Water LIFE Jan 2017

Water

LI FE

Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, Venice, Estero, 10,000 Islands and the Gulf

The Don Ball School of Fishing

January 2017

Txt Us Ur Fish Pix! see page 4

Stan Kennedy - kingfish!

Mike Magliozzi from Boston with a 36-inch 29-pound drum from the PGI canals

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Back on Track page 6

Nice Fish! page 14

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eMail letters and photos to: WaterLIFE@comcast.net

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Vol XVI No 1 © 2017

NO PART of this publication (printed or electronic) may be copied, reproduced or reused without specific written permission from the publishers (and thatʼs never happened!).

Contributing Editors:

FISH PIX!

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James with some monster mangs.

Txt Us Ur Fish Pix We like Fresh Fish so please donʼt send old photos.

We like the First Catch so donʼt send us fish if you are also sending the same fish to another publication, like for instance ... the Charlotte Sun

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Luke Guillette - bass in our backyard pond. 8 years old.

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hands and hold big fish you are releasing horizontally.

No Fishy Fish if you are not in the picture too, it may not make it to print.

No Blatent Ads but if a guide helped you, please say so.

Alex Geml, Sheepshead

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Txt to 941-457-1316 Be sure to include (at least) your name and type of fish (txt only, voice calls cannot be answered) You may also eMail pictures to: waterlife@comcast.net

Photography: ASA1000.com Senior Editor: Capt. Ron Blago Baitshop Commentary: Fishinʼ Frank Peace River: Capt. David Stephens Punta Gorda: Capt. Chuck Eichner Venice: Glen Ballinger Estero: Capt. Joe Angius Everglades City: Capt. Charlie Phillips Kayaking: Bob Fraser Sea Grant: Capt. Betty Staugler Beach Fishing: Mallory Herzog Pier Fishing: Bobby Vitalis Delicious Seafood: Nicole Coudal Sailing: Peter Welch

On the Cover:

Txt Us Ur Fish: Stan Kennedy, fishing with Capʼt Dave Wright, caught this kingfish near Venice Inlet. Then he texted us the picture!

Fish Pix information to the left.

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JANUARY 2017

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Fish for the Gorillas

By Michael Heller Water LIFE editor When I was in elementary school, back around the time the dinosaurs were starting to go extinct, I had a headmaster by the name of Mr. Carrington Raymond. He was an elderly gentle man with a slight build and a shiny bald head. He was always dressed impeccably, usually, as I remember him, in a grey three piece suit.

Mr. Raymond taught math and geometry. He’d stand at the front of the class and work a problem on the blackboard, and when he reached the conclusion he’d point to it and ask the class: ‘What’s this?’ And then he’d answer, rhetorically, ‘Fish for the Gorillas!’ He often made examples using that phrase. It represented an easy and obvious solution, one with a predictable outcome. A no brainer.

This is the fifth month of our Txt Us Ur Fish program. It has been very successful.

We are getting pictures from all over and beyond. Fish for the Gorillas is what the idea turned out to be.

Just so you know, this publication is not a big chain-run-rag with an I.T. department that computerizes things and makes life easier. We do it ourselves, manually.

My wife gets your fish pictures and forwards them to me. I size and adjust every one and pair the text you send me up with your images. It’s work, but I get to be the first one to see the cool fish you guys are

catching, and that’s informative. This month, for instance, I have seen a lot of nice kingfish. There are bass and snook but big snook seem to be peaking. You are showing me grouper and sheepshead too.

Newspapers much bigger than this one would be thrilled to have so many, consistent on-topic (fishing) responses.

These Fish Pix pictures are a testament not only to your fishing abilities, but to the incredibly productive estuary and the great near shore fishing we have available all around us. Together, your fish pix contributions make up a valuable report, but that value has yet to be realized by the people who badly need to discover it.

Charlotte County’s growth is hog-tied with a Tourism Department that thinks baseball is the do all end all solution for everything. Money from the County’s Bed Tax levied on visitors is committed and recommitted to the Sports Complex while the county resists promoting fishing and boating in all but the smallest ways.

The economy is good now. People are starting to vacation again. The holiday spending numbers from last month have all topped the predictions. Money is moving around. Now is the time to act.

This is the time for Charlotte County to start promoting its fishing and ecotourism to people in other parts of Florida. I’ve thought about going to the County Commissioners and suggesting we could help,

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FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

PAGE 5

The Cronin's first time fishing Lake Okeechobee. Brendan, 9, Dad, Jack 12. All released.

but I already know they will steer me off to the Tourism Division. Tourism doesn’t get it. When it comes to the Harbor tourism they want kayaks and paddleboards - they are wussies. I just have to wonder if paddleboards are what the Commissioners really want; paddleboarders and kayakers are shoestring spenders.

We have the one thing that no other county has: we have Charlotte Harbor, a unique estuary. Seeing how fishing and ecotourism could help bolster the economy in Charlotte County should be a no brainer for the Commissioners, Fish for the Gorillas, as Mr. Raymond would say.

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Her first saltwater catch! Caught in Venice by Leah Herbert.

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JANUARY 2017

Back OnTrack Once Again

By Capt. David Stephens Water LIFE Charlotte Harbor Warm weather seems to be what is going on in South West Florida. We have struggled through some difficult times the last few weeks, but we got past it.

In December, we dealt with a bloom of red tide in the Harbor. It made for some tough days of fishing.

I keep predicting cool weather and I hope I’m wrong, but if I’m not, we will still have plenty to keep us excited.

Randy Bewley has been fishing with me for many years. Randy contacted me and told me his daughter would be in town. He said he really wanted to put his girl on some Charlotte Harbor snook!

I knew it wasn’t the best time of year to focus on big snook, but I have a hard time turning down a challenge. I picked up my crew at Laishly and headed to the black water.

I don’t know if it was that it was Amanda’s first day back bay fishing or what, but from the first spot we hit we knew it was going to be special.

We put over 50 snook on the boat that day, the biggest measured in at 42inches! We had a day that will be remembered for a very long time.

What amazed me the most that day and the one species we talked about the most, was the Jacks! The last spot we fished the water wasn’t moving much. I still had plenty of bait so I started dumping out scoops of bait fish and that woke the big Jacks up – and after a solid day of snook fishing it only took a couple of these guys to finish us off!

Last month I had a rare day that I wasn’t booked, but I still ended up being on the water. I was going to go look for some sea trout and when I got to the ramp a familiar face walked up, a client that I fish with and became friends with.

I told him what I was setting out to ac-

complish and said: ‘lets see what we can get into today,’ then I told him to get on the boat.

We crossed the Harbor and fished some bars. It didn’t take us long to realize the artificial bite was good. We threw Mirror Lure Lil John’s on a jig head and we managed to put over 30 trout to the boat. And most of the fish we caught that morning were over the 15-inch minimum length!

If you would like to experience some of South West Florida’s finest fishing give us a call, or send us an email. All of our charters are private and customized to fit you and your party’s needs. Capt. Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com 941-916-5769

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and other outdoor tales from a trip to Lake Kissimmee

By Capt. Chuck Eichner Water LIFE Inshore Florida is famous for freshwater largemouth bass and Lake Kissimmee is less than two hours from here. On a recent trip there we stayed at the Grape Hammock Campground on the south end of the lake.

It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere, but it offers nice cabins to rent which include a boat slip. There is a bait shop, boat ramp, boat rentals and you have lake views from your front porch so this place is pretty hard to beat.

Essentially the perimeter of the lake is a vast swamp with all types of vegetation including lily pads, bullrush, milfoil, hydrilla and others – this is exactly where the fish live!

After a late afternoon arrival I was able to get in an hour of fishing and had one

big bite and lost a largemouth that was pulling a tight drag after mashing a Zoom horny toad fished on the surface.

Back at the cabin we enjoyed the beautiful old Florida oaks, a blazing fire and sounds of other campers enjoying life. I planned to sleep in the next day and save my “heavy day” of fishing for the following day .... however just before daylight my beagle Gator jumped on the bed shivering.

Repeated shotgun blasts - the duck hunters were at it, not too far into the swamp. So much for a peaceful morning and the next two hours sounded like a range war.

We were really tucked into nature as we spotted snakes, frogs and gators. Two cows were walking in tall grass in shallow swampy water

eating aquatic vegetation. A 12-foot alligator did not phase them!

By mid-morning air boats began to launch and fly out onto the lake. Fishing that day resulted in 7 hookups in 6 hours with the biggest fish hooked on the same set of lily pads as the day before ... and he got away too! I am guessing it was easily over 5-pounds – decent fishing considering I was new to the lake.

Even though Lake Kissimmee is known for largemouth bass, it was clear that crappie fishing was the biggest sport there. There were dozens of houseboats docked, all designed for crappie fishing.

Most were old and looked abandoned, but each had 20 some rod holders for drift fishing with exterior lights around their perimeter. Pontoon boats docked there were also set up for one purpose - crappie fishing.

Two hours before dusk a huge crew of crappie anglers descended on the lake.

Then, after dark, other boats went out to gig frogs! Without a doubt, this was one of the most interesting campgrounds we had ever visited!

My last day fishing met with lots of casting for many hours with no fish.

Then, for about one hour, fish started busting small minnows on top of lily pads.

Top water fishing the toad was exciting with lots of two-pound bass. Trail blazing through lily pads I entered a secluded pond area that looked very fishy. A mon-

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Look at all the rod holders!

ster gator made himself known, fortunately he meandered back into the swamp and disturbed a bluegill that jumped out of the water and then a bass made quick pursuit of it. It was a nice spot.

I cast a plastic grub to the disturbance and met with a smash and landed a fat 19inch bass – there was a lot of luck involved that day!

I highly recommend exploring Florida’s freshwater lakes in the winter months, that is when the fishing is best.

Bring your boat and experience nature like nowhere you have ever been.

Capt. Chuck Eichner operates Action Flats Backcountry Charters He can be reached at 941-628-8040

NRA Law Enforcement Instructor

Class schedule online at www.BKFTS.COM

17218 Toledo Blade, Port Charlotte INFORMATION: 941-525-9550

JANUARY 2017

Estero Bay:

By Captain Joe Angius Water LIFE Estero Bay It may not seem like it, but this winter season is drastically different from last year’s. Southwest Florida is undergoing a La Niña effect, as opposed to the El Niño effect from last winter. Anglers this season can expect a much drier winter with less severe storms. As a fishing guide, a drier winter with fewer storms leads me to believe that Estero Bay’s backwaters will be rich with great water quality containing high levels of salinity. La Niña weather conditions seem to attract more redfish, snook, sheepshead, and tarpon toward the shallow backwaters, while leaving tripletail, speckled sea trout, bluefish, and pompano to dominate the Gulf of Mexico around our major passes.

My go-to bait this time of the year will always be live shrimp. Though there is plenty of white bait, pilchards, greenbacks, pinfish, mullet and threadfins to net up, shrimp is a must-have in the winter.

Shrimp is important because fish will become lethargic with dropping water temperatures. I find it most effective to first use them live and whole. Hooking a shrimp with a 2/0 Owner hook through the tail, from the underside up is the way.

Once I know that there are sheepshead or spadefish around stealing my bait, then I will start to break my largest shrimp into thirds. Breaking my shrimp into thirds allows me to be more resourceful.

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Winter Fishing Outlook

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Tripletail have moved toward our beaches and can be found under floating buoys from stone crab pots. Fish from a couple of pounds up to 15-pounds have been caught both on light tackle spinning gear and fly fishing outfits.

As we approach our local passes, there have been plenty of pompano which are great table fare and put up a great fight.

Drifting the passes with 1/4oz jigheads tipped with shrimp seem to produce the most success. Once the tide is moving in and high enough to fill our grass flats with good water, speckled sea trout become plentiful and fun to catch. Shrimp under a popping cork always does the trick.

Covering a lot of water on a grass flat lets me find those “sweet spots” where the trout want to feed.

The backwaters are holding a great number of redfish, all varying in size.

With the right tide I have been able to fish schools of smaller redfish and sheepshead.

The redfish will range from 15- to 20inches with larger redfish sporadically being caught. It is not uncommon to catch 15 or 20 fish when they school up but conditions and tides must be right.

The backwaters have also been great

PAGE 9

for catching large sheepshead. Sheepshead make for great table fare and will begin to school up in certain areas making it easy for anglers to catch their bag limit of 15.

Snook are littered in the backwaters also feeding heavy on shrimp, crabs and pilchards. Most of them are juvenile snook, but larger female snook are here and beginning to retreat to the mud flat backwaters for the winter.

The fishing continues to stay strong and there is plenty of water in Southwest Florida to fish and explore. Be cautious if you run a boat in the shallow flats of Estero Bay for mud bars and debris. A successful day out on the water requires there to be a mindful explorer of their surroundings. Treat the area around you with care and respect. To experience the true backwaters of Estero Bay, please contact me and book your adventure today.

Captain Joe Angius (727)-234-3171 Speak Easy Fishing Charters www.speakeasyfishing.com

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JANUARY 2017

Iʼm So Over 2016

By Fishin’ Frank Water LIFE Baitshop Oh Happy Days! I am so over 2016, the year that went by in an instant and took a decade to get through. Massive rains started off the year, then hot weather caused bacteria to hit record concentrations, add to that Algae growth near horrific levels from lake, river and septic run off. The rains finally ended but then a red tide began.

What? O.M.G. 2016 was just an all around bummer.

So are there any fish left to catch? ... hard to believe, but yes there are fish here, and even bait fish are starting to show up. Where did they hide? Where were they?

Many fish like the sea trout do not “live here” and were just on the way in when the red tide happened so now the Harbor is loading up with trout.

Cobia which we have had quite a few reports of, are another fish which travels a lot. So all is good there too. I am not sure, in the beginning of ‘16, where the reds had gone, at the time I said maybe they went through a tear in the time-space continuum, we could not find any redfish or even bait, but since then it has all changed.

The redfish are on in good numbers. Bull and Turtle Bay are starting to show redfish and now they are on the east side of the Harbor where the trout and even pompano and a few flounder are, reds are with the snook, up by the mangroves.

If you can get out in the Gulf here’s a trick: troll a set of 4 lures with the back right a Rapala, XRMAG-15 this is a Blue with black spot diving lure which will get you down about 15-feet, then on the other side a Sebile 228 Slow sink green mackerel Magic Swimmer, these are your king mackerel and or what ever other big fish lures.

The snack food lures which will catch larger or small fish and give you a lot of fish activity or bites.

On the forward set of rod holder on one side put a Williamson Flash feather FFR5PW this pink and white

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PAGE 11

Now I pick a path for trolling based on where the reefs are. I always want to troll between two reefs, between one food source to another. At least it is better than blind trolling and I am keeping an eye on the sky for birds diving or fish blowing up on the surface.

If I am on the way to a reef I can stop and bottom fish for snappers or grouper. Speaking of bottom fishing, a cool trick is to use sardine for grouper. Over the last few weeks a couple of our customers have been catching kings while bottom fishing for grouper. We think the snapper are throwing up the bait they ate when we are reeling them up... and that ended up chumming the kings. Weird enough, but quite possibly true.

Keeping a sardine on the hook when bottom fishing is not easy, so cheat – take a box of whole squid with you which is great bait for snapper anyway. Now lay the squid on its side and slice a ¼-inch cross section so it looks like a rubber band. Place that ring of squid over the head of the sardine and just past where the head connects put the hook through the squid and the sardine and out the other side of the squid ring.

This keeps the sardine on the hook and you catch more fish.

The fishing in the Gulf is hard core right now with a lot of reef donkeys (amberjack).

They came in season this month and holyfish from the red tide litter the top of the Harbor.

FISH PIX! Dead In Punta Gorda, the city put out dumpsters so residents moley fish man, are they a battle. could dispose of fish clogging their canals.

Inshore is a shrimp thing now, the ol’ fashion poppin cork and a shrimp is still one of the best ways to find fish on the flats, either anchored up little beauty will dance close to the surface. On the oppoor drifting. Hard to beat what works site side tie a Storm twitch TWS08614 these two lures are really for fun and entertainment. They will catch fish Frank@fishinfranks.com larger or small, they are great for tuna, kings or bonita 941- 625-3888 239-634-1043 and really even blue runners and Spanish mackerel. from Water LIFE magazine

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FISH PIX!

f r o m Wa t e r L I F E m a g a z i n e

Readerʼs Photos

Txt

JANUARY 2017

Teri La Pointe under the Boca Grande Bridge.

This Drum fish fought like a Marlin

Glenn Venice Jetties with sheepshead

Scott Easto on Placida fishing pier... first snook!

Tyler Zylstra with an 11 Bay on

Jessie Schenker, snook, Punta Gorda

Oversized red, Punta Gorda

My largest red grouper 80-feet of water,

Gary Gilreath - largemouth bass My wife Diane Clarkʼs largest red grouper yet, 24”

Michael Cararo. Venice Fl. Gag grouper

Ben Surak and Jessey Grimes catching the big ones

Capt Roger Newton with nice peacock bass

Storm with slot size s

Us Ur Fish Pix! see page 4 JANUARY 2017

11pound redfish in Turtle n artificial

r yet, 28-inches, Caught in out of Stump Pass

snook, catch and release

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The fishing is still HOT! Ian Roberts from Fort Myers with a nice Black Tip Shark!

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PAGE 13

FISH PIX!

f r o m Wa t e r L I F E m a g a z i n e

Capt Tom Merek, with big snook caught on a small lure , near El Joebean

Brandon Johnson landed this fat jack fishing topwater in Estero Bay!

Jesse Shows, 65-pound goliath with Capt. Dan Cambern

Konstantine Belgrade and a Jack that gave her a fun hard fight! 12/4/16

Caden Hutchins caught a bull shark estimated around 9ft on 60lb line, out on D-9 out of Venice

Ian Rinehart on vacation from Michigan weather, caught this sheepshead with his Grampa Mark.

Happy Day for them!

37 inch Cobia catch by Nancy Stephens Dec.13, on Captain Randy,s boat

PGI is where I caught it! Cameron 11 years of age, catfish

14

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Everything Seems to be On Schedule PAGE

By Mallory Herzog Water LIFE Fishing Winter fishing is in full swing and everything seems to be right on schedule.

Last month I fished a mix of inshore and near shore. It was a month of catching fish with fun clients. Kevin, Jill and Charlie joined us for two days of inshore fishing around Boca Grande and Placida.

They are interested in eventually buying a vessel of their own. Big fans of the Florida Keys, they quickly fell in love with the local island charm.

Everyone was excited to explore the area. We took them to the mangrove islands and grass flats. They caught snook, flounder, trout and redfish! Dad also

seemed to be a sting ray magnet, hooking up to TWO giants on redfish baits. It was their first trip to the island, and it’s safe to say they are hooked!

One of my favorites to catch in the fall/winter months are king mackerel.

The big brother to the Spanish mackerel, these toothy fish are an exciting fight and

quite frustrating if you aren't prepared since their teeth can easily cut though heavy monofilament and fluorocarbon line.

For the best success I use a wire leader that can easily attach to your mainline using a swivel. I use 58pound wire to a 4/0 circle hook, to a small stinger treble hook. They eat a variety of natural baits from frozen chunks of sardines and mullet to live thread fins and blue runners. Anglers also have success with artificial baits while trolling.

Another fun cool water catch is triple tail. These fish show up in our area during the fall/winter months when the Gulf water cools. They are attracted to floating debris, such as wood, heavy mats of seaweed, floating chairs, even trash like balloons – please pick them up after you catch your fish.

These are a hearty fish that put up a fun fight. They feed best on anything flashy like live white bait or small pinfish. Artificial baits are a favorite of mine during triple tail season, handy, you can always leave one tied on the rod. I like gold or silver artificial shrimp. Cast past them, letting your bait or lure swim by naturally. They are a fun sight-cast, it’s heart pounding to watch them swim out and eat your bait. They are a seafood lovers favorite.

Amberjack are still hanging out along our beaches too, heaviest on hard bottom. We’ve been getting them charged up with top water lures, hooking in to them on Penn Battle 6000 with 50-pound mainline. These fish are a tough fight, always making runs towards the bottom. They are in season this month. Will they stay close or head out into deeper waters? January should be exciting.

You can contact Big Bully Outdoors for a charter trip with Mallory’s husband, Capt. Andrew. Call 941-661-9880 or visit BigBullyOutdoors.com

JANUARY 2017

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Readerʼs photos Txt Us Ur Fish Pix! see page 4

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PAGE 15

Brian with a Largemouth bass.

Right Brian with a black drum

Above & Below Austin Hume turns 18 this month and has been fishing Charlotte County waters since he could hold a pole! Our Saltwater Cowboy!!

Tom Black BIG bluegill Withlacoochee River Dec. 23

Daniel Jones with his first shark a bonnet head shark

Tommy Bennett, tail hooked.

Big Ben with a big bass

Jacei Peterso, Lemon Bay, Redfish

Nice Snook caught in the Imperial River, Bonita Springs, by Dale Werner

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JANUARY 2017

10,000 Islands / Everglades City

By Capt. Charlie Phillips Water LIFE / Everglades City I love living in Florida, for me an 85 degree Christmas is as wonderful a gift as there is and for you folks out there saying it’s too darn hot…..well bless your heart!!

Just like last year we have ended the year on a pretty warm note, outside temps in the mid-80s and water temps in the mid-70s.

This type pattern is very similar to exactly where we were last year, heck I was still catching tarpon till the second week of January when the big cold fronts finally started pushing thru. I would bet 2017 will be the same, so enjoy the hot winter fishing window while you can.

Offshore, I am seeing more of my normal wintertime targets, bluefish, and Spanish macs and of course my personal favorite, sheepshead. The shrimp are big now at the bait shops so grab a hundred or so, a pack of 2/0 circle hooks and enough weight to get the bottom and you’re in business.

On the weight side, while it’s pretty common to use an egg weight, or sliding weight, I opt for big split shots instead when I can. You can find these at the big box stores or you might request your favorite tackle shop get some in. What they allow me to do is add weight as I need it, which stays in place and lets me really feel the bite of whatever I am targeting. Sometimes I may add two tight to each other instead of a bigger egg weight as it works well and is fast and easy. The other advantage is that in just a few seconds I can have a free line bait ready by simply removing the weights and it’s game on. For those of us on smaller boats with limited rod storage, this really helps let you have the tools always at hand to get the job done.

As you are heading inshore or offshore, find a crab trap line to run. December has seen some outstanding catches of tripletail thru the area, really all thru the SW region according to social media. It’s a run and gun type fishery, simply get as far as you can off the floats that you can still see well enough to spot fish. And get the boat up on plane and run. If you determine which way the tide is running by the float, it will simplify your gaze as the fish will lay on the backside of the float, looking into the current flow. Simple stuff, they are looking for their next meal to come to the float

or swim by. Once you spot them, call it out to your boat mates with someone to keep a finger pointed at that buoy, and keep on the throttle until you are completely by the float. Then slow down, make a big circle and come back with a bit of stealth to present your offering. A great opportunity to fly fish and to see just how good you’re casting is on the spinning rod.

An accurate cast is important as the fish has to see the offering and attack it. Tight to the float gets the job done more times

than not while still letting the fish go back to the float if he misses or you get excited and jerk it out of his mouth. If that happens, just give him a minute to settle back into position and do it again. It’s great fun, and as good an eating fish as our waters offer in my opinion.

Inshore the trout fishing has been strong this month. The bars and points out front of the major keys, grass flats down south and the channels that run some of the inshore bays are all producing. I would use the tried and true Bass Assassin popping cork and curly tail combo for fast high number results. Lots of chances for reds as well now on those same oyster bars, the popping cork with a big live shrimp is a big producer as is a chunk of fresh cut ladyfish. Look for your snook all thru the region right now, but they are moving to the back and the first big front will seal the deal very soon on where they are calling home.

From Laura and me, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed and prosperous 2017 and will talk again next month. Y’all take care out there!!

Capt. Charlie Phillips: 863-517-1829 e-mail: hopefishing@hotmail.com Web: hopefishing.com

JANUARY 2017

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The new and improved Edgewater Drive at the two Spring Lakes, the road is scheduled to open in March or April.... or May

Year in Review

On The Line

With Capt. Ron Blago Water LIFE Senior Staff

In January each year I put together a list of topics I felt didn't get fair coverage in the mainstream media during the year past. Not all of the subjects are about fishing and boating; but this is the type of stuff I think about when I'm waiting for the fish to bite. I hope you find it interesting.

10) The Englewood Powerboat Races on November 19 and 20 went off without a hitch. This was the third year for the WaterFest and it keeps getting bigger and better. It has become the biggest sporting event in Englewood and I hope the Englewood Chamber of Commerce keeps up the good work.

9) Talk about the shrinking dollar and the cost of inflation. Here's an interesting fact I came across. A net worth of $1 million has the same buying power today that $341,000 did in 1980 and only $45,000 as compared to 100 years ago. I hope the people at the Social Security Administration consider this when they figure out next years cost of living adjustment.

8) Global Warming is still a Hot Button. NOAA has already announced that 2016 will be the hottest year in history and carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere hit 400 ppm, a new modern era record. The Arctic Ice is shrinking but Antarctic Ice is growing. Controversy is everywhere; there are differences between earth temperature measured on land verses temperatures measured by satellite. We are either

PAGE 17

entering a period of extreme warming or at the beginning a new little ice age. There are scientific experts on both sides – so believe what you want. I believe we can't do anything about it. The new catch phrase is solar minimum; part of a natural cycle where the sun puts out less energy.

7) It's time to look at how some of our favorite endangered species did in 2016. Sea turtles had a record year. 2015 was a record year for nests; so turtles are doing fine. Florida black bears got a reprieve from this years scheduled limited hunt. The environmental folks showed up in mass at the FWC meeting and forced the commissioners to disregard their own scientist and staff recommendations; they canceled the hunt until they had more research. Florida panthers had a tough year with 48 panther deaths reported from July 2015 to June 2016. Thirty eight of those deaths were from vehicle collisions. With an estimated total population around 150, it's looking bad for the panther.

6) Red Tide made an appearance in our area the first week in October and is still around in low concentrations. There were a few fish kills reported and a few weeks where the smell was objectionable, but compared to past red tide events around Englewood this was pretty mild.

There were no related manatee deaths reported. Remember that red tide is always present in the water. Always was and always will be, so learn to live with it.

5) Here are a few of my favorite factoids from 2016: 45% of Americans paid no income taxes in 2015. There are 1230 species on the endangered species list and only 37 species have been taken off the

$2 off any haircut!

NEVER ENDING PROJECT

EDGEWATER DRIVE

The new bridges across the East and West Spring Lake area have wide sidewalks and sculpted concrete walls. Past the bridge, to the west, (view here) the road is finished right down to the striping on the pavement. The remaining section to be completed, between Sunrise Waterway and Harbor Blvd. could be finished this spring.

Because of this project, traffic on US 41 is horrible!

list so far, ever. The average car on the road is 11.6 years old. Average new car loan is for $30,032 – average term of loan 68 months – average monthly payment is $503. And 52,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2015.

4) Death Sentences: 30 people were sentenced to death in the US in 2016 : that is the fewest number since the 70s. The largest number was 315 in 1996. Twenty people were executed this year in the US. ( 1 in FLA) The highest number was 98 in 1999. Thirty one states still have the death penalty California has the most prisoners on death row with 741.

3) The manatee population keeps going up with 6,350 counted this year.

The Federal FWS will give us their decision on delisting the manatee in the first half of 2017. The state of Florida FWC is still pushing to have Charlotte County added to the Manatee Protection Plan program. So far this year there have been only 2 manatee deaths due to watercraft in

Charlotte County. Looks like the FWC is trying to solve a problem that doesn't really exist.

2) Looks like the Stump Pass dredging project is back on track. The county has received a bid that has come in under budget and if the contract is signed, work should begin soon on dredging the pass and building the stone groin. If all goes as planned, work on this part of the project should be completed by May 2017.

1) The biggest story of the year was the presidential election. It was definitely one for the history books. The good thing is that the election is over and it’s time for everyone to take a few deep breaths and accept the results. I hope the American people can bury the hatchet and give the new president a chance to prove if he is up to the job. After all; if America does become great again we will all be winners.

Remember the old French proverb “It's only the truth that hurts.”

Captronb@juno.com

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18

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JANUARY 2017

Spicy Portuguese-Style Fish Stew

By Nicole Coudal Water LIFE Delicious!

My family hails from Fall River, Massachusetts — a city known for not only its textiles, but also, its unique culinary history. It started in the late 1800s, when Fall River and New Bedford attracted Portuguese folks from the Azores seeking work in the whaling industry or cotton mills. They not only brought industrial skills, but also, their culinary traditions, which still run deep in that area.

Our family really embraced Portuguese delicacies -- sweet bread, spicy chourico & pepper grinders, meat pies, custard tarts and malasadas, just to name a few.

So delicious.

Portuguese soups are especially flavorful, since they usually include spicy chourico or linguica, sausage made from ground pork, garlic and sweet or spicy pimenton. Traditional Caldeirada, a Portuguese fish stew, is made with potatoes, tomatoes, several types of fish and shellfish. Caldo Verde is another traditional Portuguese soup made with kale, potato and chourico or linguine. Since our weather in Florida has been chilly lately, I made a batch of soup using some older fish in my freezer, and I decided on a combination of these two styles of soup.

You can use any seafood you like —

I used Amberjack (a sturdy, semi-firm fish) because that’s what I had on hand.

To cut down on white potatoes, I added a sweet potato, which brought in some pretty color, too. Basically, you can’t go wrong with this soup — use what you have in your fridge/pantry, and it still makes a delicious meal, especially on a chilly day.

4 Tb. olive oil 2 yellow onions, chopped 1 celery rib, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 springs fresh thyme 2 bay leaves 1/2 lb. chorico or linguica, skin removed, broken into chunks 1 large white potato (skin on), small cubes 1 large sweet potato (skin on), small cubes 3 quarts chicken stock 4 c. fresh kale, chopped 1/2 of a 28 oz. can whole plum tomatoes, slightly mashed (use more if you like more tomatoes) 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 lb. semi-firm/sturdy fish (Amberjack, African Pompano, Grouper, etc.), cut into 1” pieces Directions: 1) Heat a large stock pot over medium/high heat and pour in olive oil.

2) Add onions, garlic, celery, thyme, bay leaves and chorico (or linguica); mix to combine, allowing sausage and oils to coat everything.

3) After about 2 minutes, reduce heat to medium; add potatoes and cook a few minutes until they’re slightly soft and well-combined into mixture.

4) Add stock, kale, tomatoes, salt and pepper; reduce heat to low.

5) Simmer until potatoes are cooked (about 10 minutes), then add fish and lightly stir to combine.

6) Gently simmer a few more minutes.

7) Check for seasoning, then serve; top with homemade croutons, fresh parsley, or shaved parmesan.

Nicole Coudal is an avid fishing gal who hails from New England but has lived in SW Florida for 25 years. Her blog: MyDeliciousBlog.com showcases her "coastal inspired" cuisine using fresh seasonal ingredients,

JANUARY 2017

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What Happened?

By Capt. Betty Staugler Water Life / Sea Grant

Happy 2017! Did anyone see it coming? I sure didn’t. 2016 was a busy year and the end just seemed to disappear. Last month I spent a week in Puerto Rico at a Sea Grant meeting between Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Florida Sea Grant programs. While I was gone, there was a massive fish kill in the Punta Gorda Isles canals. Although I missed seeing the gory details in person, the photos on Facebook were quite telling.

I came back to a number of emails with questions pertaining to the kill. Was it related to red tide, salinity, lack of rain?

Why mostly mullet? How will this impact mullet stocks? Lots of good questions!

What we know for certain is that red tide was in the Harbor and at levels that were causing fish kills. I asked FWC what they were observing and they replied lots of dead or lethargic fish, mainly striped mullet, some seatrout, lots of sardines, and some catfish, along the entire east wall from Punta Gorda to Matlacha Pass. Also across the Harbor out to Cape Haze.

So how does salinity and lack of rain fit into all of this? Well, red tide does have a lower salinity threshold of about 23

parts per thousand. Normally the upper harbor is lower than that which keeps red tide from making its way up and lingering. This year however we are in a drought and salinities are much higher. I only remember one other time in my 30 years here that red tide hit concentrations as high and for as long in the upper harbor. I don’t recall what year that was though.

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poor. A slight difference in temperature (colder waters on bottom) or density (saltier water on bottom) is generally enough to create a barrier between the surface and bottom waters. This barrier may be broken by heavy wind or cold rain.

When the barrier is broken, oxygen rich surface waters mix with oxygen poor bot-

There’s also another factor that could be relLast month the city of Punta Gorda put out dumpsters and residents took to evant in the their boats to collect dead fish.

PGI canals and that is dissolved oxygen. The PGI canals tom waters resulting in stressed oxygen in places are quite deep, particularly along conditions. If the demand for oxygen is some of the canal ends, and that allows great enough, it will quickly be depleted the water to stratify due to the lack of resulting in a fish kill. mixing. The surface waters typically have I don’t know if anyone was measuring sufficient oxygen to sustain animal life but dissolved oxygen levels in the PGI canal the bottom waters are typically oxygen system when the fish kill occurred so I am just speculating here, but it would make sense that if a low oxygen event corresponded with a red tide event, and during

PAGE 19

a time when mullet were stacked up in the canals, that the result would be a massive fish kill. PGI is no stranger to oxygen related fish kills, this fish kill just happened to be really bad!

So what does that mean for mullet, well time will tell? But it may interest readers to know that every few years FWC does a striped mullet stock assessment, and this year biologists have been doing directed monitoring of striped mullet for that purpose. The last striped mullet assessment was completed in 2014. That assessment concluded that “all models indicate that striped mullet on both coasts are currently neither overfished nor undergoing overfishing”.

Some major take aways from the 2014 assessment are: “Total statewide landings for striped mullet in Florida were 12,039,430 lb in 2013, with about 80% made by the commercial fishery and on the west coast. Since the last assessment in 2008, total landings on the west coast have been stable around an average of 9,896,539 lb. From 1930 to 1993 west coast landings averaged 26,715,585 lb/yr but due to the net ban they fell below 6,613,860 lb in 1995 and have only increased slightly to 10,465,331 lb in 2013.

Also, FWC fisheries independent surveys noted a strong recruitment pulse for Charlotte Harbor in 2011-2012.”

Capt. Betty Staugler, Florida Sea Grant Agent.

UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County (941) 764-4346

The Road to Boston

Charlotte Countyʼs Sea Grant agent, Capt. Betty Staugler, is a runner .... a pretty serious runner.

This summer, in Eugene Oregon, Betty quallified as a competitor for the 2017 Boston Marathon.

Weʼve asked Betty to share her preparations leading up to the race. Here is the second of her monthly reports.

My first few weeks of marathon training were pretty uneventful. I’m doing my runs and hitting my paces.

The week before my plan started I was in Puerto Rico and I had to wrap my head around the fact that I would not be running. There was no time built into the agenda we received for running. It was actually a good break, the only one I’ve taken in a year, and the only one I’ll get until after the race (April 17th).

This month, weeks 4-8, I will be running six days a week, with my total weekly miles between 43 and 48.

My long runs will be between 12 and 15 miles (look for me on Sunday mornings…I will be everywhere!), and I will be doing speed runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Things I’m looking forward to: cooler weather, and running trails (the Webb and RV Griffin are two of my favorites). The sunrises this time of year are also spectacular!

Strange thought that ran through my mind: Do drivers think I’m a crazy woman, doing squats and lunges at 6 am, on the US41 bike/pedestrian trail, when they drive by me?

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20

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Sailing 2.4 Meters

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These unique little boats carry one sailor, low in the hull and it often gets cold and wet so close to the water

Buying a Kayak – Try it Before You Buy It!

By Bob Fraser Water LIFE Paddlesports When we buy a car we always drive it before we buy one. When I buy a boat, I always take it out on the water to see how it runs. Hooking a garden hose to the motor and starting it is not a good enough test the motor is in good shape. A boat motor will run differently in water.

Don’t buy a kayak without taking it out on the water for a paddle or pedal. There are many reasons to try out a kayak before buying one. One reason is to make sure it doesn’t leak, especially if it’s a used one. Check the kayak out for tracking; an 8-10 foot kayak will not track as well as an 11-14 foot kayak most of the time. My first kayak was a 9-foot kayak and when I stopped paddling it would turn to the left or right. It wouldn’t stay straight. It could have been the model or the fact that it was 9 feet.

Other reasons to try out the kayak is for the leg room,

By Tony Pocklington Water LIFE Sailing The Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club once again played host to both the 2.4 Meter North Americans and the US Nationals 2.4 racers.

Fifteen sailors, men and women, both able body and disabled, competed in challenging conditions.

Former Olympic, current US Paralympic team sailors, including team sailor Dee Smith (4th place finisher in the Paralympic games in Rio this past September) sailed out to the starting line Tuesday for the first 3 races of the 2016 2.4 Meter North Americans.

Thirteen knots of wind, with gusts to 18 greeted the sailors on the first day. Race management had the course set and started us on time. Dee Smith, with 1-2-2 finishes and Allan Leibel, 2-1-1, ruled the day, with yours truly in third with 3-4-4 finishes.

The starting line on day 2 was a complete opposite from day 1. Shorts and sunscreen were the order for Race 4, which started in light and variable winds of 2-to 6 knots. The oscillating breeze proved challenging, and water flow was a major player in race course management for the sailors.

Race 5 was abandoned after it became clear that most competitors could not get around the top mark due to the ebbing current. Four races is all we would get in and the North Americans concluded with Dee

stability, ease of paddling, the weight, and how well the scupper holes allow the water to drain out.

Some kayaks have adjustable pegs for your feet, and other ones have molded foot rests. Different models have different hull designs. Some have a flatter bottom to add more stability. I own 2 Mainstream Kingfish kayaks, and they are comfortable and stable. They have a wide bottom which makes them stable and they also drift slower than my other kayak which is a Perception.

I had one of my Mainstream kayak’s 2 miles offshore in Panama City Beach in 2-3 foot waves and felt very safe. I can paddle my Perception a little faster, but it does drift faster in the wind. If you like to drift the flats in a kayak, then the Mainstream would work well for you.

I bought a used kayak once without out trying it out, and we found out the hard way that it had a few leaks.

Before we could get it back to shore, the whole inside of the kayak filled up with water. We almost couldn’t get it out of the water. The owner

JANUARY 2017

Smith winning the tiebreaker for first, Allan Leibel took second and I got third.

The breeze returned for the start of the US Nationals on Thursday with 11-to 13 knots gusting to 16. PRO Roger Streube and his talented crew were able to get 4 races in for us. The day ended with Allan Leibel in first place (with 4 firsts), Danny Evans in second, and Doug Bell and I tied for third.

Day 2 of the Nationals saw a drop in temperature, and a nice breeze that peaked at 15-knots, midday. The fleet really began to tighten up as the regatta progressed, making for some close finishes.

Day 3 saw the temperatures really drop, and it was dry suits and ski caps for all with starting temperatures hovering near 60 degrees.

After 2 races in 13-to 15 knot breezes with tricky changes in direction, Allan Leibel of Toronto Canada, finished the day as the overall winner with a total score of 8 points. Charlie Rosenfield of Woodstock Connecticut finished second, winning the Nick Scandone trophy for the second consecutive year. This writer, sailing out of CHYC finished third.

These two events were part of a series of 6 regattas that comprise the inaugural 2.4mr CanAm championship. Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club is hosting 5 of the 6 events this winter, with 3 more to come.

Thanks to the CHYC for providing a sensational venue!

I bought it from wouldn’t take it back, so I repaired the holes and sold it. I used some hard plastic and a heat gun to repair the leaks.

Recently I bought a new tandem fishing kayak for my wife and I and we had some problems with it. The scupper holes wouldn’t allow the water to drain out after some water came over the sides from some boat waves. Even the dry storage compartment filled up with water.

Thankfully, the distributor has agreed to give us our money back. Even though this kayak had great reviews, online, we still had problems with it.

Don’t ever buy a kayak without trying it out first, whether it’s new or used.

As for a fishing report, I caught a few trout in the Port Charlotte canals this past week. As the weather cools off, the trout fishing in the canals should get better.

Bob Fraser 941-916-8303 www.bobmfraser.com Speaker & Author, Business & Marketing Consultant

JANUARY 2017

SCUTTLEBUTT ONLINE EVERY MONTH @

WWW.WATERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

PAGE 21

Sometimes Unsubstanciated, But Often True CAPTAIN SCAM. A friend wrote: I get this, or a very similarly worded version, a couple of times per year.

Itʼs a little scary that there is actually scamming thatʼs targeted at boat charters.

Hello, Do you have boat available for booking from 24.April.2017 -30.April.2017 The number of guests to expect is 6 people. Get back to me if you have opening for reservation during my stated date.

James Pearson Glasgow, Scotland

CUT UP An FWC officer on land patrol and noticed some debris in a rural area. He realized that he had located a 22-foot Action Craft flats boat that was recently reported stolen. The vessel was found in a remote area of North Port cut up into about 100 pieces. The motor,

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Ron Klein, with a Port Charlotte overslot Redfish

tower, electronics and trailer were not at the scene. The officer was able to put together pieces of the vessel like a puzzle, to match the “be on the lookout” (BOLO) photos.

The registered owner of the vessel came to the scene and was able to positively identify the vessel as his own. The case was turned over to North Port police department and the Charlotte County Sheriffʼs Office.

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

INVESTIGATORS AND OFFICERS RECEIVED INFORMATION that marine turtle nests in the vicinity of the Jupiter Inlet Colony displayed signs of possible human disturbance and/or missing eggs. Area investigators and officers initiated and conducted patrol efforts in the area.

Early at night, a subject was observed taking the eggs of a loggerhead turtle that was actively nesting. The subject was in possession of 107 loggerhead turtle eggs.

He was subsequently arrested. The defendant pled guilty and was sentenced as follows: 1.180 days with credit for time served; 2. approximately $15,000 in fines consisting of 100 per egg, court costs and restitution; 3. 3 years of probation; and 4. 75 hours of community service.

GONNA EAT IT The Florida Highway Patrol requested assistance in conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle in reference to a domestic bat

Beautiful whelk in Stump Pass. Posing for a picture before we put them back.

tery. Deputies and FHP troopers were able to get the vehicle stopped, but were notified by the female victim that a gopher tortoise was in the vehicle. The investigation determined that the subjects had passed through Archbold Biological Station and observed a tortoise on the side of the road. The male subject broke off the radio transmitter device on the turtle and captured it.

The tortoise that was taken was part of an ongoing 49-year gopher tortoise study. The tortoise has been a part of the study for over 30 years and is frequently used in educational outreach programs at Archbold. The male subject told the officers he was going to cook it and eat it. The officer arranged for the tortoise to be returned unharmed to Archibold Station. The male subject was charged with possession of an endangered or threatened species and criminal mischief.

DUMB AND HIS BUDDY DUMBER Officers on land patrol received a

complaint of some individuals spearing snook at Long Boat Pass on Anna Maria Island. When they arrived on scene, they observed the individuals spear fishing as well as a cooler containing four speared snook.

After interviewing the two subjects, one of the fisherman claimed responsibility for spearing all the snook.

The subject was cited criminally for possession of undersized and oversized snook. He was also cited for possession of over the bag limit of snook and snook taken by illegal method. The second spear fisherman was taken to jail for possession of a felony amount of cannabis found during the course of the investigation.

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

SHOULD HAVE KNOWN Officers patrolling Dr. Von D. Mizell - Eula Johnson State Park conducted a vessel stop at the marina on a vessel with three people on board. As the boat came closer, they noticed a sailfish lying on the floor of the boat with a large gaff mark on the side of it. The subjects had not measured the fish prior to gaffing and killing the fish and were also not in possession of a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit which is required for possessing sailfish. The sailfish was measured and determined to be undersized. Sailfish must measure 63 inches from the lower jaw to the fork of the tail. The

Look at the cup!!!!

Classic

subject was issued a resource citation for the undersized sailfish.

POTENTIAL BOOOOM! A FWC officer responded to the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park when it was reported that a beach-goer had discovered and transported a large military incendiary device to the ranger station. Upon his arrival, it was determined that the device might still be viable and both the Fire Department and Sheriffʼs Office Bomb Squad were called. The device was examined and rendered safe by the Bomb Squad.

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JANUARY 2017

January – Predictions and Suggestions

BackBay Xtremes Capt Dave Stephens www.backbayxtremes.com

941-916-5769

Fish With A Guide!

Youʼll catch more fish and youʼll learn something new, every time!

Charlotte Harbor

Frank at Fishin’ Franks 941-625-3888

Red tide seems to be gone from the upper Harbor and we’re in pretty good shape. We are already seeing species moving in and out and people are catching fish. We’re hoping for a great January, the only thing is; it’s windier than normal - with strong winds down across the south.

Trout are already along the grass flats on the east side, there are some up at I-75, they’re good at Tippecanoe, Cape Haze and down at the south end of Pine Island, around St James.

Redfish had gone up into the rivers and deeper creeks to avoid the red tide and now they are all coming out on to the flats again.

From St. James City up to Ice House No. 2, the Pine Island Sound and the Gasparilla Sound they are all starting to load up with redfish. The west wall is getting reds. The Myakka has redfish, but those are mostly smaller fish. The Port Charlotte canals have had reports of some redfish. I’m not hearing much about snook up here, more so around Lemon Bay and Placida.

And there has been some good

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Speak Easy Fishing Charters Captain Joe Angius USCG licensed & Insured Phone: (727)

234-3171

speakeasyfishing.com

speakeasyfishing@gmail.com

Today, beautiful snapper near shore.

snook fishing up above the 41 Bridges.

SheepShead are starting to finally come on.

There have been good reports in Lemon Bay, in Ski Alley and offshore at Novak and Trembly FISH PIX! Richard Hutchins caught a 51-inch kingfish Reefs. Fish are coming in at Punta before, but things are changing.

Rassa and are around Matlacha.

On the freshwater side, bass We’ve had a few reports up at are doing really good in the Cape ElJobean, but not so many yet.

Coral and Port Charlotte canals.

Out into the Gulf, king Guys are bottom bouncing the mackerel continue to do well June-bug creature-baits, fishing starting 3 miles out. At 15 miles lighter colors in the water and you can add blackfin, permit, frogs in the weeds. amberjack, there’s all kinds of Crappie fishing is going restuff out past 15 miles. ally good. They are starting to We are hearing sporadic remove up to the branches overports of Spanish mackerel here hanging the water Jigs are best and there, from the Harbor out to in the lighter colors. All in all, the Gulf. The Spanish are here it’s a bang up time for crappie and gone, here and gone, we are fishing right now. not hearing about them steady.

Pompano are along the beaches, and there are schools working around Cape Haze. One guy hit a nice school in the ICW inside Redfish Pass, but up a little closer to Captiva is the spot.

I don’t have any reports of tripletail, but I’m pretty sure the tripletail should be out there, this is the time and the weather is nice for them.

There are sporadic reports of cobia, a few in the Harbor at Cape Haze and Jug creek. On hard bottom there are some out on the reefs. If we don’t get a bad cold front we should see a nice burst of cobia. A hard cold will push them back up, but if it’s mild it could be a banner year.

Grouper and snapper fishing has moved back out to10-to 12 River Monster!! Gator miles. They were in a lot closer FISH PIX! from Water LIFE magazine

from Water LIFE magazine

Gar - Chrissy Marie

JANUARY 2017

ONLINE EVERY MONTH @

The BIG-4 TROUT Lemon Bay and the southern Pine Island Sound

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Darren with some nice kingfish

Lemon Bay - Placida Jim at the Fishermen’s Edge 941-697-7595

Fish you can expect in

REDFISH East side of the Harbor and Pine Island Sound

KINGFISH If the water stays warm the kings will stay too

of guys tell me they are catching cobia, trolling plugs with big bobbers, fish in the 35- to 40-pound range... that’s what they say, anyway. There are lots of snapper, porgys and reef fish. You don’t have to go very far for reef fish.

Pompano are around and some guys have been into triple tail The pompano are in the surf, along the beach in the wash channel, where the little sand fleas and coquina are. There are also whiting and black drum out there.

I haven’t heard anything about flounder, but I would think that they are out there too, this is the time of year.

Lot of guys are catching crappie now. All the lakes and ponds are hot and a lot of guys are going up to Lake Istokpoga or up by Ocala to catch crappie right now.

Lot of guys are saying they are catching quite a bit of bluefish in Lemon Bay. Trout are good from Lemon Bay down to Bull Bay, the guides are getting trout every trip. There is quite a bit of snook still down by Boca Grande in the surf, these are fish above keeper size. Guys catching them were doing mostly plug fishing down by the State Park before the sun came up.

Offshore, a lot of good red grouper. A bunch

Pier Fishing

January

WWW.WATERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

The Tom Adams Bridge Pier

By Bobby Vitalis Water LIFE Pier Fishing Crevalle Jack is so awesome to catch. Due to their flat body, and the way they twist and turn in the water, they give a good fight. This Crevalle Jack was caught at Tom Adamʼs Bridge Pier, from low to high tide. I have caught several of them in the morning, through the afternoon hours. The most common weight I have caught there is from two pounds on up.

Crevalle Jack comes in schools. If you find one, you are going to find an other. You can catch these fish from the beginning of the Pier to the end of the Pier. The best way to catch Crevalle jack is to go spinning for them with lures. Make a fast retrieve to interest the Crevalle Jack to bite. As youʼre reeling it in, give it sharp jerks. The artificial lure I use is the Berkely Gulp Saltwater 3 inch shrimp color (MOLTING). It comes in a six pack. Berkely Gulp lures are good to use because they have a strong scent. The jig head I use for this lure is the D.O.A C.A.L short shank 3/8 ounce weight color (WHITE). WHEN USING THIS LURE : For my main line, I use 30-pound test Power Pro 100 percent spectra color (GREEN). For my leader line, I use no less then 3 feet of 20-pound to 25-pound test Sufix invisline 100 percent Fluorocarbon leader line. Sheepshead are also biting at the Pier too. Sometimes you can see the sheepshead under the Pier. You will see them swimming around the pilings. Just drop your line in the

TRIPLETAIL Crab traps and floating debris

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Nearshore Temps cooling from low 70s then they get warmer as you go further from shore

95˚ 90˚ 85˚ 80˚

Leroy with a king

FISH PIX!

75˚ 72˚ 70˚ 68˚

FISH PIX!

from Water LIFE magazine

Captain Leroy Bennett doubled up on redfish and snook Charlotte Harbor from Water LIFE magazine

water around the pilings, and wait for them to bite.

50˚ The bait to use is live fiddlers crabs or live shrimp.

The hook size I suggest you use is from 2/0 to 3/0 owner or gamagatsu circle hooks.

In addition to my report of Crevalle Jack, this 45˚ grouper was also caught at Tom Adamʼs Bridge Pier last month. You can also catch them in the morning to after noon hours. A good spot on the Pier to catch these fish is also right under the Pier, or under the bridge around the columns.

When fishing for grouper too, I like using artificial lures. The lure I am using is the D.O.A 4 inch shrimp Model # 313, ounce weight, color (GOLD GLITTER). It comes in a 3 pack. I used a scent with this lure.

The scent I was using is from PRO-CURE bait scents. This scent is awesome. A good scent to use is the INSHORE SALTWATER scent. This scent is made out of real bait. Itʼs super sticky, and super strong. It comes in a 2 ounce or 8 ounce squeeze bottle. So, if you want to in crease youʼre strikes, try this scent. This scent can be used to catch many types of fish. The bait to use is also live shrimp. The hook size is also a 2/0 to 3/0 owner or gamagatsu circle hooks. Note: I used the same main line and leader line with this lure. Have a great time fishing!

FISHING RIGHT NOW:

Good

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JANUARY 2017