Water LIFE May 2009

W a t e r LIFE

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Charlotte Charlotte Harbor Harbor and and Lemon Lemon Bay Bay Keeping Boaters and Fishermen Informed Since 1997

P r o d u c e r s o f t h e K I D S C U P To u r n a m e n t

May 2009

KIDS CUP WINNER!

Results & Related CO L L IN MO O RE

Pages 12-14

Tarpon始s Happening Page 8

The Kings are here Page 22

Redfish Tracking Page 7

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Water LIFE

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May

2009

May

2009

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Water LIFE

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May

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TARPON and SHARK Headquarters

2009

Shark Tournaments June 13 & July 18

Jigs, Tails, Hooks, Cable, Shark Rigs: LARGEST SELECTION

LETTERS to

Via email I am a tournament angler who has been fishing professional tournaments for years. I was told about your article about Rick Murphy and Jeff Paige in the recent Punta Gorda IFA Tournament. I got online and read it and couldn't believe what I was reading. First off, it is not a 322 mile round trip, but about 100 miles max one way witch would be 200 miles total to where they were fishing. Secondly 240 gallons of fuel? Guys would be spending more time at the gas pumps than they would be fishing. I ran to Palma Sola Bay that day and only used about 70 gallons total and another 10 or 11 miles more would have gotten us to were these other guys were fishing. Third, there were 126 boats that fished the Punta Gorda IFA Tournament, not 138.

Fourth, Murphy and Paige weighed in 14.16 not 14.78 like you put in the article. Lastly, how am I supposed to believe anything else that is written in your magazine, especially that article if you don't have your facts straight. The problem with tournament fishing now days is you have way to many crybabies who think that everyone else is getting an unfair advantage and the biggest names are always an easy target. In my opinion if you can't hang with the big boys, take your ball and go home. The complaints always seem to be about the guys who win or always

Wa t e r L I F E @ c o m c a s t . n e t

do well. I guess that if I didn't do well that the guys that did do well were cheating. As a magazine, get your story straight and make sure that you have all the facts especially when you are accusing someone of blatantly cheating. I'm not going to say that you are wrong because I did not see the fish with my own eyes. It just sounds like sour grapes to me.

Jeff Mullett

Editor Responds We in no way intended to indicate anything wrong had been done. We simply reported what had happened and what we had been told. I just ran into Geoff this weekend at the Redfish Cup and he has ʻno problemʼ. – MH

To Water LIFE I saw the article on Stump Pass Dredging in Water Life. It was Indicated that there will be a "redirection of the S

curve in Alligator Creek entrance". For someone who is not familiar with the area where was the "S curve in Alligator Creek"? Also, will they be dredging from the Stump Pass entrance back to the Intercoastal?

I never felt safe traveling from the intracoastal to the pass with a deep draft.

Also how about a significant marker offshore to indicate the entrance to the pass. How about a solar lighted marker for night time return? Article was great info, however instead of an aerial photo if you could draw a sketch as to the proposed areas of dredging for us who are not to familiar with the area it would be a great help to understand what will take place. Thank you for the article.

Bob

Editor notes: The S curve and Alligator Creek are two different issues. The S curve is in the channel that approaches the creek and you will go straight in and out when the dredging is done.

Stump Pass (to the Gulf) will be dredged at the mouth of the Pass where it shoals up. I do not think the dredging will go all the way back to the intracoastal this time. Stump Pass is an inlet of convenience and as such has not warranted a light. Several markers have come, and gone from that shifting inlet over the years.

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Contributing Editors:

Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Charlotte Harbor: Capt. Robert Moore Port Charlotte: Capt. Andy Medina Gasparilla: Capt. Chuck Eichner Offshore: Capt. Steve Skevington Commercial Fishing: Kelly Beal Sea Grant: Betty Staugler Real Estate: Dave Hofer Inshore: Fishinʼ Frank Diving: Adam Wilson Kayaks: David Allen Sailing: Bill Dixon Office Dog: Molly

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Artificial Reefs: Projects and progress lat/long for local reefs

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

May

2009

Quality of Life

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Publisher I bought a bottle of dishwasher detergent the other day. It had a little sticker on it: “Phosphate Free, Safe for Rivers and Streams,” it said. The next day, when the sun was setting, I was up on my second story deck watching some rays in the canal. Gulls were jockeying for position on the white topped pilings. A few pelicans made low passes tickleing the water with the tippy-endfeathers of their wings. There was a pod of bait and several dolphins appeared looking for their evening meal. The day before, the dolphins had been chewing either muscles or barnacles off the canal pilings, something I’d never seen them do before. I had my camera and I was shooting ‘tests’ with a long lens, handheld in low light. I only shot a few frames of the dolphins, and it wasn’t until later, when I went inside that I saw what I had.

I was looking at another picture first, studying how the water broke just perfectly across the dolphin’s snout so that a wave came up and went around without ever wetting the animal’s eye. Then I looked at the next frame, another dolphin. It had soap bubbles coming from its blowhole. Maybe the animal ate a bar of soap, but more likely, I’d guess

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Soap Bubbles emerge from the blowhole of a dolphin navigating the Severin canal in Port Charlotte last month. There was a water quality warning the same day for the Port Charlotte Beach Complex area.

it was soapy phosphate in the river, discharged from septic tanks, like the label on the dishwashing detergent said.

The theory that I’ve heard most is the prolonged dry spell has let area septic tank drain-fields overload the soil.

Then when we have a slight rain, like we did, it washes right out to the river and the tide carries it into area canals.

On the same day (April 21) that the photo above was taken there was a ‘no swimming, water quality warning’ at

the Port Charlotte Beach Complex.

There was a warning for high levels of fecal coliform bacteria.

This is more than a water quality issue. This is a quality-of-life issue for us all.

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The Cuda

Gets No Respect

By Capt Bo b DeKeul enaere Water LIFE Fishing Barracuda's have bad reputations amongst sport fishermen. More than one expletive has been uttered buy the poor guy who got his bait pulverized by a big cuda while surface trolling for marlin in blue water. Many other anglers have stared in disbelief as they watched their deep jigged snapper or grouper ripped in half

by Mister Cuda as they hoisted it from the deep. Some days it's hard to get away from barracuda. Being apex predators they can travel anywhere they please looking for an easy meal. This inevitably leads to many undesirable encounters between offshore anglers and these toothy missiles.

With a face full of nasty teeth, dead-looking prehistoric eyes, and bad manners it's easy to see why the barracuda is hated by so many fishermen. The barracuda is truly the "Rodney Dangerfield" of the ocean; they get "no respect". This often maligned creature is however a magnificent game fish in its own right. Allow me to state the barracuda's case. First of all, they grow large. Cuda have been known to reach 100 pounds and attain lengths close to 6 feet. These days one over 40 pounds is considered big and most of the ones your likely to encounter will be under 20 pounds. They are also piscatorial athletes. A big barracuda is capable of making spectacular leaps with jumps up to 6 feet high and over 20 feet long while making your reel look like it's spinning at a million rpm’s. They also run fast, pull hard, and with all those nasty looking teeth are extremely photogenic. Their bad attitudes, mean looks, and propensity to kill everything in sight make these predatory maniacs an absolute thrill to catch on light tackle and fly fishing gear.

Barracuda can be found on many of our near shore reefs and wrecks. Wrecks that tend to receive less fishing pressure can have swarms of barracuda patrolling them. Once located these fish are easily targeted. Because cuda love the chase as well as the reward they will often follow lures for long distances before striking.

This gives the spin fishermen a big advantage over fly fishermen as they are able to throw lures great distances and rip them through the water at high speeds.

All this commotion mimics fleeing baitfish which can trigger ferocious strikes.

Barracuda are suckers for big popping plugs that are chugged along the surface at high speed. Big metal spoons and flashy swimming plugs are also deadly regardless of whether they are cast or trolled. Don't forget to employ a wire leader ahead of your lure or you will be donating it to

Water LIFE

Mr. Cuda's collection.

Fly tackle for offshore barracuda is fairly simple.

A 9 or 10 weight rod armed with a floating line is ideal and makes casting large flies easier. For cuda I like to fish with big flashy flies that are around 5 - 6 inches in length utilizing 1/0 and 2/0 hooks. Chartreuse is the go to color on most days, but sometimes they can get finicky and prefer a hot pink or fluorescent red and orange offering. Whatever color fly you choose to employ do not skimp on the flash material which really turns them on. A 9 to 12 foot leader tapering to a 12 to 20 pound tippet and 4 to 5 inches of 30 pound wire bite tippet to combat those sharp teeth is all that is needed. Wire traces longer than 5 inches make it difficult to completely turn over the leader and fly on longer casts and also tip off many cuda that this is something they should not eat.

Many fly casters still believe that they must make long casts and retrieve their fly at breakneck speeds to elicit a hit. While this can be effective it requires a lot of work and will quickly tire even accomplished casters. Several easy techniques make fly fishing for cuda less strenuous and much more enjoyable.

Bright foam popping bugs are one way to get a cuda to strike. Pick those that are easy to cast but still make a lot of commotion. To correctly fish a popping bug for barracuda make as long a cast as possible and drop the bug 20 to 30 feet away from and beyond the fish. Mr. Cuda has excellent vision and will have no trouble locating your offering. Retrieve the popping bug at a fairly decent pace and

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ALWAYS keep it in motion. The constant gurgling and popping will drive him nuts.

When fishing with big, flashy flies you can also drop your fly about 10 feet in front of the fish and then sweep the rod up and back which streaks the fly through the water. At the end of the rod's sweep make a back cast and then drop the fly in the same place again repeating the process until the cuda can't stand it any more.

Make sure you have a good grip on your rod as the constantly disappearing and reappearing offering infuriates most barracuda. Needless to say, the strike will not be subtle.

When all else fails start a chum line with small dead baitfish, crabs, and whatever else is available. Once the cudas start feeding well cast your fly into the chum line and dead drift it so they think it is just another piece of chum. Keep repeating the process until they take your fly. This method is virtually foolproof and provides for some very exciting visual fishing. As long casts are not required, chumming also allows novice casters to get in on the action. Whatever method you use make sure to bring along plenty of flies. Cuda are brutal on flies and it is often a one fly per fish game.

Capt. Bob DeKeulenaere can be reached at 941-876-4586 for l i g ht t ack l e chart ers and fl y cas t i ng i ns t ruct i o n http://www.coastlinefishing.net

Venting Tools

May

2009

To the best of my knowledge venting tools started in Charlotte County. My departed friend Rich Novak, who was the Sea Grant Agent from the University of Florida in Charlotte County, came up with the idea.

A tool to help deflate the swim bladder of a fish brought up from the depths. Anglers had been doing this for some time, with knives or icepicks but Rich saw a better way. I remember him showing me the first tool. A 4inch long section of a 1-inch diameter wooden dowel with a sharpened basketball inflation needle sticking out of one end. Rich had drilled a hole in the dowel so air could pass through the needle and out the end of the dowell. It was the first venting tool I ever saw.

Five years after Rich died the state mandated offshore anglers must carry a venting tool.

Now nearly a year has passed since the venting tool law took effect and several models have come to the market. There is a spring loaded model, a plastic model and an aluminum cylinder. Unfortunately none of these float. The cheapest is the hypodermic needle for $6.50. The most expensive is the $46.50 PreVent aluminum.

The one I like the best is the Anglerʼs Choice model which has a solid point with the air inlet coming from the side of the needle.

That helps keep it from plugging up – and at $10.50 - $12 itʼs also a best seller at local bait and tackle shops.

2009 Redfish Tracking Underway

May

2009

By Betty S taugl er Water LIFE / Sea Grant With the April 25th Water LIFE Kids Cup Tournament completed, the 2008 redfish tracking project is now underway. Remember this project seeks to determine the fate of tournament caught and released redfish…do they survive, where do they go, etc., etc. Our project hinges on two important tagging methods. The first utilizes anchored dart tags and angler recapture information and the second utilizes more sophisticated acoustic transmitters and tracking equipment. Tied to our project is an additional control group study (more about that below).

Anglers weighed in 44 redfish. Not all of them met the slot limit, but all of them received the anchored dart tags. Anchored dart tags were applied after the weight was taken by Capt. Ralph Allen, the Tournament Weigh Master. Twenty-two fish also received acoustic transmitters. These transmitters (sometimes referred to as sonic tags or acoustic tags) are surgically implanted into the abdominal cavity of the fish. The transmitters work off of an internal battery that allows them to transmit a signal that can be received by our equipment if the fish is located within our detection range (400 meters). These transmitters will remain active for 820 days.

In order to determine the appropriate transmitter for the project, we look at the body weight of the fish in relation to the weight of the tag. A great deal of research has been done by the vendor (VEMCO) and by other researchers to determine the maximum size transmitter that can be used safely and without altering a fish’s behavior. Prior to undergoing surgery, candidate fish were put to sleep using carbon dioxide (CO2) as an

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anesthesia. Surgeries were performed

by Mote scientist Carole Neidig and University of Florida veterinarian Roy Yanong. After the surgery, the fish were revived in oxygenated tanks by dedicated volunteers. Once fully recovered the fish were released by Kids Cup anglers. We do want to thank Southern Oxygen in Punta Gorda and Capt.

Keith Benner for providing our oxygen, CO2 and regulators for the event.

This year we had two tracking boats on the water to try to capture as many transmitter numbers as possible with mobile tracking gear. Between the two crews, Jean & Chris Newberry and Fishin’ Frank and Terry, we were able to locate all of our fish with transmitters.

If you looked on the far side of the marina basin, you may have noticed 5 round blue tanks. These tanks were where the control study took place. We placed three tournament fish in each tank and held them 48 hours.

We use the control group to evaluate mortality that might be associated with the tournament or our tagging methods. On Monday the 27th, Roger DeBruler and I released those fish. All were spunky and ready to go.

By Tuesday our receivers in PGI had already picked up a fair number of fish. We also had some recent recordings of last year’s fish. One recently passed Hobbs Point and another was at Alligator Creek on the 24th.

By Wednesday April 29, Roger had recorded and/or tracked every Kids Cup implanted fish somewhere between the US 41 bridges and Ponce Inlet.

We are currently working on major design changes to the tracking website. We hope to be up and running by June. Angl ers Note: If you caught a fish in the Kids

Above: preparing for surgery Right: a dart tag

Cup Tournament you will receive a letter or an email from me with your fish tracking information. If you do not receive your letter by the end of May, call me.

Remember, if you happen to catch a tagged fish, please write down the tag number, length of the fish and capture location, and call that information into the redfish hotline. The phone number can be found on the tag. We ask that you please release the fish with its tag intact so that it can continue to provide important information about redfish survival, travel patterns and growth rates as it is recaptured.

Betty Staugler is the Univ ersity of Florida Sea Grant Agent for Charlotte County. She can be reached at 764-4346.

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Water LIFE

Now It Begins

MAGAZINE

Capt. Mark Bennett handles the leader as he brings one of 2009s early big tarpon boatside last month.

Tarpon Fishing in Ernest

By Capt. Mark Bennett Water LIFE Tarpon The tarpon have shown up already for the season. They have been in the passes, the flats and a few are already cruising the beaches. I will fish for tarpon almost anywhere they go, but the flats of Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor are two of my favorite places. Although backcountry fishing for snook and redfish is at a peak right now, everything else takes a back seat to the Silver King for me.

Last time we talked about the right tackle for tarpon fishing. This time I thought I would share a few key tips for hooking up and staying tight to a tarpon on light tackle.

First off, after you cast, keep your rod

tip low and take up the slack. When they bite, reel as fast as you can till the line is tight. I mean real tight, drag going out tight. Then lift the rod to 10:00. If you get the line tight properly at first, multiple hook sets are not required. Hang on and be ready for anything. A freshly hooked tarpon might run right at you or straight away. When ever they start to run line off of your reel, stay ready for a jump. When the fish jumps, point the rod right at the fish. You might have heard the expression “Bow to the King”, this is what they are talking about. It decreases tension on the line when the fish is in the air shaking its head. It makes it harder for the tarpon to throw the hook and it helps keep him from breaking you off.

When he goes back in the water lift

the rod back up and be ready to reel. A lot of times, especially when first hooked up, they will rapidly change directions after they hit the water.

When the fish runs, let him go. This is the only time you can rest your arms.

As soon as the fish stops, that is the time to work on him. Pump the rod up and reel down, all of the while keeping the line tight. Keep doing this till the fish runs again, rest your arms. Same thing, as soon as he slows again, pump and reel. You will notice when he is about to run or jump again, he will shake his head, trying to get rid of you and the hook. Do not take any breaks during this process, that only gives the fish a break too. In the wise words of my hero Capt.

Bobby Buswell, “When you’re resting he’s resting!”

Try to visualize the tarpon in the water. Which way is he going? If he is swimming to the right, you want to pull to the left and if he is going left, pull to

May

2009

Photo By: Jenni Bennett

the right. If he is going straight away pull straight up, always keeping the line going down his back. This way you are not only helping keep your hook from pulling out, but you are applying maximum pressure to the fish – not fighting current, the wind and the fish. Never chase after a hooked tarpon, unless you are running out of line. This only increases fight time. It gives the fish a chance to rest while you are straining to fight the moving water and the boat. Keep changing your angle of pressure as the fish changes direction till you have the fish boat side.

I think you will find this method will greatly decrease fight time and decrease the strain on your back too.

Till next time, keep the line tight and bow when they jump.

Capt. Mark Bennett can be reached to book a trip or for comments or questions at: www.tarponsnook.com or at (941) 474-8900

Water LIFE

Whitebait Is Not A Fish Guarantee

May

2009

By Capt. Chuck Ei chner Water LIFE Inshore Staring into a livewell full of fresh whitebait consisting of pilchards, threadfins and pinfish always brings a sense of excitement to the fishing day ahead. Catching the bait is hard work and sometimes takes hours to do. As fantastic as that saltwater shiner looks wiggling on your hook, have you ever found that fish can ignore it? If you have fished Charlotte Harbor this spring then I am guessing your answer is yes!

The complexity of the Charlotte Harbor estuary baffles even the best fishing guides in the area. The snook and redfish are extremely tide sensitive. Essentially, they have specific tide segments where they move into feeding grounds and specific segments when they leave and this is only a fraction of the equation. Add to that, they will change their habits depending on water clarity, existing forage species, the amount of floating grass and aquatic debri suspended in the water column. The amount of boats passing by, seasonal patterns, moon phase, water temperature, sunlight, barometric pressure variations and the list goes on.

On a recent outing my brother Bob and I found whitebait only 5 minutes from my dock in an area I had never seen it before.

It seemed too good to be true. Four good throws of the cast net and we were ready to rock! On a fast outgoing tide we zoomed to a hotspot that I had fished a week before.

Pitching “free-swimmers” to the mangroves we waited to see a snook blast the surface. We waited and waited and finally a nice legal snook was boated and released.

What I expected was constant action with reds and snook because this particular spot was only good on the first hour of an outgoing tide. I had proven it many times before and this was the window of tide they fed on as the fish were leaving the backcountry. Twenty fish from this spot would be expected, but not today. With one fish under our belt we moved on.

Our focus was reds and snook, but the backcountry fish gave me a clue – lockjaw told me to make a decision to struggle to catch shallow water backcountry fish with the magnificent pilchards or go for less glamorous species.

The plan B choice was learned many times this spring where whitebait did not produce much action. Normally, I would try multiple spots to achieve that conclusion, but my fish sense said otherwise.

Anchoring the boat in the middle of the harbor on a bottom rise we set up for some “down home” fishing. Dicing and slicing and pitching livies should bring at least ladyfish and sharks and hopefully others.

Bob set up a heavy rod and floated a big pinfish under a cork. Claiming that cobia love to eat a pinfish that rod was stuck in a holder while another rod was rigged up.

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Seconds later the float was gone and Bob reared back and the fight was on - a near legal cobe was boated and released. An amazing call by my brother and I was rigging a rod now for cobia. Before I could tie a hook on he flicks another pinfish out and wham, another cobia! Bob’s chest was pretty well puffed up and we had lines off the side in every direction. No more cobia showed, but a nice blacknose shark, several fat trout and jacks made for an interesting couple of hours and then the bite shut off. Once again, live bait was not working.

Nature’s clue was that this lack of bite coincided with a tide change as the first of the incoming started. About the same time the westerly sea breeze began humping and floating green fuzz balls were suspended in the water column. Something made the fish turn off and these were the obvious signs.

With the incoming tide I figured a move to the backcountry might produce some fast action. My first and second spot choices had a deep channel that ran against a mangrove edge. Figuring that reds and snook nestled into these troughs on the low tide, it should be easy pickins’ with a strong incoming. Free swimming live pilchards were released to the tune of 30 or 40 on each spot. But, not nearly a swirl on a bait and no action for us. How can that be possible? I just knew the fish were there because only days before these 2 spots were loaded with snook and a few oversize reds. With the day getting long, I needed to make something happen.

Deciding to fish a deep hole for goliath grouper, jacks and snook in a canal basin we idled our way in to the spot. With water visibility excellent we peered down and began to see fish peeling away from the boat. Typically, these would be mullet, but perhaps 50 fish dropped into the depths before we realized they were snook! Let’s go ahead and fish the deep hole a quarter mile away and then come back after the snook settle down, I suggested. As quick as that thought came I reasoned you don’t leave fish to find fish and with a quick turn of the wheel we where back to where we had seen the fish and set up. Anchor set, livies released and the “mash” began.

Snook with reckless abandon crashed the chum baits and our reels were singing Sweet Lucy as drag peeled off. For a while we were both constantly hooked up and a few were approaching 30 inches. A half an hour into it and I had the hot rod, cast after cast. Meanwhile, my brothers rod went cold. I released fish after fish and he couldn’t get a bite. How can that be? Then, the bite completely shut off for me. Back at my dock Bob was unloading the rods and checked my outfit out. What size leader were you using, he asked?

Twenty fluorocarbon with a super small hook. Bob was using 30 fluorocarbon with a 2/0 hook. It was clear to us that at

Thatʼs Fishin Frank, skipping a whitebait under the bushes in Charlotte Harbor.

some point the snook had an attitude change about how our baits behaved and appeared in the water - and they ignored the heavier leader. Thus, introducing a whole new level of variables as why fish will ignore white bait. Your leader size, hook style and size, line size and type can matter.

Here are a few other vari abl es that wi l l affect the fi sh’s wi l l i ngness to bi te. Residual scents left on your hand that are transferred to your rig (suntan lotion), noise level of your livewell pumps and how close you position your boat to the fish. Sometimes live chumming produces a negative affect.

There is nothing natural about a dozen pilchards hurling through the air and landing on the water.

Every day on the water is unique, with different weather and aquatic variables.

Whitebait is not a guarantee and you may want to analyze your environment and modify your tactics. Cracking nature’s code is the true challenge and a big snook slurping a pilchard off the surface is the ultimate reward.

Capt. Chuck Eichner is a local charter captain. For information or to book a guided fishing trip call 941-505-0003 or go to his website: www.backcountry-charters.com

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Trent Cheatam with a big slot size redfish

By Capt. Andrew Medi na Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor As we get into May, just maybe we will see some showers we so desperately need. We will also start to see more and more tarpon and sharks. As the bait pods make their way into the harbor, there is plenty of bait now. But I would expect to see large numbers of threadfin’s move in this month. The threadfin pods are what I look for when I am tarpon fishing in the harbor. If you can get a piece of bait into a pod of bait, there is a good chance you can get hooked up. What I will do is net up threadfin, the bigger the better. Or go catch some ladyfish. Ladyfish can be found this time of the year, around any of the pods of smaller bait. I use a simple jig head, with any soft plastic, or a stick bait works great. Once I feel I have enough bait, I will head out on the harbor, and search for the bait pods. The bait pod’s can be seen very easily, and once you find the first one, you then know what to look for. I will rig up a medium heavy or heavy action spinning rod, with 50lb test. This is only personal preference, conventional tackle works just as well, but you don’t have the cast ability you would with spinning gear. The hooks range from a 5/0 to a 7/0 depending what kind of fish are out there feeding. I like to use longer and heavier leaders than most, 60lb leader works well for me, in about a 5 ft length. I use the longer leader so I can adjust the float to different depths. The idea is to get the bait into the bait pod, and be singled out by a tarpon. When a tarpon goes to feed on the bait and the pod scatters for dear life. Your bait is pinned there with a cork and gets left behind by the bait.

Usually if fish are feeding in this manner, your bait will get blasted. The down fall at least for me, is the sharks that also feed on the bait schools. If you plan to catch a shark, fish them the same way, only difference is adding a piece of steel leader to the hook. This way you won’t get bit off on

May

2009

Screaming Reels

the initial strike. There are many species of sharks in our harbor from blacktips to hammerheads, and you never know what mouthful of teeth you may hook up with.

We have already caught a number of tarpon and sharks in the harbor, and my guess is as the water warms we will see more fish in the harbor. Backwater has also been great at times; notice that I said at times.

We have had great days, than we have had days where you could see fish and they just would not eat. Hit or miss, but when you found fish if you sat on them and chummed, you could catch them. Redfish action has been hot with white bait; shrimp is also still working fair. During the Kids Cup we made a bold move not to go to the schools we found in prefishing.

But to go to an area along the west wall, I knew there was fish. Not that they were better, just because the weather had the harbor kicked up. By fishing closer, it gave us longer to soak bait, instead of running.

Once we started chumming with diced shrimp, we could actually see the fish belly rolling along a shore. Just as we started to catch fish Noah Parry, with the camera boat showed up. They were able to get some great shots, the youth angler I was fishing, managed to pull a few fish out of the hole. All together it ended up being a good day. I would like to take the chance to congratulate all the anglers who participated in the Kids Cup. They toughed it out with some brutal conditions, and got a taste of tournament fishing. Great job guys (and girls). One more note, snook are feeding well, in hopes to put their spawning fat on, this month they are catch and release, snook season closes May 1st. So be careful on how you handle, and release them. By doing this our children can enjoy fishing for snook for years to come.

Capt. Andrew Medina can be reached at (941)456-1540 or on the web at www.fishfloridatarpon.com, to book a trip or fishing info.

Water LIFE

Keeping Track of Your Boaterʼs Money May

2009

By Capt. Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff The biggest job of the Charlotte Co. Marine Advisory Committee(MAC) each year is to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners, the allocation of funds from our annual budget. As taxpayers, all of this money comes out of our pockets; so I am going to do my best to tell you where the money is going. This year there is about $1.338 million in the pot which comes from three sources- West Coast Inland Navigation District(WCIND) funds which come from property taxes- Boater Improvement Funds(BIF), that come from boat registrations and Local BIF, which is a special fee charged each year on all boats registered in Charlotte County. Each one of these organizations have their own rules and regulations on how this money can be spent; but the main rule they all have is that all money must be for boating and navigation improvement.

The MAC is not allowed to propose their own projects but accept request from mostly county government departments, like Public Works and Park and Recreation; or from non-profit organizations like the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) and the Civil Air Patrol. All the MAC does is review the request and vote yes or no and pass that request on to the BCC who have the final decision to approve or reject the request.

Each year there is always a list of automatic annual expenditures that are taken right off the top. This years list included; $200K for Stump Pass - $130K for getting abandoned boats out of County waters and $80k for maintenance to aids to navigation (local channel markers). Of the new request that were approved by MAC this year the largest was a $400k request for a new boat ramp at Bay Heights Park which is near the Charlotte-Sarasota border in Englewood. Next year a second funding request will be made for an additional $400k and this will be the seed money to begin construction. We have been told that the ramp should open in 2011. $200k will go towards the straightening of the Alligator Creek “S” curve. This project has been in the works for over 15 years and the MAC is happy to be able to provide the funds to Public Works to begin work on a safe straight channel for local boaters. $100K will go to putting in rest rooms at the Sunrise Boat Ramp.

For years the MAC has been recommending that all public boat ramp have rest rooms instead of those awful porta-johns we now have. We now have new leadership at the Park and Rec Dept so maybe we can see some changes. MAC is insisting that all new boat ramp projects (including Bay Heights) will have provisions for rest rooms. $55K will go for a study to find the best way to keep beach sand from the Port Charlotte Beach Complex from shifting into the Sunrise Waterway Channel. $15K for gas and supplies for the boat and truck used by our Sea Grant Agent. $17K will go to CHEC to help fund a program to take all Charlotte Co 4th graders on the water for some hands on environmental education. An additional $5k will be coming CHEC’s way to teach kids as part of a mitigation deal with the State DEP for removing the Manchester Lock. The Civil Air Patrol gets $11.5K to help fund their Sundown Patrols in which they look for boaters in distress from the air.

Each year the MAC reviews many requests for funds both large and small and unfortunately there is never

MAGAZINE

enough money to go around but the MAC is always interested in any non-profit organization that has a small boating related project that will benefit all the people in Charlotte Co. I personally like projects that require matching funds. If your organization wants more information I suggest you contact the Public Works Dept or the Parks and Rec Dept. to see if your project is feasible, and then contact the Budget Dept. to get information on requesting funds. Remember that request for funds must be submitted well in advance; usually in Jan. and if approved do not become available for use until Aug. Reach Capt. Ron at: CaptRonB@juno.com

P a g e 11

Sometimes itʼs hard to hold the camera straight - photo by Capt. Angel Torres

Page 12

Fri. Dinner and the Sat. Morning Start

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

May

2009

Dinner was at Bennedettoʼs Restaurant. The boat check in went from 5:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m.

At 6:50 a.m. the field was released to go fishing.

The Fishing

Fishing had been tough for the previous week. Windy conditions and high water made it all the more complicated on tournament day. Numerous anglers reported being ʻon fishʼ but not being able to get them to eat. “There was a half hour window right around 11:30 a.m. when the bite turned on,” one angler said. Anglers fished from south of Sarasota down to the southern end of the Pine Island Sound.

Photos by Sarah Coward and Debbie Munholand

At The Weigh-In Dock

We had a 2:30 weigh-in but by 1:30 we only had four boats weigh in. At 2 p.m. we were waiting around the dock wondering if we were going to get skunked. Then the boats started to arrive. The line stretched around the corner and the weigh in didnʼt finish until almost 3:30. Fourty fish were weighed in. A few oversized fish were transfered directly to the fishery biologists with Mote Marine for sonic tags as well.

All the fish were observed for healthiness and then released alive.

May

2009

Sixth Annual

Kids Cup Tournament: Best One Yet!

By Mi chael Hel l er Kids Cup Tournament Director Holy Cow! What a week!

A dinner for 250, which included a group shot photo of 100+ Kids. Setting it all up, hanging banners, taking it down, loading the cars and trucks, setting up again, hanging all those banners again. You get the idea.

We had one no-show and one boat that broke down so we wound up putting 111 kids on the

Kids Cup Top-5 at the Redfish Cup

The 2009 Kids Cup Winner, 10-year-old Collin Moore, and his adult boat-driver/guide/uncle Chuck Howard, fished out of a black Shearwater boat.

(Perhaps luckily??) it was the same boat as the one on our 2009 Kids Cup T Shirt

Water LIFE

thank for making this event a success; Bob, John, Gary and Ron – the line handlers on the dock, Donna, Sheri, Rena and Patti – the angler check in staff, Ralph and Robert – the weigh in staff, the set up people Catherine and Larry, our emcee Gene Kingery, Fishin Frank, the biologists from Mote Marine, our Sea Grant Agent Betty Staugler and Roger De Bruler, and my wife, Ellen.

We’re all in this together, for the kids, for the fun of it, and for the satisfaction.

There is nothing better than being surrounded by a bunch of happy, smiling, kids. It couldn’t have happened without everyone, Thank you all.

There were some ‘new’ things this year.

For the first time there were, I think, as many recreational anglers signed up as died-in-the wool fishing fina tics. A third of our field came from areas outside of Collin Moore WINNER! fish weight: 5.18 lbs.

Charlotte County.

Every year we seem to have more and more girl anglers. This year we had the most ever, 21 girls.

These are all very good things.

At the Captain’s water.

It was a tough day, not all that windy in the morning, but by mid afternoon there were big whitecaps on the open water. The wind was out of the east and the tide never really went out. Fishing was hard.

A number of anglers suggested the ‘bite’ only lasted about a half hour, but we still weighed in 40 fish and gave them to the biologists from Mote for tagging.

There are so many people to

Frankie Mancini fish weight: 5.14 lbs.

Kyle Miller

fish weight: 2.08 lbs.

Jesse Smith

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MAGAZINE

no weight

Meeting I stressed that this is a fun tournament and it should be a fun day, and if you weigh in a fish so much the better.

At the awards ceremony after the weigh- in, a contingent of mothers, young girls and friends cheered, yelled and screamed as the names of the age group winners and the Top-5 were announced. It was a moment – with an air of family unity and fun for all. It was perfect.

One dad (who fishes a lot of tournament events) told me our captain’s bags this year were the best he had ever seen at any event anywhere. That was a great compliment made possible only through such great cooperation and generosity from all the tackle suppliers.

Taylor Crosland

no weight

At the Redfish Cup the following weekend our top-5 kids went out again on another blustery day and came back at 1:30 to weigh in on the ESPN stage.

Taylor Crosland and Jesse Smith came to the stage without a fish, then Kyle Miller weighed in a 2.08 pound red. “How’d you catch that fish?” announcer Bob Sealy asked Kyle. “With a rod and reel,” Kyle said, dryly.

“Where’d did you get him?”

Sealy asked “In the mouth,” Kyle said. The crowd loved it, Kyle was in the lead. Then Frankie Mancini came up with a respectable 5.14 pound red. The crowd went wild.

The four 15-year olds had weighed in. All that remained was for little 10-year old Collin Moore to weigh in.

Collin’s fish weighed 5.18 pounds, two-one-hundredths of a pound more than Frankie’s fish.

It was Collin Moore’s first tournament and he had won!

DID YOU KNOW?

The Kids Cup is a fundraiser for the Don Ball School of Fishing.

Thatʼs an eight week program the Charlotte Harbor Reef Association offers in 5 local county middle schools.

The tournament entry fees paid by the Kids Cup Tournament anglers helps to pay for rods and reels, tackle and tackle boxes and the fishing Resource Manual that each Fishing School student receives.

This fall will be the 7th year of the Fishing School program.

Thanks to everyone who helps make all this happen! www.waterlifemagazine.com

Page 14

April 25 Kids Cup Results

Water LIFE

Fishing was tough a this year’s Kids Cup with big water and a strong east wind keeping it up. Anglers reported 4-footers in the harbor on the way back, but there was still plenty of fish brought back to the weigh- in scale.

Collin Frankie Kyle Jesse Taylor Jeffrey Chandler Brandon Craig Amin Steven Michael Jeppe Alexandra Connor Kendra Elio Phantasia Dacota Mathew Bryton Robby Austin Justin Cody Gwendolyn David Sal Adriana Rikki Chance Vincent Rex Ryan Bryce Kristin Mark Nic Trent Kingsey Zack Christopher Trevor Christopher Jonathan Tanner Nathan Zachery Dane Hunter Riley Jacob Taylor

Moore Mancini Miller Smith Crosland Watkins Jr Pritchett Varney Smith Mahshe Trombley II Eisner Bennetson Smith Peters Jones Fernandez Osborne Cline Henderson Wolfe Howard Taylor Dutton Bailey Fenneken Isaacs Crapanzano Smith Epperly Galloway Farruglo White Moore Griffin White Uebelacker Marshall Robinson Rickard Granger Soto Harris Savage Meyer South Wells Mullis Edwards Welsh Welsh Jordan Haymans

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

Chuck Justin Eric Ryan Doug Jeffrey Zachari Paul Ken Andrew Angel Mike David Stephen Tom Bill Sidney Angel Bret Dave Robert Darren Jim Danny Bobby David Donnie Derrick Stephen Chad Dave joe Sam Robert Paul Steve Bart Greg Roy Vernon Fred Bill Randy Michael Steven Bret Steven Tom Daniel Lance Lance Chuck Richard

X-TREME REDFISH TOURNAMENT

All together, 38 boats fished the April 11ths Xtreme redfish series. 50 fish were weighed in, all were released alive. Only 9 teams failed to bring fish to the scales.

1) Mike McCarty, Heather Nichols – 13.83lbs $1500.00 also received big fish award $370.00 2) J.R Witt, Ryan Kays$750.00

3) Timothy McGee, Josh Reager$340.00 4) Rob Quick, Wayne Quick $210.00

5) Ron Cauffman, Justin Cauffman $160.00 6) Josh Rhodes, Robert Close

7) Mike Garcia, David Lassey

13.77lbs-

13.33lbs

12.49lbs

11.60lbs

11.43lbs

11.41lbs

8) Dustin Hormann, Darwin Hormann 11.39lbs 9) Tom Fisher, Buzzy Hayes

10) Lyn Bevis, Bing Blackburn

11.19lbs

11.18lbs

Howard Kaufman Davis McGee Creek Watkins Sr Kraft Lambert Smith Medina Torres Shelton McHugh Smith Fisher Jones Lowe Torres Ezell Henderson Amick Howard Taylor Dutton Jones Thomas Moore Jacobsen Smith Epperly Galloway Jurisko White Moore Griffin Zylstra Marx Mosely Robinson Rickard Granger Flynn Harris Savage Cline South Cline Fisher Edwards Welsh Welsh Howard Harris

6.90 6.70 6.28 6.08 5.80 5.58 5.36 5.34 5.02 4.88 4.86 4.74 4.70 4.62 4.58 4.54 4.46 4.34 4.18 4.18 4.14 4.12 3.96 3.94 3.56 3.46 3.44 3.42 3.24 3.14 3.10 2.74 2.70 2.64 2.60 2.56 2.46 2.40 2.30 2.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Heaviest Redfish for a 10 year-old Steven Trombley II

Heaviest Redfish for an 11 year-old Chandler Pritchett

Heaviest Redfish for a 12 year-old Jeppe Bennetson

MAGAZINE

Austin Sayje Miranda David Brittany Dylan Cory Sam Justin Dylan Logan Brian Brad Brandilyn Tylor Kristin Nick Madeline Jake Emily Michael Ricardo Trey Ty Kaitlyn Drew Crosland Megan William Andres Chris Andrew Mathew Molly Cody Cyler Joey Brandon Kyle Skyler Hunter Devan Brian Alex Hyland Kelly Riley Kyle Angel Micheala Cody Rocco Kelsea Enrique Wyatt Steven Kaylea Ella Maison Morgan

Henson Manning Cheatham Patton Morrison Daughtry Moore Beatty McErlane Hoff Wilson Laishley Laishley Laishley Krafjack Knowlton Knowlton Chavez Vale Sawyer Peet Martinez Llewellyn Helphenstine Legg Hazlett Polk Malone DeHayes DeHayes Raucci Amontree Amontree Tomlinson Bollinger McVay Severns Ruth Kirkland Lawson Lawson Brandon Barns Galvan McCarrol Parker Mizell Watkins Torres Jr Flowers Cristello Pennella Dutton Fernandez Carter Weaver Burlew Sagarese Skinner Sweeney

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

Raymond Dylan Trent Thomas John Rick Thomas Thomas Jason James Robin Chris Bruce Bruce Mark Phil Leland Mike Tom Shane Geurt Ricardo Jarrett Jarrett Bobby Brian Doug Timothy Christopher Christopher Jason JB JB Ricky Andrew Sheldon Frank Robert Robert Joseph Joseph Jeff Brian Bob Mark Jerry Joe Mark Mark Gary Ryan Ryan Luis Luis David Dwane Ed Ed Steve Brian

King Hoff Cheatam Koder Morrisson Jordan Moore Moore Semeyn Daughtry Leach Frohlich Laishley Laishley Kraftjack Knowlton Symonds McDonald Vale Parker Peet Martinez Lombard Lombard Legg Ulch Creek Alley DeHayes DeHayes Semeyn Bradshaw Bradshaw Tomlinson Medina McVay Paolella Ruth Ruth Lawson Lawson Boyette Garcia McCool Hobbs Adams Gant Miller Miller Graef Rowan Rowan Fernandez Fernandez Carter McCurdy Sagarese Sagarese Eggers Sweeney

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

May

2009

Heaviest Redfish for a 13 year-old Jeffrey Watkins Jr.

Heaviest Redfish for a 14yearold Alexandra Smith

Heaviest Redfish for a 15 yearold Amin Mahshe

Heaviest Redfish for a 16 year-old Brandon Varney

Water LIFE

More Lies Surface in Take Me Fishing Grant Investigation May

2009

E-mail to Water LIFE from Parks and Rec: On Mar 13, 2009, at 3:30 PM, Joanne Larson wrote: Mr. Hel l er: As you have discussed with representatives from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Charlotte County received a $10,000 grant from the NRPA for the Take Me Fishing Program for children in Charlotte County. This grant was to educate children on fishing and boating safety in our community.

Here are the answers to your questions: The money spent to date is: The total amount spent to date is $1,177. $776.00 for Canoe Rentals from Canoe Outpost-Peace River Inc. for Summer Camp field trips. $216.00 for Mandatory Best Practices for Boating, Fishing and Aquatic Resources Stewardship Education online course $185.00 for Canoe Rentals from Myakka Wildlife Tours for a Summer Camp Field Trip.

Special Events Coordinator Karen Helmick made application for the grant. Ms. Helmick no longer works for the County.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources will be working with the Environmental Extension to provide this educational program in the Charlotte County elementary schools and will be completed after the March 31 deadline.

NRPA supports this plan.

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MAGAZINE

Water LIFE’s Response to Joanne Larson: Ms Larson, Thank you for contacting me. I hope this opens the door to meaningful conversation between us. As you must know by now I am only interested in the Kids of Charlotte County receiving beneficial education about boating, fishing and the environment.

Your initial response, although helpful, does not provide all the answers to all the questions that have unfolded around the Take Me Fishing Grant to Charlotte County.

• I need to know if Ms Helmick received a finders fee or any other special compensation in relation to her grant application.

• Do you have any contact information for MS Helmick which you can provide me?

• I would like to see the actual application that MS Helmick submitted along with any revisions or modifications.

• What was the Kayak Festival that Mr Solomon proposed to NRPA and how was that going to teach boating and fishing?

• Would you please provide additional information on the Peace River Canoe field trips, and the Myakka Tours, specifically the dates of these trips, the number of children involved and tell me how these trips conformed to the requirements of the grant.

I'd also like contact names at the Canoe Outpost and Myakka so I can follow up with the actual people involved.

• Who are you working with at Environmental Extension and what are the

Estero Report

specifics of the new educational program you plan to introduce in the County Schools?

• Who at NRPA authorized the extension of the grant deadline for completion, what was the reason the original deadline was not met?

• Was a revised proposal submitted to NRPA for the school program? If so please provide a copy.

If you would like to meet in person to discuss these matters you can reach me at 941.457.1389 A timely response to these questions will be appreciated.

Sincerely Michael Heller

Estero Bay has been very good despite the wind. The snook bite is on fire with 25 fish on average per trip, but as good as the snook bite is they are running on the short side with only the occasional slot fish.

Redfish have ben hit and miss I am geting them on fresh cut lady fish and big thred herring. The redfish have been 25- to 32-inches.

Trout have been good on a popping cork and a D.O.A shrimp.

All over Estero Bay in the deeper cuts is a mixed bag of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish and sharks. Here in this picture is Chris Michelle of Cape with a 35-inch snook caught on a charter with Capt Steve Nagy, in Estero Bay.

Note** We have still not heard back from Ms. Larson, and it’s now been over a month.

In the mean time, I received this email from a person who must remain unidentified: To Water LIFE The county 4H agent was directed to develop an in school fishing program and it appeared to be a bailout plan for Parks and Rec. Since then, 4H has been told that Parks and Rec. has returned the grant funds so the school program has been discontinued. 4H had already put quite a bit of work into contacting the schools. They were not happy. It was indicated that Parks and Rec. did not do the field trips as they reported.

Capt Nagy can be reached at: 239-398-1528

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What a view as you walk thru the double stained glass doors into great room all open to dining, kitchen, nook and 12ft sliders to pool $399,000 VT Call Ellen 628-6954

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Water LIFE

Page 16

It is better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not

By Kel l y Beal Water LIFE Commercial Fishing Growing up in Southwest Florida I have always been fascinated with Calusa Indians. The same things that attract me to them attract me to today’s commercial fisherman. They depended on the harvest from the waters to meet all their needs, they were completely nonconformist and beautiful fierce people. Sounds just like todays commercial fisherman to me!

The best account of the Calusa Indian lifestyle was written by Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda. Hernando was brilliant. He saved his own neck by dancing

for the indians and obeying Thier commands.

He was shipwrecked in 1549 and rescued by the Calusas. They kept him captive for 17 years and released him when he was 30 years old as a goodwill gesture to Pedro Menendez de Aviles. Later, when Pedro dined with the Calusa chief, he was served "boiled fish and roasted fish, raw, boiled and roasted oysters... without anything else". He wrote in his memoir "Many spaniards have saved their lives by finding themselves with Christian companions, for the natives who took them... thought the christians were rebellious so

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MAGAZINE

May

2009

This dug-out canoe, thought to have been used by the Calusa, was exposed in 2007 when the water level in Lake Trafford was permanently lowered.

they would kill them".

He also speaks of what they caught from the waters to eat: “They caught most of their fish with nets which they even made of different mesh sizes depending on what fish was most abundant during that season. The Calusa were extremely talented with spears. So they speared fished as well. They made the nets with Spanish moss, cabbage palm leaves and saw palmetto trunks. The common food is fish , turtle and snails (all of which are like fish and tunny and whale, which is according to what I saw while I was among these Indians. Some eat sea wolves, but not all of them. There is a distinction between higher and lower classes. There is another fish which we here call langosta (lobster) and one like unto a chapin (trunkfish) of which they consume not less than of the former.......I will aso mention that in the rivers of fresh water are infinite quantities of eels, very savory and enormous trout. The eels are nearly the size of a man. The Indians also eat lagartos (alligators).”

Like todays commercial fisherman the Calusa of yesteryears were nonconformist. And as much as they could, they tried to maintain their way of life.

One of the funniest stories I have read about was a time in 1697 when the Franciscans came to the Calusas to establish a "mission". The Indians ridiculed them laughing and throwing mud and soot on them when they tried to preach. Some of the hecklers turned around and ‘mooned’

the Franciscans! Left naked and stripped of their supplies the preachers were forced to canoe to Cuba.

While many of the other tribes of Florida were brainwashed by the christian missionaries the Calusa were one of the few tribes that stuck to their own beliefs.

They believed that people had three souls and that the souls migrated after death. The Calusa believed that the three souls were the pupil of a persons eye, his shadow and his reflection. The soul in the eye's pupil stayed with the body after death and the Calusa would consult with that soul at the graveside. They believed the other two souls left the body after death and entered into an animal, the soul would then migrate to a lesser animal and eventually be reduced to nothing.

The parallels I see among commercial fisherman and the Calusa's are obviously not their religious beliefs, but the perspective of not allowing outside influences into our way of life. (Such as the special interest groups who are constantly on a "mission" to put us out.) Some may believe that if the Calusa had been willing to conform they would still exist, but no, once you conform you no longer exist as you were, you just become what they want you to be. You take on their styles, beliefs, expressions and - bam - you no longer exist. Todays commercial industry is fighting that transformation. I'm in this industry till the death. No white flags here. I am, like the Calusa, proud to be royalty amongst warriors.

May

2009

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 www.harborparadise.com Recent area news items: 1. Despite the economic slowdown, Punta Gorda's high profile construction projects are moving ahead nicely. The new parking garage dominates the Olympia Avenue sightline and the newly restored courthouse. Who could have dreamed that Dutch colonial architecture could, at one time, be so out of place and so overwhelming. The new medical office building near the hospital proved it could be done. (below)

Apparently Punta Gorda's zoning board didn't get the memo about the City's mission to tastefully develop its "pedestrian friendly" downtown. Oh well, at least we won't have to cut any grass or deal with those messy trees.

2. Charlotte County is in line for $6.7 million in TARP funds from the Federal

Water LIFE

stimulus package. Citing the need to do something about 460 foreclosed homes, the County will spend 5% of the monies to demolish abandoned construction projects. The rest of the giveaway will provide new housing to those families who barely earn enough money to keep them above the poverty level ... but are still capable of making mortgage payments on a new home. Yet another novel idea with no practical application?

3. The Punta Gorda SMSA ranked first in the nation in FHA defaults in December. Our heavy reliance on construction industry jobs helped push us past the former leaders, Detroit & Flint, MI and even Cape Coral. Unemployment reached 11.8% in February up from 6.5% last year, so this dubious distinction could be with us for a while longer.

4. County Commissioners are diligently working on cutting $10 mil from next year's budget. Not willing to give up "cold turkey", they have kept in some notably frivolous expenditures. $168,000 for signage and info kiosks for Bayshore Live Oak Park? How about upgrading the xray equipment at the entrance to the Justice Center for a cool $239K? 5. National builder, Pulte Homes will be buying Centex Homes. The move should allow projects like Riverwood to continue to develop when the economy rights itself.

6. Syd Kitson offered Florida Power &

Offshore with Capt. Steve Capt S teve S kevington Water LIFE offshore April has been a month full of big wind's and big Shark's. Luckily those big sharks are just two - three miles off the beach, so when it is a bit snotty offshore we can still have a great trip close to shore.

Just this morning I was happily taking a nice family from Ohio offshore fishing for the first time, when the ringleader of the bunch (The Mother) asked if there was any way we could stay within sight of land. That question turned our day of offshore fishing into a shark trip pretty quick.

The first chunk of fresh Bonita went in the water at 7:22am and the first shark hit at 7:35am. This is how the whole trip went just one shark after another, everything from 3 foot long "black nose" to 10 foot nurse sharks.

Several four to five foot black-tip's were brought to the boat side, but our ringleader did not want those "man-eaters" in the boat with her and her children.

And that's OK by me. I have always been happy to land a large shark of almost any size for any client, but.....when they give me the option to "play it safe" I never turn it down.

Permit, my all time favorite fish is back in all its glory, they started showing up a

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MAGAZINE

couple weeks ago and they are just about everywhere now.

Permit are a fish that is very spooky, hard to talk into taking a hook, and demands the most expensive bait you can buy.

But boy oh boy is she worth it, drag SCREAMING runs, that's just about all I can say about those fish. It’s a lot like hooking a Corvette speeding down I-75 at rush hour.

These guys are slurping down silver dollar size crabs like there going out of style right now, but give them a few weeks to get settled and they will get real picky.

On the days when the weather lets us we have been sneaking offshore to some of the deeper wrecks to do a bit of fun fishing.

These places are totally covered in summer time sized amberjack, fish to about 50pounds. Now, these are not the same back breaking fish we were playing with all winter, these guy are smaller, but very aggres-

Light 400 acres within Babcock Ranch to build the nation's largest photovoltaic (solar powered) power plant in the country. When it comes online, FPL estimates that users in its service area will pay only 35 cents/month for the benefit of moving away from traditional fuel sources.

7. After completion of a five year long total rehab, Charlotte High School's main building opened for students on April 13.

8. The cost for the proposed floating docks at Laishley Park have risen to $330K. $200K of it will come from County funds, the other $130K from the 1 cent sales tax increase.

9. The Punta Gorda Community Redevelopment Advisory board voted against City Marketplace mogul, Ron Oskey's application to begin charging for parking on his vacant shopping center property. Citing the developer's four year

failure to commence construction on any of the approved plans submitted to it as the reason, they denied him the right to pursue this seemingly unrelated request.

S al es S tati sti cs: House sales reached a peak of 525 for our area, eclipsing the old high set in November of 2005 of 436. Activity is still concentrated in the lower end of the market. In fact, 163 of the 242 sales recorded in North Port were in foreclosure or short sale! Vacant lot prices continued to plummet with the only sales taking place below $10K. Inventories are about 30% below last year's level, with many would-be sellers now on the sidelines.

Please visit us at www.harborparadise.com to view any available properties from Venice to Burnt S tore Marina

sive.

On these same wrecks, if your looking for something for the freezer, toss out a frozen squid and wait, if there's a cobia around he will seek you out.

If you can get there, the wrecks 80-plus miles out are covered in large black-fin tuna right now.

Don't overlook Mahi Mahi while your

out there just keep an eye out for anything floating along, even old broken crab trap lines, Dixie cups ...anything, and the Mahi should be there. Toss em a frozen shrimp on a flat-line. They are not picky out here, they will eat whatever you offer as long as they can fit it in their mouths.

Capt. Stev e can be reached at: 575-3528 for fishing information or to book a charter trip.

Fishinʼ Frankʼs Shark Tourneys June 13 and July 18

Are You Man Enough?

Page 18

Water LIFE

By Bi l l Di xon Water LIFE S ailing Go! Sail now!!

Best weather of the year. Snowbirds are gone. Marinas and restaurants have room for locals. Anchorages are emptying out.

This is the season we all came to Florida for. Use it.

Racing is not over. May brings the start of the 8 race summer series on the 10th (Mother’s Day for you calendar challenged sailors).

May always includes the Key West Race.

This year it will be the 14th thru the 18th.

It is a challenging open water “Port to Port” race where weather forecasting can be crucial to success, and a straight line is not always the shortest sailing route. Boats will start at different times from Clearwater, Sarasota, Boca Grande and Naples. The finish line is in Key West Bight and it can be really, really, exciting if you finish in the dark.

After a few days R&R in Key West, there is a race from KW to Naples with more R& R there. This is a Boat Of The Year regatta for all of the regions in West Florida.

There will be some really exotic race boats to see in KW. Details are available on a link to Clearwater YC from the PGSC web site at pgscweb.com. Locally Bob Anderson jrnyonpg@comcast.net can provide info on the Boca Grande start.

May also brings other great sailor activities. The 13th is a steak dinner and spring series racing awards. Check the PGSC web site for details. On the 25th, 26th, and 27th PGSC will be at Pelican Bay for Memorial Day. For info on the festivities contact Jude Tessier at heyjudete@yahoo.com.

The Community Sailing Center is alive and well with small boat sailing every Wednesday and 2 Saturdays a month. The water is warming up so it is much more pleasant to take spray in the face than what it was in February. Winds are good, but not overpowering. Later in the summer, they will be working with the YMCA kids’ camp. Learn to sail classes for kids will be offered after school ends and classes for adults are yet to be scheduled. Contact Dennis Peck 627-6650 for info or to express your desires for class schedules.

Kayaking MAGAZINE

A Weekend Paddle in the "Glades

By Davi d Al l en Water LIFE Kayaking Have you ever wanted to just get away from the routines of everyday life and experience the beauty and serenity of the Florida wilderness? Combine that picture with good companions, excellent dining, and you have a snapshot of our recent long Everglades weekend. Everglades City is an ideal location to access some of the more interesting areas of the ‘glades, and best of all, it is only about two hours by car from Port Charlotte. The Everglades National Park is an area of about 35,000 acres of mangrove islands, waterways, channels, keys, and broad bays and inlets.

Those characteristics are ideal for bird rookeries, and fish nurseries and the area abounds in both.

E v e r g l a de s City is a sleepy little town, population 667, on the southeastern edge of the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge.

Everglades City is completely devoted to keeping fishermen, kayak-

May

2009

ers happy, and also to accommodate visitors who wish to experience the everglades from the deck of an airboat. Lodging at The Captain's Table or the Ivey House are very comfortable and inexpensive even during the peak season. And if you enjoy a good seafood diner, you've come to the right place; The Seafood Depot, Seafood City, and the Oyster House are but a sampling of the many fine eateries in Everglades City.

About 28 members of our club headed south on I-75 early Friday morning, planning to get in a mid-day paddle before check-in time at the hotel. One of the best features of paddling out of Everglades City is the wide variety of routes available, so any weather/wind conditions can be easily accommodated. Since it was quite windy when we arrived, we decided to paddle a relatively sheltered course up the Barron River around Everglades City.

Continued on facing page

Now open at Laishley Park Marina!

On the Water Kayak Rentals Shipʼs Store • Kayak Sales • 7am - 5pm Live Shrimp Local Information Charts & Maps Accessories

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Specializing in Heaters and Pumps

575-2525

Located in the Punta Gorda Crossing Shopping Center Next to Publix

Mon-Fri 9AM-5:30PM Sat 9AM-3PM

“Green Pool” Clean Up & Maintenance

May

2009

The Ranger Station on the western edge of town is an ideal launch site with lots of parking space, restrooms and information We on the waterways and streams. launched the kayaks and paddled northwest along the shore to the entrance of the Barron River, turning northeast toward the city. As you move up the river, marinas, boat docks, appear and you find yourself sharing the river with airboats.

The airboats were very busy but considerate of our group and gave us wide berth and small wakes. You can easily circle Everglades City via the Barron River, following the main channel to Lake Placid and back to the Ranger Station; an easy paddle of about 7 miles Fortunately, we returned just in time for a relaxing pool party before a wonderful seafood dinner at the Seafood Depot.

The Everglades National Park has experienced the same lack of rainfall that we have seen in other areas of Florida, and the north end of the Turner River was too shallow for kayaking. So we elected to paddle a loop-route, starting at the Highway 41/Seagrape Lane entrance to Halfway Creek, going through a mile or so of dense mangrove tunnels, and then heading back north to the launch area.

This is a relatively short paddle of about 7-8 miles, but it combines open stretches with narrow mangrove tunnels. There are usually some nice sized alligators somewhere along the way. And we were not disappointed; an alligator was stretched out

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

on a bank with his tail dangling in the water. It was a beautiful day, brilliant sun, and best of all no mosquitoes. The wind was strong from the east, but again we were sheltered most of the way by the mangroves.

Some of us die-hards decided to take an early paddle Sunday morning before returning to Port Charlotte.

A fairly short paddle up the southwestern end of Halfway Creek looked like a good c h o i c e .

The up and back route is about 5-6 miles, but it's possible to take the easterly branch to the Turner River and return to Chokoloskee Bay and the Ranger Station.

This turned out to be the best paddle of the three. Paddling east from the Ranger Station, you can pass under the Hwy. 29 bridge ( there was some tidal current under the bridge on the return leg), past Plantation, a residential community, and on north into wide mangrove channels.

Bird and Fish were plentiful on the Creek and the scenery was beautiful. Actually, we saw more wildlife on this paddle than the others combined. All in all, it was a great weekend of paddling with friends and we all look forward to our next weekend trip.

The Port Charlotte Kay ak ers meet each Wednesday ev ening at Port Charlotte Beach Park at 5:30 PM. All are welcome. For more information, contact me at 941-235-2588 or email to: dlaa@comcast.net. You can check out our upcoming paddles and ev ents at: pck ay ak ers.org Then come join us!

Stick It !

The shorter version of the Stick It Anchor Pin, origonally made for boats, are now taking hold with the kayak set. The reinforced resin anchor pin with a molded T handle makes a perfect compact lightweight shallow water anchoring system for paddlers and it stows anywhere a fishing rod will go.

Top: Florida Sportsman writer Jerry McBride sticks a pin on a shallow flat.

Below: One of the early model kayak pins, the new ones have the molded handle. www.stickitanchorpins.com

Page 19

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Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

May

2009

The Water Water LIFE LIFE Distributor始s Club

Cooks Sportland

4419 So. Tamiami Trail S. Venice 493-0025

is the Water LIFE Internet Provider

Pick up a copy of Water LIFE at any of these and 120+ other locations. Water LIFE is not affiliated with any newspaper or other publication and is distributed at select locations around the state. These free ads to our loyal distributors rotate on a monthly basis.

If you would like this publication for distribution at your business please call us at 941-766-8180

May

2009

SCUTTLEBUTT

Water LIFE

Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True

Taxing Charters The Florida legislature began its last week in the 2009 session and the sales tax issue for charter boats remains on the table, but now only for those carrying six passengers or more. On March 20 an amendment was adopted to continue the exemption on those charters carrying 6 passengers or less. It took 3 more hours of debate, but the Finance and Tax Committee finally voted on the sales tax exemption bill and the six pack amendment was adopted. Guides and Captains were trying to get the remainder of the charter boats exempted. Boating Lobbyist, Bonnie Basham, said "we are eating this elephant one

bite at a time. We could not remove the exemption completely in committee because the chair would not allow it."

Capt. Pat Kelly, President of the Florida Guides Association notes: “By getting the six pack exclusion adopted we have made the case for the argument that charters should not be taxed.” The plan is to add the remainder of the charter boats either on the floor or in the Appropriations committee.

The Senate does not particularly like this idea since it raises little money and there is no research or developed numbers for these exemptions in terms of what the removal will yield in tax

MAGAZINE

revenue.

Operators feel a good portion of the cost of a guided trip is already taxed, ie: fuel boat purchase, boat maintenance, Coast Guard License, fishing license, vessel license, fishing tackle, snacks, water, soft drinks, launch fees, etc.

Whatʼs That Noise? Officer Shawn Polly responded to a vessel accident near Naples Beach involving a sunken vessel. While underway, the owner/operator of the vessel noticed his vessel listing so he stopped to check the trim tabs.

Since everything seemed to be in working order he powered up the vessel. While on plane, he heard a loud cracking noise and turned in time to see both motors rising off the stern and

fall into the water. The operator called for help before the vessel sank. Naples Police Department

Page 21

was first to arrive and quickly recovered the operator from the water.

Crab House to Open in August “We bought a sawmill and cut all our own wood for the interior of the restaurant.” Bruce Laishley said talking about the interior of his new Crab House. Seen here is the bar area with its big tree trunks. A giant crab will hang overhead, a vintage truck will serve as the outside bar.

The Deadly Dozen : Charlotte Harbor FISHING GUIDES Charters

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Bus: 941-475-5538 Res: 941-473-2150

Captain Robert Moore

When you absoloutely positively want to catch fish

(941) 624-5710 www.captRobertMoore.com

offshore/backcountry

This Month!

4-hour Tarpon Trips starting at $375

Page 22

May Fishing Report Charlotte Harbor:

Robert at Fishin' Franks Port Charlotte: 625-3888

Tarpo n are going to be best thing going this month and it’ll be getting hot-and-heavy any day now. There are fish already in the upper harbor and tarpon should be pouring into the pass within the next week or two. Jigs are the best thing in the pass, obviously – remember no break-away tackle, and only three rods in the water. The captain has to be in control of the vessel at all times so he can’t have a rod in his hand.

For the tarpon in harbor the best bet is live threadfins or big pinfish. The old DOA Bait Buster is still a good option for those who want to fish with artificials.

Sharks will be another real abundant fish this month, bl ackti ps , bo nnetheads , bl ackno s e are all already in the harbor. The bigger bul l s and l emo ns will be moving in soon. The near shore wrecks are infested with sharks at the moment.

The best bait is cut fish, just set up a chum slick. For smaller sharks (with light tackle) try the alligator Creek Reef or the Cape Haze reef right now. Have an extra pole ready because there is a good chance a co bi a will swim up to the boat in the chum slick. Cobia are also cruising along the bars on the east or west side of the harbor, if it’s ever not windy in the morning you can see them ripple. Try a bucktail with a 12-inch plastic worm (black or purple) that is the best cobia bait since it emulates an eel very well.

Redfi s h are mixed and really scattered. It’s been an odd month and a half for redfish ... and s no o k too for that matter.

Water LIFE

May

MAGAZINE

Start looking for redfish in the ICW and in Pine Island sound.

Even try the beaches in the early a.m. and evenings.

Generally whitebait or fresh cut chunks of ladyfish are what reds will eat. Or try a cut up chunk of a giant shrimp. This time of year reds are transitioning their diet. Look for moving water and shade as the weather gets hot and you’ll find a redfish hanging out.

Once the wind starts to die dow there are permi t offshore and they will get more plentiful as time goes on. Any artificial reef, like Powerpole, Novak, Trembly, or Palm Island reefs will hold permit. For some reason those fish seem to prefer artificial structure to natural contours.

For the offshore guys, around the full moon of May, the s napper will go into their first spawn and they should school up heavy at the smaller wrecks around 25 miles offshore. The night fishin will be phenomenal. In the 15-20 mile range there will be some ki ng mackerel offshore and in 60-80 foot depths it won’t be unusual to see a schoolie dolphin.

May is a good month to look for tripletail on the channel markers and around the crab trap buoys. Throw them a crab, they like crabs.

Continued on facing page

2009

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May

Water LIFE

2009

Fishing Report .

The The BIG-4 BIG-4

Lemon Bay:

Jim at Fishermen’s Edge, Englewood: 697-7595

It’s been the same thing, struggling with redfi sh that are either smaller or way over. Slot fish are harder to find. It doesn’t matter if you are fishing artificials, white bait, or a pinfish under a cork. Everyone says it’s harder to get redfish this year. A lot of people say it’s tournament activity and pressure S nook is closed now, but you can catch and release them on the beach, in the passes, in the back country or on the Bull Bay or Turtle Bay bar. There have been quite a few fish around 30 something or 40 inches.

Those fish slipped through the cracks and they are safe

SHARK: Lots of small species here now, very big ones could be arriving very soon

now.

There have been pompano and permi t, a bunch of snapper, and the tarpon bite is picking up. At the Redbone Tournament at Palm Island they did well with tarpon last month.

Offshore, guys are going way off for grouper and snapper – 50 miles out.

There is a lot of bait coming up from the south. The water was black with baitfish and ki ng mackerel off shore, 50 miles out, the other day.

It should be reasonably good fishing for a while now.

Fish Fish to to expect expect in in May May

TARPON: More and more fish every day. Now the pass should fill

**ASK**

Abby Lamb from Woodbury, Minnesota, age 14, granddaughter of Brad and Randa Stanius of Punta Gorda, FL caught this redfish with Capt. Tom Fisher of Fishbone Charters.

Military Discounts

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C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s to

you

by:

941 - 625-2700

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941- 623-5883

REDFISH: Lots of oversized fish being reported, smaller reds moving around the harbor

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4265 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte

Buy One Dozen Regul ar S hri mp and get 1 Dozen FREE Pl ease menti on Water LIFE magazi ne Offer expires May 30, 2009 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun – Thurs 6 a.m. – Midnight Fri & Sat

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Page 23

MAGAZINE

May 1-3: Redfi s h Cup, Punta Gorda May 9-10; Fl atsmasters Redfi sh Cl assi c Tournament, Laishley Park, 941-637-5953 May 9 & 16: 2-Day Boati ng S afety Course, USCGAux, Flotilla 87, Englewood, Lemon Bay Park. $25, 697-9435 May 17: Fi rst PTTS Tarpon Tournament Boca Grande There after, every weekend until June 14, usually 7 am. Spectators on the pass beach, park by the lighthouse May 23: S weet Heart Coupl es Tournament Captain's Table/Harpoon Harry's.

Fishing May 24: Redfi s h Chal l eng e, Cape Coral, RIGHT NOW: 239-699-7426 Excellent!

June 4-7: 20th Cal oosa Catch and Rel ease, Pink Shell Resort, Fort Myers Beach, 239-850-1707 www.caloosacatchandrelease.com.

June 13: Fishin’ Franks’ 25th Annual S hark, S ai l cat, S ti ngray Tournament. Fish all night Saturday, weigh in Sunday a.m. at Fishin’ Franks. 941-625-3888 June 13 Charl otte Hi gh S chool Redfi sh Roundup, Laishley Park Marina 941-637-5953 June 27 IFA Redfi sh Tour at Stump Pass Marina in Englewood.

Send y our boating and fishing ev ent and calendar information to:

May

2009

Water LIFE

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MAGAZINE

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