OUTDOORS

18 THE SUN OUTDOORS

Catch and release perpetuates the species

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

Catch and release used to be a relatively new concept in sport fishing, one that recognized that fish populations are vulnerable and not the endless resource that they were once thought to be. Now the concept is commonplace and has even spawned a sort of backlash, as the "I Kill Fish" sticker on the back of a truck I saw recently attests.

Fishermen who fish mostly for fun have been criticized because many see catching and releasing fish as playing with fish. Anglers, unlike hunters, can pursue their passion and release their prey. Both hunters and anglers are quite often great champions of their respective passions and invest their time and money in protecting the habitat and well-being of fish and animals.

Most anglers I know who practice catch and release have no problem with taking an occasional fish home for dinner. It's more about enjoying the sport and trying to be proactive in helping it to remain healthy and viable. There are many species, notable among them tarpon, that anglers seldom, if ever, kill. Catch and release is not just about releasing fish that you don't want, it's also about safely releasing undersized fish or species that aren't valued at the table. Catch and release in any form is a wise use of the resource, but unfortunately, many anglers don't know how to properly handle fish.

When we get cut, bruised or battered we can head for the local drug store, or in more extreme cases the Emergency Room. Not so for fish. For them, it's heal or die, and in their world, it's the sick and wounded that first fall prey to predators. What a shame to do the right thing, releasing a big, speckled trout full of roe, only to have it eaten by a shark, barracuda or other predator because it wasn't handled properly.

The first step I would suggest is to make sure you match tackle to the task. Trying to land a big tarpon on 20-pound tackle might be OK if you're experienced, but to the uninitiated, it's like announcing a free meal to the sharks that ply local waters looking for weak or injured prey. Enjoy the action, but land the fish as quickly as possible. Once you have the fish subdued, the best course is to never take them out of the water. If you've been fighting them for a long time (think tarpon), make sure you revive them properly. If you can reach the water over the gunwale, slowly move the boat forward while holding the fish firmly but lightly. This forces water and oxygen through their gills and helps them recover from oxygen depletion. They'll let you know when they're ready to go.

The hook is probably the next most important consideration. Either a circle hook or a barbless hook is usually best for anglers and their fish. The key to keeping fish on a barbless hook is to keep the line tight. Circle hooks are recommended for inexperienced anglers and on fish that tend to swallow the hook, like speckled trout. Fish secrete a protective coating that covers the scales and skin. This slime coat acts as a defense against invasion by bacterial, parasitic and fungal pathogens. Whatever hook you use, a de-hooker will keep your hands safe and clean, preventing you from inadvertently harming the fish's protective slime coat and protecting hands from sharp gills and teeth. De-hookers come in various shapes depending on how they're used. The simplest is J-shaped and removes hooks in or near the jaw. A circular-shaped longer version allows anglers to remove hooks that are deep in the throat of a fish or in the jays of a big fish like a barracuda.

Anglers who fish for reef fish like snapper and grouper need to learn how to "vent" fish with inflated swim bladders. Bringing the fish up from deep depths fast bloats the bladder, which has to be punctured to allow the fish to reach the bottom.

Anglers that release a trophy-sized fish may want to take home a picture. Here are a few tips that will help you record your catch. Set your exposure in advance and have an idea where in the boat you want to take the picture. The best picture for the fish would be when it's still in the water, but if you do remove the fish, hold it horizontally, with one hand near the head, and the other hand under the fish’s belly to support its weight. Holding a fish vertically puts a strain on the internal organs and can potentially dislocate its jaw. This is particularly important with large fish. Lastly, eliminate any extraneous objects like rods and focus in on the subject.

By being prepared we can get the fish back in the water fast, thus ensuring its chances of survival. Taking the time and having the tools and knowledge to release fish mindfully is a great way to help ensure we have a healthy population of fish now and into the future.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN Landing a fish as quickly as possible helps them recover and gives them a better chance of survival when released.

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED

Snook are biting well and love the warm afternoon temperatures.

Wind, wind, go away

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

It looks like the wind is finally going to lie down this week! It’s been relentless out there lately. We’re looking forward to nicer days ahead.

Inshore, mangrove snapper are starting to show up nicely. Getting fresh fish tacos isn’t too hard for people wanting meat. The snook, Spanish mackerel, redfish and trout are biting well. Especially the schoolie-sized snook. They are loving the warm afternoon temperature.

Tarpon are hitting the beaches in full force. We have quite a few trips coming up for these silver kings. Pass crabs are definitely the bait of choice when targeting these beautiful animals.

Offshore, the mangrove and yellowtail snapper are going crazy. It’s not hard to fill the box with these tasty critters! Also on the menu is red grouper, amberjack, African pompano and the occasional blackfin tuna. We use a variety of baits offshore, ranging from pilchards to Spanish sardines. We’re excited for the rest of the month and also to see what June holds!

SEA TURTLE CONSERVANCY | SUBMITTED

Where’s Bortie?

Is loggerhead sea turtle Bortie headed back to Anna Maria Island to nest? Turtle watchers hope she might! She was satellite-tagged on AMI after laying a nest in June 2018 on Coquina Beach (see the red star on the map). Bortie competed in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 11th Annual Tour de Turtles in 2018, placing 10th out of 13 contestants with 351 logged miles. Turtle nesting season began locally on May 1 and ends on Oct. 31 Please keep beachfront lights out for nesting!

Local artist takes inspiration from Island beaches

Anna Maria Island artist Corey Wright can often be spotted painting on local beaches, taking inspiration from nature as well as from the people who come to enjoy it.

BY JASON SCHAFFER

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - Stroll along any of the beaches on Anna Maria Island and you’re likely to walk past local artist Cory Wright. After falling in love with the Island during regular trips here with her family, Wright, her husband and two teenage children decided to sell their home in Apollo Beach and move to AMI.

“We would come every single weekend with our kids when they were little, and we would get depressed on Sunday when we had to go home. We finally decided to sell our home and everything in it, remodel the condo and move to the beach,” said Wright, who hasn’t regretted that decision in any way. “Normally moving with teenagers to a three-bedroom condo would be tough - it’s a lot less square footage, but a lot bigger backyard, since our backyard is the beach.”

Wright has enjoyed a long career as a professional artist, beginning at age 15 when she began painting murals and faux finishes. She was able to have a successful career lasting more than 25 years, making a living doing what she enjoyed. Wright went on to major in painting at the Rhode Island School of Design and spent a year in Italy as part of an honors program.

“In 2011 I took a workshop in Tuscany with an artist whose work I really admired. He painted en Plein air, which is a French term meaning out in the open,” Wright said, explaining how her love for painting outdoors really began to take off.

Unlike painting in the controlled environment of a studio, light and shadows are constantly changing when painting outdoors. This is the challenge facing any artist who paints in the en Plein air style. Wright says she usually has two hours to complete a painting when she’s working outdoors. The heat and humidity don’t affect oil paints. The reason for the two-hour window to get a beach painting completed is completely due to the changing position of the sun, which will alter light and shadow, as well as water levels rising or receding.

In addition to painting for sale in galleries and commission work, Cory Wright is also an accomplished teacher. She is happy to work with any artist of any skill level.

“All you need is interest, and an openness to try something new. Your work may not turn out perfect, but you’d be surprised how many of my first-time students say their work turned out much better than they expected,” said Wright, who offers two-hour lessons on the beach, which includes all supplies. If you’re interested in a lesson with Cory, you can find all the info at her website, www. corywrightart.com.

Artwork by Cory Wright is currently on display and for sale at “Cove” on Bridge St. in Bradenton Beach.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN Artist Cory Wright stands with some of her works at Cove on Bridge St. in Bradenton Beach.

ScottAllen Reid Steve Arvey

SUBMITTED | THE CENTER OF ANNA MARIA ISLAND Tyler Brewer is congratulated by Center Executive Director Chris Culhane, Chris van Zandt and his mother Dina Franklin as the first winner of the John van Zandt scholarship.

Center announces scholarship winner

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The first winner of a newly established scholarship fund has been announced.

Manatee High School senior Tyler Brewer is taking an extra $5,000 with him to school in the fall as the inaugural recipient of the John van Zandt scholarship given through The Center of Anna Maria Island.

After graduation, Tyler plans to attend training for a career as an electrician.

“I have lived on Anna Maria Island my whole life,” he said in his scholarship application. “I come from a long line of family members who have lived on Anna Maria Island. I would like to be an electrician and I’ve also thought about going to school to be involved with electrical engineering. I’ve always been interested to be involved in the Florida Power and Light Company. These two careers have caught my interest very much. The electrical business will always be needed and I would love to get the opportunity to learn more about it to not only help myself but to help others.”

The scholarship is planned to be awarded annually to a graduating high school senior for tuition or training assistance to prepare to enter the workforce. The award is $5,000, or $2,500 each to two winners determined by the independent committee formed to evaluate applications. Students who live on Anna Maria Island or who have parents who work on the Island are welcome to apply for the scholarship during the annual application period February 1-April 1. Students who already have full tuition funding from another scholarship source are not eligible to receive the John van Zandt scholarship.

This year’s award committee included Ana Shaw, Chris Culhane, Jack Bergbom, Mary Ellen Stahr, Lori Waggoner and Chris van Zandt.