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June 2009
Reds in the Harbor – page 22-23 Snook on the Beaches – page 11 Tarpon in the Pass – page 13 Itʼs all VERY Good!
Handling Tarpon Page 6
Running Up River Page 14
Full Moon Mutton Page 12
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Water LIFE
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June
2009
June
2009
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June
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SharkTournament June 13
TARPON and SHARK Headquarters
Jigs, Tails, Hooks, Cable, Shark Rigs: LARGEST SELECTION
LETTERS to
THE $10,000 GRANT DISPUTE
Hi, Mike.... We have returned from the International Boating & Water Safety Summit, where I spoke with Stephanie Hussey, one of the RBFF (Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation) Directors. I gave her a copy of the Water LIFE article, which she took back to their Manager of Conservation & Education, Arisa Teasley. Arisa called me today and guardedly told me what she has apparently already relayed to you -- that RBFF learned that "Charlotte County Parks & Rec were unable to fulfill the grant request so the funding was returned." I continued to try to draw her out, and learned that they had several emails and/or calls regarding this issue, and she was "well familiar" with you. I asked her if her correspondence with you had ended to your satisfaction and she hedged. She did admit the disposition of the grant was "disappointing" and that "it was the first time that has ever happened." It sounds like more went on after you and I spoke last month, so you must have more facts than I was able to elicit. I'd appreciate knowing anything more you have learned since we talked. Anyway, Alisa an I discussed the grant situation at length, and it appears the only constructive move at this point would be for someone to put in
Wa t e r L I F E @ c o m c a s t . n e t
for an NRPA next year. The 2009 grant deadline has already passed. The 2010 grant application is sometime in November. Arisa says the grant application form is on the RBFF website. While I see the chances of a Charlotte County program getting a grant are slim, not only because of the last debacle, but because of the effect the free-falling economy is having on all such programs and grants. But it WOULD be appropriate for someone to put in for it. The school program you and Ellen have, and the Kids Redfish Cup would both be deserving of an RBFF grant. Jo Mogle
Lizzards Settling a Dispute.
Editor Notes: Thanks Jo. First time it ever happened? Iʼll bet not. As it turns out, county Attorney Janette Knowlton was at our Kids Cup Tournament dinner – she had her two children fishing in the event. We spoke
briefly and then a few weeks later I ran into her in the County office building. Ms. Knowlton told me the County does not have a specific rule that would prohibit a county employee from receiving a finderʼs fee for a grant, but that she thought it was not ethical and that other regulations might pertain. She also told me that my request to see the actual grant application was a ʻpublic requestʼ and she would get it to me. I thanked her. Commissioner Robert Skidmore and I also met. I shared with the commissioner the email from Joanne Larson at Parks and Rec which gave me the name of the person in the county who applied for the grant. Commissioner Skidmore said now he can request an itemized listing of all payments issued to her. “Weʼll get to the bottom of this,” the Commissioner told me, and I believe him. Additionally, if it turns out that Joanne Larson was not entirely truthful in her response claiming that some of the money was spent on specific kayak and canoe trips then we will have another matter to deal with. Mind you, I still donʼt know who did what and I still donʼt know if anyone did anything wrong, although my suspicion, based on numerous previous encounters, is that there was some serious ʻrule bendingʼ going on at Parks and Rec. at the very least. – Michael Heller
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Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Charlotte Harbor: Capt. Robert Moore Port Charlotte: Capt. Andy Medina Gasparilla: Capt. Chuck Eichner Offshore: Capt. Steve Skevington Commercial Fishing: Kelly Beal Sea Grant: Betty Staugler Real Estate: Dave Hofer Inshore: Fishinʼ Frank Diving: Adam Wilson Kayaks: David Allen Sailing: Bill Dixon Office Dog: Molly
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You Canʼt Fix Stupid June
2009
By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE editor The Kids Cup is over. The Redfish Cup is gone. We made it through another spring and now it’s time to kick back and get ready for summer. I’ve promised ‘We’re not going anyplace, maybe a couple of trips down to the Keys, that’s it.’ I’ve sworn: ‘I’m going to take more pictures,’ ‘No controversy for me,’ ‘Just a Jimmy Buffett kind of summer break.’ Reality check: Q: How am I doing so far? A: Not so good. I’ve been struggling with this one. Some guys apparently broke a law, but it’s a law that the FWC says it has not been following up on. The instance pertains to releasing tournament redfish and the FWC says they have not had this problem before. The last time the state changed the redfish regulations they adjusted the size limits and reduced the bag limit to one fish per day. In order to accommodate the local fishing tournaments the state drafted the Redfish Catch, Hold and Release Permit, a no charge ‘waiver’ available to tournaments with over 50 anglers. The permit, or ‘culling waiver’ as it is sometimes called, allows tournament anglers to ‘cull’ or upgrade their fish even after the fish has been put in the livewell. Without the waiver, once you put a redfish in your livewell the state considers that you have ‘possessed’ that fish and it becomes your one redfish for the day. Under the culling waiver, a tournament can also retain fish in holding tanks and then transport them to another location nearby for release. The transporting of fish becomes important since local dolphins have tuned-in to local fishing tournaments and often wait for fish to be
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released for an easy meal. There is no law that says the tournament must release fish away from the dolphins, but many tournaments do this out of concern for fish survival. Tournaments have brought a lot of good science to fishing in these parts. The on-the-dock resuscitation tank with temperature controlled water and additional aeration has helped to keep fish alive that might otherwise have died. On-the-boat bottled oxygen systems for livewells, the adaptation of small-bubble aeration, and soft padded livewells, these things are all products of tournament fishing and they serve to increase the fish’s chance of survival. So it was problematic when a video tape surfaced last month, a tape of the Flatsmasters Tournament release boat giving away live fish that they were supposed to be setting free. The FWC says a tournament can legally give away dead fish, but live fish, under the intent of the culling permit, must be released. It was an arrogant thing to do, but after investigating the incident I don’t think the tournament director or even the local mechanic who owns the release boat thought there was a chance of this happening. The mechanic couldn’t go out that day so he had a friend of his drive the boat. That friend brought some of his friends along. Problem was, the guys who wound up on the release boat forgot why they were there: TO RELEASE ALL THE FISH! Worse yet, when they saw someone was video tapeing them, the driver of the release boat dropped his pants and released a ‘moon’ in the direction of the cameraman. It was on the tape. “That was stupid,” the driver said later. Yes it was. If it weren’t for the stupid arrogance that goes with so many of these dumb fishing ‘instances’ this whole thing might have been settled with a serious conversation, and some good might have come of it. But now it’s too late.
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Into the cooler, giving away live tournament fish instead of releasing them, from a video tape shot last month.
If I ‘let it slide,’ as some have suggested I do, then all of our reputations are at stake and I, for one, am not willing to jepordize mine. Not for this. So here’s what I have to say: To the guy that shot the tape: You should have been man enough to carry your own torch and taken it straight to the FWC yourself. To my good friend who gave the tape to me and didn’t want to be identified either: Why in hell not? To the Tournament Director: It was on your watch. And to the guys on the boat: You did this. And finally a word to the FWC: Pay more attention to what is going on in the world of tournaments. I can’t remember the last time I was at a tournament and a Marine Patrol officer came by to check paperwork (culling waivers) look in the livewells or inspect the fish they were releasing. This requires your active presence. Personally, I think we were all better off when the fishing tournament’s money all went to charity and the fish were weighed-in and then returned to the anglers who caught them.
Handling Tarpon
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By Capt. Mark Bennett Water LIFE Tarpon Last month we talked about fighting a tarpon and getting one boat side. So you have him at the boat, now what? If you ever fought a tarpon and had one beside the boat you know already they never want to give up. This is not an ordinary fish. They are not the almost docile trout, or a snook that gives up very easily. It’s not just the fact that they often out weigh the angler who is catching them, or the fact that they are regularly over 6 feet long. I have caught many different species of fish, saltwater, freshwater, in the states and elsewhere, never ever have I encountered a fish with as much heart and the will to survive as a tarpon. The sheer power and the unexpected explosive bursts of energy that makes the tarpon such a magnificent sport fish is also what makes them dangerous boat side. The best way to learn how to release a tarpon is first hand with a true professional. Either by hiring them as a guide or watching them release a fish on the water. I feel the method used by the traditional Boca Grande Pass guides is the safest for both the fish and you. If you have ever witnessed their way of handling a tarpon boat side, it is a thing of beauty. It shows they respect their quarry. I call it a leader release. Basically with a gloved hand you grab the leader when the fish comes close. Hold it high in the air, holding the tarpon on top of the water for a quick photo, they will usually give you a head shake or a jump, then lower your hands, let the fish start to go down. With a firm grasp give the leader a quick jerk. This will break the leader at the hook. It can be done long before the fish is tired enough to let you grab them by the jaw and retrieve the hook. Thus letting the fish go in better shape to survive.
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June
2009
Above: Capt. Mark Bennett gets ready to bring a tarpon boatside last month. Below, a hammerhead waits for an easy tarpon meal. Photos By: Jenni Bennett
Tarpon are the greatest game fish in the world and they deserve respect. You might have watched either me or another guide on the water grab a tarpon by the jaw, unhook them and get a quick picture in the water before release. This can be done and many guides and a few recreational fishermen out there can make it look easy. Releasing a tarpon in this manner can be very dangerous. I have cracked two ribs, broke my foot, hyper extended both thumbs several times and incurred many cuts and bruises over the years doing this. If you are going to attempt releasing a fish in this manner protect yourself. No fish is worth injury. Never lead one straight at your face or directly at the boat for that matter. In a single kick of the tail a 100 pound fish can be smacking you in the face or landing in your boat. Bring the tarpon along side parallel to your boat so he is facing in a safe direction. This way if the fish lunges or leaps it is going away, not toward you. If you are alone when you catch your fish, simply bring him close for a good look then let him go down, point your rod at him, hold the spool or grab the line with a
glove and give it a quick jerk. This will break the line and let the fish swim free. A few things that I have seen change for the better over the last 20 years in regards to releasing a tarpon. Using lip gaffs, pulling fish in the boat for a picture and taking a scale for a trophy. These things all used to be routine in the sport and now they are frowned upon by most anglers. These things greatly decrease the tarpon’s chance for survival. Their scales never grow back. This leaves an open wound that leads to infec-
tion and eventually can lead to death. If you think at all like I do, we want as many tarpon around as possible. After all the huge numbers of tarpon that frequent this area is one of the many things that make Boca Grande/Charlotte Harbor area such a special place. Till next time ... Capt. Mark Bennett can be reached to book a trip or for comments or questions at: www.tarponsnook.com or at (941) 474-8900
June
2009
Water LIFE
Offshore with Capt. Steve Capt S teve S kevington Water LIFE offshore There’s been a great Spanish mackerel bite that's been going for the last few weeks. These are not the most glamorous fish to catch here in Southwest Florida, but they do have their place. I can remember a lot of suppers growing up where Mom set out a plate of fresh grilled Spanish mackerel all covered in Hollandaise sauce and diced tomato's, in front of me. It might not have been the most "glamorous fishing" but it was divine eating. Now these fish are hitting early in the morning for the most part, and they are super easy to find. The birds are usually just all over them, diving and chirping like it's going to be their last meal. They are often picking at bits of fish left by other fish eating on them. We rig up for these fish almost the same way I did when I was tossing jigs from piers as a kid, only now I am not confined to land. What I want now is to get the jig in front of the fish, so I rig it behind a No.1 planer, and troll it about 20- to 30- feet behind the boat. I like to use 50-pound leader. I know that seems like a lot of tackle for a Spanish mackerel, but that's not the only fish in the sea that will be overjoyed to nail this rig
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when it's drug in front of their nose. You should be ready for big fat bonita and kingfish up to 50 pounds this time of year right up on the beach with the Spanish. I would rather be over-prepared than under. The beach, as we all know, has tarpon all over it at the moment as well. I have found what I think has got to be the most fun way to target these fish. I drop anchor when we spot them rolling. These fish will swim in a pattern for hours, so where you see them rolling now, they will roll again soon. With that in mind, we slip out a couple big live baits under corks, just soak ‘em and wait. And while we could just sit and stare at those tarpon rods, waiting for the next bite, we sneak a shark bait into the water as well. This normally consists of a bonita steak, but a fresh slab of barracuda or lady fish works great too. The sharks are pretty fast to put on the feed-bag all summer (bless their hearts for being so reliable). The way these fish pick up a bait and just run to the hills is something that can stop the heart of even the most seasoned fisherman. Off the beach, the permit are still on the chew. Rigging 20-pound tackle and 30-pound fluorocarbon is a must, as well as a nice full reel and a smooth drag. Just flatline a small live crab out there and wait - it won’t be
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This is it. Out of town visitors happy with a decent mackerel. This is the photo and the reputation that we should be sending out across the state. Drive here, fish here, have fun here. We have the facilities and we have the fish.
long before that crab gets gobbled up. I haven't done a whole lot of grouper fishing in the last few trips, but what we have done is great with ‘limits’ of big red grouper. Of course, with the limits on these fish so tight right now, it's really not hard to get a limit every time you go fishing. Snapper are a nighttime fish right now. Fishing the artificial reefs at night is a lot of fun. These fish really turn on about an hour after the sun goes down. They seem to hit
almost anything we offer them in the dark. There's a lot of great fishing going on right now. Further offshore, a good friend has told me the blackfin tuna are still blasting live baits fished on top of water deeper than 150 feet. Also, the deeper wrecks are still holding some respectable amberjack and ‘cudas. Capt. Stev e can be reached at: 575-3528 for fishing information or to book a charter trip.
When a Fisherman's Fancy Turns To .... Sailcats? Page 8
By Fi shi n’ Frank Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Last year we had our tournament and the weather was nice. I apologize. It should be raining and blowing with water-spouts, lightening and thunder this year so you guys will feel more at ease. In southwest Florida, the Fishin’ Franks Shark Sailcat and Sting-Ray tournament is also known as "Frank’s Severe Weather Challenge." Be prepared. It kicks off Saturday June 13th at 3:30 pm. and ends Sunday at 9:00 am. We should have 500 - 600 people form 5 years old to 84 years paying $28.04 plus tax ($30) to fish one night and possibly win $2000 for a shark or $2000 for a Catfish or $1,600 for a sting ray. Each category pays to four places. Being slimed is the general term for catching a sailcat. The slimy coating is the sailcat’s best protection against people finding out they are good to eat, and by the way, they are also one of the best cutbaits there is. Catching big cats can be challenging, The best way is to use a big hunk of bait, so big the smaller cats can not get it in their mouths. Leave it to my dad to figure out a different way to catch big sailcats, Frank Sr. trolls for big cats, yes he uses 16 size Bombers, the 104 (red and white) or s.i.g.
Water LIFE
(greenback) color patterns, lately the s.i.g. has been really working well in the cloudy water. We left my canal and headed out on the river, running out a 16 size Bomber at about six m.p.h. We headed towards I-75. Dad uses a heavy bait-caster rigged with 30 pound mono, because of the darn tarpon, an annoying by-catch when trolling for sailcats! With the 30-pound test he can hold the tarpon long enough for them to jump a couple of times and then get them to shake off his lure so he can get back to some serious cat fishing. What can I say? That's my Dad. – On the other side of the boat he pulls a 15 size Bomber just in case they want a snack not a meal that day. Trolling a 1/2 ounce buck-tail jig (which one, I am sworn not to say) is his other secret weapon. While steering the boat with one hand he will jerk the rod upwards with a sweeping motion, this produces some great results, but he says too many darn trout and snook hit with that method when he is close to the shore-line, so in order not to deal with those ‘inferior fish’ (when trolling for cats) he stays closer to the center of the channel. My dad has often placed in our tournament and by many different methods. One year he walked up half way to the top of
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the 41 bridges and won using frozen sardines fishing with 4 ounces of lead a 7/0 hook and 50 pound test. Dad said “Why play around? With 50 I could reel them right up and not worry about it.” Go Dad! To eat sailcat the first rule is do not let the meat get hot, take an ice chest, and keep the meat cool, to ensure the best flavor. Second thing: do not try to skin a sailcat. Sailcats are easily filleted. I use a fish glove with the plastic ridges to keep the cat from slipping on my off hand. I am right handed so that's my left. Feel along the side of the cat until you find the end of the ribs, then cut down to the back bone. Turn your knife towards the tail and cut along until just before you cut off the tail. Stop cutting and flip the meat over across the tail and carefully slice the meat off the skin. If you should happen to find small white round spots those are a parasite, they do not hurt anything. When I grew up if you found a worm in an apple you cut it out and went on eating. Best places to fish for big SAIL-CATS #1: Stump-pass Most winners caught. #2 Placid, #3 P.G.I.canals and #4 El JoBean Bridge. Best of luck to ya. See you at the tournament. Please, if you want to see the weigh in and find out how the OLD original Fishin’ Frank did, be at the store before 8 a.m. Parking at the Shell station is OK, but do not block the pumps. Frank: 625-3888
June
2009
Some of the big cats at last yearʼs event
June
2009
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Screaming Reels AND ISSUES OF FISHING
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By Capt. Andrew Medi na Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor May was interesting to say the least. Most was for the better, while certain issues that hit the news papers, news on T.V, and website forums appeared to be throwing stones, more like boulders, at certain issues. I have tried really hard to stay out of the forums lately, because it seems just like High School gossip, more than a “for information website”. Where ever you go on the world wide web you are bound to find something. That something is like a bad car accident; you don’t want to see it, but you can’t help but to look. I would just like to take a minute and go over my beliefs on some of these arguments that I have seen and heard. On one popular web site there was a thread started called “remind me why the Redfish Cup is good for Punta Gorda.” This was unbelievable reading to me, someone implied that the cup did nothing for Punta Gorda economically, and I can only say that with the economy the way it is here in Charlotte, I’m willing to bet any businesses that made money off any of the Cup anglers were more than happy. True, not everyone benefits by holding a major ESPN tourney here, but it did help a few hotels, restaurants and other small shops around the area. The post then turned ugly blaming anglers for the destruction of the grass
flats, spoiling the resources for profit, and not giving anything back in return. As far as the anglers responsible for destroying our harbors grass flats goes, in the 70s, way back when I was young, we used to wade fish around Grassy Point and where the county pier is. We used to catch redfish until we were tired of catching them. The bottom was alive back then, I’m not saying covered with grass but, there was enough to support food for fish to feed on. Now, till this day, boats still don’t run that area, but all the grass is gone. So are boats really tearing up the grass enough to kill entire flats of sea grass? I think they need to look at water quality in the harbor. Instead of looking at the obvious, you have to remember just like yards, the grass flats need sun light. With the harbor water getting darker over the last 30 years or so, due to drainage and everything else that’s pumped or spilled in the harbor, and since the surrounding counties grew, the harbor and its grass, have both taken a substantial hit. Can you stop growth and expect a town to survive? Can you let a town grow, and grow, without expecting damage to the natural resources? The answer to both questions is “No” and if the county and the surrounding counties, would have remembered something my dad referred to as the 7 Ps (Proper Pre Planning Prevents Piss Pour Production) maybe this could have turned out better.
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2009
This XTreme tournament red was all flaired out and looked ʻmadʼ
On to another issue that hit close to home: The world record hammerhead shark. Yes, Bucky Dennis broke another record this time it was on 80-pound test and he shattered the old record by over 500-pounds. The difference now, unlike his previous record, is that people are calling him the Shark Killer. Well, I would tend to ask every angler “ if they had a world record fish hooked up, and caught, would they release that fish?” No, they would not, at least not me. As an angler, I want to be the best I can, and a world record would prove it. Earnest Hemmingway spent his life chasing big fish in search of records. Now, I’m not comparing Bucky to Hemmingway but, what is the difference? Hands down, I give credit where credit is due, and here you go Bucky, a big fat Credit Due. You might be crazy, or warped in the head, for messing with something that big, but you did it again, and it will be a long time before another angler beats those records. And your children’s kids can hold their heads high and say “My grandpa held the World’s Record for the largest hammerhead shark ever caught on a rod and reel.” How’s that for show and tell day? Now on to the fishing. The big talk this month will be tarpon. They are everywhere and eating well. Myself included has spent a lot of time chasing ‘poons’ this season
already. They will eat a variety of swim baits, jigs, white bait, and crabs and you do not have to leave the harbor to get it done. While tarpon season is here don’t forget about the back water species such as redfish, snook and trout. With everyone out hunting tarpon the flats have had a little chance to settle down and the fish are chewing. A lot of large snook have found their way into the Myakka Cutoff — when I say large, I mean fish over 33-inches. With a well full of large thread fins, your chances are pretty good of finding a huge line sider. Redfish action has been steady with good reports coming from around Gasparilla and up the intracoastal. This time of the year, half of blue crab is hard to beat. It seems like there are just a ton of five pound fish running around, and eager to feed. Trout fishing has been hot out near the markers in the harbor, I know it’s not the flats, but a bent rod is, after all, a bent rod. The deeper water seems to be holding a lot of trout, perhaps it is the abundance of bait in the harbor. Get out and fish.
Capt. Andrew Medina can be reached at (941)456-1540 or on the web at www.fishfloridatarpon.com, to book a trip or fishing info.
XTreme Redfish Tournament Results
1) Bing Blackburn and Wayne Quick total wt. 13.46 $1210.00 also: Big fish 7.33 $270.00 2) Neil Hampton and Bobbie Fisher total wt. 12.75 $550.00 3) Stephen Smith and Jesse Smith total wt 12.39 $240.00 4) Brandon Varney and Paul Lambert total wt 12.30 $160.00 We had a total of 28 boats, 37 fish weighed in, 2 dead. Capt. Andrew Medina and I would like to Thank everyone for participating in the tournament and look forward to next month. We also want to say a Special Thank You to MJS Trucking for all there help with the tournament. – Sheri
Beach Fishing for Snook June
2009
By Capt. Chuck Ei chner Water LIFE Inshore The amazing thing about Charlotte Harbor is that one species of fish can be pursued in many areas with many different tactics. The snook is my favorite backcountry species because explosive strikes often lead to an incredible battle with aerial leaps. In contrast to the tarpon, the fight is short and exciting and in a minute you will have boated the snook or he will have bit or cut you off. The pulling force and antics of this fish converted me from a die-hard largemouth bass fisherman to a complete saltwater addict. With snook inhabiting the backcountry, rivers and flats on a year round basis there is an exciting migration to the beaches that present a whole new set of challenges. The pursuit of beach snook is closer to an encounter with a bonefish on the shallow flats of Islamorada. The fish are spooky and normally in the shallows of the beach areas. Laid up on white sand they appear as ghost fish with a light gray appearance that is only detectable with strong sunlight. Snook in a fashion similar to a chameleon will change their color to match their environment. Beach snook are a whitish, silvery gray color very different than a river or backcountry fish that sports a dark greenish body and a black racing stripe. The attraction to the beach is their annual spawning ritual. To be honest I don’t fully understand it but it appears that the young bucks (males) congregate in the beach shallows often in large packs from 5 to 30 fish. Occasionally, you will see a large snook patrolling on the outside but often they are elusive. The general consensus is that the big girls prefer the deeper waters of the pass to hang out. Obviously, the males and females mix it up at some point but the majority of fish I catch are small. Reportedly, snook spawn on or near the new and full moons when the tides are the strongest. Beach fishing for snook starts in mid May and goes through September. To catch the big fish in the passes you need to arm yourself with heavy gear and fish large baits like whole ladyfish or mullet. Boca Grande, Captiva and Redfish Pass often have boats drifting with large baits for these oversize snook this time of year. There is nothing like catching a monster snook but regardless of size they are out of season. An average beach snook is smaller than the average harbor snook- around 18 to 23 inches. These smaller fish are super on light saltwater tackle. I prefer a 7’ light action rod with 10# power pro to maximize casting distance. This is the perfect outfit but not when a 15 pounder eats your bait but you can’t have it both ways.
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Beach snook are found in the swash channel or trough that forms on the beach edge. This trough is quite noticeable in some areas and is non-existent in others. Snook meander up and down these beach channels and often will school up in flat featureless areas as well. Any type of structure may attract the fish. On Boca Grande and all the neighboring islands you will find old pilings, rocks, sticks, metal chains and bottom debri that are remnants of old docks, landings and hurricane leftovers. The easiest part of this sport is finding them and the hardest part is making them bite. This is sight fishing at its finest but forget about idling the beach edge or running the shoreline to see the fish. Spooking the fish with your big engine and then shutting down and fishing them usually will have you looking for the next school of fish after about 15 minutes of lockjaw. Use a trolling motor on a low setting or get out and walk the beach to cover distances of beach shallows. Here is a short list of tactics that will make you more successful at this sport: -Fi sh on days when the wi nd i s out of the east. Thi s l eaves the l eeward beach edge cal m. -S tart your tri p very earl y or focus on the l ate eveni ng.
-Watch your shadow whether fi shi ng from boat or foot. Your shadow wi l l spook the fi sh just as a bi rd l ofti ng over the fi sh wi l l spook them.
-If wal ki ng the beach, stay out of the water and make your casts whi l e standi ng a l ong way from the beach edge. S nook i n 12 i nches of water are very nervous. -If the fi sh aren’t bi ti ng reduce your l eader si ze. It’s al l about vi si bi l i ty and someti mes a smal l er hook works better.
-Arti fi ci al bai ts work wel l and a smal l whi te bucktai l i s hard to beat for coveri ng water.
-Whi tebai t i s an excel l ent choi ce but your casti ng presentati on i s cri ti cal . Your cast shoul d be made wel l ahead of where the fi sh i s travel i ng. A hard spl ash wi l l usual l y send the fi sh runni ng. Capt. Chuck Eichner is a local charter captain. For information or to book a guided fishing trip call 941-505-0003 or go to his website: www.backcountry-charters.com
MAGAZINE
P a g e 11
Roger Stacy said “We caught this red grouper on a Sabiki rig on Monday May 11. We were fishing for bait about 14 miles out of the Venice Jetty. The grouper was 24-inches! “
DIVING
Page 12
with Adam Wilson
By Adam Wi l son Water LIFE Diving It's that time of year again to make those long runs offshore. Most of the larger fish have been heading deeper for several weeks now and soon most reefs inside of 60 feet will be home only to juvenile grouper, snapper and small jacks. With this in mind, we ran out to the wreck of the Roatan Express 1 for the full moon snapper bite and some deep diving. The Roatan was a 180 foot supply ship that made a bi-weekly run from Tampa to the Honduran island of Roatan carrying a general cargo of food, sundries and even vehicles. In the early morning hours on October 1, 1992 the ship took on a dangerous list to the portside and the Captain ordered an ‘abandon ship.’ He was last seen making his way to the radio room to send a final mayday call after giving up his life vest to a passenger who did not have one. A female passenger who returned to her cabin to retrieve her purse also perished that stormy morning. The remaining 12 crew and one passenger were rescued later that morning by the U.S. Coast Guard. The wreck lies perfectly upright in approximately 190 feet of water and is often described as appearing to be sailing south across the white sand bottom of the Gulf. Although she is home to some huge grouper and snapper, landing a trophy fish is not automatic. She is routinely hit by trophy hunters and commercial spearfisherman too, making most of her residents wise to divers. Once you are within a few hundred yards of the wreck its proximity becomes quite clear by the heavy smell of diesel in the air and smooth multi colored slicks on the Gulf surface. She had just taken on over 140,000 gallons of fuel prior to sailing from Tampa. Night time snapper fishing is a blast out here and the full moon bite is incredi-
Water LIFE
ble. Expect to catch yellowtail, mutton, mangrove, dog and cubera snappers. Because of the high relief of the ship, with the crows nest 60 feet off the bottom, break offs are common. We lost about half of the fish we hooked that night which kept everybody hoarding their small stash of tackle for fear of running out. Because she is a true shipwreck and not just a sterilized artificial reef, treasure hunting can be just as rewarding as fishing here. The cabins, galley, mess hall and Captain’s quarters are still filled with cargo and remnants of everyday life. Bicycles, mattresses, china, clothing, electronics and personal belongings are just some of the items to be found throughout the ship. On our dive we dropped through a ravenous school of amber and almaco jacks, african pompano and barracudas to the cargo deck. I immediately broke right to follow a monstrous cubera snapper, the largest of the five I could see, easily over 75 pounds. Carl went left towards the bow and wheel house. Our buddy Billy was on the hunt for treasure and began investigating the cabins below the wheelhouse for artifacts and encrusting thorny oysters. Chasing the cubera aft I followed him around the trucks still chained to the cargo deck and over the stern down to the two massive screws half burried in the sandy bottom. Like a bolt of lightning he shot out over the open sand from behind one of the prop blades, spooking several big gag and black groupers in the process. These fish knew all too well what our plans were, so we began to pick off the more friendly and numerous dog snappers and scamp groupers. Big cubera snappers are on a lot of offshore anglers wish list, but the food value of these guys is fair at best. The meat of fish over 20 pounds tends to be very firm with a coarse texture and has a very strong fish taste and odor, making it best suitable for fish jerky or soup (IMHO). At least this is what I told myself during my ascent after missing my big one.
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Dropping on some ledges in 160 feet on our return trip in we found gangs of the highly endangered gag grouper roving the bottom with their scamp brothers. It was hard to even see them through the swarming bee-hive-like schools of the equally rare American red snapper. The red snappers literally stacked up from the bottom to about 30 feet from the surface. Hook and line fishing these spots will never produce grouper. Baits rarely make it half way to the bottom before being inhaled by the big reds. With red snapper season opening June 1st a long offshore run might just be worthwhile, but with a two fish per person limit you will be done fishing most natural bottom spots in about 10 minutes.
Closer to home in 60 to 100 feet water temps are on the rise and should be 80 degrees on the surface now. Visibility has been the best of the year and will stay that way until the water warms and the monsoon rains finally finish.
June
2009
Here is my buddy Billy Ginn. He was treasure hunting on the Roatan Express and stumbled across these 2 bottles of Chivas Regal stamped 1994, the year the ship went down. The captain had quite the collection of fine booze on board.
This is why it is always a good idea to fish or dive those small hard bottom patches seen on the bottom finder. Out of the water a true black grouper looks like an airbrushed cartoon that couldn't possibly blend into its surroundings. These photos show just how incredibly camoflauged they really are.
June
2009
Water LIFE
MAGAZINE
Page 13
More Structure
Page 14
Water LIFE
MAGAZINE
June
2009
for the Capt. Jeff Steele Reef
By Betty S taugl er Water LIFE / Sea Grant
By the end of this month, the Captain Jeff Steele Reef will be a little bigger. The Captain Jeff Steele Reef is our newest reef site, located roughly 14 miles west of Stump Pass. The site was permitted in early 2008 and received its first deployment of material late last summer. That deployment is located at 26 55.838N and 82 35.901W and consists of clean concrete materials of opportunity (culverts, junction boxes, power poles).
Our deployment this month will also consist of more materials of opportunity (culverts, junction boxes, power poles and a 120’ barge). Once the deployment is made, the coordinates will be made available on our website: http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/arti ficialreefs.htm and in the July edition of Water LIFE Magazine. This deployment is being underwritten by a grant from the West Coast Inland Navigation District and moneys in the Captain Jeff Steele Reef memorial fund. The later are donations made to the University of Florida Foundation specifically for the purpose of
building a reef in Captain Steele’s memory.
Sea Grant program assistant Roger DeBruler coordinates the County’s artificial reef program. He has been working for quite some time now to identify construction material, staging sites and a host of other requirements for building a reef. He will coordinate with our contractor, Kelly Brothers of Fort Myers during the construction activities. In addition to building reefs, Roger is also responsible for monitoring them. All of our active reefs (open permit) have monitoring requirements. For the last year, Roger has been working with contractors Captain Brett Blackburn, Blue Water Environmental Consultants and Captain Jim Joseph, Fantasea Scuba to map out and conduct fisheries surveys at four of the County’s reefs (Novak, Tremblay, Palm Island Ferry and Stump Pass). This project, paid for by a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will fulfill our permit requirements and allow us to enhance our artificial reef website. Our goal, is to be able to provide detailed maps and com-
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This 120 foot barge in Ft Myers will soon be part of the Charlotte Capt. Jeff Steele Reef.
mon fish species for each of our artificial reefs.
Did you know that you can download a copy of our artificial reef brochure from the Sea Grant website? (same website as above) This brochure is currently being updated to include the new Capt. Jeff Steele Reef. In the interim, you will need to write those coordinates in. While you are on our website, check out the photos from our deployment last year (under the Jeff Steele link). In other artificial reef news, the Vandenberg, scheduled to go down on May 27th, should be on the sea floor by
the time you read this. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other law enforcement agencies were scheduled to escort the 523 foot decommissioned military ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg on its final voyage, Tuesday, May 26, weather permitting, where the following day, the ship would be sent underwater to settle on the ocean floor in 140 feet of water 6 miles south of Key West in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary where it will serve as an artificial reef.
Betty Staugler is the Univ ersity of Florida Sea Grant Agent for Charlotte County. She can be reached at 764-4346.
June
2009
Warmer Weather Means Up-River Fun
Water LIFE
Page 15
MAGAZINE Iron Lake
Horse Creek The Cut
Sandy beaches all along the Peace river become relaxing hangouts for boaters who want to lounge in the shallow water near shore. Although ʻgators are not usually a problem, itʼs a good idea to keep an eye out for them.
This is the time of year when eggs are hatching and young birds are everywhere. Drift by, try not to move at all, and they will let you get very close.
There are flowers are everywhere. This field of yellow near Iron Lake is a popular spot to camp. Trestle
Water Plant SR 761
Nav-A-Gator
Sarasota Countyʼs Manatee Protection Plan Up For Review
By Capt. Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff 1989 was a pretty good time to live in Florida. Things were still pretty low key back then. Big development had not yet taken over Southwest Florida and government was willing to leave a guy alone. Everyone who wanted a job could get one, and anyone with a decent job could get a house. Even the fishing was pretty good back then. The only thing that seemed out of whack was the plight of the poor manatee. It seemed that a number of folks had gotten together and convinced, then governor Bob Martinez, that the manatee was in serious trouble. That the manatee population was less than 1000 and if something was not done they would soon become extinct. No governor wants to be on the job when the last manatee takes their last breath, so Martinez ordered 12 counties to come up with a Manatee Protection Plan to protect manatees in their local waters. Sarasota County; the home of Mote Marine, New College and active chapters of the Sierra Club and Audubon Society considered themselves environmentally sensitive so they volunteered to become the 13th county to have a MPP. The Governor gave these counties 3 years to finish their MPP and have it approved by the Sate; but by 1993 only 4 counties had completed their plans. Most of the others had put the project on the back burner and pretty
much forgot about it. Until a organization called the Save the Manatee Club threatened the State with a lawsuit if the State didn’t force the counties to finish their MPP. Sarasota was one of those counties that had not finished their MPP, and were pretty content to leave it that way. Until one day one of the big private yacht clubs in town wanted to build more docks and low and behold they were turned down for a permit because Sarasota County had not completed their MPP. That’s when the county realized that volunteering may not always be a good thing. It seems the State, with the help of the SMC, had determined that most of Sarasota Co waters were critical manatee habitat; and as Carol Knox of the FWC pointed out: “ Restrictions on docks in Manatee Habitat are a required component of the MPP.” In other words, no plan – no new docks. This wasn’t just for Sarasota but for all the other counties as well. Sarasota hired Mote Marine for a few hundred thousand dollars to finish their MPP and had it approved by the State in Sept. 2003. This 218 page report has a lot of information, but the only thing they could think of to help manatees was to put in slow zones for boats. Most of the other counties basically did the same thing. Slow down the boats and save the manatee. One thing that Sarasota did that was unique was to require a review of
There are plenty of boats up river and extra vigilance is important, as in this tight spot at the ʻcutʼ above Horse Creek
their plan in 5 years to see if it was working. That local rule review committee is being formed right now. How has the manatee been doing in Sarasota Co and the rest of Florida, since 1989? Well we know the population of manatees is skyrocketing with the last aerial survey in 2009 finding 3807; so I guess they’re not on the brink of extinction any more. How are the slow zones doing as a tool to protect manatees? Sarasota County watercraft related manatee deaths average about 2 a year since the slow zones were introduced. Before then they averaged about 2 a year. So there doesn’t seem to be any benefit to manatees from slow zones. The Local Rule Review Committee already has 14 members and some of them are already thinking about putting in additional slow speed zones for boaters. I can only hope that some of the other members are smart enough to ask to see scientific proof that slow zones work. Duval County has just reviewed their MPP and has actually removed some of their slow zones. In Miami-Dade County the commissioners are so determined to remove some of their slow zones that they have budgeted $700,000 to revise their MPP. Sarasota boaters, you have been warned; if you don’t keep you eye on this committee you may wake up to 9 additional miles of slow zones. These meetings are open to the public. If you want more information contact: Rachel Herman, Project Scientist-Natural Resources; Sarasota County 941-861-6232 or rherman@scgov.net Reach Capt. Ron at: CaptRonB@juno.com
Page 16
Water LIFE
MAGAZINE
OLD TIMERS: An Interview with Larry May
The Commercial Perspective
By Kelly Beal Water LIFE Commercial Fishing All fishermen are leary of being misquoted, so when I asked Larry May if he would let me write an article on him of course he said no - his voice full and resonant! But luckily Larry succumbed to my begging and pleading. He was my first choice because he's the epitome of what a true fisherman is. Fishing all his life, he would crab in the morning before class and fish when he got home. Now some would question him being so ambitious, but I believe it. He is so intense when speaking of fishing his dark eyes get real big and he pauses between statements to make his point. Anyone who talks to him is in constant wild anticipation, waiting for the point as it usually comes slow. I guess that makes his words that much more meaningful, so well thought out. But today he asks that we remember he's been on the water for 7 hours, his head is stressed, his eyes are sore and he's sunburnt to boot, he's been casting all day long and taking a bunch of silly questions from tourists "What are you fishing for?" - only to come home to the pushy girl at the fishhouse who has even more questions for him. K - So when did you start fishing? L- I was 5 years old with my Dad on Tavern Key. We were on a mackerel boat. The whole family lived there. My Dad was fishing with Gene Santini's Dad "Fabien" and some others. K- So when did you move to Punta Gorda? L- When I was 10 years old. K- What brought you here? L- A model T K- Oh Larry , you know what I mean. L- We had a lot of family here. K- So when you were in middle and high school what was the main catch at that time? L- Mullet, Jack, Sand Brim- and later on I would do a little crabbing. Ed (Hendrickson) had the packing house then. "Gulf Shore Seafood" K- Who were you fishing with? L- Oh, Grant Lowe, David and Danny Godwin and James Crenshaw. K- What were you fishing out of?
L- Just basic kicker boats and pole skiffs. K- How did you keep the fish cold back then? L- We broke tree limbs to shade the fish. It actually worked better than ice. Now the water has more acid in it affecting the food quality of the fish - but then you didn't see the sores you see now on the fish. It's all due to the pesticide and fertilizer run off. K- Tell me about your Dad's fish company. L- He was called Peace River Seafood too - he worked out of the pick up - right after the gill net ban. It was basically a one man operation. He was a mullet fisherman but his favorite fishing was pompano fishing. K-Why did he like pompano fishing so much? L- I don't know - Why does (your husband) Jimmy like crabbing? K- Because that's the only thing he knows how to do! Anyways when you worked for Mosquito Control did you quit fishing? L- No. I never quit fishing. I would fish in the evening after work. As long as I’ve got my cast net, I'm happy. K- How would you sum up yesterdays fishing compared to todays? L- You were able to use something you could catch with back then. We had a gill net, now we have these minnow nets. We used to catch 500lbs in one strike of what we want - now with seine you're lucky to get 100lb with the same effort. When you cut a mesh down to two inches the fish just bounce off and you're stuck with a bunch of juvenile fish, pinfish, crabs, more trash fish then not. K- Where do you see our industry on a local level, right here in Charlotte Harbor, ten years from now? L- You will be lucky if you see any. They will probably outlaw cast nets - you see all these no wake zones. I've heard they were going to close a part of the harbor for the sawfish. I've fished here all my life and never have seen a lot of sawfish. Certainly, I've never seen them in schools. But then again I've never seen a dinosaur and it hasn't stopped me from going on. They just want this to be retirement state, not for the workMention Water LIFE for
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ing class. They want the working class to support it, but they are killing an industry that has been here since the beginning. Back then it seemed like everyone was making a living from the catch. K- What's your best catch Larry? L- 9000 lbs K- What's the best day? L- When everyone got along. It was like one big family, we'd help each other and had common courtesy towards each other. K- Common courtesy? L- Yeah, it's missing now. The way it used to be, like, if someone was already there - they had first strike, when they were ready. Now it's like "If you don't hurry up and strike on those fish I am". There is no respect or code like there used to be. K- We need a code of ethics among us? L- Just like how crabbers are - they didn't used to cover each other up like they do now. K- So you all worked together before.. L- You see, Buzz's father (Ed Hendrickson) use to help people out and furnish the boats, traps and bait. We got 3 cents a pound and it seem like everyone was making money out of the crab plant. And we would work on the grouper boats that were owned by Ed. That's how I spent most of my summers, on those grouper boats. K- Those were your best days? L- No. Shrimping on the boats in Texas and Louisiana were my best days. I'd have a pocket of money and come in and chase wild and loose women - have a blast. K- You and I both know that's not what fishing is about - you know - it's not about the money. L- It wasn't then but it is now. It's all dog eat dog. K- Speaking of money - what were you getting paid then in the 70s and 80s? L- 50 cents - even in the sixties when gas was 45 to 50 cents a gallon. The laws really affect what we take home now. The law makers and those who voted on the net ban may have book smart but have no practical application. You wouldn't take a three year old and put him behind the wheel of a car. So now we can't catch what we need to make a living. K- So law's aside - no matter how we catch - we're still only getting 50 cents. How do we remedy that? L- The industry has been outsourced - our local catch has lost value. So many years mullet and sand brim has been underrated calling it bait or junk fish - they make a big to do about grouper and trout but once you've had a fresh mullet you change your mind. Mullet is like Forrest Gump shrimp you can smoke it, fry it, blackened it, broil it, bake it, grill it , just put it on a stick on
June
2009
an open fire. K- What's the solution? L- The public has to be educated on the edible fish that's available locally. They won't buy what they don't know how to prepare. They turn their noses up. People are starting to eat at home again and if they knew all the preservatives that's in their food they would be more apt to buy local fresh. This imported seafood comes from lands that are full of sick people and has poor refrigeration. You can buy local just as cheap as imports. K- One more question Larry - what do you have to say about the user conflict issue? L- Okay - let me just say one example and you can take it for whatever it's worth. In the ten thousand islands in Everglades park the commercial fisherman were banned from the area but the recreationals were aloud to stay. They had it all to themselves. Well, the commercial boats no longer cultivated the bottom and the grasses took over and pretty soon the recreationals ended up going to the area where the commercial fishermen were aloud to fish because there were less grasses. K- So what do you want people to know - what do you want to put out there. L- The main thing I would like to see for people to be educated on what we do. Whenever they see a fisherman out there we aren't after thier sport fish we are after mullet , Jack, brim...they need to know the function of our equipment so they understand they don't catch everything in the water. Like crab traps are after crabs, the round buoys aren't channel markers, the cast net I'm throwing is for mullet and sand brim, and the seine is for Jacks and mullet. I think people are sometimes under the misconception that we're after their sport fish. It's late now and we're shutting the fish house down. I thank Larry for his time. His brother Tadpole is waiting outside for him. His portly figure moves across the wood floor of the fish house. I know I'm lucky to know such a character. For all it's strife and headaches I'm lucky to be in this business. I live on its passion. I love you Larry May!
June
2009
R Re ea al l E Es st ta at te e N Ne ew ws s
PROVIDED BY: Dave Hofer RE/MAX Harbor Realty (941) 575-3777 dhofer@remax.net www.harborparadise.com Recent area news i tems: 1. The Florida Legislature passed HB 1495. In response to actuarial computations that show the Citizens Insurance catastrophe fund to be some 50% underfunded, the new law will permit rates to rise by 10% per year for the next 5 years. Although the bill, in its final form, has not yet reached Governor Crist's desk, he is expected to sign the bill into law. In the absence of major hurricane damage, the increased rates will add $12 billion per year to the fund reserves. The bill also clarifies benefits available to homeowners under the My Safe Florida Home program to allow outright matching grants of up to $5,000 for wind protection measures performed rather than just interest free loans. The old program is currently set to expire on June 30. 2. In January, new construction of single family homes in the U.S. fell to the lowest level in the fifty years that the commerce department have been compiling statistics. Since then, new starts have shown an almost impercepti-
Water LIFE
MAGAZINE
ble improvement (down 85% from their peak in May, 2005). Housing starts in the southern states fell to 196K from 341K in April 2008. The benefit of this dismal picture is that the inventory of unsold new homes has fallen to a decades long low point (at least, in terms of new household formations) Although inventory reductions have set the stage for a strengthening of the national housing market, household formations are not yet being translated into net new housing demand. 3. Bankruptcy courts have long been permitted to force commercial mortgages to be modified where terms were excessively onerous and modification would be in the best interest of the bankrupt party, lender and other creditors. The banking lobbyists have fought extension of this "cramdown" benefit to individual homeowners. Once again, they have convinced the U.S. Senate, by a vote of 51 to 45 to disallow this provision to individual homeowners. This bill, which would have increased the incentive for lenders to voluntarily renegotiate terms with creditworthy borrowers, has been lost. Lenders would rather have unfettered foreclosures, abandonement and dumping of distressed properties, rather than risk having the courts overturn their mortgage terms. 4. The City of Punta Gorda has approved plans for the owners of the Best Western motel to proceed for SWFWMD permission for the develop-
Page 17
Inside the new Sheraton Four Points Hotel. They will be serving breakfast and dinner.
ment of a 62 unit commercial marina and to provide for an 80 ball mooring field west of southbound 41 in exchange for the construction of a fishing pier and a link for the riverwalk now under development. The city will also be creating an additional mooring field on the other side of the bridge in Laishley Marina. 5. The new Sheraton Four Points Hotel is now open on the site of the old Holiday Inn. With plans for a condo building/parking garage being mothballed, the developer has now provided the community with an extensively landscaped park like setting surrounding the hotel. 6. Punta Gorda had planned its linear park with bike trails to extend along the Peace River as well as along the
Seminole Railroad right of way down to Aqui Esta. Lease negotiations with Seminole have stalled, creating an uncertain future for that portion of the park. Plans are now underway to create parking for users on the east end of the riverside portion of the park. S al es S tati sti cs: Lot sales continue to be weak, with prices returning to pre 2003 levels. Although volume of home sales have increased over last year, prices are typically down by 1/3 from those levels. Inventories have shown modest reductions, but lower end foreclosed homes are seeing almost all of the action. Visit us at www.harborparadise.com to view any available properties from Venice to Burnt Store Marina
Page 18
By Bi l l Di xon Water LIFE Sailing
The Conch Quest to and from Key West is history. Turnout was way down this year. Only two boats started from Boca Grande. Only 35 boats total registered. Weather was better than last couple of years, much better than last year. Strong easterlies made it a fast reach down the coast. Roger Horton from Cape Coral on Wicked Wicked Ways won the Boca race
Water LIFE
with an elapsed time of 22:16:05 for an average speed 5.9 knots. This schooner reaches well and it was his kind of weather. Maybe the fast times and better weather this year will entice more boats next year. Frequent visitor to Charlotte Harbor, Steve Romaine on Air Supply won the Naples non-spin class. Jerry Poquette’s Fancy Free from Burnt Store corrected to second in the Naples to KW event. Big news for the summer is Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club’s Wednesday night series. CHYC member Martin Holland has organized a new summer series. This series will be a low key mid week
MAGAZINE
evening sailing event, open to all followed by an après race gathering at CHYC also open to all. Tie up space will be available at CHYC on Wednesday evenings, or you can take your boat home and come by land yacht. Current plans are for two fixed courses each starting at green Government mark 3A off Fishville. The “green” course starts east to Red 4, the “red” course starts west to Red 2. Martin requires boats to go thru the start/finish gate, so that if the wind dies either course can easily be shortened to ½ lap. There are no entry fees, but an entry form/liability release is required.
June
2009
Races start Wednesday June 3. There will be one start at 5:30 p.m. after a 5:25 warning. Races will be held every Wednesday thru Sept. 30.
Noti ce of Race, S ai l i ng Instructi ons and Entry Form at http://www.charlotteharboryachtclub.com under “Inter Club Sailing.” There is also a link directly to the forms on the PGSC web site at pgscweb.com. Martin Holland can be reached at bayracer.com@comcast.net. Mrs. D and I plan to partake of both the racing and the après. Hope to see you out there.
DixonWJ@comcast.net
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June
2009
Paddling the Poor Man's Everglades
By Davi d Al l en Water LIFE Kayaking Our Club just recently returned from a long three day weekend paddling the Everglades out of Everglades City. And a great paddle that was through the green jungle waterways. So, that's our "Glades paddle for a while, we thought.. .. .nothing like it in Charlotte county or nearby. At least that's what we thought. Then quite unexpectedly, we planned one of our regular Sunday paddles near Matlacha, just off Old Burnt Store Road. And were we surprised! We met at Home Depot at Highway 41 and Burnt Store Road and caravaned to the launch site, about 20 miles south. The launch site was at SW 39th Avenue in Cape Coral, and while it was not the best site I've every seen, the beach was adequate, and even had a nearby Port-A-Potti. Always nice. Lots of parking for cars and trailers, too. We launched about 23 kayaks and headed north via a wide canal bordered by healthy young mangroves. As we paddled north on the Spreader Canal, there were fair number of powerboats headed out to the open water. But the canal was wide enough, and the boaters were accommodating and gave us a wide berth with only small wakes to rock our
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kayaks. There were some very large, new homes gracing the east side of the canal for the first mile of so, but we soon left them well behind. We were looking for the small, almost hidden, entrance into the mangrove tunnel area; an entrance that is not easy to locate if you don't have some local knowledge. Isolated as we were from nearby developments, there were lots of birds soaring over our heads, and fish; boy the fish were really jumping. After about a mile and a half, we came to the entrance on the right side of the canal, and single-filed through the narrow mangrove opening. Now, we really thought we were in the Everglades. The channel was much narrower here, with all the twists and turns we have come to expect in the Everglades. And much more wildlife was spotted here, more protected from the hustle, bustle, and noise of cars and boats. The water, dark brown but clean, was very shallow in spots, particularly on the inside edge of bends in the watercourse. One of our paddlers tried to cut the bend short and ran aground...had to get out and walk his kayak to deeper water. We came to a very shallow area at a turn in the channel, shallow enough so we could get out of our kayaks, stretch; take a drink and get a handful of trail mix. The
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The launch site was at SW 39th Avenue in Cape Coral, and while it was not the best site I've every seen, the beach was adequate, and even had a nearby Port-A-Potti.
cool water felt good too, as the day was hot and the mangroves kept the wind from cooling us off. Shortly after the break, the channel narrowed still more and came to an apparent end. Yes, we had reached the dreaded portage. Actually, it was a piece of cake. A little "levee", about 4 feet high and 15 feet across, it blocked our way to the main channel, and so, back to the launch area. One-by-one, we beached our kayaks, climbed the bank dragging our kayaks behind, down the other side and into the water again. It was too easy. And we didn't lose anyone.
Now we had a clear shot paddling back about a mile or so to the launch and we picked up the pace a little, as we were getting hungry and thirsty. As we loaded our kayaks onto our cars, we remarked again, how similar this paddle was to paddling in the Everglades.
The Port Charlotte Kay ak ers meet each Wednesday ev ening at Port Charlotte Beach Park at 5:30 PM. All are welcome. For more information, contact me at 941-235-2588 or email to: dlaa@comcast.net. You can check out our upcoming paddles and ev ents at: pck ay ak ers.org Then come join us!
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June
2009
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June
2009
SCUTTLEBUTT
Water LIFE
Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True
Captainʼs Courageous A group of at least 12 tournament anglers led by Captʼs Danny Latham and J.R. Witt are complaining the payout at the May 9 Flatsmasterʼs Tournament was smaller than advertised. Witt says they will start their own tournament series. The first event could be a June Couples Tournament at Burnt Store. Kayak/Canoe/Boat Camping At the last meeting of the Marine Advisory Committee, it was disclosed that plans are underway to build ʻTiki Hutsʼ on Thornton Key as part of a boater accessible campsite for kayaks, canoes and any power boats that can get to the site. Thornton Key is
part of the Knight Island/Palm Island landmass. There will be a registration fee charged for the facilityʼs use and other boater accessible campsites are in the works. It is unclear if funding and maintenence will come from Parks and Rec, Beach and Shores, or the Marine Advisory Committee itself. Way Overpriced The old Rock Creek Marina in Englewood is on the ʻfor saleʼ list priced at $3.6 million. Apparently the County Commissioners are considering (again) buying the site. Last assessed at just $1 million there is concern that the county could be ʻcrazyʼ looking at this site for that price. Also trou-
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bleing is the fact that the area gets extremely shallow and is sometimes unaccessible by boat. Price of Boating We have heard that some boat registration fees in Charlotte County are up as much as 46-percent. The mandatory local boating improvement fund ʻcontributionʼ is said to be the culprit. Charter Chatter According to Officer Jason Rafter who worked a special detail with the U.S. Secret Service providing security for George W. Bush during the former presidentʼs fishing trip to Islamorada. Weather conditions were good, but no tarpon were caught. Rafter wouldnʼt say who the guide was and the guide who couldnʼt put the President on fish is not coming forward to talk either.
BRIDGE WALKWAY IMPROVEMENTS The parking lot on the northwest side of the US 41 bridge at Port Charlotte will be closed for 90 days while construction crews build a new sloped pedestrian ramp from the bridge walkway to the waterside parking lot. Hopefully it will be open for the 11 a.m. take off of the July 4th Peace River Swim that departs from this very point.
The Deadly Dozen : Charlotte Harbor FISHING GUIDES Charters
Offshore Fishing Trips: 1/2 day • 8hr • 10 hr • 12 hr We help put your charters together
Shark, Tarpon, Grouper, Snapper, Kingfish, and MORE!
Nighttime Trips Available
Capt. Jim OʼBrien USCG 50 ton license since 1985
Bus: 941-475-5538 Res: 941-473-2150
CALL NOW for TARPON FISHING CHARTERS!
Captain Robert Moore
When you absoloutely positively want to catch fish
(941) 624-5710 www.captRobertMoore.com
offshore/backcountry
Tarpon Trips Starting at $375 Englewood Beach, FL
Guide Card 1 space available $40/mo call 941-766-8180
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June Fishing Report Charlotte Harbor:
Robert at Fishin' Franks Port Charlotte: 625-3888
Tarpon are phenomenal but they are still not up in the Harbor like they should be yet. The majority of the fish are still sticking close to the pass. Some schools have moved towards Turtle Bay and Bokeelia. The tarpon on the beach have been missing most of the time. Threadfins are a good tarpon bait, but big live shrimp are still attracting tarpon when the threadies or crabs don’t. The bigger s harks are starting to show up now, but they are really scattered all over the place. The offshore reefs seem to have some good size sharks on them. Sharks have not been too bad in the pass. Some in the 4 to 7 foot range are scattered in the Harbor. Close to the bars, Atl anti c s harpno s e, bo nnetheads and bl ackti p sharks are hanging out. For the larger sharks, chum heavily around the
Capt. Angel Torres put these happy anglers on a heafty red
inshore reefs, or try drifting with your chum out, that’s
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June
2009
been working well too. Redfi s h are going to be interesting. The bigger fish are moving into the passes and along the beaches. Lemon Bay has been the most consistent spot for redfish for the past four weeks. Fish around the creek mouths and canals where it is a little deeper. Reds are also scattered in Bull and Turtle Bay. Of the nicer size fish, most have been caught on greenies, frozen shrimp and cut ladyfish. In the early a.m., try a Gulp or the Mirrodine suspending twitch bait. Sno o k are all over along the beaches and ESTERO: The fishing has ben good all month with tarpon in the Bay in the passes. They are pretty easy to catch and on the beaches. Snook are all over the lower mangrove islands in the bay. We are catching them on SkitterWalks early in the mornnow, but the s eas o n i s cl o s ed o n ing and scaled sardines. Red Fish have ben biting in the same s no o k. They will eat pinfish, threadfins or places we're catching snook cut baite and scaled sardines are working well. Sharks can be caught by setting out a chum slick and just greenbacks. Snook up to 25 pounds are on waiting for them to show up. Capt Steve Nagy the beaches and often they are schooled up pretty good now. Co bi a are all over in the Harbor and should be here for the rest of the Darrel Roth with a 22lb redfish summer. The 41 bridge, the channel markcaught and ers and Alligator Creek Reef are all good released with Capt. Tom Fisher spots for cobies, but as we get more rain of Fishbone the fish should move a little south. Frozen Charters. Best sardines and live whiting are the best cobia day of redfishing ever. bait going right now. Offshore, the permi t are on all the wrecks now. They move from one day to the next, but there are fish from Sarasota to Sanibel, permit up to 35 pounds are being caught now. During the full moon and the new moon this month the mang ro v e s napper will breed and the fishing on any of the offshore reefs should be spectacular.
Above Right and Right: Greg Whaley of Port Charlotte with a healthy Goliath Grouper and his son Jacob with a nice gag. Both fish were caught on the same day!
June
2009
Fishing Report .
Lemon Bay: Jim at Fishermen’s Edge, Englewood: 697-7595
Water LIFE
The The BIG-4 BIG-4 SHARK: Lots of big and small
species are here now Fishing is good everywhere. Pass fishing is real good. In the backcountry they are still getting redfi sh, snook and nice trout. The reds in Lemon Bay are good around Oyster Creek and above the Tom Adams Bridge on the flat on the east side. Docks at Boca Grande are productive now for reds as well. There have been lots of tarpon on the hill tides. Beach fishing is starting to get productive. There are still some Ki ng mackerel and S pani sh mackerel around. Offshore I’m hearing reports of big sharks, snapper, and grouper. Plenty of snapper and AJs at the boxcars and Bayronto wreck. At the 70-foot mark bl ackfi n tuna and sai l fi sh are around the balled up bal l yhoo. Some guys are sharking with a fly rod. S pi nners and bl ackti ps are in the Harbor around by Devilfish Key on the front side where it drops off. That’s all I know.
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Fish Fish to to expect expect in in
TARPON: Most of these fish are in the Passes
COBIA In the Harbor at the 41 Bridge and around some of the markers
June June SPANISH MACKEREL: Still plenty of mackerel around the harbor and offshore
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THE TIME TO FISH IS NOW!
C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s
brought
to
you
by:
4265 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
941 - 625-2700
June 3: Lunch wi th Fi s hi n’ Frank at Madison’s Restaurant, Port Charlotte Town Center Mall. 625-3888
Capt Angel Torres sent us the photos of a cobia (top) a Goliath (Below left) and Robert from Fishinʼ Franks with a Tarpon, all caught last month.
June 4-7: 20th Cal o o s a Catch and Rel eas e, Pink Shell Resort, Fort Myers Beach, 239-850-1707
www.caloosacatchandrelease.com.
June 6: Peace Ri ver Cl ean-Up, 9 a.m, Nav-A-Gator 661-7208. e-mail: jyork22@comcast.net
June 13: Fishin’ Franks’ 25th Annual Shark, Sai l cat, Sti ng ray To urnament. Fish all night Saturday, weigh in Sunday a.m. at Fishin’ Franks. 941-625-3888
June 13: Charl o tte Hi g h Scho o l Redfi s h Ro undup, Laishley Park Marina 941-637-5953
June 27:IFA Redfi s h To ur at Stump Pass Marina in Englewood.
Fishing RIGHT NOW:
Excellent!
July 4: Peace Ri ver Freedom S wi m, Charlotte Harbor to Punta Gorda, begins at 11 a.m. from the base of the US 41 Bridge (south) to Harpoon Harrys at Fishermen’s Village. Discussion with swimmers before the start will occur at 10:55 a. m. 941-6615622 Send y our boating and fishing ev ent and calendar information to: waterlife@comcast.net
Tarpon Crabs (blues) $25/dozen Regular Shrimp $2.50/dozen Capt.ʼs Specials
**ASK**
Military Discounts
El Jobean Bait & Tackle
Next to the Marathon Gas station at the north side of the El Jobean Bridge on hwy 776 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun – Thurs 6 a.m. – Midnight Fri & Sat
941- 623-5883
Dozen Shrimp: $2.50 Regular $3.50 Select $4 Hand Pick $5 Jumbo
June
2009
Water LIFE
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