Water LIFE Aug 2005

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Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay Florida

Keeping Boaters and Fishermen Informed Page 6

CHS Tourney

August 2005

The Face of Charley

KIDS CUP: Results and Photos Winners!

Page 5

Page 25

The Face of Charley www.CHARLOTTEHARBORMAGAZINE.COM

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August 2005

August 2005

Water LIFE

We Must Be Doing Something Right

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Editor I am happy to report the Water LIFE Kids Cup was a resounding success. We caught and released 73 fish and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.

I still have a vivid memory of being in the tower on Gene Kingery’s ActionCraft, at the start of Saturday’s fishing, taking turns shouting out numbers in sequence from 1 to 90 to turn the boats lose.

Neither of us remembered to bring the bull horn so we had to make due with our voices. But the red, then orange sky of morning - the smell of two-stroke exhaust in the air. “Smells like victory, smells like success,” we joked, with our horse, raspy voices later that morning.

Kids came back early, as we hoped, and weighed in a lot of nice fish. It was our intent to stress the importance of keeping fish alive and releasing them alive in this tournament. Having the scale open at 9 a.m. was part of that plan.

Tournaments can offer great insight from an educated and informed section of the fishing population. Information about not only fishing, but the environment as well. Scientists in laboratories can benefit from the fisereman’s real-time, on-thewater observations.

It was tournament fishing (I believe it was the old Red Snook Tournament, run by the CCA, that first brought a resuscita-

tion tank to the weigh in dock. And tournament anglers pioneered using bottled oxygen to super-aerate their livewells.

Of all the local inshore tournaments I have seen in the last 8 years, I can only remember one, at Burnt Store, where the FWC actually tagged the fish before releasing them ... and I never heard any follow up of that tagging project, save for one angler who told me he caught one of the tagged fish a few weeks later.

In this area the old tournaments at Burnt Store and Gasparilla Marina that released the fish into the marina at the dock, were the most hazardous to fish survival. On any morning after a tournament you could find dead fish floating there.

The harbor masters both took note and soon the tournament rules for events held at Gasparilla and Burnt Store included taking the fish by boat back out into the harbor to release them. Fishermen figured this out. The practice solved the problem and continues to this very day without any formal regulation.

On June 18, Bing and Jackie Blackburn weighed in a 9.2 pound redfish to capture the Burnt Store Couples tournament first place prize. “That fish is big, the fish is a mutant," Capt Rhett Morris the next boat in line at the Couples event commented upon seeing the big, bent-tailed, fish.

I took a picture of Bing and Jackie.

The fish was weighed, taken back out of

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Bing and Jackie Blackburn (above) with a 9.52 pound redfish that was the big fish in the Burnt Store Couples tournament. Two days later, Bruce Burchers (right) caught the same fish.

If you arenʼt convinced, look at the inset photos of the spot configuration on the fishʼs tail.

the marina and released in the harbor.

Two days later Capt Rhett Morris called me. He said he was fishing with clients Craig Gunderson and Bruce Burchers about a quarter of a mile south of Burnt store.

“We were free-lining white bait, trout fishing on a sandy flat, when we had a hard hit. Bruce had the fish on the line and when I pulled the line in I saw it was a redfish. I lifted the fish out of the water and saw the bent tale. I recognized it immediately,” Morris said.

It was the same fish that won the Couples tournament two days earlier.

“Large fish are generally more stressed after being caught and released than the smaller 4 to 5 pound fish,” Morris said.

“Generally a redfish will look for shallow protected water where it can hide and recuperate without being threatened by predators.” he added.

“This shows that what they are doing at Burnt Store – releasing fish outside of the marina basin – is working. It's a good sign that such a big fish was back in the swing of things and eating,” Morris said.

At our Kids Cup Tournament last month we took those two concepts – a release tank and a release boat – and carried them one step further. Fish in need of resuscitation went into a cooled super oxygenated tank and then if they needed more help they went into Fishin’ Franks release boat and were transported down the harbor where the water was more salty and where they had a chance to find cover.

We were trying to do the right thing for the fish and set a good example for the kids.

Kids, tournament fishing, and learning from experienced fishing guides. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

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MAGAZINE

August 2005

Shark Tournament: August 6-7

Thanks to all the Kids Cup Sponsors

Normally the ʻLetters to the Editorʼ section appear here, but this month we need this space to thank the Water LIFE Kids Cup Sponsors. ʻ Lettersʼ appear on page 24.

These names are not in any special order.Some gave more, some gave less, but it was the sum total of everyoneʼs contribution that made the Water LIFE Kids Cup a resounding success.

First thanks to Bruce and Barbara Laishley from Laishley marine and Richard Lewellen at Palm Chevrolet. They made the T-shirts and Captainʼs Meeting dinner happen. And thanks to Charles Wallace and the Redfish Chop House for catering the food. Thanks to Scott Rush at San Carlos Marine for the hats, to Ron Horton at Action Craft for being the KIds Cup boat sponsor and thanks to West Marine and Boat US for making the Kids Cup an IGFA Junior Angler World Championship qualifying event. And thanks to the IGFA. And a BIG thanks to JM Productions and the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup. Letting us associate with their good name, bringing our winner to their finals this year, providing the top 5 shirts and the Kids Cup Trophy were all their doings. And thanks to Frank Ruby at Sea Life Gallery in Englewood for the Top-5 trophies, the sportsmanship award, and the age group prints.

Thanks to Mark Lindsey at Stump Pass Marina for the Competitorʼs awards and to Shimano and the Don Coffey Group for the rods and reels. And thanks to Lowrance for the i-trecks. Thanks to Gary Ingman at

Ingman Marine for the Power Pole that went to the guide who fished the winning kids and for movie tickets to every kid who weighed in a fish. Thanks to Chris McMillan and Phil Knowlton at Harbor Re Max for their generous contribution and to the friends of Rich Novak who made the sportsmanship award possible.

Thanks to Screenprint Plus and Martin Gambecki for the work on the T-shirts, to Mercury Marine for the Top-5 jackets and winnerʼs shirts. To Ralph Allen for being the weighmaster, to Robert Lugeiwicz for being the fish handler, to Gene and Sharon Kingery for all their help and being the emcee, to Betty Staugler from Sea Grant, to Capt. Ron Blago, and to our wives, mothers, kids, and friends who helped us through. Thank you all.

Thanks to Chris at Harpoon Harryʼs for letting us have our tournament on the front dock, where we love to be. And thanks to the News Sun newspaper at Sebring for printing the Kids Cup program. Thanks to PGT industries, Don Gasgarth Ford, Boats Unlimited, Kingfisher Fleet. Thanks to Pam Turner at CVS pharmacy in Punta Gorda who donated 8 cases of water for the Kids Cup contestants and to Pastor Rich Webb and the Maranatha Fellowship who put out the doughnuts and coffee in the morning and had a lunch bag packed for each angler and captain.

And a big thanks to Fishinʼ Frank who not only helped for months before the tournament but who made sure we had shrimp when the time for the fishing came. Thanks to the CVB

for promoting the event, to the Herald Tribune for itʼs support in print and thanks to the following business card sponsors: Greggs Automotive, Linda Fodor, Pool Sharks, Bayshore Marine, Cabinets Plus, Southern Oxygen, Capt Bills Barber Shop, Office-N-Post, USA Realty, The Placida Queen, Sun Coast Real Estate, Beach Art Decor, Fishermenʼs Village, Nav-A-Gator, Manasota Key Realty, Donʼs Tire/DC Automotive, Marina Contracting Group, Mamma Nunzia, Giffels Webster, Lyn Bevis of Re/Max, Cort Frohlich, Macʼs Metals, Lori Moore & Rick Francois of Sun Coast Realty and the Village Oyster Bar. And last, but not least, thanks to everyone who donated tackle and products for the captainʼs Bags: Eppinger Lures, Old Bayside, Lindy Tackle, Eagle Claw, XTools, Mister Twister Exude, D.O.A., Rip Tide, Henryʼs Tackle. And thanks to the captains who took the kids fishing, and thanks to the moms who let them go!

Thank You all for making the 2005 Water LIFE Magazine Kids Cup Tournament a great success . We couldnʼt have done it without all of you. Now wait until you see what happens next year when the Oh Boy Oberto Redfish Cup comes to town!

Michael & Ellen Heller Water LIFE Magazine / The Kids Cup.

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Contributing Editors:

Fishing / Environment: Capt. Ron Blago Charlotte Harbor: Capt. Robert Moore Gasparilla: Capt. Chuck Eichner Port Charlotte: Fishinʼ Frank Offshore: Capt. Steve Skevington Technical Advisor: Mike Panetti Sailing Advisor: Bill Dixon Lemon Bay: Don Cessna Kayaks: David Allen Local: Capt. Andrew Medina

on the COVER: 2005 Kids Cup Top-5 ... head out to go fishing

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Tide Graphs: For Punta Gorda, Shell Point, El Jobean, Pine Island, Matlacha, Redfish Pass, and Lemon Bay. Weather: Links to all of our favorite weather and radar web-sites.

Back editions: Pages of previous editions

Artificial Reefs: Lat. and Long. for 24 local artificial reefs

Manatee Myths: Read the original plan to create sanctuaries and refuges, as spelled out by the United Nations in 1984 Links to Realtors: Connect with our real estate advertisers

2005 Water LIFE Kids Cup Tournament Results Water LIFE

August 2005

# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52

Angler Name Tyler Kerry J. C. Gill Nikki Hannon Austin Taylor Zachary Granger Chris Larsen Jessie Daughtry Jake T Smith Zach Lozano Hussein Taha Naji Taha Jarrett Williams Billy Tobey Chris Jones Shalley Graef Johnathan Reid Brandon Tanksley Michael Spaniol Cole Calhoun Tyler Pastornicky Jacklynne Yard Dakotah Yard Justin Cauffman Logan Totten Jammie Leibman Colby Rodgers Dylan Daughtry Drew Rossi Shane Lee Warren Matthew Steffes John L Neely Robbie Aulbach Chase Jemison Jon Zweifel AJ Russell Kaitlyn Fry Zackery Shaver Jesse A. Smith Nathan Henderson Dalton Conrad Jared Shackelford James Daughtry Cody Bollinger Michael Castaldi Bryan Greenberg Bobby Helphenstine Shane S. Cardwell Cody Bailey Andrew Welsh Austin Keen Bryant Cole

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

Capt Name Fish Weight Wayne Kerry 4.12 Ron Hueston 5.28 Fred W. Hannon 3.04 Jim Taylor 2.86 Fred Granger 6.44 David McHugh 4.78 J. Lyn Bevis 2.72 Rhett Morris 2.96 Chuck Rinehart 4.68 Hassein Taha 0 Hassein Taha 0 J. Lynn Bevis 2.32 Dwayne French 6.86 Gary Graef 6.72 Gary Graef 6.12 Curtis Sistrunk 2.92 Did Not Fish 0 Brian Ziegler 4.40 Bob DiMuzio 2.82 Geoff Page 5.72 Bob Bridges 0 Bob Bridges 0 Ron Cauffman 5.30 Jessie Bisye 0 Evan Leibman 6.50 Rick Jordan 0 Rick Jordan 3.30 Dwayne French 7.42 Top 5 Chris Newberry 0 Sam Arcure 5.64 Johnny Neely 0 Johnny Neely 0 Michael Jemison 0 Michael Jemison 3.26 Jimmy Fry 2.30 Jimmy Fry 0 Mike Miller 0 Stephen B.Smith 0 Terry Henderson 6.40 Patrick Mason 2.98 Scott Hughes 4.02 Scott Hughes 7.00 Top 5 Andrew Medina 5.86 Jason Dill 2.92 David Hoke 0 David Hoke 0 Steve Cardwell 0 Lance Welsh 0 Lance Welsh 3.96 Tom Fisher 5.42 Chuck Cole 5.94

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53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104

Benjamin Matt Ashley Austin Kyle Ryan Matthew Jordan Shane Daniel Tyler Justin B Jacob Kevin Jake Colton Madison Dan Jordan Ryan Ricky Marissa Kaitlyn Ricky Trey Fabian Tyler John Dustin Dylan Alyssa Bryce Shannon Jilliane Dalton Gabriel Zack Andrew Logan Eli Jacob Crowl Robert Michelle Matt Brandon Eric E Jessie Jenna Taylor Danielle Tyler

Whiteaker Anderson Susko Henson Horton Kays Davis Davis Wumkes Vazquez Lewis Shafer Jordan Aschliman Brandenberger Kirkpatrick Kirkpatrick Glichtensten Ingman Moore Stewart Legg Legg Medina Llewellyn Guerrero Helphenstine Salem Drake Myers Latham Del Rio Calleja Tartagla Smith Nicolosi Lee Merriman Simmons Noll Noll Kenny Wrightson Lassey Roche Parks White Culpepper Shackelford Dougles Mull Breton

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

Ben Bill Brian Brian J. R. JR Pastor Robert Dave Walter Alex Eric M Chuck Paul Roger Kim Jeff Steve Jerry Robert J. B. Tyler Bobby Andrew Jarrett Alex Jarrett Travis Jeff Jeff Dan Blake Adam Curtis Brad Angel Pastor Stephen Gary Freddie Karen Glen Chuck David Tom Jerry Bill Jason Dwayne Chris Blake Donnie

Whiteaker White Susko Susko Witt Witt J.Bryant Davis Wumkes Vazques Suescen Shinner Howard White Crafton Kirkpatrick Kirkpatrick Cardwell Cleffi Moore Bradshaw Truett Legg Medina Lombard Suescun Lombard Opsahl Drake Drake Latham Beerbower Valle Sistrunk Opsahl Torres J.Bryant Smith Simmons Granger Wumkes Smoak Eichner Lassey Batkin Cleffi White Dill Shackelford Newberry Beerbower Levetson

5.22 3.98 3.18 3.12 6.02 5.72 2.54 3.00 3.66 0 4.36 2.98 2.56 0 6.90 4.52 4.22 0 5.28 5.82 7.42 5.14 6.90 5.94 3.88 0 7.38 3.78 0 2.58 3.34 3.60 3.40 0 0 4.20 2.74 0 0 5.74 2.84 0 3.46 6.06 0 2.98 0 2.60 5.90 3.26 4.42 5.48

Top 5 Top 5 Top 5

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Treacherous Weather, Big Fish

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Editor On Saturday hurricane Dennis was a category three storm with winds in its center of 130 mph. It was approaching and although it was clear that the eye would pass 150 miles offshore, Dennis was a big storm and its effects were already being felt in SW Florida. Tropical force winds of 35 to 40 mph and waves in the six to eight foot range were breaking on Englewood beach. Tides were two and a half feet above normal in Charlotte Harbor. On the radar screen feeder bands of bright yellow and red swept through Charlotte County with curtains of torrential rain dropping from a grey and black sky. This wasn't fishing

weather, for sure and the Charlotte High Redfish Open had to be postponed.

Sunday dawned not much better. Winds were down to 25 knots and the bands of yellow and red on the radar were now mostly yellow but the sky was still thoroughly overcast and the water was still extremely high. Rain, heavy rain swept across the harbor and the small craft warning flags were still rattling in the wind, but at the boat ramp in Laishley Park at 5 a.m., there were anglers backing their boats into the water.

We talked about it at the captain's meeting, Tournament Director Jerry Cleffi said. I gave them the option. Anyone who wanted to pull out could get their money

back, Cleffi said, and ten teams immediately withdrew. Some of them were emergency workers who were going to pack up and head up to Pensacola, ready to help with hurricane relief. Some teams just said ‘no way,’ but 75 teams took a wait and see attitude, and now it was time to decide.

“When I got to the weigh in dock at 5:15 there were already a handful of boats milling around. No one wanted to be the first one to check in, Cleffi said, but as the 6 a.m safe light starting time approached more and more boats showed up and although it wasn't light, and some said it wasn't safe either, the tournament was a go.

The start was like a NASCAR race;

August 2005

Above: Numerous trolling motors and other boat parts were damaged on this day.

Left: Brad Opshal shows off his weigh in slip and talks some trash to Mike Wedell.

Wedell had the biggest fish, Opshal had the heaviest two fish weight.

Below: Peeler crabs, small soft shelled blue crabs are a redfish delicacy in summer and many anglers had them for bait.

Far Left Top. The Big redfish held by Big Mike Wedell Bottom Left: The weigh in was conducted from the new side patio at Harpoon Harrys.

green flag, and everyone took of. With the wind coming out of the south it didn't look that bad at Fishermen's Village, in the protected lee of the Punta Gorda shore, but when the field hit Colony Point the flag changed to yellow and the boats fell into a single file line. “We rounded the corner and watched four boats turn right around and head back,” Josh Smith said.

“I tried to catch you,” Scott Rush Jr joked with Capt. Rhett Morris, “I just wanted to get up along side of you.” Rush had a flats boat and Morris was in his bay boat. “That wasn't happening. I saw you behind me, but I knew you weren't coming,” Morris shot back. Rush pulled up close and then holstered his guns.” I had

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August 2005

my hands cupped around my face trying to keep the rain out of my eyes. I couldn't see a thing,” he said.

"I've never been out in the middle of the Harbor when it was so bad,” experienced angler Lyn Bevis said. “We had some pinfish penned up at Pirate Harbor and our plan was to go down there and retrieve them, but Pirate Harbor on this morning was a long way off.”

“A pounding? That doesn't even begin to describe it,” Brad Opshal said. “There were five footers all across the harbor." Opshal ultimately won the event but it wasn't an easy day. Because of all the rain and the freshwater running into the top of the harbor from the rivers, three quarters of the field went to Pirate Harbor to fish. “Fishing was good,” Opshal said. “We probably caught 40 reds down there Opshal said, we caught our biggest fish before eight-o-clock, but we never went any further.”

Catching whitebait was pretty much an impossibility, although some teams did manage a few pieces by throwing nets blindly into the swells. Opshal like many anglers had picked up a supply of small blue crabs, called peelers for their shedding soft skin, for bait. Redfish like the peelers.

“The morning was terrible,” David Stephens said. “It rained so hard it felt like we were being shot with BBs. At one point my lips were bleeding from the rain,” Stephens said.

Tyler Truett made it to Pirate Harbor and then quit.

“We wanted to go across to Bull Bay, Truett said, but we looked out at the middle of the harbor and it scared us.”

“This morning it was really rough,” Paul Russell of the team Soggy Flats Boys said, “then it got nice and then it got real rough again. I got sick and wanted them just to put me on shore someplace so I could go and sit down,” Russell said. But of course that was an impossibility.

“We gave them the option that if they didn't want to fish we'd give them their money back,” Cleffi said. “This was the captain's choice,” he said looking at a still slightly green Russel.

Tony Dandino had another plan. He was going to head up through the Myakka Cutoff behind Hog Island and sneak over to the west side at the top of the harbor. “We took one look and we knew that wasn't an option,” he later said. Bryan Tidings made it all the way down to Cayo Costa, running the east side and then cutting across Bokeelia in the protected lee shore there. It was just the nastiest ever Tydings would later say, but they too came back with fish to weigh in at the scale.

In fact a lot of anglers came back to the weigh-in dock with fish and not just paltry little fish either.

Chuck Jenks made it across to Bulls Bay and reported being the only boat there. “We tried fishing with crabs but we wound up fishing all lures” Jenks said as he weighed in a 7.55 and then a 4.8 pound fish.

Some died-in-the-wool wade-fishermen actually got out

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and tried it, but with the extremely high water everyone was wading up to their armpits or deeper. “You'd move over one step and walk into a little hole and be in over your head,” Scott Roe said. Anglers just couldn't keep their arms up that high (holding their rods) for that long.

I can't believe Jerry let us go out this morning, the conditions were simply unsafe, Jim Levinson said. It was his choice too, and he went. “It seems like all the anglers that were complaining after the weigh-in were the ones who didn't catch fish” Cleffi observed, but that's the way it is on a nice day too,” he added.

Ralph Allen was planning to fish with his 16 year old daughter and one of her high school teachers. “A category three storm offshore, 30 knot winds, five foot waves in the harbor. .. my insurance policy, any insurance policy a commercial captain has, prohibits intentionally operating a boat in that kind of weather,” Allen said. He was one of the dozen who opted to go to breakfast instead of going fishing.

Dave Wallin wished he had gone to breakfast too, but he didn't. “We almost sunk! The bow went under – I mean way under on one wave and I couldn't get it back up,” Wallin said. “It was touch and go for a while, we filled up with water, but I guess we were lucky.”

The Fulton Pools team was lucky too. One of their team members was swept overboard by a big wave down near Turtle Bay but managed to climb back aboard and get on with the fishing. They were still joking about it the morning after.

And if too much water all around was a problem then not enough water was a problem too. Ed Volk noted that many anglers had overheating problems since the boats were airborne a lot and bouncing up and down so the lower units were not able to get a consistent supply of water to keep them cool.

But in the end everyone made it back to shore - one boat gave up on the other side and sent for their trailer to pick them up at Placida - and the fish weights were impressive.

Thirty eight teams weighed in two fish, while only 5 teams only had one. The heaviest red was an 8.40 pounder, weighed in by Mike Wedell and overall there were 16 fish over 7 pounds with three of them over eight.

Six teams had combined scores of over 14 pounds and the team of Brad Opshal, Chuck Smith and Ray Hymen topped them all with a 15.15 pound total. Miles Merredeth and the Team Waterproof Charts boys took second only 5 hundreths of a pound behind.

“The fishing was good because we were the only boats on the water. There just weren't a lot of other boats to run the fish over. Guys got to one spot and stayed there all day,” Cleffi surmised. “Next time maybe we'll wait and fish right in the eye of the storm,” Cleffi quipped.

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August 2005

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FLW Tournament Comes to Englewood

August 2005

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Up until last month the most John Oliverio (L) and Howie Green had earned at a redfish tournament was $6,500. At the FLW in Englewood they took home $50,000

By Don Cessna Water LIFE Englewood The FLW Redfish Tournament took place July 22nd and 23rd in Englewood at Stump Pass Marina. FLW are the initials of Forest L. Wood who was the founder of Ranger Boats for whom all the FLW Outdoors events are named.

It was uncomfortably hot for the fishermen.

Temperatures were in the 90's and it was very humid.

On the first day, 111 teams caught fish to weigh in. The second day 100 teams had fish.

The FLW officials claimed a full field of 150 teams registered for the event and a purse of up to $109,000.

The amount of success shows a good local population of redfish in our fishery. The contestants had a really good opportunity and many teams reported nice large schools of fish were found at their favorite spots. Many of the redfish were over five pounds and seven pound fish were common. Most teams were fishing Charlotte Harbor and the southern end of Lemon Bay, while a few may have gone as far as Tampa Bay. On Friday,198 redfish were caught at a total of 1,076 pounds! And on Saturday 141 fish were caught weighing a total of 837 pounds 4 ounces.

This totals 349 fish caught and a total weight of 1913 pounds 4 ounces of redfish. Now that is impressive and the reason this area is among the best there is for redfishing!

On Friday the team of Andrew Bostick of Marco Island, and Mark Miller of Plainfield Ind. weighed in a nice two fish catch of 16 pounds.

The team of Bryan Watts of Lithia, and Greg Watts of Eagle Lake had two fish that weighed 15 pounds 11 ounces. Travis Tanner of Christmas, and Jason Hugley of Davenport were third with two fish and a total of 15 pounds 6 ounces. This set the pace and at 16 pounds for the winners, meaning an average weight of 8 pounds per fish. Congratulations guys, those are outstanding fish.

On Saturday, Howie Green from Bushnel, and John Oliverio from Brandon, weighed in two fish totaling 14 lbs. 11 ozs. Combined with Fridays catch of two fish totaling 14 lbs. 4 ozs. it gave them a winning 28 lbs. 15 ozs. and first place. Second place was Jim Dalrymple and Steve Poland of Port St. Lucy, who weighed in two fish Friday totaling 14 lbs. 1 oz. On Saturday they added two fish totaling 14 lbs. 12 ozs. Their two day total was 28lbs. 13 ozs.Third place were John Ochs from Englewood, and

Rhett Morris of Punta Gorda, They weighed in two fish Friday totaling 14 lbs. 2 ozs. And on Saturday they added 14 lbs. 9 ozs.

Unfortunately their Saturday total reflects an 8 oz. penalty for a deceased fish. Without the dead one, these guys would have won the whole event with a total of 29 lbs. 3 ozs. I feel really bad for them, but I'm sure not as bad as they feel. First, second and third place were separated by .04 of a pound: 28.15 pounds took first, 28.13, took second and 28.11 took third.

First place was worth $25,000 plus another $25,000 in "contingency" earnings. Sixty nine teams took home winnings.

The leaders of the series in the eastern division are Bryan and Greg Watts with a total of 418 points. They are followed closely by Scott Guthrie and Rick Murphy with 413 points.

The tournament was well run and the weigh in went off like clock work. Each day the tournament fishing began at 7:00 am and all boats were to return at 3:00 pm. to begin the festivities at the weigh -in area. The teams did very well on Friday, but many commented the fishing was a little tougher on Saturday with the increased boat traffic and other fishermen present. Back to back days of a little over 14 pounds was well in the money. Obviously the tournament fishermen have spent a lot of time on the water. This is the secret to being able to do so well. Many of them are guides and charter captains.

What was missing however was a leader board. As the teams weighed in the fish the announcer read the totals and related the new leaders but how can spectators follow all the finishing order without the visual? There were about 500 people present at the venue including the teams and there were golf carts to shuttle folks from their car to the marina. Thanks to the neighbors of the marina for their inconvenience during those two days is in order. I was impressed with the fishermen who were all really cooperative and polite in answering questions.

They also posed for pictures. The sponsored teams uniforms added color to the event. (along with the individual personalities) The Englewood event I would hope is a favorite on the trail and it seemed there was little disappointment with the fishing here in our area. The fish caught were very nice, clean and colorful. The best part is that they were released so we can catch them again. Maybe by then they will be even bigger!

Don Cessna is the former owner of Ray始s Bait & Tackle in Englewood and a regular Water LIFE contributor.

The Pirate Redfish Tournament Official Payout

First Prize 2005 Hewes Tailfisher Tunnel Hull Flatsboat with 60 hp Yamaha Engine (Valued at $20,000) 2nd Place $2,500.00 3rd Place $1,800.00 4th Place $900.00 5th Place $600.00 6th Place $400.00 7th Place $350.00 8th Place $350.00 9th Place $350.00 10th Place $350.00 Most Spots on a legal tournament redfish - $300 must be one of your two entered redfish Add 1 place for every 5 entries over 50

All prizes based on 50 boats Grand Prize guaranteed Sign up at Shallow Water Outfitters at Ingman Marine.

To benefit the Port Charlotte High School Football Program

Water LIFE

Page 10

August 2005

MAGAZINE

Screaming Reels Fishing with Capt. Andrew Medina Finding Redfish Will Be Easier Now

By Capt. Andrew Medi na Water Life Tournament Staff As summer continues, August is now upon us and things are definately heating up. And I’m not just saying that. With water temperatures almost in the 90s, the fishing is almost too hot. Two major things are happening to the fish as the month goes on.

First lets get out on the flats a little.

Getting out early will accomplish two things. Get you out of the afternoon heat and make finding redfish a little easier.

Fish will visit the flats on high water, and out going tides regularly to feed. Their easy to spot when they are moving. When a fish moves he displaces water, this is called ‘waking.’ Watch for wakes. The other way to find them is when the fish are feeding. Rooting up the bottom for small

crabs and shrimp, the fish is nose down with his tail sticking out of the water.

This is called ‘tailing.’ When fish are feeding in this mode, you may want to down size to lighter plastics or jigs. Heavier baits usually have a tendency to spook our Charlotte Harbor redfish. Try to throw your bait in front of his path of travel, letting the fish swim up to the bait. Twitch it twice and let it sit. If the fish is interested he should already be on it.

As the tide falls out, check the passes.

Fish will school up in the deeper, cooler water there. Try drifting the pass with a soft-plastic on a jig head. For live baiters, do the same thing, but with pinfish, or a shrimp on a jig head. Make sure the bait is bouncing off the rocks. This technique has

continued on facing page

Sanibel Redfish Hatchery Releases 4,000 Fish

S t aff R eport Bob Wasno, the University of Florida Sea Grant agent for Lee County has announced that his volunteer staff has released 4,000 tagged red drum into the Pine Island Sound as part of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Marine laboratory research project. Community financial support comes through local fishing tournaments and private donations. With the State scaling back their hatchery in Port Manatee, small satellite hatcheries like the one at Sanibel will provide the majority of the redfish released into the wild in local waters.

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23' Boston Whaler Conquest 23 1999 twin 135HP Mercury Optimax. Very clean, lift stored, lightly used bluewater boat Asking $39,900

Water LIFE

August 2005

P a g e 11

MAGAZINE

WAT E R WAY

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Gene Santini shows off a redfish caught by Larry Mays, in front of the store at Laishley Marine. The fish had 353 spots!

been doing real well in Captiva, and Redfish Pass. Live shrimp may be small, or non existent this time of year, but frozen shrimp will work just as well.

Snook will be on every beach, and every pass will have its fair share of snook in it. Keep an eye on the surf looking for cruising linesiders. These fish will eat!

They’re out just looking to get fat.

Artificials, live bait ... it really don’t matter. I prefer red-and-white buck tails, but if

they’re feeding, they will eat just about anything. This gives the fly rodders a good chance at catching a healthy linesider on a fly. Try throwing green and white weighted clausers. Let it sink in the surf before you start your stripping. Remember, any structure around the passes should be holding larger snook. Good luck, and remember to just have fun and be safe on the water.

Check out Capt. Andrew Medina on the web at www.bentrods4u.com or call him at (941)456-1540

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Water LIFE

Page 12

August 2005

Keys Coral Spawn to Attract Divers

Pool Sharks of Lemon Bay Inc 3285 Placida Rd, Pelican Plaza Englewood Just got back from the Key's with a cooler full of Dolphin.

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MAGAZINE

S t aff R eport The hard corals of the Florida Keys reefs have spent eons working out a simple system to perpetuate the species. A few days after the full moon in August, they throw caution to the wind for one evening of unabashed coral sex. Best of all, divers and snorkelers get to watch all the action.

Penny Bailey observes coral spawning in the Corals of the same Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo. species throughout the Photo by Bob Care/Florida Keys News Bureau entire Caribbean release The boulder star corals -- Montastraea, in their gametes -- sperm and egg cells -- at the particular -- spawn six to eight days after same time. Called broadcast spawning, it's the August full moon, about three hours one of the mysteries of nature that works after sunset. Full moon is on Aug. 19. without human intervention or understand- Sunset that evening is around 7:48 p.m. ing.

Therefore, branching corals are expected to Different species are on different sched- spawn between Aug. 22 and 24 at around ules, and the exact hour of release is based 9:48 p.m. on local time, but synchronous release is Montastraea, the predominant boulder still the rule. coral in the Keys, are expected to spawn The August full moon, whether it occurs between Aug. 25 and 27, at about 10:48 early or late in the month, is the triggering p.m. Aug. 25 has the highest probability event from which coral spawning predic- for Montastraea spawning. tions could be made. Timing of spawning For divers the sight is something to varies from species to species, but usually behold -- millions and millions of gametes for a given species the spawning is at a cer- floating to the surface, the future of coral tain time after sunset. life rising smoke-like through the water.

Branching corals (e.g., finger, staghorn Predators -- the local reef fish population and elkhorn corals) in the Florida Keys -- come out to feed. But they can't get all of spawn three to five days after the full moon, the gametes. Coral babies will be made and about two hours after sunset. the species will have a new generation.

Mike Panetti

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August 2005

Water LIFE

Page 13

Water LIFE

Page 14

Coastal Clean Up

MAGAZINE

The 2005 Coastal Cleanup wil be on Saturday, September 17th. The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is the world's largest, one-day effort with volunteers from over 100 countries.

This is the 20th year the Ocean Conservancy, the world's largest organization focusing exclusively on the health of the marine environment, has sponsored this annual event.

Charlotte County will participate due to the efforts of Keep Charlotte Beautiful.

Volunteers should pre-register and get additional information by contacting KCB at (941) 764-4390. A pre cleanup meeting will be held on September 8th at 5:30 pm at the Charlotte County Environmental Campus, 25550 Harbor View Rd., At this meeting, volunteers can sign up to clean targeted areas. Cleanup supplies and free commemorative t-shirts will also be distributed.

Betty Staugler Florida Sea Grant Marine Agent University of Florida (941) 764.4346 Fax: (941) 764-4343

Cape Coral Aug 1 thru 11

Naples Aug 15 thru 25

Cape Coral (7Day) Sept 6 thru Sept 13

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August 2005

Tournament Pro Tells How to Keep Fish Alive in the Heat Water LIFE

August 2005

By Capt. Rob Moore Water LIFE Senior Guide In the early 90’s I fished my first redfish tournament. I had two good fish that day which would have probably put me in the top 5. Unfortunately, both fish died in my livewell and a penalty was deducted from my total weight. From that point on I started to study and do research on making the ultimate livewell system that would ensure my fish would not die.

My livewell pumps were upgraded to 1000 gallons per hour, spray bars were added, and the overall size of the well was enlarged. My whole thought process was more and bigger was better. And yet after hours of rigging and re-rigging I would still lose fish. In frustration I began to call marine biologists that might explain why I kept losing fish.

The internet was also jam packed with information about fish mortality and how to keep fish alive.

Now, after 10 years of competitive fishing and having my share of fish die I have finally come up with a system that seems to work. Before I share my system with you, let me quickly try to explain my understanding on why fish will die after they are caught.

In my opinion you can’t build anything before you understand why you need to build it. Here is a very basic crash course.

Water will hold a certain percentage of oxygen depending on the temperature. The higher the water temperature, the less oxygen it will hold. For example, saltwater at 90 degrees will hold less oxygen than saltwater at 80 degrees. Basically, when the water temperature goes up, its ability to retain dissolved oxygen decreases. Just for simplicity and as an example, let’s say 90 degree

water will only hold 10% of dissolved oxygen. No matter how much oxygen is pumped into the 90 degree water, no matter how many aerators you have it will only hold 10% dissolved oxygen.

Basically, the only thing you can do is maintain that percentage of oxygen the water will hold.

Lower the water temperature and the percentage of oxygen the water can hold will go up. This is why you have a much lower mortality rate during the cooler months than you do in the summer months.

Now think about this. When you’re on the flats or on a shoreline in 2-3 foot of water it takes no time for the temperature of the water to rise, therefore holding very little oxygen. Go into the middle of a bay or deeper water and you will find cooler water that is holding a higher concentration of oxygen. After your fish turns upside down, it’s almost always too late. I call that the point of no return.

Then you have a few other factors to think about. Ammonia and carbon dioxide will build up from the fish in the livewell.

Ammonia basically comes from

the fish urinating while in captivity. You can eliminate or lower the amount of ammonia by simply replacing the water. Carbon dioxide is the by product of the fish breathing. If you don’t eliminate or lower carbon dioxide it will affect your fish as well.

According to several marine biologists, creating some disturbance along the top of the water in your livewell is sufficient to dissipate the majority of carbon dioxide. Just the rocking of your boat will be sufficient. Just beware if your boat is in really calm water you may need to manually create a disturbance every 15-20 minutes to help dissipate the carbon dioxide.

Ok, with all that in mind, here is my system for keeping my catch alive.

The size of the livewell does not have to be huge. It just has to have enough water in it to completely cover the fish by several inches. I am more concerned with the shape of it. The fish need to be able to sit in the water naturally and not be bent in any way.

I will fill the livewell well before I put a fish in it, usually on the way to my first spot in deep clean cooler water. Never fill your livewell in a marina or a basin where a lot of boats are.

You don’t want the by products from the other boats in your livewell. When my livewell is full with clean water I will turn off the pumps and keep that water in my livewell until I catch my first keeper fish. When I arrive at my first location I will then add about three tablespoons of Rejuvenade in my well before I start fishing (I use 3 tablespoons per 25 gallons). Rejuvenade is an additive made especially for keeping game fish alive during captiv-

Toll Free 1-888-543-5330

Page 15

MAGAZINE

Captainʼs Bob Boudreau (L) and Robert Moore have been chosen by the Charlotte County Visitorʼs Bureau to promote the areaʼs fishing at the various different shows and tournaments they attend. Their boat now carries the countyʼs Visitorʼs Bureau logo and the County is helping to sponsor the team. Moore and Boudreau won the Punta Gorda leg of the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup last year.

ity. This additive really energizes weak and stressed fish. I guarantee if you look in all the boats at a Redfish Cup or FLW event, 95% of the pros will have Rejuvenade in their well.

Do not wait until after you catch your fish to put Rejuvenade in the well. You want your fish to immediately benefit from the effects of Rejuvenade, not after it is in really bad shape. I then turn on a recirculation pump I have installed in my livewell. This pump only circulates the water already in my livewell. It does not bring in fresh water.

After I put a fish in my livewell, every 20-30 minutes I will then add some water to the livewell, usually replacing about half of the existing water. If I am in really dirty or stagnant water I will go out to deeper or cleaner water before doing so. I then add another tablespoon of Rejuvenade. As the day goes on and the water temperature in my livewell begins to rise, I will then add a frozen bottle of water –I usually keep about 10-15 of them on the boat in a separate cooler – into the livewell to help bring down the temperature a few

degrees.

You can also add 100% oxygen to the water in your livewell.

By injecting 100% oxygen into the water, it will help ensure the dissolved oxygen the water will hold remains constant.

There are several systems available. Some are with an oxygen tank and stone, others have a small machine that mounts in your boat and produces a high concentration of oxygen and then pumps it into your livewell.

Either way you go both systems can cost anywhere from $400$800.

This may all sound like a lot of work, and trust me, it is. But when you have two nice fish in the livewell and a chance of winning a big tournament, I promise you that you won’t mind going through the extra work. Since my partner and I started using this system and these techniques, we have not lost a fish.

You can reach Capt. Robert Moore for fishing information or to book a charter fishing trip at (941) 637-5710 or (941) 6282650 or contact him v ia e-mail at tarponman@comcast.net

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Page 16

Water LIFE

Kids Cup Album

Water LIFE

August 2005

MAGAZINE

Sunglasses are optional, life jackets were mandatory.

Kids Cup Report Blue skies, light winds (if you donʼt count the brief tornado right after the captainʼs meeting) and big redfish. That was the setting for the 2005 Water LIFE Kids Cup redfish tournament.

Fish handling was important Firstlight Saturday, and the field is ready to go.

Water temperatures in Charlotte Harbor hovered above 87 degrees and the influx of fresh water coming into the Punta Gorda area from the Peace and Myakka rivers had tournament officials worried at first. “We decided to open the weigh-in scale at 9 a.m. and allow kids to weigh in early,” tournament director Michael Heller said. The idea was to alleviate a long line at the scale so fish would not be held in the boatʼs livewells with fresh water circulating .... and it worked like a charm,” Heller added.

Kids were allowed to weigh in early, release their fish and then go back to catch and weigh in a second, hopefully bigger, fish.

Nice clean basket-release "We had a resuscitation tank on the dock and a release boat Nothing beats a fast-blast boatride. in the water to transport fish south where they could be Plenty of boats at the dock all afternoon long. released in a saltier and more protected area." Heller said, adding "...the idea was to set a good example for kids in trying to keep our fish alive."

One hundred and four junior anglers age 10 through 16 entered the Kids Cup tournament and weighed in 73 fish on the first day. Fish weights ranged from 2.2 to 7.98 pounds with at least a dozen fish over six pounds weighed in.

The Kids Cup Tournament format was adapted from the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup tournament series, so after the first day of fishing the field was narrowed to the Top-5 anglers.

Kids fished with live or dead shrimp or artificial bait only. Adults could only rig bait, tie knots or The Dock was a popular spot Sea Grant agent Betty Staugler keeps an eye on the salt content in the tank.

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Water LIFE

August 2005

Winner: Drew Rossi with the winning fish

Page 17

MAGAZINE

The Captain始s Meeting Dinner, a few problems with the AC but great food and high spirits everywhere.

Capt. J.B. Bradshaw and Ricky Stewart

Capt. Jarratt Lombard helps land a fish

Kaitlyn Legg, her fish and her proud dad

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Beautiful day on the water

Top-5 winners receive their trophies on Saturday

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Some Kids Cup Photos are available on the internet at: www.lesterkuhnphoto.com

help land fish when the leader was within reach.

At the end of the first day Drew Rossi, 16, fishing with Capt. Dwayne French lead the Top-5 field with a 7.92 pound fish. Ricky Stewart, 14, fishing with Capt.

J.B. Bradshaw finished second in the Top-5 with a 7.42 pound fish. Tyler Helphenstein, 11, fishing with Capt.

Jarrett Lombard finished third in the Top-5 with a 7.38 pound fish. James Daughtry, 15, fishing with Scott Hughes finished fourth in the Top-5 with a 7.0 pound fish and 10-year old Kaitlyn Legg fishing with her dad Bobby weighed in a 6.90 pound fish to finish fifth in the Top-5. Sunday was the final day and by 10:20 a.m.

Drew Rossi had already weighed in a 7.98 pound fish that would later get him the Kids Cup Trophy. The trophy was provided by The Oh Boy Oberto Redfish Cup and JM Productions. Dalton Conrad received the tournament始s Rich Novak memorial Sportsmanship Award for his perseverance and overall good attitude. Full tournament results are now posted on the Water LIFE Kids Cup Website: www.kidscuptournament.com

Sportsmanship Winner Dalton Conrad

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Page 18

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

ON THE LINE

August 2005

with Capt. Ron Blago

By Capt Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Senior Staff On The Line with Capt Ron Even thought its hot, humid and rainy right now, I guess we are better off than some. I read that Chicago just hit an all time high temperature of 110 degrees F. Maybe the tourist bureau can start a new ad campaign: Come to Florida during the Summer and Cool Off. Local Floridians know that summertime is a great time to fish Charlotte Harbor.

Fishing pressure is pretty light and there are plenty of fish to be had. Right now, redfish is the talk of the town. It seem that every weekend there is a big tournament here and even with over a hundred plus anglers running around the harbor at the same time it looks like everybody is getting plenty of big fish.

In the past, a 6 pound legal size red would give you a chance at finishing in the money, but this year you better have a 7pound-plus fish to have any kind of chance.

Red fishing will only get better from now until November. Although there are plenty of reds throughout our area, the hot spot for the pros has been the Burnt Store area south, to around Pine Island. The reds coming from that area have been nice and fat with a beautiful gold color.

You can learn a lot about what artificial lures to use by watching the weigh-in at one of these tournaments. I personally prefer a dark green Cotee grub tail with an 1/8 oz yellow Cotee jig. I've caught a lot of reds with it and have a lot of faith in it, but when you see 100 boats weigh in big reds you always see a few new thing you would like to try.

I found a lot of pros were using the Mister Twister Saltwater Exude Slug in dark green and also a black with gold metal flake color. The interesting thing was the weighted worm hooks they rigged them with.

There were plenty of weedless gold spoons in 1/4 and 1/2 oz size. This an old

1 7 2 6 S t e a d l y Av e Punta Gorda

standby for summer reds. I think everyone should learn to use a gold spoon. Its so versatile and productive. You can cast it a mile and can use it on the surface in shallow water or just below the surface if the water is deeper.

A few tips for using spoons:

First always use a loop knot to tie it to your leader, this will give the spoon a nice wobble action when you retrieve it.

I like to flip the bail just before the lure hits the water, this will keep the spoon on the surface rather than drop it into the seagrass.

Try various retrieval speeds. Sometimes the fish will hit it when it is going real slow, other times you can't reel it fast enough.

Remember if you see a school of reds don't throw your spoon right on them.

Throw it past them and retrieve it in slowly in front of them.

Now for the artificially challenged fishermen; those folks who for whatever reason can't seem to make artificial lures work for them: don't despair.

There have probably been more reds caught over the years, on shrimp than anything else. Remember that shrimp can be hard to come by this time of year. If you can find them use the larger shrimp. Find a nice shoreline of mangroves that looks like there are some deep, shady holes. Break the tail off the shrimp and put a 2/0 hook through the back end of the tail. Now throw that shrimp, head first, as far back into those mangroves as you can. Let that shrimp marinate for at least a minute, that broken tail will give off just enough scent for the fish to find your bait in dark water.

When you feel a twitch or see your line move, set the hook.

Remember hooking them is easy; the hard part is getting them out of the mangroves. Good luck.

Capt. Ron Blago can be reached for fishing information or to book a charter fishing

Shop 941- 575-8914 Home 235-2243

Local Kid: Tommy Davis in Key West IGFA Water LIFE

August 2005

MAGAZINE

Page 19

A.J. the first day. Amberjacks were classified as a high-point-value fish. “We caught snappers, gags, yellowtail, then as I pulled in the line, it went “doink’ and I came up with just the head. We put it right back down and I came up with a three-foot barracuda. After that, we were into the snappers and sharks.”

The second day Tommy caught yellowtail, mutton snapper, red grouper, and a scorpionfish. “We had two rods out and something started pulling on one. When I brought the fish up I thought I had a rock on my line.” The scporpionfish, a non native exotic can occasionally be found on the nearshore reefs of the Keys. It won Tommy the ‘most unusual catch of the tournament’ award. “Then I caught a hammerhead.

That was the highlite of the second day.

After the fishing, the captains reported the catches to the dockmaster and then the kids went back to wash up and get ready for the awards ceremony. “That was cool,” Tommy said, showing off a coral framed placque, a certificate and a fishing medal. Tommy finished ninth in points out of a 33 angler field.

Tommy said, “I guess the next thing for me is to start fishing the adult tournaments. I was going to fish the Charlotte High Tournament a couple of weeks ago, but the weather was bad and my mom wouldn’t let me go.” he said.

S t aff R eport “It was awesome,” Tommy Davis said with adolescent jubilation as he recounted two days of fishing in the IGFA Junior Angler World Championships in Key West, last month.

“Saturday and Sunday we went shopping, ate sushi and ‘did’ Duval street,” Tommy said. “Then we played volleyball and started to think about the fishing.”

Davis and his dad were in Key West two days early to scope things out before the fishing started on Monday.

“Sunday night there was a drawing for the captain you would be paired with. Each angler fished with another angler on the same boat. The other kid on my boat was a good fisherman,” Tommy said, adding that the other boy had fished all over the world.

Tommy was one of 33 junior anglers who had won the right to compete in the IGFA by fishing and winning a qualifying event. Tommy was the 2004 Water LIFE Kids Cup winner at Punta Gorda.

“Pretty much everyone at Key West knew what they were doing,” Tommy said.

“The first day, good grief! The seas were 8-feet offshore,” Tommy said. “It was the closest I ever came to being seasick.”

Davis caught an amberjack on 20 pound test line in 200 feet of water in spite of the waves. “It took me a while to bring it in,” he said. We were the only boat to catch an

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Page 20

Whatʼs Selling NOW Area Real Estate Trends

Water LIFE

This is NOT an Ad

Factual Information compiled by Ellen Heller, Water LIFE publisher and a licensed realtor, using records from the Charlotte County Association of Realtors MLS database. Call 941-766-8180 for additional information.

This month we look at recent transactions in Riverwood and the Edgewater corridor of Charlotte County

This home is in the Riverwood Golf and Lake gated community, northwest of Port Charlotte. It was built in 2002 with 1704 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a view of the golf course. Last year in April it sold for $280,000 and again in July 2005 for $370,000.

Another Riverwood home, except this one has a lake view and was built in 1993. It has 2400 square feet and 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. In 2001 this house sold for $266,000 and again this past June for the full asking price of $474,900.

This little fixer upper on Dunn Dr in Port Charlotte was built in 1957 with just 1 bedroom and 1 bath in 880 sq ft.

It is however near intersecting canals with 100' of seawall. It has one bridge out so no sailboats. It sold in July for $231,000 cash, despite hurricane damage.

Built on the "sailboat side" of Edgewater Dr this house is waiting to be demolished and is selling for the land.

Before Charley in April of 2004, with a 1,581 sq ft house it sold for $215,000. Totally wrecked it sold in July 05 for $355,000.

Another victim of Charley this older home was built in 1958 with 1011 sq ft on a powerboat canal with fast Harbor access. In September, immediately following the storm it sold for $75,000. After just 10 months it sold in June 05 "as is, no warranties" for $215,000.

On Robinson St in Port Charlotte this modest home of 942 sq ft sits on a saltwater canal however a bridge prohibits sailboats. It was built in 1980 and sold in 1989 for $41,500. It sold again in February of 04 for $169,000 and again in July 05 for $285,000.

Almost thirty years old this house is on Spring Lake, which is not really a lake because it has Harbor access. No sailboats. It has 1,321 sq ft and 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. In 2000 it sold for $133,000 and after less then 10 dayson the market it sold for $440,000 in July of 05.

Serving Lunch & Dinner

Sail By Wire MAGAZINE

August 2005

Radio Controlled Boats

By Bi l l Di xon Water LIFE Sailing editor I still have a lot to learn. I've been sailing for just 30 of my many years, and I haven't done it all yet.

I filled in a large gap recently when Jack Ward approached me about Radio Controlled Sailing.

The following Saturday I went to the pond at Edison Junior College and sailed Jack's backup boat. The other guys raced. I tagged along behind the fleet and messed with sail trim and rudder by radio. It is very demanding!! Even sitting on a bench in the shade, I was wrung out after about 45 minutes of intense concentration.

The boats we sailed were Soling 1 meter models. They are 39 inches long with a beam of nine and a quarter inches and a draft of eight and a half inches. They carry 600 square inches of sail. My T shirts are bigger than that! The boats are molded plastic, and the kits do not look too very challenging to assemble. According to the Soling 1 meter web site (solingonemeter.org), these are the most popular R/C boats in the country, raced at 49 of 221 R/C sailing clubs. Call Jack Ward at 575-1183 for more info about the Edison Club.

Check the Model Yachting web site at AMYA.org for clubs in Deep Creek, Englewood and elsewhere.

Model boat sailing is very well organized.

American Model Yacht Association is affiliated with USSailing and IASF. They use the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) just like the big boats do. Soling 1 meter boats are a one design class. Anything not mentioned in the class rules is prohibited. Model kits and sails are supplied by 1 vendor, and non vendor stuff is outlawed. The object of this is to make racing them a sailor to sailor contest, not a wallet to wallet one. I bought a used boat, and I am working on my eye-hand coordination or ‘thumb time’, so that someday I can race.

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

August 2005

Water LIFE

Page 21

MAGAZINE

Charleyʼs Long Term Impact on Charlotte Harbor Fishing

By Capt. Ron Bl ago Water LIFE Staff Almost a year after Hurricane Charley blew through Charlotte County, the clean up is still taking place. The county estimated it has already spent over $40 million dollars just for debris removal – most of the tab being picked up by local tax payers.

Still, with all the hard work and money spent, the blue tarps, destroyed buildings and piles of junk are everywhere to be seen on land.

On the water the signs of destruction are not so obvious.

Government agencies have conThis big local shrimp came from the South Florida waters in late July. tracted out the actual clean up of local creeks and canals to private contractors who have not so lucky. One of the first thing noticed were die offs just about completed the task. If you live on one of our of small fish. A large number of small flounder were local waterways and you still have debris in the water or found floating near the 41 bridge. Also large numbers of the shoreline, you and your neighbors are probably better horseshoe crabs, blue crabs and bait fish were also off pulling that junk out yourselves rather than waiting observed in the die off. For some reason, this occurred for local officials to help you out. only in the Peace River and not the Myakka River.

Hurricanes are natural events and provide valuable data Within three weeks of Charley scientists found that for scientific research. Organizations like Mote Marine, the oxygen levels had returned to normal. If there is a SWFWMD, FMRI and our own CHEC have ongoing good side to the hurricane it is that with all the projects that measure water quality, sea grass growth and micronutrients washed into the water, the shrimp have fish populations; have already made some preliminary been having a feast.

Local Charlotte Harbor shrimpers observations and predictions. Normally the Peace River have reported the best catches in memory and where you can handle a lot of fresh water during the rainy season. have big shrimp you have big fish.

If redfish are any Saltwater entering from the harbor will meet up with the indication the number of 8 pound legal reds entered in freshwater moving down stream. The saltwater, because local fishing tournaments lately tends to prove the fish it is heavier, will lay on the bottom and will be oxygen are getting fatter. poor compared with the freshwater layer on top. Fish There are a few long term problems that scientists can adapt to various salinities without much trouble want to monitor. While most folks were concerned with under normal conditions. all those metal sheds that blew into the harbor, scientist Unfortunately, a hurricane is not normal and it drops worried about the stuff that was in those sheds; the a lot of freshwater in a short period of time. A hundred paints, oils, yard chemicals and bug spray. That stuff years ago that water would have passed over the land in full of heavy metals and organic compounds and will what is called sheet flow – slow moving water slowly form molecules that attach themselves to floating sand absorbed by the land before entering into the water shed. and particles that then sink to the bottom. This build up With modern development that rain water now flows rapwill only increase over time and may eventually kill off idly through housing developments, down paved roads sea grass beds. through man made drainage ditches and through dredged The other long term problem is the loss of manand sea walled canals into the harbor. Along with the groves.

When a hurricane moves through, it rips the water is the oil, grease, fertilizer pesticides and chemicals leaves off the mangrove trees. If enough leaves are gone that come with modern life. the tree will die and it looks like some areas of the harThis toxic goop robs the water of oxygen and presbor have experienced this die off. Scientist are now worents a real problem for fish. Creatures that can take oxyried that invasive non-native species, like Brazilian pepgen from the air like manatees, porpoises and even tarper trees will get a foot hold in these areas changing the pon are in pretty good shape. Big, fast moving fish like harbor forever. snook redfish and trout can detect this drop in oxygen Capt. Ron can be reached at 474-3474 for fishing inforand run out into the harbor and open water where the mation or to book a guided fishing trip. water is cleaner. The smaller and slower marine life was

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Water LIFE

Page 22

August 2005

MAGAZINE

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Frank at ICAST Show August 2005

“You dirty rat. You gave to my brudder. Now I'm gonna give it to you.” Frank with the new Jet Caster, wearing a Kids Cup shirt, with sleeves!

By Fi shi n’ Frank Water LIFE Senior Guide Fishin has been great if you're into catching mangrove snappers and redfish at 4:30am. Almost everyday we are selling shrimp to guys who are holding the shrimp until the next morning, when before the sun can get out of bed they are catching fish.

This is not uncommon this time of year when the days are so hot, it is the coolest time of day. Small sharks are hitting on the flats, cut ladyfish or threadfin is the baits of choice. Chum bags will definitely increase you're catch, just be advised chumming on the flats means catfish, not always a bad thing. Especially Aug. 6th during the Shark, Catfish and Stingray Tournament, when you can win money catching saltwater catfish. Awwww what the heck, catfish bite easy and fight hard so its fun any-

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

way.

This last week I did not go fishing, but Teri and I went to Las Vegas.

A much needed getaway and to attend the ICAST show. It is the national fishing tackle manufacturers show, international for that matter. There were people from Poland, One of the new Van Staal reels England, Thailand, China, Japan, even some from the U.S.A. One fishing device caught my eye and my funny bone.

It had to be done! I think everyone who has ever fished has thought if I could just shoot this bobber where I want it. Now you can, with the "Jet cast". It actually shoots a special bobber 30 feet out and when the bobber hits the water it opens and the hook and bait fall out. It is a slip bobber, so its depth is adjustable. And it is fun. We had a ball shooting bobbers at the pond at the Jetcast Booth.

Everyone who tried it had a smile.

Simply point it down pull back the pump action and press the trigger tab and pow the bobber shoots out. I ordered a bunch of them which will not be available until the end of the year. As soon as we know they are on the way, Fishin’ Franks will announce the first ever bobber fishing shoot out. You will have to fish with the jetcast shooting fishing pole which will be included in the entry fee. Redfish beware!!!! Ok, to tell the truth I am laughing now just thinking about it, but this is real and the tournament is going to happen.

On to fish catching stuff. Old Bayside has a new shrimp lure prerigged on a snappin bobber. Lots of bobber stuff this year and this has a good looking shrimp, that comes in new colors and some old favorites. The bullet weight and beads on the bobber give this great action with a sure, snap, crackle, pop – fish on sound.

For those of you with fishing poles piled in the corner, the piranha rod rack should fix the mess. Mounts to the wall, is 24 inches long and holds almost anysize rod. I tested it and it works.

Let us not forget the shore fisherman. There is a rod holder which fits under a five gallon bucket, which is a

ScuttleButt Sometimes Unsubstanciated ... but often true!

Itʼs Over - The Boca Grande Worldʼs Richest Tarpon Tournament is now the Worldʼs Deadest Tarpon Tournament.

Itʼs been cancelled for next year.

Itʼs Not Over Till Itʼs Over The countyʼs proposed canal maintenance assessment will be up in the air until a September meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. The proposal which targets waterfront property owners calls for an increase from $100/lot to $679/lot for homes south of Edgewater Drive and from $8 to $103 for lots north of Edgewater Drive.

Residents, many on fixed incomes, are apparently dead-set against this plan and talk continues to focus on the fact that such an important subject has been raised during the slowest part of the summer when many residents are out of town. “They still have not revealed the plan for what they will do

with the $3,398.” opponent, said as cost. Anyone may 743-1914 to record

Tom Vic, a vocal he questioned the call the county at their own opinion.

Lady Fishing - Merry Beth Ryan, will be writing for Water LIFE starting next month. Merry loves the outdoors and is currently freelance writing for several Florida fishing and boating publications, including South Florida Sportfishing Magazine in their "Woman on the Water" section. In college, Merry (thatʼs the name her parents gave here when she was born on Christmas eve) was a point guard for the Syracuse Orangewoman basketball team, but she loved to spend her free time fishing. Today Merry Beth resides in Englewood, and can be found fishing the waters of Charlotte Harbor almost everyday.

You Can Call Me Ray ... To the Charlotte Sun we say: thanks for the coverage of the Water LIFE Kids Cup but please, next year, correctly identify our tournament as the Water LIFE Kids Cup, not just the ʻKids Cup.ʼ This publication is the main Kids Cup sponsor and part of the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup that will be back in town next September. And please donʼt just call them the ʻRedfish Cupʼ either.

Harpoonʼs New Boat - If youʼve been to Fishermenʼs Village lately you have noticed some construction in front of Harpoon Harrys. A life size Spanish Galleon is currently being constructed on the front of the building. Patrons will enter through the ship and exit on the top deck when going to Smugglerʼs Restaurant upstairs. Looking down the wharf at Fishermenʼs Village the view will be of a pirate ship at the end.

Page 23

favorite bait bucket as it doubles as a stool. The holder should be a good buy. However to be honest without a field test, I can not be sure. Stay Tuned.

Van Staal has come out with a new reel. This one has a conventional bail arm, and is designed for flats fishing.

Van Staal has been known for reels so good you can use them underwater. They have machined parts all made in New York. Yes a reel made in the U.S. Start-to-finish it takes 16 weeks to make a Van Staal spinning reel. They come in black, gold and silver. As you can guess they are expensive,but worth every penny.

For you quantum enthusiasts out there the Boca, and Cabo reels will be available in a 20 size and an 80 size this fall. All the Boca and Cabo reels will have a new machined bail roller guide arm, making it even stronger than before. The Cabo is the fastest selling reel I have seen. Who would have guessed Zebco is making one of the best reels in the world?

Just a trivia note for those who like it. As of August 8th I have been at Fishin’ Franks for 21 years, and to all my friends and customers: I thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping us in business and helping us get back in business after Charley. Thanks Again. See ya at the shop, Frank.

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Page 24

Hammered in Half

Letters to Water LIFE

Water LIFE

August 2005

MAGAZINE

Mistaken Identity

Kydd Pollock was fishing at the base of the world famous ribbon reefs in the far north of Queensland New Zeland when they hooked a 15-foot hammerhead shark. After fighting this giant for about 45 minutes , the crew finally got a glimpse of the monster shark.

But as it came closer to the boat an even bigger oceanic tiger shark appeared and proceeded to bite the 15-foot hammer in two.

New Zeland Fishing News

A comment on your Kids Tournament yesterday,

Bob & Johanne Wallace

Jodi Kerry with the winning 1.7- pound snapper at the Couples Tournament.

We had her ID wrong last month.

941-625-4240 888-391-4240

Kids Cup Thanks

e-mail: johanne@flgulfhomes.com www.flgulfhomes.com

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Michael, As you well know from asking in the past I rarely take the time out of my day to write a letter. This time I felt it’s something I have to do. The parents and family’s and guides of Charlotte County owe you and your staff for the 2005 Oberto Kids Cup a well deserved round of applause.

Having fished tournaments for over 25 years now, seldom have I fished one as well run and or as much fun. Thank You one and all. The quality of the kids we fished speaks volumes for the parents of these fine young people.

It makes me proud to be associated with your tournament every year. It poses the question what if. What if all the venues on the Oberto ESPN Redfish Cup tour held such a tournament? Would the towns and parents support it? Would we be able to bring more young people into the angling world? Would we change some young boy or girl’s life for the better? I have to believe the answer to these questions would be yes. Again thank you for the huge amounts of time and effort expended to pull this off. I have come to expect no less from you.

Your friend; Capt. J.B. Bradshaw

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About 7:15 yesterday morning I was fishing a small mangrove island off Gasparilla Bay when a flats boat came roaring up, came down off plane off shore from me.

He then continued to motor up in front of me, coming to rest about 100 yards in front of me, about 50 feet off the shore line. I sat there amazed! This doesn't normally happen where I fish.

The single operator of the Hewes then looked back, saw two more boats coming up and waved them to come in close to the shoreline, right below him. Now I was really getting mad! These looked like guide boats with passengers. My reaction then was that he had spotted bait fish and wanted them to come in and set up a chum line.This 100 yards from where I was fishing.

I moved noisily up to him and let him have it with a vocabulary learned after 23 years in the Merchant Marines, closing with a statement that if I ever saw him fishing on the water I would run circles around him.

I then took off wide open, making sure no fish would be caught for some time. And by 8:30 I was washing my car, still upset over the poor sportsmanship shown that morning. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Wasn't this the weekend when that kids tournament was on? I recall reading about it but not paying much attention as it was taking place down in Punta Gorda, an hours drive away by car.

So I went inside checked my Water LIFE and there it was! You can imagine how I felt.

So first off I want to apologize to the kids on those two boats, and to their skippers. They had done nothing wrong and had heard my outburst directed at the lone angler on the Hewes. They had just followed the direction of the guide who waved them in.

But I will never apologize to that guide. He could have come down off plane as soon as he saw me fishing, dropped his trolling motor and quietly moved to talking distance and said he had a couple of boats coming behind him, with kids fishing the Oberto Kids tournament and would it be ok if they moved in in front of me?

I know I would have said "Sure, come on in!" and even told him about the lures I had the reds hitting on. I would probably have even stuck around to watch the fun. I know these waters pretty well and could have directed the kids to some choice holes.

While this is all water over the dam now, I do think you can talk to your guides about better conduct on the water!

We don't normally act like he did, up here in this end of the County.

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August 2005

Water LIFE

Page

MAGAZINE

We Live in the Swamp ... where the Weather is often Spectacular and the Wildlife is unbelievably Cool

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE Editor We are not celebrating the one year since hurricane Charley arrived, we’re just celebrating August. If you live here in the tropics you are going to get a hurricane every now and then. Charley hurt us particularly bad, but it’s the chance you take when living here. We have high heat and humidity and there is an ongoing evaporative/rain cycle that takes place across the state. There are trade winds coming from 120 degrees. Florida sticks out into the water on three sides and so we get storms, squalls and hurricanes from time to time. Plus, there is an ever present danger the water could, some time, rise significantly.

And if that’s not enough, we have wild animals running and swimming around us that can hurt you, and big birds flying overhead. This is the swamp and you must never forget it. But it’s a beautiful place to live as well.

Yesterday I walked out to my car and interrupted a blackracer (snake) during a meal. The snake was eating – or at least trying to eat – a big tree frog. The frog, not wanting to be eaten, had puffed himself up and appeared to be trying to get one of his sticky fingers into the snake’s eye. A life and death swampy bio-drama was playing itself out in my driveway. We live in a developed neighborhood, but it’s still the swamp to all the critters we share the landscape with.

The snake stopped when I snapped his picture and the frog took that opportunity to maneuver his sticky feet higher up on the snake’s head. Don’t let all that bright white concrete

Last August the eye of Charley focused on the Beeney, Bangsberg and Severin area off Edgewater Drive.

This stylized computer image of the face of Charley was made using the actual radar track of the stormʼs eye as it marched across the streets south of Edgewater Drive, the green road in the middle. Grassy Point is to the left.

Recipe for a headache: A black snake and a tree frog

fool you, I thought to myself, there is water and mud down below. Then I got in my car, turned on the air conditioning and left.

We’ve got ‘gators and crocodiles, and a breeding colony of Burmese pythons living in the Everglades. And if you thought water moccasins were your biggest problem ... soon you are going to have to look up for the really big snakes that could be hanging down from the trees. It’s the swamp.

If all the animals are cool then all the weather is awesome. Standing outside the Good Shepherd Church on July 15, we watched a good sized waterspout come ashore. You could clearly see the way the wind moved within the storm. It was mesmerizing. On the left side of the funnel the wind was rising up - and as it did, it took a small river

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of clouds up with it. The left side of the storm seemed to be rising while on the right side, below the funnel, the clouds looked to be running down. Two distinctly visible currents of air under a funnel that was spinning counterclockwise in a traditional low pressure circulation. We stood there hypnotized. The weather, like the waves can lull you into complacency and then strike, like the snake.

Some, myself included, would question if what we saw last month was really a tornado. It formed over water and although it came ashore, it was probably just a misguided waterspout. On the other hand it was big and the accompanying lightening storm started several brush fires and one house fire. We had a temperature drop of about 15-degrees in 20 seconds, we had 40 plus mile per hour winds, we had blinding driving rain, and we had some good sized hail. At one point we hopped in the truck and drove down Shreve Street to Marion where my wife pointed up and proclaimed, “Look over there, look at that big flock of birds.” I looked up and stared in disbelief. “Those aren’t birds, honey,” I said. “That’s plywood and shingles and scraps of aluminum!” It was all swirling around in a 30 yard circle, a hundred feet above the ground. “That’s a tornado!” I said, and we left.

We’ve got dust clouds from Africa and have had 20 inches of rain in one weekend. We’ve seen transformers on the electric poles explode in blue and purple flames. We’ve got fire ants and stingrays and sharks and jellyfish and wild boars that will run right at you. We’ve got bears and panthers and spiders that can hurt you bad. It’s the swamp and it’s still our favorite place to live.

I-75 Peace River Bridge

Photo: Richard Lewellen

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Hot Weather Lure Tactics Have confidence in your bait, impart action in a deliberate way

MAGAZINE

August 2005

and believe your going to catch a fish on every good cast

By Capt. Chuck Ei chner Water LIFE Inshore Editor Summer time fishing on Charlotte Harbor is a challenging sport. For the fisherman, dealing with sweltering heat and blazing sun on open water is not the most pleasant place to be. For the fish, you have pretty much the same scenario. Hot water, blazing sun and also lots of food forage including tons of baitfish, crabs and shrimp.

Sometimes the best fishing is early at first light and the last hours before dark. If you’re a bait fisherman, then the first hour or two is spent catching bait.

The lure fisherman on the other hand can ride in the dark to the fishing grounds and start casting. It’s a big advantage that does make for some exciting fishing.

Under these low light conditions and typically calm water, plenty of tarpon are around. Mangrove snappers will stray away from the mangroves, redfish will tail and jack crevalle will travel in small packs ripping into shallow water baitfish with reckless abandon. Of course, ladyfish will bless your line as will the occasional snook.

So if you have a couple of hundred lures in your tackle box how do you narrow it down? How do you fish them? Not always an easy answer, even after nearly 45 years of fishing, but I have my go-to lures and methods that bring me plenty of action. A good bit of success is all about confidence and that’s what it takes to be successful with lure fishing.

The top producing lure for all types of fish on this harbor is probably the spoon and is perhaps the easiest to fish. There are 2 basic spoon types- wobblers and spinners. When rigging do not use snaps, swivels or other connections unless fishing a revolving type of spoon such as a Johnson’s Silver Minnow.

The color choices are simple- silver or gold. Fish against mangrove shorelines and

grassbeds with a straight retrieve, no dips or flips just a steady deliberate pace.

Summertime Fish and Retrieves for Spoons

Redfi sh- slow with an occasional stop Jacks and Ladyfi sh- Fast as you can and still maintain the intended lure action.

S nook- Medium steady retrieve Trout- Slow retrieve with occasional pauses Another local favorite are plastic stickbaits. These are the 4-6 inch plastic baits that resemble a baitfish like a Bass Assasin, Mister Twister, Exude or the Zoom Super Fluke. Rig these weedless-Texas style or on a jig head. Generally an 1/8 oz. jig head is ideal in grassy conditions. If there are floating weeds which is often the case this time of year, rig weedless and place a 1/16 oz. worm weight ahead of the bait to get it deeper. These baits when retrieved should have no spin and should track true in a straight line. Placement of the hook is important and a slight adjustment will correct any spinning when retrieved. Good colors for the darker waters include pumpkinseed, chartreuse and white.

Summertime Fish and Retrieve for Plastic Stickbaits

Redfi sh- Medium retrieve with a light twitching action Jacks and Ladyfi sh- Fast as you can with wide sweeps of your rod S nook- Pull stop, pull stop at a medium speed.

Tarpon- Fast side sweeping action, then retrieve and sweep again Trout- Quick jerks and allow bait to drop then restart Small plastic baits are a great producer in the summer months. Three and four inch shrimp and minnow imitating baits such as D.O.A shrimp and dozens of baitfish imitations fill the shelves of most tackle shops. You can fish these Texas style or on

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This nice snook came from the west side of the harbor near Cape Haze. The gold Hobo spoon with a red feather was retrieved paralell to the bushes while wading along the shoreline.

a jig head. Rootbeer is a good go-to color and when fished on a 1/8 oz. jighead it is a hard combo to beat. Chartreuse and white are always good fish catchers.

Summertime Fish and Retrieve for Small Plastics

Redfi sh- Drag the bait with short pauses and occasional twitches Jacks and Ladyfi sh- Real quickly imparting a short darting action occasionally pause to allow the bait to drop and resume speed.

S nook- Fast retrieve with twitches Mangrove S napper- Slow retrieve with short twitches Trout- Slow up and down jigging motion My tacklebox would not be complete without an assortment of plugs. Walk-thedog plugs such as a Zara Spook are always good in white or silvery colors. Small lipped plugs that run shallow are also fish catchers.

Summertime Fish and Retrieve for Plugs

Redfi sh- Walk the dog- slow steady side to side Jacks and Ladyfi sh- The faster the better without your plug rolling Tarpon- Medium retrieve with occasional fast bursts S no o k- Fast retrieve with speed changes Trout- Slow retrieve with long pauses

Where to fish is the next question? Not always an easy answer, but here are some locations to try.

Redfi s h- Pine Island Sound and Gasparilla. Fish the islands on high tides and grassbeds on low tides. Oyster beds can also be productive.

Jacks and Ladyfi sh- The open waters of the harbor having roving pods of these hard fighters. Look for small white birds

dipping and idle in and cast. Canals have lots of jacks right now and fast pitching baits at canals mouths on an outgoing tide is hard to beat.

S n o o k The majority of fish are roaming the gulf surf and early morning is the time to be there. Anywhere along the beaches from Sanibel to Lemon Bay will find snook milling around. There are lots of small snook on the east side of the harbor around mangrove islands.

Tarpon- Early morning they can be found in Turtle and Bull Bay working over grass flats. There are plenty of open harbor tarpon that wander around Charlotte Harbor and the Cape Haze Point area is a good place to start on an incoming tide.

Mangrove S napper- There are plenty around the pier pilings in PGI canals. The high tides bring the snapper close to the mangroves in Gasparilla and Turtle Bay and early in the day they are roving the grass outside of the mangroves.

A Few Other Pointers

Definitely experiment with color if your not getting action because it makes a big difference in the summer. The water clarity varies greatly from area to area and the fish have to see to eat. Scented baits by Exude and Berkley do make a difference at times.

It’s the little things in fishing that separate the men from the boys in the fishing world- mental focus and attention to detail is everything. Have confidence in your bait, impart action in a deliberate way and believe your going to catch a fish on every good cast and you will be rewarded with great Charlotte Harbor action this summer!

Capt. Chuck Eichner is a local charter captain. For information or to book a guided fishing trip call 941-505-0003 or go to

Water LIFE

Is it Time to Retire the Old Tire Reef?

August 2005

By Betty S taugl er Hog Island still an artificial reef? Is there Water LIFE / Sea Grant any structure left? Does anyone still fish South of Hog Island, where the Peace there? and Myakka rivers meet, there is an artifiIf the reef still exists, then that is a cial reef. This reef predates any of the arti- wonderful thing. If not, then we are mainficial reef files located in my office. The taining buoys that mark nothing. If you only information that I have dug up on have any local knowledge to share regardthis reef is that is was originally construct- ing this reef, please give me a call. ed from tires. Knowing this and the fact Bet t y St aug l er i s t he Fl o ri da Sea that the reef is located in about eight feet Grant Mari ne Ag ent i n Charl o t t e of water at mean low, I can only assume Co unt y . She al s o s erv es as t he that it is quite old.

Co unt y ’s art i fi ci al reef co o rdi nat o r.

Artificial reef requirements have changed considerably over the years. We Port Charlotte learned early on that tires are light and easily move around. As such, tires are no longer permitted for artificial reef construction.

Further, the depth requirements no longer allow for artificial reefs in less than Punta X twelve feet of water, mean low. Since this reef does Gorda ef e not meet the current rules it R re Ti is not eligible for re-nourishment. So here are my questions. Is the reef at

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August 2005

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BUILDING This New House Part 3: SCRATCHING AND SCRAPING Water LIFE

August 2005

By Mi chael Hel l er Water LIFE editor Already I’m realizing how out of construction-shape I am. My hammer-hand is on the verge of blistering just from driving stakes into the ground. I’m afraid to think about the aches and pains I’ll have in a month when we really get started.

Right now I've been on the phone holding with the County for 20 minutes. It’s hard to get through to them, but they are helpful when you finally make contact.

At first, the permitting process looked good. Our application breezed through addressing (we already had an address) and Right of Way (that was pre-existing as well) but then we hit Zoning and our permit application sat in a box, or pile, somewhere for three weeks. We called every other day or so to check on progress, but there was none. The one day I spoke to Nicole Dozier and told her we really were getting tired of living in our rental house and asked what the hold up was.

Nicole pulled our file and told us it didn't say 'Hurricane' on it.

“Was there a box that I was supposed to check? Or a line I was supposed to write hurricane on?

Was there some instruction I missed in the application process,”

I asked. Nicole said “No,” and that someone just should have told me that. We lost almost a month on that ‘someone’s’ oversight.

Nicole said she would write the word ‘Hurricane’ on our application and later that day we got a call from Pat Haley at zoning saying that he was reviewing our plan right then. I smiled a thanks to Nicole, but it was a short smile.

Mr Haley said there was one problem – that the overhang on our second story bedroom encroached into the canal maintenance easement by about 6 inches and that we'd have to fix that. The fact that the overhang is 25 feet in the air didn't matter. We could get a variance but that could take three months, Pat said I called our engineers and told them of the problem. We talked over the options and decided to take one foot out of our new utility room and redraw the plans. In the mean time our old plans moved through to the next step, and into the construction plans examiner's department. That went without a hitch and they approved our mechanicals as is. It was a really important step and it happened almost too quickly for us to appreciate. We got busy with the Kids Cup redfish tournament and another week slipped by.

Right after the tournament, I

MAGAZINE

checked the progress of our plans on the county’s website and saw that the zoning department had still had not approved our change.

I was 15 minutes on the phone before I finally got through and the nice lady on the phone said she would track down our application package and get it over to Zoning for them to sign off on immediately. Then the next day we were told our permit was ‘waived on’ by the health department (we are on sewer, and the Health Department only gets involved with houses having septic tanks) and Charlotte County Utilities passed us on us as well, since we still have water on our site and we are still paying a water bill. “Your permit is ready to be picked up,” the lady on the phone told me. “That will be $726.80,” she added.

We dropped everything and headed for Murdock, where in fact we were able to pick up our permit and our approved plans. The we went out to lunch for a mini celebration. It was an important day, and after hearing our jubilant conversation the waitress even brought us a complimentary desert.

Back on our old street, a demolition contractor was working on removing the 13th house from our block. I had talked to him the day before about scraping the weeds

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Late Flash! Weʼve now got the footer dug and by the time you read this it may be filled with concrete. Construction is underway!

off our overgrown site, and as I waited for him to drive over, I opened the newly approved plans to have a look at them.

Everything looked good, except for one thing. They had stamped and approved the original drawings, not the ones which we had resubmitted with the 1-foot shorter floorplan. If I kept those plans on the jobsite, the house might come out 1-foot bigger with the overhang back in the easement. The next morning I made the county aware of the problem. Then my wife went back to Murdock to exchange the plans. Two steps forward and only one step back. At least we are making a small amount of progress.

The phone rang. It was my

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wife, calling from the building department, the guy she has to see was ‘on break.’ We were waiting again, but this time not for long – he soon returned and then we had the right plans in hand. The building department has really been very good about all this.

Next: We get going with the construction.

On the insurance front, things are not moving ahead at all. The 60-day period which our insurance company, Clarendon Select / Tower Hill, had to reply to our complaint with the State Insurance Commissioner has now elapsed without so much as a word. Now our private adjuster says his lawyers will now sue them for breach of contract and for more ...

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Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

Augustʼs Fishing Forecast

Charlotte Harbor

Ro bert at Fi s hi n' Franks Po rt Charl o tte: 6 2 5 -3 8 8 8

A lot of people are frustrated between catching fish and not being able to get shrimp. The fishing overall has been reasonably good, but the shrimp supplies have been erratic. The thing to do is approach the fishing as if it were September – think about warm water and afternoon rain.

Redfi sh are starting to school up in good numbers and will be very hungry when you find them. Schools of 300 to 500 fish are now around

the Pine Island Sound near Useppa and around all those islands in the area. There are also redfish over on the Intracoastal side by Bull Bay and from Boca Grande all the way up into Lemon Bay – you will find little schools scattered all along there. They are going as far in as Whidden Creek and out to the Intracoastal for the the deeper water. The fish are moving around a lot. Some guys say it’s the same school, others say it is two schools but they are nice fish. Live shrimp or frozen shrimp on a jig head has been, by far, the most productive. co nti nued o n the fo l -

Website Praise

As promised, the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup has featured the Water LIFE Kids Cup on their nationally acclaimed website and Drew Rossi, the Kids Cup winner, had his name plastered across a Kids Cup photo on the main page.

Next, Drew will travel to the Redfish Cup finals in Biloxi Mississippi in October. The Redfish Cup returns to Punta Gorda, September 2006.

August 2005

August 2005

Fishing Report Continued from facing page

B BIIG G-4 4

Water LIFE

MAGAZINE

A Au ug gu us st tʼs ʼs Ta Tar rg ge et t S Sp pe ec ciie es s

Early in the mornings, the top water bite has been good on the smaller lures like the Top Dog Junior and Top Dog Pups. Still, I think the best artificial of them all TARPON are still moving REDFISH are schooling up SNOOK still catch and release SHARKS are feeding on the (and I know I’m going to irritate a around the area and heading for the passes ladyfish when they can. only, but they are biting lot of people with this) is the 1/4 ounce and the 1/8 ounce spoon.

When it’s hot, downsize. The 1/8 ounce spoon will on the west side and the markers around there could beach. S napper are starting to come back in. The passes have started to fill up with snapper now be rewarded with good-eating triple tail from now out produce the bigger spoon three to one, because that the influx of fresh water has subsided. through October. it more closely resembles the smaller white bait The beaches have had quite a few keeper cobi a If you’re fishing the shark, sailcat, stingray and smaller pinfish we are now seeing. because there are a lot of rays on the beaches and tournament this month, the larger sai l cats have S nook are very abundant around those same the cobia like to run with the rays. If you’re into been mixed in with the ladyfish and spanish mackredfish places too. You might make one cast and the rays, throw a big pinfish out and just wait for erel by Cape Haze. Larger rays and sharks have catch a redfish and on another cast you’ll catch a something to happen. been reported down by Marker 72 near Pineland snook. That’s a good thing!

From 30 miles offshore and back in there are Marina, on the flats there. There have been two Right now, night fishing is phenomenal for the nice permit all the way to Helen’s reef. reports of ti ger sharks from that area in the last larger fish. For shore fishing, Stump Pass, Boca Right now we have tons of baitfish a mile or few weeks but we haven’t see any photos – just Grande beach (by both lighthouses) and Placida or two off the beach and the beach fishing is good. reports, but this would be the time for them. And the south pier are all really, really good at night.

Tarpon are up in the harbor and tarpon fishing down by Captiva and Redfish Pass there have been For the next month or month-and-a-half, all the has been pretty good, more up towards the Peace reports of large l emon sharks as well. species we will be talking about are going to be River side than El Jobean.

For the kids, if you want to take them fishing down around the beaches.

Grouper fishing offshore has been OK, but before school starts, the bl uegi l l have been pheThe upper end of the harbor has fish, but they some guys are going 40-45 miles and coming nomenal at Lake Betty and at the Cecil Webb are very scattered. On the other hand you might back with really good grouper and snapper. And lakes. find a tarpon up here at night as well. S pani sh there have been guys catching some dol phi n, mackerel just started to move back up into the Lemon Bay nice ‘schoolie’ fish, just what you expect this harbor. Cape Haze point and the reef there has an Ji m at Fi shermen’s Edge time of year. abundance of glass minnows that l ady fi sh are Engl ewood: 697-7595 feeding on. This starts the whole food chain movRed tide coming into Stump Pass has been a Stump Pass & the Gulf ing because tarpon and sharks and an occasional recent problem. People coming from the north Ben Pi ercy at S tump Pass cobi a are all there feeding on the ladyfish. have said it’s really bad up there as well. It’s scary Mari na 697-2206 It’s the normal late summer pattern and they that the red tide has hung around so long this year.

Offshore we are still going pretty far. Yel l ow should be there for another four to eight weeks.

Fishing has been good for the guys that go. In tai l are showing up and at 50 miles the queen Then they will start to move into the upper end of the FLW Tournament, the fishing was phenomesnapper are there. I’ve heard of a few cobi a the harbor. nal.There has been a lot of action out front with north of the pass, and there are ‘cudas and Pompano and whi ti ng will start to move in bl ackti ps and spi nner sharks. Pompano have sharks around pretty much all the time. Tarpon along the barrier island beaches this month and we are all but gone, and a few schools of S pani sh have already had some reports of pompano near the been in the passes, and permi t are on the wrecks offshore. The snook fishing has been good on the are coming in. trestles in the early morning and late afternoon.

Guys that want to venture offshore will have a new grouper limit on Aug 9th. Three per person.

Twenty miles out or better is definitely productive. We recently spoke with several tournament fishermen who said when fishing with shrimp at this time of year they prefer dead shrimp over live and a freshly ʻdeadʼ shrimp is best. According to one very productive The Bayronto wreck and west of there has been angler, he wraps his live shrimp in a damp newspaper and puts them on ice. When he is ready to fish he really good for a variety of fish. You might even pinches off the tail and hooks the shrimp from the rear. He says cold shrimp fished this way are much more get into some small bl ackfi ns out there at this productive than warm ones and attributes his success to redfish being able to sense the time of year. ʻsignatureʼ of a cold bait easier than they can a warm one. “Temperature definitely has Tri pl e tai l are starting to move in a little bit something to do with it,” he said, noting that redfish go after crabs that come out of the now. Guys who are patient, working the crab traps cool mud because the crabs also present a colder thermal image to the fish.

Hot Theory on Cold Bait

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n Aug 5-6, Cape Inshore Redfish Challenge $275, Cape Coral Yacht Club 239573-3122

n Aug 6 Off-Shore Fishing Rodeo: Snapper- Grouper Tournament, $450 per boat up to 4 anglers. Salty Sam's Marina, Fort Myers Beach.

Over $7000 in prizes

n Aug 6-7: Shark Stingray and sailcat Tournament, Fishinʼ Franks 625-3888

n Aug 13: One Year Anniversary of the Passing

O F

of Hurricane Charley, various events around Punta Gorda. n Aug 13: Pirate Redfish Tournament, benefit for Port Charlotte High School Athletic Department, 629-9948 n Aug 19-20: Summer Slam, South Seas Plantation

n Aug 20: Steve Lowe Family Benefit Redfish Tournament, $300 entry Harpoon Harry's, Fisherman's Village, 941-628-2669 n Sept 3: Laishley Marine & Good Shepherd Day School's

E V E N T S

Richest Redfish Challenge $600 per two man team. Top Place pays $25,000, Harpoon Harry's, Fishermans Village.

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n Sept 8-10: Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup at Clearwater. n Sept 17: Flatsmaster Red Snook Challenge, Harpoon Harrys, Punta Gorda.

628-0702 n Sept 30: Ranger Redfish Tour Tournament, Port Charlotte (407) 865-5915

Send us your event calendar information via e-mail: Waterlife@comcast.net

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Fishing

Very Good RIGHT NOW:

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