While waking up to a white Christmas may be tradition in other parts of the country, here in Southwest Florida we celebrate the season in our own unique way. We put a tropical spin on some of the classics to create our own winter traditions, Floridian style. Here are a few telltale signs that you’re celebrating the season here in sunny SWFL.
By Captain Terry Fisher
Once again the Fort Myers Boat Show was a huge success. John Good, his lovely wife, Laura, and son, Kyle, did a fantastic job, providing vendors who offered and featured anything and everything that one might imagine for recreational opportunities on our beautiful waters.
With endless options for gear and gadgets, picking a perfect gift for the boater in your life can send you overboard! Thankfully, our Go Boating Florida team knows a thing or two about making a day on the water even better—consider us your holiday lifesavers. These handselected gifts range from sentimental to practical and with a budget in mind for everyone, there’s bound to be something on our list for your favorite boater.
By Captain Terry Fisher
It is that time of year again when one of the most exciting and most informative events will take place in beautiful SW Florida. 1st Mate Vicki and I always look forward to this 4 day extravaganza to visit and meet clients and future clients of Fish Face Charters. Visitors and locals alike will once again enjoy a season of boating and fishing, with products available for purchase at the event. I will be on hand at our booth along with Coastal Angler Franchisee’s of The Year, Phil and Nadeen Welch, to answer questions on boating and fishing products, including fishing charter opportunities. Myself and other Captains will be doing daily seminars at Fishing Frank’s Fishing Village. Check the times for seminars in the brochure you receive at the gate.
The 46th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show will be hitting the streets and waters of the River District from November 15-18, 2018. The event will run Thursday through Sunday, bringing all the top marine industry brands, products and services together in one place. Although construction on the Harborside Event Center is underway, it’s not stopping us from putting on the biggest and best boat show yet!
by Pam Sikes & Sue Longman
After washing out last year due to Hurricane Irma, Pam & Armond Sikes finally accomplished their objective this year. With perfect weather, calm seas and no major boat problems, 8 boats arrived to enjoy the beautiful Naples Boat Club on Naples Bay September 18 – 21.
Read more “Cape Coral Cruise Club returns to Naples Boat Club”
Southwest Florida Yacht Club, “The Cruisingest Yacht Club in the USA©”, in partnership with the four United States Power Squadrons in SW Florida (Cape Coral, Fort Myers, San Carlos Bay, and Sanibel Captiva), is continuing its popular Local Waters Seminar in October & November 2018. The seminar, developed as a service to the local boating community, discusses local water tips “beyond the charts” and our many nearby boating destinations based on SFYC member experiences and insights.
By Captain Terry Fisher
I consider September a transitional month, especially after Labor Day Week when things normally slow down. Children and college students all returning back to school and non-vacation routines. Some good news for those living here or visiting in September is that water traffic and fishing pressure is less than most other months of the tourist season. I have noticed improvement in the water quality for most all areas ranging from Ft. Myers Beach to and including Charlotte Harbor. I applaud the temporary restrictions on the harvesting of Snook and Redfish until the FWC can assess any level of impact from Red Tide and Algae Bloom on fish populations. This does not mean that we cannot catch Snook or Redfish, we just need to release them unharmed. After all, most anglers enjoy the time on the water catching fish, as much as, if not more, than eating them.
By Captain Terry Fisher
Fishing was tough going during most of August. Fortunately, however, I was able to find areas not affected by the red ride and algae blooms, or at least not as affected. Most of the areas that I fished during the month of August included the northern end of Matlacha Pass, Cape Haze (Charlotte Harbor) and mangrove islands along the western side of Pine Island and as far off the Inter-Coastal as possible. Early in the month, Snook and Redfish proved to be the more reliable targets. They were holding in their normal locations prior to red ride and negative impacts from the algae blooms.
If you spend a lot of time out on the water, you’ve experienced the intense Florida sun. And while it’s common practice to lather up with sunscreen before you go out on the boat, have you thought about how important it is to protect your eyes? It may be time to invest in some specialty sunglasses, so here are some points to consider.
Read more “GBF’s Guide to Sunglasses”