Wa t e r LIFE C Ch otttte Ha ar rb bo or r a an nd d L Le em mo on n B Ba ay y ha ar rllo e H Kee pin g B oa ters & F ish ermen In fo rmed Sin ce 1 997
The official publication of the Charlotte Harbor Reef Association
June
2012
All In For Tarpon Page 11
N o L ip -G a ff T o u rn e y Pa ag e 8
g Ęťem Handlin Page 12
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June 2012
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June 2012
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June 2012
Inshore and Offshore Headquarters
Letters to WaterLIFE@comcast.net
Hey Mike, Just thinking with all the talk about Mote Marine maybe coming to Punta Gorda, why I haven't heard any mention of them building a fish hatchery here? It occurred to me that something of that nature would be foremost on the fishing communities mind. The old Punta Gorda Mall property doesn't seem like the best location to me either, when that parcel east of the court house is vacant and doesn't the city already own it? It would be an ideal spot since its right on the water and the harbor walk. If you agree, perhaps you could investigate it further and write an article about it. Thanks for all you do for our fishery, Capt. Marc Miller
Re Capt. Ron Blago Sawfish article, May I wanted to say thank you for your recent article concerning the Small Tooth Sawfish. I work closely with most of the marine contractors in SWFL and our business's are at risk with the issues we face. I would like to post this article on our company Face Book page to get out there for more people to read. Please let me know if you will approve. Thank you again, Ron Paluck Chapter Director Florida Marine Contractors Association Shoreline Lumber-CEO Editor replies: Sure! I approve!
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Via Facebook: Taking advantage of the calm conditions in a Port Charlotte canal a local dragon boat crew practices their strokes. Each paddlerʼs inboard paddlehand grip must stay clear of the paddlers in front and behind of them on every pull.
Way to Go Ashley! to Whom it may concern; My name is Chris Burke. Attached is a picture of my daughter Ashley with the first snook she has ever caught. Itʼs a 32" monster she caught on the East Wall Sunday May 6. It was one of those days that couldnʼt get any better once she caught that fish. I'm a carpenter by trade not a fisherman, but I enjoy fishing. Ashley and I have been going out fishing occasionaly over the last couple of years since we got our boat. All I've wanted to do for several years is to put her on a nice fish and Sunday it happened. I havent stopped grinning yet and I pull out the old cell phone to show it to anyone who will look. So if you guys have room in the Water LIFE that would be awesome! Thank You, Chris Burke, Proud Father
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Photography: ASA1000.com Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Charter Fishing: Capt. Bart Marx Port Charlotte: Capt. Billy Barton Punta Gorda: Capt. Chuck Eichner Commercial Fishing: Kelly Beall Sea Grant: Betty Staugler Real Estate: Dave Hofer Inshore: Fishinʼ Frank Offshore: Capt Jim OʼBrien Kayaks: David Allen Sailing: Bill Dixon (on sabbatical) Office Dog: Molly Brown
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The waves were big at Boca Grande as the PTTS anglers fished for tarpon one day last month. This publication supports fishing tournaments so long as tournaments give back to the fishery and ethics are never See page 11 overlooked. Charlotte Harbor Reef Association
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June 2012
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Brevard Trains Environmental Guides ... Charlotte Goes Back to ʻKill Tournamentsʼ
By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE publisher Brevard County, through the University of Florida Sea Grant program there, is cross-training a number of Brevard fishing guides to become environmental guides as well. The thinking in Brevard is there are lots of empty hotel rooms and idle fishing boats so the county is going to promote eco-tourism and try to get more families with kids to come visit Brevard. I wrote about a similar idea in this space last month: that Charlotte County should promote its unique Estuary and work to develop more eco-tourism. Betty Staugler, the Charlotte Sea Grant Agent already has had a number of Charlotte County captains take her Master Naturalist program, which she says is similar to Brevard’s approach. Betty told me the program was becoming very popular. I like fishing and eco-tourism as ways to attract visitors to Charlotte County. I was talking to Fishin’ Frank last month. Frank voiced concern that ecotourists don’t spend money. It’s a sentiment I had heard before but I’m not sure it’s accurate. It’s going to take $250 to $300 a day to get a family of four out on the water for a meaningful Charlotte Harbor environmental experience. But a
family of four $285 just to get into Disneyland, no food no nothing. They are spending the money, we just have to figure out how to bring those dollars here. The county plans a new website to attract new Florida visitors for 2013. Florida is a start but it will take more. I have been working on our own Introduction to Charlotte Harbor Fishing and Eco-tourism website for a couple of months. The start of our site is up and linked from Waterlifemagazine.com. I believe, wholeheartedly, that the future of the Charlotte County economy is directly linked to the successful promotion of the Charlotte Harbor Estuary. So when I was told the local Flatsmasters Tournament Series had taken the giant step backwards to once again include trout in its targeted-species lineup, I was particularly dismayed. Killing local sport-fish reflects badly on the ability to attract business to our living, breathing, estuary. Flatsmasters had taken trout out of their tournament line up in 2009 after this magazine began publishing pictures of all the dead fish they were responsible for. Now, three years later, instead of cleaning up their act, the tournament just keeps us away from taking any more pictures and has gone back to targeting trout. Talk about tournament ethics. I have never seen a tournament, espe-
Page 5
Trout are very delicate and donʼt survive a lot of handling - especially the handling they get in a tournament. The Flatsmasters tournament still wonʼt let us photograph their events because we might to come up with a photo like this; of dead tournament trout at a previous Flatsmasters tournament. Flatsmasters removed trout from the targeted species then last year trout were quietly brought back for the Couples Tournament after one sponsor allegedly complained.
cially a warm weather tournament, where very many the trout weighed-in actually survived. If Flatsmasters has devised a new way to keep tournament trout alive, I’d love to write about so let me know, otherwise I have to continue to believe trout are especially delicate fish that don’t do well with a lot of handling. Killing (taking) trout is perfectly legal. In the tournament the bag limit for every angler is never be exceeded and anglers can take the trout home to eat.
The only problem is, the tournament can no longer claim to be a ‘catch and release’ tournament, the tournament becomes what I will call a sportfish kill tournament. Flatsmasters has to pick a path and they can’t have it both ways. Personally, I’d suggest they invest in the future. I’d ask Flatsmasters to tell the FWC to regulate trout out of all catch and release tournaments. Think that’ll happen?
Cut Bait Works
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By Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Inshore There are many different techniques to fish our local waters and if you ask 5 people chances are you will get 5 different answers. The great thing is probably all 5 will work under the right conditions. With the summer months here and the water temperatures rising, the one
technique that I fall back on is cut bait. Water temperatures on our flats can exceed the 90 degree mark during the summer months and like people, fish just want to find a shady area and be lazy. A nice chunk of fresh cut bait can often get the bite you are looking for. Notice I used the word fresh, frozen bait will work, but I prefer something on the fresher side. The type of bait is a personal preference. One person will swear by mullet and the other will swear by ladyfish. Myself, I like big threadfin herring (shown left). I highly recommend using circle hooks to keep from gut hooking fish, usually the bite is a lot lighter. Also bigger hooks 3/0-4/0 to keep the hook point from getting buried in the bait. A little bit more of a patient approach is also necessary, and I am not known for my patience when it comes to fishing. The great thing is all of our major game species are willing and will take cut bait. I
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June 2012
have caught everything from big snook to cobia in a days fishing just using fresh cut bait. When targeting snook and reds I recommend fishing mangrove shorelines that have a lot of nice green shady over hangs. The next time you’re out fishing and things are not going like you had hoped, don’t be afraid to put something dead on the bottom. If y ou would lik e to ex perience some of Charlotte Harbor’s Best fishing giv e me a call or send me an e-mail and we will customize a priv ate charter that best fits y ou and y our party ’s needs. Capt. Dav id can be reached at back bay x tremes.com
June 2012
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Page 7
Close To Paradise - Singinʼ In the Rain
By Capt. Chuck Ei chner Water LIFE Punta Gorda Fishing A phone call to tighten up fishing plans with Capt. Walt Hill out of West Palm Beach had me excited. Walt was coming over to join me for some R&R on Charlotte Harbor. Normally, anglers come to Walt as he is renowned around the world for his skills at catching large bluewater pelagic species including every type of billfish, but after 3 months aboard a private sportfisher he salivated at my reports of huge numbers of snook and trout. Capt. Tim Richenburg, known as Sparky and Walt’s wife Teresa joined us as well. They called on their ride over asking if they needed to pick up shrimp. I told Walt we were fishing with white bait and he raised concerns that we needed some back up bait. Walt laughed when I assured him that now, a blind man could catch pilchards and threadfins with only a couple throws of the cast net! A fisherman’s breakfast completed, boat and cooler stacked and a short ride into the harbor and we were greeted with diving pelicans and sheets of bait. The air was literally “buzzing” with the tight vibrations of baitfish on the surface. Sparky quickly filled the livewell and we sped off to our first spot. I warned everyone that the tide was flat and we needed a strong incoming tide to bring the bite on. So for the first hour I quietly prayed that the fish would realize we were releasing dozens of baitfish into their kitchen. Walt has visited me on 4 other occasions in the winter months and thought fishing was good. Sparky and I told him he had yet to see good fishing so I was feeling the pressure. Finally, a fish came up to slurp a bait on the port side, then the starboard side. Softly releasing 3” threadfins into the 3 foot depths, we had fish busting and each of us reared back on beautiful trout. That was on the port side, towards a mangrove point snook began plowing our offerings! Sparky announced he had brought an old grocery store type clicker counter and he was keeping score this day. Click after click. Walt and Teresa could not believe what was happening! With so many fish coming aboard Sparky was having a tough time keeping up and had many a fish swallow his hook, bite off his line and a few poor knots were even tied. I lamented we needed a clicker to count my $1 hooks that he was mowing
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through as we laughed through the pandemonium fishing event. Simple fishing with a hook tied to a leader you could cast in any direction and get a bite – quality fish with the trout running 18 inches, mangrove snapper to 13and snook up to 25-inches. After 3 hours and no real big fish we ran about
a mile to another honey hole and managed a couple dozen more snook with some pushing the 30-inch mark. Double and triple hook ups were common this day. At day’s end, the clicker read 70 and we estimated that we hooked 1 out of 3 fish that bit ...and blamed it on the hook style. We mused it certainly could not have been the anglers! Our day 2 fishing trip started late and included my wife Joyce. To lighten the mood we elected to fish for an hour and run to the Lazy Flamingo for lunch at around 1:00pm. With only 5 clicks on the clicker counter we finished up lunch and headed up the harbor. Heading to the Burnt Store area to fish I peered into the livewell to see our bait had died at lunch. Approaching 3:00 a little side trip was necessary because Walt’s dog Blue was confined to his RV back at my house. Back out again by 5:30 we met with a strong west wind and dirty water. Near blind casting the net in the murky water Sparky filled the well and off we went. Our first spot produced the biggest snook of the trip and a good many bites but the clicker was not impressive. Storm clouds were piling up and rain was off in the distance as we ran to the next spot. Chumming with frisky threadfins met
with a couple of biting fish as we discussed running for home as the rain began pelting the surface. Boat after boat ran down the east side taking the appropriate decision to not risk the weather. But with a huge low pressure storm bearing down on us the fish began to blast the surface all around us as we could hardly see to cast. Redfish, snook, trout and snapper suddenly began mashing our offerings where just minutes before it was hard to tell if there were any fish! Walt was the redfish king this trip because his 5th red was a big one which was easily over the limit and released. Walt’s biggest redfish to date! To say we were “lit up” would be an understatement as an occasional flash of lightening told us it was time to go. With all our “high 5’s” aside the clicker read 27 fish, not bad for
a couple of hours. Capt. Walt and Teresa were never more impressed with a fishery in their life. They have fished as a team for over 25 years in the most desirable fishing locations in the world and concluded that Charlotte Harbor is as close to paradise as they have ever been.
Capt. Chuck Eichner operates Action Flats Back country Charters and can be reached at 941-628-8040 or go to www.back country -charters.com
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Influential Water Temperatures
We talked with local captains in order to compile this table of water temperatures that affect our local fishing
90s
Tarpon & Shark still feeding
over 80
Cut bait best bait
90s 80s 75
75 in Fla Bay 72-76
72 and above 70 to 80
under 70 68 68 68
just under 68 66 65 62
mid 60s mid 60s low 60s
under 60 under 60
upper 50s under 55 low 50s
Live bait in baitwell may die Pattern changes: feeding in shade / night Tarpon and shark migrate
Fish start moving north from Fla Bay
Loop current for April migration pattern Tripletail and tarpon feed well Whitebait best bait
Tarpon Tournament requires Voice Poligraph and No Lip Gaffs WaterLIFE@comcast.net
Staff Report The Ding Darling Doc Fords Tarpon tournament last month added two new dimension to tarpon tournament fishing. The tournament which drew 39 Teams required the top two teams to take a truth verification test which the tournament said is more effective than a polygraph. The test, administered by TVS, Inc. uses a microphone on the subjects to detect changes in voice patterns and associated lies. The test is supposedly less stressful and more accurate than a lie detector test. The tournament also banned lip gaffs to lessen the impact on the fish. It was a long day of fishing for the anglers. The tournament started at 7:30 and lasted until 4pm. The tournament was all catch and release with a total of 39 tarpon called in as official catches. The
Shrimp best bait
Manatees suffer,
Sheepshead thrive Kingfish migrate
Spanish migrate
AJ like the cold to feed
Trout and ladyfish slow, reds still feeding Gulf winter temp, top to bottom, 20 miles Pinfish migration
Gags and mangs (the big ones) show up Brown shrimp come into the harbor Not much feeding inshore
Catfish and horseshoe crabs in danger Snook could still survive Snook start dieing Mullet still OK
tournament required photographs of all fish caught. The first catch of the day, at 7:45 was by Team Windows Plus and aside from a lull between 10 and 11 am the fishing was good all day. In all 18 tarpon were landed and 33 dna mouth-scrubs were taken. Extra points were awarded for each scrub. It was neck and neck between Team Doc Ford's and Team Sand Pebble with each team landing 5 fish and each doing a DNA scrubs as the clock approached 4pm. Team Sand Pebble had caught their first fish before the other team, so it looked as if they would be the winning team. With approximately eight minutes before 4:00 p.m., Team Doc Ford's called in with a hook-up and they landed that fish at 4:01 p.m., making them the winning team with 6 official fish.
June 2012
The tournament supports conservation efforts at “Ding� Darling National Wildlife Refuge by helping to balance federal budget shortfalls.
First Place: Team Doc Ford's Purse: $6,560 Captain Nicholas Fischer, John Landry, Joe Harrity, Dennis Florie Second Place: Team Sand Pebble Purse: $4,100 Captain David Holzhauer; Ken Holzhauer; Gary Jenkins Third Place: Team Rush Purse: $3,280 Captain Chris Rush; Drew Chicone; James Sublett, Lucas Sanner Fourth Place: Team R.S. Walsh Landscaping Purse: $1,640 Captain Ozzie Lessinger; Justin Walsh; Robert Walsh; Jeremy Walsh Fifth Place: Team Yamaha Purse: $820 Captain Ozzie Fischer; Christain Fischer; Adam Bresovits; Bob Rando
June 2012
By Fi shi n’ Frank Water LIFE Baitshop The biggest argument about fishing in the pass it that the guys using jigs are snagging fish. The thought being that instead of the tarpon trying to eat them, the tarpon swim by and just get snagged by the hooks, I doubt this is true. If it were, there would never be a slow day of fishing tarpon in the pass. Every day the tarpon were there, every hour it would be Fish On! But the sad truth is that often there are 100 or more boats drifting / hovering seeing /marking thousands of tarpon on the fish finders and no fish on. It would be so much easier if it were true! I could just tell people look for tarpon on your machine move the boat over the tarpon snag a fish. Wow, how simple. No need to feel for little tiny taps on the line, No need to reel like a crazy person trying to catch up to the fish and get a hook set. Before fish finders boats did what I would call a long drift. Starting at the high side of the pass going all the way to the other end of the pass. Then with fish finders the short drift became the thing. Why if you are not marking any fish, would you drift another ¼ mile? No fish on the screen? Fire up and get back to
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PASS TIME where the fish are. Now we have the hover drift, which is where the boat stays as long as possible right over the fish. I am not sure if you would say the fish has less chance with this method or maybe we should say that the angler has more of a chance. Either way it is the natural progression of things. Today boats have every GPS, sonar, radar, satellite tracker, CIA spy cams you could ever dream of. There could be a reason why many of these boats catch a lot of tarpon, with these electronics they could most likely tell if a fish had hemorrhoids at 1000 feet down. Up until the jig became popular, tarpon fishing was mostly done with live bait, heavy rods with Dacron 50, 60 or 80 pound test line on, conventional reels. The boats would drift the lines in the water. When a rod tip gave the slightest bob the captain would slam the throttle of the boat forward, doing what was called a scratch start. This was done because it is very hard to get the hook to set in the mouth of a tarpon. With the power of the boat’s motors the scratch start would drive the hook into the fish, sometimes the scratch start would also be used to drag the fish away from the other boats. Once the tarpon was on, it was just a
matter of seconds until the sinker which was only attached to the line with light wire had fallen off, to lay on the bottom of the pass. Scratch starts as well as the “J” hooks used during this time have all been banned. Then, break away jigging was invented in Louisiana, that's right not here. It was first called a coon-drop rig, called for the nick name of the people from Louisiana who used it to fish bigfish in the deep channels at the mouth of the Mississippi. The name wasn’t a slur. The hook was tied to the end of the leader, then the jig head was attached to the hook with a break away device, which was a 30 pound cable tie or zip strip, This light duty cable tie would snap when the tarpon bit the jig, knocking lead jig loose from the hook and like the live bait system the lead head and tail would end up on the bottom of the pass. This went on for a couple years until local divers in the pass noticed all the sinkers, old leaders, jig heads, anchors and lots of stuff. They did a Pass clean up, something which had never been done before. Then a group petitioned the state to do away with break-away gear in the pass. And that’s where we are today. Frank can be reached at 625-3888 or at Frank@fishinfranks.com
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GERRY, JEREMY, JEREMY AND JORDAN By Capt. Bart Marx Water LIFE Fishing Hello every one out there in the saltwater sports-world. Last month a very close friend and fellow salt water enthusiast drowned. Gerry Green was a sailor, power boater, fisherman, SCUBA diver. He served in the Air Force as a B52 Pilot. He and his son Jeremy were SCUBA diving off the coast in Venice in search of some trophy sharks teeth and other fossils. On the way in Gerry went home to be with the Lord. The week after the accident Jeremy and I went diving in the same area looking for his goody bag and mask that were not returned after the autopsy. We spent a couple of hours under water searching only to find nothing. I think it was good for the son to have some closure. Gerry surely will be missed. Also last month I took out another friend and his son. This is a totally different family. The dad’s name is Jeremy and his son is Jordan. So, Jeremy and Jordan met me at P.C. Beach Park to start our adventure, they fish some, so they opted to bring there own rods and reels. As we left the dock we had a prayer and started rigging their rods and getting them ready for our trip. Out into the Harbor we went to find some white bait – and we did. Right away we used artificial’s to catch some trout close to where we
caught white bait, south of Alligator Creek. This was the beginning of an in shore slam that we were trying to accomplish for Jordan. We then moved a few miles to find his next two species – it took a while to get him a redfish, but it did happen and then he caught a nice snook to complete his inshore slam. It was a fun filled day teaching this young angler some new knots and how to fish. This is one of the things I enjoy doing, spending time with the young upand-coming anglers. I like anglers willing to listen and learn and apply new information to their fishing. I learned to fish in Charlotte Harbor and have fished here for over 40 years.
If y ou want to go out on y our own boat or i f y ou are look ing for a guide with a boat to tak e y ou out we can do that too, so giv e me a call Capt. Bart 941-9796517 or v isit us at alphaomegacharters.com And remember singing drags and tight lines mak e me smile. Top: Gerry (r) and Jeremy. Right: Jordan had his first Charlotte Harbor trout-redfishsnook slam last month. Heʼll be back!
June 2012
I Love Tournaments but...... June 2012
Commentary By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE editor Let’s cut to the chase: the PTTS (Professional Tarpon Tournament Series) doesn’t want me to get close-up pictures at their event because of what the pictures might show. Ongoing and recently charged controversy over whether the tournament snags or cleanly hooks the tarpon is the reason. Last month marine artist Guy Harvey withdrew his sponsorship for the PTTS citing snagging. I’m not getting in the middle of that. I know a lot of jiggers. For me the jiggers make better pictures than the live baiters, although the pictures of jumping fish from the live bait tournaments are cleaner and easier to frame. The anglers keep calling to get free reprints and the PTTS has 5340 likes on Facebook. So a lot of people are involved with the PTTS. I go there to take pictures for you our readers. The two sides can sort it out the jigging stuff between themselves. If jigs were outlawed tomorrow, the day after tomorrow the same boats would be out with the same anglers and they would figure out a new way to reel in tarpon. There would be another tournament, and I’d be there. It’s fishing. Fishermen are resourceful. I like that part of fishing. I am not against tournament fishing and this story is not about snagging fish. This is about private businesses which monopolize the public fishery solely to make a profit and businesses that think they can take over the public waters. At last month's PTTS tournament at Boca Grande there were five police boats on station. Some boats had two officers aboard. On land this size event would be required to pay for the extra police presence. And on land there would be an event or permit fee. But not here. Taxpayers have been picking the costs up at Boca Grande for years, but starting this month, according to FWC Captain Denis Grealish, the PTTS is going to have to pay for one off duty FWC officer to be on station in an FWC boat at every PTTS event. “The FWC officer will be looking at safety issues, he’s not there to enforce tournament regulations,” Capt. Grealish told me, adding “the PTTS must also provide insurance. In that same conversation Grealish also told me that the FWC at the state level is now looking at Boca Grande during tarpon season as a real safety concern. These are steps in the right direction. The FWC can’t afford to use up its manpower all in one place and the safety issue is very real. Tournaments are big money they need more financial responsibility to the public trust they use. Society dictates when you use a public resource for private gain there is a social and moral obligation to
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use it fairly and ‘give back’ According to State records a sizeable local boat dealer is the name behind the PTTS tournament. He should get the Open to the Public concept. He runs a reputable dealership and his service department has a very good following. He’s in business for the long haul. He supports the high school. I like the man, but even he can’t take over the pass. Last weekend I was at Boca Grande at 7 am for the start of the PTTS. The tide was coming in and the wind was blowing out. There were 5-foot rollers rocking the fleet of 75 boats in the pass. The picture opportunities looked good for me, but the PTTS Pass Crew boats only wanted to get between me and whatever I was shooting. They wanted their pictures and they didn’t want me there at all. One of my pictures last year, of a tarpon gaffed through the side of it’s head, probably had something to do with it, but it was the winning fish, I wasn’t going to hide that! This year, with the hooking vs. snagging controversy I assumed the PTTS saw me as another liability for more bad press, but that wasn’t my intention. I was looking for action. I always like action! Look at the cover this month. Action! The PTTS was shooting their own video. It was the same old story, Hey! We are filming a TV show! It was the same story as 15 years ago, before the PTTS came into existence. The drift fishing guides would yell at me "Hey, I'm trying to make a living here," Everybody wants to have their own way in the Pass. The live baiters who sometimes didn’t firmly attached the $50 tarpon tag to every fish (so they could re-use it) they didn’t want my camera too close either. People universally tend to hide the stuff they know is wrong from the camera. But it can’t work that way and that is exactly why it is so important to have an impartial observer in attendance; to report when one faction wants too much, when the law is being broken or when the law enforcers themselves get confused. If I come up with a picture of a snagged fish that’s not my doing. If it’s clean hooked I didn’t do that either. The Pass is open to everyone, tournament fishermen, spectators recreational anglers and passers by... and the media. A safe distance between all boats is what matters most, then second is that no one interferes with anyone else’s fishing. Florida has a statute to ensure that: Fla statute 372-705. It’s vague, but it’s law.
I would have lived with the PTTS guys childlike me-first-in-front-of-you behavior. The conditions were rough but it wasn’t unsafe. I just worked around them. But when an FWC officer beckoned me over to tell me he had a call from one of the PTTS tournament boats, complaining I was ‘too close to them’... then that changed things. That was a lie. When someone pushes me around, keeps getting in my face, lies about what I am doing and calls the cops on me I am going to refocus my attention, react, and let you the reader decide. When I talked with the FWC officer I asked him if he thought I was too close to anyone. He told me he hadn't seen me, that he was just responding to a VHF radio call from someone - he didn’t know who. The officer’s supervisor agreed the next day. The FWC officer needed to have seen it for himself before he interacted with me. I’m sure the officer thought he was helping out, but he was wrong. This took place at the weigh-in along the beach, the entire weigh in crowd saw the FWC come up to my boat. I am sure they assumed I was being reprimanded for doing something wrong - that’s why you are reading this and not a winner’s list. There were no winners. I'd have gone to the local newspaper, but the local paper, the Charlotte Sun, has been compromised as well, with advertising dollars, their own two tournament boats and with free tournament entry fees. The Sun is no longer the impartial media. They sold out.
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ABOVE: If safety is an issue then tournament boats are the ones most often too close. Hard backing down (like shown here to block my picture of the ʻline-touchʼ) is the norm at this event. It looked like this fish might have been lost because of it.
BELOW: Donʼt call the Charlotte Sun to complain about tournaments, with two tournament boats supplied to them and free team entries the Sun can no longer be considered to be impartial.
Finally a Tarpon for Dominic DeMarco
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On May 13th we went fishing with a fantastic 76 year old gentleman named Dominic DeMarco. He was in the hospital with congestive heart failure in Dec of 2011 (just 5 months ago) and he has always wanted to catch a tarpon. On MotherĘźs Day he finally had his day. Dominic is an avid inshore fisherman and has loved to fish his entire life both saltwater and fresh. He has many stories and some involved him falling through the ice up north. We left the Harbor Lights dock at 6:30 AM and headed out of the Venice Inlet with both live bait and crabs, in search of tarpon rolling and feeding. As we slowly headed south we sited a few pods of tarpon. As tarpon fishing goes you have to position yourself (the boat) and have patience. Waiting for the tarpon to come your way or slowly troll towards them and then at the right time cast your bait into the "doughnut" or group of tarpon swirling on the surface. We have been taking a few trips each Spring for the last 4 years in an effort to hook up Dominic with his prize tarpon.
We have had bite offs, quick jumps and have gone days with no sign of any tarpon at all. May 13th, 2012 was finally the right day and Dominic was ready. When we hooked up his tarpon the smile across Dominic's face was huge and continuous throughout the entire 35 minute fight. It was a dream come true to finally fight and bring to the boat a large tarpon. This tarpon jumped numerous times and he fought up to the boat and then swam back away to keep fighting. Thanks to Jim Cassatta from Rochester, who's boat we went out on. Dominic's life time goal happened. This 100pound tarpon was the largest and best fighting fish Dominic had ever caught. Best of all we released it back and have the pictures and memories to cherish forever. What a great day to share with a great guy who deserved the prize of a great fighting fish- the tarpon! If you have never taken the time to try tarpon fishing please do! You'll never, ever, forget it. Glen Ballinger (941) 323-5251
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June 2012
The Most Beautiful Fish In Our Waters .
By Capt. Bi l l y Barton Water LIFE / Charlotte Harbor It's that time of year. Plenty of fish to keep the avid angler occupied. As a full time fishing guide, I can often take my pick of species and go out there and be successful. But there's one fish I'm gonna write about this month. It's the fish that's getting all the attention so why not! People come from all cities and states and even countries to our area to target these fish this time of year. They have no edible value - catching one and selling it to the fish house isn't gonna make you rich. But I think I speak for about 99percent of fisherman who say if there is one fish that we have here that is the fight of a lifetime it's the tarpon, or silver king. These fish can be found anywhere you go in our waters this time of year. The ICW's, the passes, the grass flats, the holes in the harbor, and the bridges are all places you can find the silver king. They are here to spawn and I'm going to put my focus on the survival rate of these fish. There's so much talk about the mortality rate of the tarpon. I know first hand because I've handled so many of these fish that they absolutely have so much heart that they fight themselves almost to death by the time they arrive at the boat. One thing I see all the time that kills me. DONT EVER BRING A TARPON IN YOUR BOAT! There are so many ways this hurts the fish it's not even funny. Their scales, and their slime are meant to protect them from bacteria and diseases that they are much more prone to than
human beings. This is most certainly a way to kill the fish. Also try to be weary of picking
the fish up by the underneath of his gills. This is how he breathes air. Just pick his head up out of the water by his lips, snap a quick photo, and get him back under water. Light tackle fishing for large tarpon in my opinion is a big no-no. Yes it can be done, and yes it's a blast, but it kills the fish because it takes so much longer to land it. I'm not saying go out there and fish em on sixots! But definitely draw the line
in the middle. On my spinning outfits for large tarpon I put my clients on 50-pound braid to a 60 or 80-pound piece of fluorocarbon leader. This is a perfect choice on your large spinning outfits. Forty or 50 pound is also a good size line to spool on your conventional outfits as well – monofilament may be a better choice on these reels, however. It tends to work a little bit better and doesn't dig in underneath itself under an enormous amount of pressure. I have a pretty good rule of thumb when fishing for these larger fish inshore. If he's not to the boat in 45 minutes to an hour at most, he's not coming to the boat period. I'll break him off or break his will and get him to the boat myself. It kills the fish. There's no reason in less than 20 feet of water you can't land even a 150-pound fish if you are using the appropriate tackle. For every half hour of fight, it takes me a good 15 minutes of revival on a good size tarpon. If you can't get in the water with the fish to get him revived, the best way is to just do it boat side. If
June 2012
. . . Letʼs Handle ʻem Right
you keep his head under water and idle your boat very slowly while slowly moving his head back and forth to get that water flowing through his gills, this is the best way to bring him back. Wait till he gives a few shakes, and he acts like he wants to go, then let him swim. I wonder every time I catch one of these fish after I let him go, if he's gonna make it or
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not. Most do swim away, but I still wonder and I still care. One day I want my children to be able to experience what I have today and I want tarpon to be here still thriving. They are like nothing else we have to offer in our waters. Maybe this article didn't make any sense to some. Maybe some it made think twice about the way they've handled
their fish. I don't know the outcome of what I write. All I can do is try, and hope that someone listens. We all as a team of avid anglers and partakers of the salt life need to respect our fishery and this beautiful place we live in. I'm done moping about how to handle a tarpon! Y’all get out there and get ya a silver king if you haven't yet! It'll be a fight you'll never forget. Just take care of him when you're done with him, and life is good. Don't forget to take a kid fishing too! Capt. Billy Barton operates S cal es N Tai l s C hart ers. He can be reached at 979-6140 or : bartonw24@yahoo.com
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How Small Problems Help Big Government Example # 1: Boat Ramp Parking By Capt. Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff Recently I had the misfortune of watching the May 24th Charlotte County Board of County Commissioner’s meeting on their web site. I was told that they were going to finally get rid of the electronic pay-meter stations at our local beaches and boat-ramps. It seems that the old equipment was wearing out and the time had come to either replace it with new equipment or go in a new direction. I was told that the county was going to go to the same system used at the state parks namely you put a few bucks in an envelope and drop that in a box. The Beach and Shores, Parks and Rec, and the Marine Advisory Committee all voted to give this plan a try, but 4 out of the 5 commissioners did not see things the same way. The first question that came up was how much money do we make in parking fees. The head of Community Services told the board that they bring in about half a million dollars a year. One of the commissioners said he had a report that the figure was less than $300K last year. As a member of MAC, I have been trying to get an honest accounting on parking
fees for three years. The last report I got from Park and Rec was for the first 9 months of fiscal year 2010 which showed $154,885.68 as Total Meter Revenue for Beach Parking and $47,122.50 as Total Meter Revenue for Boat Ramp Parking. Boy, that's a long way from a half a million bucks. What amazed me about the discussion was the lack of information about what the cost side of the equation was. The repair cost on the existing equipment is about $30K per year. The replacement cost for the equipment is $152K with an estimated life of less than 10 years. Plus there is the collection cost. Currently the county sends two employees in a county van everyday to pick up that money. I have seen them on rainy days when there were no boats on the water; picking up the money. I have seen them on weekends and holidays picking up the money. Where does that cost fit in to the equation? When it comes to boat ramps the situation becomes more ludicrous. I heard one of the commissioners say that she could see removing the parking fee at the beaches but not at boat ramps. After all she said, boat ramps are so expensive and the
Manatee Migrations
June 2012
Scientists claim there are two species of Manatees: the Florida manatee and the West Indian manatee. Above the red lines indicate areas scientists agree that manatees are present. The white arrows represent what we believe are the directional travels of manatees, indicating the potential for interbreeding and the debunking of the theory there are two different species. One species would need to be counted all together. One species would total over 8,000 manatees, too many for the endangered classification that brings the funding to the manatee scientists. So the lies go on. The yellow line is the path of ʻMoʼ a radio tracked animal on its way to cuba from the Dry Tortugas. It was captured before it made it to Cuba so no one would know.
users should pay. Let me tell you something; boaters just want a ramp and a flat piece of land to park the truck. On a good day you spend less than 15 min. at the ramp. It was the county officials that wanted to pave and landscape everything so now we have parking spots at an average cost of $20,000 each. When it comes to paying our fair share; remember that we pay to register our boats and for us Charlotte County residents, we pay an extra fee that is supposed to go to boat ramps. We pay to register our trailers and we pay to register the vehicle that hauls them both. We pay for our fishing license and we pay a special tax for gas we buy on the water. We even pay an extra tax on every piece of fishing equipment we buy. When does paying your fair share turn into gouging the boater? One of the commissioners said the problem was that we make it too hard for people to pay for parking. He see's a system where you can use a credit or debit
card even an app for your i-Phone. I'm not even going to explain the effects on electronics in a salt water environment or the probability of computer hacking. It's a parking lot people, not the space shuttle. If you want a high tech problem to solve how about the 11% unemployment problem in this county or the hundreds of properties that are in foreclosure. Or the thousands of homes that are upside down. Remember, taxpayers already payed for the land and the facilities on it once; and we are currently paying the salaries of those who maintain that property. Why do we have to pay to park? That's like paying off your mortgage and having the bank tell you now you have to pay rent. One of the commissioners made a very astute observation. He said in Englewood all the locals just drive to the Sarasota part of town, that parking is free there. Come on Charl otte County - Bri ng Back the Free Parki ng!
Capt. Ron: Capt.RonB@juno.com
June 2012
BLUEFISH: The Pier Angler
By Bobby Vi tal i s Jr Special to Water LIFE Bluefish are fun to catch. They give a good fight. I can catch them at any time of the day. I have caught four bluefish in a one week period all with nice length. The legal length to keep the bluefish in this area is from 12-inches or more from the fork of the tail. Ten per day is the bag. The food value is ok, as long as you cook it in the same day. I would not recommend freezing this fish. We do not keep our fish. We catch and release. The best places to catch these bluefish is at the Tom Adam’s Bridge in Englewood, Middle Beach in Englewood, or at Sharky’s Pier in Venice. I learned bluefish come in schools. If you find one, you are going to find another. You will find the bluefish along beaches and in the bay. There are many ways to catch bluefish, but the best way is to go spinning for them because you need the faster retrieve to move a lure at a pace that will interest the bluefish. There are many lures you can use. The best lure I use is the GOT-CHA lures. The color is chartreuse head with silver body and weight is 7/8oz. to 1oz., with red or silver
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hooks which will do the job. The other two lures I use is the D.O.A C.A.L 3” shad tail model #419 color (green back), or model #351 color (root beer/chartreuse tail). The jig head I am using for the shad tail is the D.O.A C.A.L Short Shank from 3/8oz. to 1/2oz. weight. Color is white, or chartreuse head. If I am going shallow, I use a 3/8oz. jig head. If I am going deep with a current I use a 1/2oz. jig head. Note: Some other people are catching bluefish with live or dead frozen shrimp which is productive as well. The presentation using these lures is at a fast speed. As you’re reeling it in, give it sharp jerks every so often. Now, with the GOT-CHA lures, I also have caught snook, ladyfish, shark, and Spanish mackerel. With the root beer/chartruse tail, I have caught redfish. When using the shad tail, I put PROCURE bait scent on it. I use the mullet scent, which is most productive. I have used this scent and it does catch me more fish. All you have to do is just put enough on the shad tail every couple of casts. For my main line I am using 30lb. test SUFIX 832 ADVANCE SUPER line (BRAIDED). For
Artifical Reef Turned Over
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys -- Last month, divers celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the sinking of the Spiegel Grove. It was a story that could have been scripted for a major motion picture, but no writer could have conceived the plot that began with the May 17, 2002, premature sinking of the Spiegel Grove in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The story of its Spiegel Grove's voyage to the bottom at a depth of 130 feet is as intriguing as its present-day coral growths. Designed to carry cargo and craft for amphibious landings, Spiegel Grove was in operation from 1956 until its decommissioning in 1989. In June 2001, after more than a decade in the U.S. Navy's "Mothball Fleet" in Virginia's James River, Spiegel Grove was towed to undergo an elaborate cleaning process. Eleven months later it was moved to Key Largo. Six hours before its intended scuttling, the vessel prematurely sank and unexpectedly rolled over, leaving its
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my leader line, I am using 3 feet of 25lb. test SEAGUAR FLUOROCARBON LEADER line, which is invisible in the water. When tying your leader line to your jig head, I suggest you use the RAPALA knot because it will create more action out of the jig. So, if you want to have fun catching bluefish, try this method.
upside-down bow protruding above the surface of the water. Three weeks later, on June 10, 2002, a salvage team sank the vessel fully and it came to rest on its starboard side. The enormous ship immediately attracted reef fish and marine growth. It officially opened to divers June 26, 2002, luring underwater enthusiasts to the new artificial reef's cliff-like hull sprawled across the sandy bottom. Three years later, the story took another unexpected twist. July 9, 2005, brought what many call Hurricane Dennis' gift to sport diving. The storm skirted the Keys, but when it was east of Cuba it generated powerful currents that migrated up the Florida Straits — and turned the Spiegel Grove upright, according to a meteorologist at the Key West National Weather Service Office. Enveloped by delicate corals and invertebrates, Spiegel Grove's top deck is about 60 feet below the surface of the ocean. It currently is residence for more than 200 species of fish, marine experts said. The Spiegel Grove has generated an estimated $25 million in tourism revenue during the past 10 years according to Key Largo Chamber of Commerce officials.
Closer to home, this big legal black grouper came up with Steven Lee on May 25 from 95 feet of water off Boca Grande, very shallow for a fish of this quality.
Real Estate News
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PROVIDED to Water LIFE BY: Dav e Ho fer RE/MAX Harbor Realty (941) 575-3777 dhofer@remax.net www.harborparadise.com
Recent area news i tems:
5. Punta Gorda council members, Albers and Wallace, want to extend the new linear park from Shreve St. east to Carmalita Ave. Goldberg and Freeland want to complete the planned 20' sidewalk from the former Best Western Hotel (the planned cantilevered 20' walkway around the hotel property is still on plan to be completed later this year) to the west end of the park rather than completing the paved link to US 41. Determined to eliminate as much recreational greenspace as possible from the park, Goldberg observed that "Its like having Burnt Store Road go from four lanes in one phase to two lanes in another". Seems to me that, at some point, all "four lane" highways, "go to two lanes...". Council appears to be deadlocked on this decision.
In other news: Control of Charlotte County Commissioners is up for voters to decide on August 14. Commissioners Starr (dist 1) with two contesters, Skidmore (dist 3) and two contesters and Duffy (dist 5) with one competitor are on the Republican primary ballot. The sheriff's spot will be up for grabs among three candidates as current sheriff Cameron is retiring. Also retiring is Frank Desguin from the county appraiser spot. Paul Polk, has abandoned his Democratic affiliation to oppose John Perez in an effort to take over the position that is said to be critical to the health of our real estate market.
1. Nationally, "for sale" inventory declined to 2.37 million homes from 3.03 million in March, 2011. This level is now 41% below the peak in 2006. Median sales prices have risen 5.3% during the year, but not consistently from market to market. Prices improved in 74 of the 146 markets studied. Charlotte County posted 186 foreclosures in March, down 15% from March, 2011.
2. Mote Marine has started activities here in Charlotte County. The Sarasota based organization is garnering significant community support to establish an aquarium in Punta Gorda. Their first step is to relocate a 25 ft & 50 ft research boats at Laishley Marine. City funds will provide slips for the boats.
Punta Gorda passed an ordinance to limit fertilizer use to 4 ounces per year per home. Enforcement of this restrictive ordinance should be an interesting effort.
3. Much to the dismay of many Port Charlotte area residents, 1048 lot owners will get a new MSBU to install new sewers. The EPA has long been trying to force Charlotte County to install these amenities to limit contamination of Charlotte Harbor tributaries. 4. Punta Gorda statistical survey (SMSA) saw unemployment rate from 9% in March and 10.6% last March.
June 2012
The Redfish Key condominiums on Lemon Bay in Englewood are undergoing some repairs. The numbers spray painted all over the exterior represent calculations allegedly relative to a stucco delamination problem. Seems like a lot of math for a stucco job.
S al es S tati sti cs: Generic lot sales in the North Port & Port Charlotte markets continue to stabilize in the $4-$5K area. Canal front lots are trading in the $125$150K area. Distressed home sales have declined dramatically allowing year-overyear median sales prices to rise by 10% in Deep Creek & 20-25% in the Port Charlotte-North Port markets. Median prices in the waterfront communities are still stagnant.
June 2012
Statewde Boating Confrence A recap from Stem to Stern
By Betty S taugl er Water LIFE / Sea Grant Last month Florida Sea Grant, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Florida Levin Law College hosted from Stem to Stern II, a statewide boating and waterways conference. Below are some highlights. Trends i n Boati ng – Dusty McCoy, CEO of Brunswick Corp. gave an excellent presentation describing U.S. trends. Take home points – In 2011, outboard boat sales saw a modest recovery. Inboards and stern drives are still on the decline (source: National Marine Manufacturers Association). U.S. boating participation by adults in 2011 (34.8% participation) was at its highest level since 1997. The average age of boats are getting older (over 20 years in 2011 versus 15 years in 1997). And boaters are getting older. In 2011, the most frequent age distribution of powerboat owners was 44-54 yrs/old compared to 1997 when the most frequent age distribution was 40-44 yrs/old. Likewise sailboat owners are also getting older (4554 yrs/old in 1998 versus 55-64 yrs/old in 2011). If we look at recreational boating participation (from 2010) roughly a third currently boat (32.4%), a third used to boat (31.1%) and a third are non-participants (36.5%). Key to boating participation seems to be exposure as a child. 78.1% of current boaters boated as a child where as 60.1% of non-boaters today did
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not boat as a child. Rul e Updates – Shaun Davis, FWC, presented on FSS 327.46. What is that? Well it’s the rule that governs boating restricted areas. 327.46 grants authority to FWC and local governments to establish ordinances for “any purpose necessary to protect the safety of the public.” However the rule also says no ordinance may take effect until FWC has reviewed it and determined that the ordinance is necessary to protect public safety. The rule created two review levels for boating restricted areas. The first, for launch facilities, bridges, flood control structures, small water bodies and swim areas will require limited review (these are easy to justify). The second, for visual obstructions, congested boating areas, user group separation, hazardous currents/water levels and “other” navigation hazards will require substantial review. It is noteworthy that the statute requires “boating-restricted areas” to be “necessary based on boating accidents, visibility, hazardous currents or water levels, vessel traffic congestion, or other navigational hazards.” Therefore, local ordinance proposals relating to “boating restricted areas” must have some kind of statistical or factual basis to justify why a “boating-restricted area” is necessary (Source: http://www.law.ufl.edu/conservation/water ways/waterways/rights.shtml). Pi l ot Moori ng Program – Several speakers… Here I reference Byron Flynn, The Flagg Firm, P.L. Five communities were selected to create local ordinances
Capt. Richard Moore in the fwcʼs main office is looking at Boca Grande for safety. Under the new FSS 327.46 statute, in the future, a crowded Boca Grande Pass could be designated a BOATING RESTRICTED AREA to protect the safety of the boating public.
which would allow them to restrict anchoring outside of a managed mooring field (currently prohibited). The pilot program will run through 6/2014 at which time the pilot ordinances will no longer be in effect. St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Monroe County, Martin/Stuart and St. Augustine were selected to participate in the pilot program. St. Augustine was the first to pass its local anchoring ordinance (12/11). Its first violation was in 3/12; the vessel owner is contesting…a hearing is set for June 4th. St. Pete had the 1st reading of its ordinance on May 17th, 2012 and new ordinance language has been proposed for Sarasota. Sources of Information for Boaters – Bill Sargent, FWC, gave a presentation on a fairly new boat ramp inventory project FWC is undertaking. The results of the inventory are being used to create an online ramp finder. As of May 1st, 2012,
Robotic ʻfishʼ to monotor Spanish pollution
S peci al t o Wat er LIFE A technology consultancy, has developed and constructed a robotic fish that will patrol Spanish harbor waters for pollution. The machine is built of carbon fiber and metal and encapsulates an internal artificial intelligence unit which tells the machine where to go, while a sonar system keeps it from hitting objects. Chemical sensors are placed inside the “body” of the fish, which allow water to pass through to detect pollution.
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The fish can allegedly work autonomously to hunt down contamination in water and send information back to scientists onshore. The first trials are underway now off the coast of northern Spain, in Gijón harbor. “The idea is that we want to have real-time monitoring of pollution, so that if someone is dumping chemicals or something is leaking, we can get to it straight away, find out what is causing the problem and put a stop to it,” said a senior scientist.
3,855 ramps have been inventoried. Almost 1,800 of those ramps are available for public use. The ramp inventory has two online components. A password protected portal allows local partners (primarily county and city governments) to add ramps to the inventory and edit information as ramp conditions change. The public side of the inventory is a statewide ramp finder which includes all identified public ramps. Users can query the site for ramps by county or proximity using an address or GPS coordinate. Once a user finds a ramp they will receive descriptive information, photographs and maps. See: www.myfwc.com/boatramps tty Staugler Florida Sea Grant Agent Univ ersity of Florida IFAS Ex tension Charlotte County (941) 764-4346
Paddling Lettuce Lake
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By Davi d Al l en Water LIFE Kayaking Lettuce Lake is one of the paddles that our club keeps returning to over and over again. And yes, it's partially because one of our charter members likes that paddle particularly well and suggests it often at our weekly meetings. But Lettuce Lake has much more to offer than just a single recommendation. One nice feature of paddling Lettuce Lake is that the Lake is just a short run north on Kings Highway to SR 761 and just a quick jaunt east to Lettuce Lake Rd. About 10 miles total from Hwy. 41 in Port Charlotte. Upon arriving at the launch site, you'll find a fairly large, sandy beach alongside a concrete ramp. There is adequate, nocharge parking and a couple of PortaPotty's. On a normal Sunday there are relatively few power boats using the launch ramp so getting the kayaks into the water is quick and easy from the adjacent beach. The area surrounding Lettuce Lake has a diversity of channels and mangrove tunnels; some of the mangroves are so narrow and closed in that a kayak can barely navigate through the tangled branches and fallen trees. Farther south, there are broad areas of open water with spectacular views of huge trees, many vine covered,
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with birds of all description filling the air. There is an abandoned phosphate dock located about 3 miles south of Lettuce Lake at Liverpool. There is also a boat ramp at Liverpool. A Rookery Island, just west and south of Liverpool, in the east edge of the Peace River, is home to huge flocks of wood storks, herons, and many other species of birds. During the mating season, the Island is almost completely covered with nesting birds, each nurturing their young offspring. If you take the northern channel from the launch site, you immediately find yourself in narrow mangrove passages, in the shade of the surrounding trees, with the channel increasingly narrow and twisted. There are often many small trees and branches blocking the path and you have to both paddle and "Schooch" to get over the water-soaked logs. After paddling about 1.25 miles you arrive at an opening to the Peace River just upstream from the SR 761 bridge.
Paddling south from Lettuce Lake will take you, after about 3 miles on the water, to the Liverpool Docks. This area has an interesting history, but little remains to be seen except small sections of the limestone blocks that formed the original dock. Liverpool was the terminal point of a phosphate railroad constructed and owned by John Cross of Liverpool, England. In the late 1890s, phosphate was loaded onto ships and transported to Boca Grande for shipment to other US ports and foreign countries. When the Peace River pebble phosphate deposits were depleted in the 1920s, Liverpool became a ghost town. Today, Liverpool is a quiet place to take a relaxing paddle and several good beaches to take a break.
June 2012
The rookery on the lower Peace River is just inside Hunter Creek. From Lettuce Lake Hunter Creek is about an 8 mile paddle. An easier trip would launch from Harbor Heights Park, with Hunter Creek about 1+ miles SE of the ramp. And to explore all the options in the Lettuce Lake area, take note that the NavA-Gator Grill is only a mile or so south and west of the Lake. There is a public ramp with excellent parking and restrooms, plus a picnic area. The Nav-AGator is a good spot to have a sandwich and beer after a long paddle.
The Port Charlotte Kay ak ers meet each Wednesday ev ening at 5:00p.m. at Port Charlotte Beach Park . All are welcome to come and learn about k ay ak ing. For more information contact Dav e Allen at 941-2352588 or Dlaa@comcast.net.
OFFSHORE REPORT June 2012
The Olʼ Fishʼn Hole
With Capt. Jim O'Brien
Water LIFE Englewood Hey YA - ALL - Whew, how do you like this weather? Is it summer or what? The fish feel it, everything is here and hungry. The permit are here, little sharks and big sharks are here, tarpon are all over the place, snook, red fish and trout all chewing good. The guides and back bay guys I talk to agree the fish'n is great! Snook are in the pass's and white bait is a good bait to use. Ther’s lot of black drum being caught at the El Jobean bridge and pier, best baits are crab and jumbo shrimp fished right on the bottom. Redfish are also being caught in the passes and on the walls of Charlotte Harbor. Permit are on the near shore reefs all the way out. Early in the morning, in calm water, you can see them finning on the surface above the wrecks. I like the silver dollar size crabs– I take side cutters and snip one of the points of the shell off, this lets a lot more scent out, then put the
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hook on the opposite side and put a split shot sinker about 6 to 8 inches above the crab, and cast it out ahead of the permit just so he can see it, wait a couple of minutes and BAM all heck should break loose. arpon are all over the place right now – they are in Boca Grande Pass they are on the beachs and up in the Harbor. Best baits are crabs, hand picked shrimp (BIG - UNS) live thread fins and squirrel fish. Cobia are usually swimming above the wrecks, some are still being caught on Novak’s reef, Pegasis, Charlie, and the Bayronto. I like to cast a Berkley black an silver scented eel or the pink or black HOGY soft plastic with a weighted head or the offshore angler cobia jig in bright orange. The squirt has glitter specks if they won't hit that then put a squid head on the hook let the tentacles come out past the squirt. I mean to tell- ya if that don't turn him on then MOVE. The ajs are on the same reefs and wrecks as the cobia are on and if you can travel out a little farther the Pipe Wreck and D9 have been catching some BIG BOYS from 40 to 80 pounders. You want to stop and get some big blue runners before making a long trip like that. The red grouper are chewing good, small ones on the inshore reefs the BIGUNS are out at 25 to 35 miles get in 95 to 110 feet of water. Best baits live pin fish, squirrel fish, and what I always use is
my IRISH COCKTAIL - you put a slab of mullet on your hook then put a squid head on – thats yummy for the groupers! I have used this concoction for 36 years and believe me it still works. Kingfish are from 15 to 30 miles out, we have caught and seen big schools recently. Now I'm going to change up to fresh water snook an bass fish'n on all of those windy days we have had. I have fished the ponds and man made lakes in the Rotonda area for many years they are scattered off SR 771 and I have caught fresh water snook up to 44-inches and bass
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to 8-pounds. In my picture for this month is my left arm holding a 22 in. fresh water snook taken on a silver with black strip on the back Rattle-Trap. Over the years the small and big snook like that lure. I told my mate Brian Runge about me fish'n these lakes an ponds. Brian likes bass fish'n so a couple of days later I said let’s go! First lake I threw a silver an black rattle trap an BAM I caught a small large mouth bass but after that nothing so Brian and I drove around to the other side of the lake. I was casting a Johnny Rattler top water bait and Brian was using a brand new black an red buzz bait. Brian threw the buzz bait about 3 times and BAM this nice 4 to 5 pound bass hit it. I watched his fish leap out of he water 3 or 4 times, then I heard Brian say oh shucks (thats not really what he said ) ... HA ! It happened to be a new $8.00 buzz bait! Well you’re gonna win some and you’re gonna lose some, but when the wind is blowing you can still be fishin’. BE S UR E TO S NOR T S OME OF THAT S A LT A IR C UZ IT’S GOOD FER YA !
If you have any questions or if you have a good ol' fishin’ story or a recipe for cooking fish that I can share with our readers give me a call. To book an offshore charter with us aboard the Predator IICall (941) 473-2150
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Water LIFE Distributor 始s Club
June 2012
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June 2012
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SCUTTLEBUTT
Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True Jumping the Shark
Three anglers were searching for swordfish off the coast of northeast New Zealand when they accidentally hooked a thresher shark. They tried to release it alive but it died. “It was from a separate trip, we were taking the shark back out to feed it into the food chain,” Wright said. Then, for some reason, he decided to catch a few waves on the back of the shark that had been dead for 30 hours. Pictures went on the internet and his actions prompted an investigation from the Ministry for Primary Industries which found no breach of the Animal Welfare Act despite heated complaints.
Wellness and Quality of Life
Tony Manabe, owner of Amimoto Japanese restaurant in Punta Gorda tells us he is collaborating on a new specialty Japanese website. Yuko Morinizu who is 18 years experienced as a Japanese dietician and quality-of-life wellness expert is currently the brand development manager for the project. "We especially want the American people to experience the best dressings and sauces that taste great and can, at the same time, enhance wellness and quality of life," Ms. Morinizu said. The new webiste will have dietary as well as cultural offerings from the island of Japan. Amimoto is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Punta Gorda.
Record-setting 1950s Ferrari Hydroplane Sells for $1.1 Million at Auction
The famous 1950s Ferrari hydroplane fell just short of predicted sale price during an auction in Monaco, last month although it still drew in an impressive €868,000 ($1,110,606). That is the most any hydroplane has ever sold at auction.
The Firefly Squid is a bioluminescent squid growing to a length of only three inches. The squid is equipped with special light-producing organs called photophores that emit a deep blue light. Large photophores can be found on the tips of the tentacles as well as around the eyes. Thousands of tiny photophores can be found throughout the squid's body, giving it the ability to emit light along its entire form. In the Toyama Bay, in the central Japan Sea, the squid are found in fantastic abundance. Normally living at 1200 feet underwater, waves in the Toyama bay pushes the squid to the surface in massive numbers where they are fished by tons from March to June.
Other countries are not as fortunate NOAA's Fisheries Service
released the 15th annual report to Congress on the nation's Status of Stocks. The Status of Stocks report for 2011 demonstrates we are actively turning the corner on ending overfishing and rebuilding our nation's fisheries. A record number of stocks were declared rebuilt in 2011, with a decrease in both categories of overfishing and overfished determinations.
Composite Hurricane Weather The Northport Fire Departmentʼs Hurricane Weather site is one of the best compilations of weather links we have seen http://northportfire.com/hurr/ and also linked from our website: WaterLIFEmagazine.com
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K AYA K S !
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June
Charlotte Harbor:
Fishing
Frank at Fishin' Franks Port Charlotte: 625-3888
S pani sh mackerel would be the big thing out there right now. I’ve never seen so many mackerel any place any where in my life. We were fishing the small Mavericks (lure) and had one every cast. With spoons it was one every three or four casts. That was at Marker No. 1 and No. 2. The tide didn’t matter. Mackerel, mackerel everywhere. At the 41Bridges, Alligator Reef and Cape Haze; mackerel. People have been asking me about cobi a, the problem is cobia don’t live anywhere in particular. A likely place is south of Mkr No.1 Just anchor up, put a chum bag out and put a live bait fish under a bobber or if you dont have that a frozen sardine under a float. Put out a second line, freelined with another bait. The current will help the freeline. I think about 100 yards south of Mkr No. 1 is the best spot. Then put out a third line, the sneaky line. Cobia love the shade. I figure the draft of the boat and I put a line below the bottom of the boat, 2-3 feet down. You’re hope-
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Forecast
ing for a huge fish within 2-feet of your boat... so loosen the drag! The best place for small shark is on the straight flat out in front of Bull and Turtle Bay. They have been hanging out in 8 feet of water. Gallagher’s cut, the whole area out in front of the bays – just start chumming. That is one of the few places we are getting small sharks this year – not so many so far this year. My best guess why is there was so much bait in the harbor they might still be sitting under the schools of 20,000,000 threadfins. There is so much food for them right there they are not having to look for a meal. There is pretty decent snapper out in the Gulf on the near shore reefs and we are selling quite a few crabs for the permi t. We had a few purse-seine boats go out and they knocked the hell out of the permit. Small crabs are the number one bait
and there are some really nice fish. The little permit crabs are small enough they just suck them up. Knocking a point off the crab might get you more scent. Inside the harbor, it almost seems like the temperature is in mid July. A lot of people are switching to cut bait now, throwing it up under the trees. Deadbait for redfi sh is really a good thing now since the reds are getting lethargic in the heat. If you can find some greenbacks you will have some of the best snook fishing of your life. Pretty much every point of every island has a few snook on it. Fish the East side Keys or the Myakka Cut Off. Continued on facing page
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!
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Capt. Jim OʼBrien USCG 50 ton license since 1985
941-473-2150
June 2012
Capt. David Stephenʼs clients above and below Left: Capt Chuck Eichner and Teresa Hill
June 2012
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continued from facing page
With the splattering of rain up north and up the river snook might start moving out soon. S napper should start spawning soon too, from the canals to the near shore reefs, the Cape Haze bar, these are all bunching up with decent snapper. If you are going snapper fishing there take a big monster rod because you are going to have to deal with the 1200- to 600-pound Goliaths that are all over the place. This is the time of year when people are wondering where the big sailcats are. In the Myakka the holes are holding nice sailcats. Right now the Peace River has the 4 pounders, Stump Pass has the 5 and 6-pounders, Placida has 5 pounders. I haven’t heard from down south, but right now I got a hunch the little bigger edge is going to be at Placida in the next few weeks. Stingrays are best at Gallaghers or Bokeelia. Our shark, stingray, sailcat tournament is this month.
Lemon Bay:
Jim at Fishermens Edge, Englewood: 697-7595
It’s been so rough the offshore fishing has been stuffy for a week. Hopefully better weather and the opening of red snapper this month will make it better. The few guys that have gotten out say near shore there are mangrove and yel l owtai l , but slim pickin’s. A week ago we had a
Captainʼs Corner
The The BIG-4 BIG-4
TARPON Are in the Passes and in the Harbor
SNOOK Top of the harbor, some on the beaches
bunch of good fish: bl ackfi n and mahi -dol phi n with the southwest wind pushing clean water in. We had fl yi ng fi sh and other pelagics coming in and even some weeds piling up. But this is now. Most tarpon have been in the pass. It’s been too rough on the beach so there are not a lot of fish, they are on the go. Tarpon are biting early in the am and late in the dark for the livebait guys. The jig guys are terrorizing the fish during the day. The beaches are vacant, so everybody is forced to go to the pass. When the wind goes away they will be spread out again. Guys from far away places can’t get out after the tarpon so they are being forced to fish backcountry which hasn’t been all bad for them. There have been a lot of nice redfi sh above the slot around Lemon Bay and the lower Harbor, really nice redfish. Not any beach snook fishing either. Stump Pass had a lot of snook and Ski Alley hundreds of fish in it. Get a good spot and have some good bait and you’ll get a lot of snook.
June June
MACKEREL All around the Harbor schools of bait
Gulf Temps in the mid 80s
SHARKS coming and going, biggest are closer to the Gulf
Above: Recreational anglers mix it up with the tournament fishermen in rough conditions at at Boca Grande.
Right: Signs of Spring at Eldredʼs Marina. Local baitfish are often hard to keep alive unless you are on the water, like Eldreds.
We had some guys down by Devilfish catching the small sharks. One guy’s going every evening and he’s always catching some. Some hit or miss mackerel in the Pass and a bunch of small pompano in Gasparilla pass cookie cutter small ones. Ten or 11-inches, all of them.
BOCA GRANDE
From Capt. Fishinʼ Frank Consider what is happening today. At first we changed the features of the pass to fit our needs. It started with the railroad building a spur line out to the island for shipping phosphate, cattle, and other goods from the deep water port at Boca. Numerous docks and pilings went in. This made Boca Pass a commercial shipping lane, which is important because all commercial shipping lanes must be maintained at a minimum depth. So starting in 1912 the pass was dredged every 3 to 4 years to keep the water to depth. The sand bar on the north side of the pass is a spoil bar from a century of dredging. But that all stopped in 2001 when the last commercial deepwater use, the FPL fuel-oil barges, stopped
Fish Fish to to expect expect in in
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Fishing right now:
Still Very Good
Got a Story? send us your pictures: waterlife@comcast.net
hauling oil to the FPL Caloosahatchee plant. Over years the fish like tarpon or Goliath grouper have learned to use this human developed environment of Boca Grande to fit their spawning needs. Changing of the Pass contours could be real problem for the harbor fishery, which no one admits or has even
thought about. From now on, nature is free to change the pass into the shape it chooses. Boca Grande could resemble Captiva or Stump pass, with a large sand bar coming from the shore out curving slowly to the south filling in little by little over time. The Pass I see today is very different than the one I saw the first time years ago. There is a new island on the south side, the spoil bar is starting to curve south. We need a call to arms not about the boats or the fisherman, but about getting them to start regular monitoring and if necessary regular dredging of Boca Grande Pass. Too many creatures have learned to depend on what it was for the last 100 years.
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El Jobean Open Every Day Mon - S at: 6am - 7pm S un: 6 am - 5 pm
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