Water LIFE Feb 2006

W a t e r LIFE FREE!

KIds Cup

Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay Florida

Keeping Boaters and Fishermen Informed

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February 2006

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Cobia on the east side Page 29

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Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

February 2006

Itʼs Been a Screwy Winter

Water LIFE

February 2006

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Editor More than 946,000 boats were registered in Florida in 2004, more than Michigan and California, according to a report by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. That means Florida is now number one, the state with the most registered boats. And it’s no wonder. The fishing and wildlife here are spectacular and although some local guides will tell you the guiding business is off right now, the fishing remains good.

Last week my brother-in-law and a friend came to town. I myself was wrapped up working on our new house, but my friend Capt. Ralph Allen of the Kingfisher Fleet in Punta Gorda arrangned to get them out on the water. My brother-in-law, Gregory, is a happy go lucky fishermen.

He’s happy to catch anything and lucky enough to get to go fishing whenever he comes to visit. His friend Lewis, on the other hand is a happy serious angler; a fly fisherman who has fished around the world. When they returned from their morning on Charlotte Harbor they were all smiles, having caught, I am told, a plethora of fish including reds, ladyfish, trout, pompano, jacks and a small snook.

They couldn’t stop talking about the wildlife, the dolphins, the eagles, the peli-

e-mail: patsamuels@englewoodfl.com

cans the ducks and the live bait.

We are in the midst of an unusual winter. It’s been so warm there are still large pods of bait in the middle of the Harbor and birds crashing on them all day like it was late summer. There are tarpon being caught and when my friend Trent Cheatham stopped by he pulled out a digital camera and showed me still more interesting fish.

In mid January Trent and another friend were in Englewood, waiting for the ESPN2 TV broadcast of last years’ Redfish Cup finals. In the hour that they had to kill they went down to the Godfried Creek bridge at SR 776 and threw a few shrimp on jig heads into a deep spot.

“The tide was almost out all the way, but it was “still moving pretty good,” Trent recalled. “I had a hit and the fish started to run. At first I thought it was a nice redfish,” Trent said, “but as I reeled it in I saw a flat silver shape and then I thought it was a jack. I kept reeling, but when I got it up to the bridge I was floored. It was a permit ... big as a trashcan lid,” Trent said, adding that on the next cast another equally large permit was landed. “Permit are good fighters,” Trent said, but I never expected to catch one there, then.” We theorized about water temperatures and the nice weather we had and

or

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Trent Cheatham with two garbage can lid size permit caught in January off Lemon Bay

decided that the permit had just wandered into the bay from offshore that day. Trent and his friend left to go see the ESPN show and when they came back an hour later the bite was over. “Not a fish in sight,” he said.

Traditionally the coldest part of winter here is early February so we are almost around that corner with even warmer days to come. Ours is a diverse fishery in the first place but keep it warm and rain free all winter and you just never know what

Phone: 941-474-9534

800-881-9534 Cell: 941-416-1585

9271 PINE COVE: Truly a Boaterʼs Paradise looking out over beautiful Lemon Bay from the back yard, which includes room for all your boats. Completely seawalled including a 10,000+lb horizontal lift. Will accommodate a 32+-foot boat as well as 4 other boats. With no bridges to the Bay and ICW and less than 10 minutes to the Gulf, this updated 3 bedroom 2 bath split plan home is located on a very quiet culde-sac only 4 lots from the Bay. Offered for $849,000.

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you might catch. There have been a lot of cobia around the east side lately. Some days you can entice them into taking a bait and on other days they just turn and run. There are still snook milling around and mullet jumping in the middle of the canals. We’ve also seen several manatees up the harbor, recently. It’s strange this year.

Sometime soon I am going to get back out on the water. After all, I’m just another Florida creature that likes the warm

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Still questioning the ʻbig snookʼ photo we showed you in December Waterlife: I thought the photo Agardy who watched and was a fake shortly after I saw then helped in landing the picture. At first I thought the fish. It clearly states WOW look at that fish!! Then I it bottomed the 30 that thought if I had caught thatpound scale easily.

Ron fish I would be grinning from Smith ear to ear. I looked back at Dear Editor: I was reading photos of fish I had caught your magazine and and in every one of them no noticed the same picture matter what size the fish was ofIa huge snook I saw in had a big smile because I was the paper about four or 5 having a good time and was months ago, from what I proud of my fish. This kid is remember they took showing no emotion. We had measurements because a gathering of 6 adults for they didn?t have a scale Christmas dinner and we all with them. After calculat looked at the photo and ing the girth and length, agreed it was a fake for - vari they concluded that it ous reasons: shadows, no went anywhere from 50muscle strain, improper- pos 65 pounds. He caught it ture. This morning, my wifeusing a little DOA lure added that we should see using 20 pound test... some of the kid?s left foot in Thanks for your time, the photo. If I caught a fish Trevis Martin that big or even close to it I would make sure that MANY Dear Editor: Well I am pictures would be taken. going to guess that Florida Richard Toneatti Sportsman did not check into this photo the way they should Water LIFE: Obviously none of have. Leave it to Water LIFE to you gossipers had read the figure it out. My wife Elena is article, it doesn’t say anywhere an avid photographer and very that it?s a 48# snook. It does good on the computer also. say that it?s a 48 inch snook.

She does agree with everyone The story is on the back page that this is definitely a fake. of the September 2005 issue She is not a fish expert but titled an outdoor happening,she said that she would say it?s written by a Capt. Chris that for a fish this big it

MAGAZINE

Water LIFE

Editor Notes: Redbone Rods gave $1,600 in products for the use of the picture as a poster promoting their product. Now, after Michael and Ellen Heller we closely examinined that poster we are Publishers more convinced than ever that this photo is a fake. Look at the close up of the part of the picture below showing where the Boga Grip is supposedly holding the fish. There TOTALLY INDEPENDENT are scratches in the poster image, but you Water LIFE is not affiliated can see the left jaw of the Boga Grip looks different, fatter at the top and cut offwith at the any newspaper or other bottom. That lends credence to the theory publication that this is a digitally manipulated photo.

Redbone has said the kid is a wrestler so he has strong wrists and there is no other © 2006 Vol VI No. 2 Water LIFE photo because he wanted to get the fish No part of this publication may be back into the water quickly. copied or reproduced without the ?Even if it is a fake, we got great publicity written permission of the publishers out of the photo,? the Redbone spokesman

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Fishing / Environment: Capt. Ron Blago Charlotte Harbor: Capt. Robert Moore Gasparilla: Capt. Chuck Eichner Port Charlotte: Fishinʼ Frank Offshore: Capt. Steve Skevington Technical Advisor: Mike Panetti Sailing Advisor: Bill Dixon Lemon Bay: Don Cessna Kayaks: David Allen Local: Capt. Andrew Medina Tournament Report: Capt Jerry Cleffi Sea Grant: Betty Staugler

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Manatee Myths: Read the original plan to create sanctuaries and refuges, as spelled out by the United Nations in 1984 Links to Realtors: Connect with our real estate advertisers

February 2006

Water LIFE

Save the Manatee Club on the Ropes

Capt Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff Pity the poor Save the Manatee Club, it seems they are going broke. Someone sent me a copy of their Federal Tax report (form 990) for 2004 and it looks like they are losing money to the tune of $28,000 per month. As most business people know you can't stay in business if you keep losing money.

In 2004 the SMC took in $1,103,767 mostly from memberships and contributions. That's a lot of money for an organization that, after all, doesn't really save any manatees. They don't pick up or rehabilitate any injured manatees. They don't manage or buy up any critical manatee habitat. They don't even contribute any money to help enforce the manatee regulations. That job is done by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and that's done with taxpayer’s money.

The SMC sees themselves as an educational institution. One that’s trying to help the public understand these complex manatee issues – and they must be some pretty good educators because they spent 57% of all the money they took in on salaries and benefits for themselves. They also spent another 25% of their income on printing and postage, asking people to give them more money so they can ‘help’ the manatees. Throw in another 12% for rent and legal fees and you come up with 94% of all their income – spent on what I would call ‘overhead.’ That doesn't leave much left to save any manatees.

For years I've told people not to give money to the SMC, but to make a donation to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. They are the ones that are really trying to learn about manatees. They do the population studies, pick up and rehabilitate injured manatees and make and enforce regulations.

One thing I have observed over the

years is that if you are a non-profit environmental group that needs money you have to have a crisis to get those donations rolling in.

This year the SMC has already started to pass the hat around over last years manatee mortality results. Their press releases out of Orlando – often decimated through the local presss as bonafide ‘news articles’ – are warning about impending disaster for manatees.

Some of the recent headlines they got are great- ‘2005 Is The Second Highest Mortality Year On Record’, ‘Outlook for Manatees grim’ - ‘81 manatees die from red tide last year’, ‘Until scientists find a way to bring an end to red tide, the outlook for the manatees in southwest Florida is not very promising’ and my favorite quote from the SMC Director of Science and Conservation; ‘Even though red tide was really serious last year and lead in all mortality categories, it doesn't take away from the fact that watercraft mortalities are something we can do something about. We have to continue to address those things that we have control over.’

Statements like that don’t exactly make boaters want to rush right out and give these folks any more money.

Let's look at some hard facts even though the SMC hates that.

In 1995 the state’s estimate of the manatee population in Florida, based on aerial surveys and on-the-water head counts, was 1456. The next year, 1996 there were terrible red tide mortalities – the worst ever – with 151 manatees dying. But over the ten year period between 1996 and 2005, 3114 manatees have shown up dead from all causes - red tide, starved to death, froze to death, perinatal (calves less than five feet long who die from natural causes) and those killed by watercraft. But last year, in 2005, the manatee population was estimated to be 3143 - that is a 116 percent

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A dead female manatee, victim of red tide, is towed in from the Peace River on a rope. Of interest in this photo is the live young male manatee mounted on the dead female. Manatees are nechropheliacs ... which means they will try to breed with their own dead.

increase from 1995. So the number of manatees has more than doubled in Florida over the last ten years. If there is a crises I just don't see it.

It looks like 2006 is going to be an even worse year for the SMC. Several years ago the FWC staff, after analyzing all available manatee data, recommended the manatee be down-listed from ‘endangered’ to ‘threatened’. The SMC cried foul and demanded that a panel of scientific experts go over the same data. They did and they came up with the same suggestion: Drop the manatee from the endangered list. The SMC then said that the FWC used the ‘wrong criteria’ to evaluate imperiled species and demanded yet another do-over. Now that third panel of scientists has just finished their report and - surprise - surprise, they recommend reclassifying the manatee as a ‘threatened’ species.

Down listing may be a

positive sign of manatee longevity, but it sure can't be good for fund raising. As one of SMC's regional coordinators said, her ‘biggest concern is that people will believe mistakenly that manatees are bouncing back from an imperiled state. There is some concern from the public perception point of view,’ she noted.

After 5 years the FWC commissioners may vote in June on whether to reclassify the species. I only hope that when they make their decision they use the facts and not the SMC’s perceptions.

Capt. Ron Blago can be reached for comments or information at 474-3474

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Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

February 2006

Water LIFE

February 2006

Fish Lights

To fish or to have fish for pets

By Capt. Angel Torres Water LIFE Port Charlotte Having a ‘snook light’ is different from having a dock light. A dock light is placed at the rear of the dock to provide illumination for the people using the dock. A snook light hangs over the side of the dock so when you walk on the dock you do not throw a shadow on the water.

This means you do not spook the fish. A low hanging light attracts small bait fish which in turn attract larger fish. Snook lights are one of my favorite things to fish at night. They produce vicious strikes.

A snook light may also provide entertainment for non fishermen by getting them closer to nature. And once fish start gathering around a light at night you can almost tame them. Getting a 30 inch snook to eat out of your hand can be done in just a few months time and is just the ‘cats hind end’ of fish experiences.

Start by cutting up some frozen spanish sardines from Fishin’ Franks and drop them in the water next to the dock. At first the snook will move away from the falling bait, but just leave them alone.

After a while they will come back and eat.

Soon they won't leave when the cut sardines are dropped. They will eat them off the bottom. After that, they will start eating them while the bait is falling.

Then the really cool stuff starts to happen and the snook will gather around as you walk out on the dock. They will be waiting for the food. As the sardine touches the water they will hit them, trying to beat the other fish to the good stuff. Next, hold a sardine just under the water and let the snook take it from your fingers. The ultimate is when you can hold a sardine ten inches above the water and have the snook leap up and eat it. The thing to be careful of is you can lose a finger or have your hand bitten very badly – after all there are other things swimming below the surface and it may not be a snook but something with teeth that takes the sardine.

You have to watch out that you don’t get emotionally attached to the fish and think you have the right to ‘protect’ these ‘pet fish’. You can’t get angry and run out like some vengeful protector just because you don’t want someone fishing ‘your’ snook light. Instead, just turn the light

off. It’s a simple effective and a non aggressive solution. If you leave the light on, expect people to fish it. You don’t own the water below your dock.

One of the best reasons for fishing at night is there is no one else out there.

When you are all by yourself, drifting up a canal with just the electric motor, you can hear the snook pop, and the mullet doing their belly flops. Those are tell-tale signs for those who fish at night. When you hear a mullet belly flop and the guy with you says, ‘did you hear that snook pop?’grin and reply, ‘yeah, that was a monster’, and then smile. And on a more poetic note, the peacefulness of it all – the stars, the glow of the moon, it’s just straight up-and-down cool.

What I do when I go snook light fishin’ is just stop the boat at the end and look up the canal. I am looking for the brightest lights hanging off the docks, the ones low to the water. Then I slowly idle towards the light. When I am 50 feet away I shut off the outboard motor and start the electric trolling motor. The changing sound of the outboard engine will spook the snook and while they may not swim away they will not eat either.

You should already be rigged. Do not try and rig-up after you are at the light, it makes too much noise.

This is how I rig up: My favorite combo is a 7' 6" medium heavy Quantum gold series rod with a Cabo 40 size reel.

For line, I am using 20 pound Power Pro in hi-visibility yellow, which really helps me see my line when fighting the fish or just seeing where my bait is going at night. The choice of leader material is vital to catching quality snook under the lights. Thirty pound fluorocarbon Team Fish leader is the way to go. Fish do not see fluorocarbon since light passes thru fluorocarbon leader the same way it does through water. This makes it invisible to the fish. Try to use at least 30 inches of leader. The hi-viz line is very important for getting that vicious strike. Hook size is variable however. Match the hook to the size of bait you are using. A 1/0 Owner needle point hook is a middle size hook and works well with medium sized shrimp. Put the hook into the bottom of the head of the shrimp and come out right through the horn, then break off the horn in front of the hook – sometimes the horn

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will interfere with getting a good hook set. I like to adjust my hook size to the bait jumping or swimming around in the lights and try to match the size to them.

Most often the bait is 1 to 3 inches long so shrimp size should be ‘choice’ or ‘select.’ It is not always the biggest shrimp that works the best.

Approach the light with trolling motor on slow. Try to go at the light with the tide. Going against the tide makes the water slap against the boat and can spook the fish. Use only the trolling motor to steer. Look closely at the light. You should see minnows jumping, basically going crazy on the surface. When you see this get ready, it is about to happen.

Watch the main circle of light for snook moving. Cast as close as you can to the circle of light without casting right into it. The bait should stay in the shadows and not go into the main light circle.

If the bait does go into the light, do not try and retrieve it. Let it drift out on its own with the tide. Any pulling or jerking at this time will spook the snook and shut off the bite. The larger snook do not hang out in the main light, they stay off to the side, or deep down under the lights.

If you have drifted your bait by the light several times and have not got a hit, they may be deeper. Put a small #7 split shot on the leader 20" inches from the hook and start again.

Captain Angel Torres runs Vicious Strik es Charters he can be reached at 941-916-6431

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Snook Light etiquette

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When you put out a snook light you invite fishermen to your dock the same way as on Halloween you leave your porch light on for trick or treaters. You are saying here is a place to fish. If this is not your intention turn off the light. You do not own the water and those fish are not your pets.

Property owners who run out screaming,and acting like idiots could be arrested for assault. It is illegal to verbally abuse or threaten anyone. Throwing things could also get you into trouble since the law is on the side of the anglers in the boat.

It is up to the anglers to do the right thing and respect the rights of the people who live there. Making noise and cursing is equally wrong.

All of us occasionally make a bad cast, but leaving hooks in dock lines,or fishing line hanging from dock railings is also wrong.

If you throw a jig and chip the gel coat of someone’s boat, you are liable for the repairs. Everyone make mistakes. It’s what you do after that, that speaks for your character.

If you put out a snook light expect visitors at night but remember, all they are gonna do is take the snook for a swim and then put it back.

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Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

February 2006

Water LIFE

February 2006

Page 9

MAGAZINE

B i g g e r & Ta l l e r ... and Much More Difficult Than We Thought This New House Part 9

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE editor The good news is that when I come home and take off my shirt my wife admires my shoulders and my ‘6-pak abs’. The bad news is that I’m asleep by eight o’clock! Lifting block up to the first floor was bad enough but working on the second floor was way too much. Having lunch at Harpoon Harry's, I saw our new house across the water. It rose to the tree line. I lifted every block up there – ground to slab, slab to scaffold, scaffold to second floor, second floor to second floor scaf-

fold. Nine hundred blocks. I think about it and it kills my appetite, but last month we made some great progress.

Early in January my friend Josh Smith (Palmetto Custom Homes and Tie Beams) got the roof trusses set and the downstairs sheeted with plywood. In the process I got a close look at the engineered ‘hold downs’ that make today’s roofs decidedly stronger and significantly more labor intensive.

Metal straps are still embedded in the concrete beam

Andy Medina lays the block for the door leadimng from the master bed room to the upstairs patio.

at the top of the walls so when the trusses are set the straps can be bent over each truss and nailed into them, but for the rare instance when a big wind could get under the roof (like a hurricane when a door or window blows in) engineers now calculate the exact uplift for each roof section and define the points where that force must be contained. In our roof there are four special attachment points where 5/8 inch bolts are embedded into the concrete beam to contain a theoretical uplift of over 4000 pounds at each spot. Uplift is the ‘buzz word’ in roofing today.

Buildings built in Charlotte County are designed to withstand 130 mph winds, but that wasn’t enough for us. We went to Miami to take advantage of the 146 mph Dade County hurricane code and had our trusses built there. Josh told me that on the barrier islands like Sanibel builders are required to not only nail, but also glue every outward sheet of plywood around the perimeter of the roof. So we glued the plywood to the trusses around the whole outside of our house, and to make it even tighter, every piece of 2x6 fascia was beveled so the plywood attached flatly to it. Additionally, we will be blocking up the space between each truss with more wood and installing screened vents to keep bugs out and a solar powered attic fan to help the air circulate. I don’t want any roof vents sticking up.

For thermal value we chose to

use the Solar Ply brand foil backed plywood. It costs a few dollars more per sheet, but it reduces the heat inside the attic.

When our roof was decked, but before the roofers came to put down the tar paper, I climbed up and painted the fascia and one foot of the roof’s perimeter with an oil based primer to reduce the chance of rotting around the edges if anything ever gets wet. The rotten edges were where numerous roofs came apart after Charley. Then we called in for a sheeting inspection from the county and after that, the guys from Superior Roofing came by to ‘dry in’ the downstairs roof.

They had it done in an hour and a half.

But the work we did on the front roof was only one part of this month’s progress. Out back it was a different story.

Out back we started the second floor, so while Josh and his boys were nailing the front off, Andy Medina and I were laying block getting up another few feet and forming the concrete deck which is outside the master bedroom.

I had thought we could set scaffolds to do the upstairs block work, but that proved to be a very bad idea requiring way too many contortions and way too much time. Andy suggested we ditch the scaffolds and install the floor joists, decking them temporarily with plywood left over from the tie-beam and working up from there. Block, mortar and steel all had to go up 28 feet above the ground. “Think of it as

muscle toning,” Andy said at one point, but I have to admit I was thinking more about a coronary thrombosis. But we worked like dogs and got it done, Andy and I. A few new changes evolved upstairs; a change from sliding glass doors to better looking and stronger PGT impact resistant French doors, a redesign of a wall, a strengthening change in the patio beam and a new 8-inch column where a cantilever had been designed. Thankfully our engineers at Giffels Webster were once again immensely accommodating. So this month, while you are reading about our progress we will again be moving ahead. Josh and his carpenters are scheduled to be back to set the trusses on the upstairs and to frame out the interior walls. Then we will have a roof over the whole house and be ready for windows, AC ducting and the rough plumbing. Stay tuned. All 128 yards of the structural concrete has now been poured and we’re moving into the next phase.

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Wade Fishing Tips

By Capt. Robert Moore Water LIFE Senior Guide Wade fishing in southwest Florida has been very popular for as long as I can remember. We are fortunate to have a relatively hard bottom that makes wading possible. But simply jumping in the water with a rod and reel doesn't truly bring out

the greatest experience you can have. I have been wading the back country waters of southwest Florida for 15 years. Some of those experiences have been down right miserable. Not necessarily because of the fishing, but rather due to my being unprepared. Here is my checklist that I have perfected over the years before I jump over-

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board.

1. Al ways, and I do mean al ways wear proper foot protecti on. Nothing will ruin the day (and many after that) than a puncture to the foot from a sting ray. I have seen grown men cry like a baby after being stung. The pain is great and can be avoided by simply wearing proper footwear. Proper footwear is defined as any footwear that protects above your ankle.

Fifty percent of sting ray punctures come at the ankle or just above. There is also that rock and/or sharp shell that can send you to the emergency room for sutures you want to avoid. The other advantage to wearing footwear above the ankle is if you step into softer mud it is easier to pull your foot out with your footwear still attached. Sandals are notorious for coming off down in the mud and not coming back.

If there is one area you are going to try and save a buck on, this would not be the area. Most tackle stores have some wading boots already in stock or can order them for you.

2. Wear l ong pants. I prefer to wear quick drying pants. Some of the sea grass will down right itch like crazy after you walk through it. There are many brands on the market and higher priced ones make no difference to me. I have used them all and Columbia is my preferred quick drying pant. Always tuck your pants inside the shoe if possible. This will help eliminate small shells and stones from getting inside your shoes.

3. Al ways have a tackl e bag. Use one that either straps around your waist or chest/back. I prefer the around the waist packs. Have one big enough to carry extra lures/hooks, a pair of pliers, a stringer if you want to keep what you caught and a bottle of water. Nothing is worse than getting a hundred yards from the boat and needing another plug or hook. Always grab a small bottle of water and carry it with you. I also make a homemade rod holder for my wading belts by cutting a 6 inch piece of PVC and putting two vertical cuts into it to slide on the belt strap of the pack. The diameter of the PVC depends on the rods I am using. I like my rod snug when I put it in so pick the best size PVC

February 2006

depending on your preferences.

4. Carry a Boga Gri p or l andi ng tool with you. If you don't have one consider buying one. There is nothing harder than trying to land a fish with your bare hands. Carrying a landing net is not practical and nothing works better than a tool that will grip your catch and control it.

There are different types of landing tools but I have found none that work like a Boga Grip. Its stainless steel construction will hold up to the saltwater environment.

5. I have come to l ove my waders more than anythi ng, especially in the winter months. After a long day of wading there is nothing better than slipping your waders off and driving back to the dock or house dry. I strongly recommend chest high waders to help guarantee dryness at the end of the day. There are two primary types of chest high waders, neoprene or breathable. Although both works well in keeping you dry, overall, I prefer the breathable waders. Neoprene will keep you the warmest during the winter months, but you will perspire a lot during the warmer months. You can always add more clothing under the breathable waders for warmth. I have researched many different brands and came to like Dan Bailey waders the best. They come highly recommended by the guides up north that practically live in waders and their durability seems to outlast most other brands. You can check them out at www.dan-bailey.com Follow these suggestions and your next wading trip will be more comfortable and therefore more enjoyable. Good Luck!

You can reach Capt. Robert Moore for fishing information, help with nav igation and tides or to book a charter fishing trip at (941) 637-5710 or (941) 628-2650 or y ou can contact him v ia e-mail at tarpon-

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February 2006

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MLS # 610980. Call Mike 204-1147 or Ellen at 628-6954

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Nice and Neat Pool home in great area, this 3/3/2 with 1696 sq. ft. built in 1982 is ready for you to move in. New paint inside and out, newer berber carpet, new hurricane code garage door and the list goes on.MLS # 617135 $259,900 Call Ellen at 628-6954 Beautiful 2/2/2 in gated Heritage Oak Park, Surrounded by lovely oaks everywhere. Home features hurricane garage door and windows, upgraded carpet, wood faux blinds, high bath counters, REDUCED! plant shelves and more. Many amenities to enjoy. MLS # 615332 $ 224,900 Call Rieka 456-8866

P a g e 11

MAGAZINE

JUST REDUCED! REDUCED!!!!!.....

A BOATERS DELIGHT !! You will fall in love with this saltwater beauty. This 3/2/2 has 1913 sq ft, built in 2002 and features vaulted ceilings, eat-in kitchen, new seawall with custom two level veranda dock. 6000lb boat lift and more. Call today for showing. MLS # 603783, $ 595,000 Call Gerry at 268-4249

Magnificent waterfront home in upscale neighborhood.

This 3/2/2 home has 1220 sq ft, built in 2000, this home features cathedral ceilings, breakfast bar, eat in kitchen, walk-in closets, separate dining room and more. Donʼt miss out on this wonderful home. MLS #613536 $419,900 Call Ellen 628-6954.

REDUCED!

Beautiful 3/2/2 pool home, built in 1996 with 2574 sq ft, in Deep Creek situated on 2 oversized corner lots. This custom built home has so much to offer, volume ceiling, fireplace, workshop, walk- in closets, and the list goes on!! MLS #614199 $ 399,900 Call Ellen 628-6954

Immaculate 3/2/2 built in 1995 with 2025 sq ft on freshwater canal in prestigious section 15. This home features ceramic tile, wood cabinets, walk-in closets, master bath with dual sinks & roman shower, inside laundry, oversized lanai with vinyl sliders for year around pleasure. This is a must see!! MLS#610140. $329,000 Call Rieka Gaudet 456-8866

REDUCED!

Sailboat, seawalled, beach complex area, end lot will million dollar view down canal. Just minutes to the Harbor.

Oversized lot to build a large home and pool. Approx. 110x125, Water and sewer. Take a morning walk to the beach complex and watch the boaters going out to fish. What a great area to live in. MLS 480740 price 499,900 Call Ellen at 628-6954

REDUCED!

Condo at Beautiful Riverwood Golf Community Grand Vista, great first floor end unit, 2 BR plus den or 3rd BR, 2 baths, 2-car garage, 1594 sq. ft. built 2003, tile floors except BRʼs, upgraded with volume ceilings, trays, crown molding, décor painting, quiet preserve and golf course view, enjoy huge heated pool at clubhouse, activity center, fitness room, spa, tennis, restaurant, & more! MLS #485697, $324,000. Call Ellen at 628-6954

REDUCED!

WHY WAIT TO BUILD!!!

JUST REDUCED. Two beautiful BRAND NEW 3br, plus den, 2 ba, 2 car garage, 1974 sq ft homes featuring porcelain tile floors throughout, except bedrooms, wood cabinets with sylestone counters in these real quality homes. MLS # 485276 & 485277, $314,900. Call Gerry at 268-4249

COME CHECK OUT THIS SPACIOUS 4/2/2 pool home in Deep Creek. Home has 2296 sq ft and was built in 1994, Huge gourmet kitchen, breakfast bar & nook, liv,din, & family rooms, Bay windows, intercom & security system, Parquet floors in master bedroom and family room, his & hers walk-in closets, new roof and pool cage and much much more!!!. Don‚t let this one pass you by. MLS # 619196 $329,900 Call Ellen at 628-6954.

Beautiful home in PC. 3/2/2 built in 1991 with 2109 sq ft. Completely remodeled, New roof, garage door, drywall, insulation, interior doors, plumbing fixtures, paint, ceiling fans, carpet and more. 4 walk in closets, updated kitchen, updated baths and all new appliances. This is a must see!!! MLS # 607699 $299,900 Call Ellen at 628-6954

REDUCED!

3/2/2 pool home, 1908 sq. ft. built 1994, very quiet street w/few homes for privacy, home features living, dining, & family room, kitchen has breakfast bar & nook, plant shelves throughout, pool bath, sliders from living rm., master BR & breakfast area, screened entry & garage, cathedral ceilings, skylight, oversized laundry room, MLS # 600194 $289,900, Call Ellen at 628-6954

Water LIFE

Page 12

MAGAZINE

Kayak Outing

February 2006

at Coral Creek & Wolverton Creek

Charlotte Countyʼs Complete Swimming Pool Supplys Pool Repair and Maintenance Store

575-2525

Specializing in Heaters and Pumps

Located in the Punta Gorda Crossing Shopping Center Next to Publix

Mon-Fri 9AM-5:30PM

Sat 9AM-3PM

Mike Panetti

“Green Pool” Clean Up & Maintenance

BOAT REPAIR

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Bottom Paint and Detailing

(941) 255-3106 or 769-8064

4256 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte

(on the east side of US 41 just north of Harborview)

By Davi d Al l en Water LIFE Kayaking It was a perfect Sunday morning for a paddle. Temperatures in the mid-60’s, a gentle wind out of the southeast. A bright sun made the water sparkle, while a pair of ospreys circled overhead. A colorful array of kayaks littered the launch ramp.

Paddlers milled about, getting life jackets, water bottles and other gear into their boats, ready to go. It was almost 9 a.m., already an hour past high tide; a critical factor when negotiating the shallow waters in and around Coral Creek. Twenty two kayaks in the water off the launch ramp.

The plan was to first paddle north through the wider channel of Coral Creek until we were stopped by shallow water, where even a kayak, with a draft of just a few inches, would scrape bottom. We usually encounter these shallows about one to one and a half miles up the creek. But in the winter, when the tides are lower than normal, the distance varies with the direction and speed of the wind. Today, with the wind out of the east, we should be able to paddle farther than normal.

The line of kayaks stretched out as the faster paddlers moved to the front, while two inflatable kayaks were bringing up the rear, battling the wind and the light current. With the wind at our backs, we moved briskly, right and left, to find the deepest water between the mangroves on each side of the channel. Even at high tide, the deep water runs in a narrow, winding channel through larger areas of shallow water and oyster beds. A flight of pelicans circled overhead, and the pair of ospreys who had checked out the launch, continued to follow us as we paddled.

After about one and a half miles the lead paddlers began to run out of water and turned back toward the southeast. The wind, out of the southeast, was now in our faces as the leaders threaded their way through the slower paddlers. As the group came together, we took a brief break for a drink of water and a bite of energy bar, and then continued on to the launch ramp.

The next leg of the outing was to head southeast to the entrance of Wolverton Creek, an area with many mangrove tunnels. The tunnels are interesting to explore, but since Charley and the hurricane season of ’05, fallen trees and limbs have blocked many of them.

The wind was now 10 to 12 knots in

our faces as we glided past the fishing pier. Several anglers had lines in the water, although there didn’t seem to be much activity. We passed under the railroad trestle. The full brunt of the wind hit us and we had to paddle much harder just to make headway. Paddling on across the marked channel to the marina and past the lighthouse building, we entered the relative calm of Wolverton Creek.

We entered the mangrove tunnels; sixteen kayaks in single file though the narrow, shaded waterway. The water was about 6-8 inches deep in most places and the mangroves were just a paddle length apart, sometimes less. It was slow going, but a welcome change from the hard paddling of the open water and wind.

Usually, there are some egrets or herons in the tunnels, flying from branch to branch ahead of us. But not today.

About 200 yards beyond the entrance, the channel abruptly branched off to the left; both channels lead to Catfish Creek, but the left channel is somewhat longer and more interesting. However, as we progressed, the new channel didn’t look too good. Far up ahead, we could see branches that had fallen or been blown across making passage slower and more difficult. We elected to continue on, hoping to get beyond but we were wrong. A few hundred yards farther, a 3-4 inch tree had fallen across the waterway, completely blocking our progress.

Imagine turning a long file of kayaks, kayaks between 13 and 18 feet long, 180 degrees in a channel that is 7-8 feet wide in most places. We had to paddle backwards until we found a wide spot that would allow us to make the turn, but we all got turned around without incident and returned to the alternate channel. Another 15 minutes of paddling and we had completed the tunnel route and entered Catfish Creek.

The wind was blowing even harder as we entered the creek, but now, heading northwest, it was at our backs and was pushing us back to the launch area. We arrived at the ramp after a three hour paddle, ready for the refreshments that awaited us in the picnic area.

The Port Charlotte Kay ak ers meet each Wednesday ev ening at 5:30, at Port Charlotte Beach Park . All newcomers are welcome.

Contact Dav e Allen at 941-235-2588 or dlaa@comcast.net for more information.

Water LIFE

February 2006

Ship始s Store

SUFIX PERFORMANCE BRAID line

in stock.

smaller diamater than the 驶other brand始 at the same line strength

Page 13

Gearing Up for the ʻ06 Kids Cup Page 14

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Publisher Kids Cup Tournament Director The Kids Cup is coming up again (May 6) and applications are coming in! This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. I spoke with David Healy, event coordinator and promoter of the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup and we have once again aligned the Kids Cup with the Redfish Cup Tournament. That means that the top 5 finalists in this years Kids Cup will go on to fish the following weekend on the final day of the pro Redfish Cup and weigh in their fish on the ESPN2 stage in front of the big crowd and TV cameras. The Kids Cup is May 6, the final day of the Redfish Cup is May 11. David and I are working out the technicality of the Redfish Cup rules that state a Redfish Cup competitor may not fish in a spot he has fished with live bait within the week prior to the event.

Since a number of Redfish Cup competitors will be fishing with kids in the Kids Cup, and using live shrimp, this could technically be a problem, but David is trying to figure a way to make this all work out. Stay tuned for that decision in next month’s edition.

Last year’s Kids Cup winner, Drew Rossi really got hosed. Drew was supposed to get a free trip to the Redfish Cup finals

Water LIFE

in Biloxi, but Biloxi blew away before the finals, so no trip for Drew. Drew was supposed to fish in the IGFA Junior Angler World Championship, but the IGFA decided that even though Drew was not yet 17 when he won the Kids Cup, but he turned 17 before the IGFA finals, he would not be eligible to fish in their event. Then the two winner’s shirts Drew got, one from O'berto, one from Mercury were both too small for him. Stinks to be Drew! We can’t do anything about Biloxi or the IGFA rules but we are getting Drew shirts that fit and to make up for the missed fishing we are buying Drew an entry slot in the Laishley Marine World’s Richest Redfish Tournament in October where he could walk away with the $25,000 prize. But there Drew will have to fish with an over 18 partner of his choice in that event - 17 is such an awkward age!

Kids Cup competitors take note. You can

MAGAZINE

still fish the Kids Cup if you are not yet 17 on May 6 but you won’t qualify to fish the Junior Angler World Championship if you turn 17 before their event.

Another noteworthy change for the Kids Cup is a dead fish penalty of 1 pound – up from 1/2 pound last year so a live fish will win.

Sponsors are lining up again for the Kids Cup and we encourage you to help support this event that pays for the Don Ball School of fishing program for 7th grades in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Murdock and Englewood middle schools.

This year’s top sponsors are Palm Dodge, Laishley Marine, Action Craft Boats, Ingman Marine, MarineMax, San Carlos Marine, Boats Unlimited, ScreenPrint Plus, realtor Chris McMillan, Water LIFE Magazine, Kingfisher Fleet, Mercury Marine, West Marine/Boat US. and the Sebring News Sun. In the next two months we will be approaching businesses and encourage everyone to support this event. For a $100 donation you get your business card published in the program and get a Kids Cup T shirt.

Call us at (941) 766-8180 or go to www.kidscuptournament.com for more

February 2006

ScuttleButt Sometimes Unsubstanciated ... but often true!

Muckin It Up The marina dredging project is finally under way at Fishermanʼs Village in Punta Gorda. The project, that will utilize a 100-foot long dredge, will take up an estimated six feet of the silty bottom of the marina and haul it out. The interesting part of the project, however, will not happen at the marina but at a site outside the marina where the muck will be deposited. The dredging contractor has reportedly leased

the old Holiday Inn site between the US 41 bridges and plans to deposit the muck there for a drying out period before it is hauled away to the county landfill. The question that is on everyoneʼs mind is whether the muck will still be drying out when the occupants of the Charle Voi apartments return from the condo renovation and if the muck will smell bad during the process. Also of concern is whether the muck will add or subtract from the ESPN2 filming of the Redfish Cup at the auditorium site next door. The dredging is slated to take three months and the drying out process will take several months longer. The Redfish Cup is slated to take place in early May.

ON THE LINE

February 2006

with Capt. RonBlago

By Capt Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff January is probably the slowest fishing month of the year here and last month was really slow. The water temperature is the coldest of the year and of course you have those killer cold fronts that pass through the area. Add to that the super low tides in the morning and the crystal clear water, and you can see that catching fish is a real challenge. There are always sheepshead around the docks and pilings ; but even sheepshead need a little water to hide in and a little tide flow to bring them food. The members of my Fishing College have been struggling so far to catch fish. Normally this time of year there are large schools of ladyfish and jack crevalle flying through the grass flats. Just the type of fish a beginner needs to build their confidence. They get to practice their casting, feel the fish bite, set the hook and fight the fish. Plus

May 6

Water LIFE

Page 15

MAGAZINE

they get to catch a lot of fish and just have fun. Not this year. No schools of fish to be found so far. We have been catching fish, just not a lot of them. Besides the ladyfish and jacks, they caught bluefish, flounder, sheepshead, pompano and trout. The trout we did catch were all good size, 16 to 22 inches – no shorts at all – which is unusual. Another strange thing is no pinfish.

Usually if you are using live shrimp you chum up every pinfish in the grass flat, but not so far this year. Every new fisherman in our area wants to catch a snook and the folks in the Fishing College are anxious to try their luck. I have been able to find a nice school of about 20 snook laying next to a dock in a deep water channel. You can run over these fish with your boat and they won't move a muscle, but the minute you throw one bait at them they fly out of there in a hundred different directions. At least it's a great opportunity to show people the benefit of polarized sunglasses. It’s nice to be able to see them even if you can't catch them. I personally have had decent action with my old standby, the 1/8oz plane colored Lunker jig head with a gold metal flake Cottee grub tail. I have to throw it about a hundred times to catch one fish, but at least it works. Fishing will get better. I know that as the water temperature gets closer to 70 degrees the bait will start moving and the fish will start biting. In the mean time fish slow lower your expectations and keep telling yourself that at least you don't have to drill a hole in the ice to go fishing.

Water LIFE Kids Cup Mark your Calendar

the top 5 kids fish in the ESPN REdfish Cup the following week end

Charlotte County to Decommission Old-tire Reef

By C apt . Bet t y S t augl er / S ea Grant Charlotte County workers will be removing the pilings marking the Old-tire Reef, also known as the Hog Island Reef (latitude 26-54.80', longitude 82-07.62), during early February.

This reef, which was constructed of bundled tires, was one of Charlotte County's earliest constructed artificial reefs.

The reef itself has been devoid of material for several years now, and due to changes in State and Federal permit requirements, the reef location does not meet the requirements which would allow for the addition of new materials. If you encounter work crews on site, please allow a safe distance.

For more information please call 941-764-4340.

Port Charlotte

re Ti

ef Re

X

Punta Gorda

Mangroves Part 1 in a series

By Capt. Betty S taugler Water LIFE / Sea Grant Hurricane Charley put a real hurting on our mangroves, and many of you have asked whether they will recover, what effect their destruction will have on juvenile fish habitat and nesting wading bird habitat, and whether our mangroves will be out competed by less desirable Brazilian pepper. It’s taken me a while, but I recently helped form a team of researchers to evaluate the recovery of our mangroves and the changes to our shoreline as a result of the extensive destruction and mortality. Over the next year I hope to provide you with some of the answers to your questions along with some of the answers to our own questions, which are too many to highlight here.

Those of us who have spent any time in Charlotte Harbor or any other system supporting mangroves, have already realized the benefits of these special plants. Rather than focusing on these attributes, I will attempt to summarize some of the less visible and less known attributes of mangroves.

Mangroves are woody plants which are found along almost every coast that has a tropical or subtropical climate.

Worldwide, there are approximately 50 species of man-

groves. The most diverse location for mangroves is the IndoPacific region, containing approximately 40 different species. Somewhat less diverse are the mangrove regions of West Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas, containing around 8 different mangrove species. Three true species of mangroves comprise the Florida mangrove forests, along with a fourth mangrove associate, the buttonwood Conocarpus erecta. Florida’s mangrove species, which will be described in detail next month are the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle, the black mangrove Avicennia germinans, and the white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa.

The mangrove environment is characterized by unstable, anaerobic (without oxygen) sediments, fluctuating water levels, and waters high in salt concentrations. In order to survive in these harsh environments, mangroves have evolved adaptations to their root systems to deal with the anaerobic soils, mechanisms for maintaining salt balance, and reproductive dispersal strategies.

Betty Staugler, the Charlotte Sea Grant Agent, can be reached at 941-764-4346.

Page 16

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

February 2006

February 2006

Water LIFE

21035 Randall Ave - This beautiful well kept Port Charlotte 3/2/2 home is priced to sell quickly. This home is a perfect family starter home. Located in a safe, quiet neighborhood with tons of room inside, and a fabulous yard. This deal will not last long, call me today for more details. $209,000.

MLS#619072

3335 Trinidad Ct. - Florida living at its very finest. Gorgeous PGI home with newly re-modeled kitchen is perfect for people who love to cook and entertain. With two sinks, a cook top range, dual dishwashers, double oven, and tons of cabinet space, this kitchen has everything you are looking for. Call me today for all the details. $895,000 MLS 609944

28011 Aloha Dr. - Come build your new dream home on this one of a kind lot. Located in Tropical Gulf Acres, this lot will not last long. Call me today for more details. $35,000 MLS#614880

Page 17

MAGAZINE

124 Cable Dr. - Come build your dream home on this fantastic lot in the desirable area of Rotonda Lakes. Great quiet neighborhood within only minutes to beaches, shopping, and GREAT schools. With public water/sewer, deed restrictions, paved streets and a mandatory homeowners association, this lot won t last long. Call me today for more details on this one of a kind deal. $62,000 MLS#617200

Come build your dream home on this fabulous North Port lot.

Minutes to GREAT schools, and in a fantastic family neighborhood. Call me today for more details on this one of a kind deal! $55,000 MLS#617850

3000 Caribbean Dr - This 3/2/2 waterfront home is screaming for some Florida entertaining.

Ceramic tile throughout, Berber carpet, 10,000lb boat lift, dock, and spacious walk in closets are just a few of this homes fabulous features $489,000 MLS#615382

Page 18

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

February 2006

Locally Inspired New YoZuri Lure

By Fi shi n’ Frank Water Life Senior Guide Brrrrr a cold and windy front just dropped in over us. But the real question is can a bait shop owner, a national sales manager and a fishing guide catch snook on a new lure at night? The answer is; 2 out of 3 ain’t bad. Yeah, I got the big O, a goose egg, nada, nothing, bubkist. I was out fished by Angel Torres and an executive from YO-Zuri lures.

It all started at the dealer show in South Carolina a couple of weeks ago. Robert, Angel and Dwayne went to the Henry’s Dealer show, the largest tackle show on the east coast. Robert and I were there to find out what's new for 2006 and we found a few good things including a new jigstyle hook that we think is going to be killer for redfish. Along with some other (what we hope to be) cool new things.

Angel, on the other hand, was a man on a mission to find out why Yo-Zuris did not have rattles in their lures. Most of the best snook, trout and tarpon lures all have rattles in them to help attract fish at night.

Angel has been fishing Yo-Zuris since he was in New York fishing for stripers and blues. After coming to Florida he has been using them on southern salt water fish like snook, tarpon, and trout.

We went into the Yo-Zuri booth and much to our surprise ended up talking to the national sales manager for Yo-Zuri.

The big dog himself, Paul Michele.

Imagine our surprise when he actually listened and said that is a great question! And said he would call Japan and have an answer for us the next day. All right maybe this was an original way of blowing us off, but he sounded sincere. Imagine our shock the next morning when he told Angel and me that within six months the Yo-Zuri floating crystal minnows would have rattles in them. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Then Paul went on to say as soon as he got in the prototypes he would come to Charlotte Harbor and Angel and I would field test them with him. So last night Paul, Angel and I went to test the new floating, rattling, Yo-Zuri crystal minnows. Launching

from Port Charlotte beach in Angel’s 24’ we headed for El-Jobean trestle. This would be a good test. No tide moving, wind blowing at 15 m.p.h. and a front had just come over. It was going to take one heck of a good lure and maybe a miracle to catch snook in these conditions.

Anchoring up by the trestle we rigged our rods with 30 inches of 25 pound YoZuri pink floro-carbon leader to hide the braided line. For the control part of the experiment, I was using a standard no rattle crystal minnow. Angel had the new F-7 with rattles and Paul had the new sardine F-6 with rattles. This lure looks like it has ribs ... hard to explain but very cool.

Paul takes point on the bow, Angel off to his left. Me? I got the back of the boat.

You can see how I rate on this trip. We were casting and I got the first hit. Bam! That snook slammed my lure and I was thinking ‘stick me in the back of the boat I will show ya all how this is done’. And more than likely I would have ... but in the dark I did not bother to take the twisty ties off of the lures hooks and while I am good, it is beyond my ability to catch one with the hooks tied to the lure. How stupid can I get? So I untied the hooks and started casting again. Five minutes of casting and Angel hooked up one nice fish.

Respectable splash, but halfway to the boat off he swims. Angel had no excuse.

His hooks were not tied to the lure. Right after that Paul missed his hit and then nothing happened. So 15 minutes of that and we decided to move down the trestle a ways.

We anchor up and take our spots – they stuck me in the back again. Paul was casting right on the edge of the piling and was getting hit but had no hook ups. Then changing tactics he slowed down his retrieve and would give the rod a short easy pull. At the end of the pull, bam, he gets hit and hooked up a 25 inch snook. That was his first upper harbor snook. We released that snook with our thanks for proving that Yo-Zuri's work better with rattles. Angel was next. His fish was a respectable 24 inches and it did a good job Conti nued on Faci ng Page

February 2006

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

So Fishless Frank reared his ugly head again but it was a great night. I always thought of Yo-Zuri as a far-off Japanese company, but now that I have met and fished with the Yo-Zuri U.S. division guy they have a much friendlier face.

After four hours of freezing our behinds and most of the rest of us, with snook still popping under the bridge, we headed in. Final tally: almost a 30 percent better catch

Conti nued from Faci ng Page of showing his disgust at being fooled by Angel's lure.

This was not a fair test yet, so Angel went to the standard no rattle Crystal Minnow.

Paul went on to catch 2 more snook and Angel caught one more. Then we hit a 40 minute dry spell, wih nothing hitting, so we wound up back at Port Charlotte.

Going up the Sunrise Waterway canal we stopped just past the bridge and started fishing. The tide just started going out and a snook popped off to our left. Paul cast right on the pop .. fish on .. fish off! Angel cast right on the spot where the snook had shook off Paul’s lure and fish on. A 28 inch snook was getting his picture taken with a Yo-Zuri lip piercing. Looked good on him. But it was not his to keep. My turn again. I cast right up next to the piling. I had just switched to the rattling lure and pop! The snook thought it looked and sounded so good he had to take it home with him. I lost the fish and one of the prototype rattling lures. Paul said he would send me the bill. What a guy.

Paul was the whole story after that. With the only prototype lure left he kicked our butts landing three more snook for pictures and having a good time rubbing it in.

Winter time is here and the winds are strong. Lindyʼs assortment of Drift Control drift socks are made to slow your boat down to allow you more time in the strike zone, especially during windy days. A drift sock used on the flats will allow you more time to cast to every spot you desire without worrying about boat control or speed.

Page 19

ratio for the rattlin Yo-Zuri to the non-rattlin ones. Both catch fish, but Angel was right and they listened. Hats off to both of them.

Snook season opens February 1st. One snook per day 26- to 34-inches. Good luck!

Fishin Frank can be reached for questions or charter information at 625-3888

Gary, Larry, Larry Sr. and Bill Ross with a great catch of snapper, gag, and black grouper up to 30 pounds, last month.

The new Lindy Tackle / Old Bayside Drift Sock

Old Bayside 3.5-inch shrimp in glow and natural and 4-inch shadlyn in opening night color

Area Real Estate Trends

Page 20

Water LIFE

This is NOT an Advertisement!

Provided by Water LIFE Publisher and Realtor,® Ellen Heller

February 2006

MAGAZINE

ADVICE: Run Deep, Fish Hard

FROM Dave & Marl ene Hofer RE/ MAX Harbor Real ty (941) 575-3777 dhofer@remax. net mhofer@remax. net

EDITOR NOTES:some locals have said the exterior of the Tentatorium resembles a line of white porta-pottys strung together.

Charl otte County Tentori um (above) opened with a $768K grant from FEMA to go towards its $950K cost.

Ci ty Marketpl ace is seeking a height variance. Its proposed hotel is 78' high and condos at 53', both in excess of the City's 50' limitation. The Charlotte County Justice center is 110' and plans are in the works to allow 90' condo buildings on the other side of the river in Port Charlotte. Our community needs fresh new buildings to continue to prosper.

Benderson Company from Buffalo (developers of KingsGate in Port Charlotte) is planning to develop 515 acres in Harborview east of 75. They will be seeking permits to construct 2 shallow water marinas on the property.

Greg Eagl e is seeking a height variance to build to a maximum of 75' in another new project on Burnt Store Road. Pinnacle Oaks will consist of 296 condominium and single family homes s on 95 acres north of Pirate's Harbor.

Real Estate S al es S tati sti cs:

Medi an home pri ces sl i pped in December by 1.25% for the third month in a row, while lots rebounded a little (still up 59% & 32% respectively over the prior year levels). The number of properties placed under contract declined to 2003 levels for lots while house transactions remained on their steady course.

Acti vi ty shoul d pi ck up dramati cal l y in the next few months as motivated buyers become more realistic with asking prices as seasonal buyers flow back into the market.

Capt Dan put some muscle into hefting this healthy AJ up for a photo last month.

By. Capt Dan Cambern Water LIFE Offshore Staff

Have you ever noticed how nature has a funny way of playing jokes on us? I'm talking about how you can catch all the fish you want of a certain species when they are out of season and then the first day the season opens up you can't find a single one. Or else they have mysteriously shrunken in size to one-inch less than the minimum legal length.

Fish are not the only creatures with this unique ability to sense opening season. I have seen this happen during hunting season too. While scouting some land in a hunting lease up in Georgia one year I saw several nice bucks during different times of the day and picked a couple of good spots to set up hunting stands. After that the land was not allowed to be scouted for two weeks before season was to open to keep from spooking the deer and

Boat Buying

let them go about their business naturally.

Sure enough, on opening day, there I sat waiting for a nice buck to show up but all that day no one in the club saw a legal deer to shoot. Most counties or clubs have a minimum point and spread rule to allow the younger bucks to grow and reach maturity to keep a good supply of quality bucks on the land.

Eventually we were able to get a few bucks and several does that season, but the big bucks that we saw before the season opened all but disappeared. In the mean time I saw lots of turkeys while deer hunting including several groups of big gobblers (males) but when spring turkey season opened on the first day all I saw were hens.

Well anyway, it seems that now grouper have acquired this amazing sixth sense of knowing when it is opening day.

Continued on Facing Page

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Even buying a rowboat can be intimidating to the novice. Make sure you do your homework. Buy a book or two on the subject and talk to friends who own boats. Attend a boat show.

Become familiar with terminology, styles and prices. As you talk to boat owners, you'll also find out what problems people experience with their boats, what features they find most useful and how different types of boats handle. Pretty soon you'll know what you want and recognize a good deal when you see one.

Ken Cook / Boats Unlimited 4809 Tamiami Trail Charlotte Harbor

941-628-8250

February 2006

continued from facing page

of red grouper (last November and December) in federal waters, naturally we were able to catch all we wanted on hard bottom between 90 and 130 feet of water. I had been marking these spots on trips out to deeper ledges and when we got into these big red grouper I would move on after releasing them.

One of my good clients had moved a trip he had booked in December to the beginning of January to take advantage of the opening day of red grouper. I told him about the big fish waiting to be caught and off we went. By now I think you know where I'm going with this, but I'll finish the story anyway. Sure enough, we caught and released all the 18” to 19” red grouper you could stand before moving on to more productive spots for several nice gags and mangos to finish the trip. We just had to laugh as we talked about how many times this has happened to both of us on hunting and fishing trips.

By the end of December when I wrote my last article it looked like things were starting to get back to normal as far as fishing was concerned in the Gulf. We had started catching gags in 60 feet of water and a few kings and large redfish and cobia had been caught. But I don't think that we are going to see really good fishing within 20-25 miles for a while.

The water is still a pea soup green out to about 80’ or so and the gags are just not showing up in their usual winter haunts closer to shore. Last year’s red tide seems to have done a number on the close in reefs and it may take a while to get the number of fish and bait back to normal.

Trolling for grouper has not produced well either yet as the water has been so dirty. That's the bad news, but there is great fishing if you pick your days between fronts and can get out to the deeper water.

The best fishing continues to be in 80 to 110 feet for our full day trips (8-9 hours) and has been nothing short of fantastic in 120 to 150 feet on 10 to 12 hour trips.

A lot of my regular grouper customers are finding out that the quality of fish is much better if they are willing to invest the extra time and money it takes to get out 40 to 60 miles. A couple of nice big gags or black grouper in the 20 to 40 pound range as well as big mangroves and yellow tail snapper make these trips worthwhile. Scamp grouper are much larger too with some of them tipping the scales at 16-pounds each.

Be sure to have a few heavy rod and reel combos when you go out for these big grouper. Some of these fish are just plain mean and I've seen plenty of them pull back just as hard as the guy on the other end of the rod. I recommend 80 to 100-pound main line and 125-pound leader. I like to use power-pro myself as it helps to set the hook better when fishing at these depths.

There are also some really big amberjack to arm-wrestle with as well as small to medium sized sharks that like to try to bust up a good fishing spot or at the very least tangle up every single fishing line that is not pulled up quickly enough. Red snapper are also thick out there now and I've seen many a grown man just about cry as I take the circle hook out of its jaw and gently release it back into the water. (Red snapper season is closed from November 1st to April 21st). I've already got trips booked for right after the season opens up.

I just hope that the red snapper don't learn from the red grouper about not showing up on opening day!

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MAGAZINE

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For Fishing or Real Estate: Just Ask The Captain

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February 2006

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Golden Conch

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February 2006

By Bi l l Di xon Water LIFE Sailing Cold was the watchword for the 2006 Golden Conch Regatta held Jan 7, 8 by Platinum Point YC at Burnt Store. It was cold on Friday the 6th when I helped ferry Commodore Chuck Taylor's Hunter 38 down from Punta Gorda, cold on Saturday for two races, and cold again on Sunday for 1 race.

Winds ranged from zero to 30 on Saturday, and zero to 10 on Sunday.

The regatta results reflected the swings in wind speed and direction with 10 different boats finishing first

in fleet. The photo is courtesy of Kay Haller. Not surprisingly, the best photos were pre-start and light wind since Kay, like the rest of us, was busy during the high wind racing. Chuck's photos and mine were taken at the same times as Kay's, but were not as good.

Due to some sort of administrative error, there was no Cruising Class, but there were 2 non-spinnaker fleets. Rescoring these races into Charlotte Harbor BOTY classes highlights some potential BOTY winners, notably Rudy Gotschlich in cruising, and Bob/Mary Anderson in non -spinnaker.

The Crystal Ball gets very cloudy in the other two fleets – since there will be up to 5 throw outs in BOTY scoring, anything can happen. In Multihull Tom Bragaw's Bahama Hunter had an unusually bad regatta with a 3rd, 4th and 5th (out of 5) in 3 races. Two S-2's, David Flechsig's

Conquistador Cup

By Bob Knowl es Water LIFE Racing Committee Charlotte Harbor will be alive with racing sailboats on the first weekend of March. Punta Gorda Sailing Club, the organizing authority for the regatta, in cooperation with the Royal Order of the Ponce de Leon Conquistadors expects at least 50 yachts of all types to register for the 13th Annual Conquistador Cup Regatta. The regatta is open to all yachts, both monohull and multihull, with separate fleets for spinnaker, non-spinnaker, and true cruising configurations planned.

Interested skippers need to complete a registration form and return it with the appropriate fee. A complete Notice of Race can be found on the PGSC website at www.pgscweb.com Racing will take place on two courses on Saturday, March 4th. Each fleet will have its own start on courses set up to provide both windward and leeward legs.

On Sunday, all the yachts will join together for the 13th running of the Conquistador’s trademark ‘reverse start’ race for the right to wear the coveted

Rooster Tail and Bob Knowles' Bamma Slammer are temporarily well ahead in the spinnaker fleet.

Results for the Golden Conch were: S pi nnaker 1st: Rooster Tail, Dave Flechsig. 2nd: Bamma Slammer, Bob Knowles. 3rd: By-a-nose, Dick Regan.

Non spi nnaker under 189 PHRF 1st: Learning to Fly, George Buckingham. 2nd: Jammin Jerry/Kay Haller. 3rd: Mosquito, Harv Kolm Non -spi nnaker 190 and hi gher PHRF 1st: Mariah, David Erdmann.

2nd: Journey On Bob/ Mary Anderson.

3rd: Ameritto, Sally VanDyke.

Mul ti hul l 1st: Anhinga, Robert Libbey, 2nd: Millennium Dragon, Roger Strube. 3rd: Wind Borne, Thomas Flemming.

Bill Dixon can be reached at: 941637-2694 or at dixonwj@comcast.net.

Areaʼs Biggest Regatta slated for March 4-5

Conquistador helmet. The winner will also have his/her boat pictured on next year’s regatta T shirt. All boats whether they are a sleek racing machine or just the family cruiser have a legitimate chance to win the race.

Every boat has a PHRF handicap rating that relates their speed differential in seconds per mile. Rather than all the boats starting the 8.5 mile race up and down the harbor at the same time, each boat will start at different times, based on their PHRF rating and overall course length, such that if all things remained perfect, all boats would finish at the same time. The yacht with the highest PHRF rating will start first with every other entrant starting some delayed time later. The yacht with the lowest rating starts last and must work its way through all the competitors over the course in order to finish first. It is quite a sight as yachts of all sizes, shapes, and colors interact with one another trying to gain position and be first to finish.

Social activities are planned for the weekend with numerous door prizes, in addition to the awards to the winners in

each of the designated fleets.

Regatta headquarters will be at Harpoon Harry’s in Fisherman’s Village. If you have a sailboat and always wanted to join in, this regatta is for you.

For more information call Regatta chairman, Bob

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Cold Weather was the handicap for the Golden Conch Regatta

Page 24

Maverick Boats Flatsmasters Series ready to kick off Season

By Jerry Cl effi Wat er Li fe To urnament Rep o rt On February 11th, the Flatsmasters will hold its first ever qualifying tournament. Teams who want to fish the series may enter and fish the qualifier. The top 5 finishing teams not already fishing the series will be invited to participate in the Flatsmasters. As of February 1st, there were already 30 teams trying to win those last 5 spots. The Flatsmasters is unique among tournaments in that each event requires teams to fish for a different combination of species (snook, redfish, trout) using a different method (natural bait or artificial). Anglers must be competent in

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targeting different fish and be able to have success using both methods of fishing. To add to the pressure on the anglers by the competitiveness of the series many teams must fish under the watchful eye of the five network TV cameras filming each event. Each event is professionally filmed and produced into 5 one hour TV shows which air on the Sunsports TV network and broadcast across Florida on cable and nationwide on satellite. The Best of the 2005 Flatsmasters Series, a new highlight show, has been produced and will air on Sunsports later this month.

The first Flatsmasters event, the Grand Slam Plug Tournament, will be held March 4th at Harpoon Harry’s at Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda. This is always the toughest event of the year and one of the most popular

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15076 Leipzig Circle - This property located on a sailboat canal in South Gulf Cove offers quick access via the Aquarius Waterway. Just minutes to the lock, out to the Myakka River, Charlotte Harbor and you are on your way to the Gulf of Mexico. $480,000.

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February 2006

among the spectators. Be sure to come and watch the weigh-in live between 1:30pm and 3:30 pm and see who walks away with the $12,500 first prize check!

The Maverick Boats Flatsmasters Series is the largest multi-species back country tournament in Florida with over 1,000 entrants competing over the four separate events, each team trying to make it to the Top 40 shootout in October. The top 5 teams from the shootout make it to final day when it’s all on the line with the winners taking home a $25,000 2006 Hewes Tailfisher 17 tunnel-hull flats boat package.

The Flatsmasters series is sponsored by Ingman Marine, Don Gasgarth’s Charlotte County Ford, Thomas Ryan and Associates-Realtors, Harpoon Harry’s, JTM Inc,

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Powerboat access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. $675,000 Call Chuck Sanders for more details. 941-235-1555 or e-mail Chuck Sanders at ChuckSanders@CaptainsChoiceRealty.com

13388 Clarence Lane - Relax on your lanai and enjoy the view of this small lagoon on the Santa Cruz Waterway in South Gulf Cove.

This oversized lot with seawall in place allows access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico via the Santa Cruz Waterway or the Zephyr Waterway. Bring your powerboat and experience the best the Florida has to offer. Water....you waiting for?? $324,900 Call Lowell Grube 941-235-1555 or e-mail: LowellGrube@CaptainsChoiceRealty.com

18874 Ayrshire Circle - Located on the Manchester Waterway, this sailboat home has so much to offer it can't all be listed here. Built in 1987, this home shows like a new home.

The 3 bedroom, 2 bath split floor plan offers a living room, formal dining room, family room and a den and/or home office. The roof was just replaced with a metal roof, hurricane rated windows and sliders - no need for shutters on these, pool just refinished, new pool deck, pool heater and cage. Outside, new concrete seawall and boat lift installed in 2004 per owner. A 15 minute boat ride down the beautiful Manchester Waterway takes you to Charlotte Harbor. $525,000 For more info call Nancy Grube at 941-661-9737 or email to: Waterlife@CaptainsChoiceRealty.com

February 2006

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February 2006

MAGAZINE

FWC Clarifies Fish Measuring Technique

S t aff R eport After mistakenly posting their intentions on their website earlier this year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has now publically announced that starting in July 2006 they will enforce the following ways of determining the size of fish.

Most size limit regulations implemented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) use either fork length or total length. The regulations specify which species are measured which way.

Fork Length

Measurement Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail.

Total Length Maxi mum Fish measured by total length are measured from the most forward point of the head, with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail com-

I t A i n t O v e r ʻ Ti l l I t ʼs O v e r S t aff R eport KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- After catching a 64.74-pound kingfish Saturday, Jan. 28, the first day of the Hog's Breath King Mackerel Tournament, Team Sundance Marine felt so confident of victory they didn't fish Sunday, Jan. 29, the tournament's final day.

"We had the fish that broke the tournament record," said team captain Kevin Kates. "We didn't fish Sunday because chances of beating that fish were slim to none."

L e t U s S ell Yo ur Bo at

But then the unthinkable happened.

On Sunday, Bobby Schoenfeld caught a 66.77-pound monster king aboard Lured Away.

"I never thought we would beat them," said Schoenfeld, a Conrad, Texas, resident.

"I was just hoping to catch a fish that would get us in the money."

The big fish did more than get Schoenfeld in the money. It got him the event's top prize, a 21-foot Contender boat with a Mercury 200 Optimax motor and Continental trailer.

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February 2006

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MAGAZINE

Beautiful 2-yr. old North Port 3/2/2 pool home, 1537 sq. ft. split floor plan w/pocket sliders to lanai/pool, living & dining rm., breakfast bar & nook, cathedral ceilings, plant shelves, sec. system, storm shutters, fenced back yard, pantry, laundry rm., chair rail & bullnose bead.

Lovely 3/2/2 on oversized corner lot, 1820 sf built 1988, dining rm., living rm., family rm., breakfast rm. & bar, cathedral ceilings, new 16" tile in all areas (except new carpet in BR's) including screened entry & large lanai, great neighborhood close to shopping & schools, nicely landscaped, pocket sliders, new paint in/out, new roof, pantry, sec. system, elec. storm shutters, $249,000, MLS #615776, call Lori Amaral at 941-626-9259.

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February 2006

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Bonita Springs/Naples Englewood

Subtle Clues February 2006

By Capt. Chuck Eichner Water LIFE Inshore Editor The weather was just perfect, an extreme low tide in the negative region on the charts, flat calm seas – a warming trend. We left the dock to flick a shrimp at anything that would bite.

The secret to successful flats fishing is recognizing the clues that nature gives us. Sometimes the clues are big and more often the’re small.

We motored to a flat on the east side of the harbor and it was much shallower than expected. With just 12 inches of water under us I was barely able to keep my trolling motor in the water. No great expectations this day, just a little jaunt for the sake of it. We were happy to fish for just a short time and then head back home to watch the traditional festivities on television. As we slowly trolled at a speed where you could watch the revolution of the trolling motor blade, I noticed the bottom had dropped to perhaps 2 feet in the middle of this flat.

Shallow water fishing requires stealth and I turned off the trolling motor and watched the mirror calm surface. As we sat motionless I was becoming impatient. There was no wind to move us and no fish activity. Then it happened. Joyce says “I think there’s some fish moving this

way”. I look up and it’s a standing wave of water perhaps 2-3 inches above the surface coming in our direction. Two Texas rigged shrimp were pitched in front of this ‘wave’ and I expected singing drags with big redfish ripping away.

“Nothing!” I exclaimed. I just couldn’t believe we didn’t hook up. It had to be redfish, but the overcast skies prevented us from seeing the phantom that miraculously passed within casting distance of our boat. Then it happened again. A fantastic push of fish to the back of the boat, shrimp cast out in front of their projected path and again nothing. The next wave of fish was perhaps 15 minutes later. By then my heart was pounding. We were sitting almost in the same exact spot in the middle of a flat and fish were just pushing on by. They wouldn’t eat, but it was very exciting. This next push of fish now had their dorsal spines sticking out of the water.

What species of fish this was, one could only guess, but it definitely wasn’t a redfish.

Then finally it happened! A small wave of fish came up at the stern of the boat and was headed right our way. Expecting to draw a blank, I loaded up the rod and flung a fat shrimp just in front of the wave. I had an immediate ‘doink’ on the line and I set the hook hard

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announcing ‘fish on’. The line immediately went slack and then a huge ray appeared at the bow of the boat. Figuring he made the wake (the water was now very shallow), I wasn’t too excited until a beautiful cobia moved directly over top of the ray with my line coming from his mouth. Then it was off to the races, literally! A 20 minute dog fight ensued with a light rod and 8 pound test. A 37-inch cobia at boatside was the reward. Not a monster, but a great fight and incredible table fare. We were pumped and certainly this flat was ruined from all of the commotion. We motored about 300 yards and blindly watched the water as a light drizzle began. Flats fishing requires confidence. You have to believe that the fish are there.

Looking out into gin clear water that is only 1-2 feet deep with no signs of activity leads you to think it is devoid of life, but there is a lot more going on below the surface than you could imagine. Baitfish, crustaceans and a host of marine life occupy even barren flats in Charlotte Harbor. The key is to know when to be there. So today, lady luck was on our side. A wave of fish appeared about 100 yards away and was moving directly towards us. How lucky could we get? We were about 30 yards off a mangrove island and these fish were on a course between us and the i s l a n d .

We noticed dorsal fins sticking out

of the water and now our hearts are pounding. Two shrimp hit the water in unison, we both get slammed and our drags are singing ‘sweet Lucy’! Both reels are spun with 8 pound mono and the reels are being dumped. Chasing the fish down to gain line again we haven’t a clue what was is on the other end.

Ten minutes later we get that telltale sign of the thump, thump, thump of a jack crevalle. Sure enough we boat 2 jacks pushing 12 pounds.

These fish were traveling in marauder packs with barely enough water to cover their backs!

This was not an everyday experience. Catching redfish would have been more predictable. Winter flats fishing has its mysteries, but you can count on action when there is a warming trend. The shallows warm first and the baitfish will migrate for short periods of time to the shallows. Stingrays, skates and crabs

will get active and this brings the surprise fish like cobia, jacks and sharks to mere inches of water.

Most days the signs of fish presence are very subtle. Sometimes it ‘snervous water, a tail flick or perhaps a comorant that is dipping and diving. Redfish love to hang with a school of mullet this time of year, just to pick up the crustaceans they stir up from the bottom. We see these signs all the time and more often than not, don’t give it much thought. Bring nice hand picked shrimp and a good dose of patience and fish the countless flats of the harbor. Use the wind to drift to the fish if at all possible. Cast well ahead of the fish and if you’re lucky you too will be singing ‘sweet Lucy’.

Capt. Chuck Eichner is a local charter captain. For information or to book a guided fishing trip call 941-505-0003 or go to his website:

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February 2006

Februaryʼs Fishing Forecast

Charlotte Harbor

Ro bert at Fi s hi n' Franks Po rt Charl o tte: 6 2 5 -3 8 8 8

February is always a fun month because it’s so breezy.

Since this is the beginning of snook season we’ll hammer snook first. For the shore fishermen, generally snook are up the Myakka and the Peace River. El Jobean is a really good place, by far the hottest winter spot, for snook. The evening is usually the best time to fish for them. The fish are generally active from sunset until about 1 a.m. That’s because the water has warmed up a little in the afternoon, but after 1 a.m. they get lethargic. The snook bait of

choice is shrimp, that’s number one, but a second preferred snook bait right now is sugar trout.Use a small ultra light pole with little pieces of shrimp on a gold hook to catch sugar trout. Sugar trout fishing is great fun for the kids and they can catch your sugar trout for bait all day long. Walk either bait slow and as close to the pilings as possible. If they have any size to them, sugar trout are real good eating. Artificials also work well at El Jobean. The big Bombers and the big YoZuri Crystal Minnows are the ones. Baits in the 5 and 6 inch size are just about right.

Laishley pier is another good place for snook fishing at night right now. co nti nued o n

Tara Murley writes: My boyfriend Jake Prewitt and I were fishing Alligator Creek in January and I caught this fish.

We tried to identify it on fishbase.org. but there are so many pictures/fish. I thought maybe you could help and let me know if you know what it is. Thank you Water Life replies: Itʼs a blowfish, Tara

February 2006

Fishing Report Continued from facing page

BIG-4 BIG-4

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Februaryʼs Februaryʼs Target Target Species Species

For the guys who go out in a boat, there is no reason to get started too early. The fish will still be lethargic and need a chance to SHEEPSHEAD are on strucTROUT are big and on the GROUPER are offshore COBIA are on the east side ture all over the harbor flats and edges and some in the Harbor of the harbor warm up from the cold night. The canals in PGI and Port Charlotte – around the boat docks – are the there is nothing out there now and we haven’t sive with fishermen out for fun just isn’t right. place for snook. Trolling for snook is starting to had any in months. The guys that are going are Redfi sh with any size to them are hard to find make a comeback. Quite a few guys are finding it this time of year. If you are going to target redfish I doing well are telling me there are a lot of productive with a YoZuri or a Bomber. sheephead around and quite a bit of whiting. definitely suggest using a circle hook. It’s not Since February is generally a low water month unusual to catch 50 to 100 redfish this time of year, On the beach there are a lot of big whi ti ng, the the fishing on alot of the articficial reefs is starting big females are around now and some guys are but most of them are undersize so the circle hook to pick up a little. Alligator Creek Reef, Cape saying they are the biggest whiting they have will make a live release that much more possible.

Haze, the Placida Trestle and the old phosphate dock Shrimp is again the best bait to use, but for a bigseen in a while. are all great this time of year for catching We’ve had pompano and some nice redfi sh ger redfish try using cut mullet or cut ladyfish. sheepshead, mangrove snapper and the possiaround too. They were catching some big trout Some of the bigger reds have been coming from bility of getting into a legal size grouper there is in the Gasparilla Sound on the DOA CALs Whidden Creek and Catfish Creek and from the very good too. (catch anything lure). Those and the Exude RT south, down around Pine Island.

Sitting on those spots the chance of picking up Slugs have been popular and productive.

Trout of the smaller size are real prevalent in a cobi a or a small shark is equally good. Shrimp Offshore, they are catching snapper and the upper harbor around the Myakka River and the is the best bet for sheepshead, peeled is the way to grouper but they have to go 15 to 20 miles.

US 41 bridges. To find bigger trout you have to be go, or try a fiddler crab. Hook the crab through the Usually the fish would be in closer now, but the prepared to move a lot. Trout tend to school in the bottom of the shell and come out through the top. fish seem to be a little farther out right now. same size range so if you’re into the smaller fish There are a lot of really big sheepshead that There was a school of permi t in the New just pack up and move to find the bigger ones. Drift don’t get fished very hard out at the Novak Reef Point Comfort area that a friend of mine got fish for trout inside Alligator Creek and Turtle Bay. right now. If it’s calm enough, that trip 5 miles off- Try casting top-dog pups by Mirrolure or Johnny into fishing from the bank there. We also have shore can be very worthwhile. cobi a, bl uefi sh, l adyfi sh and now there are Rattler top water lures to find the 16 to 25 inch On the east side of the Harbor on the outside fish. The little fish might pop at the big plugs, but quite a few jacks coming back into the area. edge of the sandbar there are a lot of cobia. Drift There are guys catching bl ack ti ps offshore those baits are just too big for the smaller trout. fish for them and watch for the single fish or douand some guys are catching duskys, l emon Shore fishermen looking for trout would do best at bles of cobia. The cobia are hanging on the outside sharks and sand sharks from the beach down El Jobean. of the bar because the mullet fishermen are all over at the end of the Boca Grande inlet. They are surf Offshore, the grouper fishing is good, but a lot the inside – wrecking it pretty good for the recrefishing at night with big chunks of ladysfish or of guys are finding that sharks are numerous now ational anglers. The mullet fishermen are horrible mullet. That’s the plan for sharks. Just wing it and are chomping off the grouper before it gets to this year, charging around, doing doughnuts around out and let ‘er rip! the boat. A lot of the sharks that are out there right fishermen and charging right at some boats. It’s Snook is open now and there are a lot of now are dusky and sandbar sharks. best to steer clear of them if you see them netting snook in the shallow creeks around here. until there is some enforcement action. I have heard Lemon Bay Guys are catching them on soft plastics the game and fish department doesn’t have any Ji m at Fi shermen’s Edge and flys, but a lot of the guys have been boats that can get into the skinny water to deter Engl ewood: 697-7595 laying off the snook during the off season them so they are just going a little crazy. I’m all Everyone that comes into my store seems to and will wait a little longer before targeting for making a living, but these guys getting aggresask me ‘are we going to have red tide?’ I tell them them.

CALENDAR

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 98, Port Charlotte, Presents; ABC, America's Boating Class (A Condensed version of Boating Skills and Seamanship). Tuesday and Thursdays 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. beginning Feb 7th and ending Feb21st at the new PGI Civic Center, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda, FL. For registration and information contact Fred Counter (941) 505-1290.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 98, Port Charlotte, Presents; GPS Class. Tuesday and Thursday, March 7 and 9, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the new PGI Civic Center, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda, cost $40 for materials.

Learn how to use and set up your GPS, if you have one bring it with you! For registration and information contact Fred Counter, FSO-PE (941) 639-3811 ext. 1.

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n Febuary 11: Flatsmasters Qualifier FMQ Tournament, Harpoon Harrys in Punta Gorda. 637-5953

n February 23: CCA Auction and Dinner Tent Auditorium at Punta Gorda, 5 p.m.

n March 4-5: Redfish Nation Tournament, Clearwater, Register Online at www.redfishcup.com or call 888-698-2591 n March 25-26: Redfish Nation Tournament, Fort Myers, Register Online at www.redfishcup.com or call 888-698-2591 n May 6: Water LIFE Kids Cup

OF

EVENTS

Tournament at Punta Gorda, in conjunction with the ESPN Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup and a benefit for the Don Ball School of Fishing. Applications online at www.kidscuptournament.com phone 766-8180 for information

n May 11-13: Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Tournament at Punta Gorda, Big Air Dogs and all the festivities.

n August 12-13: Redfish Nation Tournament, Jacksonville, Florida Register Online at www.redfishcup.com or call 888-698-2591

n October 7: Richest Redfish Challenge, benefit for Good Shepherd Day School, by Laishley Marine, at

Send us your event calendar information via e-mail: Waterlife@comcast.net

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