Wa t e r LI FE
Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, Venice, Estero, 10,000 Islands and the Gulf
The Don Ball School of Fishing
April 2017
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
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Ladies Day! Deb Lueck's 37-inch cobia, off Stump Pass
Mallory: Big on the Beach page 7
see page 14
Tarpon may be Early!
Brad Kolinski from Kalamazoo Michigan with his first ever tarpon, after a 72 minute fight off Sanibel.
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
Joe Gilcher with his slob of a cobia
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Caught out of Venice, fishing with Capt. Joe Miller. Rick and Nikki Page from Buffalo N.Y.
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Now a
APRIL 2017
Fort Myers store !! Fishinʼ Franks#2
14531 N. Cleveland Ave, (US41) N. Ft Myers 33903 • 239-634-1043
eMail letters and photos to:
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Subject: Fishing Pix. Been reading your mag for years and enjoy the articles and find it very informative. My only suggestion is that you explain, monthly, how to support snook and other fish for the photos. Itʼs very disappointing to see over slot fish hung by their jaws. Itʼs done out of ignorance and it should be part of your job to educate. Then stop posting the pics that have it wrong. Thanks, Bob Doria
Editor Replies: I donʼt usually respond at length to letters to the editor, but this is important. We educate 6th graders in our Don Ball School of Fishing classes, but Iʼve found the adults who need educating the most are the ones who are the least open minded. I agree, we need to keep the basics out there and Iʼll emphasize all that more. I donʼt know how many times I have explained how a big fishʼs insides are damaged when it is held vertically, that fish live in a horizontal, weightless, condition so when held vertically, with gravity pulling, a big fishʼs inner membranes and organs will tear. Yes, I will keep that text out there, we have a lot of newcomers here every year and they learn quickly, but no, I am not editing the FishPix. The Fish Pix images we publish are meant to be a perspective on our fishing world. I donʼt want to edit them selectively. There have been several black drum this winter with text by the contributors listing them as redfish. I see permit submitted as pompano. One reader sent me a picture of him standing in his driveway holding the two redfish he said he caught - one fish is the limit. This month there is a troublesome tarpon picture. This is whatʼs happening out there. Our publication is simply opening a window for the world to see it. I correct tournaments because itʼs their responsibility to get it all right. I think the community should demand more from for-profit tournaments, but recreational anglers? If recreational anglers are doing it wrong, the FWC needs to be correcting them. This is why itʼs so important that people like you write us. When it comes to teaching, I think dialogue is much better than a list of Doʼs and Donʼts. People are reading this and thinking about it right now. Dialogue is the first step toward change. Soon tarpon will begin rolling into the passes. Tarpon over 4-feet must remain in the water. Keep your device handy, we will probably need to discuss tarpon handling in the very near future. – MH Subject: Observation on Red Tide Thanks for the observation. I find it disturbing as well. Not only the effects on fishing and the destruction of water life but its effects on my family's health. My daughter was born without her respiratory immune system. She has been very ill for months. I've long associated her respiratory infections to the outbreaks of red tide. It does a number on my grandkids and myself as well. It's not just the tourists that are going to be leaving the area if this keeps up. Thanks for your update on the problem. Good luck out there! D Marra
CORRECTION: Last month we compared the construction of the Mackinac Bridge (right) with the 2 miles of improvements on Edgewater Drive. Both took three years. Editor: In your March issue you stated the Mackinac Bridge opened in 1970. Truth is, it was October of 1957 when they opened the Mackinac Bridge. Just thought I'd let you know Joel Otto
To The Water LIFE editor I recently read your March 2017 Water LIFE Magazine, which I really enjoy, however as a lifelong Michigander I must point out mistakes regarding our beloved "Mighty Mac". The bridge was built in the 1950s, not in the 70s, the bridge was opened in 1957, and yes, it was built in 3 years, by starting on each side and meeting in the middle. Also the bridge is 5 miles in length, not 3 miles. Thanks for your magazine...... Cliff Tate, Grayling, Michigan Editor: You might want to recheck your facts, Mackinac Bridge was completed in the 1950s, 5 miles spans the water 7 miles total in length. David Bonter
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Michael & Ellen Heller Publishers
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Independant - Not affiliated with any other publication! Vol XVI No 4 © 2017
NO PART of this publication (printed or electronic) may be copied, reproduced or reused without specific written permission from the publishers. (and thatʼs never happened!)
Contributing Editors:
Photography: ASA1000.com Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Baitshop Commentary: 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:
RED TIDE IS GONE Life appeared to be back to normal at Englewood Beach, late last month.
Txt Us Ur Fish: Brad Kolinski from Kalamazoo Michigan fought his first ever Tarpon for 72 minutes, off Sanibel, last month
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APRIL 2017
Best Practices Underemployed
By Michael Heller Water LIFE editor Ten years ago the FWC released its Best Practices for Tournaments which include: I Avoid picking up fish by the lip or lower jaw or holding the fish vertically. I Avoid holding a fish by its gill plate or touching its gills. I Always handle fish with bare wet hands and not gloves, towels, etc. I When transporting redfish with a catch bag, the bag should be opened to allow aerated water at the appropriate temperature to flow through the bag as much as possible. Look at the pictures from last month’s IFA Tournament in Punta Gorda. How’s the FWC doing? Is their message getting through? The problem with suggestions are they are just that, suggestions and not regulations. But tournaments operate under a specific waiver that allows tournament anglers to avoid some FWC regulations that recreational anglers must follow, so they have an incumbent responsibility to adhere to the FWCs Best Practices. Tournament anglers are, before everything else, supposed to be Ethical Anglers, doing the right thing at all times, even when no one else is looking... and especially when everyone else is watching them, in a tournament. Last month a captain friend commented on facebook about the IFA Tournament which had just taken place. The
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Captain said: This bitching has NOTHING to do with anglers. It's squarely aimed at a County who would rather have FWC direct traffic at the ball field than enforce laws. That is yet another issue. How Charlotte County and the FWC ignore what goes on at tournaments. In this event there were a number of oversized fish. Oversized fish are illegal. There is a fine for that. Nothing happened. Problem is, when a tournament’s length-limit is the same as the FWC’s legal limit, like it was at the IFA event, an angler trying to come up with a winning fish, one that is just a fraction shorter than the limit, risks breaking the law. But the FWC looks the other way. FWC has never issued an overlength ticket to a local tournament angler. To complicate the measuring issue, several tournaments use a tail slide, a bridge-like device, that compresses each fish’s tail to the same dimension when it is being measured. I mentioned the ‘tail
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Left: the Tail Slide. Above: a beat up redfish in a weigh-bag without water. Right: These guys should know you donʼt... grab ʻem by the... jaws
slide’ on the facebook post. I said the FWC’s own requirement for measuring redfish states: The total length is the maximum length of the fish, with the mouth closed and the tail fin pinched together. Pinched means with force, to me. My comment was met with immediate resistance. I was told “The bridge is an FWC approved measuring device,” and that “the FWC was at that event.” I said I’d check and the next day I called Alan Peirce, the man in Tallahassee who actually issues the tournament permits. I really wanted to know if any FWC staff were at the IFA event. When I asked him about the FWC being there, he laughed and said “No, we don’t have a budget to travel to tournament events.” When we talked about the tail-slide, Peirce said the FWC had issued no such approval. He said he himself had never seen a tail-slide, but he was new on the job. I told him a tailslide may add some level of uniformity
to the measuring process, but it is confusing because it does not appear to pinch the tail closed. I suggested there are some redfish with narrow thin tails and some with big wide, what anglers call ‘flag’ tails. If measuring those ‘flags’ with a tail-slide, a fish that measured ‘just up to the line with the slide would be over-the line when the tail was actually pinched fully closed and measured again. I told him I’d email some pictures. We talked again the next afternoon, apparently after Pierce had a chance to talk with someone else in the FWC office. Now he was convinced the tailslide was acceptable, but he still couldn’t exactly explain why to me. I told Peirce if the FWC accepts this it needs to state its reasoning in writing and I’d like to see that. He said OK and that he would try to get down to Punta Gorda for a tournament this summer. It will be interesting to see if he shows up, or if the FWC is MIA again.
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APRIL 2017
Big Fish Now APRIL 2017
By Mallory Herzog Water LIFE Fishing The bite on our shorelines has been great. Captain Andrew’s been running mostly inshore charters, as the wind has been brutal. Trout and sheepshead have been an easy inshore catch on large shrimp. When fishing structure for sheepshead, the captain rigs live shrimp on a jig head for faster sinking. The big fish have been biting as well. Trent (pictured) reeled in one BIG Goliath grouper on a recent trip. It was an exciting catch. These fish prefer artificial structure rather than natural bottom. As the temperatures warm up, these fish become more active. These grouper have been studied with traditional tagging in the past but now scientists are collecting DNA to access the Goliath grouper population since scientists believe these fish have rubbed or scraped off traditional tags in the past. Harvest has been closed on this species since the 1990s, but there is currently a move to open a lottery harvest on them. Many suggest the goliath population has grown out of control, threatening numerous native species in Gulf waters. Tarpon are already on the move and headed our way. These fish travel up our shorelines between April and July. Our area acts as a staging ground before they head offshore to spawn. They are acrobatic fish that grow to be over 200-pounds and can easily snap your fishing line.
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For tarpon, use a sensitive rod with a strong backbone. This will allow you to feel the ‘eat,’ and still give you enough power to lift this fish to the surface. We use Penn 6000 Reels filled with 50- to 60pound braid to 50-pound fluorocarbon leader to put some serious drag to these fish. Turning them out of the pod and into open water is your best shot at getting your fish boat side. Keeping them hooked up are 7/0 heavy duty circle hooks. Look for 3x strong on packages. These are sharp and penetrate the tarpon’s hard mouth without breaking. I fish using live bait. Calico crabs (pass crabs) or small blue crabs, squirrel fish, live mullet and thread fins. I use a loop knot to secure my leader to the hook, a loop knot allows your bait to swim more naturally. You are hooked up, now what? Hold on! A tarpon battle can last anywhere
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from 10- to 45-minutes depending on the angler and, most importantly, the fish.
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Tarpon are known for their acrobatic skills easily throwing your hook if you do not bow to the king. When you feel the fish run and come up to the surface, fully extend your arm, pointing the rod towards the fish. This takes some pressure off the line and can prevent the line from breaking or the hook from coming lose during one of their violent head shakes. Releasing your tarpon is easy, keep water moving in one direction ( not back and forth ) until the fish can get a bit of energy back. A healthy tarpon will let you know when they are ready to swim off. You can contact Big Bully Outdoors for a charter trip with Mallory’s husband, Capt. Andrew. Call 941-661-9880 or visit BigBullyOutdoors.com
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Estero Bay: Redfish to Backwater Tarpon PAGE
By Captain Joe Angius Water LIFE Estero Fishing an estuary like Estero Bay presents anglers with an array of challenges and countless opportunities for catching fish. Since season is in full swing, the water craft traffic has sky rocketed. A high volume of disturbances in the limited area of Estero Bay can put added pressure on the fish, making it difficult to get a good bite. Netting large sized pilchards, that can be found all around the grass flats and out in the Gulf of Mexico, will make the biggest difference in your success out on the water. Be sure to take your time putting bait in the livewell and try to fish areas that are undisturbed. The month of April is a stellar time of the year to start fishing for tarpon. Backwater tarpon have been on my mind for the past month and I’m happy to report that they have moved their way back on the flats. Large schools of tarpon ranging anywhere from 15- to 30-pounds have been spotted. Once the water temperature rises and remains consistent, these tarpon will begin to really feed heavy. We’re not seeing tarpon off of the beaches yet. The water temperature out in the Gulf has been warm enough to get the larger fish to feed. These tarpon have been responding to large pilchards and threadfin herring hooked through the nose by a 5/0
or 6/0 Owner inline circle hook. I found that most of my success is caused by using a long, 4- to 5-foot, 60-pound fluorocarbon leader. As of the beginning of April, backwater tarpon are most active in the early mornings and right before dark near river and creek mouths. This will change as the month progresses, so be aware of the changes in the Bay to stay on top of the backwater tarpon bite. My go-to setup for these fish is 10-pound Spiderwire Invisibraid, a long 3- to 4-foot 30-pound fluorocarbon leader and an 1/8-oz Owner worm hook with a white jerkbait. When it comes to live bait fishing, my favorite bait to use is a live pilchard or pinfish. Remember that there will be specific windows of opportunities to catch the active tarpon based on the tide, weather, moon phase and water conditions. If these windows of opportunities don’t present themselves, try fishing for the large female snook that have made their way to the beach around here. It may not seem like it to other anglers or boaters, but Estero Bay is beautifully unique in its need of responsible water sport enthusiasts. To sustain our fisheries and the health of our estuary it is extremely important to build a connection to the Bay. The working parts underneath
the surface of the water that live in the grass and substrate of Estero Bay are the integral things that allow the estuary to function properly. This month the slow speed manatee zones outside of the posted channel
APRIL 2017
markers will be back in effect. This is a blessing in that it will allow our seagrass a break from propellers and boat pressure, but it’s a curse in that it now takes forever getting from spot-to-spot.
Captain Joe Angius (727)-234-3171 Speak Easy Fishing Charters www.speakeasyfishing.com
APRIL 2017
Paint Eaters
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By Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor
We made it through January and February without any real cool weather. I can recall a few fronts that pushed down, however in a couple days it was beautiful again. I know we had a few nights that dropped down into the 40s, but compared to last year, it was a great year. We didn’t have a ton of rain, we didn’t deal with the freshwater releases from Lake O. March rolled around and the water was warming into the 70s and staying there. The snook were absolutely eating the paint off the boat. Then it happened, I knew it was too good to be true. My wife and I were headed to Gainesville, but we left a day early to spend some time together at Cedar Key. That morning was beautiful, but by afternoon it became overcast and cooler. Rach said that the temperature was going to hit 39 that night. I didn’t think that was a big deal, we were in north Florida. Then she said the 39 was going to be in Punta Gorda - luckily it was only two nights. The fishing survived. For a couple days we had to relax and fish much slower. In the morning the water was cool and the fish were sluggish, but as the sun got high and warmed things up the fish got more active. Now, with consistently nice sunny days and 78-to 80-degree temperatures, everything seems to be getting back to normal and the snook are once again eating the paint off the boat. I’ve been having some really great fishing lately. For the most part I have been targeting snook and for the people that know me that’s no surprise. Honestly, I can’t think of any better way to spend a day on Charlotte Harbor than fishing for snook. Last week we put some really nice fish to the boat. On a charter with some of my regular clients, Linda caught her personal best snook. I actually was looking for some trout the first thing that morning, I was going to start fishing snook a little later. Well nobody got the memo to the fish. We set up off a point and made a few casts. Nothing much was going on, we caught one nice trout and a couple
smaller snook. Then all of a sudden Linda hooked a big one and it wasn’t a trout. The whole boat erupted in excitement when this fish showed herself. After a five minute battle we landed her, the fish was almost 42-inches and 19 pounds! She was released immediately to let her make babies and fight another day. We caught and released a lot of other snook that morning, up to 30-inches, but Linda let the boys know who was top angler. On the way home she even wanted to drive the boat! Springtime in SW Florida is a very special time.
If you would like to experience some of Southwest Florida’s finest fishing give us a call, or send us an email. All of our charters are private and customized to fit you and your party’s needs. Capt. Dave Stephens, 941-916-5769 www.backbayxtremes.com
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The Southern Sector
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APRIL 2017
10,000 Islands / Everglades City
By Capt. Charlie Phillips Water LIFE / Everglades City What a great March we had in the 10,000 Islands and Everglades National Park. The weather has been pleasant, the fish have been chewing and the phone has been ringing for trips; living the dream for a humble charter Captain. Both inshore and offshore have been solid all month. This time of year I run the last of my season’s island camping trips all thru the region. This is a good time to get out and do some overnight exploring of the area. The bugs aren’t too bad, the weather is good and you have unlimited options on where to go. In the Everglades National Park your first stop should be at the Ranger Station to get a permit. You have 3 options to choose from, Inland Sites, which are holes cut out on the backcountry islands with some high ground, Chickees, which are basically a big porch with a roof out over the water, and Beach Sites. Each has its advantages and issues. I like Inland Sites, but the bugs are usually the worst... but I am there to fish and this puts me in the heart of my areas. Chickees are great, but you can only stay one night and they fill up fast. Beach sites
are the biggest areas and allow the most number of people in a group. These are also the only place you can have a campfire. But of course that sand will get in everything and you better know how to anchor a boat good or you can end up stuck on the beach…or worse. Camping in our area does a few things for your fishing. For me it provides the one thing we never have enough of; time. I am not rushed to be back in by dark or at the end of the day. I can work an area as long as I like with a short ride back to the tent when I am done. I have found some great spots on these trips, as to finding the fish, you gotta’ beat the bushes! Speckled trout fishing continues to be strong all thru the area. Look in the grass flats south of Pavilion and the flats and points on the high tides on the Gulf facing keys. Lots of tripletail in those areas as well, not necessarily on the traps, but many are free floating. Keep your eyes moving and scanning while you ride. Playing on the phone or with the radio can cost you a fine dinner. A live shrimp on a 2/0 circle and a bit of stealth to make the
presentation is all I typically need, but artificial and fly are usually eaten as well. I saw some big redfish being caught last month by some other captains. The biggest a 25-pound monster caught by some charter clients guided by my friend Capt. Joe Snook. While I didn’t get any that were even close to that, I saw his reports and know they are out there. What I have found is some good snook bites all thru the region as the water starts to warm and the need to feed begins. Live bait and big long tail jigs have been working well for me, bounced around the offshore wrecks and reefs. I would beg you to treat the oversize fish with great care as these are the ones making next season’s slots. Catch them fast and get them back
An inshore 29-inch gag we got out of the mangroves while snook fishing. Was hard for my guest, Jason from Michigan, to let him go back!! Gags are out of season.
down to rest.
Capt. Charlie Phillips: 863-517-1829 e-mail: hopefishing@hotmail.com Web: hopefishing.com
APRIL 2017
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Sharks and Cudas
By Fishin’ Frank Water LIFE Baitshop Why do we fish? Easy answer: to relax, to listen to the waves, to slow life down, to take a deep breath and refresh our soul.... and then suddenly it’s a heart attack on-a-stick! Pulse pounding, blood racing, what the heck is this? I just wanna’ see it, Oh My God! bull shark was caught with Capt. Andrew and FISH PIX! This Maybe if I tighten Mallory Herzog by Cameron Parson. It looks pregnant. The shark was tagged and released. Cameron the drag it will slow down...... Hey I am running out of works at Beckyʼs Bait and Tackle in Punta Gorda. By June the sharks have given birth line! Help! Someone start the boat!! Sharks, monster sharks, are moving and I switch to a bit lighter weight gear for into the Harbor and onto the near Gulf more battle. reefs. Nothing like a shark fishing trip to If you are not into catching a fish that relax, kick back with the rods in the holdcan catch you back, the next best toothy ers ... and then all hell breaks loose and critter is the barracuda and right now there your buddy is trying to hold you in the are plenty of them around offshore too. boat while a shark is trying to drag you Barracuda fishing is a ball as they will overboard! often sky rocket out of the water and they Sharks are a good catch and release tar- have been known to jump into boats, get so you want to bend the barbs of your which with all those teeth can also make a hook down, not flattening the barb but calm day end in an instant. bending it in, leaving as much of a bump Both sharks and barracuda will eat anyas possible, so as not to have the point of thing from fish to shrimp and they’ll go the barb hang in the fish when you want to after your catch as you reel it in. Both get the hook out... if you get that far. sharks and barracuda will hit grouper rigs, You need to take extra care when fight- whether the leader is steel or mono or fluing and handling sharks at this time of orocarbon, so you just never know. year. Most sharks pup, or give birth to A tube lure is what works best when their young, in the spring. This means targeting barracuda in the Gulf. I like the many sharks are pregnant now. This can pink or green ones best, but the truth is, add to the fight - ever see a Mom really most of the barracuda I have caught have mad? Ok, now you get it. been caught while I was fishing for someUse heavier tackle until middle of June thing else. so you do not exhaust the pregnant ones. Have you ever been swimming and looked over to see a fish as long as you are You have 50/50 chance of a male or festarring back at you with those huge eyes male shark, but still, take all the care you and teeth? Yikes! The teeth are massive, can. It should not harm them to be caught and released, any doctor will tell you exer- sharp and pointy. So there you are, swimming and you see this monster right next cise is good for a pregnant mom, but too much is not good. Again, you get the idea. to you. They tend to get within 10-feet of you, just sort of checking you out. That is what makes people nervous about ‘cudas, the checking you out part. A barracuda is only shy when you are trying to catch it. If it’s trying to catch you, it’s not shy at all. It is because of the barracuda that I do not wear shiney things like rings or bracelets. I am not scared, but I am practical. Frank@fishinfranks.com Braeden Gilreath, 7, with his first barracuda! 941- 625-3888 FISH PIX! It was 52-inches!! 239-634-1043 from Water LIFE magazine
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APRIL 2017
Readerʼs Ph
FISH PIX!
f r o m Wa t e r L I F E m a g a z i n e
J.T. Corr, bass
Arianna Howarth, she is 4
Margaret Langolf, my first sheep I ever caught, Pine Island
Sheepshead caught in Boca Grande by Matthew Pringle
Donald Darby, sheepshead at at Boca Kiss and Release! Elizabeth Wong's 24-inch Triple Tail caught in Charlotte Harbor 2/28/17
Nick Stabile, Kris Pirillo, & Stephie Faircloth, had a Great Day with Grouper, in 90 ft of water out of Gasparilla.
Black D
Beki with a trout on the Caloosahatchee River
Ty Smith from Cape Coral caught these two awesome bass in a local pond.
7Lakes of
APRIL 2017
hotos
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Txt Us Ur Fish Pix! see page 14
Scott Langfang, snook 35-inches" 14.7pounds, Peace River, Nocatee. Too big to keep
Steve Vig with a nice Sheepshead he caught in Estero Bay
Drum caught in Manchester Waterway by Jodi Wood
-pound bass, Mark Warfield, f Tuscana caught on a orange and yellow long tail worm
Don Burkett, snook caught in ElJobean
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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
Eric Frank, Bowfish, Okachobee, Feb 27 while trying to catch catfish on livers
Leland Alameida 5 1/2 foot bull shark off New Pass Bridge 03/04/2017
Mike Kolinski from Kalamazoo Michigan with a bull Redfish just off west coast of sanibel.
Caught two nice Kings about 6 miles out from Boca Grande Pass and 3 nice Snook in the Alligator Creek canals at night! Names:Chris DeSimone (white shirt and shorts and no hat on with the King) and my brother Tommy DeSimone (Gray long sleeve and hat on in the picture with his King) FANTASTIC TRIP!
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FISH PIX!
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APRIL 2017
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f r o m Wa t e r L I F E m a g a z i n e
Sue Krohn, Bonnet head shark, caught Sunday in Punta Gorda
Kaden Riddell on left and Matt Newberry on right with 2 Charlotte Harbor redfish 29 and 31 inches
Capt Bill Brickel with a just under slot snook. Caught in Burnt Store Isles canal.
Yohan Marchena with a spotless redfish in Placida.
John Savoca, his first Snook, Estero Bay
Tommy DeSimone, snook at the Phosphate Docks
Ryan Stumpf, from Ohio. 37 inch snook caught around El Jobean this week
2 redfish caught by Lenny Cater
Capt. Dave Patton of Fort Myers with a 48-inch Kingfish caught off Sanibel!
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We like Fresh Fish so please donʼt send old photos.
We like the First Catch so donʼt send us fish if you are also sending the same fish to another publication, like for instance ... the Charlotte Sun ;-( One or two photos is all weʼll probably
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Harry with a 9 pounder
Bigger is Better, higher resolution is best. Please donʼt adjust, crop or sharpen pictures. FISH HANDLING: If you are harvesting your catch do what you want, but If you are RELEASING YOUR CATCH: Use
Lynn Allen caught this amberjack 20 miles out of Stump Pass while out with his neighbor Capt Steve.
store this number in your phone!
wet hands on a fish you will be releasing. No Towels, it wipes off vital fish slime. Hold big fish horizontally so as not to damage their ʻinnerds,ʼ dont 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
APRIL 2017
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Readerʼs photos Txt Us Ur Fish Pix! see facing page
FISH PIX! f r o m Wa t e r L I F E m a g a z i n e
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Miguel Segura with a snook and a redfish
PAGE 15
Lisa Moreland with her first ever keeper snook
Ben Taber with 7-pound 4-ounce large mouth bass caught in a pond in North Fort Meyers
Olga Marchena with a snook
$9
Danny with a goliath grouper on Travis Ormondʼs boat the Pelagic, released happy and healthy.
Lucky Fishing Shirt
Art Kolp and young tarpon, caught in PGI canal.
Our Fun Fundraiser
Ron Erhart with a nice keeper red grouper caught on the Pelagic with Capt. Travis Ormond
Available to anyone who has ever had one of their fish pictures appear in our magazine
Proceeds go to the Don Ball School of Fishing 100% cotton shirt, printed by SP Designs, Cape Coral
Don Denney who was a part of our fishing group that day caught a speckled trout and was very proud
Ryan Stumpf from Ohio. 51-inch Kingfish (first king). Caught in Boca Grande Pass with 20 lb flouro leader this week
Chris McCurley from Ohio. 41-inch snook caught at Placida.
text: Lucky Shirt & (size M - L or XL) to the FishPix#: 941-457-1316
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.... weʼll text you back where to pick up your shirt or how to have a shirt mailed to you! or you can email us at waterlife@comcast.net
Wear it with PRIDE! ...and fish will come to you
Stump Pass Update Finally Begins PAGE
16
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APRIL 2017
On The Line With Capt. Ron Blago Water LIFE Senior Staff
It was back in the summer 1999 when a group of concerned Englewood citizens met in the conference room at Key Agency to discuss the problem with Stump Pass. The rag-tag group of local businessmen, shop owners, fishing guides and Englewood old timers all had the same fear, that Lemon Bay was dieing. Scientific studies done by the Water Management District showed that Lemon Bay had extremely high nitrogen levels and that the seagrass beds were shrinking. The reports pointed out that Lemon Bay was the only area between Tampa Bay and Fort Myers that was showing a decrease in seagrass beds. Some of the old timers took us back to the 40s and 50s when Lemon Bay was not connected to Charlotte Harbor. There were three passes back then that connected Lemon Bay to the Gulf; one was where Blind Pass Beach is now, there was Stump Pass and another smaller Pass that cut through Palm Island. We were told how clean the water was then and how big the schools of mullet and other game fish were. There was also even a thriving shellfish harvest of clams and scallops. Everything started to change when the
ICW was completed in the late 60s. That connected Lemon Bay to Charlotte Harbor and a good portion of the water that used to go east and west was now going north and south. The decrease in volume and velocity of water resulted in the smaller passes filling in; leaving Stump Pass as the only exit to the Gulf of Mexico. Two attempts made in the 80s to keep Stump Pass open were pretty much failures. The pass continued to fill in and began migrating to the south. It had become a hazard for boaters unfamiliar with the daily changes in the pass bottom. There seemed to be no enthusiasm outside of Englewood to address the problem. The commissioners felt they had spent enough time and money trying to fix the problem without much success and a large portion of the people living east of the Myakka River didn't see any need to fix a pass they never used. There were even some who thought that letting the
$2 off any haircut!
On March 21, heavy equipment was moving up Ski Alley to get into position at Stump Pass
pass fill in would be a benefit to the environment. At a meeting back in Englewood the group formed the Save Lemon Bay organization with the express purpose of getting Stump Pass fixed. The first order of business was to pack the County Commission meetings with angry Englewood people demanding that the Commissioners do something. The commissioners yielded to the pressure and hired Coastal Engineering Consultants to come up with a plan to keep the Pass open. They were able to convince the State to allow a number of maintenance dredgings over a 10 year period, to keep the pass open until a more permanent solution could be found. I am happy to announce that as I write this article Great Lake Dock and Dredge Company is beginning the work on the most permanent solution we have had yet for Stump Pass. Back in 1999 everyone in Englewood knew that to keep the Stump Pass open you needed a rock jetty to keep the sand from filling in the pass; just like the Venice Jetties, but after putting in jetties on all the passes on the east coast of Florida and allowing jetties on the passes north of Tampa, the State said they were not so sure about a jetty for Stump Pass. Well times change and opinions change
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
John Harris with a 65 pound COBIA caught out of Stump Pass on March 10th
and we now have the approval from the State to put in a 600 foot stone groin, (looks like a jetty) on the north side of the Pass. The work has begun; the dredging will be finished by May 1 and the groin will be completed soon afterterwards. Good Job, Everyone! captRonB@juno.com
APRIL 2017
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Fishing Paradise By Capt. Chuck Eichner Water LIFE Inshore Southwest Florida attracts retirees of all types. Everyone dreams of the warm weather because most of us came from a colder climate. Thoughts of a pool in the backyard, fishing, golfing, gardening and sports as a year around activity are what dreams are made of. A friend of mine introduced me to Danny Paradise from Halfmoon, NY. Danny’s dream was to move to Florida to play music and fish. Interesting, because that was and still is the dream I am living. With an invitation to jam musically the next natural thing to do was to go fishing. Meeting at my dock just after day break, we left in a dense fog, so foggy that we could not navigate and had to stop and wait to head out. Arriving late at the bait spot with the sun already up, the water was flat calm and Danny quickly spotted bait flickering on top. Great news, I proclaimed this should be easy and we eased up to the bait and chummed ground fish flakes into the water. I figured to be done in 20 minutes, but after two hours of cast net throwing had maybe 150 pilchards in the well, a very dirty boat and a tired Captain. The lesson learned here was that baitfish hate the rising sun and stay far from the boat. Our first stop were sand holes off of
Gasparilla Island, in three feet of water. The first three casts met with trout – a couple legal ones. Then a big one hit hard and the biggest trout Danny had ever seen got placed in the livewell for dinner. Easily 5 pounds! A few casts later and Danny’s first snook was caught. As we tooled around the Harbor I could see the amazement in Danny’s face. Beautiful waters, dolphins splashing, sharks swimming, the shallows and deep water of 22 feet. For him, waters of 80 feet were considered deep as he fished the Great Lakes and others in upstate NY. next stop was a shallow mangrove lined basin in Bull Bay. Lines in, fish out, repeat! Snook after snook mashed our baits on every cast! With some fish approaching 25 inches, Danny conceded that these fish pull harder than any striper or lake fish! And after about 30 fish were released Danny proclaimed this was his best day of fishing, ever! There was a lot to learn with a new sport: How to chum with changing tidal currents, how to unload a cast net, proper hooking of baitfish, staking the boat and making very little boat noise when fishing. All of this added up to a great day of angling. Danny’s attention to detail met with several more fish at other spots before heading in. At day’s end, we had
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caught snook, trout, jack, blowfish and of course the day would not be complete without some catfish. He’ll be back.
PAGE 17
Capt. Chuck Eichner operates Action Flats Backcountry Charters He can be reached at 941-628-8040
Danny Paradise
EDGEWATER DRIVE the NEVER ENDING PROJECT NEARS AN END
All the bridges are complete and the four traffic circles are done. The last section of paving, between Harbor and W. Tarpon was half finished at the end of last month. (shown) There are still electrical cables being run under the bridges and final detailing going on. A new traffic signal at Harbor Blvd must also still be installed before the May 17 opening.
CANVAS & UPHOLSTERY
KAYAKING: PAGE
18
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APRIL 2017
Exploring the Tunnels
By Bob Fraser Water LIFE Kayaking March was a busy month for kayaking. I had five trips this month. Three of the outings were four-hour fishing trips. One of the trips was a combo trip, two hours of exploring mangrove tunnels at Lido Key and two hours of fishing for trout on the grass flats. The man wanted to fish, and his girlfriend wanted to explore the tunnels, so we did both. The woman enjoyed paddling through the tunnels, and she caught the only keeper trout that measured 18 inches. It was a cool, windy day for kayaking, but it was their last day in Florida before heading back to New York so they kept the scheduled four-hour kayak trip. Another trip I had was with a friend of mine and her two grandkids that were visiting from New York. This trip was also exploring the tunnels in Lido Key, but
no fishing on this trip. My friend said our kayaking was one of their favorite things they did during their vacation. The three all-fishing trips I had in March were all successful and took place in Gasparilla Sound. We launched at the 19th Street Kayak Launch and fished the Hoagen Key area. I had one guy from Ohio and the other parties were from Michigan. The first two trips we caught five trout that were 18- to 20-inches and several small ones. One of the guys had something spool him in about 15 seconds. I think it was a shark because later in the day we saw a 4- or 5-foot shark swimming around. He was sorry that he lost the line, but I told him there was nothing he could have done about it. It has happened to me before. The week we caught the bigger trout the wind was coming out of the east. The next week the wind changed, and the bigger trout were harder to find. When the wind
is coming out of the east, Hoagen’s Key is a good place to fish because the island blocks the wind. The fish were caught on live shrimp under a popping cork; a topwater lure called Spook Jr. and soft plastic bait. A quick report on surf fishing: The second week of March the pompano bite was strong at Boca Grande Beach. The pompano were 15-to 18-inches, several people caught their limit.
Bob Fraser, Kayak Fishing Guide 941-916-8303 bobmfraser@gmail.com www.kayakfishingwithbob.com
Effects of Air Exposure on Fish APRIL 2017
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By Capt. Betty Staugler Water Life / Sea Grant As the conservation strategy of catch and release angling grows in popularity it is important to evaluate how different stress factors associated with this type of fishing affect fish survival. Here is a brief discussion on the effects of air exposure: How long can a fish live out of water? A fish’ ability to survive out of water is dependent upon a number of factors including: fish species, life stage, body weight, activity level, environmental temperature, amount of dissolved oxygen in the water it is being removed from, and feeding. Conditions leading up to a fish being removed from the water are very important. For instance, warmer temperatures tend to be associated with a higher degree of hypoxia (low oxygen). Low oxygen is a stressor for fish. Although there are a lot of studies that have evaluated oxygen requirements and the effects of hypoxia on fish, there are far less on air exposure impacts. For instance fish eggs in general require very little oxygen until they hatch. Among juvenile and adult fishes, larger fish use more total oxygen per hour than smaller fish do because of the greater metabolic demands of having more tissue mass. Swimming fish use more oxygen than resting fish. Fish in warmer temperatures generally use more oxygen than fish in cooler environments. At what point do bad things happen? What happens first? Removing a fish from the water causes the gills to collapse. This results in a greatly reduced surface area for respiration. Additionally, the extent of air exposure can impact cardiovascular recovery time, and blood and muscle functioning, resulting in impaired swimming. In a laboratory experiment involving rainbow trout, extended air exposure after exercise caused higher mortality than when air exposure was avoided. In a pond study of pikeperch, mortality was lowest for fish that were not exposed to air when compared to fish
exposed to air for periods of one, two or four minutes. Though studies are limited in field settings, extended air exposure has been linked to loss of equilibrium and post-release predation. Some studies have also indicated that smaller fish have a harder time being out of water than larger fish. How long our inshore species like redfish, snook and trout can live out of water is a tough question. There are not many studies available on the tolerances of individual fish species to air exposure.
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
George Holl with a very nice snook
What about other fish? Tarpon: A study conducted recently on sub-adult tarpon in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor evaluated a 60 second air exposure prior to release (roughly the time it would take to snap a photo) and compared that with no air exposure prior to release. In general, angling with minimal air exposure, such as might be required if taking a photograph on a fishing trip, did not appear detrimental to sub-adult tarpon recovery and survival under normal angling conditions. This same study found that fight time was a greater determinant in fish stress and survival than air exposure.
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The author concluded that sub-adult and adult tarpon can recover from routine angling stress when released in the absence of predators, and that anglers can play an important part in tarpon conservation by using appropriate tackle and gear to reduce fight times and handling stress. Bonefish: A recent study on bonefish concluded that bonefish could recover from limited air exposure; but because they tend to move very little while recovering they are very vulnerable to shark predation. The authors recommended that anglers land bonefish quickly, and that they be held in a live-well for a minimum of 2-3 minutes prior to release to allow for recovery from angling and air stress. What about stress? Does stress shorten ‘out of water’ time? Yes, high water temperature, when combined with stress and exercise, often leads to behavioral and physiological changes. These changes include a lack of movement or equilibrium loss, increased heart rate and stroke volume, and changes in blood and muscle chemistry. Research that examined the interaction between air exposure and high water temperature in bluegill showed behavioral disturbance, such as increased ventilation and equilibrium problems was greater when both stressors were combined as opposed to when these stressors were evaluated individually. Primary factors that have been indicated as influencing stress and mortality associated with catch and release are angling duration, extent of air exposure, angling during periods of extreme water temperatures, angling during reproductive periods, gear type and hook location. Marine and freshwater fish support important angling industries that provide substantial benefit to local economies. As the conservation strategy of catch and release angling grows in popularity, it is important to evaluate how different stressors associated with this type of fishing affect fish survival.
Capt. Betty Staugler, Florida Sea Grant Agent. UF/IFAS Extension, Charlotte County (941) 764-4346
Best Kept Secret! - CALL Zealand
PAGE 19
My Road to Boston
Charlotte Countyʼs Sea Grant Agent, Capt. Betty Staugler will be a competitor in the 2017 Boston Marathon on April 17, the day after Easter. You can follow Bettyʼs progress by downloading the 2017 Boston Athletic Club app and inputting Bettyʼs Name or her ʻBib Numberʼ which is 23452. Be sure you download the 2017 Race app since the apps for prior years appear to still be available for downloading. There are 30,000 competitors. The race airs on NBCSportsTV starting at 9:30, Betty should start running at 11:15
Monday, April 17, my four month training journey comes to an end as I run the Boston Marathon! I am both excited and relieved. Running 60 miles a week is a lot! During March I focused on my race strategy. Fueling was a big one. You can't run 26.2 miles without fuel along the way. I also spent quite a bit of time studying the course...where the turns are, where the hills are, best crowd support, landmarks along the way, etc. etc. When I'm about a week away, I'll start stalking the weather. Boston is a point to point race, so a headwind on race day means 26.2 miles of headwind. I'm sure my angling friends can appreciate how that would feel. I leave for Boston on Friday, April 14. Both my boys (Joe & Travis) are joining me for race weekend. I am super excited to have them there to support me. Saturday, April 15 I am running the Boston 5k (3 miles). This will be for fun. Sunday, I plan to chill at the apartment I rented. And then Monday is all marathon, starting with a bus ride to Hopkinton where the race begins and ending on foot at Copley Square in Boston after running through the towns of Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, and Newton. Wish me luck!
If you have dreamed of the Florida boating lifestyle, you have found it. Motor out a couple minutes from one of your two private docks to the open waters of Charlotte Harbor. Just 12 miles to pristine Cayo Costa Island, world class Tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass. Shelling, Redfish & Snook fishing in the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve. Watch manatee and sea turtles or take a nap on your boat. All inclusive, for the rest of your life. CALL ME AND MAKE IT REAL! 941-661-7980
Virtual Tour: YOU TUBE 24260 Henry Morgan
$329,000
941 661-7980
Zealand Wilson, Realtor
PAGE
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SCUTTLEBUTT EMAIL:
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APRIL 2017
Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True POWERLESS “Sir, what will I do? Declare a war against China? I can, but weʼll lose all our military and policemen tomorrow, and then we are a destroyed nation.” Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on being powerless to stop China's island-building in his waters. We ask: What is the U.N. and Nato doing? PLATFORMS COMINʼ The latest U.S. oil and gas lease Sale for Gulf of Mexico acreage netted $275-million in high bids for 163 tracts covering 913,542 acres offshore Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
DEEPER A new method of fishing for Pacific swordfish uses heavy weights to lower lighted baited hooks to depths of more than 1,000
was successfully released later that afternoon into the Caloosahatchee River.
NOT GONNA HAPPEN FWC officers assisted personnel from the FWC Marine Mammal Rescue and Mote Marine with the rescue of an adult manatee that appeared to be having complications due to red tide. The manatee had beached itself on an oyster bed in Dona Bay in Venice, Florida. Rescue personnel got the manatee onto a stretcher, attached the stretcher to the patrol vessel, and attempted to tow the manatee to the North Jetty Fish Camp. Approximately one minute into the tow, the manatee successfully escaped. BAD MATH In December the 3,800-tonne Indian Navy missile frigate INS Betwa capsized on her port side, killing two and injuring 14 others due to a loss of stability while undocking. Salvors have now righted the vessel by
feet, avoiding unmarketable or federally protected species that reside in shallower waters. OLD AND SLOW Ocean quahogs (Arctica islandica) are among the slowest-growing and longest-living animals on Earth, typically reaching 100 to 200 years of age. They grow to just over 4 inches in length. The oldest known ocean quahog was caught off Iceland in 2006 and after aging was found to be 507!
systematically flooding and pumping compartments, the vessel was rolled upright and done so without the use of any external lifting force. A board of inquiry found that a miscalculation of the load distribution equilibrium had caused the accident.
HAPPENED Officers Perry, Hardgrove, Lieutenants Spoede, Ruggiero and Captain Carpenter assisted FWC biologists with the capture of a manatee trapped in a freshwater lake in a housing development in Fort Myers. FWC biologists and volunteers, pulled the manatee to shore where it was safely carried to a waiting transport vehicle. The manatee
NICE, BUT NOT THE SAME Last May, the UK government's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) held an online contest to name their new $400 million research vessel. The internet-using public voted for the name "RRS Boaty McBoatface,” but that was
DIS-HONEST MISTAKE FWC Officer Matechik was on patrol in the Cash Creek area when he saw a subject in a vessel working a net. there were several nets aboard. The subject said the nets would probably be more than 500 square feet. Due to the nets being wadded up, they were seized for further investigation. The first nets that were tied together measured 4,096 square feet. The second net measured 1,260 square feet. Charges were filed.
EDUCATED The juvenile was educated Investigators conducted plain-clothes foot patrol within the Big Cypress WMA with a primary focus on the feeding of alligators. Upon arrival, three subjects were fishing from a bridge which is posted as “No Fishing from Bridge.” They saw a juvenile catch a fish and dangle it over the water to entice the alligators located near the bridge. The juvenile teased the alligators for a while before feeding them the fish attached to the end of his fishing line. The juvenile was educated and warned about the dangers of feeding the alligators.
a bit less formal than what the NERC had hoped for. So instead of the publicʼs choice the vessel was named RRS Sir David Attenborough. Now, in honor of the poll results, the government's National Oceanography Centre
has named its new 6-foot autonomous research sub the Boaty McBoatface.
BETTER HEALTHCARE THAN US Officers were dispatched to a large distressed Loggerhead Sea turtle that was wrapped up in lobster trap lines and some netting, approximately 16 miles offshore of Key West. Officers arrived and attempted to free the 300+-pound turtle from the multiple trap lines when they noticed that one of its fins had been injured by the trap ropes. After working to secure and load the turtle, which took approximately two hours, they contacted personnel from the Marathon Turtle Hospital who sent their staff to the area. The Turtle Hospital employees were picked up and transported by USCG out to the location. The Turtle was later brought back to shore and transported to the Turtle Hospital where it has since had surgery. The turtle is expected to be released in the next few months. We still donʼt know what this cost! SOME DONʼT CARE An FWC Officer saw a subject known to him from previous stops and various resource violations. The subject had in his possession an oversized snook that was tied to the end of his cast net. Further investigation revealed an additional snook of legal size in his backpack. The subject had no fishing rods and admitted to using a cast net to harvest the fish. The two snook were returned to the water alive. The subject was arrested, transported and booked into the County Jail. It was later discovered that the subjectʼs saltwater fishing privileges had been revoked for a two-year period by the court due to a prior resource violation conviction.
SAWFISH If you see or accidentally catch a smalltooth sawfish, please report it to 1-8444SAWFISH. Public information is greatly valued and appreciated.
NOTHINGʼS CHANGED - After closing the Punta Gorda Harborwalk under the southbound US 41 bridge for three months, this is the newly repaired section of the walkway, behind Hurricane Charleyʼs. They ʻfixedʼ this because it didnʼt drain properly. Now, not only did they create a dirty ʻbirdbath,ʼ but they put a railing post in the low spot, so that will need replacing soon
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
Dustin Lester and Heather Cusack, snook catching with Capt Andrew Herzog
Dan Steele with a 40-inch Myakka River redfish
APRIL 2017
Busy Month of Sailing
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By Peter Welch Water LIFE Sailing March came in like a lion and racers in both events needed to adapt.This required the rarely used small jib and reefing the mainsail to make the boat controllable. For Conquistador Cup, the low winter tide and north wind made water depths so low that 10 of 27 registered boats could not get to the starting line on day one. Day two
NOAA May 28, 2017 the white areas are clouds
A very close and aggressive start in the last race of the Leukemia Cup
Conquistador Cup - First no wind, then too much Sunfish International Masters boats at the Port Charlotte Beach Complex at the end of March. Over 60 boats are registered for the regatta. Results and more photos in the next edition
It looked like a NASCAR start for this race
Hot Gulf
PAGE 21
had more wind and the race was cancelled from the starting line when the sustained wind was above the 20 knot sustained safety limit (26 knots actual). Three races were however completed on day one in winds up to 20 knots. S2 7.9 Soulshine used a small headsail and a reefed main in their two point victory over Still Crazy. In the Cruising class Free Again took first place. Skipper Cleverly did not reduce sail area. He stated that the boat normally has ‘less than optimum’ sail area. Full results at www.pgscweb.com. Conquistador’s day two race (cancelled) is a Reverse Start slowest boat first/fastest last, pursuit for the honor of custody of the Royal Order of Conquistador’s Helmet for one year. In absence of that race last year’s winner Paul Robbins retained the helmet for another year. The 13th annual Leukemia Cup was conducted in 15 knot winds Saturday and 20 Sunday. However, Saturday’s wind was short lived and only four of 13 boats were able to finish within the time limit. Three of those were close competitors in the spinnaker class. This set the stage for extra intense competition in that class on day two which
ended in a very close and aggressive start for three boats in the last race. Still Crazy was pushed up against the inflated protection mark and did a 360 degree turn just off the start line in reparation. Us2 protested Soulshine whose skipper was unaware of the protest until after the race. This activated the judges who held a protest hearing. After two hours of fact finding and deliberation Soulshine was disqualified and assigned one place worse than last in that race. Full Leukemia Cup Big Boat regatta results are on the Isles Yacht Club web site at: islesyc.com The growing Harbor 20 class
photographss by Fran Nasher Burstein
Water LIFE Report According to a May 25 story in the Washington Post, water temperatures at the surface of the Gulf of Mexico and near South Florida have been on fire. This has spurred a historically warm winter from Houston to Miami and could now fuel intense thunderstorms. A small pocket of cooler water near Floridaʼs west coast is expected to dissipate soon. In the Gulf, the average sea surface temperature never fell below 73 degrees over the winter for the first time on record, coastal temperatures have averaged at least 10 degrees warmer than normal. This winter, a ribbon of overheated sea surface temperatures streamed north through the Straits of Florida supporting the record-setting warmth over parts of the Florida peninsula. Miami and Fort Lauderdale both posted their warmest winters on record with 80-percent of the winter days in Miami, Orlando and Tampa being above normal. Brian McNoldy, a tropical weather researcher at the University of Miami, said that in addition to the warm water temperatures, a lack of cold fronts penetrating into Florida played a big role in the warmth. “Weʼve not had any strong, long-lasting cold fronts this year” he said. The warm water temperatures in the Gulf could mean thunderstorms that erupt over the southern and central United States will be more severe this spring since warmer Gulf sea surface temperatures help produce more hail and tornadoes. Adding to the concern, an additional component to severe thunderstorms is a phenomenon known as the elevated mixed layer, a zone of hot and dry air at high altitudes. With that in place, weʼre now seeing tornado levels as high as theyʼve been since 2008.
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April – Predictions and Suggestions Charlotte Harbor Frank at Fishin’ Franks 941-625-3888
BackBay Xtremes Capt Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com
941-916-5769
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
Danielle Zink Been after this SNOOK for 3 years!!!
Fish With A Guide!
Youʼll catch more fish and youʼll learn something new, every time!
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
Speak Easy Fishing Charters Captain Joe Angius USCG licensed & Insured Phone: (727)
234-3171
speakeasyfishing.com
speakeasyfishing@gmail.com
APRIL 2017
Tim Coberly of Sidney, Ohio, caught and released this 31-inch Redfish in Lemon Bay.
Nancy Rosatoʼs first largemouth bass, Peace River, Brownsville Park area. Just got her fishing license!!
People have been lamenting the lack of trout in the Harbor so having the mackerel moving in now is a nice thing. Mackerel are up by Mkr. No. 2 and up by the 41 Bridges, but the big concentration is out in front of Bull and Turtle Bay and towards the near Gulf. I am hearing guys are sitting anchored, or on a slow drift, and the mackerel go by, and in 5- or 10-minutes pompano come by. I had a few reports of that. I don’t know if one is following the other or it’s coincidental. This is the first time people have noticed this. Pompano can be had off the beaches, there are scattered reports from Venice to Sanibel. Fish shrimp under a poppin cork for pompano, use only peeled pieces of shrimp, on a No.6 or No.4 gold hook or a silly jig. VMC has what they call the Hot Skirt, a glow-in-the- dark bait - white and black, green and red and white, those have gone off like crazy. It’s a bucktail with mylar and glow in the dark stuff.
Snook is closed for harvest but on the east side, close to Pirate Harbor, back a couple islands, there are oversize snook. South by Patricio, Mondango and those islands down there... on the other side if Pine Island, you’ll find the big snook working their way to the beach. Also, way back in Two Pine, the big snook are back there. At El Jobean Creek and around the Cut-off, big snook are coming out now. There are 40-inch fish coming out but they don’t seem to be on the move yet. Might be a pre-spawn stage up. Redfish continue to elude and evade, but there are days when you can have unbelievably great redfishing. South of Matlacha, over toward Ding Darling, there are a couple of nice schools of redfish. Up at this end, there are lower slot fish on the east side. The catching is more consistent on the west side because you’re not dealing with islands, just a mangrove wall. I’m hearing a little more about sharks
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
Pompano Gasparilla Sound. Eric Kennedy
APRIL 2017
ONLINE EVERY MONTH @
The BIG-4
Fishing Report continued
TROUT Will be moving out soon try the Pine Island Sound
now, a shark here, and a shark there. Cobia are out in the Gulf, they’re are scattered permit and some king mackerel. I think the cooler weather kept them south of us, but they are going to go nuts now. They will head north soon, but it will be a slow crawl north. Tarpon are from the Keys to the 10,000 Islands and up to Sanibel. If the water comes up 2 degrees Boca Grande Pass is going to load up with them. The big fish are about a two hour swim FISH PIX! from Boca right now. There is a threeweek stage up period when big tarpon come in by the hundreds and they’ll be laying side by side along the sandbar on the west side of the Harbor. It is spectacular to see. You’ll be watching the water and all of a sudden there they are. They won’t bite when they are there, but to be able to see it is amazing. They only hang out for two days and then they scatter to the wind. I’ve seen it several times. It happens off and on for a week, but the big numbers are only for two days. I haven’t heard about any glass minnows or threadfins at all yet, and that’s what it takes to get the tarpon up here. The sheepshead are on the near shore reefs. Bass are bedding up around the area now. The baby brush hog, a weird lizard with tail and feet connected, is the top seller for bass bait now.
from Water LIFE magazine
Lemon Bay - Placida Jim at the Fishermen’s Edge 941-697-7595
Fishing has been reasonably good. On the days the guys can get off shore without wind, it’s been really productive. They’ve been catching fire-truck red grouper along with gags, but you have to release the gags right now. Snapper was also awesome, with mangs, yellowtail, vermillion and lane caught. The guys caught sea bass and African pompano too. On the reefs, there’s been the usual porgys and grunts. A couple of guys were still getting into the AJs
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
Katie Henke with a nice sheepshead caught in Bull Bay! Guide was Capt. Bill Brickel.
April
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Fish you can expect in
REDFISH East side of the Harbor and Pine Island Sound
SHARKS More and more bigger and bigger!
PAGE 23
SNOOK Mondongo and the Pine Island Islands
Nearshore Temps are now low 70s warmer south and way offshore
95˚ 90˚ 85˚
Tricia Francis and Tucker, with a 25 inch Redfish out of the Myakka River, caught on March 13
offshore, they try to avoid them since they can’t keep ‘em. And there has been some FISH PIX! almaco jacks too. Been pretty productive offshore lately. The Spanish mackerel are coming and going, but we’re starting to see quite a bit of kingfish caught. The Pompano fishing has been good - same as the macks - you find them on the incoming, along the beaches. Maybe it’s because of the dredging of Stump Pass but the pompano and the mackerel are all south of Stump Pass, around Boca seems the best. Inshore, there has been white bait around and the guys casting whitebait are doing well with the snook. Redfish has been fine and I’ve seen some pictures of big, really nice, trout that were 20-to 28-inches, they were huge fish. One guy caught a 31-inch trout, but just one. There has been quite a bit of tarpon dripping into the Pass. I’m not hearing about them on the beach yet, but the Pass is turning on now. Squirrel fish are good tarpon bait once the shrimp leave and this year the arrival of the tarpon seems to coincide with the shrimp leaving. There are a number of sharks, small to medium hammers and blacktips. A lot of sharks are starting to make their presence on the scene here. It’s that time of year.
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
from Water LIFE magazine
24" triple tail, Charlotte Harbor Ryan Burlew
80˚
Nicholas McGraw, mullet
75˚ 72˚ 70˚ 68˚ 50˚ 45˚
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
Joe Gilcher, cobia
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
Hadley Langolf age 8 from Bexley Ohio first time to Pine Island and this is what I caught
FISH PIX!
from Water LIFE magazine
FISHING RIGHT NOW:
Great!
Cole Weitzel Alligator Creek
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APRIL 2017