Water LIFE Dec 2020

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

Water

LI FE The Charlotte Harbor Reef Association

December 2020

FISH PIX! Water LIFE magazine

Yankeeʼs first Florida fish!

Biggest fish he ever caught!!

35-pound grass carp caught on bread, in Rotonda Glenn Vowel

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Ryan P 38.5-inch redfish from Charlotte Harbor, on cut bait. Released

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Merlin Lewis, Brad Stevens and Josh Birdʼs catch of the day, out on the boat

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DECEMBER 2020

DECEMBER 2020

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DECEMBER 2020

Frank told me he is now helping Robert look for a location for his own store.

It would be called Blind Tarpon Tackle.

In case you were away: Fishinʼ Franks burned to the ground after a freak accident on Memorial Day eMail letters and photos to: WaterLIFE@comcast.net

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. 12 © 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

Sunseeker Resort

Txt fish Pix ONLY to 941-457-1316

had to have a lawyer draw the rental agreeNo-Progress Report ment and included some sort of penalty COMMENTARY clause. Even the smallBY MICHAEL HELLER est general contractors My wife came back from have the ability to file the hairdresser. She told me ‘mechanic’s liens’ on a her hairdresser’s husband was job that does not pay a contractor involved with them. At some point, I Sunseeker and he said that Suffigure the legal paperfok, the crane company has work is going to pile struck a deal with Sunseeker. up higher than those The story goes that Sunsix cranes! seeker couldn’t make the rental What happens then?

We photoshopped 5 more floors onto the current construction to give you payments on the Cranes, but an idea of how high a 9-story Sunseeker will be.... if it is ever finished.

Maybe an auction of Suffok, because of the panthe property on the demic, didn’t have any other steps of the Courthouse in Punta Gorda.

It is not unrealistic to think use for the six cranes on the now idled project. So Sunseeker that people involved are going to demand their money.

Contractors agreed to let them store the cranes on their property. There was evwere hired and they cleared their schedules to do work that never idently some monetary value in that agreement. happened. And don’t kid yourself for one minute - I’m not the only Now the question that comes to my mind is: What kind of one who thinks this way. Lawyers are already involved and I’m agreement did Sunseeker have with Suffok? I must think that a sure they are laying out their challenges right now. well established construction company with nationwide outlets,

LETTER: More Boating You drive down the residential streets in south Florida. You see boats parked in driveways, beside houses, almost anywhere. Both you and Waterline are missing the boat. Nothing about boating (no boating section).

Three things come up when asking people about Florida. Warm weather, Beaches, and Boating.

Don't MISS THE BOAT, Terry

WE WANT YOUR FISH!

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LOCAL SAILING RESULTS

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Include anglerʼs name and what kind of fish.

The Charlotte Harbor Hospice Regatta was held at the end of October to celebrate and support the mission of Home and Hospice Care of Tidewell Hospice. The race was open to all sailors from any area club.

1st, 2nd and 3rd places on Saturday-H20 Class were: Scholz, Knowles, and van Heek. Sunday: Strube, Sisk and van Heek.

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Waving Signs Hasnʼt Solved the Problem DECEMBER 2020

By Michael Heller Water LIFE editor Concerning MOSAIC’s Phosphate Mining expansion plans, the last significant thing that happened was in 2019 the DeSoto County Commissioners voted to hold a series of workshops. I believe that was in an attempt to get the citizens acclimated to the fact that in 2023 DeSoto will approve Mosaic’s zoning request and grant permits for Mosaic to expand their operation into Horse Creek.

That will bring phosphate mining to within 12 miles of Punta Gorda. Horse Creek is a tributary to the Peace River, if a spill occurs there - I shouldn’t say ‘if’ I should say ‘when’.... they have a terrible track record, when a spill occurs at Horse Creek, it will affect us all.

The Horse Creek site will contain clay settlement ponds which are where the toxic mine tailings are ‘set out to dry.’ A tropical weather event will overflow those ponds and push the radioactive acid into the Peace River. At that point, everything dies and the mining company declares bankruptcy and walks away. Then they form a new company and go back to mining. It’s happened before, several times and it will happen again. They don’t care. It’s only about the dollars.

Almost everyone thinks the Horse Creek expansion is a bad idea. People

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have formed groups and alliances. Some are more vocal than others, but they all agree Phosphate Mining would be bad at Horse Creek... just like they agreed phosphate mining would be bad at every other site phosphate mining has expanded into, but the mines keep coming.

If the underground vein of ore at Horse Creek didn’t change to a more difficult form of clay to mine, MOSAIC would be planning to mine right down Kings Highway - following the deposits.

Unfortunately, conservation efforts in these parts are a lot like politics. At any one point in time, there are lots of people in general agreement, but they seem to switch focus and lack unity between them. There are people sincerely wanting to bring about change, but there are not enough of them pulling in the same direction, so nothing gets done. You can have all the feel good marches, sign waving at the US-41 Bridge and online ‘likes,’ but that doesn’t change a thing.

Sadly, I believe Phosphate Mining is coming to Horse Creek. I say sadly because there was a time not long ago when I wanted to move to Pine Level and build a little place for our retirement. That plan is over. I’ve seen what the mining does to communities and I don’t want that.

Not only is there drag line mining and non stop trucks and trains, but the phos-

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Horse Creek (11/15/2020) is almost certainly going to be mined. It feeds into the Peace River.

phate process takes clean water, pollutes it heavily with diluted mine tailings and then puts it back in the aquifer or in the River. Our legislators have failed us. Instead of waving signs someone should be canvassing lawyers to sue the government agencies involved and the Governor himself. But that’s not happening.

Florida is in a downward environmental slide. We have too many people.

There is too much human excrement and not enough waste water treatment and with COVID, more northerners are going to be moving here. We are running out of clean water. What is the answer to all this?

We can’t stop the mining companies but one answer might be the mining companies should be made to replace every drop of clean water they take. It would be nice if Tallahassee could legislate a system of credits, like an environmental soil bank, where the phosphate mining companies must finance desalination plants along the coast to provide drinking water in return for what they take.

Is this the solution? I don’t know. The Governor is afraid to even talk about phosphate mining. So all we have are placards and flag waving. I think, maybe, all the wrong people are involved.

Refuge from the Tide and Wind PAGE

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By Cameron Parson Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Breezy days can often put a damper on fishing. It can be a little challenging and often times frustrating when the wind just won't let up, especially this time of year when it comes from the north or northeast. But, there are plenty of places that offer some sort of relief from the wind. Canal fishing can be fantastic on windy days.

This time of year, the tides are at their lowest with the wind pushing the tide out. Finding deeper docks will, more times than not, offer a multiple species of fish to catch. Mangrove snapper, sheepshead, black drum, snook, redfish, and even speckled trout can be caught if you stumble upon the proper area. Most of the fish tend to be on the small side, like your snappers and sheepshead.

But there's also a good chance of a few bigger fish, so don't be afraid to beef up your gear to medium- heavy rods with 15- to 30-pound braid. It's better to have it and not need it,

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than to need it and not have it. Fishing docks can be what I call combat fishing....trying to work those fish off the structure and keeping them away before

they break off.

Generally, I'm using shrimp on a jighead to get the bite. Jigheads are any-

where from 1/8 to 3/8 ounce depending on the depth and current. The key is to utilize enough weight to get to the bottom. Color is a preference. Leader is anywhere from 25- to 40-pound fluorocarbon and about 3- feet in length. It's a simple rig that catches fish. If you feel the jigheads are too big, use a fish finder rig with a sliding weight so you can use a different hook size.

Just be aware for any and all snags that tend to be around these docks.

Most people seem to be hooked on using medium shrimp.

But this is not always the best case.

A medium shrimp will only be slowly pecked away unless it's cut into chunks. Small shrimp will do just fine. Black drum and redfish don't necessarily care about the size, just the fact they are getting an easy snack. And everything that swims in the Harbor seems to eat shrimp, regardless of size.

It will take some time to figure out

DECEMBER 2020

the fish's pattern. There are always fish like jacks, snook, and juvenile tarpon in the canals. Other species like sheepshead and trout will take to the canals to find deeper water to feed in, especially when the water temperature drops enough to drive them in. Some areas can be as deep as 20- feet or more in the middle...a place you'd expect nothing but catfish to congregate. A little exploring can pay off pretty well if you're willing to take the time to do so.

All in all, canals produce fish and they offer some exceptional protection from the wind if you really want to fish on that blustery day.

Make a mental note of the tide and wind direction for next time. You can catch fish in a spot for up to a week or more before the pattern changes again and it makes easy fishing for kids.

Catch some fish!

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

DECEMBER 2020

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December Will Have Sharks Moving Around

By Capt. John Brossard Water LIFE Sharks December will have its regular cold fronts come thru, allowing the water to cool down and move the sharks around. This is normal. Storms also stir the water up also moving fish around.

It seems to me, again, that the bigger (5-to 7-foot) sharks are in the backwaters whereas the smaller sharks are all over the wrecks in the 1to 10-mile offshore waters.

The bonnetheads look like they are everywhere inshore and close offshore. If you want to try eating shark, try one of these. But as always with shark, gut it immediately and ice it down until you fillet the fish.

There are plenty of shark-bait-fish around to choose from this time of year, whether it’s jacks, mackerel or blue runners, they are all over the close-in wrecks.

The best time for a good bite is in the middle of the day when the water warms up. Do not overlook the mud flats near your area when searching for sharks. Sharks like to go there on the upper tides during the day, for warmer water.

Happy Sharking and Happy Holidays to all!

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

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Behavioral Change Happens

By Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Well folks, we finally made it to December of 2020. We may have slid into this month bleeding, scratched from head to toe and out of toilet paper, but we made it, LOL!! This month can be a crazy transition month for our fishery, also.

The way this year’s been going I hate to even speculate, but let’s try anyway.

Over the years of me guiding, December has had some major ups and downs. Probably the best up would be our snook fishery. Other than spring, some of the best snook fishing I have had has been during the month of December.

Mother Nature plays a very big role in this. For the new anglers that have started

fishing these wonderful game fish, I’ll give you a little crash course on behavior.

Snook are considered a tropical fish, this means that cold water will cause them to go into a dormant state.

Usually when our water temps consistently drop below 70-degrees these guys seek out deep water and prepare for winter. However if we have a slow cooling winter with no major cold fronts to drop the water temperature drastically, big snook will feed very

well. This is due to the fact they know winter is coming and a fat reserve is very important for them.

Florida has a very fragile ecosystem and a lot of our fishery depends on what Mother Nature has in store for us. If we get some major cold fronts that push down we just have to adjust to what we are dealt. It doesn’t mean we stop fishing, we just have to change up what we are doing.

We have other fish in the fishery that the cooler water temps don’t affect as much. One of those being trout. Actually during the winter months the trout fishery can pick up. After a major front pushes through South West Florida these guys tend to school up in deep water making

DECEMBER 2020

for a great day of fishing.

I know last month we spoke of our waters beginning to clear up. Well 2020 struck again and it dumped a large amount of rain on us. This caused our local creeks and those to the north to send a lot of rain runoff our way.

So I promise next month we will talk a lot more about fishing water that is clear, unless Mother Nature and 2020 has one more trick up her sleeve. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and look forward to fishing with ya’ll soon.

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

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DECEMBER 2020

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

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from Water LIFE magazine

Eight-year-old Kane from Arizona getting his first Back Country Slam! good for you buddy!! fishing with Capt. Pauly Tarponbay

from Water LIFE magazine

from Water LIFE magazine

from Water LIFE magazine

Capt. Rick Kelly, bonnethead shark

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Katie Goodwin with a snook on the surf

10 year-old Carson, from Las Vegas reeled in this 33-inch snook with Capt. Lou Silva.

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from Water LIFE magazine

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Glenn Difalco in Holiday Estates, Englewood, late October bass, on a 10-inch Culprit junebug purple worm.

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Nice Bull landed by JoDee Armstrong at the Bridge

John Ripa and Leah Chrysler with one of Johnʼs catches and Leah Chrysler kissing a nice snook for good luck before release

Evan Cope Caught a 26-inch snook with a live greenback

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READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix! Weʼll use ʻem!! see page 4

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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

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Earl Horecky Bokeeliia backcountry, caught on a gold spoon, Nov 17.

Three near identical 22-inchers Ron Roe with a good snook with his son Capt Scotty Roe and Capt Scotty Roe with anothyer good snook and Mary Roe with the big fish, a monster jack!

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John Ripa finally gets out of the 30s with a fat 42

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Anglers are Al Beck and Brian Shaffer, trout were caught near Burnt Store Marina

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Scott Lenart with a Rotunda bass

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Ethan Morton

Cole Wilson, red and a snook

Merry Fishmas!

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Capt. Alan Williams Water LIFE Upper Harbor I love December and the holidays but this year can't end fast enough for me and probably the rest of the world too. The one thing that hit close to home this year was the devastating loss of Fishin’ Franks for the fishing community.

The little things we all took for granted were gone in the blink of an eye. Things like being able to buy local specific gear and equipment, shrimp and the feeling of stepping into a old-school fishing Meca that kept its finger on the pulse of Charlotte Harbor. I wish Frank and his crew all the best in their future endeavors.

I'm glad we're down to the month of December, November was definitely on the odd side. Last month super low tides brought on by the new and full moons were supercharged by the addition of strong North winds that blew a lot of the water out of the Harbor. This produced some of the lowest water levels of the year. A lot of the flats and shoals in the Harbor and Rivers were high and dry.

Wading on these tides gets the angler some good shots at fish using the holes, ditches and depressions. This is a good time to look for tailing reds and big pushes. All this is normal for this time of year with cold fronts marching through.

What's not normal is the possibility of a hurricane in December. One week we're seeing big negative tides and the next week we're being flooded by the big push of water from the dirty side of Hurricane/Tropical Storm ETA. What kind of name is that for a storm anyway?

That storm was a real head scratcher and heartache for the people who got flooded by the big push of water up the Harbor and Rivers. The fishing had been getting really good in those areas, but then the massive influx of fresh water put the

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brakes on that. Thankfully the water receded rapidly as the storm moved away.

Now everyday an incoming tide brings more salt water into the upper Harbor.

The spillways benefitted from this blast of fresh water. It's usually slowed down to not worth the effort, at this time of year, but not THIS year! The joys of fishing structures now is the influx of moving water. Sometimes it's good to not have to wait on a good tide to fish and the snook and tarpon understand that.

The other positive thing about the march of cold fronts is the push of fish into the backcountry and deep water canals. This is the time of year to shift focus to the deep water refuges where fish looking for warmer temperatures hide.

We haven't gotten that big push yet, but as the temps drop the amount of fish moving into these areas will increase.

This is the time of year to begin targeting Florida convicts, better known as sheepshead, as they come out of their summertime haunts to gather up for their spawning time.

Trout are on the move in these areas.

Big snook and redfish are still being

caught in most of the creeks and canals leading in from the Harbor. I like to fish the first part of a good incoming tide to target these fish.

The importance of moving water can't be stressed enough. It all goes back to the old saying, it's not where you fish, but

DECEMBER 2020

when.

Trolling spoons in the Harbor and holes as well as Alligator Reef has been producing some nice Spanish mackerel.

The full swing of snowbird migration hasn't started yet, but it’s around the corner.

The amount of boat traffic will be increasing as well as the pressure on our resources.

Be respectful to each other and especially our habitat and resources and remember the state has said boats must remain 50-feet apart during the pandemic.

Here's to a new year and many rod bending, top water exploding days on the water. Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones and let’s all hope 2021 brings good things to all of us.

See you on the water.

Be safe, healthy and lucky!

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

DECEMBER 2020

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

FISH PIX!

Angel Gregory age 13 first peacock in Naples, Kaylon Gregory with a snook, Kaden Gregory, age 9, first peacock and a tarpon down in Naples

Stump Pass to be Dredged Next in 2022

On the Line Opinion By Capt. Ron Blago Water LIFE Senior Staff Charlotte County has just started planning for the next maintenance dredging of Stump Pass in Englewood. The last time the Pass was dredged was in May 2017 and it was planned to be dredged every three years on average; so I guess we should be thankful that we got five years out of the last dredging.

There are several factors that go into the decision to dredge Stump Pass. Besides boat navigation, there is engineering and construction work to be scheduled; remember, no dredging allowed during turtle nesting season which is half a year.

There are other environmental issues to be addressed as well, like manatee, seagrass, shorebird and sawfish protection.

And let's not forget the financial and political influences all of which can slow down a project and add to the final cost. The cost of the 2017 dredging was $ 5.2 million; fortunately a good portion of that was paid

by FEMA because of damage caused by tropical storms.

All passes in Florida have to be dredged from time to time, even those that have jetties on both sides like Venice. In the old days, the Army Corps of Engineers paid the cost of dredging the passes. Unfortunately in the late 70s , due to government budget cuts, the ACE dropped Stump Pass from their list of federally maintained

Passes. This left the Local and State government on the hook for keeping Stump Pass open.

Between 1982 and 2003 there was no dredging of Stump Pass; during that time the Pass began to fill in with sand and the

other in 2011.

By 2013 reality began to set in; as long as wind blew, water flowed and sand drifted, there would be no magic bullet to fix Stump Pass and there will always be some dredging required in the future. The only thing the local government can do is try to extend the time interval between

Just inside the Venice Inlet, the popular boaterʼs hangout Snake Island, is being re-nourished

Pass moved to the south. In 2003 the Pass was dredged in an effort to re-establish the 1980 channel alignment. This effort kept the Pass in place, but the sand kept filling in. Two maintenance dredges were done to keep the Pass open, one in 2006 and the

photo: Venice Aerial Photography

dredges and put in place a financial plan to pay for future dredging. A lot of people don’t realize that at least half the money that is paid to dredge the pass goes for planning, engineering and permitting; the actual dredging is relatively inexpensive

and only takes a week or two to complete.

It’s getting everyone's permission that is the hard part.

There were high hopes for the 2017 dredging; we received permission to put in a 500-foot long jetty in and that is where things started to go south.

I was led to believe that we were going to wind up with our own Venice-like jetty.

I should have known when the closer we got to the actual project things started to change. First off it wasn’t a jetty any more it became an underwater groin made with special limestone imported and barged from Missouri and the groin was going to be under water - so much for fishing off the new structure. The sand that was dredged from the Pass was to go on the shoreline south of the Pass. That plan also got changed and out of the 150,000 cubic yards of sand that came out of Stump Pass 125,000 cubic yards went north to the Manasota Key side of the pass; and sand as it always does, drifted south and filled in the north side of the groin and went over the top of the groin, putting sand back into the Pass. I think that surprised a lot of experts, but a small groin is still better than no groin.

I have two thoughts about the next dredging. Let's look at making the groin higher and longer; and how about starting the dredging from the point where the ICW meets the Stump Pass channel; that way the bigger boats will also have a safe way to get to the Gulf.

Captronb@juno.com

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Estero Bay: Preparation is Key PAGE

By Capt. Joe Angius Water LIFE Estero As our area approaches the new year it’s safe to say that the fishing this past year was off the charts, with beautiful healthy clean water, an abundance of baitfish and life and gamefish that seemed to cooperate. The fishing conditions couldn’t be better.

When there’s an opportunity to catch different fish species in one day, anglers must be prepared for any situation. It will be your gear and tackle that gets put to the test, not your fish finding skills.

Getting prepared for a charter I have a good grasp on what I’m going to target, when I’m going to target them and how.

But if my gear isn’t setup properly I’ll

lose every opportunity that’s presented.

Having steel leader, fluorocarbon leader, various sized circle and “J” hooks, and lures that will get a reaction bite must be tied up and ready to go.

A variety of fish have been in and

around Estero Bay including Spanish mackerel, redfish, snook, tarpon, speckled trout, black drum, and sheepshead to only name a few. Even though these are the typical species anglers would find while fishing, what makes it unique is that anglers can find and fish these species all in the same day.

At times you can be limited to fish and catch only certain species, but with the present conditions it’s possible to find hungry fish all day long. With the inshore species fish closure of redfish, snook and trout it’s important I give my clients the option of both catching prized inshore fish and putting food on the table. Spanish mackerel have been plentiful and make great table fare, while tripletail, mangrove

DECEMBER 2020

snapper, and sheepshead are not out of the question.

Netting good quality bait can sometimes be that make or break moment on a fishing trip.

The best part about this time of the year is that live shrimp is just as effective as white bait or crabs; given the right scenario.

I still advise to cast net live bait to increase your fish catching odds, but I’ve caught the same quality redfish and jumped backwater tarpon using live shrimp. If you’re more of an artificial-lure angler don’t get discouraged. Topwater lures early in the morning have proven to be successful, with Bait Busters off of the beach for tarpon and cobia enticing a good bite.

The fishing throughout this month should remain consistent and productive.

I’m looking forward to closing out the year with a busy schedule and catching big fish. Also, don’t overlook shelling or eco -touring; birds here are spectacular too! Come fishing and experience what Southwest Florida has to offer. The conditions are optimal!

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

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Everglades & 10,000 Islands Fishing Remains Strong

By Capt. Charlie Phillips Water LIFE 10,000 Islands Thankful was the buzzword for many this past month. I try to remember it for the other 11 months of the calendar as well, and with fishing and exploring the waters and areas I call home, it’s not too hard. I am always thankful for the beauty

My niece with her first redfish caught in NC

of my home waters and for the nature I am surrounded by on every trip. For every bird, every turtle, each fish that comes aboard the Laura Ann, I am grateful. And of course, for the customers that keep the lights on, we are so appreciative of as well!

My goal each time my boat leaves the dock is to try and share the beauty of my world with the people we have aboard. If they leave at the end of the day in awe of the splendor of the Everglades National Park and 10,000 islands, then I have done my job. It does help though if we also catch fish!! On that note, let’s talk about what’s been happening this past month.

Inshore fishing has stayed strong and consistent, though the first part of last month was windy as heck. The wind stirred the water up and made things a little harder, but fish still need to feed and if you could find clean waters it’s not been hard to get the bite.

Negative low tides make for a great opportunity for sight fishing if you get in areas that are blocked from wind and stay relatively clear. A push pole or stealth with the trolling motor as you work the bank are key. Fish in these places are often a little spookier than the ones in the deeper channels. Looking for pushing water, or the wake of a fish under the surface and of course the fish themselves.

We throw artificials in a few varieties, spoons, topwater walk-the-dog hard baits and soft plastics of either the curly tail on a jig head or a shad on a bass-hook rigged weed-less. Snook, small tarpon, redfish and trout in the troughs are usual catches.

Throw in black drum, snapper and goliath grouper as not uncommon.

If you need a little more draft than

these skinny waters require no problem, we fish the deep channels, usually nearer the front on the low tides as another option. Some folks do anchor if they don’t have a trolling motor and while better than nothing, I would suggest drifting and keeping the main engine running to bump in and out and help guide the drift vs just

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sitting in one spot waiting.

That’s me though, I like to keep moving, actively stalking vs still hunting on the inshore side. Offshore is a different story of course.

Throw spoons, live bait and my favorite the shrimp tipped Don’s Potbelly jig for a variety of action. Figure on all the above mentioned species from the skinny water and throw in some sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel for good measure.

Y’all have a very Merry Christmas and I pray your 2021 starts off with good bites and fair winds.

Capt. Charlie Phillips, President, Florida Guides Assn.

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

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WARNING WARNING! The Punta Gorda Police Marine Unit announced they have increased enforcement on illegal netting and fishing, vessel safety checks, anchor light violations, and wake zone infractions.

LAST TWO DOLLARS At this point there are

no funds to remove the two boats stuck at the mouth of the Hog Island Cutoff. There is now talk of FEMA footing the bill since it was caused by named storm ETA. NO ONE WILL SEE THIS Investigator received an internet complaint regarding a man putting a nurse shark into a freshwater swimming pool and then posting a video to Face-

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DECEMBER 2020

SCUTTLEBUTT

Sometimes

Unsubstanciated,

book. The subject received the following violations: Possession of undersize nurse shark, cruelty to animals (placing nurse shark in freshwater swimming pool), possession of six undersize spiny lobster and unlawful possession of goliath grouper (prohibited species).

BAD CHOICES The Port Charlotte Yacht Club is suffering. They were reportedly behind on their mortgage when two of the members loaned the Club the money to get current.

Now, at least, the next time the Club gets behind they will lose their property to someone they know. There has been much inside talk about this alleged takeover.

TURNING OF THE TIDE Renewable energy company Verdant Power installed an array of three tidal power turbines off Roosevelt Island in New York City's East River. These units are test pieces for a much larger installation in the future.

DUMBER THAN A FIFTH GRADER FWC officers responded to swimmers in distress near

But

Often

True

the area of Rodriguez Key. Two swimmers quickly drifted away from their vessel after they both entered the water to unfoul the vessels propeller. The swimmersʼ 11- year-old grandson remained on the vessel, alone. The grandson called 911 and gave general directions which allowed law enforcement to find area. The grandparents were located and returned to their grandson.

WHOSE COUNTING? Officers were patrolling the Choctawhatchee Bay when they conducted a fishery inspection of a subject fishing with a cast net. The inspection revealed the subject was in possession of 260 mullet, 210 over his daily limit.

SHOT IN THE BACK Officer Hocker received information on an individual who shot an alligator with a bow and arrow inside of WMA. Officer Hocker found the individual who claimed that he only shot the alligator because it was moving towards him. An investigation revealed the alligator was shot in the back while moving away from him. The individual was cited accordingly.

PATHETIC Officer Hardgrove conducted a resource inspection of a subject fishing from a Charlotte County pier. The inspection revealed the fisherman was in possession of two snook.

One snook measured four inches and the second snook measured five inches.

ATTACK OF THE KILLER WHALES A British yachtsman has recounted his "terrifying or-

deal" during which a pod of "six or seven" orcas—commonly known as killer whales— rammed the 45-foot-long boat he was sailing in. The encounter, which lasted for about two hours, occurred 20 miles off the coast of Portugal in October. The yachtsman, David Smith, was on a job at the time, transporting the boat from France to Gibraltar.

THANKS COVID The Governor signed Executive Order 20-09 requiring boats to keep 50-

feet between them. We think it should be 200-feet, especially when fishing, and be in effect forever.

RICH INFLUENCE Port Sanibel Marina construction continues to be held up by a small minority of wealthy residents who are fighting the approved expansion of the marina because they donʼt want it in their neighborhood.

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READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix!

Weʼll use ʻem!! see page 4

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from Water LIFE magazine

Lacy Hamsher with a Halloween 9pound bull red caught in Charlotte Harbor

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Mark and Crystal Hamsher with a Halloween red and snook

from Water LIFE magazine

Patrick got a couple of 40s

from Water LIFE magazine

On our way out grouper fishing we found somebody's palm tree, 20 miles out.

We also found some fish! Rick Johnson

FISH PIX! FISH PIX!

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Nick Hughes, redfish

DECEMBER 2020

IF

YOU CAN ʼ T GET OUT,

Bass Cologne Report from the Ponds:

By Nicholas J Water LIFE Bass Addict Wow, what a very challenging year 2020 has been for us bass anglers, pond fishing for trophy largemouths here in Florida. This has been a record year for tropical storms and hurricanes that just put a major damper on the bass’ activity, bite and their seasonal patterns.

But just when you think it couldn't get any worse tropical storm ETA rolls in after the first week of November and hangs around off the coast for about 10 days with constant winds from morning till sunset. Depending on the wind direction, it was very frustrating to cast from the banks. Not to mention the major rain dumps, Some days I thought I would need high water waders to fish the bank!

The time change limited me to shorter sunset sessions, so I put more time into the early morning and mid day sessions to try and hook a trophy bass.

The big lunkers were hunkered down good, I knew they were going to make me work hard to get their attention. I was relentless working all the pond culverts, drains, black holes and tall thick water reeds along the banks of many of my spots. I was a bass addict on a mission, trying to hook the one with all odds against me. The time was getting short before this report was due and it wasn't

F OLLOW U S

looking good. Time for desperate measures!

Besides dressing for success in my fancy fishing attire and gear, I like to break out the "Bass Cologne" and slap some on for good luck!

Ah, let me explain. There’s four senses of the bass to work to get their attention, that's sight, sound, smell and taste. This time of year with all the strong heavy downpours it created runoffs loaded with fertilizers, pesticides, oils and gasses all running into the ponds.. Then add all the stirred up sediments that cloud the pond’s clarity making it murky and sometimes smelly. This really effects a largemouth’s smell and taste in a negative way, making it harder for them to locate the bait.

So this is the best time to enhance your bait with a bass attractant, or what I

refer to as Bass Cologne. Using a scented lure or soft bait can be very beneficial in getting a trophy basses attention compared to a non scent bait under

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these conditions.

When I use scented and unscented baits I just add a little Bass Cologne to get the fish’s attention, especially when the water conditions are not ideal. I have hooked some awesome pond monsters using it under these conditions.

I like the Berkeley Powerbait Bass Attractant, it has a strong live bait smell that bass can't resist.

My latest Deptherm reading it was 60° at 20- feet deep and 76° at 8-feet deep. Largemouth’s average optimal range is around 70° give or take a couple of degrees. That makes sense to me, that's why I wasn't hooking any bass out deep, all my hits were in the upper water column and along the banks.

If bait fish are scarce along the banks, look for ospreys and other variety of water birds along the banks, that's where the bait fish and bass will be.

Despite it being one of my toughest months of bass fishing of the year, I was still able to hook and land a couple of nice lunkers and one real nice trophy pond monster largemouth.

October 25, I hooked a solid lunker bass lurking around a drain pipe on a Junebug Sticko with some Bass Cologne on it.

November 1. I hooked another very nice largemouth on the weedless frog by a pond culvert.

And on Friday November 13. fishing a small pond with heavy vegetation around a drain pipe, I got a major explosion on my weedless frog and ended up hooking a trophy pond monster bank battleground bass.

It must of been my lucky orange shirt. It was a day I won’t forget.

As far as lures and soft baits go, Stickos, swim jigs and weedless frog are still getting constant strikes. From now ‘till spring, adding stickbaits and crankbaits to your arsenal can be beneficial to get a lunkers attention.

PAGE 17

I am sad to say this will be my last report from the ponds for a while, I have new commitments for 2021 which I am looking forward too. Unfortunately that will require me do a lot less fishing, it will be a tough transition for me as much as I like to hit the ponds for trophy bass.

I want to personally thank Michael and Ellen Heller for presenting me with the opportunity to be a contributor to Water LIFE magazine, doing the monthly Report from the Ponds over the past year. I really enjoyed sharing my passion, knowledge and experiences pond fishing for trophy largemouths with all you Water Life readers.

I look forward to seeing your big bass, big smile FISH PIX in Water Life in the coming months, but first you must get out and hook one! Good Luck!

Editor Responds: Thank you Nick, for your professionalism and your expertise.

We wish you good luck and good health in the future. Catch ‘em up, my friend!

18

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DECEMBER 2020

PIER FISHING Spanish Mackerel PAGE

By Bobby Vitalas Water LIFE Pier Fishing Spanish mackerel are so awesome to catch; they are a good fast fighting fish. I caught this Spanish mackerel at Sharky’s Pier in Venice. It was caught from low to high tide. The most common weight for the Spanish mackerel is from 1- to 3pounds.

In this area, the legal length to keep the Spanish mackerel is from 12-inches or more measured from the fork of the tail.

And Spanish mackerel are also a good eating fish too. Most of the time Spanish mackerel come in schools. If you find one, you are going to find another.

Spanish mackerel come and go. Sometimes they are there and sometimes they are not. A good place on this pier to catch Spanish mackerel is at the end of the Pier.

Sometimes the mackerel are running deep, or sometimes they are at the surface of the water feeding. Also, sometimes they are close to the Pier or they are far out.

When I learn that the Spanish Mackerel are running deep, I use the Got-Cha lure.

This lure is made by SEA STRIKER. The color of the lure is a yellow head with silver body and red treble hooks. The weight is one ounce and model number is

FISH PIX!

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

G502RH. Got-Cha lures come in many different colors and sizes. A good weight lure to use is from 7/8-ounce to oneounce. I like using the one-ounce Got-Cha lure at this Pier.

When fishing at the end of the Pier, you want to cast out as far as you can. When reeling your line in, give your rod a twitch every so often. You want to give fast retrieve to move a lure at a pace that will get the Spanish mackerel to bite.

When casting with Got-Cha lures, for my main line, I use 30- pound test SUFIX ADVANCE 832 super braided line, color green. So, at the end of my main line, I use wire leader line. I use from 6- to 8inches of AFW 7x7 Surflon Micro Supreme Knottable nylon leader wire, 40pound test, color camo, model number DM-49-40-A. You should use wire leader line due to the Spanish mackerel’s sharp teeth. If you do not use wire leader line, (Yes, you can do that) you might lose a lure or two due to their sharp teeth.

So, when I learn that the Spanish mackerel are biting at the surface of the water, my go to lure is the Clark Spoon or the TSUNAMI SEA Spoon. Both lures are about the same design. There are just two different manufactures. The model num-

ber of the Clark spoon is 1-RBMS 3/8ounce color chrome with a 5/0 hook. The model number for the TSUNAMI SEA Spoon is TS1SRB also 3/8-ounce color chrome with a 5/0 hook. To me, one of the best lures to use besides the got cha lure to catch Spanish mackerel are these spoons.

Also, with this spoon, cast as for as you can. Use a steady retrieve when reeling in.

When fishing with these spoons, for my main line, it is also the Sufix braided line.

READERʼS PHOTOS Send us ur fish pix! Weʼll use ʻem!! see page 4

At the end of my braided line, I am using 5-feet of Seaguar 100-percent fluorocarbon leader-line of 60-pound test, which is nearly invisible in the water. When not using wire leader line, I am using heavy leader line due to their sharp teeth. Heavy leader line will help the Spanish mackerel from biting through the line. Between my main line and leader line, I am using a Billy Boy weighted bobber.

So, have great day fishing!

Robert Behar with first Gulf Coast snook

FISH PIX!

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Rylee Rex with a Blue Runner he caught fishing with his dad and Grandfather

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Robert Henzler with a snook, thankfully netted by Sergio

Tom Fox new to Punta Gorda Isles, with his first ever crevalle Jack Editor Notes** Tom youre new here. Please understand if we see your picture in the ʻotherʼ publication, you wonʼt see it here.

Please Pick One ;-)

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from Water LIFE magazine

Rylee and Sue caught some nice gag groupers

from Water LIFE magazine

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from Water LIFE magazine

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Todd Balsinger with nice Charlotte Harbor trout

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Denis Mercer and Kim Stewart. Tarpon out of the Peace River..11/20/20

Kevin Campbell snook 35-inches Charlotte Harbor, released

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

DECEMBER 2020

Explore!

Fish with one of our Guides

IF

YOU CAN ʼ T GET OUT,

F OLLOW U S

The BIG-4

SHEEPSHEAD Starting to show, close to the Gulf

BackBay Xtremes Capt Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com

941-916-5769

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Fish you can expect in

SPANISH MACKEREL around the Big Pass and near reefs

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December

SNOOK Moving to the backwaters and canals

TROUT schooling on the deeper grass flats

December – Predictions and Suggestions

lowing those bait schools. Fishing with Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, live bait or spoons can be a productive Placida, Gasparilla Sound way to target those drag pullers. There is Capt. Kaelin Olayer quite a bit of gag grouper and some nice Flyin’ Hawaiian Fishing Charters As the water temperatures cool down, red grouper scattered in close, as well.

We should start to see a few sheepshead fishing remains consistent! Charlotte Harbor is still on fire, some days we have and flounder showing up as the water temperature cools down. been catching over 100 fish on our inWhen the shore charters. The wind has been Gulf of Mexico relaying down, mains really good offshore fishing too as our migratory also remains on baitfish and pelagic fire.

The manspecies such as grove snapper kingfish, bonita bite has been and Spanish mackgreat around the erel are still cruisfull and new ing through the moon with area. some fish pushThere are snook ing 8-pounds and redfish on alcoming over the most every bit of rails! Red structure from grouper remain Lemon Bay to Pine consistent in the Island. Lots of hun70- to 100-foot gry snook in the 20depth mixed in to 30-inch range are with lane snapwaiting to be fed per and porjust about everygies. Quite a bit where as they are of amberjacks, starting to move barracuda and This was a bass caught by into their backwater FISH PIX! Goliath my friend Cody Raulerson. homes.

It weighed in at 5.8 pounds grouper are Redfish have hanging around been holding tight the deeper wrecks. We are also seeing a to the mullet on the flats and around the mangroves. Trout have been schooled up good number of cobia with some fish over 50-pounds showing up. Live baits in the 3-to 4-foot grass flats and we are such as pilchards, pinfish and seeing some over 20, mixed in those threadfins have been the most producschools. White bait, shrimp and pintive baits for a successful day offshore. fish still are the ticket for these hungry inshore species!

Capt. Kaelin Olayer Near shore Gulf fishing is in full Flyinʼ Hawaiian Fishing Charters swing as our migratory baitfish come Captkaefishing.com Cell: 941-716-1425 FH Offshore Charters through our area. King mackerel, SpanFhoffshorecharters.com ish mackerel, bonita and sharks are folfrom Water LIFE magazine

Englewood Bait House

Head-Boat Offshore Fishing 941- 475-4511

PAGE 19

The water is cooling off a little.

Nearshore water temps are now mid 70s

95˚ 90˚ 85˚ 80˚

75˚ 72˚ 70˚ 68˚ 50˚ 45˚

FISHING RIGHT NOW:

VERY VERY GOOD!

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20

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DECEMBER 2020