For those of you who do not wish to travel far for your fish, the Reds are in good numbers around Hog Island. Poppin corks with a shrimp, popped slowly near the mangroves about four feet in front of the branches, is very effective. Also, try using a shrimp with a 1/8 ounce rockpport head, gold or pink, 1/2 or 2/0 hook tossed just under the mangroves. Let it sit for a minute and then lift your rod and move the bait 6 inches or so and then wait again.
Of course the main bait of choice is white bait if you can find any. Try either free lined or Redfish Sunday style, which is hooking the bait fish across the back so it is on its side on the bottom. The white bait is hard to find but there is some on the markers. The most bait is found by Jug Creek out to Devil Fish and along the I.C.W.
Our cruising program was full steam ahead in February and March with a combined six cruises! In February we had our Valentine’s Day Fleet-In at our home base, Pincher’s / The Marina at Edison Ford in Fort Myers and a cruise to Tween Waters. The Fleet-In coincided with our annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance where everyone enjoyed a great meal and dancing to live music. The Tween Waters cruise, always a favorite, featured a sand sculpting contest amongst teams of cruisers. There were four unique creations with the Mermaid (shown below) winning the prize.
March featured four back-to-back-to-back-to-back cruises to Pink Shell, Cape Harbour, South Seas, and Boca Grande. This concept allows our cruisers to attend one cruise, all four cruises, or any combination thereof and lets them optimize their time on the water.
Each cruise had unique activities to offer. At Pink Shell we had dinner at a waterfront restaurant, attended the Shrimp Fest, and had a potluck dinner complete with a large game of Left, Right, Center.
Cape Harbour was all about relaxing and enjoying the shops and restaurants. South Seas featured a Saint Patrick’s Day theme and everyone enjoyed the party, the pools, and great company. Finally, the Boca Grande cruise was timed for the annual Cart Parade, as well as dinner and shopping in town.
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].
Spring is here and so are ‘Gator’ trout, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel and big Snook. Pictured here is Jack Roberts (10), of Blaine, Minnesota, posing with two of the three species mentioned. His Pompano was impressive to say the least. The big Seatrout he is holding is one of many he caught on a charter with me during a recent visit to Cape Coral. Jack mixed it up this year catching Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel and Jack Crevalle on artificial presentations as well as suspending shrimps under a cork. His attire is evidence of his commitment to becoming a professional angler. Great job Jack!
Mr. Larry Olson of Bonita Springs is pictured with his ‘Gator’ trout caught on jig head (with live shrimp), suspended under a cork just off the flats around Cabbage Key. Larry and Liza Lufkin had a great outing catching more than their share of big trout and Spanish Mackerel.
Snook season is open and there are plenty for the taking. Craig Miklus of Seymour, Ct. had the pleasure of angling a 32” Snook caught just off a small ‘Key’ in northern Pine Island Sound. Craig fishes all over the world and has landed several nice fighting game fish. He will attest that a big Snook will make you work for a successful landing on light tackle. He caught this ‘slot’ fish using a big shrimp (‘tail’ hooked) on a weighted jig head placed on the bottom of the seabed, just off structure and at the very top of an incoming tide. Good going Craig!
Virtually every charter during the last couple of weeks has produced big Seatrout. The basic method has been ‘shrimps suspended under a cork’, over the grass flats in around 4 to 5 foot of water. Look for ‘milky’ green water and use a weighted jig head to keep the bait down.
Most of my fishing has been up on the northern end of Pine Island Sound due to the water conditions around Punta Rassa and St. James city. I look to continue this strategy until the water clears up a bit on the southern end of Pine Island Sound. Water temperatures are on the rise and I am looking for a Tarpon migration soon. A few have been caught and a number of them reported.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters. Charter information may be obtained at www.fishfacecharters.com or by emailing me at [email protected] I am easily reached via phone at 239-357-6829.
In case you haven’t been keeping up on the latest, the conditions caused by the discharged water from Lake Okeechobee (Lake O) are improving. During the early stages, the situation had been causing a stir among fishermen and boaters.
The water in question is from Lake Okeechobee; the large, inland lake in the center of southern Florida. Lake O is experiencing its highest water levels in nearly 100 years thanks to heavy rainfall. With water reaching a foot above normal, concerns mounted that the added water was stressing the lake’s aging dike. The decision was then made to lower the lake level by draining and routing the water to Florida’s coasts.
This is where the problem starts.
Lake O’s waters contain an assortment of chemicals, fertilizers, and cattle manure. This was bad enough, however, at least the pollution was contained to the lake. Now it has flowed into Florida’s coastal areas via local river ways.
Short term effects
The lake’s untreated water contains chemicals and fertilizers that are harmful to local plant and animal life. Plus, the fertilizers and chemicals found in the water have been known to cause algae blooms which, in turn, are known to poison shellfish—hence affecting every member of the marine food chain. This, ultimately, affects fishing—which is how many of us enjoy our boating.
The last time a significant water discharge occurred here was in 2013. Locals dubbed the tourist season the “lost summer,” reflecting the negative impact it had to boating and tourism as a result of the polluted coastal water. While no numbers are known relative to boating specifically, a 2015 study commissioned by the trade association FloridaRealtors, found that during the “lost summer,” aggregate real estate value fell by a half billion dollars, as potential buyers were reluctant to invest in property that was near polluted water.
Long term fix
The ecosystem is the long term concern. Sea grass, oysters and other ‘filters of the sea’ are being affected by this toxic, fresh water. What affects them will, ultimately, affect every other member of the marine ecosystem. One way to prevent this is to return the lake’s overflow to its more natural course.
Before decades of draining to accommodate increased farming and development, Lake Okeechobee’s water once naturally flowed over its southern banks south to replenish the Everglades. Now, South Florida’s flood-control system holds water in the lake, where it can be used for irrigation and to supplement community supplies. When water levels rise too high, lake water gets redirected out to sea.
One problem is that the lake fills up about three times faster than the Army Corps of Engineers can drain it. The rising lake level has already caused increased seeping of water through the dike’s southern end but no signs of erosion or other damage have occurred, according to the Army Corps. The dike inspections will increase in frequency as the water level rises, but if the heavy rain and ‘El Niño’ weather patterns continue into the spring, the lake draining to the coasts could continue for months. The lake’s 70-year-old dike is undergoing a rehab that could eventually enable it to hold more water, but this is a multi-decade process.
Fort Myers Mayor, Randy Henderson, is interviewed as protesters call for the purchase of the land along the lake’s southern banks to get a long term Everglades restoration plan rolling.
Everglades restoration is widely seen as the long-term alternative to draining lake water to the coasts. Environmental advocates have urged state and federal governments to accelerate funding for reservoirs and water-treatment areas to move more lake water south. These facilities would allow the discharged water to be treated, then sent south to areas that are starving for fresh water instead of dumping untreated water into the sea.
Tourists and locals are regularly posting pictures of the dirty water on social media, hoping to raise awareness, and a number of organizations have had protests and attempted to rally the support of their political leaders toward this end. The state of Florida has the power to solve these water quality issues by using Amendment 1 tax dollars to purchase land south of Lake Okeechobee to store, treat and route water south to the Everglades. Protesters fear state legislators will ‘run the clock out’ on this crucial step (the US Sugar land purchase option expires in 2020), which we may never get a chance to purchase again. It is seen a pivotal step to saving our estuaries, economy and the boating lifestyle we all enjoy. We encourage you to pay attention to this issue as it progresses—there is a lot at stake.
(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.
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.
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!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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].
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) The full moon is phasing out and the tides are positioned for several more days of good fishing during the daytime hours. Hopefully, the cold snaps will stay away for a while so that the fish adapt to sustained water temperatures.
Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel and Pompano have been hard to find due to the cold fronts. However, the Snook action can be very good; especially the small and medium sizes along the mangroves, in and around creek openings and passes such as Redfish and N. Captiva. Free-lining shrimp make a good presentation, as the cold fronts have made cast netting for the Pichards very tough.
The good news is Sheepshead are back in bigger sizes. I look forward to this time of the year, as do many of my charter clients, to have the opportunity to catch them on light tackle, using shrimp or fiddler crabs. Pictured here is one of my favorite clients, Disabled Military Veteran, Bobby Powell of Cape Coral, Florida, holding one of the first big Sheepshead of the year. He caught it along the mangroves using a piece of shrimp on a #1 bait hook (weighted just enough to hold his presentation down). Nice job Bob!
During the Christmas Holidays, I had the opportunity to take out one of my favorite junior anglers, Seth Loehr (10) of Indianapolis, Indiana. This has become and annual event for Seth and I. He proudly displays one of many Seatrout he caught on his charter with Captain Terry. Seth is very independent, a good angler and loves to fish! This year, Seth fished along side his cousin, Abigail Manoukain (7) of Nashville, Tennessee. This was her first fishing trip in Florida and she caught the nice Seatrout pictured here. Nice going Abigail!
Remember to fish on rising or outgoing tides for best results. Tide information may be found on line at www.saltwatertides.com or in the 2016 Tides Publication, which I sponsor and that has my picture on the cover holding a big Snook. This publication may be found at several Lee County bait, tackle and marine stores or access it on-line at www.leecountyboater.com.
Information regarding ‘charters on my vessel ‘or me as your ‘Captain for Hire’ may be found on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com or by calling me direct at 239-357-6829. I am also reached via email at [email protected]. Regardless of which of the above ‘charter choices’ you select: I provide valuable navigational instruction, fishing tips, techniques and fishing locations for every client.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone safe boating and tighter lines!
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced plans to downlist the West Indian manatee from endangered to a less-serious status of threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This is primarily a result of a steady increase in the manatee population in recent years.
It is not anticipated that this would mean any short-term changes in speed zones or other protections currently in place. In the longer term, it could ease some restrictions on dock permitting and dredging and may lessen the chance for further speed zone restrictions.
The Marine Industries Association of Florida actively supports responsible boating practices and stewardship of all natural resources. We continue to advocate for sound decisions, based on science, in managing the manatee. It is our belief that this is a responsible move on the part of the service and indicative of the success of the Endangered Species Act in bringing the manatee population back to sustainable levels.
The Service is now asking for public comment, a key step in the downlisting process. We encourage every boater, fisherman, and outdoorsman to participate in this process. Comments from actual waterway users has far more impact than any other single source.
Be respectful, be factual, and point out that you actually live in Florida or make use of Florida waters. Below is a sample response, but please use your own words and personal experience in crafting your reply. The more individual each response is without it looking like a form letter the more likely it will be read and considered.
“Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed down-listing of the manatee from ‘endangered’ to ‘threatened’. As a Florida resident and a boater, I have personally seen the growth of the population, and the expansion of their range. Given this growth over the past decades, “endangered’ status is not applicable. I encourage wildlife managers to develop a long term program to sustain the population in balance with other critical resources important for our estuaries. As with other species, we should study carrying capacity, food resources, and possible threats from an over-abundance of animals in certain locations. Those efforts cannot be undertaken with a species listed as “endangered’. This step is long over-due, and I applaud the Service for its action and more importantly it’s success in recovering the manatee.”
Finally, mark your calendar for February 20th. There will be a public forum at the Buena Vista Palace in Orlando. It is critical that concerned residents attend and testify in person. The meeting runs from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
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.
