Water LIFE Feb 2009

W a t e r LIFE

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February 2009

KIDS CUP

Applications now in Bait Shops Page 12-13 Harbor Shrimping Page 19

Record Manatee Count!

3,807 Page 11

Flatsmasters Qualifyer Page 15

Big Trout are Here! w w w. W a t e r L i f e M a g a z i n e . c o m

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February

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February

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LETTERS to

Free to Agree The article in last month's Water LIFE is right on target. every time FWC considers downlisting the Manatee it almost happens, but somebody somehow gets involved and it doesn't happen in spite of the scientists saying they should be downlisted. The SMC then fades into the background for awhile, and then when the opportunity comes up again they're out in the limelight once more! And I also think your comment about them wanting Turtle Bay is true.

Keep up the good journalism, Ed Wi l son Free to Di sagree What a biased little paper you have. I have a kayak for a reason, I don't have to register it. I don't have to put fuel in it. I don't have a lot of money, I don't think kayaks should have to pay to register, just like other non-powered craft.

I think you people with your big boats can handle that part.

Thanks, Eddi e Johers Thoughts from Capt. Ri ck It came to my attention very quickly about 4 weeks ago that you can flip a pancake, you can flip an egg or a coin,

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Wa t e r L I F E @ c o m c a s t . n e t

and even maybe, if he’s not too heavy, you can flip a person but you should never ever flip a stingray! I did it and his stinger got me on the flip.

I was using my fancy dancy de-hooker and it worked fine, but the stingray still got me. Normally I would just cut the line but this stingray was just a small one - a very small one. Big Mistake! Fortunately this happened at the end of the trip, because believe me if you get stuck by a stingray the trip is over. Repeat OVER! Some things you should know so you can be ready if this happens to you. God forbid. Scientific, take my word for it, urine does not work. Maybe you heard to pee on a stingray sting. Not true. In fact nothing works, not meat tenderizer or anything. However all is not lost. Hot water does work and works very well. Hot water, as hot as you can stand it.

Nobody has hot, I mean really hot, water on their boat so the trip is over and home you go. Change that – to the hospital you go. They will give you hot water. They will give you a tetanus shot and a prescription for “Ciprofloxacin” to fight infection and Hydrocodone/acetaminophen to relieve pain, you will need BOTH! They will also X-ray your sting to see if any part of the barb is still in the wound.

4 weeks later I still have a lump.

Special thanks to Charlotte Regional Medical Center for taking care of me immediately and Doctor Paul Wright for his expert care.

MY NEW RULE: Never flip a stingray.

Cut the line and let them go.

Last Note: you will also need the pain killer when you receive the hospital bill for $1,500!! Be kind out there, slow down and smell the fish.

Capt. Ri ck Kel l ey

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FISHʼS FISH Venice angler Rick Fish with a nice January blacktip

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Water LIFE is the official publication of the C harlotte Harbor R eef A ssociation, the originator of the K ids C up Tournament and the producer of the Don Ball S chool of Fishing.

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Contributing Editors:

Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Charlotte Harbor: Capt. Robert Moore Port Charlotte: Capt. Andy Medina Gasparilla: Capt. Chuck Eichner Offshore: Capt. Steve Skevington Commercial Fishing: Kelly Beal Sea Grant: Betty Staugler Real Estate: Dave Hofer Inshore: Fishinʼ Frank Diving: Adam Wilson Kayaks: David Allen Sailing: Bill Dixon Office Dog: Molly

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RealEstate: Whatʼs happening NOW!

Fishing Resource Guide: Everything you ever wanted to know – almost Don Ball School: Class Report

Artificial Reefs: Projects and progress lat/long for local reefs

Manatee Myths: Read the original plan to create sanctuaries and refuges, as spelled out by the United Nations in 1984 Kids Cup: Tournament Information.

February

2009

Talking Trash and Catching the Same

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Editor My friend Joe Adobe was in town from New Mexico and we were fishing from my dock on a low tide one cold night last month. Joe had broken off a bunch of barnacles from my seawall and we were using them to try and catch sheepshead. “They ain’t got no place to go,” Joe observed looking at the shallow water.

We were using ultralight tackle because those were the two rods closest to the front of the jumble of rods that is my rod closet; 4-pound test is what we had.

Joe took out a cigarette, broke off the filter and lit the unfiltered end. Then he threaded his hook through the filter, baited the hook and flipped it out into the water like a tiny float! Joe always came up with ‘innovative’ stuff like that. Then he opened another beer.

I remember one time Joe and I were riding across New Mexico, talking about golf, when he pulled over on the side of the Interstate, took a 4-iron from the trunk and proceeded to hit some balls out into the desert just to make his point. That was my friend Joe. Innevitebly the conversation came around to the economy. “NASDEC, Madoff, derrivatives, it’s all the same, it’s all one giant Ponzi scheme and eventually someone wants to cash out and there is no money. Maybe what the economy needs is an economic ‘Do Over,” Joe suggested. ‘A Do Over?’ I asked, scratching my head through the rumpled polar tech of my hooded sweatshirt.

“That’s right, a do over. When this thing hits bottom they’ll just stop their game and start all over.”

I was going to respond, but right then something pulled Joe’s soggy orange filter down under the surface and he was all focused on fishing.

Joe turned the tiny crank, his big callous hands encompassing the whole reel like a toy.

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SURVIVAL OF THE QUICKEST – A big Florida gator carries a smalll hog away.

The thin line broke as Joe tried to shake loose an uncoopperative catfish, so Joe handed the slimey little line to me and said ‘here.’ I looked at Joe who was mostly lit in the faint glow of a streetlight from a half block away, and I laughed. “I can hardly see 4-pound test in the daylight without my glasses,” I said, and it’s dark now!”

“Neither can I,” Joe said, so I went searching for the flashlight from my boat while Joe opened open another beer.

It was quiet for a minute, then there was the sound of water running. At first I thought it was Joe pouring his old beeer out, into the canal, and I guess he was... in a way.

‘Hey! I have neighbors!’ I said to Joe. “I have neighbors too,” Joe said. “Don’t your neighbors ever need to pee?” ‘Not in the canal!’ I said. “You pee off your boat don’t you?” he asked, but I just let it slide.

“You know, it’s really the Swiss that are the economic problem.” Joe said. “All those numbered accounts. All that money people want to hide. Where do you think Madoff’s money is? And where do you think the terrorism money comes from? It’s the damn Swiss.

“What should we do, Joe?” I asked, “Invade Switzerland?” But I didn’t get an answer.

The conversation had gotten pretty silly, so we drank some more beer and I showed Joe the picture of an alligator carrying a wild hog away. “Least it wasn’t a dog!” he said. We caught a few fish later – more of the kind you don’t brag about, and one lonely little sheepshead.

And that’s the fun of fishing; we talked a lot of trash and we accomplished nothing, but it was all good.

“Remember,” Joe said as we headed inside just before 11 p.m.: “The early bird gets the worm!” And then I reminded him it’s usually the second mouse that gets the cheese! So long Joe, it was good to see you again.

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Options in February

By Capt Robert Moore Wat er LIFE S t aff Winter is now in full force and traditionally February can be the coldest and windiest month of the year. Most of the fish that frequent our back bays and grass flats will get very lethargic with the water temperature dipping below 65 degrees.

With the numerous cold fronts we have already experienced in January the water temperature could fluctuate in the 60s during the entire month of February. Fishing very slowly is one tactic you must embrace in order to be successful in catching fish in these conditions.

February is when the larger speckled trout begin to show up in good numbers.

Working the outside edges of sand bars on both sides of Charlotte Harbor and in front of Bull and Turtle Bays you will find scattered trout. My favorite live bait rig for trout is a 3/0 live bait hook, a three to four inch live shrimp and a 3 inch popping cork. I like to work the shrimp about 2024 inches below the surface. After I make my cast I will pop the cork in the water every 30-40 seconds. This popping sound resembles a fish feeding and can draw trout to your bait. If I am fishing in water deeper than four feet I will usually add a small split shot three inches from my bait to

Water LIFE

help get the bait down quicker. Top water plugs such as the Pop-R by Rebel Lures can also be very productive. I find that on cloudy days a darker color is more productive and on sunny days a brighter color is.

Redfish are usually abundant this time of year, but not always in the size we would like to see them. The Myakka Cutoff and the West Wall of Charlotte Harbor are notorious for holding hundreds of small rat-reds this time of year. Fishing the mouths of creeks and the deeper shorelines you can find schools of undersized redfish holding up in the deeper water. Shrimp are also the best bet for good results but fiddler crabs can work equally as well. Bait on a ¼ ounce jig or 2/0 live bait hook with a split shot produces the best action. Also, cut ladyfish will produce dependable action for all sized reds looking for an easy meal.

Snook fishing can improve any time you have several days in a row of 75degree weather. The local canal systems throughout Southwest Florida have lots of fish hanging around docks and boats. Look for deeper water with good moving tidal flow under the larger boats and dredged out docks to hold the most fish. Obviously live bait (if you can find it) can produce some good action, but believe it or not cut ladyfish is again my best bait when the water temperature is low. Snook love an easy meal and they rarely pass up a piece of ladyfish soaking on the bottom.

When all else fails I like to turn my attention to the artificial reefs we have in

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MAGAZINE

2009

Capt. Rob Moore with a client and a big cold-morning redfish caught last month on a fishing day when many other anglers went to breakfast. Note the knitted Quantum cap, we donʼt see too many of those in Florida.

Charlotte Harbor. Larger sheepshead are usually abundant this time of year and these fish seem to always have a bite even when most others won’t. On light tackle it can be a lot of fun. The trick to catching sheepshead is setting the hook quickly at the first sign of a nibble. These fish are known bait stealers and have earned their black and white strips. I like smaller shrimp (2 inches) on a 1/0 circle hook with a small split shot placed four inches above the bait. I will clip the tail off the shrimp and thread the hook through the tail, with the hook coming out of the bottom. With

the smaller shrimp they seem to inhale it rather than just take bites out of it. We are also seeing grouper and snapper that will not ignore your bait. Most are small, but produce great action on light tackle.

The key to successful fishing this time of year is finding something that will bend the rod. If one species will not cooperate then don’t hesitate to move on to another.

Just remember to do everything slowly.

Capt. Robert Moore can be reached to book a trip or for fishing information at: 624-5710 or at www.captrobertmoore.com

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February

2009

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2009

By Capt. Chuck Ei chner Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Winter fishing trips in southwest Florida have many of the same challenges as fishing in the north. Cold temperatures, windy conditions, unusually low tides and finicky fish. The key is to pick a fishing day with the best conditions.

Michael Heller (editor/owner of this publication) and I planned an offshore trip for grouper, snapper and anything else that cared to bite. The weather prediction for mid January was nearly perfect with light east winds and mild temperatures. At 7:00 a.m. I was lowering my 24’ boat into the water and couldn’t help notice that the top of my head was bumping my dock when the boat floated off. An extraordinary low tide was the first challenge as we motored from the dock. My canal has shallow spots and we guessed we would run aground before we even got to fish. Luck was on our side as we cautiously slid across the bottom and on we went. Entering Boca Grande pass with a livewell full of whitebait and large shrimp our expectations were tempered with a 3-4 foot chop. At 8:00 a.m. we watched as white-water spray angrily reached for the sky as waves rolled onto the shoals outside Boca Grande. Keeping the boat just barely on plane we rode 6 miles out and dropped our lines over. The heavy northern breeze and chop made fishing difficult. We dropped 3 ounce jigheads with fresh live bait attached and made fast drifts past bottom structure. After 2 hours of pitching and yawing a 20 inch gag grouper came aboard. Nothing like a fish to brighten the spirits as we continued to make spot changes with fast drifts but no fish. As the seas got rougher the biggest challenge was standing up. We decided that light winds would only be found behind a secluded island so we headed in to the Gasparilla area to fish.

Our first choice was a protected cove where we drifted past piers pitching live shrimp. Michael made a perfect cast between 2 pilings and reared back hard.

I enviously looked at his bent rod as he struggled to pull the fish out and then boated a nice jack crevalle. Not long after that Michael banged another jack, a ladyfish and a catfish. That prompted us to move and we motored to another sheltered bay only to meet an exposed sandbar at its entrance. Using the trolling motor we cautiously trolled over a break in the bar and eased across a long shallow expanse. I exclaimed that I had never seen it quite this low here before, but no worries if we got stuck because the tide was coming in. We were headed to a deep hole I knew at the back of this cove but long before we got there we got stuck. Walk around the boat and

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All Species Day

shift the weight of the boat I called out!

Meanwhile I rocked from the bow as the trolling motor sputtered us ahead. We repeated this drill several times before finally seeing some deeper sandholes ahead. Now comfortably floating in 2 feet of water I cast a shrimp ahead and wham! Fish on and a stocky redfish was battled and landed. Michael made a cast and he was hooked up. The fish gods had rewarded us with a honey hole! We dropped the power pole into the water and gazed into the sand holes ahead. The calm waters and bright sun did not reveal the shallow water inhabitants, but many casts were rewarded with great fighting redfish that were in the 3 pound category. The next specie blessed Michael’s line and a large sheepshead fought its way in with several others to follow. A snapper and another redfish or two and we eased along. This was looking to be an all-species kind of day!

In the distance we watched as other boats approached the outer sandbar looking in our direction but all decided it wasn’t worth the trouble to get inside.

Good for us, because the next hole was also full of fish. My first cast met with a hard thump and a large fish leaped into the air. My light action St. Croix rod bend double and my drag pulled as a speckled trout nearly 23 inches in length made it boat-side. As any respectable photographer would do, Michael grabbed the camera and took a few pictures. Were there any species left to catch? With that said I made another cast into the same hole and wham – another jumper and another big trout ...except this one had a racing stripe! A nice snook com-

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pleted the species list.

Late afternoon was upon us and we decided to head back home.

Deciding to take a short cut out, we trolled over a long course of sand and mud only to get ourselves stuck. A 24-foot boat that is stuck in the mud is not easy to move. Shoes off and pants legs rolled up, we jumped into water that never reached our knees. Worse yet was that we noticed the tide was going out.

We both shared a sick feeling that if we didn’t act fast we would be spending the night. Adrenaline helped turn the boat 360 degrees and into 2 feet of water.

Luckily, we were able to locate one pocket of deeper water, so we jumped up on plane and split. A winter adventure with a few twists and turns kept us happy all the way back at the dock.

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: www.back country -charters.com

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By Capt. Andrew Medi na Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor This time of the year I start throwing jerk shads. By far, Gulp baits by Berkley are one of the best baits for redfish, but if I could only have one soft plastic for a variety of species, such as snook, trout, and redfish I would choose a jerk shad. It’s a proven lure, time and time again. It really doesn’t matter who manufactures it, they are all pretty close to each other. I like the Exude Dart, or the RT Slug, rigged on the new Shake It jig from Owner. The different bottoms that I will be fishing, will determine how I rig the bait. If I’m fishing a sand hole or a depression along a grass flat, then I will use a simple jig head. ¼ or 1/8 once. In this situation I only fish exposed hooks. Hook up ratio, in my opinion is mush better with an exposed hook. Color varies in jig heads. I have found that red or lead color works best.

If you are fishing an area that has a lot of grass. A bait with an exposed hook will not work. The Shake It is a great choice for this style of fishing. It comes in a number of sizes ranging from 1/16th to a 1/2 ounce. The weight is at the top of the hook with a screw-lock placed in the lead, next to the hook.

This jig allows

February

2009

Screaming Reels

the bait to be presented a little differently than the rest of the weedless hooks on the market.

Color choices are simple for jerk shads, for dark water use dark baits. Such as water melon, blues or blacks. For clearer water use lighter baits, your whites, chartreuse and grays. This is a rule of thumb I have found to hold true all across the southern United States.

Now, on to the fishing. Keep checking pot holes and depressions. The fish will visit these area’s when the water gets low.

When the tide is up, keep an eye on the flats where you will find fish warming themselves in the shallow water. Right now there are a few schools of redfish around Pirate Harbor, Whidden Creek, and in Turtle Bay. Most of these fish are large, mostly oversized but there are keepers mixed in with them. Watch the tide so you don’t end up high and dry on an out going.

With the low water a lot of anglers have found some real nice grouper are coming from Boca Grande Pass. They are eating cut-bait or squirrel fish. February will continue to produce these near shore grouper.

Take advantage of some of the near by rock piles for grouper Be safe on the water, and remember tarpon season, and the Kids Cup is just around the corner.

Capt. Andrew can be reached for Charter info at 456-1540 or on the web at www.FishFloridaTarpon.com

FWC Counts Record Number of Manatees

February

2009

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P a g e 11

Save the Manatee Club Breaks the Cease-Fire

By Capt. Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff In January the FWC counted 3,807 manatees statewide. That’s more than 500 over last year’s count and more than 3000 over the 1998 figure Save the Manatee Club used to gain public sympathy. Up until January things had been pretty quiet on the manatee war-front for over a year.

The last skirmish took place at the December 2007 meeting of the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission).

At that meeting the FWC voted to approve a new manatee management plan and deferred a decision about rule changes to reclassify manatees from endangered to threatened. The FWC staff, and outside scientists had recommended the change because the manatee population had greatly increased in the last 30 years; much faster then anyone had predicted. With the exception of red tide and freezing cold snaps; the future for manatees looked better than ever – mission accomplished, the manatee has been saved. Or so we thought.

The decision to delist was postponed until the September meeting, which was just enough time for someone to convince Governor Crist, who was in the running for Vice President at the time, that it would not be smart politics to have the delisting of the manatee on his resume. So as any crafty politician would do; he took the easy out, asking the FWC to hold off on their vote to delist the manatee. The Save the Manatee Club, seeing the writing on the wall, needed to come up with a Hail Mary pass if they were going to save their club.

Down in Lee County, off the Caloosahatchee River and down the Orange River near the Florida Power and Light plant at Tice, was an old marina that had just been recently sold, a miracle in this economy. The new owners, Leeward, LLC had great plans to build a new 128 slip marina. Of course this was good news for the local economy.

Everyone seemed pretty happy with the

project except for -you guessed it- the Save the Manatee Club. They said that the old marina and the surrounding waters were critical manatee habitats. And while they were on the subject; the Orange River and even the Caloosahatchee was also part of this critical habitat. The SMC said that any waterfront development in the area would interfere with the passage routes the manatees use to travel to the power plant. The reason that the manatees are at the power plant in the first place is that power plant is required by law to dump heated water into the river so the manatees can have a comfortable winter. This is now considered natural and critical manatee habitat and in the clubs reasoning it only followed that development in the area should be severely controlled and regulated.

The SMC has now petitioned the Federal Wildlife Service (they’re the people that manage the Endangered Species Act) to review their designation of critical habitat for the manatee. It seems even though required by law, this has not been done in 30 years and since there are so many more manatees now than 30 years ago, wouldn’t these additional manatees need much more habit to survive?

It’s not that the manatees are endangered; it’s their habitat that’s now endangered. In order to emphasize the critical nature of this petition, the SMC signed up a few new allies, and who better to help Florida with our manatee problems than the Wildlife Advocacy Project and the Defenders of Wildlife both Washington DC groups, and the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson, Arizona. These groups are third-string players in the environmental industry but they do have friends in high places and more importantly they have money. Remember, the SMC is almost broke so these outside groups will have to pick up the tab for any legal work.

To the people of LEE County this is a

More conspicuous markings have been suggested as a way for boaters to spot manatees and kayaks. Safety balloons were one idea, but many boaters still like the idea of painting all manatees and kayaks orange.

big deal, especially the ones counting on a job at that new marina, construction jobs building the new facilities and boat owners who were looking for additional storage space at a time when more and more marinas are becoming waterfront condominiums.

And like anything the SMC does, the effect will also be felt elsewhere. In Charlotte County there is a rumor that a seaplane manufacturer is considering opening up a facility in the county which may include up to 300 new jobs. Of course they would like to use the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor to test their

planes. If these areas were to become critical manatee habitat it just may kill that deal. There is also a growing concern that prime fishing areas like Bull and Turtle Bays will be designated as critical habitat and could be closed off to boating entirely. And if that happens we might see that manatees, not boaters are destroying the seagrass. What will the state do then?

So a new battle in the manatee war begins. Hold on, it could be a bumpy ride, especially if we have to steer around all those manatees out there.

Capt Ron can be reached for comments or questions at: captronb@juno.com

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February

MAGAZINE

2009

Gearing Up for the Kids Cu

By Mi chael Hel l er Kids Cup Tournament Director The machinery of the Kids Cup is up and running. We’re answering the phone until 8 p.m. Dawn Marx and the crew at Buffal o Graffi x has again printed our entry forms and posters and now the applications are available both online and at all the local bait and tackle shops, at West Marine outlets, Affinity Tackle, and Stump Pass Marina. We had five entries come in on the first mail after New Years day and by January 25 we had 25 entries.

At this rate we are ahead of last year so get your entries in now to get a low boat number. Boats are released on tournament morning in the order they were entered in.

The Competitor Trophy sponsor S tump Pass Mari na is back with us again, so once again every competitor will get a trophy. So far Fi shermen’s Vi l l age and Fi shi n’ Franks are major sponsors again this year. S creenpri nt Pl us in Cape Coral will again be doing our snazzy Kids Cup shirts. Look for the new design here next month.

Bennedetto’s Restaurant will cater our Captain’s dinner on April 24.

Eppi nger Manufacturi ng, the makers of the Daredevil lure have again signed back on with us (their 6th year!) and will once again be providing quality gold spoons for all our Kids Cup anglers.

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February

Cup

2009

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Were starting to collect stuff for the captainʼs bags.

wholesale tackle show last month and came back with a handful of contacts in the industry to help fill the captain’s bags. Thanks guys! We’ve already received one big box of Eagl e Cl aw hooks, and there is a bunch more coming. Frabi l l has sent us high quality landing nets for each of the age group winners (10 yrs old, 11, yrs old 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 yrs old) will each get a Frabill landing net along with their age group trophy. I’m working on a good rod and reel combo for our top 5 anglers (hello Shimano? Hello St Croix? are you listening?) So everything points to another great Kids Cup event.

Ingman Mari ne, Wrap S i gn & Desi gn and The Boathouse at

Boater’s Worl d are all back with us again as Junior Level sponsors, and Pool S harks, Greggs Automoti ve, S outhern Oxygen, Perri n’s Barbershop, Harbor Chevron and Bayshore Mari ne are again already sponsors of the 7th grade program. We expect, over the next two months, all the sponsor categories will continue to grow.

I know this is a tough economic time, but we can’t let that affect educating our kids about the environment and teaching them about fishing. If you were a sponsor last year we need you back, if you were not a sponsor, please...we need you now. Be a Kids Cup Sponsor and wear your Kids Cup sponsor shirt proudly (every sponsor gets one).

Call 941-766-8180 for more Kids Cup sponsor information. You can be a tournament sponsor or you can sponsor a kid, just go to out website: www.kidscuptournament.com, fill out the form and send it in.

The Kids Cup is part of the Don Ball School of Fishing and the Charlotte Harbor Reef Association. All contributions are tax deductable.

The Kids Cup will be held on April 25, 2009 at Harpoon Harrys in Fishermen’s Village.

See You there!

Jesse Smith helped his little sister Adriana land this big redfish on 10lb test.

Jesse and both his sisters are going to fish the 2009 Kids Cup.

Page 13

Page 14

Water LIFE

Hot Action in Cold Water

By Adam Wi l son Water LIFE Diving If you wait for the warm water to return you have no idea what you are missing on our shallow reefs.

Most spots in less than 100 feet just don't hold many fish during the summer, but this time of year they absolutely explode with life. Thick schools of bait, huge snappers, big groupers, monster amberjacks and cobias swarm over the shallow Gulf with the colder temperatures.

Yes it can be a little chilly at times, but we usually forget those colder temps when we hit the bottom and begin slinging steel in the thick schools of fish. A good, thick, quality wet suit also makes all the difference in the world. I prefer a full 7 millimeter semi-dry suit. These suits are not cheap, but this is not an area you want to try and save money on. Warmth equals comfort, and the right wet suit makes the difference between a great dive and a miserable shivering experience. Help support our local economy and get out to your local dive shops when you are shopping rubber. Most spots are around 61 degrees from top to bottom right now. Rarely does it get much colder in this area of the gulf.

Remember if we have a warm trend the surface will heat quick, but the bottom temp will remain colder for months now.

With a good suit you might find you are warmer in the water than on the boat.

Bringing a cooler filled with warm water is a great way to stay warm between dives. A few buckets down the back can bring your core temp up quickly. Some guys use a hose connection to their boat motor to capture the heated discharge water. Having a thermos with hot coffee or cocoa is also a great way to keep your core temp up.

Once you start to shiver uncontrollably on the bottom your dive should be over. That is the body’s first response to hypothermia which can be dangerous.

The biggest factor for getting out this month is going to be wind. We had awesome visibility early in January, 50 plus feet on some spots, but by the end of the month it went downhill quickly with the back to back cold fronts and high seas.

Lately the vis has been ten feet even out on the deeper reefs. If you have been stone crabbing or doing the shallower reefs the reduced vis won't be a problem for you.

Photography is pretty much out of the question with the reduced light level, but I love being able to sneak up on those big spooky mangrove snappers and pulling the trigger before they have a chance to fly. Of

February

MAGAZINE

course slow ascents with big stringers in murky water can be a little interesting.

The big schools of amberjacks that like to come jetting by at mach 1 can be slightly startling on the way back up. Even with the cold temps we have already seen some good sized sharks on some of the most popular reefs.

The thick schools of American red snappers are also still around in 100 feet.

Hopefully these delicious fish will hang around until opening day in April. Because of the lower light level at depth and the

2009

Left: Manny with a nice stringer. He is known in Englewood as "Handy Manny" a handyman who came here from Cuba on a raft when he was 16. Right: Me (far right) and my buddy Carl with decent hog, gag and mang.

reduction of the shortest color wavelength (red) past about 15 feet, these fish appear silvery on the bottom, making them look similar to mutton snapper, but without the tell-tale dark spot on their body. They also aren't as spooky as muttons and can even be curious.

If you have never dived in the winter, now is the time. With a week or two without a cold front the visibility will return quickly and the amount of life on all our reefs right now is hard to describe without seeing it for yourself.

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February

2009

Water LIFE

Will Fishing Suck Today?

MAGAZINE

Page 15

Flatsmasters 2009 Qualifyer

Event opens local tournament season

Pirate Harbor in Jan 2009 with a -7 low tide compounded by 2 days of wind from the northeast

By Fi shi n’ Frank Water LIFE Senior Staff How can you tell what the fishing will be? If you’re fishing the mangroves and you cast your lure and it goes thunk, well... something is missing – you might want to wait for a higher tide. No water, no fish!

But what does low tide mean anyway? Or high tide for that matter? On a tide chart it is when the water reaches its highest point or its lowest ebb, but that will not tell you how much water there is. The first key to understanding the water is understanding the tides. On the Atlantic or Pacific they have four tides a day. High, low, high, low, you can keep track of them easily, they even have clocks to tell the tides. Here in Charlotte Harbor the only way a tide clock works is if you hang it over the canal, then when it is wet it’s high tide, when it is dry it’s low. We can have any combination of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 even six changes a day are possible. The best explination for this is the tides hit the Gulf, slosh around with the currents and reflect back.

Up until about10 years ago there were tide markers, with flow meters measuring currents and tides, now they use a computer to generate the forecast tides, based on data collected for the last 200 years.

Step one in understanding tides is to look at a tide chart. You’ll see H 6:45am, the H stands for high. I kinda figured you guessed that one. L for low but the tricky one is the number behind the time. It looks like this: H 6:45am 1.3, the 1.3 is the height of the tide over the chart level.

On charts depths are related to 0.0 or mean lower low water, MLLW. This is the average low tide. So the 1.3 is one foot and three tenths higher, than chart level. Keep in mind it is possible to have tides lower than 0.0, so in the winter you will see minus tides.

If that is not enough to remember, here is more: fall and winter tides are 6 inches lower on average than spring or summer tides. Six inches is not so much, but when you only exchange an average of two feet of water a day six inches is 25% of the total water movement. Wind can also compound the difference. A 10 m.p.h. wind can add or subtract six inches of water. The longer it blows from the same direction the greater the impact.

Winds from the north and east push the water out faster on outgoing tides. Then

they hold the water back when it tries to come in. Charlotte Harbor is more affected by wind to water level because most of our water goes in and out of Boca Grande Pass.

When the wind is blowing only the water under the surface moves the way it should.

The water on top is being blown the direction of the wind. It’s like if you spray water up a sloped driveway. The pressure holds most of it there, but some runs down; shut off the hose and it all runs down.

Winds from the south or west push the water in, then as the tide tries to get out it holds it back. This is very evident during a big storm If a hurricane hit Fort Myers then all the water in Charlotte Harbor might be pushed out. During Hurricane Donna it was said you could walk across the Harbor during the first half of the storm, however if a slow moving hurricane hit Englewood, well let me just say glug, glug, glug.

We get calls all the time asking ‘when is high tide?’ What good is that? The tide does not stay high nor does it jump from low to high and back. It flows in and then flows out when the tide hits high, then it becomes an outgoing tide. When it hits low it starts to come in – incoming tide.

But what is high tide? If you do not know the height of the tide and just remember the number after the time thing on the tide chart all you will know is when we have the most water for that day. It is possible to have low tides with more water than some high tides on other days and vice-versa. Any thing over a 1.0 is sorta high anything over a 1.5 is a real high tide.

Under 1.0 is low and under 0.0 like a -.6 is a lot of dirt showing in your favorite fishing spot.

Tides are like a race car on a drag strip, they start out stopped then build speed and run then slow down and stop. The first third of the tide is "building speed" the middle third running at speed. And the last third it’s slowing down.

Fishing in salt water is always best when the water is moving. I prefer the last half of the incoming tide and the first half of the outgoing tide. When the tide comes in it brings cleaner saltier water in from the Gulf and that seems to revitalize the fish. I think it works. Some places are good on low tides, some on high, incoming or outgoing. But in the end the best time to fish is when you get the chance.

You can reach Frank at 625-3888

Flatsmasters Tournament Director Jerry Cleffi, right, takes one of the two winning fish from tournament angler J.R. Witt. Witt and partner Terry Brantley took first place with 7.45 and 7.54 pound redfish for a 14.99 pound total. Witt said they ran all the way to Tampa Bay for their reds.

In all, the 47 entered teams brought back 49 fish. Cliff Utt had the big fish at 7.79 pounds.

The smallest legal fish weighed in was 3.08 pounds, brought in by Tim Scott.

The next local tournament will be the Charlotte Warriorʼs Tournament on February 28 at Laishley Park Marina.

Water LIFE

Page 16

All photos: Action from the 2009 Golden Conch Regatta.

By Tom Fl em i ng Fleet Captain, Platinum Point Yacht Club Platinum Point Yacht Club (PPYC) celebrated its 26th Anniversary of the Golden Conch Regatta (CHBOTY) at the Burnt Store Marina, on January 10th and 11th.

This was a two day sailing event of three races with sailors from Venice to Marco Island.

Thirty-five sailboats participated representing five sailing classes of PHRF rated boats: Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker A, NonSpinnaker B, True Cruising A, and True Cruising B. The weather was perfect for competitive sailing with beautiful sunny skies, temperatures in the 70s, and winds ranging from 5-14 knots.

Saturday’s races started off with a light breeze, 5.3 knots, and increased to 8 knots, requiring one course change. Sunday’s race started with SW winds of 6 knots and

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February

2009

More Goloden Conch photos on the WaterLife Magazine website: www.waterlifemagazine.com

increased to 14 knots from the West. This required a course change in direction and distance. Racing was very competitive. After two races, five boats were tied for second place in the Spinnaker Class. The last day’s race with 14 knots air proved to be the challenge all competitors enjoyed seeking a solid second place finish.

There were no protests.

Before sailing each day, sailors were treated to a continental breakfast at PPYC. After Saturday’s two races, the 129 sailors/spouses/guests enjoyed a delicious sit-down steak dinner catered by Whiskey Creek, Port Charlotte.

On Sunday, an awards presentation with custom designed conch shell trophies were presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes. First-place winners were also given a bottle of champagne, personalized with their Regatta boat picture and name on the label. A cocktail and hors d’oeuvre party was given to congratulate all winners with 90 people attending.

Results: Spinnaker: Bama Slammer, Bob Knowles (S2/7.9) Non-Spinnaker A: Fancy Free, Jerry Poquette (Soverel 39)

Non-Spinnaker B: Morgan, Bill Curtis (Morgan 24) True Cruising A: Bravo, Pete Rehm (Tartan 34) True Cruising B: Mariah, David Erdmann (Catalina 27) Complete results on: www.ppycbsm.com

Calling ALL Sailors

Register to enter the Conquistador Cup or plan to just come out in your boat The Race Committee would like to see 100 boats on the Harbor Sunday March 8

Comi ng Events: The 16th annual Conquistador Cup regatta will be held March 6, 7, 8 out of Fisherman’s Village.

We are shooting for 100 entries in Sunday’s reverse start Cup race. PHRF rating not required for Sunday. For details contact Bob Knowles 505-8543 or check www.pgscweb.com.

For other sailing questions Bill Dixon can be reached at: Dixonwj@comcast.net

February

2009

R Re ea all E Es st ta at te e N Ne ew ws s PROVIDED BY: Dave & Marlene Hofer RE/MAX Harbor Realty (941) 575-3777 dhofer@remax.net www.harborparadise.com Recent area news i tems

1. The micromanagement team officially known as the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners, not yet satisfied with the havoc reeked so far, set out to oust the County Attorney. It was little more than a year ago that the second most senior commissioner, Dick Loftus (he counts his tenure in months vs. days) successfully harassed the County Administrator into resigning. He is now enlisting support from newby Commissioners Duffy & Skidmore to find a new salaried counselor. Citing lack of responsiveness (some might term it "bootlicking") and communication, he insists that it's time for Mrs. Knowlton to go. Without directing the comment to anyone in particular, Trisha Duffy said "this is not a time for mediocrity".

That's quite true, unfortunately we have to make do with the commissioners that are in office, for now.

2. Jim Walter Homes, a pioneer in the construction of pre engineered homes closed its doors last month. They built more than 350,000 homes nationally since World War II.

3. Publix announced that it will be building a new store on 41 at Salford Rd in North Port. It will replace the existing store located just down the street at Sumter. Sweet Bay will be closing their store on Placida Road in Englewood.

It will keep its existing facility in Punta Gorda.

4. Community Redevelopment Areas are suffering from the slowdown in new construction. Relying on taxable valuation growth within targeted areas, projections have not lived up to expectations. Englewood tax revenues fell to $1.6 million, well below the expected $2.2 million. Punta Gorda's CRA collected $1.8 mil, only 10% below expectations. The city will be borrowing $12 million from sales tax receipts to pay for the parking garage and Laishley Park construction projects, then lending those funds to the CRA.

5. Congressman Page Kreegel sponsored House Bill 205 in the Florida legislature to stem foreclosures. The law, if passed, will require Florida courts to pro-

Water LIFE

vide for a conciliation process between lender and homeowner to attempt to renegotiate the existing loan terms so that foreclosure can be prevented. This format has been successful in forestalling 80% of the foreclosures in the Philadelphia circuit court region.

MAGAZINE

Page 17

In other news: The Consumer Price Index fell last month for the fifth time in a row. The index stood at 220 in July, it is now 210. Unemployment hit 9.9% in Charlotte County in December, well above the 7.2% national average.

Charles Wallace’s new restaurant, Jacks, will open this month in the Sunloft Center.

S al es S tati sti cs:

Median lot prices are down a stunning 60% from a year ago. Transactions are almost exclusively in investment lots where sellers are acknowledging little intrinsic value and no likelihood of buyers acquiring for new construction.

House median sales were down about 35% vs. a year ago, reflecting the influence of lower end foreclosures.

Please visit us at www.harborparadise.com

to view any available properties from Venice

A new 60-foot ʻTʼ dock is under construction on the Ski Alley side of Stump Pass Beach State Park. The dock will be used to store Sherifʼs and FWC boats and will be closed to the public.

Page 18

Water LIFE

Shrimping In Charlotte Harbor

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Publisher Are shrimpers destroying the Harbor bottom, tearing up seagrass and killing fish? I went out to see for myself.

Shrimpers, and there aren’t a whole lot of them here, drag the deepest part of the harbor, the part where everything settles.

If anything; it looks like they are helping to keep the harbor clean, stirring up the muck and pulling up debris that would otherwise be left to rot. In the three days I talked, observed and followed along there were only two shrimp boats out on the Harbor and they brought up several chairs and a whole sunken 24-foot boat!

At Laishley Park Marina I asked John Mehaffey, owner, operator and one man shrimping crew of the Iron Ox shrimp boat to tell me about shrimping.

“Shrimp are more like insects than a school of fish,” says John. “They are distributed mostly at the bottom of the water column,” he added.

“Shrimp seems to run in a 6 year cycle. If we have a red tide, the year after the red tide shrimping is better,” John told me.

There are three different kinds of shrimp. Texas and the northern Gulf Coast have the brown shrimp. The east coast of Florida around Jacksonville has the white shrimp and in SW Florida and Charlotte Harbor we have the winter shrimp which are Pink.

Commercially, the white and brown shrimp are the most desireable, primar ally because they have thicker shells.

White and brown shrimp will keep 5 to 7 days after being caught. The pink shrimp common to Charlotte Harbor have thinner shells and only keep two to three days.

How long the shrimp keep is important since there is only so much time that can go by before they must be processed and packed. But John doesn’t worry about processing and packing since he ices his shrimp on the boat and sells whatever he catches the next morning at the dock.

“There is nothing like the sweet fresh pink shrimp that come from Charlotte Harbor,” John says.

Shrimp lay their eggs and mature in the marshes and shallow spots around the area. They hatch in the Myakka River, the Peace River and in the Alligator Creek basin. When we get a cold front coming down from the north the front drives the shrimp out of the marshes into the Harbor where they seek the warmth of the deeper water.

On average, we have 5 to 6 boats pulling their shrimp nets in the Charlotte harbor area. Lately, we’ve only had two or three boats because some of the shrimpers do double duty as mullet fishermen.

Shrimping took a big hit after hurricane Katrina. Only one out of 56 commercial shrimp processing plants survived the storm. “Now there are only about a dozen processing plants back up and operating,” John said. It has been a slow comeback for shrimp processors.

With limited processing facilities the U.S. wholesale market for shrimp crashed. Consequently, today 93-percent of the shrimp sold in the US is imported and farm raised. Luckily for us, here in Charlotte County, fresh shrimp is usually available.

Catching wild shrimp, dragging a shrimp net around, takes some doing.

There are state and federal laws that mandate net size and mesh size. The nets must have flaps and open areas to allow fish and turtles to pass through. Only at the end of the net, which is bunched and tied with a rope are the shrimp trapped.

Little fish, this time of year mostly whiting, and other small by-catch are dumped out on the sorting table when the net is emptied. Then they are returned to the water. The night I went out with John the bycatch consisted of a couple of skates, a bunch of whiting, some small catfish, a couple of little flounder, one seahorse and several spadefish the size of a silver dollar. It all went back into the water alive.

John went through it with a hand rake, picking out the shrimp and sliding the rest overboard within minutes. One pull, (from north of Marker No.1 to about halfway down the Harbor to Cape Haze) took 40 minutes and netted 12 pounds of

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MAGAZINE

February

2009

Above: John Mehaffey empties the net from one trawl made south from marker No 1.

Below: John pulls his net down the harbor

shrimp.

When the Iron Ox goes out the dolphins in the harbor pick up the boat immediately, following behind the net, waiting for an easy meal. The night we went out a pod of four animals knew exactly which side of the boat to wait on when John sorted through the bycatch. Shorebirds by the hundreds also appeared out of the black night and hovered above.

John held a shrimp in his hand and closed his fingers around it, leaving only the wispy antennas sticking out. “This is the way shrimp protect themselves. They burry themselves in the sandy bottom, antennas up. All that sticks out is the antenna,” he said.

Shrimpers drag a ‘tickler’ chain across the bottom, the Chain contacts the shrimp’s antenna and a natural muscle reaction takes place. The shrimp’s legs only go one way so when they feel the chain they straighten their legs out and shoot up vertically about a foot or two from the sandy bottom. Following behind the chain and raised up off the bottom is the shrimp net. The jumping shrimp are swept up into the net.

A couple of years ago John had one dolphin that figured out how to untie the knot at the end of the net. “He’d undo the knot, eat what he could and then come to the surface looking right at me as if to say ‘I got you!’ I had to put two knots on the net rope that year just to keep him out of my catch.”

“The last thing I want to do is drag through a grass flat,” John says. “The grass fouls the chain and then net and stops the whole process, so we only drag

through the deeper holes in the Harbor,” John showed me his chart plotter with the course from the preceeding night. Tracks from south of Marker No 2 past Marker No 1 then down the harbor south and back north show a tight area. He got a little over a hundred pounds that night. A very good night might bring 300 or 400 pounds.

John sells his shrimp on the dock at Laishley Park Marina on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m till about noon.

It’s not an easy life. John is 67 years old, a former agricultural construction worker. “I leave before sunset and stay out most of the night. I get back to the dock around 5 a.m and by the time I wash down and get set up and ready for business it’s 6 am, then I can grab an hour’s sleep before opening for business.”

Customers come and go making small talk and John cheerfully shows some how to ‘pop’ the heads off pulling the vein out with it and how to peel the shell.

Twenty yeas ago there were 12 to 16 boats from Jacksonville here, 6 to 8 from Apalachicola and 15 local boats, but it’s slowed way down. “There is currently a federal moritorium on shrimping licenses so we’re not going to see new shrimpers any time soon,” John said, handing me a big bag of shrimp to take home. “Have them for breakfast,” he said, and I did.

Kayaking

February

2009

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Page 19

Manatees Everywhere!

By Davi d Al l en Water LIFE Kayaking What a Day! Manatees everywhere you looked. They were along the riverbanks, ghosting along alone or in groups of 7 or 8. They were in the quiet, warm holes out of the current, just drifting along, surfacing occasionally to breathe, as if they didn’t have a care in the world. They were in midstream…they were along the edges of the mangroves….everywhere you looked you saw manatees. Even downstream, where the warm waters from the powerplant discharge can no longer raise the water temperature..there were manatees.

Manatees were exploding out of the water, sometimes from right under a kayak, startling the paddler and almost capsizing the boat. Some manatees, calmly floating on their backs, seemed to be enjoying the commotion they were causing…..as if they were watching the clouds float by…taking it easy.

Manatee Park, along Highway 80 E. in North Fort Myers, had a carnival atmosphere as we pulled into the parking lot.

Although we arrived early, hundreds upon hundreds of nature lovers were already on site to see the manatees, either by paddling among them or from the wide observation platform located high above the rivers’ edge. The parking lots were full and the kayak launch area was crowded with boats

Above: A manatee at the Fort Myers manatee park soaks up the sun. Right: Port Charlotte Kayak Club members on the Orange River

of all colors. What a paddle! Our club drives from Port Charlotte to Manatee Park each winter to check out the manatees, but this year was exceptional. Last year, for whatever reason, we were not able to schedule the trip until late February, not a good time to see a lot of manatees. And true to form, we didn’t see a lot of manatees. This year we resolved to schedule in late January and what a difference that one month made.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Manatee Park, here’s the way it works. FPL has a power plant just across Highway 80 from the Park, and discharges hot-process water into the Orange River.

This warm water attracts the manatees and lures them upstream from the colder water of the Gulf and local streams. Usually, from about December through late February, you can see manatees in the river, but the best time is in January.

Climatic conditions can make a lot of difference, so it’s not always dependable.

This year the number of manatees was truly amazing. I would estimate our group, about 34 kayaks, saw 50 to 75 manatees, scattered all along the river. This too was

unusual. Several other kayak groups, and those visitors who rented kayaks from the park, filled the river with boats, but nothing could keep the manatees from performing for an appreciative audience.

And beyond kayaking to see manatees, the Park has special programs on manatees, beautiful gardens, and a picnic area.

Don’t miss this wonderful local attraction, but hurry. Only about 1 month left.

Special Note: Manatees are notoriously hard to photograph. They remain submerged much of the time; just surfacing briefly to fill their lungs. And a photograph taken through even a thin veil of water leaves a lot to be desired.

My friend and fellow club member, Skip Rasmussen, is an expert photographer in Punta Gorda, with the skills and equipment to get the best possible photos.

The manatee photos are the result of his expertise.

Now you have absolutely no excuse.

You have a shiney new kayak completely equipped, you are decked out to the 9's and you know where to go. So, Just Do It!

The Port Charlotte Kay ak ers meet each Wednesday ev ening at Port Charlotte Beach Park at 5:30 PM. All are welcome. For more information, contact me at 941-235-2588 or email to: dlaa@comcast.net. You can check out our upcoming paddles and ev ents at: pck ay ak ers.org Then come join us!

Kayakers pass the pilings for the new Coral Creek bridge at Placida. The old bridge will be placed on the Capt. Jeff Steele Reef.

Water LIFE

Page 20

Peace River Derelict Crab Trap Clean Up

February

MAGAZINE

2009

The Commercial Perspective

By Kel l y Beal , Water LIFE Peace Ri ver S eafood A group of local commercial crabbers have gotten together to plan a clean up event to remove derelict commercial traps.

The cleanup is scheduled for April 6.

For many years crabs were caught by trotline and dip nets, but by the mid 1950s the crab industry began to utilize the wire traps that are so prevalent today.

Ninety eight percent of the crabs caught in Florida come from these traps. They are very efficient. The trap has "cull" rings which allow all juvenile crab to escape as well as a wooden bio-panel that disintegrates to allow sea life out if it becomes a derelict trap.

A wire trap disintegrates pretty quick anyway, they rarely last more then a year and a half. Traps, more often then not, become derelict if another boat runs over the buoy and cuts it from the trap.

Another way to lose a trap is during strong storms when heavy currents cause the trap to roll and tear away from their buoy. The only way a crabber can ‘pull’ his trap is by getting hold of the buoy and pulling from there.

This buoy wasnʼt far from the trap shown at right. In an effort to keep boaters from entangling their props in crab trap buoy lines crabbers use a heavy ʻsink ropeʼ which lessens the danger of entanglement

When a crabber loses a trap it costs him about $40 so he's out one trap and has to replace it. No crabber wants to put his trap where other boaters will run it over. They value their traps and the catch they bring.

Starting this year there will be a crab trap closure during which all crabbers will be required to remove their traps from the water for up to 10 days. This year the dates are tentatively set for July 10th through the 19th. This will give the FWC sufficient time to retrieve any left over traps.

Derelict traps can be a navigational hazard to boaters. In an effort to clear our waters of derelict traps the local crabbers

have chosen to be proactive to solve this problem and plan an event to aid in the effort.

On Jan 24th a group out of Tampa did a crab trap clean up in Cockroach Bay in which they had 14 airboats participating and retrieved 100 traps.

If you see a derelict trap do not touch it!! These rules apply to everyone, including the commercial guys. We are working with the State (FWC) who pending approval of our management plan, has the authority to approve our cleanup event.

By definition a derelict trap is a trap that lacks more than two of the following 1. Buoy, 2. Buoy Line, 3. Current

FWC issued tag, 4. Current license.

FL Statue 370.135 says it is illegal to molest trap ropes or buoys and it's a felony, punishable up to five years in jail or a $5000 fine.

To help us in our effort to rid the Peace River of derelict traps you can call the Sea Grant office at 764-4342 with derelict trap locations and we will retrieve them during the April 6th clean up event!

Thank You in advance for your help. Stop in our restaurant and taste the delicious Florida Blue Crabs. We cook ‘em fresh to order.

Kelly Beal can be reached at 505-8440 Her husband Jimmy Beal is a commercial crabber in Charlotte County Punta Gorda Isles 2870sf air

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Harbor Views

Call the Captain! 171 Feet of

Sailboat Waterfront Harbor Views, Immediate Access, Water Views in every room! A 3/2/2, Pool & 1582sf Air .$319,000.

Pirate Harbor

Call the Captain! $479,000

Beautiful views and a mile long list of features and updates. 3/2/2, Pool, 1894sf air, “1991” with full 100’ of dock!

$249,000 oversize Waterfront Home

Call the Captain! Wide Open Floor Plan - Wide Open Water View and Completely Updated!

A 4/3/1 with 2506sf air.

Country Estate Built 1995

Call the Captain! One Of The Nicest Country Homes! Beautiful modern home in new condition on 2.5+ acres overlooking a pond. 4/2/2, 2239sf air, separate 900sf garage. $269,900.

Pirate Harbor

Call the Captain! Open Water View, Room for RV! Keys style stilt home, 2/2, 25 min to gulf, 3000sf+ total, built 1994, 4 car parking, RV pad, Boat Lift & davits. List Price $369,000.

PGI Sailboat Waterfront

Call the Captain! $369,900 Super nice Sailboat Waterfront home. A 3/2/2 with Pool, 1770sf air, “1981”, many upgrades and in one of the nicest sections of PGI.

Pirate Harbor $129,500

Call the Captain! Fantastically priced Sailboat Waterfront lot in a great neighborhood. Situated amongst nice homes with 100’ of water frontage this lot is a real steal!

Pending!

Call the Captain! Extraordinary details, custom built and high end upgrades. Stunningly set upon Beautiful intersecting canals in both directions. Offers 3/2.5/2, pool, 2420sf air, built “2000” $569,000

Port Charlotte WF

Call the Captain! Oversize Deep Sailboat WF Home! Many upgrades, 4/3/2, 2773sf Air, built1980. Two master bed rooms. Perfect for sailor, 5 min to Charlotte Harbor, an 18,000# cradle lift & 2 docks. $429,000

150ʼ Sailboat WF/4 Car Garage.

Call the Captain! Magnificent 4/2/2, pool, apprx. 2000sf, open floor plan, new granite kitchen and a wide water view. One minute to open water. $345,000

Punta Gorda Isles

Call the Captain! Waterfront Incredible views of open basin, perfectly located sailboat pool home- 5 minutes out! Open floorplan with master BR that has a 180 degree view water! $449,000.

Woodland Estates

Call the Captain! Beautiful Country Home Situated in Luxurious Woodland Estates! A 4/3/3 with a pool, 2800sf air, “1996” on ¾ of an acre. This is a very special home! $349,900.

February

2009

SCUTTLEBUTT

Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True

Tracking There was a hatchery redfish released in Tampa Bay five years ago that was recovered in Charlotte Harbor, and one of the Kids Cup sonic transmitter redfish was recaptured in the PGI canals last month.

Missing Receiver One of our VR2 sonic receivers (right) used to track redfish in the Kids Cup was attached to a marker inside Bass Inlet, just waterward of the bridge. The marker has now disappeared. If you know anything about this please contact Water LIFE at 766-8180. There is a reward!

Fish Stocking Carole Neidig a Mote Marine fishery biologist reported the state is again looking at establishing redfish hatcherys in Florida. Two pieces of property on the East Coast have been donated for hatchery space, the legisla-

Water LIFE

Page 21

MAGAZINE

ture is considering funding and the state is now looking at SW Florida, perhaps Charlotte Harbor, for another hatchery site.

County Cutback Now that Charlote County has predicted a $40Million shortfall they have gone to ʻperformance based budgeting.ʼ ... If itʼs not performing it doesnʼt get funded. Too bad they donʼt look at some of the top county administratorʼs salaries and apply the same logic.

Marine Task Force A new marine coordinating task force within Charlotte County will bring together Parks & Rec, Sea Grant, Dredging, Public Works, Natural Resources and Growth Management to help plan the countyʼs marine projects. This could be interesting!

Could this be true? According to the National Estuary Programʼs website the sea level at Punta Gorda will rise 3-feet in the next 90 years. Really?

Lost Luhrs? Luhrs and Mainship Yacht shipbuilding facility in St Augustine were shuttered and closed in late January. Company officials were not available by phone although an operator at a marina now taking their calls said Luhrs would be building ʻsome boatsʼ in New Jersey.

Walk on Water? – Running of the Bulls, Pampalona Spain

from Patrick McCarthy, Venice

Illegal Netting Again on the Increase. An abundance of Pompano has brought the netters out again with illegal multiple-pannel nets.

The Deadly Dozen : Charlotte Harbor FISHING GUIDES

Protected Habitat for Sawfish Areas are going in at Lee County and some might be proposed for Charlotte at Whidden Creek, Turtle Bay and Pine Island Sound.

Charters

Offshore Fishing Trips: 1/2 day • 8hr • 10 hr • 12 hr We help put your charters together

Shark, Tarpon, Grouper, Snapper, Kingfish, and MORE!

Nighttime Trips Available

Capt. Jim OʼBrien USCG 50 ton license since 1985

Bus: 941-475-5538 Res: 941-473-2150

Captain Robert Moore

When you absoloutely positively want to catch fish

(941) 624-5710 www.captRobertMoore.com

offshore/backcountry

Capt. Bart Marx, USCG Licensed & Insured Light Tackle Fishing Charlotte Harbor & SW Florida

(941) 255-3551

www.alphaomegacharters.com email:captbart@alphaomegacharters.com Half Day & Full Day trips.

Page 22

Fishing Report

Charlotte Harbor:

Robert at Fishin' Franks Port Charlotte: 625-3888

Recent cold fronts have chilled the water a little and tro ut are moving up the Harbor towards Alligator Creek and El Jobean. The bigger fish are still south around Pirate Harbor, Pine Island and Turtle Bay. Live shrimp under a poppin’ cork or a D.O.A. plastic shrimp will work as will the Zara Puppy for a top water bait. Any soft plastic on a jighead should also get a trout’s attention.

Sheeps head are still abundant at the Placida Trestle and are now moving into the Myakka River at Eljobean. A lot of sheepies are hanging at the Alligator Creek Reef as well. The nearshore reefs also have a lot of good size sheepshead right now. Fiddler crabs are the best choice for sheepshead, that or frozen sand fleas.

Po mpano fishing is great. This is a very, very phenomonal year for pompano. Drift along the flats out front of Bull and Turtle Bay or along the Intracoastal using a small bucktail pompano jig or one of the leaded-hook Crazy Jigs tipped with a shrimp, fiddler crab or

Water LIFE

sand flea. At Stump Pass or along the beaches, fan cast the area to find the fish. Light and slow jigging along the bottom is the trick. Sometimes, running along the flats, you can see them skipping out of the water. Stop and fish there.

Bl uefi s h and Spani s h mackerel are scattered out in the Harbor from the cold fronts. Look for the schools of glass minnows to find them. Look around Mkr No. 5 at Caper Haze Point and in Little Gasparilla Pass. There have been some three and four pound bluefish which is big around here.

If you can figure out the regulations on g ro uper, there are grouper and s napper at Boca Grande. Helen’s Novak, Trembly... all the inshore reefs have had some nice fish. Further out, you get bigger fish and some mang ro v e s napper and even some really nice tri g g er fi s h. At 40 to 50 miles out bl ackfi n tuna, do l phi n and a couple of waho o have been caught now.

There are a lot of small rat reds still around, there are some legal ones too, but you have to work the shorelines and sandholes. No reds up the rivers yet, and no small s no o k or tarpo n are showing in the river yet either. Maybe this month.

Co nti nued o n faci ng pag e

Trying to Make Sense of the new Grouper Regs.

It is no wonder everyone seems to be confused by the new grouper regulations that take effect this month. The State and the Feds are apparently on different planets.

Size limits on grouper for recreational fishermen have not changed (although size limits for commercial grouper fishermen have been reduced) and the recreational bag limit on grouper is still an aggregate of 5 fish for recreational anglers in both state and federal waters.

What did change is the closed seasons for

specific types of grouper (red, black and gag grouper) and the bag limits on reds in State waters.

S tate Waters: • In State waters gag grouper are closed for two months from Feb 1 to March 31 • You may keep no more than 2 gags out of the 5 fish aggregate limit.

• The limit on red grouper in state waters has increased to 2 fish out of the 5 fish aggregate.

• There is no closure on red grouper in

Free Shrimp!

One Dozen Regul ar S hri mp FREE when you menti on Water LIFE Limit one dozen per customer per visit. Offer expires March 1, 2009

El Jobean Bait & Tackle

Next to the Marathon Gas station at the north side of the El Jobean Bridge on hwy 776 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun – Thurs 6 a.m. – midnight Fri & Sat

941- 623-5883

Dozen Shrimp: $2.50 Regular $4 Hand Pick $5 Jumbo

MAGAZINE

Alex Florio and his son were drifting in about 50' of water on January 8 with a half of a spanish mackeral on a shark rig when they hooked this shark. It took them over an hour to get the shark up to the boat. It was 9-feet long and estimated to weigh between 250-300lbs.

Alex said it was the greatest thrill of their fishing careers to this point. We couldnʼt tell for sure if it was a bull or sandbar shark.

February

2009

Capt. Angel Torres put his client on this nice Charlotte Harbor snook last month. Snook wonʼt be back in season on Floridaʼs Gulf coast until March.

State waters.

This means when gag grouper are in season you could have 2 red grouper and 2 gag grouper in state waters and the 5th fish could be a scamp or a black grouper, but realistically that’s not likely to happen because legal scamp and black grouper are not often caught.

Federal Waters: • In Federal waters gag grouper is closed for two months from Feb 1 to March 31 • In Federal waters both red and black grouper are closed 30 days from Feb 15 to March 15.

That means that for the two weeks before and after the gag closure (the time from Feb

1 to Feb 14 and from March 16 to March 31) red and black grouper is still open in Federal waters.

• In Federal waters, the aggregate limit for grouper is the same 5 fish as in State waters, but in Federal waters the bag limit for red grouper has not increased and is still 1 red grouper per person.

That means in Federal waters you could have 2 gags and 1 red. So to make the 5 aggregate fish limit in Federal waters, the remaining two fish could be scamp or black grouper, but the likelihood of finding a legal keeper scamp or black grouper is equally as unrealistic in Federal waters.

Read this again.

Now read it a third time!

February

2009

Water LIFE

F i s h i n g The The BIG-4 BIG-4 Report continued

.

Fish live or frozen shrimp for the reds. Cut ladyfish hasn’t POMPANO: Out in front of been working that well and Bull and Turtle Bay, close to neither has pinfish. the Intracoastal and Passes There are still a lot of bonnethead sharks around along the bar at Cape Haze, on the east side around Hobbs Point and around the fish shacks in Pine Island. For freshwater, Crappi e is still phenomonal since the cold has them all balled-up tight.

Fish Fish to to expect expect in in February February

SNAPPER: Reportedly thick offshore in 30 to 60 feet of water

Lemon Bay:

Jim at Fishermen’s Edge, Englewood: 697-7595

MAGAZINE

Fishing is fairly decent. Guys have had good luck with reds and trout fishing Exude Dart and Cotee Chubby Grubs in golden brim or green with the orange flake are what’s working around here. Or Capt Steveʼs try a Riptide Culprit in the darker colors Offshore report Fishing these last few weeks has been like smoking gold or rootbeer. The Rattle nothing short of non-stop action.

Pretty hot and heavy for January, a month Shrimp Power Bait by Berkley is another good bait right now. Trout over 20 inch- normally reserved strictly for bottom fishing.

We have been blessed with a kingfish run es have been coming from Pine Island that started back in early November and has and the Whidden Creek areas where there not even started to slow down.

We have been finding these fish everyis good water flow and plenty of grass. where from right up on the beach around the The sheepshead bite has been pretty bait pods first thing in the morning all the way out to some of the "way out wrecks" offgood at the phosphate dock. There are shore. some in the channel going out of If these fish follow the pattern they did last year they will be here all the way through Gasparilla Marina too.

April!

There have been some pompano Putting these fish in the cooler is pretty around, but every day they are in a differ- simple, just leave a live bait swimming around behind the boat while youʼre bottom ent spot. Look for pompano at Stump fishing.

Pass and Gasparilla Pass or around in the Rig with wire to avoid cut-offs and have a good quality reel with a smooth drag, ready Intracoastal down toward Devilfish Key. for a smoker if one should come along.

Jig fish the Silly Willy jig or Doc’s jigs.

Offshore, the amberjack fishing is on fire.

If you want to get your arm's ripped right out A lot of guys don’t even tip them. their sockets just drift over one of the Some nice grouper have been caught of many deep wrecks off of our coast with a offshore and in the passes lately on cut live bait down, and hold on tight.

While youʼre offshore don't over look botsardines and threadfins, or on jigs if they tom fishing these same deep wrecks this are out deep enough or trolling with a month and next. They are holding huge schools of yellowtail and mangrove snapper. deep diving plug.

TROUT Moving up the harbor SHEEPSHEAD: around the or on the grass flats when its intracoastal and moving up the harbor now warm

Page 23 2009 KIds Cup April 25.

Applications Available

C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s

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941 - 625-5002

Feb 19: CCA Banquet and Aucti on, Charlotte Events Center, 6 p.m., For information / reservations call 505-1344

February 28: Charl otte Warri or’s Tournament at Laishley Park Marina.

February 28: Bai t Catchi ng S ki l l s S emi nar, 10 a.m., West Marine, Port Charlotte, with Capt Bart Marx. Free

March 28: Grady Whi te Captai n’s & Fi rst Mate’s S ymposi um and Boat S how, Charlotte Event and Confrence Center 941-347-8086 April 25: Water LIFE Ki ds Cup Tournament, Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda 766-8180

Fishing with light tackle and live shrimp should produce some really nice big snapper.

Working our way back inshore, red grouper are piled up on the hard bottom spots in 60-75 feet of water.

Live pinfish are getting the best bite, but big cut baits are working too.

As far as the gag grouper, every ledge out there from just 25 feet of water all the way out past 100 feet is just full of gags right now.

Getting a limit of these guys really is easy right now so long as the water stays clear.

Fishing RIGHT NOW:

Still Great!

Just troll over your favorite ledges and wrecks with deep diving plugs, if the waterʼs clear the gags will nail ʻem.

After you bang a couple out on plugs, go back and anchor-up. Drop the live baits down, this should result in almost instant hook ups.

They can swim....but they can't hide!

You can call Capt Steve at (941) 575-3528 for an offshore trip, for fishing advice or questions.

February

2009

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Page 24