CLEARWATER,Fla. – Mayor of Clearwater, George Cretekos, proclaimed August Coast Guard appreciation month during a ceremony at Clearwater City Hall, Thursday.
Capt. Richard Lorenzen, commanding officer of Air Station Clearwater, Lt. Cmdr. Mia Dutcher, chief of response at Sector St. Petersburg, Chief Warrant Officer Steven McDonnell, commanding officer of Station Sand Key, Karen Miller, Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 11 commander, Peter Palmieri, commander Division 11 Flotilla 1, and Manual Sosa, Vice Commander Division 11 Flotilla 1, were present for the proclamation.
“The City of Clearwater, Florida’s only Coast Guard City, recognizes and appreciates the dedication of the men and women of the Unite States Coast Guard.” said Cretekos. “especially during this month of the 223rd anniversary of the Coast Guard, Clearwater and its residents want to extend special thanks to Coast Guard personnel and their families for their service.”
Clearwater became a Coast Guard City Jan. 27, 2012. Please click here to read more.
(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Inshore: the fishing has been fairly good given the tannin water that we have had, due to the rain and releases from Lake Okeechobee. I have had most success fishing the northern end of Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass where the water is less affected. Pictured here are two of my favorite Junior Anglers, Lauren Mila (5yrs old) and Ashley Mila (7yrs old) of Miami Florida (daughters of Mike and Jennifer).
Both of these little ‘mermaids’ caught their own fish, which was really impressive and gave me a lot of satisfaction just seeing the joy of accomplishments on their faces. I am looking forward to taking them again next season.
Most species was and should continue to be very active around this new moon phase. Last week, my 1st Mate Vicki and I had the pleasure of fishing with Dr. Len Feaster and his wife Caroline, of St. Petersburg, Florida (pictured here).
Caroline is also pictured with one of her many catches of the day. They both were looking forward to enjoying the wonderful fillets that large Seatrout are famous for. Fishing should improve with other species throughout the back bays as the water clarity improves.
Offshore: The fishing has been good, as evidenced by this Red Grouper caught and pictured here with my 1st Mate Vicki.
Gag Grouper and Red Grouper alike are plentiful in about 70 ft of water on structure using Pinfish, squid and other natural baits. The gulf waters from the outer islands of Sanibel and Capitva are alive with Yellowtail Snapper, Porgys, other bottom feeders, Blackfin Tuna, and Mackerel.
If you have questions about fishing in general or charter information, please feel free to contact me via phone at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected]. Additional fishing articles and other information is on my website www.fishfacecharters.com. Until next week, GOOD FISHING!
The 3rd Annual Southwest Florida Boat Building Festival is looking for teams to compete in this year’s event held during the Fort Myers Boat Show, November 14-17, downtown on the riverfront at Harborside Event Center. For a business, youth organization or even a family, this is a chance to learn almost forgotten skills, it’s a great team building experience and it’s a lot of fun.
The Festival is the brainchild of David and Sharon Bickel of the Shipwright Shop in Ft. Myers. David, a fixture in the local marine community, is a true master ship’s carpenter (not many of those left!). He has a passion for woodworking and a passion to see his skills passed along to a younger generation.
No experience is required. David and his team of experts supply all the materials and tools and work with all competitors over 2 ½ days as they each build their own wooden boat.
If you are into boats and into working on them, this will be an experience you will never forget. The cost is $1,750.00 per team. And that’s cheap considering that on Sunday, you go home with your very own seaworthy wooden skiff! For organizations or businesses, there are all kinds of opportunities to use the skiff as a fund raiser. For a family, you’ll have a lifetime of memories and with a little TLC, a boat that will last as long as the memories.
If you’re interested, give David or Sharon a call at 239-850-6844 or e-mail [email protected]
Big Redfish out by the bar! Shrimp is the bait of choice. But a purple skitter walk, or strange as it might sound, a red head white body, hula popper lightly popped and reeled are the best lures to get these monsters on.
Saturday – Not starting out great this morning. Slow to rise and feeling a touch hung over but no headache, so that was good. I fixed a big ham and cheese sandwich and drank a bunch of cranberry juice. I am sure my liver appreciated that. The wind was still from the east but had simmered down to about 10 knots, like it does in the morning. We pulled out early to go offshore while it was still relatively calm and get in a dive. We anchored in 70’ of water and the boat rocked and rolled. By now I was feeling better but not great. I knew a dive would be just the thing to clear the cobwebs. Dave and The Squirrel were the first in to scope out the area, spotting some nice Hogfish and picking up some deep water conch.
Now it was mine and Em’s chance. She wanted to take pictures and I wanted to sight see. The reef was beautiful with coral heads rising up from the sand 12’ to 15’. There were lots of reef fish and small groupers poking their heads around the corner. I kept my eye on a 6’ reef shark that kept circling and getting closer. Finally, the shark annoyed Em’s photography session enough that she turned and charged him. He took off, never to be seen again. I guess you just don’t mess with a woman when she is on a mission.
I saw a nice scamp grouper and a big Nassau that worked his way up into a hole. I was simply intent on hovering like a bird mid air, diving low to see things under the coral heads then cruising up above them to enjoy the little reef fishes up close. We finished out the dive at the anchor where we hung for a few minutes at 15’ for safety reasons.
After cleaning up the gear and hanging it to air dry, we struck a course for New Providence and Old Fort Bay. Before our dive that day we had lost the starboard engine because of a broken fuel sensor. So it was a slow, agonizing five hour grind back, with the wind off our starboard quarter and the waves parallel to the boat. Oh, it was a long slog. My saving grace was steering the boat for a couple of hours, which made me focus on the horizon, and eventually a cold Gold Kalik. Actually, it took two beers and half a hamburger to fully recover. I’m not sure if it was the drinking, the relentless wind, the constant motion of the boat, or the combination of it all for a week, but I was pretty exhausted.
We were about an hour from port when we came upon a flock of birds. They were everywhere. Dave said “I bet you can find some black tuna under them”. Oh what a tease. Dave and I debated whether we had the energy to put out a line but I couldn’t resist. I had not contributed any fish to the cooler all week and now was my chance. I gamely retrieved the big rod with the cedar plug from down below as Dave circled around. The adrenaline was pumping as I reeled in the first little tuna. Paying out the line for another pass resulted in my second hook up. This time the adrenaline had backed off and the fatigue set in. For such a small fish I was whipped. But, one more pass for good measure put a third fish in the cooler. All right, fresh tuna! While the boat continued it’s combination of quartering and side to side rolls, I sloshed around the aft deck with my arms in the cooler, big knife in hand, cutting off heads and gutting the fish to bleed them out.
We fueled up at Lyford Cay, home of some gorgeous old boats and big mega-yachts. It must be nice to have money like that, for sure. However our boat was still a beauty and a great boat to tour the Bahamas. I bet we have more fun than the rich folks on their mega yachts. We finally got to our marina slip at dark, and ate whatever we had left on the boat. The food was so good, we were all ravenous, and totally exhausted. I finally crashed about 10:30 with a full belly and slept poorly the entire night. Weird dreams, light sleep, and lots of acid in my system, I will be glad to get into my own bed.
(FT. MYERS BEACH TO CHARLOTTE HARBOR) Under normal circumstances, last week and this week should have proven excellent fishing since we approached and will be coming off of the full moon that provided some of the highest and stronger tides of the year. However, with all of the rain and the water releases from Lake Okeechobee, the fishing has been and will probably prove tough over the next week or so. Captains are all reporting hard times since the water has turned dark. I too, have had my share of hard times trying to locate the fish.
Nonetheless, I have had my days of success as well, such as this 29” Redfish shown here with Tim Blackman and his father Dan, from Maryland. It was Tim’s first fishing experience and before the day was done he caught two of them (GREAT GOING TIM!). They are definitely around, but with all of the dark water they are very difficult to locate.
The tannin water makes it virtually impossible to see the bait fish. I have to purchase them or take my chances chumming and cast netting in the ‘blind’, but they can be had. Unfortunately, the summer shrimps are so small and their outer skin cover (‘shell’) so weak (from frequent molting), that they are virtually impossible to keep on a hook. My bait of preference, have been cut Pinfish on incoming and outgoing tides. Those wanting to use artificial, I suggest bright colored top water plugs early in the morning. The Snook, Seatrout, Crevalle Jacks, and Mackerel are plentiful but have proven to be fickle during the day. Tarpon are probably the most active fish during the day and will hit a Pinfish under a cork when working the ‘flats’ or deep holes in the ‘back country’.
‘Off-shore’; reports of Red Grouper in 45 ft. of water with Gags being caught at around 90 to 110 ft., but the weather determines whether or not the trip is worth the effort. Permit can be found at about 35 ft. on structure. Schools of Mackerel are about with some Kingfish in the mix.
In closing, I have been telling my clients that ‘flats’ and ‘back- country’ fishing should be better as soon as the water starts clearing up. This nice 23” Seatrout, was caught by George Hammon Jr. of Cape Coral, a day or so before the water turned dark. If anyone has any questions, I am easily reached by phone at 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected]. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for additional articles and charter information.
Hobbs Point, inside the bar – snook on top water lure at first light Pirate Harbor, east side keys – small mangrove snappers on live shrimp, with a split shot Pirate Harbor canals – snook trolling rapala XR8, silver belly, black/green body Myakka cutoff Hog Island side – 2 keeper red fish on cut frozen lady fish during rising tide in 1′ of water.
7/27/13
Good news… even with all the rain, red tide is not showing up. A concern every summer, but this is the current up date. Present Status; Southwest coast: Karenia Brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was detected in background concentrations in one sample collected alongshore of Pinellas County and in one sample collected inshore of Sarasota County. Other samples collected in southwest Florida this week did not contain K. brevis.
More good news… big huge giant red fish still at the 41 bridges, live shrimp or dead. Fish the bottom, don’t know whats up, just know they are there. Keeper sizes as well as the over size ones. I would not expect to catch a lot just when you do they should be BIG. That is cool enough.
Friday – We woke up to a beautiful, quiet anchorage in the Creek. The tide came in during the evening, with high tide about 1:30 a.m. The boat had rotated in the channel so I got up to relieve myself and check everything. The stars were amazing and the east wind actually dropped a little to more of a breeze.
I was up early as the tide had started back out around 5:30. The sunrise was beautiful and I enjoyed a little Spa channel on the XM satellite radio and sipped my first cup of coffee while stretching my back. It has been a tough week for physical fitness but at least I am staying limber. We eventually came to the conclusion that we would wait for the bottom of the tide then add a few hours before we made the trek across the North Bight. High tide on the east side of Andros coincides with low tide on the west, with the high tide hump traveling across from east to west. So to hit the high water in the middle we needed to leave on the low tide on the west and hope that as the tide dropped on the east we would have enough draft.
The Squirrel suggested we start the day with Bloody Mary’s, which was an excellent option considering we were in one of Dwight’s resting places and one of his world famous Bloody Mary’s seemed appropriate. I fixed up my best mix and it was delicious, using my dad’s special blend, of which I refused to reveal the ingredients. Dave was onto the Worstershire Sauce but could never guess the rest. I wasn’t telling.
We were all sitting enjoying the salon, reading, writing, doing puzzles and enjoying the respite from the relentless wind and doctor flies. They had been atrocious all week. We were killing time, waiting for the tide when we spotted a conga line of spongers headed to work. They looked very solemn as they headed out into the open waters. I was working on this story when the next thing I see is Charlie Bethel pulled up next to us in his 31’ Jupiter, with twin 250’s. He was headed to town to pick up a generator and had one of his crew tailing along in a big Carolina skiff. That was our sign that is was time to up anchor and head across the Bight. The Squirrel and I finished our third Bloody Mary (yes it was a GOOD morning), pulled anchor and headed out, thankfully with Dave at the helm.
Loggerhead Creek is a nice, wide, deep waterway with mangroves on each side with a reputation for sharks. As you proceed upstream the depth quickly peters out to nothing, except the wheel channel. Dave eased us into this narrow channel and we continued our slow motoring to the east. It was a nice, uneventful run with adequate water and an occasional show of a turtle or some sharks.
We arrived just off shore from Crazy Charlie’s and decided to take him some of our extra supplies. It would be me and Em this time since The Squirrel and Dave had already been there. I mentioned to the group that Charlie Bethel, on his return from town, would probably stop by. I suggested they invite him in for a beer and to tour the boat. I knew he would be interested in the set up having already seen her from his helicopter.
Crazy Charlie was living in the Bang Bang Club but had no power and we wondered about his water supplies. We took him some bottled water, beers, some things he couldn’t eat (apples, peanuts) because he had no teeth, and stuff he could eat like peanut butter. I did a quick tour of the cottages and main building while Em engaged Charlie in conversation.
When I returned from my brief tour of the run down club, he was in full storytelling mode. As we sipped our beers, I finally asked him how he got the name Crazy Charlie, and thus began the background. He was guiding some corporate big wig from the United States and they were striking out on the bonefish. Charlie had a fly that he had tied special, which is about all he does these days, called the “Nasty Charlie”. He suggested the bigwig try it and they did very well. The story gets a little blurry, remember now I had gone from Bloody Mary’s to beers all afternoon, but my recollection is that the Bigwig asked if he could have the fly copied. Charlie agreed, and was paid something on the order of $80,000 for the rights. However, to market the fly, they couldn’t call it the “Nasty Charlie” so instead they opted for the “Crazy Charlie”. He was holding the fly that was now his namesake and handed it to me to look at. I don’t know squat about flies or fly fishing, so he could have handed me a hook with a button sewn on (The Squirrel or Dave got one of those) and I wouldn’t know the difference. I handed it back and he said “Keep it” then offered any of his flies to Em as well. I felt very privileged to receive his namesake fly and have put it in a special place.
By now Charlie Bethel had arrived so we invited Crazy Charlie to come out to the boat and visit. He was enjoying the cold beers and I bet he would enjoy both the coolness of the salon, no doctor flies, more beer and the company of our crew. He elected to motor out in his flats skiff and Dave tied him off of between the dive platform and the Jupiter. Oh what an event, having these two native Bahamians sitting in the salon telling stories.
Bahamian Story Telling Hour in the salon. L to R – Me, Diamond Dave, Charlie Bethel, The Squirrel, Crazy Charlie.
One of the stories Charlie Bethel told was of a hurricane that washed all his fuel and railing right off the deck of his 50’ sportfish they were using on a crawfish adventure.
Crazy Charlie filled in with some of the details as well, including the loss of five Bahamians that were also out on the banks. Of course Crazy Charlie would be happy to talk all afternoon but after about an hour or so Charlie Bethel needed to leave. He had his generator to deliver and would be traveling the wheel channel with the sun in his eyes on a falling tide. Not the optimum situation but I am sure he has dealt with it before.
Both gents left the Gone Astray and we pulled up anchor and continued east to the North Bight. We set anchor and the water was clear and beautiful, not like the milky waters on the west side. Em was out snorkeling and I jumped in to sober up a little and enjoy a swim. The sun was setting and I was perfectly comfortable resting on the dive platform enjoying the warmth of the sunset. I don’t know for how long but soon enough I was sitting at the dinner table eating leftover spaghetti with blue crab claws in it. The two biggest mistakes I made for the day was letting The Squirrel talk me into Bloody Mary #3 and not drinking enough water. It seems I never drink enough water on these cruises.
The Steal-a-Deal Sale was a huge success! Thanks to you all, we will be
completely re-stocked with reels in the next couple weeks. I am attending 3
buying shows, Penn, Shimano, & Quantum in the next 2 weeks and the selection
& prices will be better than ever.
Thank you all, from Myself Fishin Frank, the boss lady “T”, & the Pirate
crew here at Fishin Franks.
Even better than all that the Redfish have moved up by Hog Island. Cast the
mangroves laying in the water. Shrimp, Cut bait, there are plenty of keepers
there. Pictured is Michelle with her redfish.
Mallory was the first person through the door the day of our Sale. After the
burglary, Mal saw the pictures of this reel, laying in the field where the
thief had stashed them. All she could think of was that poor reel with no
home & no one to love it. Just abandoned there cold and help-less & alone.
So she vowed to give this Avet a good home, to hug it and clean it. So it
will never be lonely again. Don’t worry little Avet no one will ever take
you away in the middle of the night again, you are safe now.
Thursday – It was a perfect anchorage behind Williams Island. I slept like a baby, as I usually do on the boat, like in a rocking cradle. We were up and at them early because we wanted to make it back to Flamingo Cay and have a proper lunch with Charlie and Cindy. The wind was howling from the southeast so it was a long slog against the wind and waves. Our normal hull speed is 11 knots at 1200 rpm, but the wind slowed us down to 7 knots.
We were close to our anchorage and next thing we know Charlie is hanging off of our stern in his helicopter, maybe all of 20’ off the water.
Our chopper pilot and Flamingo Cay host, Charlie Bethel.
We eventually reached our anchoring location where Dave volunteered to stay on the boat and fix things (windlass, broken toilet seat), keeping an eye on the anchor. No need having the line part and the boat drift off to Cuba, realizing some refugees dream. We piled into the dinghy and headed to the wheel channel leading to the Club. It was rough but we stayed dry and got into the channel, in spite of the steering going bad on the dinghy. Cindy and Charlie met us at the dock and we were immediately plied with Stella Artois on tap. Charlie didn’t indulge, after all he was piloting the chopper. We loaded into his cart and headed to the airstrip. He had a 10 passenger Turbine Otter stored under a fabric hangar and the Eurocopter parked out in the open. Charlie set us up in the chopper, The Squirrel as co-pilot, me and Em in the back, and we were off for an aerial tour of Flamingo Cay.
The Bethel family has owned the property since 1926 and it is about 32 square miles (over 20,000 acres!). It was originally set up as a hunting camp, with duck hunting the predominant sport and bonefishing the water sport. Charlie continues to operate it as a premier bonefishing and hunting destination. We cruised over what seemed to me to be desolate lands. Open shallow waters with deep tidal creeks, turtles, bonefish, and lots of open mangroves, including a flock of flamingo’s spotted in the distance. We were really treated with the helicopter tour and being able to see so much of the area in such a short period of time.
An turbine helicopter amusement ride in the middle of Andros! Who’d a thunk.
Bonefish flats and deep access channel.
We ended back at the camp for a ground tour of the accommodations. Top shelf is the only way I can describe the “camp”, which is Charlie’s preferred connotation for the property. Luxury resort seemed a more appropo term. He had used a South African hard wood for all of his furniture, trim, and flooring. The rooms were beautiful. He took us through some of his family history, particularly the rum running days of the Bahamas supplying the United States during prohibition.
We retired to the open air dining room on one of the docks and gorged ourselves on blue crab salad, stone crabs, and white wine. Charlie and Cindy dined with us and it was a most wonderful event. Both are really charming hosts and I got the sense that they were happy to have the company of friends, not having to cater to the high end guests that show up to let their hair down.
Cindy giving instruction to The Squirrel
Sitting down for crab lunch.
The Flamingo Cay Logo
Roger Waters prize bonefish
Mila and Lou, awaiting the toss of the stick
We finally left the camp around 4:30, headed out the long channel to the boat. Once there we immediately pulled anchor and headed for our overnight berth in Loggerhead Creek. As the sun set, The Squirrel joined me on the back deck for a toast to Dwight. They all started dinners (hamburgers and salad) as I quietly placed some of his ashes in the creek. It was a beautiful sunset and I am quite sure my dad would be pleased with the beauty and remoteness of the location.
A martini toast to Dwight and a beautiful sunset in his name.
CLEARWATER,Fla. – Mayor of Clearwater, George Cretekos, proclaimed August Coast Guard appreciation month during a ceremony at Clearwater City Hall, Thursday.
