there way back from the beach and hopefully a productive spawn. Creek mouths, points adjacent to flats and bridges are all good spots to look for these traveling fish. I've run into a few schools of big black drum on a few occasions. They are in the rivers and canals. I always get excited when I see their big push from the school and hope they’re reds. Hopefully as the temps drop sometimes in the future they will be showing up. Sharks are still plentiful in the Harbor and rivers, tarpon are spread out and seem to be here one day and gone the next.

This is a great time to enjoy some peaceful time on the water, especially during the week. A few times recently I didn't see another boat all day except for the occasional crabber or mullet boat. Enjoy this time while you can, the ‘season’ is coming and we all know what that means.... Stay safe and healthy and see you on the water. – Capt. Alan Williams

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READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix!

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

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

37-inches of stud with Capt.

Scotty Roe. Good times

This 45-inch snook was caught and released last month from Fort Meyers Beach by Howie Collins.

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Meggan Lobato, Vancouver, Wash., nice Jack in Charlotte Harbor

Zack Eastman with a puffer.

Ken Taylor with a nice beach snook caught and released by sight-fishing on fly!

Spencer Gant with a 24 inch snook.

Spencer is fishing in his grandpaʼs boat, “it is a Sears boat made in 1956. My grandpa had that boat when my dad was a kid and my dad used it like me and Jackson are using it right now.”

Spencer was the 2018 Water LIFE $1 Bill Challenge, Grand Champion

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Larry's 28'' red with Capt Pauly Tarpon Bay

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Joe Sheaffer with a nice Bull Bay Red 08/13/20

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Nate Eastman from Gainesville Florida with 24 inch trout with Capt Scotty Roe

FISH PIX

from Water LIFE magaz

X!

zi n e

SEPTEMBER 2020

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

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Shawn Rooney with a 32-inch snook at Placida Pier

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Scott Day, redfish, live bait Captiva Pass

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Mandy w a fighting jack. W Capt George

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Mike Dougherty, 28-inch ARS in 125-feet off Boca

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Cooper Carey, catch and release trout.

Cabbage Key

Steve Gibson with another nice snook caught and released by sight-fishing our area beaches.

This snook ate a custom DT Variation fly that he created and ties.

Mike Kusmierek 28inch Mangrove snapper

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Mike DiPiazza - Goliath Grouper caught out of Stump Pass with Capt. Paul Fec - HammerTime Saltwater Adventures.

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Lola Berg redfish fishing with Grand Pa

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Report from the Ponds:

Gettinʼ Jiggy, Gettinʼ Froggy!

By Nicholas J Water LIFE Bass Addict Since my last report, Mother Nature has been relentless on Florida with wave after wave of tropical storms like Laura and Marco reeking havoc on the whole state with very intense thunderstorms almost everyday. It made pond fishing for Largemouths challenging My new PB record pond Monster gar at 28-inches. 4-pounds with a lot of on-and-off action. I got Qualifies for state Big Catch Program. Booyah Baby! hammered by super gusty winds, rains, intense heat and humidity this past and find some I month while fishing the banks for lunkers. I did not let haven't used in that discourage me from getting out unless there was a long time that lightning, that's when I pack up and get out of the way.

With all the rain we had in a short time water levels were very successful, when increased dramatically and all my ponds are now filled my go tos were to the brim. That has had some negative effect on the being ignored activity and bite. and I break In my last them out since I Deptherm reading, have nothing to just before doing this lose and everyreport, the water was 60-degrees at 15-feet. thing to gain.

So gettin That's a 28-degree “Jiggy" has aldrop from last month ways been very and at 7-feet it was successful for 88-degrees. This is me. I really enjoy working a jig set-up and have hooked great news because countless lunker Largemouths on them but "gettin the bass will be close to the bank with cover Froggy" is where it’s at!

The anticipation of an explosive blow up on a top in the warmer water water lure by a Monster bass on any cast is the ultimate column of the ponds excitement, and the now instead of staygreatest fighting acing deep. tion any freshwater But despite all the depressing weather I was able to angler could ask for. have a pole breaking (literally) record month of pond With that being monster mayhem hook ups and all because I was gettin’ said, Mr. Froggy stole Jiggy, gettin’ Froggy! the show this past I owe all my success this past month to being in the month and I hooked a right place at the right time which was the theme in total of 4 trophy pond my last months report. My lure recommendation is the monsters on it and lost same as last month, the Kvd skirted swim jig with a a few good ones too, trailer, a Sticko worm and Booyah weedless frog – the and I snapped another trophy bass have been slamming these. Nothing is set pole while setting the in stone, every angler has different preferences, so defihooks on one of the nitely don’t hold back on mixing it up! lunker Largemouths.

This time of year I dig deep through all my lures

SEPTEMBER 2020

If you need someone to R&D a fishing rod I'm your guy!.....lol!

On July 26, Around 10 am, I hooked my new personal best pond Monster Spotted Gar on the Booyhah 28-inches and it weighed 4pounds. It destroyed my new Booyah frog but it was well worth the sacrifice to get it out of one of my good fishing ponds.

Then on August 5, around 10 am, I hooked a huge 22-inch, potbelly, trophy, pond Monster bass (still not the one, but getting close) on the Booyah frog, just before a storm was moving in. Then 15 minutes later it was pouring hard on me, but I was happy!

On August 11 and 13, in the morning, I hooked two more trophy pond monsters on the Booyah frog. All four pond monsters were hooked early in the morning under the right conditions. When it was calm, warm, sunny or overcast, the bass were keying in on the very active bait fish along the banks. They were also hitting hovering dragonflys over the water.

Now’s a good time to break out the fly pole. Mid days were very slow and suppressive on the bass activity and the sunset sessions were a hit and miss because of the late afternoon storms. Hopefully in three more months we can get back to some normal weather patterns after the hurricane season is over, that would be awesome!

Last month I had mentioned that it would get better each week as we head into fall for trophy pond bass and August definitely was great. My focus is still hooking the biggest bass of my life so I can give my body and pole a rest they definitely need... lol! In the mean time, get out and hook one for yourself today!

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PAGE 15

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

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

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

Opportunity to catch Many Different Sharks

Tip of the Month:

By Capt. John Brossard Water LIFE Sharks Five to 10 types of shark in one day! Labor Day is on the 7th – GO SHARKING! These days are great to go fishing. The weather has been great and we’ve avoided a couple of storms. A lot of the days and nights there will be flat seas this month, go enjoy fishing.

Some days this month I will probably catch 5- to 10-species of sharks on the same day. From small bonnet-head, and sharpnose to hammerheads and tigers.

More than once have I caught two big hammers and tigers in September.

When handling sharks after the catch, try your best to remove the hook out of their mouth. Watching Shark Week last month showed that many sharks they film already have hooks on their mouths and it looks unpleasant to the fish.

Study and learn your Tide Table and fish according to good moving tides for best results.

Use Apps like: iSolunar, ST2 (Salt water tides), and MyForecast, to guide you to a good fishing trip.

Always be on the lookout for weather conditions before going on the water.

I use all these apps to plan my fishing trips.

With good tides and good moons this month, the best time to go is early, in the middle and at the very end of month. (see page 22)

Thatʼs according to all the sites I study and use. These sites really are accurate... most of the time.

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

NOAA Warns: Bungee Cords on Boat Canopies Can Entangle Sawfish

By Tonya Wiley

Havenworth Coastal Conservation

Entanglement of marine species in discarded lines, gear, and debris is a problem seen regularily. Researchers have seen a growing number of smalltooth sawfish entanglements with small bungee cords believed to be from boathouse awnings. The plastic balls on these bungees are buoyant enough to lift the bungees just off the bottom but not buoyant enough to float them.

This results in lost or discarded bungees sit-

ting upright along the bottom, where sawfish risk swimming their rostra through the opening of the bungees. The bungees then work bungee fastener their way down the rostrum to the head where they remain in place and slowly become more constrictive as the sawfish grows. NOAA wants to alert homeowners to this escalating issue so that

extra care can be taken in the assembly or disassembly of these boathouse covers to help protect the local sawfish.

Learn about marine debris prevention at https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/. And if you ever encounter a sawfish please let us know by calling 1-844-4SAWFISH, visiting www.SawfishRecovery.org, or emailing sawfish@myfwc.com.

Itʼs easy for a sawfish to get something entangled on itsrostrum. This sawfish was entanglred in a pair of swim goggles.

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the Predator Challenge Andrew, Matthew and Sutton Cast netting bait To catch a mangrove snapper and then Eating it.

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Niko with a jack cravelle, he caught for shark fishing bait.

A little fishing in Englewood and Placida by Big Al

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Ryan Robinson

Shark got this trout on the way in!

Richard Carey, Cabbage Key.

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Alan Laskowski, redfish Lemon Bay, Englewood

Brody age 4, snapper in the Keys

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Catherineʼs trout lake largemouth!

Good job Cat!!

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Courtney Kirk personal best bass. 4.5 pounds. Fishing the canals in Port Charlotte.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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Everglades & 10,000 Islands - Fishing is good, business is slow - come on down!

By Capt. Charlie Phillips I like to look where a drain, or small feeder creek comes out Water LIFE 10,000 Islands of the mangroves and really work these areas. I find that the Its been a hot one down my way this past month – sure you flow flushes out bait and the predators mass waiting for a snack. have seen much of the same in your slice of paradise. Nothing Many of these drains are found in creeks and back bays so unusual with that for this time of year of course and it’s a trend keep your eyes open as you move around for water flowing into I expect to continue for an area and take some extra another 45- to 60-days or time working baits thru that so, but the end is near area. and if we can make it I also like to still work the thru the next few weeks deeper areas with hard bottom with no strong winds that like the big feeder canals that receive a name from fill the bays, especially those NOAA, life will be with lots of snags and rip-rap, grand. targeting big snapper, Fishing this time of sheepshead and drum this year for our business is time of year. If you can catch slow even though we ran these either early or late trips longer this year than evening on a low tide stage it we have in years past – a allows you to really work the trend I believe was owed area with minimal weight. to the COVID shutLive shrimp do fine even Jake Harms from Charlotte NC. The two guys in the back ground are my downs. Regardless of the gator guide friends from your area actually Dave and Brent Smith of if they are smaller right now. reason, we were sure Gator Raiderz who guided us to harvest this one 8-foot 4-inches and Elephants eat peanuts, don’t happy to accommodate another that was over 12-feet. Always a good time. forget - so don’t snub your and will be glad to see nose at the summer shrimp! the phones light back We have been catching some solid size sheepshead this up for the fall season. month which surprised me, all on tiny little shrimp, a 1/0 circle, Hot water trends 20-pound leader and split shot weights appropriate to hit botwere the method for tom. Give it a try, you might be surprised.

August that will conHave been getting offshore a little more this past month with tinue into September. the calm wind days. Being honest, I haven’t done well on my Early morning starts, red grouper in the areas I target. Lots of shorts, but not many trying to target snook slot fish. Heard of others doing ok, so it might just be me. I can and tarpon juniors on say though, we have had no trouble with very large lane and live bait, top water mangrove snapper, so no complaints either way. and suspending hard Y’all be safe out there! baits in the shallow areas with some flow.

Thomas Sweeny from Naples who I took offshore a week or so ago. We retrieved 4 different sets of party balloons on this trip and wanted to share a reminder that what goes up... will come down.

Capt. Charlie Phillips, President, Florida Guides Assn.

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

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Ashley Fox from Cloverdale Iʼm canal fishing in the Cape

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Johnʼs first snook. 33-inches at Ponce De Leone 8/26.

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Amy Alderman - Red Grouper caught out of Stump Pass with Capt.

Paul Fec - HammerTime Saltwater Adventures.

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Robert Henzler, tarpon

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Andrew with a 42 inch black drum

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Becky from Pa first snapper an she filleted it for a poolside snack

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Caught 8/22 St. James City.

On strong outgoing tide.

Jason Price Redfish

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Carden Rose 25-inch black tip shark and a big sailcat

Daisy with a fish she caught to use for shark bait

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Liliana Utterback with a stud red caught with Capt Scotty

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Brittany Cortes releasing her catch Brittany and Dalton Rybka (above)

SEPTEMBER 2020

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Estero Bay: Fall Into Good Habits

By Capt. Joe Angius Water LIFE Estero Fall fishing is finally approaching and anglers should be excited for the change.

The weather transition in Southwest Florida this month may not be as drastic compared to other areas in Florida, but it’s enough to make the fish aware. Even though we should still experience brutally hot afternoons, it’s the amount of heavy rainfall that lowers the water temperature in Estero Bay. The temperature fluctuations of the inshore water will attract baitfish, ultimately enticing larger gamefish to feed heavy in these areas. September seems to be the month where the majority of inshore fish species decide to migrate toward their fall and winter haunts.

One of the precursors to Fall fishing is noticing the different types of bait fish.

The abundance of half dollar sized pinfish has been a great indicator of the changes that’s happening in the water.

On the flat you can see the incoming tide moving clear water, most likely high in salinity, and the outgoing tide flushing out the fresh rainwater from the creeks and rivers. This plays a major role in

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where and when anglers should fish in the backwaters. A great example of how salinity effects fish activity and dissolved oxygen levels is to watch what happens when you bring a livewell full of pilchards far up a creek. Normally they would be able to tolerate a slight water adjustment, but now if you them up a creek most all of them would die, even with the most powerful aerator pumps.

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Fishing in shallow grass flats and creek mouths seems to produce an exceptional bite in these types of conditions. At times fishing these areas may take a little more patience and sometimes even skill, especially if anglers decide to sight cast, but it can have the best outcomes.

I’m expecting a typical September where the tarpon will still be plentiful, redfish schools will begin to show up, and snook start making their way off of the

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beach shorelines back into the river mouths.

Of course there will be other fish moving around our waterways, but my three most targeted fish species should rule the inshore fisheries.

Another aspect of the Southwest Florida lifestyle that gets overlooked is the ability to go shelling. Due to the storm events we experience during September this is the month where shelling can be at its best. Throughout my charter guiding career I’ve learned to at times, put down the fishing rods and explore new ways of enjoying our unique ecosystem.

At first I was skeptical to walk the beach and look for shells. After a few shelling trips with a good client and friend of mine, David, I still couldn’t understand why people were so passionate about shelling.

I’ve learned to respect and appreciate what the shells do to our tourism industry.

Though shelling trips are easy to accommodate, I would much rather take on the challenge of getting people on fish. With that being said, enjoy what the area has to offer and don’t be afraid to try new things.

SCUTTLEBUTT

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

Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True

FT. MYERS BOAT SHOW IS HAPPENING! John Goode of the SW Florida Marine Trades Association says: ʻThere is every expectation the show will be very successful. Exhibit space sales are surprisingly strong. All of the major exhibitors are returning and while there have been some concerns about inventory, most think they will be OK by November.ʼ Dates are November 12-15. (239)656-7083 LOOK AT THE TECHNOLOGY USED A

tion at sea. Most of the vessels are ʻdark,ʼ meaning they donʼt appear in public surveillance systems, and the ones that did broadcast did so relatively infrequently. So scientists from South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the United States combined four different technologies to piece together information about the squid fleets. These include automatic identification system (AIS), radar images, infrared imaging, and high-res optical images.

Hereʼs the good part: To track down the vessels, this AIS data was supplemented with satellite synthetic aperture radar images—or, more simply put, pictures of boats taken from space. Visible infrared imaging radiometer suite, or VIIRS, was also used. This collects global nighttime satellite imagery. It can detect vessels that use bright lights, in this case to lure squid to the surface.

SUNK SUB FOUND On May 28, 1958, USS submarine Stickleback was participating in an antisubmarine warfare exercise with the destroyer escort USS Silverstein (DE 534) and a torpedo retriever in the Hawaiian area. In the

study published last month in the journal Science Advances details of how more than 900 vessels of Chinese origin likely caught more than 160,000 metric tons—close to half a billion dollarsʼ worth—of Pacific flying squid in a period of two years. This may be in violation of United Nations sanctions. Most of the vessels do not use GPS or AIS, a tracking system, that uses transponders to send the vesselʼs loca-

TWO MUCH BULL FWC Officer Plussa was waved down by a resident who stated two large bulls had surrounded him while mowing his back yard.

The officer recognized the bulls as belonging to a private rancher. The officer led both bulls over half a mile back to their owner. It was later discovered the fence wire had been intentionally cut.

DUMB PARENTS A ferry rescued a three year old Most dogsledders in Alaska use a Danforth anchor like yours who was adrift on an inflatable pool toy in the Gulf of Patras, off Antirrio, course of these drills, the submarine had just Greece. The child was playing in the water with completed a simulated torpedo run on USS Silher father at a beach when the inflatable she verstein and was diving to a safe depth when was in drifted away with the wind and current she suddenly lost power and descended un(Editor asks: How could that happen?). Bycontrolled to close to 800 feet. Emergency standers called the harbormaster for help. buoyancy ballast was blown out, and she ascended rapidly.... only to breach the surface NO FISH FARMS...YAY! In a decision issued less than 200 yards ahead of the destroyer eslast month, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Apcort. During the assent the crew had evacupeals struck down the Trump administration's ated the torpedo room so no warning flare was attempt to permit offshore aquaculture installafired. The collision alarm sounded on the Detions in federal waters, citing statutory limits on stroyer, and she backed full, put her rudder the authority of the Department of Commerce hard to port but could not avoid a collision. A (and its National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adhole was punched on the port side of the subministration). The 5th Circuit's decision upheld marine which resulted in her immediate sinka previous 2018 district court ruling. ing. The crew evacuated and no lives were lost. Remains of the Stickelback, lost after the THERE WERE REPORTS of a gigantic black incident, were located last month in 8,000-feet snake slithering along a Bronx subway platof water. form in New York City last month: The MTA said they were "investigating" the situation.

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Brandon Taylor caught a tarpon on Sanibel Causeway

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Editor notes Hereʼs an opportunity for change to come: In the close up above you can see the tip of the tail is just barely in the water.

The FWC states: "Tarpon over 40-inches MUST remain in the water” but it does not state ʻcompletely in the waterʼ, so this is technically legal, but it is not the intent of the law.

Will FWC change this?

Becky with her Charlotte Harbor slam a nice red , snook an spotted trout. Fishing with Southwest Fishing Charters

WATERLIFE@COMCAST.NET

SEPTEMBER 2020

Parking Meter Madness

On the Line

By Capt. Ron Blago Water LIFE Senior Staff I’m sure that a lot of people who launch their boats at Charlotte County’s public boat ramps are scratching their heads trying to figure out how to, or even if they have to pay to park their vehicle and trailer at the boat ramp.

I went into the Ainger Creek ramp in Englewood the other day just to check out the parking situation; and I can now see why people are so confused. As you first enter the park you see a small sign that says: This is a Pay to Park Facility. The fee is 0.75 cents per hour, so for a 6 hour boat ride you pay $4.50 ; not an oppressive amount, just an annoying amount. You then launch your boat, park your vehicle and go to the parking kiosk to pay your fee.

This is where things start to break down. At the kiosk is a sign that tells you to Pay at the Machine – unfortunately the machine is covered in plastic surrounded by tape with a sign that tells you, This machine is currently unavailable - no cash, coins or credit cards will be accepted at the meter at this time.

Does that mean free parking ? Maybe yes or maybe no.

If you go on the County's new website and miraculously find “parking fees” you are directed to download an app and go to a Google Park Mobile website.

Here’s where it gets complicated; first you search for the location of your boat ramp, then the number on your parking space. Didn’t know it had a number? Most people don’t. You just go back to your parking spot, look in front of the space, you might have to remove the sand covering your number, but you should find a three digit number somewhere.

Now you put that number in the app, put in your credit card info and the hours you plan to be on the water; and the app will take care of the rest.

The county thinks this system is simple and efficient for most people, but what if you don’t have your cell phone and credit card with you? What if you don’t have a cell phone at all? The County has a solution for that. In that case they would like you to buy an annual pass for $53.50. For that amount you will get a little sticker to put on your windshield. This will allow you to legally park in any County facility that charges a fee.

The trouble with that is, as most boaters know, even though boat ramps are open 24 hours a day, most boat ramps are empty most of the time. Not much boating going on at night and even on most weekdays the ramps are empty. And on weekends and holidays when they are packed, your annual parking permit does not guarantee you a parking spot.

This is my point: All the parking fees in the world do not produce one single new parking space. For what they spent on all those now covered automated machines they could have paved a bunch more parking spots. I think I can even make a case that the County is actually losing money by charging people to park.

I would never encourage anyone to violate any county rule or regulation but I understand how most people can say the hell with this mess.

For those who are worried about getting a parking ticket consider this; under the old system you put your money in the machine and it would spit out a paper receipt that you would put under your windshield. Now that the machines are covered there are no paper receipts for parking enforcement to know if you paid to park.

Let your conscience be your guide.

The county should take a hard look at their policy on pay to park and until they do, it should be free parking at the boat ramps.

Captronb@juno.com

SEPTEMBER 2020

IF

YOU CAN Ęź T GET OUT,

Talking Trash

By Cameron Parson Water LIFE Leaving an area cleaner than you found is a cardinal rule in the world of fishing. It's a cardinal rule in most everything, actually. It shows common courtesy. It's common sense. But, some people don't see it that way, and that affects both us anglers and the wildlife.

A customer and I were reminiscing about the local spots that we used to fish growing up. We shared stories of the fish we caught in those places and how we did it. He talked about the tide he liked to fish and where, depending on the season. And then we talked about how the majority of these places always seemed to be trashed and are now riddled with "NO FISHING" and "NO TRESPASSING" signs.

We both agreed that the trash other people leave behind is a pretty good reason places get put off limits.

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Most times, we all see that trash is just left on the ground. Beer cans and bottles, Polar pop cups, lure packaging, fishing line (sometimes 30 or 40 yards worth)... the list goes on. Imagine walking down the seawall or a grassy shoreline and some line wraps around your ankle and a hook sinks in. It's happened. Yes, I should've been wearing shoes rather than sandals, but that's not the point! The point is to keep the area clean. I could have easily been a wading bird or even a turtle or an alligator traipsing by.

I've gotten into the habit of keeping an extra 5-gallon bucket with me to pick up the trash and often times, it ends up completely full. So, I keep an extra roll of garbage bags in the truck as well. After I've already been at a spot for an hour or so, an extra 10 minutes to clean it up won't hurt.

A little food for thought. Even if a good shoreline has public access, that doesn't mean it's not owned by someone. City, county, or private owners have the means

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Good size, shore caught, barracuda

PAGE 21

to completely shut a spot down if deemed necessary.

Could trash be the only reason? Probably not. Others factors can contribute to it as well. Loud music or people just being loud in general is a pretty good one.

A friend and I were fishing a local spot quite a few years back when a truck backed up to the seawall. Music was loud, as were the people. We decided to leave after about 10 minutes. By the time we walked back to my vehicle and packed up, two officers had showed up and started lecturing that crew. Mind you, this was at almost midnight. Someone clearly made the call and complained.

These are just a few examples of what I've come across. Surely you all have seen something to this extent. We can all work as a team to keep the environment clean for both anglers and wildlife. Let’s keep our integrity in tact and do our part better to keep everything clean, on and off the water. Go catch some fish!

Rio Villa Bait & Tackle (941) 639-7166

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Balazs Hepp with a nice Tarpon he caught at Marco Island, off a Seawall, by Johnʼs Hole.

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Mark Williams, snook

This month could be tough. From the 5th to the 27th the Solunar tables give SW Florida a one star, except for this small 5-day window, this month

Robert Henzler Light tackle tarpon

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Robert Henzler snook

Rylee Rex with a big tilapia caught by his house while fishing with his father

Jason Day, Vancouver, Wash., nice snook, Pirate Harbor

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34 inch Lemon Shark caught by Jacob Scott

SEPTEMBER 2020

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The BIG-4

TARPON Still hanging around the Harbor

BackBay Xtremes Capt Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com

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REDFISH Schools showing up in the southern Harbor

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September

SNOOK Moving off the beaches to the creeks

MANGROVE SNAPPER continue to be thick everywhere

September – Predictions and Suggestions Status Report Frank at Fishin’ Franks According to Fishin’ Frank, there will be no new store before the election. Frank told me his investment group voted 4 to 3 to wait until after November. Frank’s reasoning is that if gas stays cheap (Trump), there will continue to be more offshore fishing, but if gas goes up (Biden), there will be less disposable income so offshore will decline and inshore and bass fishing will be the focus. This influences what product goes into a new store. Warehouses are still only partially open and that figures into it too, Frank added.

Fishin’ Franks store in Port Charlotte burned to the ground on Memorial Day weekend, after an out of control drunk, driving a pick up truck, went airborne landed on the roof and exploded into a fire ball.

Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, Placida, Gasparilla Sound Capt. Kaelin Olayer Flyin’ Hawaiian Fishing Charters September is lining up to be a great month for fishing as long as we don’t get any unwelcomed storms!

The inshore fishery remains consistent, with a few nice schools of redfish showing up around Charlotte Harbor.

Nice schools are scattered along the east wall of Charlotte Harbor, around the Gasparilla Sound area as well as Pine Island Sound.

The snook are starting to come off the beach and ease their way into the flats and bays. They will be laid up in deeper water near mangrove islands and docks.

Expect a straggler redfish and even a few

nice mangrove snapper mixed in the same areas.

We are lucky to have a good number of tarpon hanging around Charlotte Harbor as well! Expect to see them hanging near the deeper holes as well as scattered off the bars along the east and west wall.

There are also quite a few juveniles hanging around PGI and the 41- and El Jobean bridges. These same areas should have some ladyfish, shark , or even a bonus cobia or two hanging around.

Offshore fishing has been steady as well. In the shallower waters in the Gulf, we have been seeing a pile of mangrove snapper. They have been hanging out with a few nice gag grouper all within sight of land. Expect to see some nice Spanish mackerel and lane snapper on the same bottom.

A little further offshore, the red grouper bite has been great! We’re catching them in the 80-to 100-foot area, mixed in with some nice yellowtail and mangrove snapper. Some nice lane and vermillion snapper have been mixed in with the red grouper as well.

There has been some great amberjack fishing in the depths past 100-feet of water. If you want to load up on some fish for the smoker, I’d take advantage of the little time we have left in their season. In these same depths you can also have a good shot at a blackfin tuna, or even a surprise school of small mahi.

Capt. Kaelin Olayer Flyinʼ Hawaiian Fishing Charters Captkaefishing.com Cell: 941-716-1425 FH Offshore Charters Fhoffshorecharters.com

Englewood Bait House

Head-Boat Offshore Fishing 941- 475-4511

PAGE 23

The water is still hot!

Nearshore water temps are mid 80s Rains will be more frequent

95˚ 90˚ 85˚ 80˚

75˚ 72˚ 70˚ 68˚ 50˚ 45˚

FISHING RIGHT NOW:

STILL EXCELLENT!

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SEPTEMBER 2020