Water LIFE May 2007

W a t e r LIFE FREE!

Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay

Keeping Boaters and Fishermen Informed

May 2007

TOURNAMENT PHOTOS PAGE 16-17

K Ki id ds s C Cu up p S St ta an nd di in ng gs s! !

P Pa ag ge e

Shark Stuff Page 23

Too Good?

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w w w. C H A R L O T T E H A R B O R M A G A Z I N E . C O M

1 14 4

What?s This?

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FREE!

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Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

May 2007

Why do Surgery on a Fish?

May 2007

By Mi chael Hel l er Waster LIFE editor You spent how much? Six thousand dollars! ... on fish? Are you crazy?!! What for?? Those were the kind of responses I got when we told people what the costs were in our redfish tagging project.

Sponsors bought 20 tags at $300 each, and the six-grand we collected didn’t include the volunteer manpower of scientists and biologists from Mote Marine or Sea Grant. It didn’t include the tracking equipment (we were lucky enough to ‘borrow’ that from Mote) or the manpower, boats and fuel necessary to put all the listening devices into the water and retrieve the data. Without the volunteers and sponsors it wouldn’t have happened.

So, why? That was the big question.

Why go to all this expense and trouble?

On the surface, this effort addresses the question: ‘If you catch a redfish in the Pine Island Sound and release it at Punta Gorda, does that fish swim back to Pine Island, or does it stay at the top of Charlotte Harbor?’ That, in itself, is a good question, but there are bigger, more important forces at work here.

Giving kids a taste of fishery biology and science might some day influence

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their life choices. That’s also important stuff, but there is still much more.

Ten years ago, we as fishermen and boaters in Charlotte Harbor had a rude awakening from the environmental extremists and the liberal local media who all said that boaters were killing manatees and that boating and fishing needed to be drastically reduced. So we studied the manatee issue and asked the right questions. Now, today, we know there were plenty of manatees back then and that it was simply false interpretations of manipulated ‘data’ that was the problem. But the legions of local boaters were, at the time, ill-prepared to respond en-mass, so the Manatee Club sued the government for not doing enough to save manatees and then settled the lawsuit out of court with new restrictions on boating. It was a sham, but it was also a clever legal maneuver which allowed for no defense and no appeal. They held some meaningless meetings and put up ‘slow speed’ signs around the area and it became law.

That was an education for me. I learned a lot about the manatee, a lot about the uninformed liberal, local media and a lot about what we should have done.

Today we are hearing rumblings about

3

A sedated redfish is prepared for tag-implant surgery at the Kids Cup Tournament.

The tube in its mouth is running water over the gills

seagrass, about pollution, about our local fishery and about how things here are ‘changing’ for the worse. Trouble could be brewing so I figure if fishermen don’t start gathering their own information about our fishery now, then someday soon some ‘environmental ‘guru’ will be here to ‘help’ us. We don’t need that kind of help.

We need to be informed and aware.

My thinking is, if we want to know more about our fishery we have to look at our fish more carefully. And what better place to look at fish than in a tournament?

In our local tournaments, we have a lot

of educated high tech anglers with hightech boats and a much better than average knowledge about how to handle and transport fish. If a tournament fish dies, anglers may not win money – so tournament anglers have figured out how to keep their fish alive. Now, by tracking fish, we can stay ahead of the game.

Kids watched this all happen last month and in the process they learned about managing Charlotte Harbor for the future. That’s the reason we we are doing surgery on redfish. To plan for the future.

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LETTERS

TO

WAT E R L I F E

on this proposal. There seems to be no real reason to include Charlotte County in this ʻWild and Scenicʼ designation. Thank you and please let me have your thoughts on this proposal.

You can reach me at 941-698-8695 or on my cell 561-635-3695. Robert Ohm

Myakka Scenic River Proposal Draws Fire from Local Boaters

Slow speed up river is already the law. Slow speed around El Jobean would be dumb.

Dear Water LIFE Per our conversation of the other day, I am writing this letter about the plan to make the entire Myakka River designated as “Wild and Scenic” in Charlotte County. The current plan indicates it will stop unwanted over development and save us from the phosphate mining that currently goes on. It sounds good, but a slow speed zone from the current headwater area to the southeast tip of Hog Island comes with the act. The Scenic River Act by its own classification states ʻRivers largely primitive and shorelines largely undeveloped.ʼ The current slow zone is in the right place. Go further south and you will find that there is nothing natural and scenic about it. The river has already been developed on both sides. Gulf Cove is a boating community on the west side and is at least 4 miles of man made canals and seawalls.

Riverwood is on the east side. It is a large development with roads going in right now on county donated land that are not in compliance with the set back rules of wild and scenic. The rest is single family homes or mangrove swamp. The river is 1 mile wide in areas with easy navigation.

This new act may help political agendas of those pushing it through, but it will ruin boating in existing areas and hurt property values. The act is under a study which taxpayers pay for.

This money could be better spent on real problems like red tide, parks, schools etc. The Myakka River Management Coordinating Council (28 members) is conducting the study, with Manasota 88 pushing hard to have things go their way.

I would appreciate it if you could help let the voters in Charlotte County know the entire story

TAKE US BACK UP NORTH WITH YOU ...

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Dear Readers Last month in my article on snook regulations I mentioned that it was legal to spear snook until 2000. A guy called me on that and asked if snook was a gamefish how could you legally spear one. Well he was right, you couldn't legally spear one in state waters. The problem was where the state met federal waters – in particular areas like Everglades National Park – where it was still legal. So law CH 68B21,F.A.C. (Effective July 1,2000) Applies Florida's snook management provisions (i.e. prohibition of spearing) to fish harvested from adjacent federal waters. I hope that clears up any confusion. Capt. Ron Blago

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Editor Notes *** Watch out boaters! I resist this and every other slow speed proposal that comes along. If weʼ are not eternally vigilant, the next step could be to make the entire harbor slow speed. Donʼt let these anti-boating forces get their foot in Charlotte Harborʼs door. Boating is key to our local economy. Mr. Ohm has a valid point. Almost the entire Myakka River – from far above US 41 (where the Myakka River Oyster Bar restaurant is) down to about a mile up river from El Jobean – is already a slow speed zone. Why not just stop the proposed new “Scenic” designation at the end of the existing slow sped zone? Perhaps someone already has a plan to someday connect all the Charlotte County slow speed zones?ʼ– MH

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May 2007

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WRITE US! e-mail (preferred) Waterlife@comcast.net Regular MAIL: 217 Bangsberg Rd. Port Charlotte, FL 33952

Contributing Editors:

Fishing / Environment: Capt. Ron Blago Charlotte Harbor: Capt. Robert Moore Gasparilla: Capt. Chuck Eichner Port Charlotte: Fishinʼ Frank Offshore: Capt. Steve Skevington Real Estate: Dave Hofer Sailing Advisor: Bill Dixon Kayaks: David Allen Sea Grant: Betty Staugler Diving: Adam Wilson

on the COVER:

The 2007 Kids Cup weigh-in

on our WEBSITE:

WWW.charlotteharbormagazine.com

Links to Realtors: Connect with our real estate advertisers Tide Graphs: For local waters

Weather: Links to all of our favorite sites.

Back editions: Pages of previous editions Artificial Reefs: Lat. and Long local reefs

Manatee Myths: Read the original plan to create sanctuaries and refuges, as spelled out by the United Nations in 1984 Kids Cup Updates and registration forms

ASA1000 Photography and Hot Rod Cars

May 2007

FEDS Turn their Back on Save the Manatee Club

By Capt Ro n Bl ag o Water LIFE Senior Editor Looks like the Feds are about to put the last nail in the coffin of the Save the Manatee Club. Two sentences in a recent Associated Press story pretty much sums up the situation: AP- 04/10/07 – “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv ice on Monday has recommended upgrading the manatee’s status from endangered to threatened, a mov e that indicates the animal has rebounded from the brink of ex tinction. The Fish and Wildlife Serv ice on Monday released its fiv e-y ear rev iew of manatee populations in Florida and Puerto Rico and found that the species no longer fits the criteria to be deemed endangered.”

For any other species in any other place on earth, this would be a cause of celebration; a creature getting off the disabled list and thriving in the wild in record numbers; but not the manatee and not here in Florida.

The Save the Manatee Club appears to be stunned by this development and like a vermin that finds itself caught in a leg–hold–trap, the club is striking out at anyone they feel has had a hand in this injustice.

The first person to feel their wrath was the President of the United States ( I guess they felt they should start right at the top). In a SMC recent press release entitled Manatee Protections to be Cut Under Bush Plan, they go to great lengths to point out that “As we enter the lame duck stretch of the Bush administration, there will be more of these efforts to circumv ent Congress by using the administrativ e process to undermine the laws they cannot repeal.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t it the good intentioned local folks of Florida and not the president or congress that got the manatee put on the endangered species list in the first place? In fact, the manatee is the only species put on the list without a scientific review. It appears that all it took was a few Jimmy Buffet public service commercials.

Frankly I don’t think President Bush would recognize a manatee if he tripped over one. His brother Jeb, on the other hand is very familiar with manatees and the tactics of the SMC. The next group to get a hit is the Florida homeowners, boaters and fishermen. The SMC likes to lump all

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these people into what they consider the ‘special interest of the boating and coastal development lobbies.’

Boy, that sure sounds evil. It was these folks and organizations like the CCA and Standing Watch that demanded real science and data be used to make manatee management decisions. It sure was embarrassing for the SMC when it became known that the population of manatees had grown from 1,1267 in 1991 to about 3,200 in 2006. Talk about an inconvenient truth.

If there is anyone that still doesn’t understand about the SMC please let me point out a few less than truthful statements in their recent release.

First off they say that this the worst possible time to de-list the manatee since 2006 had a record 417 manatee deaths. What they don’t say is that in spite of these deaths, the population of live manatees is increasing and with more live manatees we are going to have more dead manatees even if they all die of old age.

The SMC has to get over the fascination they have with dead manatees and start enjoying the live ones.

After all, the more live ones, the more money they can collect by selling them for adoption. Another statement is “Speedboat collisions and propeller maiming are already the major cause of manatee deaths.” This is a big fat lie – they know it and everyone else knows it.

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Boats, both big slow boats and small fast boats, account for less than 24% of all manatee deaths. The state has pointed this out to the SMC many times. I can only assume that the marketing people at the SMC think that singling out boaters will help with the fund raising. As one of the over one million registered boat owners in Florida, believe me when I tell you that’s not working for you.

And there is one last bit of deception I would like to point out. The SMC lists all the potential threats to the manatee; boating, water pollution, algae blooms, red tide and loss of habitat, and sums up with “Despite all of these looming threats, which the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserv ation Commission (FWC) has determined could result in the loss of 50% of the manatee population in the nex t 45 y ears.” Truthful? You decide for yourself. Here is what the FWC said in the Ex ecutiv e Summary of their proposed Florida manatee protection plan “The models showed that there is virtually no chance of an 80-percent decline (in population) but there is slightly more than a 12-percent chance of the manatee population declining by as much as 50-percent in the next 60 years.” That’s a 12-percent chance of what the manatee club says might happen. It is one thing when you don’t know the truth, but it’s a whole

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Tagging and Tracking

May 2007

time before moving upstream to the

By Betty S taugl er U.S. 41 bridge. The second boat Sea Grant / Water LIFE went out about 1:00pm looking for This year’s Water LIFE Magazine Kids tagged fish. They identified 15 Cup Tournament saw a lot of additional unique tags right around the weigh in activity on the weigh in dock. The action dock. A couple more were found continued around the northeast corner of hanging out in the marina basin.

Harpoon Harry’s, out along C-Dock of One stayed near C-Dock by the the marina, and out into the Harbor. It observation tanks for over an hour. was all part of the Redfish Tracking By around 7:30 pm half of the origiProgram. Below are some of the highnal 15 observed near the weigh in lights: dock had moved on, many up Dart Tags – Weighmaster Capt. towards the US 42 Bridge Ralph Allen dart-tagged 55 redfish that If you catch a redfish with a streamer tag, call the number on the tag and report the date, location and length, plus the tag number and you get an FWC tagging T shirt.

What’s Next? – Each week were weighed in alive. Yellow dart tags throughout May, we will be going were inserted on the measuring board tion for a sonic tag implant. From there the redfish out to download underwater sensors that were established while the weight and length were recorded. These tags moved over to a surgery cradle. A small incision was around the harbor prior to the tournament. These seneach contain a unique tag number and a phone number made in the belly of the fish where a capsule-sized sonic sors are recording any sonically tagged movement within that is visible to anglers. (Older anglers may need glasstag was inserted. The incision was then stitched up and about a 75meter radius of the units. While we are out, es to see the number!) But if you recatch this fish and the fish moved on to a resuscitation tank to recover. we will also be doing some more mobile tracking. Each call in the number you win a T shirt from FWC. After recovery, the fish were released. From anesthesia to time we download these units, we will be turning the Fi n Cl i ps – After the dart tag was inserted, all redrecovery took about 10 minutes for each fish. data into maps which can be viewed on the Sea Grant fish moved on to the resuscitation tank area where small Observati on Area – Some of the Redfish were website: http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/kidscup.htm clippings were taken from the redfish’s tail. Fin clips moved to tanks set up on the marina’s C-Dock for 48 will be analyzed to determine the genetics of the redfish, If an angler catches a dart tagged redfish and calls the hours of observation. We selected 5 redfish without dart specifically whether a redfish is from the wild stock or if number on the tag that information will also be distags, 5 with dart tags, and 5 with dart tags and dummy it is from hatchery stock population. played on the website as will the results of the fin clips. (fake) sonic implants. Five tanks each containing one Resusci tati on Area – After fin clips were taken, We will be actively tracking the Kids Cup redfish for redfish from each group were set up. Prior to release on some redfish were released back into the harbor immedione month out in the field, and will continue to update Monday morning, the five without dart tags had dart tags ately, some moved directly on to the surgery area, and the website as long as we receive information. You will attached. some moved on to C-Dock for observation, a few went need to bear with us however as this project is very field Mobi l e Tracki ng - Out in the harbor, sonically into a resuscitation tank to recover before being released, and labor intensive. Each update on the website will tagged and released fish were followed by two boats and others yet went into a resuscitation tank to be held likely be a week to a week and a half behind real time, equipped with mobile tracking units. The first boat folas a candidate for surgery. so keep checking back for updated information. The tags lowed the first sonically tagged fish released. That fish S urgery Area – Redfish that were transported to the could continue to transmit for up to six months. hung out on the west side of Harpoon Harry’s for a long surgery area were placed in an anesthesia tank in prepara-

Check Fish Progress at: http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/kidscup.htm

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May 2007

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On The Line May 2007

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Fishing with Capt Ron

By Capt Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff The only thing certain is change. At any given moment in time the earth is either getting hotter or colder, people are either getting richer or poorer and fishing is either getting better or worse. In Florida, it’s either getting wetter or drier.

Everyone was complaining about how dry it was getting around here and then in one 18 hour period we had more rain than the average rainfall for in entire month of April. So I guess the drought is over until next year. Pity the local newspaper; with no red tide and no manatees killed by boats in Charlotte County so far this year, and now no drought, they will have to back to criticizing local politicians.

Fishing activity has picked up quite a bit. The local boat ramps have been filling up, particularly on weekends. I’ve gone back to fishing out of my canoe lately.

The price of gas has something to do with it but mostly I just like the quietness of it; you get to see so much more when you take your time. I found a new dock in Lemon Bay that was just loaded with big sheepshead and redfish. I never would have found those fish if I had been in my flatsboat. I probably wouldn’t have even looked but standing up in my canoe, I can slowly drift right over them and not spook them

off. Pompano fishing has pretty much tapered off.

The last one I caught was full of roe. I learned a lot about pompano this year. I found new hot spots and developed some new jigging techniques. The hot colors were gold, pink and the old stand by, shrimp green. I also learned how to cook them; fried, broiled, baked and even smoked- it’s all good.

Things have been a bit slow for me the last few days. Rain, high winds and some late season cold fronts have turned off the fish. The last time out all we caught were skinny little ladyfish and big sailcats. I’m sure that with warmer weather the trout will turn on. People have been telling me that redfish are hard to find but that snook are everywhere. That should be interesting with all the redfish tournaments coming up the next few weeks. It’s all kingfish offshore right now. Kings up to

50 pounds have been reported between Boca Grande and Sarasota. I haven’t seen pictures of any that big yet but the reports are from fairly reliable sources. In the mean time my neighbor Chuck Lange has been keeping me supplied with smoked kingfish. The fillets have been donated by fishermen coming into Royal Palm Marina that seem to have more than enough to share.

Tarpon have been reported south around Pine Island and in the Peace River already this season. It should be interesting to see how thing go in Boca Grande Pass

this year with all the new gear restrictions going into effect. It seems the new rules will restrict jiggers and live bait folks alike. Remember that old saying “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.”

I’ll be doing another Kids Fishing Camp in Englewood this summer; probably the last week in July and once again I’ll be looking for volunteers to take these kids fishing the day of camp. If you have a boat and want to help out mark your calendar Capt. Ron can be reached at (941) 474-

The new 2400 Bay Ranger – the ultimate Bay Boat for Charlotte Harbor

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Charlotte Harbor Fishing – The best day in 6 years

By Capt. Chuck Ei chner Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Fishing is often a family tradition. It is one of the few sports that fathers, sons, daughters and grandparents can share in equally. Tim and his son Dean joined me for a day of fishing on Charlotte Harbor.

Dean’s grandfather Glenn joined us as the camera man to capture memories made this day and snook were the targeted species. This trio is a family of fisherman from Ontario Canada that live on freshwater lakes that have nearly every freshwater species in them. Dean, at the ripe old age of 6, has caught nearly every specie and big ones too!

The night before our trip an unusual storm dumped inches of rain into the harbor. This affected the bait catching part of the day because it took over an hour to locate whitebait. Finally, the cast net throwing was paying off with frisky pilchards filling the well. From a kid’s perspective, my huge livewell was a source of entertainment for the day. The fascination of filtering out the unwanted sea creatures was handled by Dean.

Several blowfish from very small to large, small clams, oversize pinfish and tiny crabs were picked out amongst the grasses that came with each throw of the net.

Our first stop was to a trout hole in Bookeelia as we waited for the tide to rise.

The first cast with a cork and shiner suspended 2 feet under brought a quick speckled trout. Figuring that the fish catching was going to be easy we pitched out plenty of live pilchards to attract the fish. The fish didn’t seem to care and it was time to move. The tide had risen several inches so I relocated to the east side and eased into a deep trough and set anchor. Dean again had the first cast out and wham! A beautiful legal size trout came aboard. It was clear to me that this kid could fish.

Grandfather Glenn recounted a story of when he was planning to introduce Dean to the complexities of fishing for large lake trout. A complex task involving downriggers and heavy rods. He explained that these fish were very large and would be a bit too much for a 6 year old to reel in. Dean reminded granddad that he had been fishing his whole life and that he could handle it. In fact, Dean caught a beautiful trout to prove it.

With an hour left of the high incoming tide, we positioned ourselves for snook.

Chumming with lively pilchards we cast our lines out. The first explosions on the water were terns diving on our baits.

Somehow, these sea birds can spot an easy meal swimming a mile away and the

May 2007

word was out. The next few splashes were snook slurping up our free s wi m m ers and lines were cast out.

Before you know it our drags are singing as snook are zi g-zaggi ng Editor Notes * When all was said and done the only picture in an attempt to throw the hook. The available of young Dean and his fine snook was a video clip from an amateur camera. Below: a blowfish. blazing speed and jumps were impressive and outshined the abilities of the northern walleye and pike these fisherman were used to catching. Dean (of course), gets the first one to the boat. A handsome 24inch fish that was quickly released. Tim wasn’t far behind with constant action as the snook fishing was hot. There was a nice mix of sizes with the smallest fish over 20 inches. We experimented with tactics using shiners under a cork and casting out a free swimming bait on a simple hook & leader rig. Both produced equally well however the snook. Tim bows up and leans on a nice cork rig caused the shiners to swim one of about 25 inches but not the big towards the surface which in turn enticed boys that we knew were there. Another the terns to grab the bait and fly off with half hour without a bite signaled to me it. Countless times a big splash would be that the tide had stopped. There is one heard and a tern would carry off the bait. guarantee on Charlotte Harbor. If the tide Fortunately, the 2/0 circle hooks we used is not moving, then the fish will not bite. prevented them from biting down and In fact, they almost seem to disappear. becoming beak hooked.

Relocating several more times to known As the day wore on, the livewell was good spots confirmed the slack tide, that the entertainment center. Baby puffer fish was partly the result of a strong westerly only 2 inches long could be scratched and wind holding in extra water. Back at the puffed then floated like a balloon. Small dock, the fisherman were met by the fry minnows were analyzed, small mol- greeting committee- my wife Joyce, our lusks, a spider crab and monster sized pin- big chocolate Labrador retriever and beafish were studied. This childish fascina- gle. We all waited for Dean to tell about tion with sea creatures still lives in me as the great snook fishing we had this day. well and reminded me of how important it However, his first words were- take a look is to take a kid fishing. at these puffer fish! We all got a good Redfish became our next query and we laugh from this one. On Dean’s ride home slid into a honey hole off of Burnt Store he told his grandfather that this was the bar. The tide was reaching its peak and we best day of his whole life- a finer compliglided quietly with the wind at our backs ment I have never heard. and settled on an oyster shell bottom. The Capt. Chuck Eichner is a local charter capcrystal clear waters more reminiscent of tain. For information or to book a guided Islamorada in the Florida Keys was lit up fishing trip call 941-505-0003 or go to his by the sun and large snook were observed website: www.back country -charters.com sliding out of sight. The anchor was dropped and lines in. In short order there was a big smash on some shiners that we tossed over for chum. Clearly a bigger

Broadcasting Chum May 2007

Screaming Reels

By Capt. Andrew Medi na Water LIFE Staff May brings on heavy feeding patterns in many species of fish. Warmer water, plenty of bait, and good tides all play a roll, so fishing should really turn on this month. If you’re anything like me, your morning will start out with you throwing chum at 0-dark-thirty, waiting for daylight so you can fill your well with some fresh ‘greenies’. As you know, greenbacks are going to be the main food source for snook, redfish, jack and so on.

One thing to keep in mind as your filling your well – and these are words to live by – “Always make sure you have more than enough.”

Why is this so important? First, you don’t want to get on feeding fish and run out of bait.

True you can always run back and get more, but as I always remind my clients, “ We don’t like to leave feeding fish.”

When you come back, the window of opportunity may be closed.

Most species of fish will turn off their feeding patterns as fast as they turn on.

You can increase the bite or even turn on non-feeding fish if you have plenty of chummers.

The first thing I do when I pull up on a flat, or shoreline, is to unleash twenty or so free swimmers to see if I can get any fish to blow up on them. Chumming with live bait will tell you if fish are present and feeding.

Once you see a fish pop the surface, you then know where to cast to catch that fish. This will also allow you to keep the bite on while attracting more fish to the area.

There are plenty of ways to chum and attract a variety of fish that are eating.

Redfish are pretty much bottom feeders.

Pretty much you can catch redfish the same way you fish for catfish (that’s if you really want to catch a catfish). A bait soaking on bottom such as a shrimp or dead greenie will surely attract some attention by a passing redfish since most of the time they are looking for food by smell. To attract redfish to a shore line you plan on fishing, try throwing cut greenies or frozen shrimp and letting them soak on the bot-

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

tom. As you will probably figure out, doing this will attract more than one species of fish. Catfish, jacks ,stingrays, and even snook pick food up from the bottom. Fish are not dumb, but they will eat an easy meal if one is presented to them.

Chumming is also a good way to get rid of all the bait you have piled up in your freezer. I have seen anglers using many different ways to get chum to a shoreline. I’ve seen slingshots made to shoot bait into the mangroves and I’ve seen hand throwing. I’ve seen cut off Clorax bottles used as a throwing scoop but my personal favorite method to chum, is using a cut down wiffle ball bat. This allows you to throw twenty or so greenies just as far as you can cast.

With May upon us, one other fish comes to mind.

Tarpon. May is the month that tarpon will pile in to our harbor. The Pirate Harbor hole and the 20 foot hole in the harbor already have fish showing themselves. But what a lot of people don’t realize is “you can chum up tarpon just like any other fish.”

Cut ladyfish or cut mullet, most of the time, will attract some nice tarpon. Once you see fish feeding on cut bait, fish only with cut bait. Since they are already feeding on scraps, why feed them anything else?

This is an ‘upper keys’ thing. I saw them doing it and I tried it here and to my surprise, it works! Guess the anglers from the south know a little bit about catching ‘poons.

For you artificial anglers there are plenty of fish around the flats on the west side of the harbor, and in the bushes at high tide. Top water lures such as Zarra Spooks, and the Skitter Walks have been getting good reaction bites just off the shoreline.

Both redfish and snook have been feeding well on jerk baits too. Try throwing Culprit/Riptides glow jerk shad, rigged on a red jig head. I never throw a jerk bait weedless, hook up ratio is far better with an exposed hook. With the scented bait craze going on now, Gulps are selling and catching well. It really doesn’t matter what color. My favorite is new penny shrimp if I throw them. Just remember to work them slow. I hope this helps. Now get out, and catch some fish.

Capt. Andrew Medina can be reached at (941) 465-1540 or on the web at

P a g e 11

Thanks for the Kids Cup Page 12

Dear Mi ke and El l en, We just wanted to take a moment and truly thank you for the opportunity to partake in such an exciting and educational event. Knowing that the proceeds from this tournament go to such a great cause makes our experience a perfect one! Thank you to your volunteers for being so kind and courteous to our son and for dealing with the sweltering heat. They were all great!

Our son Chance Galloway was so excited to get out there this morning, even though he was driving with his dad in our 1996 Hurricane Deck boat while all of the other contestants either had their dad's new and awesome fishing boat or guides with all kind's of sponsors names wrapped around their vessels. I told my son this morning that it doesn't matter what type of boat you have,

What Snook Eat

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE editor I just had a look at a research paper by David Blewett of the the FWCC Research Institute. The paper was entitled Feeding Habits of the Common Snook. The study was done in the Charlotte Harbor area between March 2000 and Feb 2002 with fish captured at the sites indicated on the map at right.

Space precludes an in-depth article right now, but I thought our readers would like to have as much information as soon as posible. We will try to follow

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MAGAZINE

but how well you play the game. He played it with complete integrity and great pride in himself and his dad. For that, I am a very proud mom!

For our son, this was his very first tournament, he has only been fishing for seven month's and he is just ten years old. Our hats go off to him for pulling in a 5.83 pound red fish to put himself in seventh place out of one hundred and twenty two kid's. Everyone likes the underdog!

We would like to especially thank the Mote Aquarium for this unique tracking program. Not only can it help the researchers figure out how and where the Red fish are living, but the kid's can track their fish and get more involved in this type of program.

Thank you to all of the sponsor's who donated all of the great goodies to the kid's. They were all so generous and I know that our son was very appreciative to have

this up in greater detail next month, but for now here is the gist of what I read: The report examined the stomachs of 694 snook caught in a 24 month period in Charlotte Harbor. The fish were caught in a seine net during daylight hours.

Differences in diet were compared between the eastern and western half of the harbor. Findings indicate the eastern half is more influenced by freshwater from local rivers while the western half is influenced by the Gulf, but there was no difference in the diet of fish taken on the east side or the west side of the estuary.

Stomachs of 432 snook contained prey while 262 were empty. Fish and crus-

May 2007

received it all. He said it was like Christmas!

Since he did win for heavy fish in his age category, we would like to thank artist Thomas Krause and the Marine and Wild Life Art Gallery for donating these absolutely beautiful pieces of art that Chance can always look to to remind him of his first tagged red that will surely change his life!

He's already found a place on the wall.

It is these types of programs that help our children and prepare them for their future.

Thank you again for all that you have done and what you continue to do for the lives of so many kid's that need mentors like you and Ellen in their lives.

We'll see you again next year!!

Warm regards, Chance Gal l oway and Fami l y

taceans made up virtually all of the prey.

Thirty seven different prey were found in the snook. Pinfish made up 20–percent of the stomach contents, anchovies 16 percent, pink shrimp 13–percent.

Anchovies were eaten in high numbers but were consumed less frequently than pinfish and shrimp. Seven species of prey made up more than 60–percent of the snook’s diet by weight.

Small snook ate more shrimp, crabs and forrage fish. Large snook ate more catfishes and drums. Both sizes of snook had high stomach content of turtle grass.

Common snook ate fish that averaged 14-percent of their own body length. The snook’s heighest rate of consumption was during the winter.

The study suggests that snook feed in the intertidal prop-roots and low branches of red and black mangroves.

Food is drawn into the snook’s mouth by a powerful sucking action and then swallowed whole. That may account for the turtle grass.

The most abundant local prey found in the snook’s stomaches are pinfish.

In the upper portions of the rivers, snook diets included freshwater, local and exotic fishes.

Snook feed throughout the water column and in a variety of habitats. They are opportunistic feeders which exploit prey

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that is abundant in their habitat, yet they appear to be selective in the size of the prey they consume.

There was no indication as to whether any artificial baits or lures were found in the sampled fish’s stomachs. A hand written note on the report, by Dave Blewett, thanked the guys at Fishin’ Franks for the help and support which was invaluable.

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Spoon Fishing

May 2007

By Capt. Ro bert Mo o re Water LIFE Staff If you were to poll 100 veteran anglers and asked them if they could only have one lure to go fish with, what would it be?

Ninety percent of them would more than likely answer with a spoon. Nothing else seems to be more dependable in catching fish than a spoon. There are a lot of great lures out there that when the conditions are right could out fish a spoon, but nothing seems to be able to out fish a spoon on a consistent basis.

A spoon in simple terms is nothing more than a thin hunk of metal with a hook attached to it. In complex terms it is a lure that flashes and mimics a bait fish that produces fish to strike it, again and again. You basically have two types of spoons, weed less and treble. There have been some lure manufacturers in recent time try and add certain features to make the spoon flashier to the anglers eyes.

Some have added rattles, others have painted on eyes. In my opinion these additions are more for the consumer than the fish and spoons are best when left in the simplest form.

Weedless Spoons

Weedless spoons are best for really grassy conditions. Whether it is floating grass or grass on the bottom, this style of spoon has only a single hook attached to the underside. Most weedless spoons have a weed guard that will deflect the grass when the spoon comes into contact with it. But if the grass is thick or lots of floating grass is present it can and will become fouled. I use the weedless spoon more than any other spoon because as you are fishing the conditions will change from shoreline to shoreline. If you have a spoon with a treble hook on it you will easily snag grass if it becomes present.

Spoons usually come in sizes based on weight. For inshore fishing in less than 5 feet there are primarily 3 different size spoons you will want, an 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 ounce. The shallower it is, the lighter the spoon you will want. For me I like to retrieve my spoons at a medium to fast retrieve. I decide what size spoon I want by how far the spoon is off of the bottom. For example, if I am retrieving an 1/8 ounce spoon in 3 feet of water and the spoon is working too high in the water column I will then switch to a 1/4 ounce spoon and try to get it closer to the bottom. More strikes will come when the spoon is riding below more than half of the depth. If it is 4 feet deep, then you want your spoon to be retrieved more than 2 feet down.

Treble Hook Spoons

Spoons with a single treble hook attached to the rear of the spoon are overall the best style of spoons provided you can

Water LIFE

Page 13

MAGAZINE

keep any grass from getting snagged onto the treble hooks. The overall flash is better than the weedless and seems to catch more fish. Again, the biggest overall problem with the treble hook spoon is catching grass on one of the exposed hooks. If there are clean conditions (usually meaning no floating grass) this is the style of spoon to go to. I use the same formula as the weedless spoon as to where I want the spoon to ride in the water column. Here is my depth vs. size of spoon formula: Depth Size Spoon 2 feet or less 1/8 ounce 2-4 feet 1/4 ounce 4-6 feet 1/2 ounce more than 6 ft.

3/4 ounce The best part about fishing with any spoon is the simplicity of using it. It is primarily a cast and retrieve bait. You don’t have to jig it or work it side to side, the best results will come from simply just casting it out and retrieving it back. The only complex side of fishing with a spoon is the speed in which you retrieve it. That is something you will have to try. Try different speeds yourself and see what produces the most strikes. Too fast and most fish cannot catch it. Too slow and the spoon will lose its baitfish-flash and will not look natural resulting in fewer strikes.

Everyone reels a reel at their own speed, it’s an individual thing. My fast retrieve may be your slow retrieve or vice versa, just as long as the spoon is flashing and in the lower part of the water column.

Color of the spoon is a big part depending on the species of fish you are

Left to Right: Daredevil, Capt. Mikes and Johnson Sprite spoons

after. For snook I prefer a silver spoon.

Redfish I prefer a gold spoon. Trout I like either one. And as for using a swivel with your spoon, it is a must for most. I prefer to use a swivel the same color as the spoon. I also prefer to attach a swivel to the eye of the spoon rather than up the line where the leader and line meet. Either way, using a quality swivel will keep your line from getting twist in it while you are retrieving the spoon.

Last but not least a spoon is a great search bait. A spoon can be cast and retrieved fairly fast compared to most artificial baits allowing you more time to

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Page 14

Kids Cup Standings

Water LIFE

May 2007

MAGAZINE

The Top-5 Kids Cup anglers go on to fish in the ESPN Redfish Cup on Sunday May 6 at Laishley Park Marina, Punta Gorda. The event is open to the public all weekend. #

14 25 91 61 32 41 28 4 62 101 18 92 38 76 13 59 40 66 63 3 55 88 16 45 109 122 64 118 95 22 33 94 44 34 11 96 5 6 67 89 9 2 10 85 78 83 31 65 110 49 68 73 35 42 90 43 30 121 58 108 77 72

Jr. Angler Name Austin Brian Wyatt James Thomas Zachary Frankie Chance Damaseau Zack Chris Collin Beason Colton Ryan Shane Nicholas Dalton Tyler Aaron Cody Cody Zack Haley Kaylea Fabian Trey Amin Kevin Kaitlyn Zane Maison Justin Eric Jesse Hannah Kaitlyn Marissa Cody Jimmy Michelle Ricky Vincent Brennon Mark Kyle Matt Clayton Catherine Jammie Mitchell Matt Austin Jessica Jake Gavin Dale Austin Justin Kalue Anthony Tyler

Oskey Laishley Carter Daughtry Polk Marshall Mancini Galloway Santiago-Daniele Shaver Larson Mix Huffman Kirkpatrick Moore Warren Marshall Fiduccia Helphenstine Leigh Cope Bollinger Granger Webb Burlew Guerrero Llewellyn Mahshie Roe Fry Smith Skinner Shafer Lewis Smith Reineck Legg Legg Shea Peters Jurisko Stewart Farrugio Osborne Uebelacker Violette Bunting Martin Merriman Leibman Wallace Hall Johns Cauffman Smith Sexton Flocker Taylor Wegert Lewis Calleja Lewis

Fish Age Weight 14 12 11 16 14 16 13 10 15 12 16 15 10 16 12 16 13 12 12 14 13 14 14 14 10 16 14 13 10 15 11 13 14 15 13 13 12 14 15 16 16 15 11 11 10 12 14 10 12 15 16 16 15 14 16 14 14 12 11 10 11 14

7.77 6.99 6.81 6.66 6.55 6.14 6.04 5.83 5.79 5.76 5.75 5.66 5.57 5.48 5.05 4.9 4.89 4.73 4.59 4.51 4.44 4.38 4.12 4.06 3.77 3.68 3.67 3.57 3.52 3.49 3.31 3.29 3.11 2.96 2.91 2.9 2.86 2.76 2.73 2.73 2.71 2.68 2.68 2.67 2.65 2.64 2.62 2.6 2.57 2.55 2.52 2.52 2.51 2.49 2.37 2.35 2.34 2.31 2.29 2.29 2.28 2.24

#

17 23 103 97 1 7 8 12 15 19 20 21 24 26 27 29 36 37 39 46 47 48 50 51 52 53 54 56 57 60 69 70 71 74 75 79 80 81 82 84 86 87 93 98 99 100 102 104 105 106 107 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 119 120

Jr. Angler Name

Jeppe Bennetsen Madeline Chavez Brandon Dignam Hunter Welsh Cody Baily Dylan Daughtry Cody Singletary Austin McCaffrey Justin Futch Taylor Crosland Zach Lozano Jessie Daughtry Dustin Crane Julie Crosland Jake Vale Blake Hekter Christian Dagge Brenden Gorman David Isaacs Andrew Merriman Ty Harris Lorin Leibman Brandon Ruth Kyle Kirkland Michael Shawn Jake Wood David Cope William Carmine Jeff Watkins Allison Warren Austin Ray LaBelle Logan Lightsey Brandilyn Laishley Amberlayna Kirkpatrick Madison Kirkpatrick Dalton Conrad Tyler Muehling Garrett Jones Joseph Castaldi Sheldon Flowers Sean Faber Tyler Gulau Cody Peterson Colby Weaver Steven Bizdikian Ryan Kays Naji Taha Maxwell Riddle Cody Waldrop Lacey Buelo Loel Gentry Caleb Stevens Dylan Hoff Tanner South Ely South Richard Radka Andrew Wooley Ashley Boggs Austin Henson Booker Cothern

Age 11 12 15 11 14 13 14 15 12 13 15 15 10 13 13 15 15 12 13 15 16 10 14 10 16 15 14 13 11 15 14 11 12 12 13 15 10 13 13 15 11 16 10 10 11 16 16 13 13 14 11 10 12 11 16 15 14 16 14 14

In order to track fish, Mote Marine and Sea Grant set up underwater listening stations around the harbor.

Fish Weight 2.13 2.07 1.98 1.83 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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MAGAZINE

Page 15

Page 16

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

May 2007

The morning sky was grey with low clouds, but conditions improved all day long.

Out on the harbor or back at the weigh in dock, for 122 anglers and captains, spirits w

Kids and parents alike watched with interest as Mote Marine biologists first sedated and then surgically implanted 20 fish with sonic transmitters before they were released. All tournament fish also

Survey Results

Anglers received disposable cameras an

Anglers indicated where their fish came from. We plan to track the released fish to see if they swim back.

May 2007

Water LIFE

Page 17

MAGAZINE

TOP-5 Water LIFE KIDS CUP

TOP-5 Austin Oskey, a 9th grader from Lemon Bay High School, weighed in the heavist fish of the day, a 7.77 pound red. Fishing with dad, Ernie Oskey, Austin also won the award for heaviest redfish for a 14 year old.

TOP-5 Brian Laishley a 5th grader from Good Shepherd school in Punta Gorda Brian weighed in a 6.99 pound red while fishing with father Bruce Laishley. They also won heaviest Fish for a 12 year old.

rits were high and things seemed to go smoothly throughout the afternoon

also received streamer-like dart tags in the dordal fin. A detailed photo of a dart style tag appears on page 6.

Fishing with his dad from the family pontoon boat, Chance Galloway, a 4th grader at Myakka MIddle School, weighed in a 5.83 pound redfish, the Heaviest Fish for a 10 Year Old and the first fish to receive an implanted sonic tag. Plus, they were back at the scale by 11 a.m.!

Brendon Gorman (R) and Christian Dodge (C) split the sportsmanship award after they stopped to fish Matt Buntings (L) tackle bag out of the harbor. Bunting had no idea he lost it until the boys tracked him down to return it.

as and shared some of their on-the-water fun with us

We even put a tag on the Charlotte Redfish baseball team mascot!

Frankie Mancini 6.04 lbs. Heaviest Fish for a 13 Year Old

Damaseau SantiagoDani 5.79 lbs. Heaviest Fish for a 15 Year Old

TOP-5 Wyatt Carter, a 5th grader from River Hall Elementary, weighed in a 6.81pound red, while fishing with father David Carter.

The fish was also the heaviest Fish for a 11 year old.

TOP-5 James Daughtry, a 10th grader from Charlotte High School, weighed in at 6.61 pounds. Fishing with Capt.

Robert Barham.

This is Jame始s 4th time in the Kids Cup Top-5.

His fish was the heaviest Fish for a 16 year old.

TOP-5 Thomas Polk, an 8th grader from Punta Gorda Middle School, weighed in a 6.55 pound redfish while fishing with Capt Julian Beverly. His fish was also the heaviest Fish for a 16 year old.

Page 18

Everstart Seriesʼ First 2007 Area Event

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Five year old Tyler Zylstra knew he and his dad were in the money. “This is his first tournament,” daddy Steve told us, as he wrestled a nice redfish into the weigh-in bag. Tyler was wearing a Kids Cup tournament hat, a prize posession his dad said, noting that Tyler had five years until he made the minimum age for the Kids Cup. Tyler will be a ringer by then. The rough water in the harbor didn’t bother this young angler who had his sea legs on and was rolling with the waves better than some of the adult anglers in this16 boat tournament.

Tyler and his dad went on to weigh-in a 6.29 and a 4.92 pound redfish for a combined total of 11.21 pounds. The heaviest weight of the day. The Zylstra boys went home with $830 for their day’s fishing.

Second place went to Jason and Bo Reynoso who took home $310.00 for their 10.96 pound weigh-in.

Third went to Bill Hoke and Evan Robinson with 10.65 pounds and a $140 payout.

The $160 payout for Big Fish went to Terry Brantley and Chris Stevens for a ‘devil- good’ 6.66 pound fish.

May 2007

May 2007

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Tarpon: The Basics

By Aaron S utcl i ffe Water Life Boca Grande The tarpon, or megalops atlanticus, is a migratory fish that favors estuarine environments, yet commonly cruises the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, and even rarely can be found in water deeper than 100 feet . The fish’s tolerance of a wide range of salinity density will also allow it to survive in brackish or even fresh water.

That fact has surprised at least one fisherman out casting spinnerbaits for bass!

Tarpon are a warm water tropical fish that spends the cooler winter months in the southern latitudes near the equator. In our part of the world, that equates to the Florida Keys, Cuba and other areas in the Caribbean. During springtime the fish forge their way northward, cavorting and feeding along the way. Summertime brings the fish in full force to our area, congregating in huge numbers near gulf passes, intercoastal waterways, and near shore reefs. It is during this time that anglers feel the full effect of ‘Tarpon Fever’.

Many people ask the question, 'what do tarpon eat?’ The answer is, EVERYTHING! Tarpon have a huge mouth, capable of eating very large nuggets. Yet many fisher-people swear by a blue crab

no bigger than a silver dollar. It is true in this case that 'elephants eat peanuts’. The most popular baits used by anglers are threadfin herring, pinfish, shrimp, and squirrelfish. Pretty much any live bait will work, as well as a half a dead mullet, catfish, or ladyfish soaking on the bottom. Tarpon also eat a wide array of artificial lures. Plastic swim-baits, diving plugs, spoons, flies, and jigs all catch their fair share of tarpon. The lure or bait should be a function of how you are targeting the fish. If one was to night fish for the poon, a big chunk of mullet or catfish on the bottom would get slurped up. When chasing schools of fish on the beach, a threadfin herring or crab would be the bait of choice. Beach tarpon will also take the lures and flies with gusto.

The prudent angler watches the fish, and observes if possible what the fish are feeding on, and adjusts to present that offering to the target.

It is common knowledge among the elite tarpon enthusiasts that the fish gather in passes and feed aggressively during brisk outgoing tides. These ‘hill tides’, wash massive amounts of crabs, shrimp, and other tasty nuggets right over the heads of multitudes of tarpon. The fish take advantage of this occurrence and put

on the proverbial feed bag. These are some of the best times to go for the poon, especially if the hill tide is at night.

Matching the hatch by dip-netting the indigenous crabs or shrimp will supply you with the proper baits needed to get the bite.

Tackle used when hunting the silver king should match the way you are targeting them. When casting baits and lures to schools of Tarpon on the beach, a hefty spinning reel matched to an eight foot stick with some solid backbone will get the job done. Braided line in the twenty to fifty pound range will give you a casting advantage, and give you the power to fight the beasts. On the other hand, that setup would not have enough power to handle a fish in Boca Grande Pass. When pass fishing a heavier eight foot rod with a conventional reel loaded with fifty to eighty pound mono, braid, or dacron is suitable. Tarpon in the pass tend to fight deep and jump less than beach fish, and the heavier tackle is needed to control the fish to some degree.

This tactic also shortens the fight to lessen the chance of a vicious shark attack.

Most captains use some weight in the pass to get the bait down to where the tarpon are suspended. You can also freeline the baits without any weight at all.

Believe it or not, but free-lining works just as well as using a weight. That will also alleviate the dilemma of how to rig a non-breakaway weight system. There is a method to the madness of using weights in the pass, as the big wad of fish hangs out suspended above the ‘hole’. Getting your bait in front of this school will give you a higher hook-up ratio. Four to eight ounces of weight will get the bait down to the proper depth. My suggestion for

Page 19

rigging would be an egg sinker on the main line, with a swivel below with eight to ten feet of fluorocarbon leader attached. Almost the exact same leader setup I like for grouper, but with eighty pound test. Good hooks to use here are Gamakastu octopus 7/0 circle hooks. Any super sharp hook will work, pick one with a sticky sharp point and a wide gap and you will be on the right track.

Beach tarpon fishing is a different game from the Pass altogether. Beach fishing is an exercise in angling skill.

Once a cooperative group of fish has been located and their course and speed has been calculated, the captain uses his boat handling skill to intercept the fish. By placing the boat in front of the moving school, in its path, the captain allows the angler to present a bait or lure ahead of the whole school. More often than not when all of this happens smoothly, the end result is a hookup. Some schools of tarpon refuse to eat altogether. This can be a frustrating occurrence, and if is the case, leave those fish and find a new school. Sooner or later you will run across some fish that are ready to eat.

There are a few little tricks that will put you ahead of the game with the beach fish. One good thing to do is to use a small soft target bead on your hook.

This is a bead that you slide over the point of your hook and onto the bend.

This small bead will keep the point of the hook from doubling back and burying into your bait. This is especially important when using threadfin herring.

Keeping that hook point clear will help when the time comes to pierce the tarpon’s bony jaw. A small float rigged on to your leader will also help keep the bait from going to the bottom, ensuring that your offering is right there in front of the poon, where it can see the bait.

The tarpon invasion is almost upon us. If you are ready, willing and able to do battle with what could be described as an unbeatable foe, now is the time to rise to the challenge. Re-spool your beefiest stick, lube your reel, and replace your drag washers, because you are going to need all your weapons at the

Water LIFE

Page 20

OFFSHORE: Permit and Kings

By Capt Stev e Skev i ng to n Water LIFE Offs ho re My all time favorite fish the permit has shown up in all it's glory this month.

These are the very same fish that have been taunting anglers down in the keys for the last couple of months. Well now it’s our turn to get our rods bent on what could easily be the hardest fighting fish in the gulf.

All you’re going to need is a live well full of silver dollar size "pass crab,s" a spinning rod fully loaded with 15-20 lb

May 2007

MAGAZINE

test, & some 20lb fluorocarbon leader.

I like to use 1/0 size circle hooks on these guys for a good release.

We put some cobia on the boat last week and they remain a target this month.

Look for them on your favorite wrecks and big ledges, be ready to offer them anything they want as they can be very picky when they want to be.

Sharks have been caught almost every day some going close to 200 pounds.

They make for some very exciting fishing.

This guy will remember his smoker kingfish long after that nasty smoker sun burn is gone.

Kingfish continue to hang around with fish topping 50 pounds showing up regularly. The red grouper action should really start to heat up this next couple of weeks. We’ll start looking at those overthe-horizon spots again if the wind ever lays down.

Hard bottom deeper than 80 feet are holding some real slobs right now.

Lane and vermilion snapper are hanging out on those same spots so having a light rod down with a bit of shrimp should prove productive.

The tarpon are back and moving up

the beaches right now making their way to Boca Grande pass. Tossing live threadfins at them early in the morning is a great way to start any day.

Amberjack are still hanging out on the deeper spots just begging for a big live bait. Some really big snapper are being caught on our night time trips, some of them pushing nine pounds or better.

There's just a lot of great fishing going on right now, whether you like bottom fishing or trolling, live baiting tarpon and permit, reeling in kings or

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Letter to the Senate Water LIFE

May 2007

Page 21

MAGAZINE

Above: Stakes define a prop-scar seagrass study area outside of Turtle Bay. Tabs on top of the stakes may be for birds to roost on. The effect of bird droppings falling on seagrass is what, supposedly, is being studied. Right: Is a prop scar in mud a problem or a highway for fish to travel on? Far Right: Most boats traverses local shallow areas without doing any prop damage at all. Instead of closing areas we should simply educate boaters who are new to the area.

By Bobbi M. Wal ker Special to Water LIFE Although it certainly sounds like a lofty goal for our Senate to be looking at protecting sea grasses I do not feel that adequate research has been initiated to identify the number of Florida homeowners who will be negatively impacted by denying them access to their piers because they are not located on recognized channels, even though these homes have had this access for decades. Please consider the economic hardship and loss of value to those homes located in places like St. Joe Bay. Who would want to own a bay front home with a pier that is not accessible by boat? You have ignored the economic impact associated with the private sector, which will suffer the burden of economic loss.

Florida (2001) ranked #1 in the United States for overall economic impact of recreational fishing. This lucrative industry pumps approximately $7.5 billion a year into our nations economy. It also supports almost 80,000 jobs. The bill clearly states how our boaters are increasing and yet you are willing to send boaters to other states?

The bill allows for civil penalties for

the careless operation of a boat, outside of marked navigation channels, causing propeller scarring resulting in the destruction of seagrass plants in aquatic preserves. The vast majority of boat owners will not scar seagrass with intent or malice. They attempt to avoid where their props will hit bottom for fear of having to walk their boat for miles. Who will determine careless operation?

"Propeller scarring" means damage caused by the operation of a vessel in waters supporting seagrasses, resulting in the destruction of roots,shoots, or stems of seagrass plants, which causes denuding of vegetation in tracks of sediment commonly referred to as prop-scars or propeller scars.

What are you protecting and whom are you creating a burden for if you allow an over zealous law enforcement official to write tickets to an innocent boater who runs over a stem or shoot of seagrass?

You state that others have attempted publishing brochures and educating the public on this issue. I buy a fishing license every year and NEVER have I been given a brochure that educates me about the importance of seagrass. When I

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register my boat I don’t receive education either. Aren’t those the two most important instances where you come in contact with a boater on our Florida waters?

I understood from the bill that a Seagrass Working Group was assembled in 2004 and it included recreational representatives. My question is did these representatives frequent aquatic preserves while recreational fishing? What about the homeowner who will be impacted, were they included?

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Charlotte Harbor FISHING GUIDES Water LIFE

Page 22

MAGAZINE

May 2007

SCUTTLEBUTT Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True

www.viciousstrikes.com Bathers at the Port Charlotte Beach Complex continue to share the sand with jet skis which operate from the ʻposted no boatsʼ beach area.

Charters

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20–50 mile trips We help you put charters together • Grouper • Snapper • Kingfish • Shark • Tarpon and more!

Capt Jim OʼBrien

Bite Size Captain Glen Miller'ʼs 48-foot GonFishin V had a bull shark which Miller estimated at about 10-feetlong, take a 10- by 12-inch chunk out of his 48-foot boat's transom-mounted bait well.

USCG 50 ton license since 1985 Bus: 941-475-5538 Res: 941-473-2150 visit us at www.captjimsbigfish.com

Where are all the Mangrove Snapper? Theyʼre not here!

Manatees Gone Wild On Sunday, April 15, FWC Officer McDonough responded to a call that two juveniles had been overturned in their canoe by what they believed was due to a large alligator and its tail. Both individuals had safely made it back to shore without the canoe.

McDonough searched the area by vessel and was unable to find evidence of any alligators; however, several large manatees were in the immediate area and are believed to be the cause of the capsizing.

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

(941) 255-3551

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Sea-Food Also on 15 April 15 the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. opened its all-glass undersea restaurant, five meters below the waves of the Indian Ocean, sur-

rounded by a vibrant coral reef. Transparent acrylic walls and roof, similar to those used in aquarium attractions cover the facility. The Hilton is currently planting a coral garden on the reef to add to the spectacular views of the rays, sharks and many colorful fish that live around the area.

Spring Special 1/2day, 2 anglers $279

License Increase? Other states charge $20 for a fishing license; Florida gets only $12. Is that why some anglers are calling on legislators to raise license fees this session to as much as $17.50?

Tarpon Study Biologists at FWCʼs Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg need help from anglers in collecting genetic information from tarpon.

Theyʼll give you a free tarpon DNA sampling kit if you agree to help.

Competitive Shark Fishing Water LIFE

May 2007

By Fi shi n’ Frank Water LIFE Port Charlotte It’s two a.m. Your own half muffled moan of terror wakes you from a nightmare, sweat beading, dripping off you face. All you can remember is a black fin coming at you across the surface and the shadow of death underneath. You regain a state of steady breathing, knowing that in fact you are in your own bed, but you know that this dream means only one thing. It is shark season again. The big–dawgs of teeth are back.

It’s the time of year when people think about using the garbage disposal as a chum grinder, and how to get the fish down the drain. It really chops it up good – a guy really did that ... in his wife's kitchen ... he had more guts than me ... pun intended.

Shark fishing is a fever that could cost you a finger, a hand or an arm in a careless moment. Admittedly that rarely happens. In fact, when man and shark come together the shark is usually the one with problems.

Falling out of the boat while shark fishing will make most guys walk, like Jesus, with a big hammerhead around. I have seen men fall over board into the water and be back in the boat almost before they could get wet.

You know you’re shark fishing when you are setting up a drift in Boca Grande Pass with a reel so big it should be mounted on the back of a tractor, loaded with line that could pull a Toyota out of a ditch – tied to a steel cable leader and a hook that should be hanging in a meat packing plant. The hook would be topped off with a chunk of fish that would feed a family of four through a famine. Yeah buddy, that’s shark fishin.

Actually I would use a lever drag reel, with a 80 pound class stand up rod, with 80 pound test line, a 450 pound test swivel connecting a 400 pound test steel cable leader to a 12/0 hook with a jack tail hooked for bait. With a drift that would take me about 150 yards outside of the pack of tarpon anglers in the pass. The big bulls tend to hang out away from the pack of boats until someone hooks up. Then they move, zoned in on that Tarpon in distress. You want the ones off to the side, the ones still looking for food.

Shark as a tournament fish is becoming the in–thing.

I would like to believe that the reason there are getting to be so many shark tournaments is the thrill of the hunt and the adrenaline rush of boating a fish that could easily remove a body part. But sadly I believe it is greed.

Sharks have gotten a lot of press during the last few

years, and as Pairs Hilton could tell you, bad publicity can make you famous ... for better or worse. Shark attacks and world record fish being caught here have brought sharks back into main stream media and people are taking advantage of this to make money.

I am no better or worse than some others, but the rules of the Fishin Franks Shark Tournament have not changed. The no waste rules have been there science our very first tournament. Yes we have been making money from shark tournaments for over 20 years, but all I can say is we do it as responsibly as possible and with future generations in mind. I would like to think this is the reason our tournament has become a right-of-passage for local anglers to become true Charlotte Harbor fisherman. You have had to experience the storms, high winds and waves beating you up all night as you sit teeth chattering soaking wet, waiting for the clicker to start screaming out during one of our tournaments.

You are a local if you spend a Sunday morning smelling like amonia and fish guts while barley being able to keep your eyes open. All the time having a perma grin fixed to your face, while telling stories of the monster that dragged your boat around for four hours while trying to pull your arms out of the sockets while everything went wrong. He broke off just as you were trying to get your bent and half busted gaff into that torpedo of muscle and teeth.

The Fishin Franks Shark Tournament started back in 1985 as something for the locals to do during the off season. The snow birds had flown back north and you could play baseball on U.S. 41 and only have to stop for a car every hour or so. With nothing happening around town it was a good time for an inexpensive tournament, and as it was so hot, what better than a night tournament.

The first shark tournaments had a $10 entry fee.

Since then we’ve added payouts for stingrays and catfish so today the total entry fee is $30. There are four winning places in each category, with first prizes close to $2,000.

Over the years we have tried to make our shark tournament the standard for responsible fishing practices in our area. We do not have our tournaments until the sharks have had their young. When and how a tournament is put together is important. We were the first to use sharks for research. Hopefully the data obtained will end up benefitting the sharks. On the other hand, the

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Page 23

MAGAZINE

Robert Lugiewicz brings a big bull shark to the boat inside of Boca Grande Pass after more than 4 hours on the line.

This shark was released to swim away. Robert was sore for a week!

research collected from this tournament may even one day be the reason we stop having the tournament. We must be doing this right as we are now seeing other shark tournaments copying ours, which is a very good thing. If you do not know what you are doing steal from the best, sharks are too valuable a resource to waste.

I hope you and your kids, and your kid kids, will experience a night like the shark tournament. Memories are what life is made of, not what you see on T.V. Fishin Frank can be reached for charters or for fishing

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Water LIFE

Page 24

May 2007

Laishley Marina Opens to Huge Crowd MAGAZINE

S taff R eport On Saturday April 14, the new Laishley Park Marina opened. It’s been years since the once popular spot has seen boats docked and people milling about. It was worth the wait.

Bands played, dignitaries spoke, there was a boat show, a car show, and lots of great food.

Under the directorship of a business partnership headed by local businessman and Park family namesake, Bruce Laishley, the park had come back to life. The ships store was open, the high-teck live shrimp tank was stocked and swirling, the new harbormaster, Buzz Lewandowski, was all smiles. The

Punta Gorda Police department was there, the fire department was there, the Conquistadors were there, and there were hordes of city and county employees in attendance. The crowd was huge. Residents packed the park and wandered around the brick paved walkways dancing to the music. “I knew we’d have a good turnout,” Laishley said, “but this is even better than expected.” An informal estimate put the weekend crowd at over 3500 people.

Future plans call for a restaurant and bar, a fuel dock, an outdoor market place, water fountains benches and lawns. We’re all fortunate to have this fine new amenity.

Leukemia Cup raises over $94,000

By Bi l l Di xon Water LIFE Sailing This year’s Leukemia Cup Regatta raised over $94,000, exceeding last year’s total as we have done every year since the first Charlotte Harbor Cup in 2003.

In four years, the Charlotte Harbor event has raised nearly $350,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Hearty congratulations and a big thank you to all the donors, volunteers and the three clubs, Punta Gorda Sailing Club, St Andrews Golf Club and Isles Yacht Club, who made this possible.

Wendy Filler, PGSC Rear Commodore, not only raised enough money to qualify for a trip to San Diego and a sail with Gary Jobson, she is, as she planned to, donating the

trip to a friend who has Leukemia. What a great effort.

Way to go Wendy.

I’m still tired from March.

Three great regattas in 3 weeks wow!!

May calendar includes the race to Key West starting at 5:30 PM May 16 followed by several large parties in Key west till the race from Key West back to Naples on the 20th. Check the web site at pgscweb.com for Notice of Race and entry forms. The year’s biggest cruise will be to Pelican Bay for Memorial Day weekend, check the PGSC web site for details. In June, the Summer Series start in earnest.

Bill Dixon can be reached at: 941-637-2694 or via e-mail at: dixonwj@comcast.net

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May 2007

Water LIFE

Page 25

MAGAZINE

R Re ea all E Es st ta at te e N Ne ew ws s

PROVIDED BY: Dave & Marlene Hofer RE/MAX Harbor Realty (941) 575-3777 dhofer@remax.net

Recent area news i tems: 1. As if the almost daily embarrassment of the Murdoch Village boondoggle wasn't enough, Charlotte County Commissioners quietly voted to squander another $5 Mil of taxpayer's funds to buy more land - this time to keep it out of the hands of would-be developers. The current speculators... err owners... assembled three nice, but unimproved, lots on the Myakka River, 9 water view lots, and 86 rather remote, unimproved nonwaterfront lots. They spent over $3.8 million to acquire these properties at the height of the lot buying sillyness in 2005. Now, with prices having tumbled back to earth, our stewards of taxpayer's wellbeing have chosen to pay an amount that is probably double what investors spending their own money would pay for these noncontiguous lots.

Under the guise of safeguarding waterfront land for the enjoyment of the public, the County will go further into debt to make this acquisition. State and federal funds doubtless won't be available because the lots are not contiguous to existing nature preserves.

The three highlighted lots are the most valuable part of this acquisition, the 700' on Jameson way would have a river view - but no improved roadway to get to it and much of the blighted lots above Jameson are included in the acquisition package. The public already owns the unimproved River Beach Drive and other rights of way.

2. Bove Development was granted permission to transfer density units from other Punta Gorda areas to move forward and construct a new condominium project at Airport Road and Cooper Street. The site of a hurricane ravaged public housing community will become home to 132 "affordable" condominiums aimed to fulfill the unmet demand from public service workers. Pricing is expected to be in the

$175K range for a 2 story walkup with no covered parking. Buyers will receive some affordability incentives in return for limitation of appreciation when they resell.

3. The conversion of the Wildflower Golf Club to condominiums moved another step forward. In return for the granting of a conservation easement, the developer will be able to build 290 units on the 37 acre site instead of the 330 units that were applied for.

4. Galina Corp will build 275 apartments on 21 acres on River Road in Englewood.

5. Population statistics were released last month. Charlotte County shows a 9% growth over the past 6 years. All of that growth took place before 2005. That pale growth rate compares to Lee County's 30% and the number one growth SMSA, Flagler County at 66%.

6. The Beal's/City Marketplace dispute has been settled. City Marketplace's current excuse for inaction is the current state of weak demand for retail space in the area.

7. FDOT has released its proposed projects for the next four years.

Charlotte County will receive new construction projects that amount to about 52% of gas taxes to be paid in. County Commissioners are furious at not being able to find enough worthy projects to blow our proportionate share of tax collections.

8. Market conditions have forced would-be developers of the $7.8 million Shady Haven Mobile Home Park to shelve their proposed condominium redevelopment.

9. The wrecking ball finally took the old Polk Law firm and Rainbow Florist building out of its misery. Marion Avenue's restaurant row will have another opportunity to see new retail buildings join the remaking of downtown Punta Gorda.

10. New developments: Casa Luna, a casual Italian restaurant opened to great reviews at 615 Crossing St Shopping Center on 41. Moosehead Jazz and Cigar Lounge opened at 318 Tamiami.

Colorful pastell shades continue to grow in popularity in the Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte area. Brought on first by Fishermenʼs Village (photo directly above) the latest pastel painted structure is the doctorʼs medical building on Marion Ave in Punta Gorda (top)

Laishley Park Boat Ramp with boat slips was opened.

The new event center is scheduled to break ground on May 24.

11. Punta Gorda engaged an architectural/engineering team to begin work on the design of our new parking garage.

Spurning more immediate needs, the city will spend yet another $5 million that it doesn't have. The new structure hopes to provide parking for the retail and office buildings that will some day lay within walking distance of the new structure at Olympia and 41. Here's a thought... why not wait until the need arises and rent vacant lots in the meantime?

S al es S tati sti cs: Lot prices are still down 47% compared to last March. Home prices have declined 11%. Inventory of lower priced properties has increased dramatically.

We have updated our own study of new home completions for Punta Gorda deed

restricted communities. The 206 new houses completed in 2005 and 2006 barely exceeded those destroyed by Hurricane Charley. Availability of reasonably priced vacant lots, labor supply and materials probably accounted for the lack of growth rather than lack of demand. If demand continues to grow as Charley becomes a dim memory, the excess supply of available existing homes should dissipate over the next few years.

These statistics are intended to assist in analyzing trends in supply and demand and not to indicate specific market values.

Ending inventory is not always beginning inventory plus listings minus sales since many pending listings are held over from month to month, some listings expire and are withdrawn and, therefore, do not appear as sales and new listings includes price changes.

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Water LIFE

The Best Place I have ever fished Page 26

By Capt. Rhett Morri s Special to Water LIFE Imagine spending a day on the water in a place that is like nowhere you have ever fished before. Imagine catching countless numbers of Snook and Redfish on artificial lures - yes using just lures! As a kid growing up here on Charlotte Harbor all we ever did was use lures because that's all you needed. Now a days if you don't have a well full of shiners you hardly stand a chance of getting any action at all.

I recently talked to over 25 full time charter captains that cover an area from Stump Pass down to Naples and everything in between. Captains who have been successful at making a living by putting people on fish day in and day out!

When I asked these well known guides like Phil O'Bannon, Tommy Lock, Doug Stewart, Roger Harris, Ralph Jones, Ozzie Fisher, Scott Moore, Dave Gibson, Dan Lathum, Bruce Morris, Howard Jones and many more how they found the fishing this year every one of them immediately replied "this is the worst I have ever seen it". Now think about that for a minute. When you ad all of the time that these full time captains have been fishing these waters it totals over 300 years of experience. Folks, that's thousands of man hours spent chasing fish around for a living. Now I would say that fact gives the opinion of any one of these guys a lot of weight when it comes to what is going on with our fishery.

What is going on with our fishery?

It's the same old thing that has happened in many great fishing and hunting spots all over our nation. Too many people and too pressure. It is an undisputable fact that there are many times more people on the water in our area than ever before, most of whom are doing a lot of fishing. Just look at the boat industry's recent success. There are more types of shallow water fishing vessels being built

and sold than ever before.

Now that we have this problem, what can we do to help our fishery? It's very simple people - the answer is "CATCH AND RELEASE". The Snook and Redfish populations in our area are at an all time low. Just ask anyone who has fished the area heavily for a least the last decade. We have to run further afield to find fish for a fraction of the previous results. We need to bring about a serious change to the way we are handling our fishery.

The current steps being taken to handle the level of exponentially increasing pressure on our Snook and Redfish populations is NOT adequate. Proper management of a renewable resource means that the same resource is given ample time to renew itself so that there will always be plenty of it. At this stage our Snook population is in serious need of help.

The very least that can be done to help these exceptional game fish is a closed season in the spring and a slot decrease so that no Snook over 30" can be harvested.

Before you get all upset about the thought of that just stop and think about why we need to do this. Any snook of 30" or more is a major breeding female that is getting ready to spawn during the current closed season that starts in May. Taking just one Snook 30" or bigger is really taking hundreds of thousands of Snook out of the cycle that never even had a chance to help the steadily falling Snook numbers. If we want to see results in a short period of time then there should be at least a 3 year moratorium on Snook. Catch them until your heart is content but stop putting them in your freezer. These fish are far too important to our fishery and our growing local economy to catch only once.

I know you've all seen the explosion of the Redfish popularity in the last 5 years. In fact the Redfish has taken the famed spot as the most popular inshore

MAGAZINE

May 2007

We've spent thousands of man hours and over 300 years of combined time forming on intermit knowledge of these waters and the fish that live here. There are many factors that we believe have affected our fish populations. Things like red tide, the damage caused by Hurricane Charley, and the falling level of water quality in our area due to coastal Capt Paul Lambert caught this big snook last month. It development. The one weighed 32.5 pounds on the boca grip. He caught it on light thing that can be tackled tackle in shallow water using 15 pound Power Pro. As you than any other is faster would expect it was one heck of a battle with lots of line out the harvesting of our and this huge fish jumping close to mangroves.

Snook and Reds. Think about the future of this game fish in the State. That means that beautiful. fishery people. There are many there are actually more people chasing of you who moved here just for the great Redfish on an average than Snook. Now fishing. Don't you want to see your kids how is a fish with that kind of pressure and grandkids have the chance to enjoy focused on it supposed to survive for the thrill of catching a Snook or Redfish much longer with no closed season? when they're finally ready?

That's right, the most popular inshore In closing I would like to remind fish in the state of Florida has no closed everybody that this is not my problem or season. Their numbers, like the Snook, your problem, it is OUR problem. We are on a very steady decline. all need to come together to work for a The bottom line is that this is a very common goal. More fish is more fun and real problem. Myself along with all the excitement for everyone. other captains are tired of complaining Practice CATCH AND RELEASE. about how bad the fishing has become.

Any questions, please email me at We are coming together to start a movebboutfitters@hotmail.com ment called "SAVE OUR FISHERY".

Seawall Maintenance

Staff Report The rainy season isn’t far off so this is the time to check your seawall. If a homeowner lives in Punta Gorda, the city takes care of his seawall maintenance, however homeowners who live across the river in Port Charlotte take care of their own seawall maintenance.

Seawall maintenance usually falls into two categories: either preventative maintenance or catastrophic repair.

Preventative maintenance includes filling holes behind the wall with ‘marl,’ (call Butwell stone in Punta Gorda) and making sure the tie-backs (to the underground ballast weights that hold the seawall in place) are sturdy and not rusted through. This is hard to tell because the tiebacks are buried in the ground. You have to dig to find this out. It is also

Arrows show plugged weep holes

critical to make sure the weep holes in the wall are open.

Twenty years ago some enterprising repairman made a bunch of money plugging up the weep holes around Port Charlotte’s seawalls. You can tell it was the same, one, guy because all the holes around town are plugged with the same brown cement. What the thinking was at the time is unknown, but we know now that weep holes are critical for seawall longevity since they release the hydrostatic pressure that builds up behind a seawall after a heavy rain.

When the ground is saturated with water and the tide goes out the pressure pushing the wall out toward the canal is enormous. Weep holes can allow enough water pressure to escape to keep the wall from breaking apart.

CDBIA Tournament May 2007

Staff Report A number of locals remember the old CBCA tournaments. Inshore, offshore, a dozen species of fish – guys in john boats, guys in triple powered offshore boats. In itʼs hey day this tournament attracted 300 anglers. The tournament moved around a lot when the construction industry was booming and the beer was flowing liberally. There were a few fights and fiascoes and an allegation of penned up fish one year. Then there were the two young anglers who skidded their way-too-fast boat through a turn and stuck it so far into the mangroves that it was a ʻgood walkʼ just to get back to angle deep muck. There were big grouper and cobia and snapper and jacks.

Reds and snook and trout. One year a team swam their 26-foot offshore boat from the 41 bridge to the Best Western after they ran out of

Water LIFE

gas within sight of the scale. There were plenty of fun memories associated with this event for a lot of people.

Three years ago the Charlotte Builders joined with the DeSoto Builders Industry Association to put on the CDBIA Tournament. The offshore division was dropped in favor of a red/snook/trout format. Local professional tournament organizer Jerry Cleffi is now running things and the event is back on track. Fifty eight boats weighed in 21 trout, 26 reds and 16 snook.Team JP Murphy wowed them with a 19.47 weigh in that was an 8.13 red and a whopping 11.54 snook. They didnʼt need a trout to collect $5,000 Shown at right: A nice 3-fish tournament slam.

Above: 45 rubber ducks hidden around the harbor were worth $100 each

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Dads, Husbands, and Experts Beware!

Itʼs all about beginners luck...and listening

By Capt. S teven Eggers Water LIFE contributor Fishing right now is awesome! Most guides are hooking up and boating a lot of big fish. Whether they are big bull reds or big sal snook, it does not matter, both put up an incredible fight. Also, now is the time when most guides will put you on some of the infamous local ‘tarpooons, ... if you have the skill and the willpower to reel in these prehistoric looking 100-pound plus fish. This being said, now I have to get something off of my chest.

Time and time again, year after year, I run charters where it seems the beginner or inexperienced fisherman (or fisherwoman) will totally outfish the experienced or seasoned angler. This becomes a little frustrating for the angler that is on the boat that actually has an edge up on the others, however, please do not let it bother you. But, many people are mumbling under their breath, how can this happen? How can they catch more fish than me? They do not even have half a clue of what is going on.

On the other hand most of the time it is a captain's dream to have a beginner on the boat. The beginner listens better and

trys to learn what is going on. It is the person that does not have a clue but actually uses the expertise of the Captain that produces fish. This may not be true for every trip, but it happens a lot.

However you interpret this just remember, often it is just as much fun for a father to watch his kid catch his first snook and redfish than it is for him to catch his own. But, when the kid puts the nail in the coffin with a 10-pound redfish and follows it up with a 10-pound snook that might be pushing it. Good job Jack. Final score Jack (9 year old) 15 Rick (father) 2. Moral of the story, "it’s always a good time to take your kid (or wife) fishing!

Just be prepared to get whoopped.

Capt Stev e Can be reached for comments or questions

MAGAZINE

May 2007

at:captainstev e@aftersnook .com or call

May 2007

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MAGAZINE

Pesky Shark at Trembly Reef

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Diving with Adam Wilson

By Adam Wi l son Water LIfe Diving If I had to choose one month of the year with the best dive conditions, it would have to be May. Without the rain swollen Peace and Myakka rivers tannin tinged runoff, offshore visibility can be top to bottom out to 60 feet or deeper. Light easterly breezes keep the gulf calm out for miles, and this is usually the month where the surface temperature finally reaches that favorable 80 degree mark.

Right now there is an abundance of fish well within sight of land. On structure out of the passes there have been quite a few cobia and juvenile tarpon showing up in the past month. Usually tarpon are not shy and will pose for the camera. The ones we have seen have been wary and nervous acting. If I were a tarpon I would be a little on edge right now too. Sharks are making a good showing near the passes, around offshore structure and inside the harbor. Recently we have noticed the same green algae that bloomed last year taking a foothold again near shore. Let's hope it doesn't choke the life out of our reefs like last spring.

If you are going to partake in the spring flood of fish near the passes, be prepared to encounter some sizable sharks. Sharks survive on one key instinct, the ability to home in on sick, wounded and dying fish, quickly.

Fortunately, spearfishing allows us to target selected species of legal season and size, reducing by-catch to zero.

Unfortunately, it also creates a stage where you are tethered to one of these wounded and bleeding shark targets.

Almost all sharks are curious, yet fearful of man. Sharks are known to avoid larger more dominant creatures. With my arms extended above my head I can touch

Below: The 8 foot shark with the power-head going off inside his head!

the ceiling in my house, that's about 8 feet. Add a pair of scuba fins and a speargun and a diver's appearance underwater reaches well over an intimidating 12 feet.

Sometimes the instinct to feed is greater than fear of man. These are the times you need to be prepared for.

Very few divers I know have ever had to kill an aggressive shark, even after decades of hunting. It really is that uncommon of an occurrence. A few weeks ago nearing the end of a long dive shooting sheepsheads, cobia, and pictures on the Trembly Reef my dive buddy Carl and I were confronted by an 8 foot shark. At first it was slow moving and at the edge of the visibility some 40 feet away, but it soon became fixated on the cobia hanging from my stringer. "What a perfect photo opportunity" I was thinking as it bee lined toward me. Because of their leery nature, sharks make a difficult photo subject. It's not often you get to see them up close, and they never sit still like turtles and grouper to get their pictures taken.

Unfortunately this shark had gone from a safe snapshot subject to an arched

back, pec fin lowered, hungry critter. This is why you carry that slip on .357 powerhead in your dive pouch for all those years. As the shark turned to make another approach at the cobia now tucked tightly between my legs, Carl did not hesitate to shoot him squarely in the head. The shark actually swam away with the 60 inch long spear still buried in its head. In an astounding display of power the 5/16" diameter spring steel shaft was bowing 45 degrees in either direction just from the force of the shark's kicking tail

fin moving side to side. If this shark did manage to survive, I'm sure he will no longer associate divers with food.

Some people will ask "why didn't you just give it your fish?". Feeding an aggressive, hungry shark never ends well, Usually creating a feeding frenzy and attracting more sharks, and when the ‘handouts’ are gone, they come back to the food source looking for more. When there is no more, they come looking at you. We never give up our fish. The best strategy is to be aggressive, be prepared and always keep an eye on your buddy. If not for my dive buddy that day, you may have read a different shark story a few weeks ago.

Adam Wilson can be reached for comments or diving information at (941) 766-1661 or via e-mail at:

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May

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MAGAZINE

May 2007

Fishing

Report

Charlotte Harbor: Robert at Fishin' Franks Port Charlotte: 625-3888

I think tarpon are going to blow up any day now, with that last cold front. Tarpon should be in the pass in the next few days. They are stacked all over in the harbor, it’s amazing. It seems like the tarpon are doing a reverse role – in the harbor first – usually they are in the pass first. Now the fish that are in the harbor should stay in this pattern for the rest of the summer. Tarpon will be at the mouth of the Myakka River, the 20-foot hole and the Pirate Harbor hole all summer. Some will show up south around Matlaca and at Captiva Pass real soon. Live threadfin herring will be the first bait of choice, crabs second. Ladyfish might work once in a while, but they are usually more popular with the tarpon later in the summer. As long as anglers don’t

Capt Angel Torres submitted these pictures of his son, little Angel (left and right) and a friend he had out last month.

mind a by-catch of small sharks or cobi a, dead bait works very well on tarpon – chunks of ladyfish and dead threadies – tear them in half – they will get a tarpon’s attention.

Bigger sharks will soon be following the tarpon. Big bul l sharks and l emons and hammers...pretty much all of them will be hanging with the tarpon in the harbor, out along the passes and on the beaches. The smaller sharks will be in the harbor, the larger ones in the intracoastal. The bait of choice depends on the size shark you want to catch. Sardines or cut mullet for the smaller ones in the harbor and jacks, big mullet or bonita for the big

mommas out by the pass.

Cobi a is a phenomenal game fish and table fare and they are out there right now. Look for them when you are tarpon fishing.

Having a pole ready to cast is the secret. Look for cobia on the outside of the bar and around the channel markers.

They follow the single sti ng rays (not cow-nosed rays) and manatees.

Find a sea cow and a cobia might be right beside it. Shore fishermen can find cobia at Bayshore Pier. For some reason cobia like the big sand flat there.

Frozen sardines and fresh whi ti ng are the cobia bait right now.

This is a tough month for redfi sh.

They are like turkey on Thanksgiving.

Some of us have already had enough by now. On the east side and down by the Intracoastal, where they can find the cooler water, is where the redfish will be hiding out. This is probably the best month there is to do top-water action early in the morning for redfish.

May 2007

Water LIFE

BIG-4 BIG-4 TARPON are showing up heavily in the harbor

Mark Uebelacker, 10, with an oversize 30 inch redfish, released during the Kids Cup.

Continued from facing page

We’ll start getting the higher tides this month so redfish will move up into the sandbars that have been exposed all winter. That’s generally why the topwater bite will get better now.

S nook is catch and release now, they are getting ready to spawn.

They will wad up into big schools

Mayʼs Mayʼs Target Target Species Species

REDFISH have turned on

and head out to the beaches. The surf fishing from Englewood to Boca Grande should be great this month for snook. Live bait is the better choice now. Snook are feeding heavily on greenbacks and pinfish.

Permi t are already showing up on the near shore reefs. Live crabs are the best permit bait.

Lemon Bay Jim at Fishermen’s Edge.

Englewood: 697-7595

The redfish action has been good through the whole area from Lemon Bay to Gasparilla and Pine Island Sound. Jerk baits, Gulp shrimp and slurps and Exudes are all working.

Some top water action has picked up now as well. S nook are doing pretty well, most hitting on live bait some on bucktails, and there are some fish on the beach so there is a

n May 4–6 Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup and Kids Cup Top-5 Finals, Punta Gorda.

n May 12-13– Flatsmasters Series, Live Bait, two redfish, Punta Gorda

n May 15-16 Ultimate Fishing Challenge

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MAGAZINE

SNOOK are moving towards the beaches.

Roy Strelthun dragged this weird fish up in a shrimp net on a trawl about 2.5 miles south of Mkr. No. 1 in Charlotte Harbor last month. Later identified as a Highfin Goby, the fish was ʻpreservedʼ and sent to U of F in Gainesville for study.

Only two other reports of these fish, in this area, exist.

wide range of fishing you can do.

I’ve also had quite a few guys tell me they’ve caught some decent trout on the weekends.

We’ve had some mangrove snapper around off shore, but not a lot of ‘bay’ snapper.’

There are a lot of tarpon around.

Out on the beach and up in the harbor. I’ve had guys telling me there

C a l e n d a r

Championship, South Sea Resort, Captiva.

671-9347

n May 26 – X-treme Redfish Series, presented by Evinrude, Punta Gorda 456-1540

n May 28-29– Flatsmasters Series, Plug

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SHARKS Starting to move into the pass and harbor

o f

are a lot of cobi a mixed in with the tarpon. Quite a few guys are catching permi t offshore and some pompano are still here, plus a variety of ki ngfi sh too, not any really big ones, but fish in the 20 pound range. The only other fish of note is yel l owtai l offshore. I haven’t heard much about grouper offshore lately.

E v e n t s

Challenge, two redfish, Punta Gorda

n June 2, Charl otte Hi gh S chool Redfi sh Roundup

n June 9-10, Peace River Clean Up starting at Nav-A-Gator 10a.m. to 5 p.m. Free

Fishing

RIGHT NOW:

VERY GOOD

May 2007

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