Water LIFE Jan 2005

Wa t e r L I F E

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Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay Florida

Keeping Boaters and Fishermen Informed

January 2005 Scuttlebutt

Fishing the PGI Canals for Reds P a g e 1 8

Selling Off The Landscaping Page 20

Local Paddles Page 21

2005 Fishing Calendar Where, When and How page 16-17

www.CHARLOTTEHARBORMAGAZINE.COM

Water Quality

Who Checks It? Page 5

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MAGAZINE

January

2005

January

Water LIFE

2005

Less Water For The Fish To Hide In

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE editor Riding in my truck on one of the particularly cold and windy days last month, I asked my friend Capt. Ralph who is a commercial guide, if he wanted to go out and catch a fish – any fish – right then – and be back in the shortest period of time, what would he do.

He thought for a minute and then he said “First, I’d go up to Frank’s and get some live shrimp.”

Franks, of course is Fishin' Franks bait and tackle, and shrimp is the bait of choice right now since shiners and pinfish can be hard to come by in a 20 knot blow.

“Then I’d go into one of the canals in Punta Gorda Isles and catch a mangrove snapper. It shouldn’t be too hard,” he said.

By boat or by truck it really wouldn’t matter. The conversation spoke volumes to the enduring ‘fishability’ of the area we live in.

On any given day, under almost any conditions we can go fishing and usually be productive. Where ever the wind is blowing from, there is a lee shore or a canal somewhere not too far away that you can fish.

However, if you want not-just-any fish but you want to target quality fish – like redfish – the trick often boils down to finding the right spot where the water is moving and being there when the fish come by.

Capt. Andrew Medina proved that on

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another windy day in late December.

For the last four months Capt.

Andrew has been writing a fishing column for us. I got to know Andy as one of the top five guides in our Kids Cup tournament last summer but I hadn’t fished with him before.

The plan made the night before was to meet at the Ponce park ramp at 9 a.m. and head down the Harbor, but in the morning the wind was blowing hard and the Harbor was white-capped.

“Lets fish the PGI canals,” Capt.

Andy suggested. It was a better idea than taking a beating and all I wanted to do was try out some new soft plastic shrimp, anyway.

“I’ve probably got a dozen spots North wind and low tides combined last month to reduce the areas where fish could hide. This month back here that we have been fishing there will be more very low tides mid month and a good chance to see spots you never saw before. since I was a kid,” Andy told me as we idled around the perimeter of the no time I had a 7- pound fish hanging on Andrew on this month’s cover is the result. canal system where mangroves overhang the Boga.

Impressive.

By 11 am the wind was blowing harder the edge. “The water here will start moving “We always get fish back here,” Andrew but the sun was warming things up. Still, soon,” Andrew said. Moving water was the said as we caught and released redfish after we both had other things to do. key. Read his column on page 18. redfish until we had counted over 30 of “For this time of year those were really A lot of guides I know won’t play their them – not all big ones, but not a lot of nice fish,” Andrew observed, happily satisbest fishing card first. More often than not, little rat-reds either nice fish ... on live fied, as we headed back in. they will try a few spots where they think shrimp and on the new super-stinky Gulp I talked to some people last month who there might be fish, but they will often 400-X shrimp, tail hooked on the same live said the fishing was not so good, but others save their ‘best’ spots until later. But this shrimp rig with a split shot.

It didn’t matwere more optimisticl. wasn’t going to be a fishing ‘trip’ this was ter.

“There is less water for the fish to hide just an hour or two to throw some plastics In the end it all worked out better than in,” one fisherman said, so I guess it all get some photos. either of us expected and the picture of depends who you ask.

We warmed up with live shrimp and in

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MAGAZINE

2005ʼs First Deadbeat Report

Water LIFE Commentary

By Michael Heller In time hurricane Charley will be looked at as either the storm that cleaned up and revitalized our county or the one which brought the roaches and rats out of the woodwork.

We are sorry to have to report that one of the most disappointing new arrivals on the local scene appears to be a company called Charlotte Harbor Development. Their project, known as either The Preserve or Forelands depending on which promotion you read, is located just north of the US 41 bridge on the east side of the river where Peppin’s Restaurant once stood. The name Dream Resorts has also associated with Charlotte Harbor Development’s project.

In an initial effort to gain community support the project took out advertising with local publications (this one included) signed up for sponsorship rights with a team in the Redfish Cup (they ‘hooked’

Capts. Rob Moore and Bob Boudreau) and donated a 7-day high end stay at their resort as a special prize which was won by Capt.

Tom Fisher at the Kids Cup benefit tournament last summer.

Charlotte Harbor Development’s Forelands name was highly visible when it came to the local exposure A section of the Forlands ad for Charlotte Harbor they wanted, but when the sumDevelopmentʼs project. Weʼll never forget them either. mer was over they had left us all unpaid and the Kids Cup prize is Dream Resorts and that Dream Resorts apparently now worthless. went belly-up, but that doesn’t really matAfter hurricane Charley, they tried to ter. These are big businessmen who are blame their lack of funds on the storm, but looking to become part of the Charlotte their account with us was overdue long Harbor community. The people in the front before August. office appear to be shielding the owners For months there has been a significant who choose to remain anonymous. amount of finger pointing but to date no We would urge the county’s tourism one appears willing to lift a finger to write bureau, the visitor’s bureau and the better a check. business bureau to investigate their tactics Charlotte Harbor Development is saying in this community. it’s not their bill, that they already paid

LETTER TO WATER LIFE

Dear Water LIFE I just read the article in your December issue "PETA POSITION" and this is the most absurd, utterly ridiculous, laughable thing I have ever read. These people need to get a life. If fish are so smart why do they bite a

hook and why are they using dogs and cats as a for instance, they may as well use humans.

I think these people should find a better way to spend our tax dollars.

My husband and I are commercial crabbers or we were before the

hurricanes came along and blew away every trap we owned and we both also love to fish and eat fish, shrimp and eat shrimp, crab and eat crab, etc., what next they going to tell us shrimp are smart and shouldn't be caught and or eaten.

I guess we are all supposed to eat grass like these idiots do, because if they get their way on this one what next; pigs, chickens, cows!!

Respectfully submitted, Vicki Garrett Punta Gorda, Florida

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Contributing Editors:

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 Cartoons: Ron Mills Kayaks: David Allen PGI: Capt. Andrew Medina

on the COVER:

Capt. Andrew Medina with a redfish caught in the PGI Canals

on our WEBSITE:

WWW.charlotteharbormagazine.com

Tide Graphs: For Punta Gorda, Shell Point, El Jobean, Pine Island, Matlacha, Redfish Pass, and Lemon Bay. Weather: Links to all of our favorite weather and radar web-sites.

Back editions: Pages of previous editions

Artificial Reefs: Lat. and Long. for 24 local artificial reefs

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 realestate advertisers

Water LIFE

Who Checks Our Water?

What Does It All Mean?

January

2005

Editor Notes * Betty Staugler is the new Charlotte County Sea Grant Agent. She has an extensive backround in water quality monitoring so we asked for her view on the conditions in Charlotte Harbor

By Betty S taugler Charlote County Sea Grant Maintaining good water quality is essential to maintaining the health of our harbor. Water quality refers to the condition of water relative to legal standards, social expectations or ecological health. In order to track water quality conditions in the harbor and identify specific areas of concern, long term water quality monitoring is a must.

There are a number of organizations monitoring water quality in Charlotte Harbor and its adjacent tributaries.

They include: Florida Department of Environmental Protection – Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves volunteers conduct monthly sunrise sampling at 40+ fixed locations from Lemon Bay to Estero Bay. Initiated in 1996, trained volunteers sample mostly near shore shallow waters. Sunrise sampling serves to

identify dissolved oxygen levels (necessary for plant & animal survival) at their lowest levels. Data from Lemon Bay is available online at:"http://www.checflorida.org/chec/ waterquality_home.htm" Charl otte County S tormwater – Monitors water quality at 30 randomly selected locations monthly, by dividing the estuary into distinct regions and then randomly selecting 5 points within each region (i.e. 5 in the Lemon Bay region, 5 in the Gasparilla Sound region, ect.).

Initiated in 2001, the random design allows more of the harbor to be sampled, which over time produces more statistically valuable information.

Data is available online at: http://www.checflorida.org/chec/wate rquality_home.htm Lee County waters are also sampled using the same monitoring approach.

Peace River Manasota Regional Water S upply Authority – Monitors water quality in the Peace River at fixed stations and moving isohaline (salinity) stations. Initiated in the 1970s, to ensure water withdrawls do not adversely affect downstream harbor health.

City of Punta Gorda – Monitors water quality in Shell Creek to ensure water withdrawls do not adversely affect downstream water quality.

Florida Department of Agriculture – Monitors water

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quality continuously at the Sandfly aquaculture site in Gasparilla Sound.

Monitoring was initiated to allow clam farmers the ability to better predict changing water quality conditions, which could potentially impact clam survival and harvest.

Data is available online at: http://www.floridaaquaculture.com/S ondes/sonde_CharlotteHarbor.htm Fl ori da Department of Health – Monitors bacteria levels at public bathing beaches. Data is available online at: http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm 00beachwater/default.aspx

I

nformation collected by each of these programs is used by State and Federal agencies to determine whether the water quality is meeting its designated use (drinking water, shellfish harvesting, or recreational).

The water quality buzz word, IWR (impaired waters rule) refers to legal guidelines for specific water quality parameters (nutrients, bacteria, ect.).

If a water body or water body segment does not meet the IWR then it receives a TMDL (total maximum daily load). A TMDL is essentially a plan which outlines actions that will be taken to get water quality back to meeting the IWR. The three parameters which have exceeded the IWR most frequently in Charlotte Harbor are dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and bacteria (in shellfish).

Water quality impairments and potential impairments identified by FDEP for Charlotte Harbor and its tributaries, show dissolved oxygen (DO) impairments in the canals of Port Charlotte and Harbor Heights, for Alligator Creek (North Fork), Alligator Creek in Lemon Bay (Sarasota Co.), Gottfried Creek, Rock Creek, Oyster Creek, and Buck Creek. In addition, although not a legal impairment, declining DO trends have also been noted (CHNEP 2003) for much of Charlotte Harbor.

DO refers to the concentration of oxygen that is available for plant and animal survival. DO is produced by aquatic plants during photosynthesis.

Because plants require sunlight to produce oxygen, levels are naturally highest during the daytime. At night, plants and animals still require DO; however it is no longer being created by plants, because of the lack of sunlight. Therefore by early morning DO levels are at their lowest.

In areas where excess nutrient (typically nitrogen or phosphorus) loads occur, increased amounts of algae will cause DO concentrations to decline. This is because although algae contribute to DO, their use of it, along with bacteria’s use of it when algae dies (bacteria degrades dead plant material), can use more DO than is produced. In these situations, low oxygen concentrations (hypoxia) or loss of all oxygen (anoxia) causes the death of invertebrates and fishes.

Nutrients [nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)] naturally occur in aquatic systems, where they largely control plant growth. When excess nutrients are added to the water, algae blooms o c c u r .

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The result is less light available for the seagrasses and eventual seagrass loss. Phosphorus is often the ‘limiting’ nutrient in freshwater systems, meaning the addition of P stimulates plant growth. Nitrogen is more frequently limiting in the marine environment. Nitrogen, which is the limiting nutrient for Charlotte Harbor, is a key component in chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants. There are three primary sources of human-derived N, wastewater, fertilizer, and atmospheric pollution.

FDEP shows nutrient impairments for Coral Creek (east branch), the lower Myakka River, Shell Creek, and upper Lemon Bay (Sarasota County).

High bacteria levels in shellfish are another concern, with most of Charlotte County estuary waters affected by impairment. Bacteria levels are typically highest in the summer months when the water is warm and frequent rains flush untreated stormwater into the harbor. Bacteria live in the guts of warm blooded animals. High bacteria levels are most often the result of failing septic systems and/or runoff of domestic and wild animal wastes. Because shellfish are filter feeders, bacteria present in water accumulate in the shellfish.

When water column bacteria levels exceed state standards, shellfish harvesting areas are closed.

It’s not all grim, part of solving a problem is knowing one exists.

Many coordinated Federal, State, and local programs are underway to restore habitat and improve the quality of stormwater before it reaches the harbor. Hopefully each of us are doing our part to reduce our own personal stormwater runoff to the har-

SOME WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE INCLUDE:

n Don’t overuse fertilizers, especially near the waters edge. n Do use plants to create a buffer between your yard and the water. n Don’t throw grass clippings into the water. n Do support efforts to improve our knowledge.

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January

2005

January

Water LIFE

2005

Dock Permits Ransomed in Braden

Compi l ed By Water LIFE Staff A dispute between the federal government and Florida state officials in Manatee county has halted new dock construction on the Braden River while the two sides argue over 25-mph speed zones.

Permits for dock construction must be approved by the federally controlled Army Corps of Engineers. Withholding dock permits has been a tactic used by the Federal Fish and Wildlife service to strong arm state and local municipalities into compliance with federal regulations.

The state’s speed zone is currently in place on the Braden River, but the federal government says it doesn't provide adequate protection for manatees so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has vowed not to allow any new docks to be built in areas where federal scientists say state and county protections are inadequate. State and county officials are resisting efforts to make the zones more strict and the end result is that locals fear new dock permits on the Braden River could be in limbo indefinitely.

On every other waterway in Manatee County all three levels of government are in agreement on the level of manatee protections, but on the Braden River the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service says a 25-mph zone in the mid-section of the river is too fast. It wants a slow zone to cover most of the river, but county and state officials are resolved to keep the 25-mph channel down the middle.

Signs for the new county wide regulations will start going up this month and once that happens, the rest of the county will deemed to be in compliance and dock permits in other areas will be released.

Scott Calleson, a state Conservation Commission biologist, said that he expects dock building on the majority of Braden River to remain on hold.

Charles Underwood, spokesman for U.S. Fish and Wildlife, said "the service is not issuing any permits for the area it thinks inadequate." Calleson said it is unlikely the state would revise their adopted regulations.

Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash said scientific research did not demonstrate the need for the elimination of the mid-river 25-mph zone and the county and state had worked out a good compromise with boaters who stood adamantly against strict federal speed controls. "Our process is done," McClash said.

This is a new addition to Water LIFE. Sponsored by realtor Lori Moore (wife of our senior guide Capt.

Robert Moore) We encourage readers to send or e-mail (waterlife@comcast.net) a photo of their recent catch or a newsworthy fish photo. Photos selected for publication will receive a $25 gift certificate courtesy of Lori, to Laishley Marine or Fishinʼ Franks.

Photos will not be returned and may not have been previously published elsewhere. Remember to include caption information

The Florida and Fish and Wildlife's Stock Enhancement program released more than 400,000 1-to-2 inch redfish into the Alafia River in December bringing the number of red drum released in this project since January 2000 to more than 4 million,.

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Inside the Bar

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By Capt . R obert Moore Water LIFE Staff Inside the bar that runs south along the east shoreline of Charlotte Harbor the average water depth ranges from 2-5 feet depending on the tide.

One day last month there was land showing where I have never seen land showing before. On that day the tide was predicted at a negative 5. Along with the strong north wind I estimate the tide height was around a negative 1.2.

My jaw almost dropped to the deck when I looked down along the east shoreline south of Alligator Creek. Not only did I see the sandy bottom but a stump field scattered so thick I was amazed I had not destroyed my lower unit running through it the week prior on a much higher tide.

Last August, Hurricane Charley passed right over this area packing winds in excess of 150 mph, scattering tree branches and debris up and down the shore from Alligator Creek to Burnt Store Marina. On the higher tides you will see the larger piles of debris sticking a few inches above the surface. I remember thinking to myself ‘with good concentration I should have no problem navigating down the shore and not hitting anything.’ I no longer believe this to be even remotely true.

Most of what I saw was branches, but I did see a few piles of debris that I am guessing to be parts of roofs or docks.

Either way, everything I saw was not lower-unit friendly. Be cautious if you plan on running down the east side of Charlotte

Harbor inside the bar. My luck seems to be running a bit thin these days, so now I will only run on the outside of the bar when fishing in this area.

Of all the shorelines I have seen in Charlotte Harbor, the east side seems to be the worst. I did note lots of debris on the west wall of Charlotte Harbor but not near as much as on the east side. Bull and Turtle Bays have some debris, but for the most part they are fairly clean and safe to run in.

If you want to get a good feel for the flats that are safe to run, pick a low tide the Pass all the way past the Manasota Key Bridge.

West side of Marker 19 to Marker 21. The The water here is now so clear that you would think you are in the Florida Keys. This is a good area to drift over the shallow grass beds for trout... When the water is really flowing, just anchor and put out a chum block and you will usually bring in mackerel and blue fish.

The area in front of Mad Sam’s restaurant, south to Aingers Creek is a productive; especially at low

From Capt. Ron Blago

The area south of Stump Pass, Ski Alley, Rag Alley and the grass flats just south of the pass were the good spots up until a few years ago and they are still good; but the dredging of the pass has increased the flow and the clarity of the water coming into Lemon Bay so much that a whole new group of hot spots have developed to the north of

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Looking south from Alligator Creek the view is to the left of the island cluster called ʻCrab Trapʼ on a very low tide.

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day where the tide height is in the minus and go look around. You quickly learn where everything is.

The good news is, I am finding the fish seem to like the remodeling Hurricane Charley did. I have found that debris within 100 feet of a shoreline will sometimes hold fish. One hurricane inspired pattern I found to be very productive last week was on a higher tide I would move from one debris pile to another throwing live shrimp on a jig head right next to it. Redfish and mangrove snapper were the most consistent catches, but we did have several small

tide. This is reachable by small boats only.

Remember that this is now a Federal Manatee Protection Zone. A speeding ticket from the Feds will cost you big bucks.

North of the Tom Adams Bridge, between Markers 24 and 26 on the west side of the bay has always been a good producing spot. It has some of the deepest water grass beds in Lemon Bay. Besides the usual trout and ladyfish, You can catch reds, sharks, bluefish and legal cobia in this area.

snook on the line as well.

If you decide to fish on the east shoreline of Charlotte Harbor and want to try this pattern you will have no problem finding enough piles of debris to cast at.

Just be extremely careful getting there and make sure you have some extra tackle on board.

You can reach Capt. Robert Moore for fishing information or to book a charter fishing trip at (941) 637-5710 or (941) 6282650 or contact him v ia e-mail at tarponman@comcast.net

The sandbars and oyster bars in front of Royal Palm Marina will usually hold snook and redfish.

All the docks on the west side of Marker 38 from Forked Creek to the Manasota Key Bridge are great spots for snook, redfish and sheepshead.

Manasota Key Bridge has become the new snook hot spot in Lemon Bay. All the area on both sides of the bridge has given up some large fish in the last few months. This is also a good area for winter flounder.

January

2005

Water LIFE

Page 9

MAGAZINE

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Water LIFE

Page 10

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January

2005

STEERING CURRENTS

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Editor Last year many wanna-be meteorologists gained additional insight into the effects of approaching cold fronts. They found that an approaching cold front, steered by the jet stream, can ‘blow’ a hurricane around like a balloon in a breeze.

Balloon pilots study the weather in more detail than most average guys since weather is an important factor in every balloon flight.

Usually they want calm winds for a balloon flight, but not always.

I received my own insight into balloons and steering currents created by weather systems in May of 1980 when a father and son team of balloonists who lived near by decided to fly their gas balloon named Kitty Hawk from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic shore. It was to be the first non-stop transcontinental balloon flight ever made.

I was living in New Mexico at the time. New Mexico is the epicenter when it comes to world class ballooning. The annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October draws over 600 balloons which ascend en-mass several times during the week long Fiesta. It is an awesome sight.

Max Anderson and his son Kristen were part of a wealthy family of ranchers living in Albuquerque.

It was Max’s goal to be the first person to circumnavigate the globe by balloon. When I first met Max he had already crossed the Atlantic in a balloon called Double Eagle II and the transcontinental flight across the USA would qualify as the second segment.

For a balloon to travel great distances it must use the weather.

Distance balloonists seek out a small high pressure area which is sandwiched between two rapidly moving low pressure areas. Since the lows are associated with cold fronts the weather where the balloon flys is relatively clear but the weather in front of and behind it is generally crummy.

The Anderson team watched the weather carefully until the conditions were just right. A front that trailed off to the north or south was unacceptable. They needed a west to east freight train to hop onto.

Max and Kristen took off from southern California on May 8. For them to capture the record they had to ascend from somewhere within sight of the Pacific and land somewhere within sight of the Atlantic.

I fly little airplanes and at the time I was working for Newsweek

The Kitty Hawk at 17,000 feet. Balloonists flying long distances rely on fast moving cold fronts to propell them along.

magazine. Before Max took off I arranged to reconnoiter with him aloft when he crossed the continental divide and photograph the Kitty Hawk in flight.

The balloon was in radar contact with Air Traffic Control for the entire flight so I easily got radar vectors straight to the balloon, but weather was a factor.

My flight in was at 20 or 21,00 feet on top of a solid deck of clouds - skirting the shell of the cold front that was coming in ahead of the balloon. It was rough in the clouds over the mountains, but when I got close to the balloon the clouds were scattered, as predicted. I was in the area of higher pressure.

It was late afternoon when I finally caught up to them over a military operations bombing range in Utah.

Most local balloons you see are hot air balloons, colorful ‘envelopes’ kept aloft by noisy blasts of hot air from a propane burner. Long distance balloons are prefilled with hydrogen from a truck before they ascend. Long distance ballooning is totally silent.

“We heard you coming five miles away,” Max would later tell me, in spite of the fact that I had throttled my engine back to idle and made a

long, slow, gliding approach.

When I approached the Kitty Hawk for the first time I could see Max standing at a small shelf which encircled the open air gondola. He was cooking a clearly recognizable can of Campbell’s soup. My pass was close enough to wave hello.

Then I made some photographs, we talked over the radio awhile and finally I headed back home, flying from the scattered clouds around the balloon back into the clouds.

Three days later, as Max and Kristen approached the coast of Quebec, I was aboard a commercial flight to Boston. There I rented a small plane and headed out to meet them in flight again.

Max and Kristen landed in Matanne on the shore of the St Lawrence Seaway within sight of the Atlantic. The record was theirs.

The jet stream had steered the remnants of one little high pressure area, sandwiched between two rapidly moving on just the right west to east track to carry the two men into the history books.

It was a similar scenario that saw approaching weather from the central part of the United States steer hurricane Charley right up into Charlotte Harbor.

Fishing the Northeast Blow January

2005

By Capt. Chuck Ei chner Water LIFE Gasparilla Editor Winter fishing is challenging regardless of where you live. My countless winter fishing escapades years ago on the Chesapeake Bay left me dreaming of warm, calm days of backcountry fishing in Florida. The reality however was a little different. Charlotte Harbor still has that miserable winter wind and a chill that causes me to bundle up.

That wind is often from the northeast and it can make things a little challenging. Add to that cold water (yes, 70 degrees is cold to these fish), and you basically have a winter fishing pattern.

Gone are the days of fishing the mangrove bushes. In fact, on many days there isn’t enough water to run your boat inside of the sandbars that run parallel to both the east and west walls of the harbor. When the wind blows strong and steady out of the north-northeast, it also causes a strong out-flowing tidal pull which in turn causes extra low tides. Winter tidal patterns at best may have high tides that are 1.5’ above low water and lows that are negative.

So when the wind blows out of the northeast what is an angler to do? The simple answer is to fish the closest deepest water. All of the fish on the flats have to get off because they can literally lose all their water. Most fish pull to the outside of the bars but they can be difficult to locate. I prefer to use a spoon or weighted shrimp to cover lots of water to locate schools of trout and an occasional redfish. You will find little hotspots where the fish are grouped up but you may have to cast blindly for an hour before striking gold.

I really enjoy this time of year because one can learn a lot about the bottom features. The water is now extremely clear and visibility to over 5 feet is possible. If you own

Water LIFE

P a g e 11

MAGAZINE

a flats boat, it is the perfect time to pole on the higher tidal phases. You will see undercut bushes, potholes and troughs that you never knew where there. Just find a pothole that has 3-4 feet in it on a low tide and you will find fish. This is also the time of year when I stumble onto shallow water wrecks and debris on the bottom. These spots are absolute fish magnets when the water is higher and are hidden with grassbeds in the warmer months.

River systems like Alligator Creek, Ponce Inlet, Peace, Myakka and other tidal outflows are fish magnets. The headwaters of these outflows are further inland, mapped with canals and the water is heated as the day progresses.

Our sub-tropical fish love warmth this time of year.

These same outflows are now full of small baitfish.

Watch the waters carefully with your polarized sunglasses and when you see the baitfish, the gamefish are nearby.

Trout will be the easy targets but small reds, sheepshead

The redfish shown here appears to have had a narrow escape. Note the gashes (perhaps teethmarks from something big) on both sides of its head.

and the occasional snook will be in the same areas.

I find the outgoing tides tend to congregate the fish and put them in an eating mood. Be careful not to get trapped in shallow water on that outgoing tide and plan your day around the high tide mark if you’re on the flats.

Perhaps best of all is that you will have the waterways pretty much to yourself. Pick your days carefully when crossing the Harbor or stay in the protected waters of the Peace or Myakka River. The east side of the Harbor will offer protection on a northeasterly wind and makes for calm backwaters. For bait, live shrimp rigged weedless or on a jighead will catch just about everything.

Capt. Chuck Eichner operates Action Flats Back country Charters. He can be found online at: www.back country -charters.com or for a guided fishing trip call 941-505-0003.

Charlotte Harbor’s most popular boat and motor from the #1 Action Craft and Yamaha dealer Come by for your piece of the ‘Action’ 3300 Palm Beach Blvd. (Exit 25) Ft. Myers • (239) 334-3424

Page 12

Water LIFE

Burrr and howdy to all my fellow Eskimos out here in Florida.

MAGAZINE

January

2005

A maintenance barge sits aground blocking the channel into Punta Gorda Isles in mid December. Low tides accompanied by north winds exposed the bottom a lot last month

By Fi shi n’ Frank Water LIFE Grand Advisor I am not sure if howdy is the correct greeting for Eskimos but rubbing noses is just not for me. December was a fairly good fishing month if you had wooly underwear, and enjoy the body rush of shivering uncontrollably.

It brings back the memorys of ice fishing in Wisconsin and walking out on the lake. No, I am not a supreme being, it was frozen. Everything was frozen.

Chopping holes through two feet of ice. The first years with hatchets and a long steel bar. Then with a hand cranked auger. And in the last year using a motorized augers. But however much easier it

is, motorized augers are for wimps, in Wisconsin.

Up there you gotta' be a man. There is nothing like having your hands stuck frozen to a steel bar while pounding a hole through the ice. Another favorite tool is best stolen from mom’s kitchen. Nothing works better than a spaghetti strainer for skimming built up ice from the hole. All this just so you can catch two pound fish.

To be fair, yellow perch caught in cold water are one of the finest meals you could wish for. But man, you got to want it.

That said, it is still the thought of the rare times and the excitement of the big fish hook up that keeps people coming back. The fight with these fish is not so

much you can’t land it. The hard part is can you get it up through the hole.

Holding your fish with 4-pound-test line while franticly chopping to widen the hole in order to land the fish without knocking it off the hook, and not realizing you are now all wet and will soon become a pop sicle. That’s the important part.

No fancy tents or shacks with heat for us. We went back to the truck and waited for the heater to warm up. But gas was only 28 cents a gallon then.

While you were getting warm you watched the lake for tip ups. Little flags set like a spring loaded trap that would set the hook and pop up a flag when you had a fish. The best ones were the ones used at night. They had liquid mercury in them.

When the fish hit a lever would release a spring loaded flag with a light on it. Then the mercury would run to the bottom of a glass cylinder, connect the two wires and the light would go on. Dad and his buddies would have had a few peppermint schnapps by them and a couple of beers, and lots of cucumbers and onions soaked in vinegar with venison steaks. Those of us not old enough to drink would have to go out on the ice when ever a light would go on and check the tip ups for fish. The menu is one of the reasons hunters and fishermen get up and out early in the morning. How long would you stay in the cabin the morning after that feast? Ah the good old days...brrrrr!

Back to the present.

The Sunday after Christmas, Dad and I headed out, going north from Fishin’ Franks on U.S. 41 to 776 and then west toward El Jobean. We turned right on Biscayne.

About a block in we stopped at the first canal. This canal has one culvert pipe to let the water flow under the roadway both ways. Both sides appear to be brackish water.

So snook fishing on either side is possible. Because of the cold, we each only made a few casts and did not get any hits.

Back in the truck and just ahead there is another canal this one has real possibili-

ties. The canal is divided fresh water and salt or brackish water by a weir system.

The east or left side is fresh water.

Great looking canal for bass. I talked to a guy who had been fishing there. He had caught four bass on a top water plug that morning, so I took out a Zppin Ziggy and started walking the dog slowly next to the weed lines. Six casts and I had one fish half heartily roll at Ziggy but no hook up.

I am not sure the guy I talked to was being really truthful about the four bass he caught. After all he was wearing shorts and just a shirt compared to my jeans, insulated shirt, jacket and heavy socks, and I was still cold. Maybe he escaped from a facility somewhere or was just a really good fisherman from a colder planet.

Dad was fishing the right side where the weir system over flowed to the salt water thru several large culvert pipes. The three pipes on the left were really flowing fast. The second one had hundreds of what looked like glass minnows in the mouth of the pipe and twice I heard something big hit inside of the pipe.

We fished for twenty minutes or so.

Dad had a hit on his lure. What lure was it? You should know by now.

OK let’s make a game of it. If you can tell me what lure he uses when fishing new areas I will buy you a dozen regular size shrimp. Contest ends on Jan 15th.

You must come into the store to win.

As for our day fishing, the score was fish 21. Frank and Frank one roll one hit.

Winner: the fish.

Glad this year is over. Now we are looking forward to 2005 with a brand new Fishin’ Franks shop to serve you. Stop in and say Hi. ... and Happy New Year

Fishin Frank or Robert can be reached at the store for fishing information or help with selecting the right equipment and the phone is work ing again. Call 625-3888

Unstable Grounds January

2005

An intermittent short gave us fits until we finally tracked it down. But you canʼt tell which connector failed by looking at it. See other photo.

S taff R eport There is nothing more miserable than a 12 volt direct current electrical system. In 12 volt automotive applications technology has progressed far enough that relays are sophisticated, harnesses are mass produced and not much big power moves over long distances. The wiring the automotive industry uses far exceeds anything seen on production boats. And cars don’t have to work all the time in wet salty environments.

Our boat was rigged new in 2002 by the pros at the old Mercabo test facility in Placida. Everything was marine grade and all the connectors were shrink wrapped. Additionally, to keep things dry, we always leave the console hatch open and remove the deck plate over the bilge whenever the boat is not in the water. We have gone so far as to have drilled a 2-inch vent hole at the top of the console to circulate air when the boat is moving instead of accumulating it inside.

Fogged up gauges are a sure sign that moisture is trapped behind the

Water LIFE

Page 13

MAGAZINE

In a quality marine wiring installation everything is shrink wrapped to keep moisture from creeping and and starting a corrosion problem within the connection.

Boatingʼs Electrical Nemesis

panel and we don’t have that problem.

The only thing that was not done by Mercabo was the wiring on the jack plate pump motor. That was done later and although we didn’t have the right size shrink connectors at the time (and we were too lazy and in too much of a hurry to get them) we used a good marine grade terminal. We also used the goop-on-stuff to seal the connectors after they were attached. Acceptable technique, or so we thought.

Several months ago we began hearing an intermittent horn on the warning circuit of our 200 hp outboard. This is a simple outboard with only two things to activate the warning horn. Either the motor is too hot (a steady horn) or the oil is running low (a beeping horn). We checked the temperature, pulled the sensor plugs out of the circuit but the warning persisted, mostly at or above 4,000 rpms. Next we checked the oil sender, a float in the tank, and disconnected it. The warning persisted.

Maybe it’s a faulty warning horn, we thought, so we disconnected it and hooked up a test light. Still a warning circuit. The only other thing could be the relay that activates the warning circuit, right? So we swapped in another relay box. Still the same problem.

We ran the boat for several weeks like that keeping an especially vigilant eye on the temperature, the pee-hole and the oil. Everything was fine. Then one day we were coming across the Jug Creek shoal in skinny water, running at full-tilt boogie, and as the water got even skinnier I hit the jack plate button to raise the motor higher. The boat fell flat on its face in a kill-switch poweroff stall.

Instinctively I let go of the switch and the boat surged ahead at full power and on we went. Once back in deeper water I tried the jack plate switch again and again the outboard went dead. AH Ha! Next morning I removed the jack

plate pump and came across that gooped up connection, one of four that I had made back in 2002. It looked dry on the outside but inside it was corroded almost in two. A bad ground in the jack plate was triggering the warning circuit.

So the advice is age old and proven: Any on board electrical problem should be first attributed to a bad ground somewhere. If that’s not the problem search on, but start looking for a bad ground and more often than not you’ll fine the cause of your on-board electrical problem.

In the left sidephoto on this page the top right connector was the bad one.

In this photo, can you spot the one insulator that was inadvertently not ʻshrunkʼ

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Fishing Spots Around Charlotte Harbor

Page 14

Peace River

Bar Side West

To Lemon Bay

West Side Bar

Bull & Turtle Bay

Boca Grande

Cape Haze

East Side Bar

Halfway Point

Key Point

Matlacha

Pine Island Sound

Pirate Harbor

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Halfway Point Midway along the western shore of Charlotte Harbor. Extensive grass flats. Sometimes very good for trout and ladyfish. Many small mangrove creeks which connect to the harbor are good for snook, redfish, snapper and sheepshead.

The West Side Bar North and south parallel to the western side of the harbor. On low winter tides the shallowest parts may be exposed.

Most of the time there is 1 to 3 feet of water.Sand bottom but scattered patches of sea grass. A trough of deeper water lies between the bar and the shoreline. On the east side the water gradually drops off. Trout, ladyfish, jacks, sharks and cobia are often caught on the bar or in the deeper water on both sides of it. Schools of redfish roam along the bar in summer and early fall. Tarpon can be found in the deeper water east of the bar all summer.

Cape Haze Point The corner where the western shoreline of Charlotte Harbor turns toward the Gulf. A large shallow bay opens into the mangroves north of the point. A trough of fairly deep water that runs just off the shoreline from the point off to the west.

A large sandbar runs in a southeasterly direction from the tip of the point for about a mile into the Harbor, ending near Marker 5. Snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, flounder and sheepshead are caught around Cape Haze Point and in the bay just to the north. Tarpon are often found in the deep trough near the point and around the big sandbar off to the southeast. Trout, ladyfish, jacks, pompano, flounder and redfish are found on the bars and flats near the point.

Turtle Bay Large shallow bay just to the west of Cape Haze Point, approximately 1 mile wide and almost 3 miles long, running north and south. Pprotected by a series of sandbars. Fringed by dozens of mangrove islands and small tidal creeks. The center of the bay is covered by lush sea grass beds broken by sandbars and oyster bars. Some of these bars are in the center of the bay. A well-known place to fish for snook, redfish and trout. Tarpon, flounder, jacks, ladyfish, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, sharks, black drum and other species are also taken here.

Bul’s Bay A large area of mangrove islands and shallow flats just to the west of Turtle Bay. The mouth of Bull’s Bay is guarded by a series of small islands and sandbars, seemingly endless maze of mangrove islands and shallows. Much of the bay bottom is covered with lush sea grass. Bull’s Bay is famous for snook and redfish.

The East Side Bar Several miles long which runs in a north-south direction roughly parallel to the shoreline from Alligator Creek to a couple of miles south of Burnt Store Marina. Shallow portions are exposed at very low tide but deeper cuts don’t generally go dry even during the lowest winter tides. A trough of somewhat deeper water runs between the bar and the nearby mangrove shoreline carpeted with sea grass beds. The water on the west side of the bar gradually drops

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January

2005

off to harbor depths. Known for trout and redfish. Trout are usually found just off the bar in the deeper waters on either side. Redfish schools sometimes (particularly in the late summer and early fall) roam the top of the bar or on the east side of it. Other species taken on or near the bar include cobia, jacks, ladyfish, sharks, pompano, flounder and others.

Pirate Harbor A residential area of dredged canals located on the east side between Alligator Creek and Burnt Store Marina. Some sections of the shoreline are lined with concrete seawalls while some sections have rock rip-rap, or are mangrove-lined. Snook and redfish are caught along the shore and around many of the docks and piers as are sheepshead and mangrove snapper. In colder weather Pirate Harbor is famous for trout fishing. Jacks, ladyfish and small tarpon can often be found roaming the canals.

Key Point A long north-south peninsula which extends into Charlotte Harbor just south of Pirate Harbor. Surrounded by shallow flats and sandbars. On the east side is a large shallow bay covered with sea grass. The west side is very shallow out to a sandbar which runs a hundred yards or so offshore. Outside this sandbar the water gradually slopes to harbor depths. The bay on the east side of Key Point is good for redfish and snook. Snook, trout and redfish are often caught on the west side and along the sandbars there. There is a small bay just south of Key Point which is a good spot for trout in cooler weather.

Burnt Store The marked boat channel into the marina passes between two small islands. In the boat channel itself is good for snook, redfish, jacks, mangrove snapper and trout. In cooler weather during the winter many of these fish move into the deeper water found inside the marina basins where fishing can be very good.

Matlacha Pass Between Pine Island and the mainland. It runs from just south of Burnt Store Marina all the way to the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. The flats and bars in Matlacha Pass are good for trout, jacks, ladyfish and redfish. Snook, sheepshead and mangrove snapper are found along the mangroves bordering the pass on both sides. Tarpon and sharks can be found in the deeper portions of the pass, particularly during the summer.

Pine Island Sound The area of Charlotte Harbor south of Boca Grande Pass and between Pine Island and the barrier islands to the west and south. This covers miles and miles of fishing grounds including hundreds of mangrove islands, dozens of tidal creeks, numerous oysters bars and thousands of acres of grass flats. It takes many years of fishing this area to really get to know all the ins and outs. Just about every saltwater fish found in southwest Florida can be caught in Pine Island Sound. Fishing for snook, redfish, trout, tarpon, sharks, sheepshead and mangrove snapper is especially good.

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January

2005

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Brideʼs Boat Wins the Novelty Race

Page 15

Placida Deep Sea Fishing

only $42

Roomy, Comfortable and Dry

Full Day Trips on the Placida Queen

For the costume race in December, the ʻbridesʼ crew looked like like they were sorting out the laundry on their way to a win.

By Bi l l Di xon Water LIFE Sailing 2005 is going to be a good year for sailing on Charlotte Harbor. Notice I said good, not great. Boats will be coming back from Gasparilla, Snead Island and Sailors Wharf all year long. Dr. Gray in Colorado forecasts another ‘active’ hurricane season. The county may begin clearing freshwater canals as soon as February. I have heard no word on when the navigable salt water canals will be cleared of debris but the contracts are out for bids now. Nor is there word on clearing the open harbor or dredging the shoals Charley created. The FWC is currently in charge of removing derelict boats. The Sheriffs marine unit may join in this effort.

No one seems to be ‘in charge.’

It is possible that 2005 may see the opening of the Municipal Marina at Laishley Park. This writer has no information that the marinas at Fisherman’s Village or the Holiday Inn or Best Western will re open in 2005.

To paraphrase my pastor, this is the year that the lord has made. We are alive and well and we live in sailing paradise. The Punta Gorda Sailing Club (PGSC) has an active year planned. Get away from your bug zappers, blue roofs, and orange fencing. Come sail with us.

This month, Platinum Point Yacht Club at Burnt Store is putting on the Golden Conch Regatta. PGSC is experimenting with weekday races because of the Sunday tides.

Races start at 1:30. We normally have 3 starts for 2 separate courses. Spinnaker and Non Spinnaker boats race windward leeward, True Cruising boats race reaches. Spectators are welcome. Come on out and watch, but please don’t

obstruct the racers.

In January, the après race excuse fest will be held at the International Super Buffet starting at 6 pm after the races.

Come on out and hear more excuses than there are losers.

This month PGSC is also cruising to Boca Grande lagoon to anchor out and dine in a shore side restaurant.

Small boat sailing continues at Charlotte beach Wednesday afternoons except the Wednesday of the Club meeting. We picnic, shoot the bull, and sail all day long at Charlotte beach on the Saturday following the Club meeting.

In February, the Charlotte Sailing Association will put on its 6 week Learn To Sail program, open to the public.

PGSC will then resume Sunday afternoon races, and organize additional cruises.

Later in the year, PGSC will support the Conquistador Cup put on by the Royal Order of Ponce DeLeon Conquistadors and will also run the second Leukemia Cup Regatta. The first one raised $65,000 for the Leukemia/ Lymphoma Society and it is expected that the support for the 2005 event will be even better.

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Page 16

Water LIFE 2005 Fishing Calendar

Water LIFE

NOTE: Spotted trout season opens January 1.

Snook season is closed all of January

Redfish

Canals, mangrove creeks in cooler weather, flats during warm spells

Live baits including squirrel fish, pinfish and grunts

Gag Grouper

Ledges in 30 to 50 feet of water in the Gulf

Sheepshead

Around piers, pilings and rocks in the harbor, on shallow rock ledges in the Gulf

Redfish

Live shrimp, jigs, soft plastic baits

Live shrimp,sand fleas, fiddler crabs, tube worms

Toss live shrimp under overhanging mangroves in the creeks, sight fish on shallow, clear flats making long casts with soft plastics Anchor just off ledges and fish near the bottom

Pier anglers fish alongside pilings, Gulf anglers fish right on rock ledges

NOTE: Snook season opens February 1 with a bag limit of one fish per person

Canals, mangrove creeks in cooler weather, flats during warm spells

Live shrimp, jigs, soft plastic baits

Spotted Trout

Live shrimp, shrimp-tipped jigs

Canals, boat basins during cool weather, grass flats during warm weather

Mangrove Snapper

Ledges in 30 to 90 feet of water in the Gulf

Sheepshead

Around piers, pilings and rocks in the harbor, on shallow rock ledges in the Gulf

Snook

Canals, creeks, up river

Sheepshead

Around piers, pilings and rocks in the harbor, on shallow rock ledges in the Gulf

Redfish

Mangrove creeks, mangrove shorelines, flats

Spanish Mackerel

Boca Grande bar, Cape Haze Point, Alligator Creek artificial reef

Live shrimp

Live shrimp,sand fleas, fiddler crabs, tube worms

Jumbo live shrimp, whitebait (if available), swimming plugs Live shrimp,sand fleas, fiddler crabs, tube worms

Live shrimp, pinfish, white baits (if available) Live shrimp, white bait (if available), spoons and jigs

Toss live shrimp under overhanging mangroves in the creeks, sight fish on shallow, clear flats making long casts with soft plastics

Drift the flats with live shrimp under popping corks, work shrimp-tipped jigs slow and deep in canals Anchor on top of ledges and fish near the bottom or chum the fish to the surface Pier anglers fish alongside pilings, Gulf anglers fish right on rock ledges

January

MAGAZINE

King Mackerel

Gulf waters one to thirty miles offshore

Spanish Mackerel

Boca Grande bar, Cape Haze Point, Alligator Creek artificial reef

Snook

Canals, creeks, mangrove shorelines

Tarpon

Myakka River, center of Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande Pass

Drift the flats with live shrimp under popping corks, work shrimp-tipped jigs slow and deep in canals

Fish under the mangroves when the tide's high, on the flats when the tide is low

Free line live baits around the bars and the reef, troll spoons or jigs on the bars or around schools of bait or flocks of sea birds

Troll lures or free line live baits around schools of bait, around wrecks, under diving sea birds

Live shrimp, white bait, spoons and jigs

Free line live baits around the bars and the reef, troll spoons or jigs on the bars or around schools of bait or flocks of sea birds

Whitebait , swimming plugs

Free line live baits in creeks or under docks in canals, under overhanging mangroves

Jumbo live shrimp, pinfish, threadfins

Free line baits where fish are seen in the harbor

NOTE: Snook season is closed May, June, July and August

Spanish Mackerel Boca Grande bar, Cape Haze Point, Alligator Creek artificial reef

Snook

Canals, creeks, mangrove shorelines, Gulf passes

Tarpon

Myakka River, center of Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande Pass

Sharks

Boca Grande Pass, deep center of the harbor, outside bar edges

Redfish

Mangrove shorelines, flats in the lower harbor

Free line live baits in creeks or under docks in canals, troll plugs in canals or up river

Spoons, swimming plugs, large live baits

2005

Live shrimp, white bait, spoons and jigs

Free line live baits around the bars and the reef, troll spoons or jigs on the bars or around schools of bait or flocks of sea birds

Whitebait , swimming plugs

Free line live baits in creeks or under docks in canals, under overhanging mangroves, edges of the Gulf passes

Jumbo live shrimp, pinfish, threadfins, dollar crabs, squirrel fish, jigs

Free line baits where fish are seen in the harbor, fish jigs, shrimp, crabs or squirrel fish on the tides in Boca Grande Pass

Live jacks, ladyfish or trout, cut bait

Daytime or night time fish with chum and wire leader

Shrimp, whitebaits, spoons, top water plugs

Fish the mangroves on higher tides, the flats during lower water

NOTE: Snook season is closed May, June, July and August

Snook

Whitebait , top water plugs, soft plastics

Free line live baits under overhanging mangroves, edges of the Gulf passes

Tarpon

Jumbo live shrimp, pinfish, threadfins, dollar crabs, squirrel fish, jigs

Free line baits where fish are seen in the harbor, fish jigs, shrimp, crabs or squirrel fish on the tides in Boca Grande Pass

Mangrove shorelines, Gulf passes, beaches

Myakka River, center of Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande Pass

Sharks

Boca Grande Pass, deep center of the harbor, outside bar edges, small fish on the flats

Redfish

Mangrove shorelines, flats in the lower harbor

Live jacks, ladyfish or trout, cut bait

Daytime or night time fish with chum and wire leader

Shrimp, whitebaits, spoons, top water plugs

Fish the mangroves on higher tides, the flats during lower water

The What Where and How of Local Fishing January

Water LIFE

2005

Page 17

MAGAZINE

NOTE: Snook season is closed May, June, July and August Whitebait, top water plugs, soft plastics

Snook

Potholes on the flats, Gulf passes, beaches

Tarpon

Myakka River, center of Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande Pass Canals, boatbasins during cool weather, grass flats during warm weather

Sharks

Live jacks, ladyfish or trout, cut bait

Jumbo live shrimp, pinfish, threadfins, dollar crabs, squirrel fish, jigs

Live jacks, ladyfish or trout, cut bait

Free line live baits on the beach and on the flats, fish deep on the edges of the Gulf passes

Free line baits where fish are seen in the harbor, fish jigs, shrimp, crabs or squirrel fish on the tides in Boca Grande Pass

Daytime or night time fish with chum and wire leader

Mangrove shorelines, flats in the lower harbor

Shrimp, whitebaits, spoons, top water plugs

Fish the mangroves on higher tides, the flats during lower water

Trout

White bait, jigs, various plugs

Drift the flats until fish are located

Redfish

Grass flats

NOTE: Snook season is closed May, June, July and August

Snook

Potholes on the flats, mangrove shorelines

Spanish Mackerel

Boca Grande bar, Cape Haze Point, Alligator Creek artificial reef

Redfish

Mangrove shorelines, flats in the lower harbor

Whitebait , top water plugs, soft plastics

Free line live baits on the flats and under the mangroves

Live shrimp, white bait, spoons and jigs

Free line live baits around the bars and the reef, troll spoons or jigs on the bars or around schools of bait or flocks of sea birds

Shrimp, whitebaits, spoons, top water plugs

Trout

Grass flats

Live shrimp, white bait, jigs, various plugs

Drift the flats until fish are located

Mangrove Snapper

Live shrimp, white bait

Drift baits just above the bottom in the passes

Barracuda

Various live fish, tube lures

Troll or cast on the surface

Gulf passes

Offshore wrecks and artificial reefs

Whitebait , top water plugs, soft plastics

Free line live baits on the beach and on the flats, fish deep on the edges of the Gulf passes

Jumbo live shrimp, pinfish, threadfins

Free line baits where fish are seen in the harbor

Sharks

Live jacks, ladyfish or trout, cut bait

Daytime or night time fish with chum and wire leader

Boca Grande bar, Cape Haze Point, Alligator Creek artificial reef

Redfish

Shrimp, whitebaits, spoons, top water plugs

Fish the mangroves on higher tides, the flats during lower water, watch for schools of oversized fish on the flats

Redfish

Shrimp, whitebaits, spoons, top water plugs

King Mackerel

Spoons, swimming plugs, large live baits

Snook

Potholes on the flats, Gulf passes, beaches

Tarpon

Myakka River, center of Charlotte Harbor Boca Grande Pass, deep center of the harbor, outside bar edges, small fish on the flats

Mangrove shorelines, flats in the lower harbor

Trout

Grass flats

Live shrimp, white bait, jigs, various plugs

Drift the flats until fish are located

NOVEMBER Snook

Potholes on the flats, mangrove shorelines, creeks and canals

Spanish Mackerel

Mangrove shorelines, flats in the lower harbor Gulf waters one to thirty miles offshore

Gag Grouper

NOTE: Snook season opens September 1

Snook

Potholes on the flats, Gulf beaches

Spanish Mackerel

Boca Grande bar, Cape Haze Point, Alligator Creek artificial reef

Whitebait, top water plugs, soft plastics Live shrimp, white bait, spoons and jigs

Fish the mangroves on higher tides, the flats during lower water, watch for schools of oversized fish on the flats

Redfish

Shrimp, whitebaits, spoons, top water plugs

Trout

Live shrimp, white bait, jigs, various plugs

Drift the flats until fish are located

Mangrove Snapper

Live shrimp, white bait

Drift baits just above the bottom in the passes

Mangrove shorelines, flats in the lower harbor

Grass flats

Gulf passes

Rock ledges in 40 to 100 feet of water in the Gulf

Free line live baits on the beach and on the flats Free line live baits around the bars and the reef, troll spoons or jigs on the bars or around schools of bait or flocks of sea birds

Fish the mangroves on higher tides, the flats during lower water, watch for schools of oversized fish on the flats

Snook

Potholes on the flats, mangrove shorelines, creeks and canals, up river

Redfish

Mangrove shorelines, flats in the lower harbor

NNOTE: Spotted sea trout season is closed in November and December

Whitebait, top water plugs, soft plastics

Free line live baits on the flats and under the mangroves

Live shrimp, white bait, spoons and jigs

Free line live baits around the bars and reef, troll spoons or jigs on the bars or around schools of bait or flocks of birds

Live baits including squirrel fish, pinfish and grunts

Fish the mangroves on higher tides, the flats during lower water, watch for schools of oversized fish on the flats

Troll lures or free line live baits around schools of bait, around wrecks, under diving sea birds Fish next to or on top of ledges with heavy line and a tight drag

NOTE: Spotted sea trout season closed Nov. and Dec. Snook closed Dec. 15 – Jan 31 Whitebait, top water plugs, soft plastics

Free line live baits on the flats and under the mangroves, under docks in canals

Shrimp, whitebaits, spoons, top water plugs

Fish the mangroves on higher tides, the flats during lower water, watch for schools of oversized fish on the flats

Gag Grouper

Live baits including squirrel fish, pinfish and grunts

Fish next to or on top of ledges with heavy line and a tight drag

Trout

Live shrimp, shrimp-tipped jigs

Fish slow and deep during cold weather

Rock ledges in 20 to 60 feet of water in the Gulf Canals, creeks and boat basins

Water LIFE

Page 18

SCREAMING REELS

By C apt . A ndrew Medi na Water LIFE Gui de Winter red fishing does not have to mean choppy or even white capping bays which only ‘blow boaters’ could possibly enjoy. And it also doesn’t have to mean grass flats with absolutely no water with the only way in to wade or kayak. Winter months are a great time to get your rod bent.

It can be tough, but maybe this will help you with some big winter reds. In the winter time, or pretty much most of the time, fish – whether they are redfish, snook or any other species – won’t stay where they don’t feel comfortable. A fish with its back sticking out of the water because it’s only ankle deep will never settle down and stay put for any length of time.

Someone once told me “forget the fish you can see, they have already been spooked and are on the move.”

“The fish that are spooked and running, probably won’t eat anyway and chasing them down a shore line wont help your chances of catching

with Capt Andrew Medina

them.” These are words to live by, or in this case, to fish by!

On the extreme low tides fish will come off the flats and settle into deeper sand holes, canals or channels. Try to find these deeper pockets such as up in the Punta Gorda Isle canals or off the Burnt Store bars. Be positioned where you want to fish before the tide starts to move.

Remember don’t sit on top of the hole, anchor up so the hole is just within casting distance That way you will be targeting fish unaware of your presence.

The baits I prefer this time of year are soft plastic jigs with a rootbeer or watermelon color body on a 1/4 once red jig head. Work them to a very slow bump on the bottom, kicking up sand off the bottom with every slow twitch. Scented baits such as Fishbites or Berkeley gulp, have been working very well. For you live baiters, live or dead shrimp have also proved to be big on the redfish menu this winter.

When the tide starts to move, that’s when the fish will become

Capt. Andrew Medina can be reached at (941) 456-1540 for fishing or charter information.

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

We offer MOBILE SERVICE 6 days a week (Mon - Sat) If needed please call (941) 255-3106 or 769-8064 Thanks to all our friends, neighbors and customers for all your help.

Sarasota Jan 10 thru 20

Port Charlotte Feb 14 thru 24

2005

more active and are more likely to feed.

Once the window for them to feed opens, don’t be discouraged if you catch a number of small rats. Even if your catching them in double digits.

If there are small fish around in the hole, there are bigger fish in the area and those fish will make their way into the same holes, and find your bait just as well as the small reds did. Sometimes you have to weed through the small fish to get your rod twisted by the 6 and 7 pound bulls. But they will come, just remember, never leave fish you are already catching. At least your catching fish.

So with a little homework to find the fish, and what they are eating winter time can prove to be some of the best red fishing months of the year. Be safe on the water, and just have fun!

WE ARE BACK at our old address

Cape Coral Jan 3 thru 13

January

MAGAZINE

Big fat reds arenʼt that hard to come by in the cold of winter.

On the Line

Fishing with Capt Ron Blago

Now is the time to fish the potholes in Lemon Bay

By Capt Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Executive Staff On The Line with Capt Ron 12/26/04

This is the season for cold fronts to roll through our area. First it’s 70 degrees then it’s 40 degrees. Just a little reminder of what the folks up north are going through.

Cold fronts can really halt your fishing plans dead in the water. The older I get the less likely I am to get up early and fish first light during an arctic blast. I’ll save that experience for the younger more hearty souls. That doesn’t mean the fish aren’t biting; just the opposite. Some of the best fishing can be had by throwing plugs into the deeper holes early in the morning; but now I prefer to wait for a better day or at least until the sun gets higher and warms things up a bit.

Now is the time to fish the potholes in Lemon Bay, especially at low tide. So far it’s been a better than average year for redfish and with trout season open now, there should be lots of action. There are still plenty of pompano and bluefish around,

more than I can remember from past years.

Sheepshead season is in full swing.

Good supplies can be found around any of the docks in Lemon Bay. Don’t forget the creeks and canals that also flow into Lemon Bay. They tend to be warmer and offer cover from the wind on those cold days. These areas provide not only good numbers of sheepshead but also redfish, black drum, flounder and occasional snook.

White bait is hard to find, but there is still a good supply of small to medium pinfish which work well when free-lined under a dock. Shrimp will be the live bait of choice until next spring. For artificals I switch over to Slimy Slugs when fishing the pot holes. You fish these a lot slower than the smaller grub tails.

Offshore grouper fishing is at its peak right now. The cold weather will bring these fish closer to shore. Amberjack fishing has been good especially around the deeper water artificial reefs.

Capt. Ron Blago can be reached for fishing information or to book a charter fishing trip at (941) 474-3474

January

2005

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Page 19

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Water LIFE

Page 20

MAGAZINE

January

2005

ScuttleButt Sometimes Unsubstanciated ... but often true

Dredging The ʻhumpʼ in the canal left by Hurricane Charley leading from Ponce de Leon Inlet to Punta Gorda Isles has been dredged to a nine foot depth.

Positioning After selling the remaining contents of their property owners of the Holiday Inn at Punta Gorda said that they might not be selling the property after all. The hotel chain is now again considering building a new Holiday Inn on the old site at the Peace River and the US 41 Bridge. On a related note all the windows in the old hotel were sold for $250.

The catch was that the buyer had to remove them himself. And much of the artwork taken down and sold was original artwork, one artist said.

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Selling Out One home owner in Port Charlotte not only had his destroyed home and destroyed motor home for sale but the stately date palm tree in the front yard also had a for sale sign on it. Old trees like this one helped shape the neighborhood and one neighbor said it was a “...ing shame” to dig up such a nice tree.

ongoing special events. Plus a huge selection of clothing from the top names in technical wear, designed to give you advanced solutions for your outdoor adventures. When it comes to all-around family fun, Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World® is the place!

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More Daily Disappointments Last month, the day after the local Port Charlotte paper published an article badmouthing the stateʼs ban on gill-nets, recreational fishermen and professional guides were talking about how much better the fishing has been since the practice of dragging large entangling nets around was outlawed. “I read the part about the nets helping to stir up the bottom and how good that was for the ecosystem and I laughed out loud,” one fisherman told us.

“They put the one quote they had about the positive results of the ban at the end of the story buried inside the paper,” another angler observed. The story portrayed the area before the net ban as being overloaded with mile long schools of mullet when in fact the fish were badly overfished by greedy anglers,” a third angler noted.

The same paper sided with the stateʼs commercial net fishermen in opposing the ban in 1995 but the intelligence of the legislation prevailed.

A 50-foot Viking Last month a Viking sport fishing vessel went hard aground while navigating the Channel entrance to Key West Harbor.

Due to the size of the vessel and the extensive amount of damage it caused, Sanctuary officials were notified and their investigation revealed the vessel was traveling at 32 knots when it went aground. There was a deep trench showing the direction of travel, as well as a large blow-hole that was created when the vessel tried to power off. Sea Tow assisted with the recovery and officers issued the captain a Federal Citation. Damage assessments to the bay bottom are pending.

FWC Officers responded to a boating crash on December 10, that had occurred between Ussepa and Mondongo Islands. The operator of the vessel was a charter guide who hit a channel marker and was thrown overboard. The passenger was found unconscious in the front of the boat and was transported to the hospital. The captain was found to be impaired when field sobriety tests were performed.

Officer Lisa Montgomery went to Cabbage Key and obtained a bar tab.

The operator was arrested for BUI and violation of navigational rule causing an accident. The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office is also investigating the incident because the vessel was contracted on a paid charter.

Kayaking

January

2005

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Page 21

diate paddlers have an equal opportunity to enjoy the sport. The group meets each Wednesday, at Port Charlotte Beach Park at 5:30 PM. Join us if you’d like to experience the joy of paddling in this beautiful area.

Dave Allen can be reached at (941) 235-2588 or via e-mail at: dlaa@comcast.net

E Mail Network Keeps Kayakers Informed

The Port Charlotte Kayakers use the Internet to keep abreast of club outings and events.

Regularly scheduled paddle trips are announced, with background information and difficulty ratings, via e-mail every week.

Paddlers from the Port Charlotte Kayakers club head under the 760 bridge on the Peace River.

By Dav e A l l en Water LIFE Kayak Contributor Port Charlotte Kayakers

Kayaking? Charlotte County’s the best!

That’s what I said. Charlotte County and the area around Port Charlotte, has some of the best kayaking in the United States. Now there’s no white water, that’s for sure, but for flat water kayaking, you just can’t beat it.

There are more rivers and creeks in this area than you can count on the fingers of both hands; some wide and slow moving, like the Peace and Myakka Rivers. Others, like Prairie Creek, Joshua Creek, and Shell Creek, just to name a few, are narrow and twisty with the branches of the trees coming down to meet your paddle on each stroke. And the most beautiful paddle of all, Fisheating Creek, near Palmdale, simply can’t be topped.

Fisheating Creek has tall, old cypress trees along the Creek, hanging moss and vines, loads of wildlife of all kinds and even a couple of old, slow alligators. During the dry season, from October to May, the creeks are shallow but passable, but when the rains come in June and on through the summer, the flow increases to give you a real workout going against the current and keeps you on your toes coming downstream with all the twists and narrow turns.

The mangrove channels are a whole different kind of paddle. Quiet, still water, usually dark brown, with hardly room to swing a paddle for the next stroke, make the tunnels a challenge. Like drifting through a green and brown tunnel, with lots of birds and ‘critters’, but no alligators, usually. And we have lots of mangrove tunnels in

FISH MOUNTS

this area; around Port Charlotte Beach, out of Ponce DeLeon Park, along Coral Creek, and off Gasparilla Sound. All unique, but all beautiful and always an interesting trip.

And let’s not forget the Gulf, with its surf and waves, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Throughout the entire area from Boca Grande to Stump Pass and Englewood, the beaches and waterways offer some of the best paddling and some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. The large and small islands in Gasparilla Sound, from Dog Island in the north, to Sandfly Key and Devilfish Key in the south, gives paddlers a spot to beach their kayaks and take a break for a snack and drink. In warm weather, you can often spot manatees in the Sound grazing on the bottom grasses, brown rays raise a cloud of sand as they scurry away. And dolphins are usually somewhere in the Sound or, paddling through Gasparilla Pass, into the Gulf.

From time to time, if you are in the right place at the right time, you may even see a few tarpon on their way down the coast.

We’re very lucky, here in Charlotte County, to have such a beautiful, natural wildlife area to enjoy from the seat of a kayak. Kayaks are uniquely suited to this area as paddlers can explore even the shallowest waters and work their way through narrow, crooked mangroves channels. And kayaks, quiet and environmentally benign, leave the flora and fauna undisturbed by their passage.

Port Charlotte, in the center of this wonderful paddling area, is home to the Port Charlotte Kayakers, the largest and most active paddling group in this area. The ‘Kayakers’ usually take two or three paddles a week in the rivers and/or the Gulf, so beginners and advanced interme-

A sample of this month’s first two paddles is shown below

S unday, January 2 at 9am the Port Charlotte Kayakers will paddle Prairie Creek.

To get there take Route 17 north from I-75 (this is the first exit south of the Peace River I think it's exit 164) for about 4 miles to Washington Loop. Turn right on Washington loop and go past Hathaway Park and then go around one bend and one bridge (Shell Creek).

Then go around another bend and the boat ramp is on on the right side of the road.

All told, the boat ramp is about 5-1/2 miles after you get on Washington Loop.

This paddle will last about 3 hours and has a difficulty of 2 fingers. Bring water and a snack.

Monday, January 3 at 9am will be the more difficult paddle.

It is a 15-20 mile paddle with a difficulty rating of 4 fingers because of the length and the open water.

This paddle will leave from the Placida boat ramp and explore the Gasparilla Sound.

To get to the ramp take Route 776 west from US 1 for about about 8 miles ‘til you get to route 771. Take 771 south about 8 miles till just before the bridge. Turn left at the light

by Grande Tours to get to the boat ramp. It's on the right. Parking here is $.50 an hour.

MARINE ART

FISH X S

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Mon-Fri 9AM-5:30PM

Sat 9AM-3PM

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From the Wheelhouse The Placida Queen Rides Again

Water LIFE

Page 22

By Capt. Bob Gai nes We fish an area of southwest Florida that has been fished hard for the past 100 years. Fish do not just jump into the boat, however there do always seem to be a few more fish out there.

Thanks to old man weather, days to go fishing were few and far between last month, but we managed to get out on

what I considered several cold mornings that turned into rather nice days towards the afternoon.

Friday, December 17th was one typical day. It was cold, but 12 hardy fishermen decided to make the trip anyway and at 4:00 p.m. we came steaming back to Placida with 70 keeper fish in the box including grunts, grouper, trigger fish, sharks and snapper. We probably released 150 unwanted and undersized fish that day. We use the latest electronic technology and having a lot of baited hooks in the water attracts fish

Whether by Land or By Sea, you need a real estate expert in your area.

CALL THE CAPTAIN! For information on current real estate trends and property values.

MAGAZINE

January

2005

to gather. It’s pretty simple, but that is basically how a party boat works.

We supply the bait, license, tackle and 8 hours on the water, the rest is up to you!

Along with the crew, of Art Poser, Joe Rickman, Chris Staples, and Carl Poser in the galley , I am Capt. Bob in the wheelhouse of the Placida Queen reminding you to keep those lines wet!

For Placida Queen information call 941-698-6999

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The Oldest Restaurant and Marina on the Peace River

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Top 10 Under Reported Charlotte County Stories of 2004

January

Water LIFE

2005

By Capt Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff Each January I like to put together a list of the local stories that didn’t get a lot of press last year. These are mostly personal, curious bits of news that I thought deserved more attention than they got.

10.

Mari ne sci enti sts say they discovered 178 new species of fish and hundreds more new species of plants and other animals in the past year. I wonder what the local environmentalist will do when they find out that endangered sea mammals have been eating endangered fish and endangered sea plants.

9. Despi te requests from the Marine Advisory Commission, Sheriffs Dept., Englewood Fire District and the Coast Guard Auxiliary not to do it; Charlotte Co. Parks and Rec. Dept closed the little Tom Adams Bridge boat ramp anyway.

8. The county did open a new boat ramp in So. Gulf Cove. Unfortunately the ramp itself was built at such a weird angle that in order to launch your boat you almost have to sink your truck. Remember that Parks and Rec. paid a lot of money to experts to design this place. On the plus side the Port

O Potty works great.

7. The county drops out of the deal to buy Rocky Creek Marina for $2.9 million dollars.

I wonder if they will use some of the money they just saved to pave the piece of property they bought next to the Ainger Creek Boat ramp which is about 100 yards from the Rocky Creek Marina.

6. We l ost an ol d ti mer last year, Mr. Mike Sovan senior an Englewood fishing legend. His son Capt. Mickey Sovan was the first president of the Englewood Chapter of the CCA. I remember Mr. Sovan, his son Mickey and his grandson Shane cooking over 300 barbeque chicken dinners for the first few CCA auctions at the old American Legion Hall in E n g l e w o o d .

A lot of people didn’t know he was in the tank corps in Europe during World WarII and that he was one of organizers of the Boy Scouts in Englewood. He also was one heck of a good fisherman. Back in the 50’s when it was legal; he was even a commercial snook fisherman. He served with honor his country, his family and his community.

In my book that’s what made him a great man 5.

S tump Pass sti l l open. The benefits of an open

Dine on the dock ~ Million $$ View!

pass are to numerous to count.

Cleaner water, clearer water and better fishing. Sarasota Co. has documented cleaner water as far north as Venice. On the negative side we still don’t have those Geo Tubes filled with sand that were supposed to be placed on the north side of the pass to prevent sand from filling in the pass. They were promised two years ago. I understand they are stuck in political limbo.

4. Manatee regul ati ons come to Charlotte Co. Slow Zones here, Slow Zones there; Slow Zones everywhere. The Peace River, Lemon Bay and Turtle Bay all have slow zones.

The funny thing is that no one seems to care. I don’t know if it’s the result of nature or the hand of man; but a lot of those manatee signs have come up missing and how can you enforce a law with out proper signage?

3 Manatee Deaths i n Charl otte Co. Drop 80% in 2004. There’s a headline you will never see in the local newspaper. The final figures for 2004 are not in yet but it appears manatees made out pretty good last year. Statewide, manatee deaths appear to be down about 30% from the year before. Why the big decrease?

Who knows. That’s just Mother Nature’s way. In Charlotte Co.

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Page 23

MAGAZINE

manatee deaths were really down from the 30 deaths in 2003 to only 6 in 2004. Not much red tide last year. State still can’t decide if the manatee can be changed from endangered to threatened.

2. Ri ch Novak our S ea Grant Agent, di es suddenly while catching blue fin tuna off the coast of North Carolina as part of an international tagging program. Rich had his hand in so many projects in our area.

Boaters Guides, clam farms, artificial reefs, redfish hatchery to name only a few of his projects. It’s unfortunate that it was only after he passed away that so many people realized just how much work this guy did for all the people of Charlotte Co. He is missed.

1.

Tal k abo ut bad g ues ts . First, Charley and Francis then Ivan and Jeanne come to town uninvited; trash the place then leave everything for us to clean up. Boy, they sound just like the in-laws. No one is going to forget the 2004 Hurricane Season. That story was not under reported and will not be forgotten, but our sense of security is forever changed.

Big lessons that were learned were 1) you can’t do enough to prepare for a hurricane, 2) you can’t get out of town soon enough before a hurricane and 3)

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Water LIFE

Page 24

2153 Palm Tree Dr. P.G.I. Cleared lot ready for building Awesome wide open view of Charlotte Harbor.

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16256 Alcira Circle - Vacant lot in prestigious Burnt Store Village. Paved road, electric, cable TV, phone, and public sewer. Will not last long!

MLS#438640 Offered at $65,000

January

MAGAZINE

2005

28507 Sabal Palm Dr. - Come build your perfect dream home on this great lot! Minutes to the Peace River with Gulf access, dock, and sea-wall! Survey and site plan on file. MLS#445695 Offered at $199,900

224 Dolphin Parkway Canal home in beautiful Charlotte Park, Punta Gorda., 1200 sq ft with a dock. Owner will assign insurance check. MLS#451233 Offered at $275,000.

January

2005

Redfish have been responding to the Tuxedo shrimp with a red 1\4 oz jighead. Use this setup for fishing the sand holes on the open flats. I like to fish when the tide goes out with the bait under a popping cork where the flats drop off into channels.

If you like fishing for snook at nite try this: Use a 3\8 oz jighead with a skeleton shad ribbon tail any dark color body will work. I like the Opening nite (purple) color. Fish around structure like bridge pilings and piers. Work the bait slowly in the tide and keep it close to to the bottom.

Old Bayside Baits available at Fishin始 Franks & Laishley Marine

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Page

25

LEFT: Opening night Skeleton Shad Right: Tuxcedo Shrimp

Page

26

Water LIFE

Manasota Key Since The Storms

MAGAZINE

Area Real Estate

January

2005

This is NOT an Ad

Factual Information compiled by Water LIFE from the Charlotte County Association of Realtors database.

Charlotte Harbor and the surrounding areas are still beautiful places to live. Even after the hurricanes, real estate prices have continued to rise for both single family dwellings and condominiums. Real estate sales in November 2004 were up almost 20-percent over November 2003.

Want To Live on the Beach?

The following is an across the board sampling of recently sold homes and land on Manasota Key in Englewood. All have appreciated in value.

Pool Sharks of Lemon Bay Inc 3285 Placida Rd, Pelican Plaza Englewood

(941) 698-9889

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Gulf to Bayfront private residence with sunset and sunrise views everyday. Built in 1986 with 3BD/3.5BA and 4,389 sq ft. In 1981 a different home on this lot was purchased for $116,200. Subsequently it was demolished and this home was built and it sold for $1,680,000 in August of 2004.

Mid-rise Condominiums in a Bay to Gulf complex with great views and the Gulf beach is thru common ground. Built in 1980 with 2BD/2.5 BA and 673 sq ft a 2nd story unit sold in December 2004 for $283,000 and before that in 1997 for

Another Gulf to Bay complex with deeded Bay and Gulf access. A unit in this complex with excellent Gulf views, built in 1981 with loft and balcony, and 1,389 sq ft sold in November 2004 for $480,000 and before that in 2001 for $250,000.

Beautiful piece of Bay to Gulf property with wide sandy beaches at one end and a private dock on the other. Residential & ready to build, lot is 146' X 420'. In September of 2003 it sold for $1,525,000 and again most recently in December 2004 for $2,300,000.

Enjoy sunsets from the 300' private Gulf beach. Dock space available with bay access.

Built in 1958 with 1BD/1BA and 450 sq ft.

This home sold in 2000 for $51,000 and again most recently in December 2004 for $115,000.

Testimonial

“I am thrilled with my advertising in Water LIFE. Each month I receive many calls. My two best forms of advertising are WaterLIFE and the Yellow pages.”

Ellen McCarthy, Broker, Century 21 Aztec, Port Charlotte

January

Water LIFE

2005

Capt. Steveʼs Offshore Report

By Capt. Stev e Skev i ng to n o f the Ki ng fi s her Fl eet Water LIFE Offshore Contributor December really lived up to its reputation with big catches of gag grouper, and lane snapper. Early in the month we were still catching limits of king mackerel. Large red grouper were hitting all month on swiss cheese bottom of 60-feet or deeper. All of the ledges, rock piles, and wrecks were surrounded with nice sized gag grouper. Most days showed catches of 90 to 120 lane snapper.

We even got to release some 25-to-30 pound redfish in early December.

Hook into one of these brutes and you'll swear you've got the grouper of a lifetime on.

Moving right along .......

January all but guarantees more of the same kind of non stop action.

With water temperatures in the mid 50s sheepshead will start their annual migration to the near shore ledges and artificial reefs. Last year these fish were caught all the way through Capt. Steve back from the Bayronto wreck, one late March. A fresh peeled shrimp night in late December, with a pait of nice AJs and a on a No.1 or 1/0 sized hook lowered big red grouper to fillet. close to the bottom should do the trick. Fresh clams, tube worms, scallops, or grouper, trigger fish, and hog fish that also any crustacean will also work. Dropping occupy these same spots.

The deeper offshore wrecks this month these shrimp close to the bottom also gives should continue to hold the large schools of you a good shot at mangrove snapper, gag

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January

MAGAZINE

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625-0200

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2005

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Fishy Questions

January

2005

By Don Cessna Water LIFE Englewood Happy New Year! I try not to let anything stew in my mind for very long. Normally I can reach a conclusion and move on to other thoughts in short order. But now I am perplexed by one thing which seems to have no conclusion. Surely there are much more important things in the world to consider, but I am a sportsman and thoughts of the outdoors are the background noise in MY head.

The problem is the more I ponder fishing, the more questions and variables arise. Sometimes I think fishing may be a question with no answers? Or at least the answers often seems to require more expertise than I possess.

Today I’m thinking about sounds and noise. Maybe someone will read this who knows in detail of such things, a wizard in the field of frequencies and sound waves. If you are him, give me a call.

I have a fair amount of experience with audio equipment and radio transmitters and do understand well the effects and behavior of sound waves and frequencies of radio waves though the air. In fishing people talk about fish being spooked by sound. Well possibly that’s true, or maybe it’s more of the vibration they feel with their lateral lines.

No matter, we have all learned to sneak up quietly when stalking a fishy spot. Many good fishermen go to extremes when it comes to being quiet and some may really get mad when a prospect is lost due to the stealth being compromised by a dropped hatch cover or an inadvertent noise of some other kind.

We use state of the art fishing rods made of Graphite to provide extreme sensitivity to our hands through the rod blank and use ball bearing reels which turn smoothly and

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

It is hard to be quiet when there is no room in the boat?

quietly ...and then we have our fishing line leading into the water.

When casting or retrieving a lure or bait where the line is loaded with tension, we expect that sound is being transmitted though this equipment into the water and is most likely eminating sound waves into the water. The rod and the line do transmit sound down the length from one end to the other and the reel is generating the noise.

Much the same as the old cans with a string pulled taught, as kids in my day would understand.

Tap on that fishing rod and you can probably hear that tap very well end to end of the line. The fishing line will twang like a guitar string does when pulled taught and the frequency changes according to the tension applied. But what about frequency?

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We know that low frequency sound waves travel further than do higher frequencies. Sound waves travel five times faster through water than they will in air because water is more dense. What about salt water since it is even more dense?

Sound travels through metal farther and faster than water since the properties of most metals are more dense.

I do not believe it is the audible sound we are focusing on in fishing, but more likely the frequency waves created by the sound.

This I know for sure: A normal human’s range of hearing is from 15 cycles per second for low frequency to 20,000 cycles per second for high frequency. Since fish feel frequency waves the way humans hear sound this brings more questions beyond my knowledge.

Is there a frequency range applicable for fish? I would think that the frequency range is not as important (in close proximity) as is the wave length produced by what we know as sound.

I have to think a fish would ‘feel’ the vibration of sound regardless of frequency, however low frequency sounds would travel longer distances. This is probably the secret of the vibrating lures on the market today.

And what about RattleTraps, one of my favorite lures which have large clacking balls inside to make noise on purpose? That lure does catch fish.

We live with constant background noise and so do the fish. So I have to think it is the un-natural types of sound waves that are scary to them. Archery hunters use string-silencers on their bows, will we soon see these puff balls of yarn on the stealthy fishermen’s line to reduce the noise underwater? These are all questions to which I seek the answers.

Don@Ray ’s Bait & Tack le 480 W. Dearborn St. Englewood, (941) 473-1591 Two blocks north of the Indian Mound Boat Ramp

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Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

December Fishing Forecast Charlotte Harbor

R o bert at F i s hi n' F ranks P o rt C harl o tte: 6 2 5 -3 8 8 8 January is a fun month to figure out. I’d say s heeps head would be ranked number one on the list along with t ro ut , they both love the cold weather. The saltwater is moving further up the rivers now due to the lack of rain so sheepshead are starting to be caught up here in Port Charlotte and will be caught all winter as far up as the I-75 bridge. Trout will be found even further up the river. The sheepshead’s favorite food is the fiddler

crab. When sheepshead are coming in from the beach they have been feeding on the sand fleas that burrow in the sand there. Then as the fish move in they feed on the fiddler crabs and the little mangrove crabs. Trout on the other hand are not as picky. Shrimp, or just about any artificial – especially soft plastics – work very well on trout. This is a good time of year to try out your ultra light tackle (6 to 10 pound test) to make the fight a little more interesting. Trout will still hit a spoon this time of year as well, you just have to do a little slower presentation.

continued on facing page

January

2005

Back in Season

Capt. Blake Beerbower with a hefty trout caught in December. Trout are fragile in winter and require careful handling when they are released.

January

2005

Fishing Report Continued from facing page

B BIIG G-4 4

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

J Ja an nu ua ar ry yʼs ʼs Ta Tar rg ge et t S Sp pe ec ciia ae es s

In winter hold the spoon a little longer and let it float down a little.

Trout are exceptional fun on top water plugs as well, just down size SNAPPER are plentiful all TROUT are still around in SMALL REDFISH are all SHEEPSHEAD are moving the lure, (try a MirroLure Top Pup over the Harbor good numbers over up in the Harbor and Bay or Zara Puppy) When you find the bigger fish, upsize and throw a little bigger plug like a Top Dog. Trout are a good way to practice your artifi- Whi ti ng are moving in a little now, but they really move in in February.

In freshwater, Crappi e fishing has been phenomenal. This is the second cial technique. in a row they have done extremely well. Fish any of the canals or the year People have told me there are a lot more sand fleas in the beach surf this year. They make a great bait for pompano, and whi ti ng and sheepshead. small ponds with beetle spins or small little feather jigs on them.

December and January are usually decent months for pompano, but this year Lemon Bay seems to be a little better than most. The Cape Haze bar is usually a good Ji m at Fi shermen’s Edge place to look for pompano, or try the sandbar down by Bokeelia or down by Engl ewood: 697-7595 Burnt Store.

Lately I’ve had good fish stories from around the neighborhood. You have Redfi sh are very abundant this time of year, but they are generally small.

This year also seems to be a little better than other years with a few bigger to pick your days (to fish) because the tides have been pretty low. Guys have reds now, but usually it’s rat reds now, in the 12 to 15 inch range. The canals been doing pretty good on grouper offshore, they caught plenty of gags and and the feeder estuaries on the east wall and the west wall should be loaded quite a bit of snapper, on mostly shrimp. That’s been pretty good.

Some amberjack have come from the deeper reefs like Bayronto and the with little reds. Shrimp is a good bait to use on them either live or dead. Since Boxcars.

There are some occasional cobi a offshore that the guides are targetmost of the reds are undersize I’d recommend using a circle hook if you taring by running the crab pots. I had some guys catch some pretty good get them to give them a better chance to get a little bigger.

S nook fishing is good at night off the piers, but it’s all still catch and sheepshead in the 4 to 7 mile range. Some guys were fishing the closer reefs release right now. Guys are starting to do good with snook in the canals now. right out of Stump Pass. There are still some sheepshead on the rockpiles The nice thing about the snook this year is they are pleasantly plump. Usually there.

In the Bay, there are tons of redfi sh. The redfishing has really been good. you catch anorexic fish this time of year, but they are pleasantly plump. All these plump and plentiful fish could have something to do with the hurricanes, Artificials have been very productive. It seems like the Berkeley Gulps in the New Penny color have been productive. Trout fishing has been really good you know.

On calmer days the offshore fishing has been spectacular. If you have the the last couple of weeks. Trout in the higher 20 inch range have been caught right day, amberjack, grouper, snapper and barracuda are around. There on the artificials. The live shrimp seem to be getting the smaller fish. And the have been bl ack grouper taken within 17 miles of shore. A lot of nice Lane canals have been loading up with small snook.

S heepshead fishing has been really good. Guys are doing well on them snapper have been caught recently as well. Another fish that is really underrated for table fare is the Key West grunt. There have been quite a few of with sand fleas. The pompano and permi t are still around in Gasparilla Pass. On the inside you can often see quite a few of them skipping around. them on the Novak Reef and around the Boxcars.

If you cook an AJ, make sure you cut out the blood strip out and try some There are still quite a few sharks around and some whi ti ng in the surf and along Englewood beach down to Stump Pass. North of Gasparilla Pass is lemon pepper marinade with butter. They make an impressive meal. also a good spot for whiting coming out of the bay.

Closer to the Intracoastal there have been a lot of small bl uefi sh and quite The guys with the Texas sled-boats that can go where there is no water a few fl ounder. This has been a really good year for flounder as well. Inside have been the only ones who are doing good in the backcountry. the Harbor, on the west side, there have been tri pl e tai l and cobi a.

CCA BANQUET Feb 25

The Charlotte County Coastal Conservation Association will hold it`s annual Banquet on Friday February 25 at Victoria Estates.

There will be a new look to the banquet this year. A western style barbecue and open bar will precede dinner and the live raffle. There will be something for everybody at the silent and live auctions.

Among the many things to be auctioned off will be a new boat, motor and trailer combo, works of art, exotic fishing trips and jewelry.Ticket prices are $125 per couple and $75 for singles. Corporate tables are also available. Contact Bob Leonard at 5058556 or Len Harris at 639-6546 for more information on this great event.

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CALENDAR

OF

n Jan 5: Fishing Seminar, West Marine, Capt. Andy Medina, Redfishing, 5 p.m.

625-2700

EVENTS

Charlotte Beach Complex, Bill Dixon 637-2694 n Jan 20: Midweek Race #2 Jerry Haller 505-0499

n Jan 5: Small Boat Sailing, Dennis Peck 627-6650

n Jan 26: Small Boat Sailing, Dennis Peck 627-6650

n Jan 8-9: Golden Conch Regatta, Platinum Point Yacht Club, Burnt Store. 639-3868

n March 5-6: Conquistador Cup, Charlotte Harborʼs largest Regatta. 766-1255

n Jan 6: Midweek Sail Race #1 Jerry Haller 505-0499

n Jan 12: PGSC Meeting 7:00 PGBC building. n Jan 15: Sailing & Picnic

n Feb 3: Midweek Race #3 Jerry Haller 505-0499

Please send us your event calendar information via e-mail to: Waterlife@comcast.net

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