Water LIFE March 2012

Wa t e r LIFE Charlotte Charlotte Harbor Harbor and and Lemon Lemon Bay Bay Keeping Boaters & Fishermen Informed Since 1997

The official publication of the Charlotte Harbor Reef Association

March 2012

Spring Redfish with artificials

Big Bass at Big O Page 9

Page 6

Been So Good Page 11

There Will Be WET Sailing Page 12-13

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March

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March

2012

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March

2012

Mark Nichols, owner & inventor of D.O.A. lures will be at the store on March 19 to answer questions and provide advice

Letters to Waterlife@comcast.net

Dear Water LIFE Here it is! Itʼs official, spearing in inland waters is no longer off limits.

Print this out and keep it with you as this new law is NOT in the new law books with officers yet. I found this through a lengthy conversation with FWC. The copy of the new law can also be found at flrules.org 57-1218 was the law regarding spearfishing. 57-1219 was the law regarding underwater lights.

Adam Wilson

Gotta Know How to Hold ʻEm

68B-3.001 Repeal of Chapters 57-1218 and 57-1219, Charlotte County Special Acts.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has determined that the repeal of Charlotte County Special Acts, Chapter 57-1218 and Chapter 57-1219, Laws of Florida (1957), will not adversely affect the marine resources of Charlotte County or of the State of Florida, therefore Charlotte County Special Acts Chapter 57-1218 and Chapter 57-1219, Laws of Florida (1957) are hereby repealed.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-12.

You have to hold the fish right. This works.

Lighting and composition are important in photos, especially if the image might appear as a cover shot. Color and proper exposure are also critical and so far, this picture submitted by Capt Billy Barton had all the right stuff going. But look closely, this angler was fishing with his fly at half-mast! Nice sheepshead though!

A Message to Flatsmasters

We are going to continue to cover all fishing tournaments in our area.

Just do your job and let us do ours.

Right: Derrick Knapp wrote: “We were able to close grouper season with our limit on red grouper and released some nice gags.”

OK Nice gag, but what happened to the rest of it in the picture? Itʼs all you, Derrick! But thanks!

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TOTALLY INDEPENDENT

Not affiliated with any other publication Vol XI No 3 © 2012

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No part of this publication (printed or electronic) may be copied or reproduced without specific written permission from the publisher.

Contributing Editors:

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 Diving: Tommy Davis Kayaks: David Allen Sailing: Bill Dixon Office Dog: Molly Brown

on the COVER:

Capt. Dave Stephens gave us this nice red to go with his story about spring fishing for redfish with artificials. See page 6 Charlotte Harbor Reef Association

www.waterlifemagazine.com TURN THE PAGES EVERY MONTH: Back Issues Kids Charters Fishing Classes Tides Weather Sailing Kayaking Diving

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March

2012

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White Butterflies, Great Fishing and Celebrities

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE editor Local fishermen say the appearance of little white butterflies coincides with the arrival of tarpon in the Spring. I have seen a few little yellow butterflies already, but no white ones yet. And I’ve seen some small tarpon, but no big ones.

Tarpon talk is in the air. Last week I ran into Capt. Bart at Fishin’ Franks.

‘Have you been running offshore?’ I asked him and Bart said ‘yes’.

‘What are you seeing in the Pass,’ I asked, ‘are you seeing any?” Bart gave me a sheepish grin and said something like ‘you didn’t hear anything from me.’

It wasn’t a yes, but it was a confirmation, like what I’ve heard from several other guides. There are tarpon around. Capt.

Billy Barton writes about a hook-up in his column this month, but I haven’t seen any tarpon pictures yet.

Guides like to keep the early season fish for their clients and I don’t blame them since a lot of anglers pressuring a few early fish scatters them.

One local trend of thought is that at this time of year, with the water temperature around 72 degrees, the tarpon that are year-round residents in the Peace and Myakka rivers begin to make their way out into the harbor. Some of these fish

are big. And also happening right now is the appearance of smaller tarpon in some of the canal lakes. Edgewater Lake and the Spring Lake area are spots I’m hearing mentioned a lot.

In the next few months, as the water to the south warms up, the bigger migratory tarpon will traditionally move north.

Whether those bigger fish come from Cuba, Belize, the Loop Current, Mexico or some place else is still not clear to me, but big tarpon head for Boca Grande and the other area passes in spring to feed on the estuary’s baitfish and crabs and to congregate and spawn. That’s the theory.

But tarpon are just one of our many fishy attractions.We are fortunate to live along such a live estuary as is Charlotte Harbor. Ours is the second largest estuary in North America, and it is ringed with purposefully undeveloped public land. Our estuary is a nursery for numerous different species.

I have never met anyone who is uninterested when they learn about one of the cool facets of life in our estuary. We see the reaction in the guests people bring here every day. You see it too. Visitors are all amazed by the wildlife we have but to date we have done a poor job of promoting it. Now that has to change.

The estuary is our biggest drawing

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Great picture! People are amazed at scenes like this, but the fact of the matter is this is common. Capt. Billy Barton snapped it yesterday. If you are out on the water you see things like dolphins, manatees and eagles. Fishing and wildlife are what Charlotte County has.

card. Baseball didn’t work, a waterpark hasn’t found a builder, the Grand Ol Opry isn’t singing? No mega hotel and now a Mini Mote Marine? I don’t think any of those things will be the answer for Charlotte County. Face it, Charlotte County just isn’t that kind of a county.

What we do have that no other county has is our outdoors and all the species here. When the rest of the world discovers this we will prosper.

Unfortunately the county has no money to promote itself. Tourism has

moved into smaller offices with a smaller staff. So we need to do something cost effective.

My idea is to get celebrities to come here for fishing or to learn to fish. Our guides can put them on some incredible fish. Invite them and keep it quiet until they leave so there is an incentive for them to come here and relax and enjoy being on the water. Then use stories about their visits to promote the estuary.

We just need people to know about what we have.

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Redfish on Artificials

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By Capt. Davi d S tephens WaterLIFE Inshore Spring on Charlotte Harbor can be a very exciting time of the year. There are a lot of changes occurring and some of the best fishing is in our own backyard. March is very high on my list for targeting redfish with artificial lures.

On countless occasions I have been asked what type of lure or lures should I be using to catch redfish, my response is simple; whatever you think looks good for them to bite.

If I had to leave the boat ramp with just one lure to take fishing it would be a gold Johnson Sprite. More reds have probably been caught on this lure than any other two combined. You can cover a lot of water with a spoon and sometimes that is very important to locate fish. I don’t use a fancy retrieve just simply cast and reel it back in, although I will change the speed of my retrieve to see what triggers a strike.

When me and my tournament partner are out fishing we rig with different baits to see what is working that day. The normal selections consist of a top water plug, soft jerk bait and a gold spoon.

Soft jerk baits are a great lure for reds, the colors and selections are endless. Jerk baits can be rigged several different ways, on a jig head, weedless and with no weight. There are also numerous hooks specially designed just for these types of baits.

Water depth and the type of structure plays a

March

2012

The cover picture on this monthʼs Water LIFE is of Capt. Dave with a red taken on a Highroller topwater bait (above) Left – Grant Cane from the U.K. with his first red on an artificial. Note the weighted hook.

big part in what type of hook to use. In deeper water with little or no structure on the bottom I will use a jig head, but when I’m fishing over grass or oysters I prefer the weedless approach.

Water depth also determines if I use a weighted jerk bait hook or non weighted one. Generally the shallower the water the lighter the weight.

With a little practice and some time on the water I am sure you will get to bend a rod on some of Charlotte Harbor’s great redfish.

Capt David can be reached at backbayxtremes.com

March

2012

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Jeppe Bennetsonʼs K id s C u p R e d fi s h P i n g s 6 0 m i.

O ff s h o r e

By Betty S taugl er Water LIFE / Sea Grant Last month I received a call from VEMCO, the maker of acoustic tags and tracking equipment, saying another researcher had detected one of my tags.

My guess was Tampa Bay or Sarasota Bay, but to my surprise the detection occurred at the Stoney Point Reef located 60 miles offshore of Ft. Myers in 135 foot of water!

Now some of you may recall the redfish tracking project which ran for four years (2007-2010) in conjunction with the Water LIFE magazine Kids Cup Redfish Tournament. During those years, redfish caught and weighed in (at Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda) by anglers aged 10-16 were fitted with tags and released. All of the fish (over 200) received an externally anchored dart tag and some fish (80) received a surgically implanted VEMCO acoustic tag. These fish were tracked using their underwater tracking equipment. The acoustic tags work by transmitting a unique signal into the water which is decoded and recorded by the tracking equipment. The tracking equipment is periodically downloaded to a computer to see which fish passed close enough to the receiver to be recorded and on what date and time.

Based on the data logs sent to me by the researcher the redfish first appeared in November 2011. It was recorded again in December 2011 and then several times in February 2012.

The fish that showed up at the Stoney Point Reef was originally caught by Jeppe Bennetson during the May 15th, 2010 Kids Cup tournament (21 months ago). It weighed in at 4.80 pounds and measured 24.63 inches total length. It was tracked twice right after the event.

Today based on average growth rates that fish is well over 30 inches, indicating it has reached the age when redfish leave the estuary to spawn.

Redfish spawn inshore close to tidal inlets through which the young are transported into estuaries. Spawning occurs in late summer and fall. Redfish have an elaborate courtship ritual. Males, sometimes many, follow females for hours at a

time, drumming loudly and butting them.

Male color intensifies during courtship and climaxes just after dark when eggs and sperm are released. Females may shed a million eggs at a time.

Growth rate for redfish varies throughout their life cycle. During the first year they grow at a rate of one inch or more a month, after which time growth rate slows to ½ - ¾ ” per month. Redfish continue to increase length throughout their lives. However, after 3-feet-long they add little length and lots of girth as they age. Redfish mature around 2 to 4 years in age and live for 25 to 35 years.

Adult redfish are known to form large aggregations offshore on wrecks. Many studies have evaluated redfish aggregates on wrecks at one hundred foot or more so although our finding was very surprising it was certainly a realistic observation.

Perhaps it was most shocking because it was only by chance that another researcher had acoustic equipment offshore to make this detection. The equipment was placed at the reef by a researcher from Florida State University who is studying grouper. More about that next month.

Once we get past the “how cool is that” phase as researchers we have to ask all of the “what if” questions and the big one here was could our redfish have been eaten? If so, would we be tracking the predator? The truth is predator/prey transfer of tags has not been well evaluated in fishes, so yes it is a possibility but in this case we don’t think it is likely. The reason being is, just like in humans if you swallow a foreign object (without sharp edges), at some point you are going to give it back. The same holds true for fish. This is because there is nothing along the digestive track for a foreign object (in our case the tag) to adhere to.

So while it may sit in the gut for a short period of time, at some point it will be expelled and our fish was recorded over a four month period which is far longer than a tag would likely remain in the gut of a predator fish. We feel confident that the fish on the recordings is our 2010 tournament redfish. How Cool is That!!!

Betty Staugler, Florida Sea Grant Agent University of Florida IFAS Extension Charlotte County (941) 764-4346

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By Fi shi n’ Frank Water LIFE Baitshop Stargazer: A dreamy eyed person looking into a cloudless sky, possibly a scientist looking for asteroids, or how about a shocking fish – a fish found along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, a fish with up to 50 volts of electricity – if you handle them wrong.

The shock comes from a point between their eyes. They use it for self defense.

An electric fish? come-on, you’re kidding me. Nope, it is for real, and yes they are here. Not too much in the Harbor, but more so in the near Gulf, Stargazers like the real sand bottom of the Gulf of Mexico much better than the sand and mud mix of the Harbor. To be honest the stargazer is a fish I had almost forgotten about.

Stargazers were a more frequent catch 15 years ago or before, not an uncommon catch when fishing the Gulf beaches for whiting. There are several different species of them found along the Gulf coast all the way up to the Northeast and down to South America. They are sometimes also known as monkfish.

The stargazers are a bottom dweller similar to a flounder in their habits and habitats.

Like a flounder their eyes are on the top of their head. Unlike a flounder you fillet them like a normal fish and the tail is very meaty.

Stargazers are still a common by-catch of shrimp trawlers today. Even though

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Stargazer you never really hear about them they’re quite common. There is no size or bag limit on stargazer, just use good sense and make sure the fish is big enough to get some meat and do not take small ones.

Use whiting as a good comparison for edible sizing.

To fish for them is easier when you understand how they live and eat. They bury themselves in the sand and wait for a bait to go by. This mean jigging, so let’s think Carolina rig. A small bait fish or a fish shaped plastic like a paddle tail minnow on a 2/0 hook, not a jig head because you want the bait to float up off the bottom.

Connect the hook with about 24 inches of leader, 20 pound fluorocarbon will do nicely, to a swivel. On the rod side of

the swivel first put a sliding bullet weight and then a couple of beads. This will get you a little noise when you jig the rod tip.

Cast out and wait before you start to retrieve. Give your bait time to get to the bottom then give the rod a sharp lift to hop the bait and make the bullet weight and beads clack together. Wait a few seconds and repeat. By-catch of this technique will be flounder or whiting.

Stargazer’s live by ambush feeding wiggling down into the sandy bottom of the gulf until only its eyes are sticking out. What is really weird is that they can extend their eyes out away from their head so they can see what is going on around them or watch for when food shows up.

Some of the stargazers have an

March

2012

appendage which they extend from their heads that acts like a lure to attract bait to them. Not the stargazer type we have here though, ours is more plain. Just the eyes protrude out.

Another thing which the southern star gazer does not have is the venomous spines which some other species do.

After you catch one it is important to keep the meat on ice, this will keep the flavor. Do not be put off when you are filleting a stargazer as it does have a stronger fishy/ocean smell to it. The good news is that cooking takes that smell away. The meat is very white and firm, but not flakey. The texture of the fillet is why I am going to recommend boiling or steaming. That is something I have also done with mullet.

When you fillet a stargazer watch for small pin bones, rub your fingers up and down the fillets to check for them do not rely on looking... feel for them.

The taste of a stargazer is similar to a lobster. Try this. Add thyme, bay leaves into the pot, then squeeze a lemon into the water. If you like lemon put the rind into the water for more flavor. Bring the pot up to a rolling boil this gives the spices time to blend. When poaching fish I give it at least 2 minutes per 1/2 inch of fillet thickness. If you are going to steam them at least 3 minutes per 1/2 inch. The meat is done when it turns an opaque color rather than the white.

Frank can be reached at 625-3888 or at Frank@fishinfranks.com

Impressive Bass at Lake O

March

2012

By Capt. Chuck Ei chner Water LIFE Punta Gorda Largemouth bass fishing was an obsession with me starting at age 12 when I decided I would become a professional fisherman and join the B.A.S.S tournament trail when I reached the age of 18. That was some 45 years ago when tournament fishing was just getting started. Since then I fished semi-professional tournaments and guided largemouth trips for 15 years prior to moving to the Charlotte Harbor area.

Not knowing quite what to expect, I figured I would give saltwater fishing a spin. Line burning fish like the snook, redfish and tarpon changed all that and I became obsessed with Charlotte Harbor.

Now 10 years later, reports of bass on the “Big O” have stimulated my old interest so I dusted off my St Croix bass rods, refreshed my lure selection and towed my flats boat to the lake.

Lake Okeechobee is quite comparable to Charlotte Harbor in many ways.

Wildlife abounds in every direction with enormous backwater areas that are mysterious and fishy. Miles of tall bullrushes create habitat for millions of ducks and birds and you will also see lots of alligators. The amount of submerged aquatic vegetation is beyond description with hydrilla, milfoil and perhaps another 30 varieties of weeds and lily pads. Where to fish is the hard part on this lake because everything looks fishy.

My good friend Lyn Bevis and I have both got the largemouth bass “bug”.

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Somewhat hard to describe, bass fishing is addictive. Lure fishing for an aggressive fish that hits hard is part of the magic, but in the end I think it is the mental focus and deliberation in analyzing how to locate them and make them bite that is the big piece.

The Big O is a complicated fishery. It seems every time you go to the lake the conditions change. Fluctuating water levels will take an area of vegetation that has lots of fish one week and the next week it will be weed clogged and unfishable with a foot less water. Another variable is the weed spraying program. On a recent trip we discovered a sweet patch of hydrilla that had a large deep trough right off some bullrush and water hyacinths. We recognized its potential and a few casts later a monster bass swirled on Lyn’s bait and a beautiful 8 pounder was landed! The following week we ran to this spot only to find the area had been sprayed and the weeds were dead and the water was brown.

That is an unusual condition to deal with that is unique to this lake. Another condition that varies is water depth that may increase or decrease depending on wind direction. An easterly wind will push more water to the west side which may change the fishing patterns. Weather, moon phase, water clarity and fronts are always part of the equation and on different days the fish will utilize different types of vegetation. But the challenge makes sport.

The lake boasts many interesting locations such as Horse Island, Monkey Box, Moonshine Bay, Kings Bar and many more. When looking at a chart they are clear as day but on the water everything looks the same with a confusing horizon of tall weeds and trails through them if you dare to venture in. This is a shallow water lake and attention to water depth is important because it has a rocky bottom in many places.

When it comes to the actual fishing most of the time you will be fishing something weedless. Weedless rigged swimbaits, worms and frogs are often tied on with offset worm hooks holding them in place. Sometimes you can fish the outside edges of the weeds with rattle traps and spinnerbaits.

Nothing of course beats a topwater bite and recently we had two 8 pounders mow down a large swimbait fished on top.

Both Lyn and I caught one of these big fish and when it hits it is truly a spectator sport with a big mash and water swirling and then an “Oh Son” Roland Martin type of hookset to follow.

Fishing in the heavy salad requires a heavy duty baitcaster and heavy line to control the fish. No long drawn out fights in thick vegetation.

In the tranquility of an early morning fishing trip you will hear a crescendo of birds and ducks cackling like nothing you have ever heard. Bull frogs and other frogs and lizards add to the swaying sounds of the bullrush. Add to that a monster alligator of 12-14 feet and you know you are in God’s country.

Capt. Chuck Eichner, Action Flats Back country Charters, 941-628-8040 or www.back country -charters.com

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Local Observations March

2012

By Capt. Larry Koch S peci al to Water LIFE This is a snook caught off the dock in the back yard. I felt bad keeping him out of the water for the picture, but the fish was fine and swam off, no problems. When I fish, they all go back. It’s too bad more people aren’t worried about the ecosystem.

I've seen people catching snook in their cast nets off the illegal side of the Jo-Bean I catch all my fish on 10# braid, pier. I told the local attached to 10# fluorocarbon with bait store and asked a short shock leader. I save my what to do? I was told spin and fly rods for when Iʼm I was "a jerk trying to out in my boat. cause problems"? No, I’m a concerned environmentalist seeing laws broken, fish going to waste and people to whom closed seasons, slot limits and rules in general mean nothing. I was a licensed guide up north and we had the same issues, but much worse.

Its hard to catch a red drum over 10lb around here. In Miami they catch 20s+ on the regular. They won’t for long! If we had to supply the world’s meat consumption by finding meat in the woods (hunting), there would be nothing left in the forest. So we have to farm-raise cow, pigs, chicken ect.

There are too many problems with farm raised fish at the moment. This needs to be fixed. We fished out the stocked trout in New England a month after they were dumped in. Sadly most of these fish wind up freezer-burned and thrown away. Who wants a freezer full of 10'' trout in lieu of a lake filled with 3-5 year old fish? I would charge $160 to fly-fish for 8- to 10-inch fish. Crazy!

Acid rain is changing the water PH, but the fisherman do the most damage up there. The ecosystem is so out of whack that its just accepted that it will never be the same.

You hav e one of t he l ast nat ural l y operat i ng fi shery 's on t he cont i nent . Don't rui n such an am azi ng t hi ng! It’s too late for red fish (they are all heavily stocked throughout the gulf), I see a day when the reds are just like the trout in the north (a put-and-take fishery). I don't want to take my son out for a bucket of rat reds when he grows up!

Nature makes it tough on these backwater sport-fish, let’s not make it harder (see the internet videos of all the fish kills in the last few years. It was not just the one big one). Protect what is so valuable in so many different ways. Keep a fish, it’s no big deal, just don't fill the boat with fish. This fishery is amazing! World class! Let’s keep it that way.

I caught a nice snook, it had a hook with 50lb braid attached, still in its mouth when I caught it. I would not have caught him if that line was not severed in his gill plate. I’m sure that fish would have been dinner for someone – yes even out of season. Now I know someone else will have another shot at that fish. Not preaching... just hope people read, think and make up their own minds.

Tight lines to my piers, Any comments, I would love to hear, landklandscape@hotmail.com.

PS: Anyone who understands center-pi n fl oat fi shi ng, I would love to talk to you, e-mail me!

Beatinʼ the Bushes for Reds

March

2012

Capt. Billy Barton

By Capt. Bi l l y Barton Water LIFE / Charlotte Harbor It's almost like we've been in springtime all winter long this year, but how is that affecting the fishing?

Well, for now, it's in a positive way. Everything is on the move. I have some guide friends who are already running shark trips. The Spanish mackerel are right outside the passes and are just beginning to show up here in the harbor. I had a customer last month hook up to a 50 pound tarpon while fishing a shrimp under a popping cork for trout! We chased the fish around for 20 minutes before he eventually spit the hook in the middle of one heck of a jump!

The snook fishing has just been amazing! I've had some trips lately where we've brought 30 or 40 snook to the boat just for some great catch and release fishing.

These fish all need warm water to thrive and these are all signs of what is yet to come.

Well, enough about warm water, and enough about snook, mackerel, tarpon, and sharks. If there was a prize for the most popular shallow water, light-tackle fish down here; without a doubt, redfish would win. Reds are the fish I chase more than any other. They fight great, they taste great, and when you're on em, you're really on em! I hear so many people from up north come down and say "I've never caught a red fish, and I just want to catch one!" Well let me start off by saying it's not

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rocket science and when we're out to catch some reds, it's not just one we're gonna try and catch! Nine times out of 10 if there's a fish sitting under a bush and he's hungry, he's not alone and his buddies are hungry too!

I’ve got my theory, it works for me. It's the way I target these fish all winter long, and into the spring.

Seven years ago hurricane Charley ripped right up the gut of Charlotte Harbor. Charley wreaked havoc on this place, lemme tell you! It was a horrible time down here, but we've re-cooped and now most everything is back to normal, at least fishing wise. If you ask me, Charley had a positive affect on the fishing here. What it did was it created a whole bunch of new structure to fish. Redfish and a lot of other fish love structure. At high tide they love to swim along the mangrove bushes in search of food, and in safety from boat traffic and predators. If you go out and look at most of the shorelines in this harbor they are now covered with dead mangrove limbs. I like to go out and look for the large clumps of overhanging bushes that protrude furthest off the shoreline. The further out the bush hangs into the water the more I want to fish it.

From the months of November through about the end of March, the bait of choice for reds would be a nice choice or select sized live shrimp. I like to use a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce jig head – color doesn't really matter. Take your shrimp and pinch the fan off his tail, then tail-hook

P a g e 11

the shrimp by running the hook through the bottom and coming out his back. My reasoning behind this is you are exposing the meat of the shrimp, which in turn puts more scent in the water, and also; the fan of the tail catches wind, which shortens up your cast. You are going to want to always stay as distant as you can from the fish, so you want to make as long of a cast as possible.

If you have a trolling motor sneak in with it. If you don't, let the wind coast you in, or hop in the water and push the boat in yourself. This is a very important part of catching a big red. Stay stealthy and avoid making loud noises or you will spook the larger, smarter fish.

All you wanna do now is make your cast to those large clumps of dead sticks in the water. If you land within five or ten feet you are in the strike zone. I will typically give it about five minutes or so, and if I don't get any hits I will try another cast. If we don't pick up a fish in about 10 or 15 minutes, it’s on to the next clump of bushes! I like to catch the last two hours of the incoming tide, and the first two hours of the outgoing. The higher the tide, almost always the better.

Eventually we're gonna find some fish. Are you putting two and two together? I hope so and if you want to go catch some big redfish with me, just give me a call.

Capt. Billy Barton runs Scales N Tails Charters, he can be reached at 979-6140 or at: bartonw24@yahoo.com

Page 12

or Regatta Charlotte Harb

WaterLIFE@comcast.net

There will be WET March

2012

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Sailing The air wasn’t particularly cold, high 70s, but the water was still in the 60s, cold enough to make a sailor shiver and there would be shivering.

Actually the first day (Friday) of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta the weather wasn’t too bad, and Sunday (the last day) it was pretty nice too, but Saturday, when the wind was blowing a steady 25 with gusts to 30, the water seemed very cold and a lot of sailors got to feel it, some of them often.

The sailing on Saturday was spectacular, especially for the bigger boats and multi-hulls that were tearing up the courses out past Mkr No. 2. The smaller boats sailed closer to the US 41 bridges, but they had their problems as well.

Most were serious sailors, most were prepared with wet suits and foul weather gear. Everyone got their equipment tested on Saturday.

“This is what it’s all about,” one sailor shouted to me, hiked out on the windward hull of his cat, hanging from a little canvas seat suspended from the mast. In heavy wind like they had on Saturday every little bit of leverage on the lightweight boats was critical.

“I can’t do it, I can’t do it,” one of the young Sunfish contenders yelled as he tugged on his overturned keel, trying to get his mast unstuck from the

March

2012

www.WaterLIFEmagazine.com

Page 13

Right: Bottom Mud

muddy bottom below. (see photo at right) Then finally he got his boat upright and a ‘can do’ smile came over his whole face. That’s what it’s about for kids.

Sailing in conditions like those make sailors take on an acrobatic persona, moving out and up to try and counter the wind which wants to push everything over and down. Fancy footwork was the norm on this Saturday.

Problems came mostly at the marks when the boat tried to turn and the wind resisted or helped too much. There were numerous upendings on the straight course line too when a rogue wave or a shifting gust overpowered even the most agile crews. But when it was all over there were only rave reviews for our local venue and promises from the sailors to be back again next year.

CHARLOTTE HARBOR REGATTA RESULTS Annie Gardner and Eric Witte F16 John Casey took the F18 Wally Myers won the Hobie 16 class.

John Sherry Hobie Wave class Mark Taylor and Nikki Holland Flying Scot Jim Richter Sunfish

Next yearʼs event will be held, Jan. 31-Feb. 3

Page 14

SALT CREEK

WaterLIFE@comcast.net

March

2012

The all natural, man made, manatee refuge

Are manatees breeding here? – Salt Creek, off the Northport Warm Mineral Springs

On the Line

By Capt. Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff Not many people have heard about, let alone been to Salt Creek in North Port. This two mile long shallow water ditch which is just 10 feet wide in spots and which connects the Myakka River near US 41 and Warm Mineral Springs has become the newest celebrity winter watering hole for the Florida manatee.

I first became interested in Salt Creek about 10 years ago when I read that the FWC was releasing recovered injured manatees into Salt Creek. I wondered why they wouldn't put the recovered manatee back in their home habitat where they came from.

The answer is that for years now the State has been moving manatees into Salt Creek in an attempt to increase the mating population of manatees in the area and it looks like their efforts have been successful. The first aerial population survey that I know about was done in 1979 and reported no manatees in Salt Creek. Today the state reports that there have been 60 manatee sightings in the area, but it is really hard to get a handle on how accurate that number is since we don't know the time period; was that 60 manatees there on one day? Or one manatee seen 60 days in a row?

In 2002 the State made Salt Creek a “No Entry Zone” from 15 Nov to 15 March. You cannot even swim in the creek during that period. Salt Creek is now called the only natural winter habi-

tat left for manatees south of salt creek Tampa Bay. In 2006 a report submitted to the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission by the non-profit organization Wildlife Trust recommended that land be purchased along the creek and that the creek be dredged to allow more manatees to winter over.

Let’s look at what has happened since then. In 2010, Sarasota County purchased Warm Mineral Springs the source of the warm water discharge and bought several lots along the creek under their Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program. Remember that Sarasota is one of the original 13 counties required to have a Manatee Protection Plan. There is also talk about removing several weirs and dredging Salt Creek to make it easier for manatees to move up stream. This would not be allowed for land development, but I guess is perfectly alright for manatee protection.

The question I have is why the large increase in manatees in the creek recently? Is it because they were always there but no one bothered to count them? Is it because the State has been stocking the creek with recovered manatees, or is it because we now have too many manatees and the natural habitat can no longer support them?

You can Reach Capt Ron Blago at: Captronb@juno.com

March

2012

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MACKEREL: Pier Anglerʼs Approach

By Bobby Vi tal i s Jr Special to Water LIFE SPANISH MACKEREL are awesome to catch – they give a good fight. I have caught mackerel up to 26 inches in length. The best time to catch these mackerel is right before sunrise, from 6:30 a.m. to about 11:00 a.m. The best place I have been to catch these mackerel are at Sharky’s pier in Venice.

There are many ways to catch mackerel, but the best way is to go spinning for them because you need a faster retrieve to move a lure at a pace that will interest the mackerel.

There are many lures you can use.

The best lure I find is the GOT-CHA lures. The color is chartreuse head with silver body with red treble hooks and weight is 1oz. Some people use SEA STRIKER, CLARK SPOONS, SABIKI rigs and TSUNAMI PRO ZIG ZAG

lures. The presentation using these lures is at a fast speed. As your reeling it in give it fast jerks every so often.

Before the sun comes up, I use 6 inches of 26-pound test surflon micro supreme knottable leader wire because the fish cannot see the wire in the water.

When the sun comes up, I use anywhere from 80-pound to 100-pound test Seaguar fluorocarbon leader line about 3 feet in length, which is invisible in the water. Note: the reason I’m using heavy line is because mackerel have very sharp teeth. For my main line, I use 30-pound test SUFIX 832 ADVANCED SUPERLINE. When tying your main line to your leader, I suggest you use the double UNI KNOT which works good up to 80lb test fluorocarbon leader line. Anything more, then use double sleeves. So if you want to catch Mackerel try this method.

Page 15

Page 16

KAYAKS

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March

2012

Ed Woolvertonʼs Wonderful Trail

By Davi d Al l en Water LIFE Kayaking Have you ever paddled through a “Mangrove Tunnel?’ If you are a member of the Port Charlotte Kayakers (PCK) you have. Many paddlers think that the tunnels are one of the often-unrecognized charms of paddling in Southwest Florida.

And we have some of the best tunnels right here in Charlotte County.

So just what are ‘Mangrove Tunnels”?

The tunnels are, for the most part, man made; narrow channels cut through the mangroves that line our bays and estuaries. They were originally conceived as a way to control mosquitoes in the shoreline areas. Later it was found that in addition to mosquito control, the channels improved the flow of water through the mangroves, augmenting their growth, while providing a safe breeding ground for many smaller species of fish. I’ve been told that some were cut through as early as 1950 to 1960, but others later.

These narrow, shallow, paths through the mangroves are completely enclosed, both overhead and on both sides, by the thick mangrove growth. Many channels

are so narrow that a kayak paddle often hits the branches on both sides when passing through. Shaded from the sun, they are a refuge for birds and other wildlife, and often lead to small ponds where roseate spoonbills and other seldom seen birds feed.

Paddling the mangrove tunnels is a unique experience, far different than paddling in the local creeks, rivers or the Gulf. When you enter a tunnel, single file, from the open water, you are in a shaded, quiet, green world. There is almost no current, no wind, and just a little sun speckling the water. Often the water is so shallow that the kayaks almost touch the bottom, and you could easily get out and wade through the channel. The channels twist and turn, some for a mile or more, with many false leads that go nowhere. The sharp turns are often a challenge for long kayaks to negotiate, and the file of paddlers back up and wait their turn.

After hurricanes or even strong winds,

fallen trees and large branches often block the mangrove channels. Some times you can paddle over these obstructions, but more often the channel must be cleared by hand.

Bill Mango and others from the PCK regularly clear out the channels, at least several times a year, and always after a major storm.

Two of the best local mangrove tunnels are off Catfish Creek in Placida, and east of Ponce de Leon in Punta Gorda. The tunnels off Catfish Creek have been named the Ed Woolverton Trail and have officially been added to the Charlotte County Blueways Map. Ed, now 90+, has gained that honor by his long time efforts to keep the trail open and mark the main paths through the area.

The Woolverton Trail is easily accessible from Grande Tours in Placida.

Captain Marion Schneider, owner and operator of Grande Tours, offers guided tours through the area.

The mangrove tunnels out of Punta Gorda are reached from the boat ramp at Ponce de Leon Park on the west end of Marion Avenue. After launching at the park, you must paddle about 1 mile south and west up the boat channel before entering the mangroves through a small lake off the right side of the channel. Once inside, the tunnel continues

to lead southeast for about a mile at which point you enter either Alligator Creek or the Bay. An interesting side trip is to Spoonbill Lake in the heart of a dense cluster of mangroves. The “lake”, just off the main trail, is actually a small pond, about 60-70 feet across, where, if you’re lucky, you may spot a spoonbill.

Spoonbills have become very scarce since Charley.

Our club paddles the Woolverton several times a year. And once, we were lucky enough to see Ed Woolverton himself, in a small powerboat, clearing branches from the main channel. I recommend a trip through the Woolverton, or any of the mangrove tunnels, to any paddler looking for a pleasant change of pace.

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

For more information contact Dav e Allen at 941-235-2588

OFFSHORE REPORT March

2012

With Capt. Jim O'Brien

Water LIFE Englewood Hey ya-all can you believe the wind were having? I know I've lost quite a few charters. But we have gotten out and the fish'n has been excellent. We’re still fish'n 28 to 32 miles out. On last week’s charter we brought back 78 fish and that’s not counting the grouper and scamp we had to throw back. Now I’m a tell'n ya that’s a lot of good eat'n. Well lets see what’s going on in the fish'n world.

SHEEPSHEAD are bitting good off the Tom Adams bridge, Boca Grande trestle, M13 and Mary’s reef. The sheepshead are running from 2- to 6-pounds and taking live shrimp and fiddler crabs. Don't forget the mighty sand flea is also a good bet for bait. When I fish for these guys I like to take fresh sand fleas, get an old pot fill it up with water and boil them till they turn pink then pour the water off let them cool down vacuum pack them or put them in a zip lock bag and freeze them. This makes a dandy sheepshead bait.

BONITA AND SPANISH MACKEREL are out from 1 to 4 miles off the beach Spanish mackerel are in Charlotte Harbor and just out of Boca Grande Pass just look for bait fish on the surface and birds.

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TRIPLE TAIL are still being caught on the crab trap buoys out of Stump Pass between the buoy lines from 2 to 6 miles out and from Stump Pass south to Little Gasparilla pass. Don't get discouraged if you don't see or hook up on the first few buoys give each buoy 10 to 15 min, then go to the next buoy, have patience and you will catch them.

COBIA are chewing real good out on the deeper wrecks right now the Bayronto is producing cobia in the 60 plus pound range now. I’m tell'n ya thats a lot of yummy for the tummy. HA! Use a lot of chum and they will come right up to your boat in the chum slick. They are a very curious fish. Have a big pin fish or a black and silver gulp eel ready to throw at them.

AJ'S if you want to test your strength get out to the deeper wrecks stop on the way out and catch some nice blue runners an some big pinfish get out to one of these spots and hang on, you will break out in a sweat.

MANGROVE SNAPPER, GRUNTS, TRIGGER FISH, AND MARGATES have been chewing the hooks off the line at 28 to 30 miles out. We are using a chicken rig with live shrimp on the top hook and a

The Olʼ Fishʼn Hole

piece of squid on the bottom hook I use a number 2 circle hook and were tearing them up. The trigger fish are running real big like the’re on steroids. The mangs are still running from 20 to 25 inchs long, margates are running from 2 to 4 pounds and the jolt head porgies, and the regular porgies are chewing good also. DON'T FORGET All grouper species and American red snapper will re-open APRIL 1ST. The photo is from one of my last charters out (from the bottom are: Ken

Page 17

Lathrope, 2nd row left to right Gary Kirkham, Eric Von Muller, back row Rudy Askew, Jim Thomson, and Chuck Edminston. These guys has fished with me a lot. Well its time to get out of here.

If y ou hav e any questions or if y ou hav e a good ol' fishin’ story or a recipe for cook ing fish that I can share with our readers giv e me a call. To book an offshore charter with us aboard the Predator II call (941) 473-2150 AND BE SURE TO SNORT SOME OF THAT SALT AIR CUZ IT’S GOOD FER YA!

FISHING: Jeff and His Doctor Friend

Page 18

By Capt. Bart Marx Water LIFE Fishing Jeff and his Dr. friend met me at Ponce Park. We traveled down the Harbor to Turtle Bay where we saw some manatees and did some trout fishing. We also had some redfish encounters.We were fishing along the shore and the Dr. hooked into a pit-bull redfish as Capt. Mark Sosin named the big Charlotte Harbor reds.

The fish had a healthy dose of the pit bull attitude and gave the doc a great battle for about 10 minutes.

That red had him around the boat back

WaterLIFE@comcast.net

and forth and then took a long run out past the anchor. The Dr. was gaining on the fish when the line broke at the hook where you could see the abrasion from the teeth had taken its toll. Sometime that is the price you pay when the big one gets hooked ....he drags your junk all over the hood and then just swims away to play somewhere else.

Next Jeff hooked a nice red and had a good fight. We landed that fish and he went in the box for the ride home.

It was time to try something else so we left the bay and started on the West

March

Wall drifting across the grass and sand holes in search of some trout.

At first things were a little slow ... until we found the trout that were hungry and willing to tighten up the line for a test. We let some go and put a couple of them into the box for the ride home.

We were coming close to the end of our fishing adventure, the Dr. was working his shrimp, when his drag started singing like it hooked a passing boat. It burned off 20 or 30 yards of line and we still had no visual contact to even guess what was on.

My first thought was a cobia had slid in on us and bagged the shrimp. It kept fighting as it got closer so my next guess was a jack cravelle, but in the end it turned out to be a permit. It didn’t matter.

Singing drags and tight lines make me smile, and Jeff and hs Dr friend were smiling too.

Contact Capt. Bart to schedule a fishing adv enture of y our own, may it be shark , reds, snook , tarpon, or trout, giv e me a call at 941-979-6517 or go to www.alphaomegacharters.com

TIPS from CAPT BART

To me fishing is a lot like hunting for animals on dry ground; you have to stalk them and get in position to take an accurate shot.

It helps when you scuba dive

2012

Two barbs in front of the anal fin mean no pompano, itʼs a permit!

some of the spots that you fish to understand how the structure is shaped. This helps with tactics you will use.

Sometimes it is the smallest details that make the huge difference between fishing or catching.

Downsize your equipment, use smaller leader and smaller lines to help you get more bites.

Use as little terminal tackle as possible to get the job done and learn a loop knot for your artificials and even your live baits

Real Estate News

March

2012

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: 1. The Parkside Community Redevelopment Area covers the residential area surrounding Peace River and Fawcett Hospitals in Port Charlotte.

This CRA was created to improve the quality of life for residents of the area through the addition of amenities and aesthetic enhancements to a neighborhood that many consider to be "blighted".

Charlotte County has approved an outlay of $9 million as Phase One of a $35 million budget. More than half of the funds will be spent for walkways, bridges and street improvements along Harbor Blvd from Rt 41 to Olean. The balance of the funds will be expended for a bridge over the Elkcam waterway, walkways along Aaron from Gertrude to Elkcam, an events park on Aaron behind the Promenades Shopping Center and improvements to existing and addition of various "pocket" parks in the area.

Funding for the project is to initially come from County taxpayers and repaid from property tax increases generated within the benefitted area. I can't say for certain if the commissioners that support this investment calculated how much the property values of local residents would have to increase to pay for this investment, but I did. Property values would

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Page 19

Don Ball School of Fishing

Cape Coral guide Capt. Sam OʼBriant talks tides to a group of 6th and 7th graders at Caloosa Middle School in Cape Coral. The 8 week program, put on by The Charlotte Harbor Reef Association and this publication has graduated over 1200 area middle schoolers. This month The Reef Association received an anonomyous $250 donation from the Milwaukee Foundation. We thank them, and the donar, for that.

have to soar $45 mil from the current level of about $98 mil to be self sustaining. Residents of all of Charlotte County should expect to be asked for sales tax increases to make up the expected shortfall.

2. The Cheney Brothers plant has been cleared for development. Construction should begin within the next 12 months for this new food distribution center.

More than 300 new jobs are expected when opened.

3. Charlotte County has decided not to convert Placida Road into a four lane artery. Instead, it will spend that $16 mil on widening Burnt Store Road from Notre Dame to Zemel.

4. The proposed privitization of our local state prison has been killed. The numbers didn't represent any taxpayer savings after hard core inmates were relocated out of the county.

5. Realtor.com rated Punta Gorda among the top 10 turnaround cities in the country. Hopefully, that pronouncement will help stimulate interest in our market.

6. Charlotte County Commissioners must have heard a great sales pitch at the recent Miami boat show. They voted to spend $163,000 on a new 27' "fire" boat.

Although they already have one parked in Englewood, they felt the need to backup the Sheriff’s boat and tne one Fish and Wildlife has that are already providing service to Charlotte County.

In other news: Air traffic at the Punta Gorda airport is up 15% vs. last year.

The control tower is now operational.

Work on a special manatee protection system, at the Moore Haven lock, that would keep manatees from being squished in the canal gates is scheduled to begin April 2 when water levels are low. The project will take up to two months to complete.

No boating traffic will be allowed to use the lock during the installation.

S al es S tati sti cs: Lower end home prices in North Port and Port Charlotte continue to rise as the inventory of short sales decline. The much publicized "robo signing" scandal that was supposed to flood the market with hundreds of new foreclosures has not yet materialized.

Foreclosure auctions scheduled for March have declined to pre housing-bust levels.

Page 20

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Water LIFE Distributor 始s Club

March

2012

You can always get a free copy of Water LIFE at these locations

Cooks

Sportland

4419 So. Tamiami Trail S. Venice 493-0025

Water LIFE Distributor 始s Club

You can always get a free copy of Water LIFE at these locations

March

2012

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Page 21

SCUTTLEBUTT

Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True

Consignment Boats Wanted

Grady Whi te

FROM THE FWC

Officer investigated a boating accident in Bull Bay involving a licensed captain who had three paying customers onboard. The vessel was enroute to a fishing area when it struck a sand bar and came to an abrupt stop, ejecting one occupant. Two occupants were later admitted to the hospital.

The officer cited the operator for a navigational rule violation.

Sugarcane is harvested from late-October through mid-April.

With no damaging effects from freezes sugar yields are typically highest after December. Shown here is part of the harvest near Lake Okeechobee.

Early last year, a charter vessel entered into the designated swim area at the shoreline of the Ritz Carlton Hotel and struck a swimmer. The swimmer was critically injured and was airlifted to a local hospital. The case was recently prosecuted and closed with the vessel captain pleading guilty to all accident-related charges. The captain received the maximum penalties and fines and was taken into custody to serve one year in jail with probation to follow. Additionally, his captain's license was permanently revoked.

Officers received a call from an individual claiming to have seen with his side scan sonar what appeared to be a truck in Indian Prairie Canal. The officers took a large magnet and a drag with treble hooks and dragged the area, but could not find anything. The officers expanded their search and hooked to a large metal object about 1/4 mile from the boat ramp. A dive team was dispatched from Okeechobee Sheriffʼs Office and a tow truck was called. The dive team hooked to the object and the tow truck pulled out a van, stolen nearly 10 years ago. The van was turned over to the Sheriffʼs Office.

Officers received a complaint that a subject was spearing fish in a freshwater canal. Upon arrival, the officers identified themselves and the suspect released his speargun and a stringer of fish and began swimming away. The officers eventually apprehended the suspect and recovered the evidence which included 12 peacock bass, 10 blue tilapia, three largemouth bass, and three sunfish. The subject was arrested for interference with a police officer, possession of numerous speared freshwater fish, and failure to possess a fishing license. Apparently even invasive species are protected.

WHATʼS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? Bayshore Park in Charlotte Harbor: Running water, a cozy fireplace and and free electricity for a laptop attracts area hobos who especially like the regulations allowing beer in the park, as does the convenience store down the block. No wonder familys with children shy away from this otherwise nice waterfront venue.

Recreational sportfishing and billfish conservation have made a huge impact on Costa Rica’s tourism and economy. In a groundbreaking move and through a joint effort between The Billfish Foundation and the Presidential Challenge Charitable Foundation, commercial longlining will be closed in a 40-mile area during the weekend's Presidential Challenge tournament, March 1-4 In Miami: Yamaha introduces a 4-stroke with a hole shot.

Only In Florida Cute little 1,800 pound pig ... killed in King's Point, Sun City Center, FL. They call them Piney Wood Rooter's. Evidently they're all over Georgia , Alabama , Arkansas , Missouri , and Florida. This guy was told to stand still because their eye sight is poor. That by standing still they probably would not see you and walk right on by. And NO you can't outrun them. He didnʼt take any chances.

25’ with twin Yamaha 200 V6's. GPS, Sonar, Top canvas w/ side curtains.

Very Clean.

$23,900

2003 Max um 2 5 0 SE -

220hp MPI Mercruiser, A.C., sleeps 4, dual bimini, one owner. $31,990

1 9 9 5 Sco ut 155-

15' fishing boat with trolling motor, live well, and 2010 60hp 4 st - $11,990 w/trlr.

Just REDUCED!

2004 Ranger Cayman,

19' with 2008 Evinrude Etec w/ new lower unit. poling platform, great shape. -

$18,900

See all our boats at

Bayshoremarinefl@yahoo.com

941-627-5777

23269 Bayshore Rd Charlotte Harbor

BOAT BUILDING EVENT at the spri ng BOAT S HOW – The South West Florida Marine Trades group has been telling us about plans to hold their first Boat Building Festival, produced by the Shipwright Shop at the upcoming Fort Myers Spring Boat Show. Several South West Florida Marine Trades members have now jumped aboard and there will be at least five teams of students each building a boat. Not only is this a great community support event, but it will be a great addition to the boat show this month.

In-house Upholstery Shop

Fabrication • Spot Repairs • Major Structural Custom work is our Specialty 1726 Steadley Ave. Punta Gorda

Professional Quality Awl Grip Finishes Gel Coat • Free Estimates Mobile Service

Shop 941- 575-8914

Home 235-2243

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K AYA K S !

Page 22

WaterLIFE@comcast.net

March Fishing Forecast

Charlotte Harbor:

Frank at Fishin' Franks Port Charlotte: 625-3888

Cobi a is the big visitor at this point. We’re seeing them along beaches 3- to 5-miles out. It seems like they are going reef to reef, from Power Pole to Mary’s to Trembly to Novak... which means they will swing through the pass and some will wind up in the middle of the Harbor where we have a lot of greenies and threads. Watch for big stingrays to find the cobia. We should see good cobia in the middle of the Harbor soon and in two weeks or sooner I’d look for them on the sand bars along the side.

Pompano is still pretty steady along the Gulf passes from down around Punta Rasa to Venice on the north. If they are not at one pass they are at one of the other ones. The places I’ve heard of Pompano in the Harbor are all around the bottom end; around Burnt Store, Bokeelia and at Bull Bay. The water temps are coming up, we have baitfish moving back into the Harbor right now and the snook are starting to look at them. It’s about 50-50 whether they are they going to hit a shrimp or a whitebait, Snook fishing is great along the East (side) Keys. There are also still snook in the PGI and Port Charlotte canals.

Up river the fish are in the deeper holes. I’d work the bends in the river. I’ve been trolling a

March

2012

shad wrap that dives 6-8 feet (the SSR-7 is better than the 8 because they go deeper than they are rated and if you use braided line you get another 4 feet out of them due to the lower resistance of the line in the water). You have to watch the depth finder close, idle over, toss your bait and when the Still plenty of jacks in the PGI canals where the water is moving well. bottom comes up to 6 feet bring your lure back. At the I-75 bridge nice fish in it too.

This mullet took a shrimp on a jig head. You the snook are laying around the bumpers down On the east side, in the donʼt see that every day! Go figure!! low. Fish a paddle-tail shad on a 3/8 or 1/2 oz keys north of Pirate The giant sailcat took whatever it could get.

Photos Capt. Billy Barton jig head to get it down. Snook may be the same Harbor, there are separate way at the 41 Bridge, but I don’t know anybody schools of reds heading to Two Pine and then fishing the bottom there. coming back up. From Cormorant to Burnt More and more it will be mostly whitebait Store the reds are working the flat pretty good for snook. A big shrimp after dark is the bomb, but you have to be there at the same time. but in the day snook need the oil from the bait- Right now the reds are hitting shrimp one day fish for spawning so they key in on the oily and whitebait the next, kinda like the snook. baitfish.

On the Peace or Myakka and from El-Jo If you are looking for redfi sh I’d head down through Hog Island there are lots of undersize towards Cape Haze: Muddy Bay and the exten- to moderate keeper reds. The Peace and the sions, or Big Jake Lake, they are all holding nice Myakka have a big shrimp migration going fish. You can work the trough along the side. on.

The first 1/2 mile of the West Wall has some Fishing Report continued on facing page

Charters

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March

2012

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With lights at night, at Little Gasparilla Pass, guys are doing pretty good dipping on the shri mp. The only problem is you need a strong outgoing tide. You want to get there at the high so you can work the whole falling tide and that’s been happening pretty late at night.

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The The BIG-4 BIG-4

SPANISH MACKEREL In the passes and in the Harbor

There have been scattered reports of tarpo n, but I’m thinking they are mostly resident fish. When the migrators come in there are usually are reports first from the south, down at Everglades City, Naples etc, but I’m only hearing reports from here and there. I think if we have any travelling fish yet it would be pretty small numbers. I think it will be early this year, like maybe the end of March. Right now Spring Lake and the Peace River have some smaller tarpon, but it’s good to leave those little ones alone because I believe the tarpon that grow up here come back here later to spawn.

Freshwater bass is getting more and more popular. The area of South Gulf Cove is the spot to throw your favorite crank bait or a Rapala

John K Gonsalves with a big Charlotte Harbor redfish.

Captainʼs Corner

Fish Fish to to expect expect in in

COBIA Moving around the near shore reefs

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March March

POMPANO in the passes and south in the Harbor

Gulf Temps are in the 70s

CREVALLE JACKS are in the PGI and Port C. Canals

Maverick. Bass are starting to make their beds so now we switch to creature baits. Creature baits are the ticket for bass on Cocoplum, Shell Creek, Prairie Creek and in most of the ponds right now. S hel l cracker and bl uegi l l are doing pretty good too.

Lemon Bay:

Jim at Fishermens Edge, Englewood: 697-7595

Some paku in Rotonda and some bass. The guys were saying freshwater was doing pretty well.

In saltwater I’ve had a lot of reports of sheepshead on the Tom Adams pier and the inshore and near shore reefs like Mary, Trembly Helen and Novak. They all have sheepshead.

The Pompano bite has really started to happen. On the Tom Adams Bridge one guy said it was the most fish he has seen all winter. They were catching them at Placida on fiddler crabs and sand fleas. There is also a lot of whi ti ng around at the moment.

The fl ounder bite has been really good.

You’ve got to weed through the smaller ones and you got to fish a little slower.

S pani sh are in Boca Grande and near shore.

A lot of baitfish are showing up. Guys anchored on the reef-stuff said the mackerel were busting everywhere.

S nook are on the beach, 22- to 24-inch fish.

Gary Corbett in Lemon Bay with a significant sea trout

Outside of Boca Grande, guys are catching snook standing on the shore, throwing lead-headed jig with a minnow tail – something clear with sparkles.

Reds, snook and trout are all mixed in, in Gasparilla SAound. I’ve seen nice picks of overthe-slot redfish. Whidden is where I am getting the most back country reports from right now.

Some tarpon are around , it’s ready to let loose in Boca Grande, I had guys seeing them around and hooking and jumping a few. If it stays in the 80s they will be here quick.

I had some cobi a stories offshore on the Bayronto and on some of the way out wrecks, but not any reports of them in shallow water.

There is a big variety of stuff being caught; bl ack drum in Englewood on the beach and a number of big sharks are now around. Some guys are running shark trips already.

Got a Story? send us your pictures: waterlife@comcast.net

Thi s came from the IGFA al ong wi th thei r monthl y update: This month’s Hot Catches are attached, along with photos of Eric Haataja’s brown trout, caught in Milwaukee Harbour, Wisconsin and Martin Larsson’s giant trevally, caught off the coast of Tanzania.

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March

2012

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