SWFMIA Spring Boat Show Moving To Bonita Springs.
Fort Myers, FL – The Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association has relocated its 25th Annual Spring Boat Show, to the Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs, March 6th -9th.
“After more than twenty years at the Lee Civic Center in North Ft. Myers it was time for a change and we could not be more excited about this new venue,” commented John Good, Boat Show Manager. “It moves our show into the heart of a fast growing population base of Southwest Florida Boaters and gives us a great geographical spread for our three annual shows. We now have a show in Bonita Springs, our Fort Myers Boat Show, downtown in November, and our Charlotte County Boat Show in January in Port Charlotte.”
The Greyhound Track is located on Bonita Beach Road between I-75 and U.S. 41. The site offers all the space needed for boat and accessory displays in one area and there is more than ample on-site parking. “We do not see a downside to this location,” says Good. “It’s convenient, very easy to find and all displays will be in a large paved parking area.”
Nearly all the area’s major dealers will be on hand with hundreds of boats on display. The show will feature a wide variety of booth displays with all kinds of marine accessories, and services. Port Charlotte’s “Fishin’ Frank” and his crew of experienced and entertaining guides will conduct fishing seminars all four days of the show. Frank’s new fishing simulator will give show visitors a chance to experience the excitement of fighting everything from bass to billfish.
This is a great opportunity to see, compare and buy boats and accessories. Boat shows are always so appealing to the public because you can shop without driving all over Southwest Florida. But more than that, if you are new to the area or thinking about getting into boating, the show is a great learning experience. What do you want to do on the water? What kind of boat fits your budget? What about financing and insurance? What kind of accessories do you need? How about a boat lift? How can I learn about safe boat operation? Where are fun places to go on a boat? You can answer all those questions at the show.
We’re even bringing our Caloosa Café & Pub that is such a hit at our November Show, featuring great food and all kinds of drinks. And, of course, the Greyhound Track and Poker Room will be in full operation throughout the show.
Show hours are 10AM-6PM, Thursday – Saturday and 10AM – 5PM on Sunday. Admission is $8.00 (kids under 16 are free with paid adult admission). Parking is free. The Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Track is located at 10601 Bonita Beach Road SE Bonita Springs, FL 34135.
For more information about the show and about boating in Southwest Florida, visit www.goboatingflorida.com or contact: The Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association. 239-656-7083. [email protected].
Another charter client, Mr. John Manteuffel of St. Paul, Minnesota is shown with a large Sheepshead caught on a Fiddler Crab ‘deep in the pilings’ in Pine Island Sound. John also hooked and successfully ‘angled’ a larger Sheepshead (around 18″) but was lost at the net ( I took responsibility for not getting the fish in the boat) and gave John credit for the catch.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Prior to the cold front and the ‘Full Moon’, fishing for all of my clients was fantastic! Boat loads of Spanish Mackerel were all over areas of Bokelia and Foster Bay, just to mention two prime locations. Big hungry Seatrout were present in deep holes (4-6 ft) while small Seatrout, Crevalle Jacks were all around. We caught Redfish on incoming and outgoing tides at openings (deeper ‘cuts’) protecting grass flats. Mangrove Snappers and big Sheepshead were caught around pilings using small shrimps and Fiddler Crabs. My baits of choice for the Spanish Mackerel were small to medium size shrimps. Cut Pinfish, ‘jumbo’ shrimps and Ladyfish were more effective for the bigger Seatrout and Redfish. Artificial baits were effective as well for Spanish Mackerel, Seatrout, Snook, Crevalle Jacks and Redfish.
Also, pictured are friends and repeat clients from Marshalltown, Iowa. Roger Chase is shown with his catch of a nice size Spanish Mackerel. His wife Sally, is proudly displaying a big Seatrout she caught on the ‘flats’ north of Foster Bay. Their friends (also from Marshalltown), Dennis and Sondra Buffington are pictured with a couple of their catches. Dennis (‘Buff’); is holding a huge Spanish Mackerel while his wife, Sondra displays her first Bluefish. Over one hundred fish were caught that day. Needless to say; ‘we all had a blast!
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) My fishing article in the January Issue of the Lee County monthly publication; The Nautical Mile, was titled ‘Seatrout Fishing 101’. If you are having or was having trouble catching Seatrout, may I suggest that you go on line to that publication or my website and read the article. Since the cold fronts have passed the trout fishing has been fantastic utilizing those basic techniques and strategies discussed therein. Pictured here are some of the Seatrout that was caught by my charter clients within the last week. They were found in ‘pockets’ surrounded by ‘Turtle Grass’ at depths of 3′ to 5′ deep. Jayne Henderson and Bob Wunsch of Kewaskum, Wisconsin are proudly displaying their catches of of 22 and 23 inch Seatrout. Their friends, Todd Schmidt and his wife Jo Ann of West Bend, Wisconsin are holding their prize catches as well.
Snook, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Sheepshead and other species have also been very active. Ten year old Vince Young of La Crosse, WI. (on the left) had a special birthday treat when he landed this nice 22 inch Snook in the canals of Cape Coral. His cousin, Jack Brooks of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (pictured with him) was along to witness the catch.
South Seas Resort on Captiva Island was the January destination of the Cape Coral Cruise Club. Always a popular location, eighteen boats signed up for the cruise, however, illness or mechanical issues left eight boats unable to participate. The ten boats that made the cruise were MOONLIGHTER, Lee & Brenda Jetton – BOW’T TIME, Terry & Laurie Carlson – Y KNOT, Phil & Pat Kryger – MARKATE, Mark & Kate Lewis – DESPERADO, John Lynch & Debbie Schwab – DAISY MAE, Bob & Bonnie Martin – SHARON ANN, Len & Sharon Palmisano – SUNKISSED, cruise leaders Phil & Lyn Quick along with Phil’s brother Lee – HAPPY OURS, Gary & Kathy Taake, and STILL CRAZY, Jeff & Joanne Zeimer.
The second day at South Seas began with a marvelous pancake and scrambled eggs breakfast in the Chart Room prepared by Susan Herzog and Mary Ann Habich. No one left hungry. A number of the ladies then played cards in the Chart Room while the men explored the resort or fished off the fishing pier. Competing with a large group of aggressive pelicans for the fish, several men caught a number of keepers even with the cold water and gusty winds. One group rode the trolley to the shopping center, and another group walked to lunch.