Captain Terry Says “The cooler weather has attributed to lots of Sheepshead and larger Seatrouts”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Hello fishing and boating friends. Even though the month of February presented some high winds and cool climates, the fishing remained good north of Redfish Pass. Unfortunately, south of the pass has a lot of dark water, creating difficulty in locating and catching fish. I suggest fishing north of Redfish Pass and the surrounding waters of N. Captiva Pass together with other locations in Pine Island Sound. The water is much clearer and has continued to produce fish.

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The cooler weather has attributed to lots of Sheepshead and larger Seatrouts. Pictured here is Karen Jacobs of Harvester, Missouri holding her huge Seatrout while on vacation with the family. GREAT JOB KAREN! Both her son’s, Austin (10) and Lee (12) are pictured with just one of their many catches during their day on the water with Captain Terry. It was a great boating and fishing day for the Jacobs family. Karen, Todd, Austin, Lee and Grandpa Greg, all of Harvester (St. Louis, Missouri), are pictured enjoying a much deserved ‘break from the action’, at Cabbage Key.

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The better news is that spring is bringing warmer weather and warmer water temperatures. This week offers the ‘back-side’ of a full moon. Remember to work the top half of the incoming and outgoing tides for best results.

This week Vicki and I will be at the Bonita Springs Boat Show and invite everyone to our booth. I will be doing seminars on Snook, Redfish and Seatrout and look forward to visiting with clients and potential newcomers to boating and fishing SW Florida waters.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Charter information, fishing tips and other articles may be found on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Contact me at 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected]. I am also available for orientation to navigating the waters, providing fishing instructions and locations on your vessel by the hour. Until the next fishing report, I wish everyone safe boating and tight lines!

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Lake Okeechobee Water Release

Please take action!

For many people, recent rain and subsequent release of water into the Caloosahatchee River has been a huge problem. We have received several inquiries from members asking what we can do?

Because of the unusually heavy rains this winter, a massive amount of fresh water tainted with pollutants is being released from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River basin and the St. Lucie Waterway. We have received several inquiries from members asking what we can be done to affect change?

As the system currently exists there is no other option for release of the extreme quantities of water other than the Caloosahatchee River and the St. Lucie Waterway. There are plans as part of the overall Everglades Restoration Plan to provide other options. These are expensive and complex fixes and funding has been held up for many years. Due to the inaction of our government our beautiful rivers, estuaries and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico are paying a terrible price with this unnecessary influx of polluted fresh water. It is time for our government to take both short and long-term action.

What can we do? We can join others in a rallying cry to the agencies involved.

Mayor Kevin Ruane of Sanibel has issued a call to action and our Government Affairs Consultant, Joe Mazurkiewicz, has suggested that SWFMIA members back his effort. SWFMIA members can support this effort by urging your elected officials to support the Mayor’s “3 Step Action Plan” described below. Additionally, the SWFIMA is leveraging this situation as a call to action. Members are asked to contact our Congressional delegation to get them to help move the Federal government to fund their share of the Everglades Restoration projects ASAP.

This is a real issue that exemplifies the need for all our members to get involved. Nothing is more effective than residents and local businessmen taking direct action to contact legislators.

Please copy us on any e-mails or faxes you send.

Sanibel Mayor Calls for Immediate Implementation of 3-Point Action Plan in Response to Lake O. Releases

While in Tallahassee addressing our State legislators on critical long-term local and regional water quality projects Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane issued a call for immediate action by the South Florida Water Management District and the Army Corps of Engineers to address the current Lake Okeechobee releases. Simultaneously, Mayor Ruane issued a call to the mayors of each city in Lee County to work collectively on requesting a 3-Point Action Plan. “As a community, as a region and as a government restoring and protecting the quality of our economic lifeline, water quality, is our highest priority. We know we are most effective in Tallahassee and Washington when we speak with one unified voice. Today I am calling on the mayors of our sister cities to support this 3-Point Plan for immediate action steps” stated Ruane as he issued the “Call for Action.”

The “3 Step Action Plan” calls for:

  • Maximizing storage on all private lands currently under contract with the SFWMD
  • Maximize potential storage on public lands within Lee County
  • Call on the Army Corps of Engineers and the SFWMD to exercise their operational flexibility to hold more water in the Lake

Click here to read Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane’s request to the mayors of Lee County.
Click here to read the City of Sanibel’s Caloosahatchee Watershed Regional Water Management Issues White Paper: Short and Long-term solutions for storage and treatment.

Have you seen a direct impact?

Our Tallahassee Lobbyist, Missy Timmins is looking for any numbers you might have on direct impact to your business of the water release. Or, relay any specific comments of customers or related incidents

This is needed immediately. Please e-mail [email protected]

Please contact your senator and representative

Below is a contact list for our Senators and Representatives, and a link that will help you identify your district. Click on “Map of Congressional Districts” and zoom in.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/FL

US Congressional Contacts in SWFMIA Member Area

Senators DC Phone DC Fax Contact Form
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) 202-224-5274 202-228-2183 https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact-bill
Nick Russell – Legislative Asst. [email protected]
Abby Tinsley – Legislative Assistant [email protected]
Senator Marco Rubio 202-224-3041 202-228-0285 http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-senator-rubio?p=Contact
Eleni Valanos – Legislative Correspondent [email protected]
Lauren Reamy – Professional Staff Member [email protected]
District Congress DC Phone DC Fax Contact Form
11 Representative Richard Nugent (R – 11) 202-225-1002 202-226-6559 https://nugent.house.gov/contact/email-me
12 Representative Gus M. Bilirakis (R – 12) 202-225-5755 202-225-4085 https://bilirakis.house.gov/email-congressman-bilirakis
13 Representative David Jolly (R – 13) 202-225-5961 202-225-9764 http://jolly.house.gov/contact/
14 Representative Kathy Castor (D – 14) 202-225-3376 202-225-5652 https://castor.house.gov/contact/contactform.htm
15
Representative Dennis Ross (R – 15)		 202-225-1252 202-226-0585 http://dennisross.house.gov/contact/
16
Representative Vern Buchanan (R – 16)		 202-225-5015 202-226-0828 https://buchanan.house.gov/contact
17
Representative Thomas J. Rooney (R – 17)		 202-225-5792 202-225-3132 https://rooney.house.gov/contact/email-me
18
Representative Patrick Murphy (D – 18)		 202-225-3026 202-225-8398 http://patrickmurphy.house.gov/contact/email-me/
19
Representative Curt Clawson (R – 19)		 202-225-2536 http://clawson.house.gov/contact/
19 Pat Cauley – Chief of Staff [email protected]
19 Jack Tymann – Senior Advisor [email protected]
26
Representative Carlos Curbelo (R – 26)		 202-225-2778 202-226-0346 https://curbelo.house.gov/contact/

Here is a a copy of the letter SWFMIA is sending to our U.S Senators and Representatives in our membership area. Please personalize any correspondence you send but you are welcome to use any of our wording that you wish.

SMA Okeechobee letter

Posted by Scott Q News

Notice to Navigation: Canaveral and Okeechobee Waterway Lock Closures for Manatee Protection System Maintenance

NTN 2016-004 Lock Closures for Manatee Protection System Maintenance Notice to Navigation Interests: Canaveral and Okeechobee Waterway Lock Closures for Manatee Protection System Maintenance: read notice.

Notice is given that Canaveral, W.P. Franklin and St. Lucie Locks will have scheduled 4 hour closures 7:30 -11:30 a.m. and 12-4 p.m. at locations and dates listed below to support annual maintenance to the Manatee Protection System.

W.P. Franklin: Monday, February 22, 2016
St. Lucie: Tuesday February 23, 2016
Canaveral: Wednesday – Thursday, February 24 – 25, 2016

To be notified about future Notices to Navigation, sign up for the e-mail distribution list here.

Get connected with social media for the most up to date information:
Twitter @JaxStrong
Jacksonville District Facebook
Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway Facebook:

Posted by Scott Q News

Southwest Florida Yacht Club – “The Cruisingest Yacht Club in the USA!”©

SFYC1 Southwest Florida Yacht Club (SFYC) has been a very active cruising club since its inception in early 2012. Our cruise program is year-round and last year we had 32 cruises to over 25 destinations! Our fleet travels ranged from Everglades City in the south to Tarpon Springs in the north. In addition to these cruises, we also participated in a Celebrity Caribbean cruise and our monthly Lunch Bunch outings that are accessible by land or boat.

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As can be seen on our cruise calendar, we are not slowing down this year. For 2016 we have 37 scheduled cruises to over 25 destinations. Our cruises range from 3 days/2 nights to 2 weeks in length and include a Keys cruise and an East Coast cruise. Several short cruises are frequently scheduled back-to-back so that members can maximum their time on the water. An example itinerary is Pink Shell – Marco Island – Naples in April.

Each cruise has one or two couples that act as cruise leaders. By sharing the responsibilities, each cruise enjoys the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to make it special. Several cruises have themes, such as our “Touch of Class” everglades cruise or take advantage of local festivities such as Shrimp Fest on Fort Myers Beach or the golf cart parade on Boca Grande. No matter how long or short, busy or laid-back, every cruise offers our members the chance to enjoy cruising with other boaters. Cruising with your Yacht Club provides a unique opportunity to develop uncommon relationships with your fellow cruisers. It’s no surprise that “Cruising” is our members’ most valued activity. It is also no surprise that Southwest Florida Yacht Club remains committed to being “The Cruisingest Yacht Club in the USA!”©

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If cruising is one of your passions, come check us out at our home base, The Marina at Edison Ford/Pincher’s in Fort Myers. If you are interested in participating in a trial cruise or attending one of our monthly meetings to see what we’re about, please contact our Vice-Commodore, Harvey Steele, at (239) 671-8887 or [email protected].

Much more information, including our cruise schedule, is also available on our website www.southwestfloridayachtclub.com. You can also visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SouthwestFloridaYachtClub.

Posted by Scott Q Cruising