WE’VE CREATED A MONSTER ON OUR SHORES, BAYS, RIVERS AND LAKES.
Improper application of fertilizers such as using more than recommended amounts or applying the wrong formulas at certain times of the year, has come back to bite us. When combined with rains and run-off, these nutrients are redirected from our lawns and gardens and feed harmful aquatic algae that threatens our quality of life and our economy. We all need to do our part and ask you to do yours by using the resources provided here. Please don’t feed the monster! Fertilize Smart!
Don’t spill fertilizer!
If you do have an accident, sweep the granules up. Rinsing fertilizer off with a hose could send it down the storm drain.
Don’t fertilize water bodies!
When throwing fertilizer onto water bodies or impervious surfaces, such as driveways or sidewalks, particles on hard surfaces can wind up in unintended places.
Don’t fertilize if heavy rain is forecast!
This increases the potential for fertilizers to run off into storm drains or to leach through soil with the rainwater.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Tarpon season is in full swing with tournaments from Ft. Myers Beach to Boca Grande Pass. Lee County Tarpon Hunters can be seen along the Inter-coastal water way and throughout Charlotte Harbor. Poor catching reports have run amok with the exception of last week in Charlotte Harbor as well as Boca Grande Pass. A couple of weeks ago I received nothing but dismal reports from members of the Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club fishing the areas south of Redfish Pass.
Based on better catch reports and numerous Tarpon sightings, I have been taking my Charter clients to the northern end of Pine Island sound and into the southwestern areas of Charlotte Harbor. I see a lot of Tarpon in the harbor and the fishing is fairly good. I look for it to get better with the new moon phase.
Last week, Snook, Redfish and Seatrout catches proved to be less than that of the previous weeks, due mostly to the winds from the north and east. The winds of 15-20 knots kept the water levels low and prevented access to back country locations where I have been successful. Pictured here is a 31″ Redfish I caught on a charter around Foster Bayou on a high tide with strong southern winds providing sufficient water to get my 21 foot Cobia bay boat deep into a proven back country location.
Fishing should improve over the next two weeks as the new moon phase comes in, especially if the winds blow from the south. Moreover, Pilchards are showing up and that will help a great deal to entice bigger quarry out of the mangroves when the high tide peaks and the fish are deep into the growth, hampering an effective presentation.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone tight lines! Charter information may be found on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Feel free to contact me direct at 239-357-6829 for immediate assistance or email me at [email protected]
CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA (May 20, 2014) – TowBoatUS in Cape Coral announces it will be a sponsor for the 10th Annual “Ryan’s Redfish Challenge” fishing tournament on May 24th at Cape Harbor. The goal of the event is to raise awareness and funds for “Barbara’s Friends,” a branch of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. Proceeds will go to benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund.File Transfer: unknown.jpgThe event is held in honor of Ryan McCleskey, who ended his fight against cancer on February 3, 2006.
The tournament is organized by family, friends, and acquaintances of Ryan who wish to continue his battle with loving memory. To date, the “Ryan’s Redfish Challenge” event has raised over $80,000 for this cause.
“We are honored to be able to help such a worthy organization through our sponsorship,” said Captain Richard Paul, co-owner of TowBoatUS. “This tournament is sure to be a lot of fun for everyone involved, and we are looking forward to being a part of this event!”
Ryan’s Redfish Challenge Tournament takes place from 7am – 4pm on Saturday, May 24th, 2014. The final weigh-in will be held at 4pm at The Marina at Cape Harbour in Cape Coral, FL. Following the weigh-in will be an event with food, raffles, and live music, which goes until 7pm.”
Those participating in the tournament are invited to attend a “Captain’s Meeting” prior to the event, on Friday, May 23rd. Check-in for the Captain’s Meeting will be at the Twisted Conch in Cape Coral from 5:30-6:30pm, with food and drinks until 8:30pm, and live music from 7-9:30pm.
For more information about participating in Ryan’s Redfish Challenge or sponsorship opportunities, visit RyansRedfishChallenge.com.
ABOUT TOWBOATUS CAPE CORAL:
From sponsoring fishing tournaments that benefit wounded war veterans and cancer cure research to towing stranded boaters back to port, co-owners Richard Paul and Jay McMillan of TowBoatUS Cape Coral believe in giving back to the people of Southwest Florida who’ve helped their business become a success. While their company mainly provides marine salvage and boat towing services, most importantly they provide peace of mind to stranded boaters off the coast of Lee County, FL and along the Caloosahatchee waterway. To enjoy the same peace of mind, sign up for an unlimited recreational boater’s membership at BoatUS.com
“Short” “No Frills” Cruise to Tween Waters Resort Marina Proves Popular
With a long cruise to the Golden Isles of Georgia scheduled in April, the Cape Coral Cruise Club offered a “short” cruise to Captiva Island’s Tween Waters Resort Marina Wednesday, April 16th through Friday, April 18th. Although 13 boats signed up to participate, only 7 made the cruise due to boat problems, illness or other unforeseen events. The 7 boats were “Sunkissed”, Phil & Lyn Quick; “K D J”, Mark & Sue Thompson; “Desperado”, Jon Lynch & Elise Vannoy; “Knot Again”, Larry & Mary Ann Habich; “New Horizons”, Ted & Beverley Hutson; “Jean Mary III”, Jeanie Douglass with son Peter and his wife Patti; and “Moonlighter”, Lee & Brenda Jetton with guests Gary & Danee Halford. Joining the cruise by car were Chuck Pollack & Sue Herzog, Joan Prosser, Joan Raymond, and Sonja Wright.
Billed as a “no frills” cruise, the only fee for the cruise was a tip for the dockhands. A dry erasure white board was installed where anyone could post an activity, and those who wished to join in could do so. Since there was no cooking demands on the ladies, they enjoyed being able to join in with the men at any time.
Activities posted on the white board included swimming or hot-tubbing, lunch pool-side, dominoes, cards, a walk to town for ice cream, beach going, a walk to the Green Flash restaurant for dinner, and cocktails on the dock. Although rain, high wind and thunderstorms had been predicted, the cruise enjoyed mostly sunny weather and light winds both cruising to and from Tween Waters.
Cruise Leader Brenda Butler Jetton had announced that as a gesture of good will, she would donate popcorn at happy hour, but that it would be limited to 2 kernels per person per day. At cocktail hour on the second day, some participants complained that they had not been given the promised popcorn, so Brenda produced 7 zip lock bags filled with 12 kernels (2 per person per day) for each boat. Each boat’s name was written on the zip lock bag. After a good laugh, big bowls of both cheese popcorn and kettle corn were set out for consumption.
On Friday, a group dinner was held at the on-site Crows Nest restaurant with 20 in attendance. After a rocky start (an incorrect group menu was presented without the promised Teriyaki Grilled Salmon) correct copies were presented and a delicious meal was then enjoyed by all.
As strong winds were predicted for later on Saturday, most boats left early and were home before the wind and waters kicked up. All who participated agreed that a “no frills” cruise can be a lot of fun, hope it will be repeated in the future, and thank Brenda Butler for organizing a great “un-organized” cruise.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations. For membership information please contact Larry Mitchell at 239-560-2823. View a short picture video of Club activities and review additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Tarpon season is in full swing with big Threadfin’s at the causeways, on other structures and just off the beaches. Boats are anchored up and down Pine Island Sound around Marker’s 4 and 18 on the southern end. Passes and areas off the main channels around Pineland, Cayo Costa and Jug Creek on the northern end. Baits of choice are mullet, Pin Fish, Lady Fish, Catfish and Threadfins; under corks/balloons and on the bottom. I will be in the mix starting next Monday for Tarpon charters.
Other species have remained active as well, including Snook, Redfish, Seatrout, Pompano and Spanish Mackerel. Keep an eye out for Cobia and Triple Tail for those working the beaches, Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. Pictured here is one of my favorite yearly family charters featuring; Chris Dugan and sons, Tom (15 yrs.) and Jack (12 yrs.) of Norfolk, Va.. These junior anglers caught a number of fish that day. Looking forward to doing it again next year.
Huge Redfish are in the area and few better than the 31″ catch pictured here with Mr. Chris Kemp of the Atlanta area. Chris is a yearly regular of mine and a fantastic fisherman. This fish was caught under a cork with a cut Pin Fish off the point of a small island at the top of an incoming tide with southerly winds.
Fishing should only get better with the improving tides and the large amounts of baits around. This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters, wishing you ‘tight lines’. Charter information may be obtained at my website; www.fishfacecharters.com, by email at; [email protected] or by calling me direct at 239-357-6829.
On April 21 three boats from the Cape Coral Cruise Club left Cape Coral northbound to the “Golden Isles” of Georgia. These were boats that cruised under 20 knots. The following day three more boats, cruising in excess of 20 knots left the Cape Coral area at 8am so all could arrive at Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart that evening. The group traveled east on the Caloosahatchee River, across Lake Okeechobee and down the St Lucie Canal, headed for the Atlantic Intra Coastal Waterway. The weather was perfect and sunny with barely a ripple on the lake. After fueling and cleaning the boats, the cruisers met aboard the Sharon Ann, owned by Len and Sharon Palmisano for Happy Hour. Following Happy Hour most went to the Sailors Return restaurant at the marina for dinner.
The next morning the boats got off to another early start, again traveling in two groups, depending on the speed of the boats. The weather was ideal. The destination was New Smyrna Marina in New Smyrna Beach. The cruisers traveled in the Intra Coastal Waterway since there is good water depth, and few slow zones in this section. Upon arrival crews washed salt from their boats, fueled as needed prior to Happy Hour aboard Sharon Ann. Fueling at New Smyrna Marina is available at each slip for added boater convenience. Everyone dined on site at the Outriggers Tiki Bar.
Continuing north from New Smyrna the following morning boaters began the last day of serious, long day runs before starting a more leisurely cruise schedule. The destination was St. Augustine Municipal Marina. Five boats elected to venture out on the Atlantic Ocean via the Ponce De Leon inlet at New Smyrna since the weather was, again, perfect and outside the ocean was flat. The Intra Coastal Waterway is slower and there are several shallow water concerns between New Smyrna and St Augustine. Traveling “outside” also allowed the boats to arrive at the marina at slack water (no tidal currents). That is important because strong tidal currents can make docking difficult. Mark and Kate Lewis on MarKate decided to travel inside because they had never traveled this section of the Intra Coastal. The routine of cleaning and fueling the boats was followed by a change in routine. Happy Hour was not cancelled. Instead it was held aboard Pop’s Place, a Grand Banks owned by Kenneth and Sandra Starnes. This was followed by a roast beef dinner prepared by Sharon Palmisano.
Sightseeing was the activity of choice the next day since no travel was planned. The marina is in the historic district of St. Augustine giving the club members a wide choice of activities. The weather was again outstanding. Phil and Pat Kryger owners of Y Knot climbed the St Augustine lighthouse. Many of the couples toured the historic district on the Red Train. Rich and Robyn McGloin of the Robyn M enjoyed the architecture at Flagler College. Dinner that evening was “on your own” with most of the club members opting to eat on their boat.
The following day saw the group departing St. Augustine, headed to Golden Isles Marina at St Simons Island, Georgia. The group again traveled “outside” to avoid going through some shallow areas, as well as some military restricted areas of the Intra Coastal Waterway including a seven mile “slow” zone north of St. Augustine. The weather was excellent again.
The cruisers made their way to the Marina by entering St. Simons Sound inlet and following the channel markers up the Frederica River to the Marina. Again, the boats were washed and fueled in the slips. Those needing to replenish ship stores made a trip to the supermarket using the marina courtesy car. That evening Happy Hour was held at the Marina pavilion followed by a grill out of Italian sausage, hamburgers and hot dogs.
The next day a trolley tour of St Simons Island was taken by all the cruisers, as this was one our destinations. The tour company allowed the group to stay in “downtown St. Simons” for a couple of hours at the conclusion of the tour to shop and take advantage of the restaurants before returning them to the marina. The afternoon was free to explore in more detail places seen on the trolley tour, perform routine boat maintenance, or do as Steve and Nell Winner of Our Idea did, and use the courtesy car to go to the supermarket. The evening Happy Hour was again on the Sharon Ann followed by a group dinner at the Coastal Kitchen Restaurant, which is located at the marina.
Early up and out was the order of the day the following morning. Not because of the distance to Jekyll Island, but to get through Jekyll Creek before low tide. The creek only carries about 3 1/2 feet of water at mean low water, and while most of the boats on the trip have a draft of 4 feet or better, this is very important. Robyn M was the only boat leaving later in the morning since they needed less water than the other boats. Jekyll Harbor Marina was able to accommodate the boats that morning despite an early morning arrival. The distance traveled was only about 10 miles so washing and fueling was not necessary. The early arrival allowed the cruisers to begin exploring the island using courtesy bicycles provided by the marina. A manatee provided the group with additional entertainment by frequenting the marina. Happy Hour was again held aboard the Sharon Ann that evening, with the men gathering to tell each other stories. The women were playing dominos on the Y Knot and having a “happy hour” of their own. Dinner was “on your own”. Most ate on their boat with several Capt’s preparing dinner for their ladies.
The next day began with a dinghy race between MarKate and Pop’s Place. The name of the loser will not be reported to spare his feelings. Transportation to the historic district was arranged by the marina. Club members were able to explore the historic Jekyll Island Club, bordered by the former estates of long ago summer residents such as Joseph Pulitzer, J.P. Morgan, W.K. Vanderbilt, and Marshall Field, as well as visit the many shops and restaurants in the district. Several of the group took a horse drawn carriage tour of the area while others visited the turtle rehab center. The afternoon was free for the cruisers to explore more of the island, work on their boat or just take it easy. Happy Hour that evening was on Pop’s Place followed by a cook out of hot dogs and hamburgers provided by the marina.
Travel the following morning was to be north to Cumberland Island. The perfect weather, however, was about to end. The group decided to skip Cumberland Island and go direct to Fernandina Beach Marina. This provided the cruisers an extra day to travel home, which the captains thought might be necessary because of a very negative weather forecast of rain and high winds. During the trip to Fernandina cruisers saw wild horses grazing near the beach along the shore of Cumberland Island as well as two submarines in the Kings Bay naval base. The afternoon was spent touring Amelia Island with Happy Hour that evening on the Sharon Ann, followed bydinner at Bret’s Waterway Cafe, located at the marina.
The following morning the cruisers began the southbound trip home. MarKate and Our Idea decided to stay at Fernandina Beach an extra night and then slowly make their way home. The remaining boats left and headed for the New Smyrna Marina, running “outside” until St Augustine when seas became rough. They continued southbound on the Intra Coastal for the remainder of the trip. The next day they continued inside arriving at Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart. That section for the trip was on the Intra Coastal Waterway with the group staying just ahead of the serious storm front that blew in after all were safely secured at the marina.
The third day had the group west bound across Lake “O” returning to the Cape Coral area. This proved to be a most eventful day. More storms, that the cruisers were trying to avoid, finally caught up while they were on the river. All experienced lightning, thunder, wind, and heavy rain. In light of these poor visibility conditions, Sharon Ann touched bottom and required an assist from Sea Tow to be pulled off a mud bank. In the end everyone returned home safely with no major problems. Overall, this was a very fun filled and adventurous cruise hosted by Len and Sharon Palmisano.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations. For membership information please contact Larry Mitchell at 239-560-2823. View a short picture video of Club activities and review additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Recently I heard lots of complaints from many local Captains regarding catches over the last couple of weeks. However, I have found that with the current moon phase, favorable wind directions resulting in higher tides, that more fish are being caught deeper into back country locations and around some of the small islands off the main channel of Pine Island Sound. These locations include; Patricio and Mondago islands up north, big Panther Key and Demere Keys midway down, Mackeever Keys, McIntyre Creek and Punta Blanca Bay on the southern end.
Tarpon have joined the other species and one will see many boats along the InterCoastal Waterway anchored up waiting for the opportunity to hook and land one. Big Pompano, Snook and Redfish are also among the collection of species being caught. Pictured here are Mack McGinnes and Phil Renkes of St. James City (Pine Island) holding a 32″ Redfish.
Amy Miron of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin proudly displays her Pompano caught under a cork using live shrimps. Her family, Jake, Kaylee (9), Olivia (11) and Samantha (5) are pictured together after a wonderful day on the water with memories that should last a lifetime. Everyone was in on the action.
The next few days should continue to produce similar fishing opportunities so long as the tide levels and southern winds allow access to the key locations mentioned above. Use Shrimp, Pinfish, Pichards, Threadfins or artificial presentations to target your quarries.
Until the next fishing report, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone, tight lines! Information and charter bookings may be obtained by calling me at 239-357-6829 or by emailing [email protected]. More information may be obtained at www.fishfacecharters.com.
