Better Off Wet Water Lifestyle Magazine August 2022

AUGUST 2022

FOLLOW THAT DREAM TO

YANKEETOWN

B.O.W. CREW VISITS

INSHORE FISHING WITH

CAPT. BUDDY PRICE

IN JAX

SHELL MOUND

WelcomeHOME

5229 SANDRA DRIVE, WEEKI WACHEE, FL 34607

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$574,900

River Country Estates 4 Bedrooms + 3 Bathrooms 3 Car Garage Screen Enclosed Pool Gourmet Kitchen Great Room & Den Breakfast Bar Vaulted Ceilings Plantation Shutters Skylight(s) Walk-in Closet(s) Minutes from Weeki Wachee River and the Gulf

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROPERTY VISIT - https://bit.ly/38LJgdt

If you are thinking of buying, selling, or investing in real estate CONTACT ME TODAY!

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Get a positive, helpful partner for buying or selling a home:

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PUBLISHER Benjamin Chewning ben@betteroffwet.com SALES Megan Chewning megan@betteroffwet.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Theresa Barzyk TIBCreativeStudio@gmail.com

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WEB Juan De Leon info@webdevelopmentanddesign.com CONTACT Better Off Wet Media Group 352-238-7009 www.betteroffwet.com info@betteroffwet.com

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No part of this magazine or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the express written consent of the Publisher.

40 ARTICLES

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FOLLOW THAT DREAM TO YANKEETOWN. A beautiful small Florida town rich in history, scenery, and a great destination for any water lover and outdoorsmen.

INSHORE FISHING WITH CAPT. BUDDY PRICE IN JAX. The Better Off Wet Crew got to spend the day fishing with Capt. Buddy Price and brought home an incredible bag of delicious inshore filets!

SHELL MOUND. Shell Mound Campground, outside of Cedar Key, FL offers outdoor fun for the whole family. Check out our trip to the campground and get ready to plan your own adventure there!

PADDLING WITH GANGSTER GARY. Paddling with a Gangster? Well, there’s a first time for everything, we guess. Experience a beautiful day touring the springs of Crystal River.

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TAKE A KID OUTSIDE. “Take a kid fishing” is a great slogan and we at Better Off Wet couldn’t agree more.

Fishing teaches young people so many different life skills. But, if the kids don’t bite on to fishing right away, just take em outside and that desire to fish might just grow on its own.

GET OFF THE COUCH™, WITH SHEEP DOG IMPACT ASSISTANCE. B.O.W. was happy to spend a day on the water with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance’s Central Florida Team. Sheep Dog helps Veterans, Law Enforcement, and Firefighters Get Off The Couch™ and get outside.

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TITLE HERE

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6 BETTER OFF WET | JULY 2022

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Follow That Dream to Yankeetown

8 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Follow That Dream to Yankeetown

FOLLOW THAT DREAM TO

YANKEETOWN

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Follow That Dream to Yankeetown

U

nique within Florida, Yankeetown is a small, hidden hamlet on the Gulf of Mexico, where nature and neighbors blend together. Majestic Oak trees draped with Spanish moss provide the background to our main street, while the beautiful Withlacoochee River provides our scenic waterway. Established in 1923, many of the original homes have been lovingly preserved, providing Yankeetown with a unique and charming landscape and rich history. Residents and visitors alike enjoy boating, fishing, the abundant wildlife and birds, the natural hammocks, marshlands, nature trails, bike paths, and kayaking. Waving hello to a passerby is a must in this friendly town, along with enjoying the beautiful sunsets. Serenity and nature have made Yankeetown their home.

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Follow That Dream to Yankeetown

Yankeetown is a small village of about five hundred just upstream of where the Withlacoochee River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, known by many as the town where Elvis “followed that dream.’

The village was settled in 1923 by an Indiana lawyer and politician named Armanis F. Knotts. A.F. Knotts had settled in nearby Inglis and owned land downriver. Mr. Knotts built the Izaak Walton Lodge as a place for fishing fans to eat and sleep in comfort. The lodge was named for Izaak

Walton, who was the famous author of the fishing classic “The Compleat Angler” that was written in England in the 1600s. The lodge location as of 2019, is home of Blackwater Restaurant. This place has a relaxing view of the river and features seafood and hand carved steaks. The dining room has a beautiful view of the Withlacoochee River as it flows gently towards the Gulf of Mexico. If you are lucky you may spot Manatee’s as you eat.

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Follow That Dream to Yankeetown

Today Yankeetown is a commercial fishing town. The Oak shaded streets are draped with Spanish moss and lined with examples of “Old Florida” cracker homes. The diverse rambling buildings and ancient trees remind you of how the whole State of Florida used to be before Yankees discovered it back in the day. The tranquil town of Yankeetown came to life for a few weeks in 1961 when Elvis Presley and film crews came to town to make Elvis’s 9th movie,” Follow that dream”.

Much of the filming was done to12 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Follow That Dream to Yankeetown

ward the end of County Road 40 just downstream of Yankeetown on the Bird Creek Bridge, which still stands today. You can walk over the bridge and think of Elvis. A section of the highway leading to Yankeetown was renamed “Follow That Dream Parkway” to honor the memory of those good old days. Many local people were extras in the movie, and the local economy was helped a lot by the movie producers hiring locals to work on the sets. They labored converting local Pumpkin Island into a white sand beach and just being general workers and handy people on the set. Yankeetown still makes its living from commercial and sport fishing activities, and town life is centered along Riverside Drive which parallels the north bank of the Withlacoochee River.

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Follow That Dream to Yankeetown

“

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The town is a slice of serene Old Florida... ”

Follow That Dream to Yankeetown

The town is a slice of serene Old Florida, but there was a time in the early 1960s when it was electrified by the presence of the King of Rock and Roll.

Text for this article was used from Yankeetown’s public government website: https://yankeetownfl.govoffice2.com/ The Town Hall is located at 6241 Harmony Lane, Yankeetown, FL 34498 The hours of operations are from 8am-3pm.

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B’s Marina

B’S MARINA & CAMPGROUND

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B’s Marina

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B’s Marina

B’s Marina & Campground is your Nature Coast Destination Resort on the beautiful Withlacoochee River, with deep water, no bridges, and just 2.5 miles from the Gulf of Mexico!

The dockside depot has beer, wine, ice, firewood, and gasoline. B’s Marina & Campground offers a concrete boat ramp, 4 cabin rentals, 28 full hookup RV Spots (beautifully located amongst the Oak trees), several primitive camping spots, deep water dock slips, sail boat slips, covered boat slips, boat rentals, kayak rentals, bike rentals, live music, and much more.

From the time the Better Off Wet

18 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

B’s Marina

Crew arrived at B’s Marina & Campground, we were warmly welcomed, we fell in love with the atmosphere, and we couldn’t help but notice the cool looking chicken coop (B’s has the fresh eggs for sale in the office).

We had no issues launching our 26 foot boat, with our RV, thanks to a nice long concrete boat ramp, located at B’s. The tide was out when we launched our boat. But, we didn’t have to worry about how much water

was beneath us, because the Withlacoochee River is deep. We had around 10 feet of water beneath us, at the dock, at low tide. We got a great spot, under an Oak tree, for our RV, and within minutes of getting set up, had already made a few new camp buddies. The pace seemed to slow instantly, as we looked around at how beautiful and tranquil the Marina’s location is. Welcome to B’s!

Our first evening spent on the

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B’s Marina

water at B’s we saw tons of wildlife and fish. On the way out to the Gulf we saw Redfish, Tarpon, Gar, Snook, Dolphin, Turtles, Alligators, and tons of bird species. One of our fellow campers and new buddy Gavin, caught a beautiful slob of a Snook he was happy to show us and tell us all about. Snook were out of season, but it wouldn’t have mattered anyway as the Snook was over 36 inches. We saw a lot of good results fishing the points along the banks heading out the river, towards the Gulf. It is truly hard to take everything in while cruising and fishing this beautiful river.

Given the short distance from B’s Marina & Campground to the Gulf of Mexico, it is an obvious choice for the offshore fisherman. There is live bait available just around the corner from B’s, by boat or car. We saw plenty of bait all around the public boat ramp near the channel entrance to the Gulf, as well. Bring your boat, rent one, or book a charter with a local guide and have a blast fishing the waters near B’s. This is also especially nice during Scallop season. B’s stays very busy during Scallop season, so be sure to book your stay in advance.

B’s Marina & Campground offers

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B’s Marina

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B’s Marina

many opportunities for adventure, like freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, boating, ocean kayaking, river kayaking, canoeing, kayak fishing, sailing, birding, touring, and nature and wildlife photography. Kayaking or canoeing the Withlacoochee River and the Gulf of Mexico is a paddlers dream. Down river on your way to the Gulf there’s an abundance of wildlife, shore birds, and miles of tributaries and islands to explore. It’s a 2.5 mile paddle to the Gulf from B’s or jump off the main river and catch a backwater creek run to the Gulf. The Withlacoochee River is designated as an “Outstanding Florida Waterway”.

The natural beauty of the river will give you hours, days, weeks, and/or months of outdoor pleasure.

The Coastal areas in and around the Withlacoochee and Gulf are the annual migratory route of many species of birds. Yankeetown is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Early morning & late afternoon is the best time for bird watching and to photograph and observe the wildlife. Around every bend there is an abundance of wildlife.

The B.O.W. Crew enjoyed their time

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B’s Marina

at B’s Marina & Campground enough, to possibly never want to leave. A true “Old Florida” serene location, on deep water, protected but still close to the Gulf…What water lover wouldn’t want to leave? Please, contact B’s to plan your next camping and watery adventure on the Withlacoochee and Gulf.

OFFICE

6621 Riverside Dr, Yankeetown, FL 34498 (352)566-8319 bsmarinacampground@gmail.com Winter Office hours are Mon-Sun 8am-6pm Summer Office hours are Mon-Sun 8AM-8PM

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Fishing with Captain Buddy Price

Fishing with

Captain

Buddy Price

24 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Fishing with Captain Buddy Price

C

aptain Buddy Price was nice enough to invite Better Off Wet out for a day of inshore fishing in Jacksonville. Captain Buddy keeps his boat at Clapboard Creek Fish Camp Marine, at 6233 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226. There is plenty of parking at Clapboard Creek Fish Camp Marine, so it should be an easy in and onto the boat for you, if you decide to go fishing with Capt. Buddy. Capt. Buddy does fishing Charters on Sundays and Tuesdays. Capt. Buddy is also a full time car dealer, who has been in the car business, since the mid nineties. So, if you are in need of a new ride, he can handle that for you, as well as put you on some good fishing!

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Fishing with Captain Buddy Price

We met Captain Buddy around 6:30 on a beautiful Tuesday morning. The days had been super hot in the weeks leading up to our trip with Capt. Buddy, but the cloud cover and breeze this day seemed to shave 20 degrees off the temperature. Capt. Buddy is a funny and light hearted fishing Captain. From the time we met throughout our entire day, we had a blast talking, joking, and laughing while we caught fish. Capt. Buddy’s passion for fishing is easy to see.

26 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Fishing with Captain Buddy Price

First things first, we needed to get some bait, which Capt. Buddy put us right on the bait. After just a few minutes, we were off to try and catch some fish. We caught some nice sized Mangrove Snapper at the onset of our trip, just after daylight, around some structure Capt. Buddy was very familiar with. We had a slow start, like many days fishing, and then the Mangrove Snapper bite decided to turn on! We were thinking about recipes and licking our lips as the keeper Mangroves came on board!

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Fishing with Captain Buddy Price

28 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Fishing with Captain Buddy Price

After the Snapper bite turned off, Capt. Buddy took us to a couple Flounder spots which worked out well. We caught some keeper Flounder as well as some Jack Crevelle, which we tossed back. Flounder are a ton of fun to catch on hook and line. We were using knocker rigs and small circle hooks, with the Mud Minnows we caught earlier in the morning.

Captain Buddy told us to try waiting for the third nibble, then the Flounder would eat the bait, and then the hook sets were more frequent, with less bait lost. The tide was starting to come back in, so Capt. Buddy pointed us towards some Oyster bars, where we hoped to get some Redfish.

“

Flounder are a ton of fun to catch on hook and line.”

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Fishing with Captain Buddy Price

30 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Fishing with Captain Buddy Price

We were able to dodge a couple showers from what seemed to be a handful of storms and made it to our destination, with no issues. We could just see the tops of the Oyster beds, when we rolled up, then we saw the Redfish. Capt. Buddy had us right on the desired species of fish again! Wow, we absolutely love catching Redfish and Capt. Buddy had us catching them all shapes and sizes. After were had our limit on the Reds, we decided to head back to the dock and clean some fish.

What a great day the Better Off Wet Crew had, out on the water, with Captain Buddy! Many thanks to you again Capt. Buddy! The fishing was great and the fish were delicious!

Please, reach out to buddy at 904451-8531, to schedule your day of fishing. Check his Instagram out too; he has a lot of good photos. @ lifechangingcharters

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Shell Mound Campground

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Shell Mound Campground

The Better Off Wet Crew got the opportunity to head up to Shell Mound Campground, near Cedar Key this July. We arrived at the campground to see very little movement. Upon arrival we learned why there wasn’t much movement…the yellow flies were numerous and apparently extremely agitated with the B.O.W. Crew (they are only there for one month, in Summer, we were told).

But, being armed with some of Veritas Soap Company’s “You Can’t Bug This” all natural bug repellant, we put up a great defense against the pesky flies. A good attitude and some good bug juice will go a long way though on any outdoor adventure, in our opinion. The Shell Mound Campground is extremely beautiful and relaxed. We, the B.O.W. Crew, often find ourselves in the “slow moving” locations and flies or no flies, if

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Shell Mound Campground

you are a water lover; we think you will enjoy Shell Mound Campground.

Shell Mound Campground has a concrete boat ramp and a wooden dock. The tide was out when we arrived and there was literally no water to launch a boat (be advised to check tides, when planning a trip with a boat). The tide would be heading in soon, so we set up our campsite, had a bite to eat, and got our fishing gear together to be ready to go fish, at the dock by the boat ramp, and enjoy a wonderful West coast sunset.

The boat ramp area at Shell Mound Campground is home to tons of bait.

With just a couple cast net throws, we had plenty of mud minnows and were ready for some Redfish action! The boat ramp area provides many places to fish from the banks. If you walk the trail by the fish cleaning station, about 500 feet, there is a great point that we noticed have a lot of fish on both incoming and outgoing tides. The birds and other wildlife (including wild pigs) are abundant, everywhere you look. Since the campground was slow, while we were there, we took advantage of the beautiful dock and fished the grass line off the North side. We had good luck with the mud

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Shell Mound Campground

minnows and were able to catch some nice smaller Reds that first night.

Make sure everything is inside or put away at your campsite…This is good advice for any camping situation or location. But, we did not follow that rule, when it came to our bait, which we thought was fine, stored outside, in a sealed 5 gallon aerator bucket. The raccoons probably laughed as they ripped the lid from the bucket and feasted on our bait.

So, day 2 started off with catching

more bait, after cleaning up the mess from the Raccoons. The bait was still thick, like the day before, down at the boat ramp. The cast net also produces the tiniest Flounder, we had ever seen. We made sure the mini Flounder all made it back in the water to grow into big door mats, then set out to catch a nice keeper Red for supper. Thankfully, we caught several nice fish including a beautiful slot redfish around 22 inches. Praise the Lord; we just knew those were going

to be some delicious filets! We were fishing using 2/0 circle hooks through the mouths of the mud minnows.

The slot size for this area is 18-27 inches. A crazy start to the morning, with the bait was a distant memory after catching some beautiful Redfish.

And, after a few laughs with some fellow campers about the Raccoon incident, we filleted the keeper Red at the cleaning station adjacent to the boat ramp and went back to camp, to eat some breakfast.

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Shell Mound Campground

After breakfast, we hitched up the official B.O.W. Crew mascots, Chomper and Carolina, and went to hike the trails, near the fishing pier, just down the road from the campground about a quarter mile. There are many areas to stop and read signs that inform you all about the surrounding area(s), the Shell Mounds, and the folks who inhabited the area in years past.

The trails are not very difficult by most people’s standards, we think.

And, the walk is definitely worth it to get the view from atop Shell Mound. The fishing pier is also elevated and provides a nice view, as well.

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Shell Mound Campground

After hiking, exploring, and having some good conversation with some other tourists to the area, we headed back to Shell Mound Campground, to get prepped up to fish the evening’s incoming tide.

We had good results again, with the same tackle as previous mentioned and caught more Reds, including another nice keeper. Fresh Redfish fillets for dinner, “woo wee”, that’s what’s up and that is what we were hollering as we ate dinner that night. Just a little Cajun seasoning, some butter, and a flame had the filets tasting great.

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Shell Mound Campground

We truly enjoyed our stay at Shell Mound Campground and think any water lover will, as well. Bring a good attitude, boat, fishing gear, hiking shoes, and some “You Can’t Bug This” and have yourself a wonderful outdoor adventure there too!

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Shell Mound Campground

HOOKUPS: 30 Amp, 20 Amp, water, dry camping RECREATION: boat ramp, fishing, picnic area, recreation trails, water access FACILITIES: dump station, restrooms, showers, trash, water available PETS: allowed Shell Mound Campground - Open Year-Round 17650 SW 78th Place Cedar Key, FL 32625 Phone: (352) 221-4466 Campsite Rates Electric & Water: $25 Electric Only: $20 Primitive: $10

Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center

Crystal River

Kayak and Dive Center 40 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center

Better Off Wet Crew gets a kayak tour of Crystal River’s springs with Gangster Gary For us, waking up to a gorgeous sunrise, with no clouds in the sky, and getting ready to head out on a kayak trip…well, that sounds like an amazing start to a day on the water. And today, we are in beautiful Crystal River, Florida with the longest running kayak tour guide at Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center, Gangster Gary. We will get to the nickname in a bit. But, just after meeting Gangster Gary and launching our kayaks, we knew we were in for a treat and a good time spending the morning with him. The water was as clear as water can be, plenty of Eel Grass under our kayaks, and low and behold a marvelous Manatee right under us before we could barely get away from the dock. We are off to a great start on the King’s Bay Tour and thanks to the Lord a blessed start to our day.

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Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center

Gary gave a nice quick kayak tutorial and safety rundown, as any good tour guide would. We feel pretty good on a kayak, but of course not all customers are the same and I imagine some days may be more like cat herding than human guiding for Gary. Gary has a great demeanor and we think he is a great teacher out in his watery classroom.

Gary is extremely informative about Crystal River’s springs and Manatees and we get the impression he will welcome all your questions about either subject.

Crystal River maintains a constant 72 degree temperature and has a lot of Eel Grass (the ideal Manatee table fare), which makes it a great destination for Manatees. We were informed that there

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are 3 types of Eel Grass, one of which gets the nickname “Manatee Crack” by most folks, but Gary prefers “Manatee Catnip”. Either nickname you decide to go with; be on the lookout for the Grass that has what looks like to us to be a budding flower on top of it, because that’s apparently the “good stuff”. Manatees are incredible creatures and only after a short time paddling with Gary, we’d already seen quite a few. Along with the Manatees, expect to see other wildlife such as Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Alligators, wild hogs, Otters, and many fish species.

Crystal River is not only attractive to Manatees because of its unique characteristics but too us humans, as well.

As Gangster Gary continued showing us around the springs and filling our brains

Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center

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Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center

with tons of good information about the area and Manatees, he also had us laughing with his surplus of Manatee jokes.

He says there are 3 common thoughts on his nickname, Gangster Gary. We like the first one the most. You’ll have to take a tour with him to find out all 3 but, we will let you in on the secret of how he got the nickname. Gary was in a Bible study with a young guy who gave him the nickname because it was so far from being his personality. We would agree with that statement. Gangster Gary is a cool nickname for a cool guy, who will definitely show you a good time on the water. Thanks to Gary and all the great folks at Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center.

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Crystal River Kayak and Dive Center

To book tours please contact Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center at 1422 SE US Hwy 19, Crystal River, Florida 34429. (352) 795-2255. They are open seven days a week from 08:00 am – 04:00 pm. Please, be advised that they close early on days of heavy rains and thunder storms. Please, call ahead if you are in doubt. We are open year round with the exception of two days: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

iere r Prem Rive The Crystal n r i u e Plac For yo nd s ak a Kay cursion Ex e v i D

www.CrystalRiverKayakCompany.com

352-795-2255

Launch from and return to our private launch dock Kayak Rentals Pontoon Tours Kayak Tours

An easy 10 minute paddle to the beautiful Three Sisters Springs SCAN OUR QR CODE TO BOOK NOW ited ly Lime On Tim

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NUAL 49TH ANOPEN ST. PETE INSIDE

Better Off Wet Better magazine Off Wetis magazine a FREE quarterly is a FREE magazine quarterlyfull magazine of articles, fullinformation of articles, information and and SILENT photographsphotographs about life onabout the water. life onDesigned the water. toDesigned educate, inform to educate, and entertain inform and readers, entertain readers, APPROACH Better Off Wet Magazine is full of articles, information and every issue will every contain: issue will contain: LTS SEE RESU

HING KAYAK FIS , FL STUART

20162016 Winter Winter Issue Issue

photographs about life on the water. Designed to educate, inform and entertain readers, every issue will contain:

BOATING

BOATING BOATING

DIVING

DIVINGDIVING

INSHORE FISHING INSHORE FISHING INSHORE FISHING

GONE GIGGIN’

NKS ON THE BA KE OF LA EE OKEECHOB

OFFSHORE FISHING OFFSHORE FISHING

DIVING

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DIVERS 4 HEROES

AYE ERI D SH H CAPT. AJ RS VE IN WIT

How do you feel when you see a wounded warrior? The sight provokes many emotions, but for some they feel called to action.

Which is exactly what inspired the founders of Divers 4 Heroes (D4H).

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Divers 4 Heroes 501c3. www.Divers4Heroes.org photo copyright Debbie Twillman

OFFSHORE FISHING

FRESH WATER EVENTS EVENTS FRESH WATER

SPEARFISHING

Photo Credit: Alessandra Hally

Favorite Groupers for sport fishing include the Gag Grouper that averages 30 pounds, and the Black Grouper is a much heftier species that can top 100 pounds. The Red Grouper is a moderately sized yet robust.

The Florida state record catch for a Red is 42 pounds 4 ounces. They all hit hard and dive to the bottom fast. Stay secure on your boat or these warriors will pull you right out of your boots!

you like Bass and Halibut, you’re sure to enjoy Grouper; fried, baked, and grilled.

One interesting side note about Grouper—

they may change sex when mature—but that has nothing to do with fishing, so let’s get on with the tips of the day from Captain Jimmy Nelson.

The Goliath Grouper, true to its name, can weigh in at over 800 pounds with a length of eight feet or more. These heavy weights put up quite a battle if you hook one, but understand that the Goliath is a protected species, so catch and release is a must. You can spot them by their brown or yellow mottling (small black spots on the head and fins and rounded tail). Younger Goliaths show dark stripes on their bodies.

If you haven’t eaten it, fresh Grouper is a lean, moist flaky fish with a firm texture and a mild, but unique flavor. The Red Grouper is slightly sweeter and milder than the Black Grouper. Some chefs prefer the taste and texture of Red Grouper while both are tasty. If

Postscript, by Sheri: I’ve been lucky to make some genuine friendships through spearfishing, and one of my dearest is with AJ Hally and his family. I’ve had the honor of seeing AJ grow from a sweet boy when I first met him into the talented young man he is today. He is one heck of a spearfisherman, and he’s landed some very impressive fish, but I’m equally impressed by his captaining skills and his desire to help others achieve their dreams in the water.

You go, AJ -- looking forward to our next adventure in the water!

GONE

INFO

AJ Hally Into the Blue Charters Ph: 305.923.6085 / Em: AJ@Intothebluecharters.com Facebook: Into The Blue Spearfishing Charters Instgram: @Intotheblue_charters

GIGGIN!

Sheri Daye The Blue Wild - Ocean Adventure Expo www.TheBlueWild.com Facebook: The Blue Wild

Andrea Duenas Frog gigging is something we here at Better Off Wet feel every Florida outdoor lover should try.

It is great (inexpensive) fun for the whole family and provides a tasty meal, as well. After your first trip, we know you’ll be hooked! Frog gigging has been an American nighttime sport for many years, especially here in Florida. The concept is simple.

We took one of our Better Off Wet girls, Christina Corkern, out on Lake Okeechobee to go gigging.

We first went to the local bait & tackle shop and geared up with a gig pole, gig and spot light. Frogs can be found in ponds, lakes, creeks or rivers (just listen and you will hear their high pitched chirping calls). We were lucky enough to be on the largest freshwater lake in Florida and went out on an airboat with one of the locals. An important aspect of frog gigging is the timing; you have to wait until it’s good and dark until you begin to move along the banks either by foot or boat, scanning the shore line and lily pads. It was not minutes until we reached our first location and could see several pairs of glowing white eyes and the occasional white belly within our spotlight’s path.

Photo Credit: Alessandra Hally

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We slowly began our pursuit by inching through the waters, after Christina’s first few attempts, she learned quickly and perfected her attack by keeping eyes on the frog, a tight grip on the gig pole and with one swift motion; jab the gig through the frog. Once a frog is gigged, depending on your set up, you can either place the frog in a mesh bag or through an aluminum frog chute with a bag attached underneath. The frog chute makes the process much easier and faster when on the bow of a boat. A simple bag or bucket works perfectly if gigging by foot. Ok, so you’ve gigged a frog... Now you have to put him in your bag or frog chute. It’s easy to think that your catch is dead, but a lot of the time they are waiting to come off the gig... so, they can make a run for it. Be careful taking them off and moving them to your bag… Or, they might just get away. If you can complete these steps and gig 30 or more frogs, you can easily feed a nice size family. But, remember… like most other things in life… Just because a concept is simple; it doesn’t mean it will necessarily be easy. Gigging the frogs can be frustrating at first. But, after the

first few, you will be a pro. Christina missed quite a few frogs in the beginning of our trip, but once she perfected the steps, she closed the night out with over 45 frogs! Frog gigging poles range from 6-14ft long; You’ll probably want a long pole, so that you can get to the frogs easier. But, the longer the pole…the more inaccurate it may be. So, ask the experts at your local bait & tackle shop what they suggest for the right length pole that is best suited for you. The first priority in any sport or activity is always…Safety. Make sure you have on the proper attire for the occasion. Frogs have other predators out there hunting them, as well: be on the lookout for snakes and gators. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, by watching where your feet and hands are located. It’s best to have someone go with you, for increased safety and good company. They are able to provide an extra spot light and set of eyes for spotting frogs, lookout for those snakes and gators mentioned and offer any assistance you may need bagging the catch.

Special thanks to Jeff Treece for taking Better Off Wet out!

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ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Come with us and discover Weedon Island.

One of the “must sees’ in Florida. Weedon Island Preserve is an expansive 3,190-acre natural area located on Tampa Bay. It is comprised mostly of marine ecosystems. The Preserve is a well-known birding and fishing site.

The Preserve’s rich human history began with prehistoric peoples who thrived on the abundant fish, shellfish, plants, and mammals of the wetlands, islands and estuaries of Tampa Bay. These people evolved into Photo credit: Bay Soundings. the Weeden Island culture that lasted some 800 years. Their social structure included ceremonial and artistic pottery.

In 2011, archaeologists and volunteers excavated an ancient dugout canoe from the shoreline of Weedon Island Preserve.

The canoe was first discovered by a local resident in 2001.

Radiocarbon testing yielded a date of AD 690–1010.

Today, the preserve protects this wide diversity of natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.

Sweetwater Kayak’s self-guided kayak tours give seafarers a quiet look at the ecosystems of Weedon Island without the

clamor and commotion of a motorboat. Wind along the 4-mile marked trail, across the crystal clear lagoons and through mangrove tunnels in which you will likely see a resident bird, dolphin, or manatee. Each trip lasts up to four hours and provides a panorama of pristine environments and a glimpse into the life of a pirate or native floridian. Sweetwater Kayaks will provide the necessary vessels, paddles, life vests, and trail maps. They sell kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for the novice paddler, the expedition minded paddler, and everyone in-between. Everyone on Sweetwater’s staff is a coach and possesses certification from the American Canoe Association (ACA), British Canoe Union (BCU), or both. “We have put hundreds of paddlers on the water over the last 20 years, and are skilled at matching your size, physical capabilities, and paddling skills with the right kayak, thereby enhancing your comfort, fun, and safety for your style of paddling.”

“Tampa Bays hidden gem”

Staff Report

If, you like spearfishing, having fun and enjoying a weekend on the water, you will love the St. Pete Open (SPO)! This was the 49th year that the St. Petersburg Underwater Club (SPUC) has hosted the event, turning it into the largest spearfishing event in the world. In l966, 50 divers entered the first ever St. Pete Open. Since its inception, the Open has grown to an annual attendance of more than 300 competitors. There were 343 shooters this year, the second highest turnout! More than 6,000 people, spanning the last 40+ years have taken part in the St. Pete Open; making it the premier spearfishing event in the world. From the time we arrived and met with Denny, Dean, and many of the other welcoming Club members, we felt right at home. We could instantly tell that the members are very passionate about their sport, event, and of course...having fun. This year the SPO was held at the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove, marking the tenth year that the event has been held at the hotel.

The Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove is a great place for any fishing event or a simple weekend getaway.

The Hotel is right on the water and has a beautiful view of the Skyway Bridge. Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove is perfect for family fishing fun. With a private beach and private 32 boat slip marina, guests will enjoy all the first-class amenities of a full service resort. Guests of the Hotel will never lack for fun things to do: there are two swimming pools available, as well as hot tub, fitness center, volleyball, tennis and shuffleboard courts, jogging path, playground, bicycle rentals, yoga classes and arcade room. Don’t worry about getting hungry; because the Hotel offers waterfront dining at Periscopes or Banyan Tree Deli. And, for all of you pet owners out there, it is a pet friendly resort! We would like to thank Steve Springman (Hotel Manager) and all of his great staff, for a wonderful stay. Steve has been at the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove since 1991, and is very passionate about taking care of his guests. We cannot wait for next year, the 50th St. Pete Open! And, the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove will be hosting once again. Everything kicked off on Friday night with registration by the pool from 6-8, followed by a Captain’s meeting from 8:30-9 pm. This is where everyone has a chance

to register, get their Captain’s bags, mingle, catch up with old friends and new friends and hear any rule changes and guidelines the current President GR Tarr announced. We had an incredible time meeting individuals who all share the same passion for the sport and lifestyle of being out on the water, from all over the country. The meeting ended with a big surprise for all the captains, having been told they would each receive a complimentary case of Tampa Bay Brewing Company’s new Reef Donkey APA. After that, the countdown began for all the divers, waiting 3 more hours until the tournament began at 12:01 a.m. on that Saturday. Saturday, the line started around 6 p.m. and teams were allowed until 7:30 p.m. to have their entire catch in the weigh-in line, with at least one team member present. For whatever the reason may be, you can not weigh in a minute past 7:30 p.m. The weigh in line is where the action began, for the captains, friends, family and guests of the St. Pete Open. Shooters are waiting in line to see if their catch will be just a couple ounces or pounds bigger than the last fish weighed. As each fish makes its way onto the stage,

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the thousand attendees would roar and applaud every time, and even more when someone topped the previous standing weight. There were numerous large Grouper, Snapper, Amberjack, Hogfish, Barracuda, Cobia, Sheepshead, and Lobster. However, S.P.U.C member and owner of E-SeaRider marine bean bags, Pat Bennett had everyone in the crowd screaming when the biggest fish of the day, a Grouper, showed up at 99.75 lbs! What a beautiful fish it was. Saturday night continued into the early morning with fishing stories, Reef Donkeys, swimming, and celebration for the sport of spearfishing.

Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. was the awards ceremony. The ceremony is always held inside, rain or shine. The St. Petersburg Underwater Club had a prize table with the best gear, gift certificates, and marine related items than we could possibly take in.

It is known as the largest prize table in spearfishing.

As a part of the SPO; every person who weighs a fish on Saturday gets an opportunity to pick a prize on Sunday. Here we saw first year shooters win trophies and prizes as well as shooters who have been coming for decades. Also, there are mystery tickets that give everyone a chance to win. It was an amazing thing to witness so many passionate spearfishing lovers in one room. The awards ceremony on Sunday is fun for every member of the family and is a great finish to an awesome weekend.

Better Off Wet would like to give a special thanks to everyone we met at the St. Pete Open! We had a blast as a first year sponsor. And, thank you to Paul Fleming from Intrepid Powerboats for taking us on the Intrepid 327 Center Console for a closing boat ride to a fun-filled weekend. We cannot wait to see everyone next year at the 50th St. Pete Open. And, we cannot stress enough to all the spearfishing men and women out there...to go ahead and start looking into being at next year’s Open. SPUC is a member of the FSDA (Florida Skin Divers Association) West Coast Council. www.divefsda.com

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TITLE HERE

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SAFETY

GEARED for KAYAKS SWEET RIDE

The latest generation of fishing kayak is now here. The Feel Free Lure, coming in three sizes (10 ft, 11.5 ft and 13.5 ft), has all the amenities a fishing fan could ask for. Rod and drink holders, places for tools as well as tackle boxes, coolers ect. They also have all the handles molded into the hull so there is no place for a line to catch on as a fish works its way around the boat. Also they all have a standing deck in front of the most comfortable seat in kayak fishing today!

The Stern wheel makes getting your kayak to and from the water a breeze. Here at Sweetwater Kayaks, we are all paddlers and can help you make the right decisions to maximize your on water experience. Sweetwaterkayaks.com l 727.570.4844

Better Off Wet is all about life DESTINATIONS DESTINATIONS on the water! Whether you are fishing, boating, swimming, diving, relaxing at the beach, floating in the pool, or working (yes, even working) on the water, we at Better Off Wet believe it is time well spent! Better Off Wet Magazine will be delivered to thousands of folks electronically, every month. With each issue containing a variety of water lifestyle Better Off Wet RECIPES topics, RECIPES Magazine is sure to be a valuable resource to advertisers. Please, reach out to us to find out more.

COOLER THAN THE REST

Finally, a cooler to make your fishing trip frustration-free! The Award Winning Engel UC30-RH, for even the most expert fisherman or angler, getting an armful of rods out to the water is beyond frustrating, especially when you’re carrying so much other gear. That’s why Engel created the Cooler / DryBox with Rod Holders, a unique cooler with fishing rod attachments that hold your rods, so you don’t have to! This ideal gem has all the reliable insulation, rugged durability and storage protection you’ve come to expect from Engel Cooler / DryBoxes – with the added convenience of removable rod holders that stay firmly secured thanks to specially-molded brackets that attach to our cooler wall from the inside. ICAST 2014 New Product Showcase “WINNER” Best of Show in Tackle Management Systems. *Shown with: Comfortable - Optional Cooler / DryBox Cushion Made of durable vinyl dipped closed cell foam rubber. Die cut for accessing cooler handle - for easy carrying. Hook and loop attachment for securing to your coolers lid. Engel Cooler / DryBox weight limit is 220lbs - for UC30 model. Engel-USA.com l 888.272.9838

FISH BEWARE

The new DOA 4 – inch Shad was developed in response to the company’s customers’ demands for a larger profile shad-style bait. The heavy mass of plastic in the nose of this bait allows for maximum holding power when matched to a DOA jighead. The large opening in the belly of the bait and recessed hook slot allow for flawless rigging with worm or screw lock-style hooks. The Shad’s broad tail provides a hard “pulse” in the water as well as a natural flutter on the drop. This new bait has already performed impressively in both salt and freshwater. Doalures.com l 877.DOA.LURES

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14 BETTER OFF WET | FALL 2014

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SAFETY LIFE JACKETS SAVE LIVES but ONLY IF YOU WEAR THEM!

RECIPES

to With print plans 20,000+ to print magazines 20,000+ distributed magazines FREE, distributed throughout FREE,the throughout state of Florida the state every of quarter, Florida every Betterquarter, Off WetBetter magazine Off Wet is magazine is a valuable sure to be resource a valuable for advertisers. resource forBetter advertisers. off WetBetter magazine off Wet willmagazine be available willinbe fish/tackle available shops, in fish/tackle dive shops, shops, boat diveretailers, shops, boat retailers, nters, charter resorts, centers, general resorts, water-spots generalbusinesses, water-spots marinas businesses, and other marinas industry and other outlets. industry Since outlets. it is free,Since we plan it is to free, expand we plan by to expand by oreprinting copies and more sending copiesthe andmore sending places thewith more each places newwith issue! each Better newOff issue!

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HANK CUSHARD - United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - Flotilla 59

STUART, Fla. | All recreational vessels must carry on board at least one approved wearable-type life jacket for each person on board or being towed. All life jackets, otherwise known as PFDs(personal flotation devices), must be the proper size for the intended wearer, be in good condition, readily accessible and United States Coast Guard (USCG)-approved. Furthermore, ” while on Florida waters, any person under six years of age must wear a PFD of proper size while on board any vessel less than 26 feet in length that is underway.” (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, MyFWC.com). Information below will give you an idea of what it all means.

United States Coast Guard Life Jacket Classifications:

TYPE I: The offshore life jacket provides the most buoyancy. It is effective for all waters, especially open, rough or remote waters where rescue may be delayed. It floats you best but is bulky and not comfortable for extended wear.

TYPE II: The near-shore vest is intended for calm, inland water where a quick rescue expectation. These are the basic orange vests most boaters have on board.

TYPE III: The flotation type vests are good for calm, inland water, or where there is a good chance of quick rescue.

These are the most common jacket used for recreational purposes.They are light weight and comfortable.

TYPE IV: Throwable devices like a cushion or a ring and can be thrown to anyone in the water needing assistance.

TYPE V: Special-use devices are intended for a specific activities and may be carried instead of another life jacket if used according to the approved conditions. These include work vests, board sailing vests, etc.

Some other noteworthy requirements: • Readily accessible means you must be able to put the PFD on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency. PFDs should not be stowed in plastice bags, in locked or closed compartments.

• All vessels 16 feet or greater (except canoes and kayaks) must carry one Type IV throwable preserver (i.e., ring or cushion).

• Inflatable PFDs are authorized for persons over 16 years of age and are not recommended for use by weak swimmers or nonswimmers.

• Personal watercraft operators and all passengers must wear a PFD at all times.

Remember this, 90 % of those who drown while boating were not wearing a life jacket. They work if you wear them.

This information is provided as a guideline and not to be used for any other purpose.

Some information reprinted from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s About Boating Safety.

BETTEROFFWET.COM 13

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Please contact us:

SPEARFISHING FRESH WATER FRESH WATER

was invited on the show again at age 17. It was fun to have the whole experience recorded and to be able to share it with some of my non-diving friends and relatives. Sheri and I still go out on the water to this day, and we consider her family.

I am now 20 years old and presently run a spearfish/eco-freedive charter company called Into the Blue Charters LLC out of Little Torch Key. With my knowledge of the reefs and conditions, I’m able to put clients on the fish. I’m also able to supply photo/video with the help of my sister and mother for those that would like to record their ventures. My good friend, Daryl Wong, supplies my company with spearguns so my clients can try them out during my charters. I consider myself lucky to be doing something I love and to be able to share this underwater world with clients, family, and friends. To me, this is the ultimate job! Some last words – I know I am a Young Gun and have a lot to learn, but I want to share my experience with fellow divers. Being a freediving spearfisherman is a dream come true for me, but I will always remember our lost friends and divers who will not come back to us. We must always remember to be safe and to follow one simple rule, and that is, ALWAYS have a dive partner/buddy. It could save your life!

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WET.C BETTEROFF

2022 RATE CARD

INFO There are many ways to help

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EROFFWET.C

FALL 2014

While on vacation in the Keys, the founders of the organization did such a thing. Debbie Rivera -Twillman saw these young men and women and decided to take action… “Let’s teach them how to SCUBA Dive”! Now 7 years later, D4H is still serving wounded veterans with SCUBA Discovers every month, quarterly Open Water Certification, continuing monthly education, fun dives and 2 international trips annually to Bonaire, and the Bahamas. We have wonderful volunteers with collaborative partners that allow us to serve the Wounded Warrior Project Alumni and other veterans who have served and been injured prior to 9/11 from all branches of our military. “I want you to know that being involved has become an important part of my life and recovery. The different levels and certificates for diving achievement have allowed me to set attainable goals, and successfully achieve them despite my injuries.

I always look forward to the knowledge, laughter, experience and the comradery that I share with the other Veterans whenever I participate in any D4H’s events,” says Wounded Warrior Damon Zeigler.SCUBA is an opportunity to be free. Many injuries are visible, however, so many are not. Our goal is freedom, free from crutches, prosthetics, wheel chairs, and all the cares that life brings, not leaving anyone behind. Water is truly the great equalizer. Join us in “giving back to those who gave so much of themselves.”

OFFSHORE FISHING EARFISHING SPEARFISHING

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AD RATES

FULL COLOR Back Cover $370.00 Inside Front Cover $320.00 Inside Back Cover $320.00 Centerfold $430.00 Full Page $200.00 1/2 page $100.00 1/4 Page $50.00 *Please call for custom sizes and pricing

NO CONTRACTS NEEDED. ADVERTISE WHEN YOU WANT! DUE DATES:

Centerfold 16" x 10.5"

Full Page 8" x 10.5"

1/2 Page H 8" x 5.25"

1/2 Page V 3.875" x 10.5"

1/4 Page H 3.875" x 5.25"

Deadline for ad insertion and artwork is the 15th of the month prior to the month your ad is to appear.

REPRESENTATIVE:

MEGAN CHEWNING (352) 238-7009 megan@betteroffwet.com

CONTACT INFO:

BETTER OFF WET MEDIA GROUP 3341 Shoal Line Blvd Hernando Beach, FL 34607 info@betteroffwet.com

• • • •

The publisher reserves the right to reject any ad at any time, even if it has been published previously.

Payment is due on or before the date agreed in contract. Rates are payable in US funds only.

The publisher cannot be held responsible for the quality of reproduction when specifications are not adhered to, an approved proof is not provided, or when material arrives after the stated ad materials deadline.

If you have artwork you would like to use, but it doesn’t follow these specifications, please let us know. Prices can be adjusted according to size of the ad.

RE

Just Take a Kid Outside

JUST TAKE

A KID

OUTSIDE By: Benjamin Chewning

S

ince I was a child, I remember seeing advertisements that said: “Take a Kid Fishing” or “Take a Kid Fishing Day”, or what have you.

I have thought about those advertisements for the better part of 3 decades, as I have seen them in many locations around the Country. While that may seem strange to some, I have always had an affinity for advertisements in general and I have always thought this ad to be a good one for many reasons. First, I always saw the ad being geared towards a person who had the ability to take a kid fishing. And, second, I always saw the kid not having any family that was into fishing or willing to take their kids. So, pairing the willing fisherman and the kid together, just makes sense to me.

Fishing is a great hobby that teaches many things, like patience. I myself had that person who took me fishing as a child, one of my Great Aunts, Eliza

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Just Take a Kid Outside

BETTEROFFWET.COM 49

Kid Fishing

Parr who was an avid outdoorswoman.

But, fast forward to 2022 with a generation of children, who are growing up in a far different world than I did, I now see the real importance of that ad and its message. The kids I see around me today look much different than the kids I saw in the eighties and nineties.

I don’t see as many children playing in neighborhoods as I used to and I see a lot of the kids out today, glued to an electronic device, sometimes even while being a part of an outdoor activity. So, in my opinion, if the “Take a Kid Fishing” advertisement was felt to be needed when I was a child, it is certainly needed now more than ever. But, given some recent experiences with my own family and friend’s children, I want to expand the taking kids fishing idea, to just taking them outside.

My wife and I do not currently have any children. But, between our family, friends, and our church family, we see a lot of them. I love kids and really love seeing active kids. My wife says I am

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Just Take a Kid Outside

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Just Take a Kid Outside

a big kid and I will not disagree with her on that topic. In fact, my actions often prove her correct. I have a strong sense of adventure that has been inside me as far back as I can remember. I was fortunate enough to spend much of my time growing up, on a few farms, totaling several hundred acres. And, I have always credited fishing the ponds on the farms, exploring the woods, and searching for treasure (old farm junk) with my desire for adventure and travel.

My Great Aunt, I mentioned above has a son, Bill who was and is also very adventurous. He grew up on these same farms and he and I spent a lot of time together.

I remember him showing pictures from his dives on the Great Barrier Reef and how he would always have slideshows 52 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

of all the places he would travel. I know there are many children, in fact, without any internet fact-checking; I would even bet the majority of children won’t get to know what it’s like to grow up on a farm, or even with an outdoor lifestyle of any sort. Plus, with the advent of technology, in 2022, even if they are outside, what is that technology doing to draw them away and keep them glued to their screens. Shoot, our own Government told us it was better to be inside for almost 2 years. I don’t have any children but I do know what it is like to be a child and I definitely know that spending a lot of time outside, played a big role in my life and it would be hard to convince me, that being outside wouldn’t be helpful to almost all kids.

Just Take a Kid Outside

I spent the better part of 2019 and 2020 volunteering at a great organization, called Project Lift, in Palm City Florida.

They do great work there to help teach kids (14-18 years old) hands on trades, such as mechanics, carpentry, and HVAC. I taught basic welding to boys and girls and saw many of them, come through my class, while there. I like to use sports references when teaching the kids proper stance, hand placement, etc, when learning to weld. It always blew my mind how many of the kids weren’t into sports or outside activities, at all, which made it difficult when teaching a physical trade, to relate it to something like baseball, which I assumed everyone in America had played at some point in his or her life. My time at Project Lift gave me an entirely different view of where our young people are headed, and it isn’t outside.

As I mentioned in the first paragraph, I have had several outings with kids recently that have brought these conversations up. The outings with family and friends are great and seeing the kids outside, fishing, swimming, and playing always brings a smile to my face. What brings even a bigger smile is seeing kids start off grumpy, whining for electronics, complaining, or wanting to go home or to go back inside…and, then have something happen, that makes them forget about all that completely. Seeing the kids light up when they hook a fish, spot a Manatee, learn to tie a knot, dig up shark’s teeth, explore and island, or steer the boat is what is cool to me. And, without fail, those things will cause a kid to drop that Ipad faster than anything else. I know that being outside, whether on the water or not, has to be healthy for most kids, and will help them to build confidence in themselves. I see many unconfident adults living in the safest society of all time who literally get scared to near death from the idea of heading into the unknown, outside. So, while the fishing would be an added bonus, in my opinion, just getting the kids outside is a great starting point!

BETTEROFFWET.COM 53

Sheep Dog Impact Assistance

SHEEP DOG IMPACT ASSISTANCE

B

etter Off Wet had the pleasure of spending a day on the water fishing and scalloping with some of the guys from Sheep Dog Impact Assistance’s Central Florida Team!

Sheep Dog’s mission is to improve the lives of our nation’s veterans and first responders in need by helping them Get Off The Couch™ and reengage in living an active, meaningful & productive life through their Outdoor Adventures, Warrior PATHH and Disaster Response Mission Programs.

We consider it an honor to head out on the water with folks who are doing such a good work, for our Country’s Veterans and first responders. We, at Better Off Wet, look forward to doing more with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance.

Founded in 2010, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is a national non-

54 BETTER OFF WET | AUGUST 2022

profit organization founded and headquartered in Rogers, Arkansas. SDIA exists to engage, assist and empower our nation’s “Sheep Dogs” (military veterans, law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS personnel) to Get Off The Couch™ and reengage in living a meaningful and productive life.

These heroes have an innate desire to serve and their service gives purpose to their lives; however, after an injury or shift/tour of duty ends, that purpose is often lost. By gathering together Sheep Dogs who have suffered similar traumas & experiences, SDIA has found that the camaraderie and peer support they receive fosters healing and is critical to their overall wellbeing, which helps prevent suicides in our Veteran and First Responder communities.

Sheep Dog Impact Assistance

Joining SDIA in opportunities for physical activities, camaraderie & healing (Outdoor Adventures), training to transform struggle into strength and posttraumatic growth (Warrior PATHH), and volunteer opportunities for continued service (Disaster Response), a Sheep Dogs’ innate desire to serve is again fulfilled. When Sheep Dogs #GetOffTheCouch together, their attitude and perspective are drastically improved and many find healing and a renewed sense of purpose.

BETTEROFFWET.COM 55

Sheep Dog Impact Assistance

There is a role for everyone to be involved with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA). Whether participating in an Outdoor Adventure, going through Warrior PATHH training, deploying on a disaster response mission, donating money, supplies or your time, or helping identify Sheep Dogs in Need, our Members and supporters say that giving back to others leaves them with a deeply gratified feeling. For Members, working alongside fellow Sheep Dogs who understand what they have been through promotes camaraderie, feelings of empowerment and a renewed sense of belonging and purpose.

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Sheep Dog Impact Assistance

If you want to actively participate in giving back to and assisting fellow Sheep Dogs and/or continue serving our country and communities, please consider becoming an SDIA Member or Volunteer. Please, contact SDIA’s Central Florida Team Lead, Raffy Morales.

Raffy Morales SDIA Central Florida Team Lead Warrior PATHH Guide FB: @SDIAWarriorPATHH Email: rmorales1@sheepdogia.org Cell: 813-335-0342 Information obtained from https://sheepdogia.org/

BETTEROFFWET.COM 57

TITLE HERE

By: Megan Chewning

SURROUNDED BY STORMS

G

rowing up in Florida, I am all too familiar with afternoon storms.

The weather is unpredictable at best. You often see memes on social media making fun of how quickly the weather can change here in just a few minutes.

If you enjoy being out on the water, you know to always be prepared for a storm or two in the summer. No matter how well you plan it, there’s always that chance of getting caught in the rain.

This summer has been no different than any other. Several boat charters have been booked on days where the forecast looks great and then the weather changes just before going out.

We had two charters booked recently and both looked gloomy when we got to the boat ramp. As we prepared to get the boat in the water and for our customers to arrive, I had a pit in my stomach. I kept checking the radar, looking for a glimmer of hope that the storm would pass. Many other boaters were coming in trying to quickly get their boat out of the water before the storm hit. I, of course, start second guessing whether we should just call the customer and cancel thinking about what the repercussions would be if we did.

The first charter happened to be friends of ours, so I knew they would understand. They were local, so rescheduling 58 BETTER OFF WET | JULY 2022

with them would not be an issue although it took months for us to get this on the books with their busy schedules.

I felt bad knowing they were so excited to have a night out on the water. Although Captain Ben and I did not want to make that call, we both knew they trusted our judgment when it came to going out on the water.

The other charter was a bit different.

Our client had family in town only for that week. She booked the charter months in advance and had been looking forward to showing her family a good time while they were here. Canceling this one meant there would not be another chance to take them out. The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint her and her family; however I knew being caught in a storm, on a boat, would not be a good experience for them.

Captain Ben and I were praying for the storms to clear so we could take them out, and so our customers could have a good time on the water. We thought for sure they would want to cancel, seeing as how we were surrounded by storms with little glimpses of sun peaking through the clouds. Both customers, however, came to the boat ramp with positive attitudes, determined to go out, looking to us to navigate through it all. We spoke to the customers, warned them of the inevitable, and they both agreed to, trust Captain Ben’s plan. Both

days on the water ended up being some of the calmest seas we’ve ever seen!

The gulf was like glass making the ride smooth and enjoyable. The water was clear making it easy to see aquatic life passing us by. It cooled off from the scorching 90 something degrees. The storm clouds stayed inshore, allowing us to show our customers a great time out on the water.

In situations like this, it’s so easy to allow fear and anxiety to take over. The “what ifs’’ start creeping in, especially when it’s not just you on the boat. In these times, we need to remember who created the storms and the seas. The Bible reminds us in Psalms 107:29 that God calms the storms and stills the waves with just a whisper. It goes on to say in verse 28 what a blessing that stillness is. Being out on the calm water those days, seeing the storm clouds in the distance and feeling the sun at my back, I am reminded that we have a God who the wind and the seas obey with just a word from His lips. When Jesus calmed the storm in the boat, as it is told in Matthew 8, he asked his disciples, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” (NLT) The moment fear creeps in when we see the storm clouds rolling in, ask yourself why it is that you’re afraid and trust that He will guide you to safety.

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