“Fish will move with the tide, but when tides are low they will ‘hold up’ in deeper water.” says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Offshore; Spanish Mackerel are being reported in the passes and just off the beaches. The Kingfish migration has begun on the east coast and the west coast migration should follow suit. Groupers, Snappers, Cobia, Tripletail and other species are all being caught off shore off the wrecks and reefs from 20 to 80 ft. of water. The baits of choice (depending on the species) will range from artificial presentations (top water and weighted jigs) to live and cut baits, including but not limited to squid, squid wings, finger mullet, pinfish, squirrelfish and shrimps. Look on the website for reef coordinates in our area and use them or simply drift until you find a change in the bottom structure, then anchor down.

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Inshore; focus has been on Redfish (‘Reds’), Seatrout or nice size Mangrove Snappers. Snook are plentiful, but the season will not open until a week from now (September 1st). The Redfish and big bull ‘Reds’ are here in good numbers off the flats, oyster beds and off of back country channels in the shallows with mangrove protection (I am pictured here with a nice Redfish caught along the mangroves with a cut pinfish on a weighted jig head). Cut Pinfish, Ladyfish and Shrimps are the order of the day for those anglers wishing to ‘cash in’ on the next few days during the back half of the new moon phase. However, I recommend fishing earlier this week!. The tides will be good enough around Punta Rassa all week, but will begin to weaken as Labor Day Weekend draws near, offering much less in the way of higher tides. The tides on the northern end of Pine Island Sound will tend to be even lower, restricting access to shallow areas for both boaters and the fish alike. Weather forecasts call for hot and humid. Fish will move with the tide, but when tides are low they will ‘hold up’ in deeper water. Move around until you find them.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone, ‘tight lines’! To book a charter and get in on some great Redfish or Snook action call me at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected]. Check out my website; www.fishfacecharters.com for more articles and fishing tips.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Cape Coral Cruise Club Fall Schedule

The Cape Coral Cruise Club, founded in 1963, is unique among S.W. Florida boat clubs in that it owns a portion of a private island on the Caloosahatchee River east of the Franklin Lock near Alva. Over the years a covered pavilion has been built where the members enjoy monthly picnics, bocce, horseshoes and other relaxing activities.

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A major advantage for members is that the Island has ample dockage for member’s boats. Over the years, four docks have been installed on an inside oxbow off the ICW with both 30amp and 50amp electric service. This allows docking for as many as 16 boats up to 45′ in length. Ferry service across the ICW aboard the club’s 24′ pontoon boat is provided for members & guests who drive up for the monthly picnic.

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Because the Club is a cruising organization, in addition to the Island picnics, members can participate in monthly cruises to local destinations. Fall 2014 cruises include:

September destination: The Naples Boat Club has become one of the most popular Club cruise destinations. With a first class onsite restaurant, beautiful pool and outstanding docking facilities this cruise is always full. Cruise leaders have been known to plan very interesting and different activities and Naples dining adventures.

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October destination: Once again the Club returns to Fisherman’s Village Marina on Charlotte Harbor. With abundant shopping on Fisherman’s pier and the close proximity to activities in downtown Punta Gorda, this is a very well attended cruise.

November destination: For a quiet and laid back cruise the Club returns to ‘Tween Waters on Captiva for the late fall cruise. With fine dining and the beaches of Captiva close by, along with outstanding sunsets, this cruise is always a popular event. Also in November the Club hosts a booth at the Ft. Myers Boat Show. Members are present to answer questions on membership and point out many other fun Club functions.

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December: Traditionally no cruise is planned for December as the Club holds a formal “Change of Watch dinner where past Club officers are recognized for their achievements and officers for the coming year are installed. This is the only annual Club “Coat & Tie” event.

Several other destinations, including South Seas Resort, Palm Island, Pink Shell Resort, Legacy Harbor, and Marco Island are in the works for the spring of 2015.

The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Larry Mitchell at 239-560-2823. View a short picture video of recent Club activities and read additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org.

By Bruce Longman

Posted by Scott Q Cruising

Collier officials warn boat owners about thefts

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COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- With so many boats around, criminals are always close-by. From brazen boat burglars in Sarasota, just hooking up a truck to a trailer and taking off with a 29 footer. To kayak thieves in Naples, loading a 13 foot kayak into a truck on Gulfshore Boulevard South, police say you’re a target. Not just the boat, but what you own on it.

“The criminal knows what it’s coming for, it’s like shopping.”

Electronics and other valuables on board are particularly appealing. Tuesady night the Marine Industry Association of Collier County and other law enforcement and business groups tried to get the word out about the thefts.

“Take pictures of your equipment, put a name or a code on it, record the serial numbers, basic crime prevention techniques.”

Click here for video and story.

(via Wink News)

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips

Captain Terry says “ I am forecasting great backcountry opportunities over the next week, especially in…”

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week was fantastic fishing with the full moon and southern breezes providing plenty of current and water from the Gulf of Mexico. Pictured here is one of my favorite junior anglers, Wyatt Day (11yrs young) of Cheyenne, Wyoming together with his cousins, Cameron Marrs (13yrs) and Christian Marrs (only 7) each holding one of the many fish that they caught on a 6 hour charter early this week. Cameron, is shown with a nice Redfish he caught while in the backcountry. Wyatt had his share of Redfish and Snook action as well. The lads did well when changing over from fishing for Seatrout in an effort to look for the big, backcountry game fishes. These junior anglers are good fishermen and are looking forward to a shot at Redfish and Snook again next year!

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Fishing was good all week from the Punta Rassa area to Charlotte Harbor for most species, especially, Redfish, Snook and Seatrouts. My1st Mate, Vicki is pictured here with a huge Super Snook that she masterfully handled out of the deep mangroves at the top of an incoming tide around Punta Rassa Bay. I am forecasting great backcountry opportunities over the next week, especially in the southern end of Pine Island Sound (‘Sound’), around the Punta Rassa Bay areas, as the tides will continue to be higher and the currents stronger over the northern half of the ‘Sound’.

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This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters, wishing everyone ‘tight lines’! Information regarding charters may be obtained by calling me at 239-357-6829 or email [email protected]. Check out our website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more articles and fishing tips.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

Dive In With Chiefy- Lobster Mini Season

Near perfect weather conditions on the ocean for this year’s mini-season, found many divers out on the water in southeast Florida. This year mini-season fell on July 30th & 31st, the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July.

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This tradition was started in 1975 allowing only recreational divers to harvest spiny lobster during this two day period before the regular season begins August 6th through March 31st. And in this area of Broward and Palm Beach Counties, we are allowed to catch twice the normal limit of six lobsters during mini-season. So the hunt is on to Catch the BUG!

The Chiefy crew left the dock at 5:30 am and ventured out of the Boca Raton Inlet to a spot in 35 feet of water. The good news is we are only a few hundred feet off shore, well within sight of the coastline. After getting some spiny lobster, we then jumped in to a few spots in 45 feet of water, off of Deerfield Beach and Hillsboro Beach. These were very productive as we finished getting our double limit by 11am.
So the final count for the Chiefy crew was 5 divers catching 60 spiny lobsters. Not a bad day out on the water.

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Chiefy

Jim “Chiefy” Mathie is a known lobster slayer for more than 25 years and author of “Catching the Bug, The Comprehensive Guide to Catching the Florida Spiny Lobster.” Jim was given his Chiefy nickname by his dive buddies while spear fishing off South Florida in 2004 after he encountered and survived a shark frenzy witnessed by his friends. Later that evening, for entertainment, they watched “Jaws.” During the movie, boat captain Robert Shaw, who later gets eaten by the Great White, nicknames Police Chief Roy Scheider Chiefy. It is Chiefy who ends up killing the shark. At the time, Jim was a fire chief, so a new Chiefy legend began. The web site www.chiefy.net was established to showcase numerous Chiefy adventures, keeping the legend alive!

Posted by Scott Q Stories from the Sea

“ Rains are swelling creeks and rivers so be sure and get into the backcountry locations two hours ahead of high tide…” Says Captain Terry

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Last week I had the pleasure to meet new clients as well as take some repeat clients to catch Snook, Redfish, Seatrout and Mangrove Snappers. The tides were good allowing me to get into the backcountry on the incoming tides. Pictured here is Mr. Ben Shepard of Toledo, Ohio proudly displaying his 33″ Snook caught on a weighted jig head using a cut Pinfish on the bottom, close to some Mangroves. I could tell that Ben has done a lot of fishing as he ‘angled’ her like a pro. Ben was spending a week with his immediate family on Sanibel. Several of them joined Ben that day and agreed to take some time early in the charter to get him on the Snook (since it was his ‘birthday’), prior to everyone fishing the flats for Seatrout. Ben got his Snook of a lifetime! Nice going Benjamin.

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Previous clients and friends (Mr. Dan Blackman and family from Abingdon, MD.) joined me on a separate charter to do a repeat performance from last year; to catch some Redfish. Dan’s lovely wife Tracie, proudly displays her first Redfish, as son Tim and his lady friend Jordan Levush, caught theirs as well. Snook, Seatrout and Mangrove Snappers rounded out the day for all of them. Looking forward to doing it again next year. Dan is retired Army and now works for the Dept. of Defense. Thank you Dan for your service to this country! Always a pleasure to see you guys.

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Weather permitting and with the full moon phase just days away, fishing should be fantastic. Rains are swelling creeks and rivers so be sure and get into the backcountry locations two hours ahead of high tide or it will be too late to get the fish before they find refuge in the Mangroves. During low tides, look for Seatrout holding in deeper holes and fish a cork above the grasses. White baits are all around for those with nets. Otherwise, live shrimps, pinfish and artificial baits will produce. The bite offshore has been good for Snappers, Grouper and other species on grunts, Pinfish, shrimps and cut baits like squid.

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This is Captain Terry Fisher wishing everyone ‘tight lines’! Charter information may obtained by calling me @239-357-6829 or email [email protected]

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

A weekend on Blackwater Sound in Key Largo.

Just finished one of those long weekends that you really wish would go on for several more days (or weeks!). My family had the good fortune of being invited to spend a few days with friends at their house on Blackwater Sound in Key Largo. What a spot!

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Sitting with a cup of coffee on the dock in the early morning, before the heat of the day kicked in, and looking out over the quiet sound while most were still sleeping off the night before, was just spectacular. Herons working the shoreline, frigate birds circling overhead and a school of about eight tarpon rolling and literally swimming by under my feet. I’m too relaxed to even think of grabbing a nearby rod. Maybe as you get a little older your focus changes but I could not help but think that those still snoozing were missing the most beautiful time of day (until perhaps we get to the sunset!).

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This was not planned as a hard core fishing weekend and it was a little too windy for a run offshore with kids and wives but the beauty of the area is that there are always plenty of other fishing options. Before long Aaron, our host, my son Kyle and I were headed across the sound and through a beautiful mangrove canal into Florida Bay. Still pretty windy and not the greatest fishing conditions but for someone who doesn’t get to enjoy these waters on a regular basis, just being out and polling in the shallows along magnificent mangroves made the fishing somewhat secondary.

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Aaron avoided beating us up heading home across the bay by a little longer run through a different mangrove canal, then across Long Sound and Little Blackwater Sound. If you are familiar with the 18 mile stretch of U.S. 1 from Florida City to Key Largo, these are the bodies of water you first see on your right as you approach the bridge at Jewfish Creek. From there we ran into Blackwater Sound, past Jewfish Creek (no we did not stop at Gilberts!) and back to the dock. Just in time for lunch and a cold beer.

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Then we pile the whole gang into two boats and head back across the Sound to a great shallow anchorage and beach. Ladies, kids, dogs, cold beers, “boat” drinks and serious relaxation. As busy as that area of Key Largo can be, we were completely alone. Can it get any better than this?

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Yes, it can!! Back at the dock, just hangin’ out when Aaron comes out with a block of chum and a bucket of live shrimp. Another 5 minute run across the sound to his “can’t miss” mangrove snapper hole. The wind was still getting in the way but the kids had a great time catching a load of little mangroves and we had enough keepers to chow down a little later on Aaron’s Key Largo smoked fish dip.

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And just to close out the perfect boating day, how about fresh fish dip, the perfect rum drink, and as magnificent a sunset as you will ever see. I know it can’t get any better than that!

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It really was a great day. Spending time with family and close friends is special no matter where you are. But as I write this I realize just how incredibly lucky we are to have these kinds of water so available to boaters in Southwest Florida. Yes, it was great to be in Key Largo, but the reality is, this kind of day, these kinds of waters, and that beautiful sunset can be found anywhere from Tampa Bay, through Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples and the Keys.

Inshore, Offshore, Islands, Mangroves, Flats, Beaches. Big boats, little boats, new boats, old boats. Doesn’t matter. As long as it floats and can get me from here to there, count me in. Can’t wait ‘till that next perfect day on the water!

By John Good

Posted by Scott Q Uncategorized