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July 15, 2013

Fishin’ Frank’s Weekly Report

7-15-13 Fishin’ with Frank

Red fish yes these tasty battlers are eating, cut bait seems to be the key. Wouldn’t you know it, spend all that time finding live bait only to have to cut it in pieces to get the fish to bite? Well that’s life in Charlotte Harbor right now. Your other bet – shrimp. Yes shrimp are are working well. Live or dead, with the better edge to dead. Let them get a little stinky. Red fish with this dirty water are hunting by smell.

For you Tarpon chasers, look in the inter-coastal from Sanilbel to Gasprilla Tarpon are working the inter-coastal water way, the beaches are almost as good this time of year there is so little boat traffic. You can see them roll as they go up & down the inter-coastal. Along the beaches it is a waiting game, hunting is not as effective as just sitting and waiting. If you are like me, that is almost impossible to do. So I am running the inter-coastal. Although there is one trick which does work and satisfies my need for keeping moving. Trolling. Yes people forget you can troll for Tarpon. 3/4 once Rat-L-Traps, or a 16axsich bomber. I would have one of each out. Just remember flatten the barbs. Not for the fish even though it is better for the Tarpon. It is way better if you are not attached to a 150 pound fish buy the barbs of your lure. 3 MPH is an average speed to troll, a little slower or faster, If you are going with or against the tide.
Have fun and be safe.

Fishin’ Frank

7-13-13 Fishin’ with Frank

Snook are here in the upper Harbor, and with Season coming up, there is a lot of people testing the waters.
Lick um lures new “tongue” is working great, as well as the old favorites like the 15 bombers. Getting lots of people asking for Chartreuse Mirror lures, strange it is the older styles like the 7M or 5M. I think anglers are figuring out why these lures have been around for so long, they are old but they work.

The canals are thick with big Snook, the docks within 500 feet of the Harbor all have snook on them. This is going to be quite a season. Just remember If you have one don’t take another until you have eaten the first one. The idea is fresh, not frozen and No waste also means no freezer burnt fish. Take a meal not a freezer full.

Thanks,

Fishin’ Frank

7-8-13 Fishin’ with Frank

HOSTAGE situation attention Red fish, are being held hostage by vicious
packs of Mangrove Snapper’s which are stealing bait before the Reds can get
any. All through the east side of the harbor, this drama is taking place.
Poor under nourished Red fish barley getting by, in this down turned economy
now having to deal with schools & schools of Snappers, shutting them out
from the bait. Where are the hero’s who will stand tall for the Red fish and
smite these snappers, in the name of decency help.

Fishin’ Frank

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports Uncategorized

July 13, 2013

Fishin’ Frank says “Jacks are still hitting up in all this fresh water.”

Jacks are still hitting up in all this fresh water. You would think it would run them out, and to tell the truth most have gone out to the salty water by the gulf but, there are still a lot in the canals and lower rivers. Ali caught a nice one. Keep in mind when fishin’ for Jacks a float or poppin cork is one of the best ways to catch them. They are not good bottom feeders and they like noisy baits. So pop that cork and keep your bait 24 to 30 inches below the cork. Good luck!

Fishin’ Frank

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

July 12, 2013

Capt. Terry’s Weekly Fishing Report

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Tarpon are still around but not in the numbers of a couple of weeks ago. A few are still in Boca Grande Pass and the best opportunity to catch them is on the outgoing tide. There are some small schools of them just off of the beaches of N. Captiva, Cayo Costa as well as in Pine Island Sound. Pictured here is a large Tarpon ‘in-fight’, caught by a client on light tackle (10lb braided line with a 30lb Flurocarbon leader under a cork, using a live Pinfish).

Larger Redfish are becoming more plentiful (or easier to locate) in the waters of Punta Rassa, Matlacha Pass as well as isolated areas of the back country. Back country anglers should find better success setting up on an incoming tide, before the water has a chance to infiltrate the Mangrove roots allowing the fish to move into isolated ponds and the ‘back holes’ of water preventing effective presentations. The same goes for the Snook. These big, ferocious fighting fish will take cover on the high summer tides, making it virtually impossible to get a presentation in close enough to draw a strike. Likewise, wait until the tide turns and hope to get them on their way out, but the heat can be brutal.

Fishing should be fairly good the remainder of the week considering the high tides for good water movement providing better oxygen while just off of a new moon. Grouper season is open and they are active so long as the weather and winds allow for a day ‘off-shore’. Sharks are everywhere for those hoping to hook up and adolescent or a big one with appropriate gear. The biggest challenge to catching fish this week and the rest of the summer, will be to find the bait. The fish we ‘hunt’, follows the ‘bait’: ‘NO BAIT; NO FISH! It is that simple. If one can find where the bait is surviving the heat, coupled with all of the fresh rain water; THAT’S A WINNER’!

Additional information regarding, articles and charters may be found on my website; www.fishfacecharters.com or email me at [email protected]. I am easily reached at phone number 239-357-6829 for any questions.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports Uncategorized

July 11, 2013

ANDROS GOLD aka Dwight’s West Side Story (Part 5 of 9)

Written by Hans Wilson

Wednesday – The wind has been relentless, blowing out of the east for days, with speeds probably averaging 15 to 25 knots. It has been good for blowing away some of the doctor flies, and keeping the boat positioned to see the sunset, but after a while you feel like you are in a wind tunnel and going below into the still air with the air conditioning is a treat. After my usual morning stretching routine I finished off the potato salad, ate a chunk of smoked sausage, and completed my meal with a slice of pumpernickel raisin toast. Mom would be proud to see her boy eating in the German way, for breakfast no less.

I made a list of beers to name our dive sites and continued studying the maps for the next route or river to the hidden treasure. We decided to head north to Williams Island, home to a famous drug running airstrip, with crashed planes around it. It was my turn in the water, so I geared up with my full wetsuit, anticipating the water temperature, which was 75 degrees, to be too chilly for a shorty. We headed off to investigate our next round of dive sites.

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I splashed in on Busch Light, which was all seagrass with some scattered sponges. The next site, Abita, was a little different. It was covered with lots of sponges, sea fans, and bottom algae, but again, no ledges or rocks and therefore no fish. I modified my dive plan. Instead of swimming off and around the sites like Dave and The Squirrel did with the boat waiting in the background, instead The Squirrel would drive the boat over the site and I would tow along in the water, holding onto the grab handle at the back of the dinghy. If something came up interesting I would free dive the 15’ to the bottom to check it out. The rest of the dive sites, Kalik Light and Rolling Rock, were all basically the same as Abita. A beautiful dive but nothing much to shoot for dinner, not even any conch.

We decided to move on to the west side of Billy Island, to check out water depths and an anchorage for the day. We were joined by a school of dolphin at the bow of the boat. It was a rather nice display and I got some good pictures.

At the north tip there was an old DC-3 plane wreck in about 8’ of water. The Squirrel checked it out for fish and asked for a spear, seeing a Mutton Snapper. Dave decided to anchor so we could all get in the water and explore the wreck. It was pretty cool, with one of the props actually sticking into the air. Tons of snappers, a few small nurse sharks under the debris and lionfish abounded on the wreck. I didn’t see anything to shoot so after I explored the wreck I took up killing Lionfish. Nasty little bastards, and they are proliferating on the reefs, so it was satisfying taking them out.

We pulled anchor and motored over to the west side of Williams Island, close enough to for a dinghy ride. The Squirrel and I took a cooler and headed to the airstrip. After a short hike through the clay and short mangroves we made it to the strip, checking out the three plane wrecks. It is hard to believe that they actually landed planes on the site, but drugs and money will make you do some pretty daring things, so I am told.

Relict DC-3 from the drug running days of Williams Island. Yup, dem ders bullet holes.

We got back to the dinghy then motored up a couple of the tidal creeks. The tide was going out and it was really cool how the channels had been cut into the clay terrain. I took some action shots of The Squirrel coming through the channel then we headed down the coast to check on a weird stick pen the locals had built, probably to hold conch, sponges, or turtles. We came to a point where the waves were in our face so we headed back to the boat.

I took a wonderful warm shower. All my dive gear was dry as the sun beat down relentlessly on the back deck. It was hot so everyone was upstairs in the shade enjoying the cool breeze, although it was more like a gale. Eventually we all went below to get out of the sun and wind.

Stick pen

Mangrove Creek & The Flying Squirrel.

The sun was finally setting so I asked The Squirrel to join me on the back deck for a martini in Dwight’s name. We sat and talked a little then it was dinner time. Dave rustled up grilled Mutton Snapper, The Squirrel grilled some vegetables, Em cooked rice, and I was on clean up duty. I had a lull while they were busy with dinner so I placed some of Dwight’s ashes in the water. “I think you would like this” I said to his spirit as the ashes dispersed in the clear water and the sun set.

Sunset over Billy’s Island. Dwight would like this.

Dinner was delicious and afterwards The Squirrel joined me on the back deck for a nightcap and a cigar. We turned off the deck and underwater lights, then just enjoyed the night sky. It was an early evening. Once again I was the last one down for the night, resting peacefully in my bunk listening to Blade Runner on my Droid. I was tired and it was a busy day. Our anchorage was very calm and even though the wind kept up, at least there wasn’t any roll in the boat like we experienced off of Wide Opening the night before.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Cruising

July 4, 2013

ANDROS GOLD aka Dwight’s West Side Story (Part 4 of 9)

Written by Hans Wilson

Tuesday – I woke up to my usual routine of peeing off the back deck, sipping coffee, and stretching my back. The raisin pumpernickel has been a hit with The Squirrel, particularly when I added crunchy peanut butter to it. I reworked the graphics The Squirrel brought, adding match lines so you can quickly compare pages, then wrote down beer names for all the GPS coordinates for our potential dive sites. Go figure. We weighed anchor and headed off to check them out, at a leisurely 1,000 rpm’s and a hull speed around 7 knots.

At anchor in the milky blue waters of west Andros.

Dave was the man in the water for the day. We would pull up to a site and he would bail into the water with snorkel gear, checking out what bounty lay below. The first site, Bud Light, was a wooden wreck and he brought back an interesting bronze and copper valve assembly to add to the decorations where we have our Board meetings. No fish.

The second site, Mutton, had a big fuel tank. Dave requested his spear and the next thing we knew he had a nice size mutton snapper, wrestling it to the boat. That was about all for that site so we moved on to the next one.

Kalik was a very productive site. There was a center console from a boat in the middle, seemingly a set up for fish habitat versus a true boat wreck. Dave checked it out and found another Mutton snapper tucked up under the console, sharing space with a big nurse shark. It wasn’t long before Dave had snapper number two, swimming to the boat, and commenting about his fight with the shark, it taking a pass at the fish on his spear. Good thing Dave was in the water, the muttons are a fast fish and hard to shoot.

I enjoyed running the boat, keeping it headed into the strong wind and waves, and trying to keep it from snap rolling when we got sideways to it all. Having someone in the water and watching out for them is a big responsibility but I enjoyed it.

The last site we hit, Miller, was just an open grass flat covered with pilchards. Dave came on board and we pushed to get to Flamingo Cay and the crab lunch we had 2:30 reservations for. Yes, there was civilization in the middle of this desolation, courtesy of the Flying Squirrel and his Bahamian connections. We arrived at Charlies’ C-16 waypoint, which also matched our Coors site, which showed some manner of habitat on the aerial.

The channel to Flamingo Cay Rod and Gun Club was what we now famously describe as a wheel channel. Basically they run a boat through the channel, over time, prop dredging to get additional depth. The Squirrel, Em, and me piled into the dinghy and blasted down the channel to the resort. The steering on the dinghy was slowly failing, apparently low on hydraulic fluid, so it was a challenge to keep it in the channel. Dave didn’t like the surrounding depths so he moved the big boat further offshore.

The waterway “Wide Opening” was choppy and after a fairly long run we peeled out of Wide Opening and into a mangrove tidal creek. The resort was very nice. We missed our lunch reservations but Charlie and Cindy, our hosts, sat with us and fed us some snacks, Elk sausage and Blue Crab claws cooked in a wonderful Cajun sauce. I had run back out to pick up Dave and came back in to join everyone. Lots of talk about the resort, how Charlie manages it, water issues, how he hauls his recyclable trash back to New Providence, etc. They were getting ready to feed their resort guests, mostly Bonefishermen and their charter guides, so we loaded up and headed out of the mangrove cut and into Wide Opening.

The Squirrel and Diamond Dave hanging at the Flamingo Cay Rod and Gun Club.

Welcome statue at the resort.

Everyone was feeling good, in part because we missed lunch but kept on drinking, our Bahamian tradition. I am sure Dave was feeling good because he shot some fish and had loaded the fridge with food. I felt great from being able to learn more about running the boat in heavy wind. The Squirrel felt great because his was off the clock, satellite phone wasn’t working, no one could reach him, so he had no choice but to relax. I think Em felt the same way for the same reasons. So we decided to chug up the coast for a while since we still had some daylight. Em was at the helm, the music was turned up, and we continued our drinking party.

The wiggy brothers dancing on the foredeck, much to the amusement of “Capt. Em” at the controls, below.

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When we finally anchored, it was a beautiful sunset, and The Squirrel set about cooking while Dave cleaned the fish. We ate the last of the bratwurst, added some smoked sausage, finished almost 90% of the potato salad, and also heated up the left over spaghetti, adding some crab that Charlie gave us. Everyone was pretty toasted and it wasn’t long before we crashed. I can’t go to sleep on a full belly, so I sat on the back deck looking at the stars, listening to the tinkle of ice in my scotch. I turned off the deck and underwater lights to see the stars and Em joined me for a little while. It was so windy you couldn’t sit upstairs on the foredeck. I listened to some music on my Droid, then finally crashed. It was a good day.

Diamond Dave and Capt. Em with a nice Mutton Snapper.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Cruising

July 3, 2013

Capt. Terry Fisher’s 4th of July Fishing Report and Forecast

(Ft. Myers Beach to Charlotte Harbor) Fishing has been mixed over the last few days due in part to the receding moon phase, time of tides and hot weather/water. Shrimps are small, requiring that one use either cut bait or throw cast nets for Pinfish and Threadfins. Even those can be hard to locate during the summer months. I have been forced to start some mornings on artificial baits until I see bait schools with sufficient sizes of fish to justify a ‘cast’.

The Tarpon are still around and my clients have had their share of hookups using Pinfish and Threadfins in Pine Island Sound. These fish are big and hungry (100 to 150lbs) and will hit on ‘light’ tackle on the flats. The beaches of Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa and their respective passes are all holding small schools of Tarpon as well as big Snook. The Sharks are thick and hungry as well.

Inshore fishing has been spotty for the reasons mentioned above. However, with the ‘New’ moon on the horizon, the weekend of the 4^th of July and after, should produce some good fishing. I suggest that one considers throwing nets or using baits other than live shrimp, as they are too small to be effective. Otherwise, consider loading the hooks with 2 or 3 shrimps. There are plenty of Redfish around. The ‘challenge’ is finding them, but once they are located and feeding, most are slot size and will eat for about 1 hour before moving on or taking a break in the hot weather.

MY WEEKLY FORCAST IS THAT FISHING WILL STEADILY IMPROVE AS THE NEW MOON PHASE APPROACHES AND PASSES (3 days before and 3 days after).

As a veteran; HAPPY 4^TH OF JULY AND THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED! If you have any questions or want to book a charter; I am easily reached at 239-357-6829 or via email at [email protected]. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com for more information. Until next week, this is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish face Charters of Cape Coral, Ft. Myers and Pine Island, wishing you a ‘FISH OF A LIFETIME’.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports

July 2, 2013

Summer Fun at Fort Myers Beach

Well it’s that time again. Summer is here, the pace is a bit slower for boat sales and the weather and waterside sites are also less busy. That is the perfect excuse to get on the water and do some restaurant hopping. One of our favorite destinations is Fort Myers Beach. It’s an easy cruise and there is plenty to do when you get there.

We enjoy stopping at Nervous Nellie’s which is the first restaurant before the FT Myers Beach bridge. The dockage is free and the food and drinks are always great and well priced. It is also any easy walk to the main part of the beach called Time Square. Plenty of shops to look through and the newly replenished beach is really nice now.

Hop back in your boat, go under the bridge and to your immediate left is Bonita Bill’s which is one of the locals favorite watering holes. Good food and a laid back attitude. Just around the corner to the left is Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille. They have also free dockage and an extensive menu. They have entertainment on the weekends and occasionally book signings by the author of the Doc Ford book series, Randy Wayne White.

A little east you can dock at Salty Sam’s Marina and you have a choice of the Big Game Club which is an open sports style or Parrot Key restaurant which is more resort style. Both are good, so you can’t make a mistake.

A mile or so farther east and south is Snook Bight Marina which is sporting new floating docks and the very nice Bayside Bistro restaurant which has an upscale menu and one of the best views of the bayside that you can find.

So, even if it is summer, you can find plenty of places close by to have a lot of fun with boat. On the way home, pull out in front of Sanibel Island beach, drop the hook and hop in the water for a cool down and a cold one.

Next time we’ll talk about other boating spots close to home.

See you on the water!

Pat
Paradigm Yacht Sales & Brokerage
http://www.yachtworld.com/paradigm/

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Cruising Uncategorized

July 1, 2013

Firework displays by boat are hard to beat!

Fireworks

There are few places to view Fourth of July fireworks displays that can rival the view by boat. This is a great time to get on the water with friends and family. Raft up with your boating buddies, or stake out your own quiet little cove.

There are things that should be kept in mind before venturing out for an evening on the water. Rusty Gardner, founder of Florida By Water, reminds us that even although this can be a great boating experience, safety must always come first. He offers up a few suggestions:

First, make sure that all of your navigation lights are in working order. It is imperative that other boaters are able to see you in the dark.
Second, it is very helpful to have a chart plotter or other navigation device on board when navigating at night. Slow speeds are always better in these conditions and a extra lookout could be invaluable.
Third, make sure you have all of the required safety equipment on board and always wear your life jacket!
And finally, never drink and boat. As the captain you are responsible for the safety of everyone on your vessel. With this many boats on the water, the 4th of July is not a time to take risks.

Anna Maria Island

26th Annual “Sandbar Fireworks Spectacular” FIREWORKS that will light up the night sky on the north end of Anna Maria Island.

Cape Coral

Red, White and Boom. The Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the City of Cape Coral’s 4th of July party, RE/MAX Realty Team’s Red White & Boom. For over 10 year the best of the Cape Coral business community comes together every July 4th celebrate America with Southwest Florida’s most spectacular fireworks show and party.

Held at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge on Cape Coral Parkway the RE/MAX Realty Team’s Red White & Boom is a day filled with patriotic fun. Throughout the years the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral’s Red White & Boom has won the reputation as the best place in Southwest Florida to honor America on the 4th. By land or sea the experience is remarkable as over 20,000 citizens enjoy coming together in the Spirit of America.

More details: The Cape Coral Bridge and Cape Coral Pkwy. shut down between the bridge and Del Prado Blvd. beginning at 4 p.m . There will be live music, kids carnival, & vendors selling food & beer. *Fireworks will begin at Dusk. for more information contact Bob Knickman 239-549-6900 ext. 109 website

Englewood

“Light Up Lemon Bay” Englewood’s annual patriotic fireworks display receives no government funding — the entire program cost is supported through your generosity. website

Fort Myers

Freedom Fest Block Party 2pm ’til Midnight – Fireworks start at 9:30pm, Contact: 1-855-732-3836 Huge fireworks display over the Caloosahatchee River. Food, Live music & kids activities. website

Longboat Key

Boom Boom on the Bay: July 2nd Fourth Annual “Boom Boom on the Bay” FIREWORKS that will light up the night sky on Longboat Key over Sarasota Bay.( For Boaters- it is Channel Marker 39). Come by boat to Dock & Dine or by car. Valet Parking & delicious specials. Seating is limited so call now to get your spot for dinner and a great show! Located at: 760 Broadway Longboat Key, FL.

Punta Gorda

Fishermen’s Village Annual July 4th Celebration: Independence Day festivities begin at 11 a.m. with live entertainment, children’s activities and a fireworks display over Charlotte Harbor. website

Smuggler’s 4th of July Festival: Join the festivities on July 4th at Laishley Park from noon – 10 pm. Just a $2 donation at the gate (or for $6 we throw in a 4th of July Blow-out t-shirt). Please don’t bring a cooler (they have lots of great food and drink) but do bring your lawn chair, sun screen and your patriotic spirit. website

Sarasota

Fireworks Spectacular over Sarasota Bay. Part of the Suncoast Offshore Festival, viewing is free from anywhere downtown including Bayfront Park and Island Park. The Sarasota Fourth of July fireworks show starts at dusk or around 9:00 p.m. website

Siesta Key

Sarasota Fourth of July Events on Siesta Key: 22nd Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display and Party. Fireworks over Siesta Key are blasted off just north of the volleyball courts, so viewing is good from anywhere south and along Crescent Beach (south of Siesta Public Beach), out on the Gulf, or from the Intracoastal waterway. Starts about 9:15 p.m website

St Pete Beach

Fireworks will be shot off a barge in the Gulf of Mexico directly west of the beach. They can be seen from any area along the coastline or by boat. July 4th beginning at 8pm

St Petersburg

Join us on Thursday, July 4, 2013, at Spa Beach Park along the downtown waterfront July 4th 9:00 pm weather permitting (weather conditions may result in fireworks any time between 8:30 pm-10:00 pm) No rain date.

Tampa

At the Florida Aquarium with fireworks over the channel at 9:00 p.m.

Venice

The Venice area fireworks are fired from the south Venice Jetty in the Venice Beach area and there are a number of good vantage points: anywhere along Venice Beach, Nokomis Beach, or from a boat on the Gulf of Mexico or anchored on the Intracoastal waterway, northeast of the Jetty on the water. Fireworks at sunset. website

Posted by Scott Q Uncategorized

June 27, 2013

ANDROS GOLD aka Dwight’s West Side Story (Part 3 of 9)

Written by Hans Wilson

Monday – We departed early to catch the tide, headed through Middle Bight. I am getting used to picking our way over shallow waters, with only a foot of clearance below the props. The boat, a 46’ Newton dive boat, reconfigured by Dave for Bahamas cruising is designed well for this type of exploration. I had the helm for a while and was trying to use the charts when it seemed we were getting shallower. Dave took over and we finally spotted the aforementioned “wheel channel”. Sure enough that was how Charlie Bethel gets his landing craft and boat supplies to Flamingo Cay, so we followed it, giving us about an additional foot of clearance.

Following a “wheel channel” through Middle Bight. This is at high tide. Check out the stirred up mud behind us.

We scared turtles out of the channel on occasion but that was about all we saw. It really narrowed down as we entered Loggerhead Creek. It was beautiful but made me nervous about navigating the boat in such tight quarters so I turned it over to The Squirrel. We were not expecting the numerous sponge divers and boats in the creek and were a little disappointed to see anybody, expecting desolation. The Squirrel’s expectations were that no one would be around. A few terms were bandied about regarding whether they were Dominicans poaching conch or Bahamians, and we finally decided they were Haitians working for the local Bahamians collecting sponges, owed in part to the boat we saw at Mangrove Cay loaded with sponges. I didn’t think this was still a viable industry but apparently I was wrong.

We explored the three channels leading into the west side then anchored up in the Creek to get our dive equipment ready and to eat lunch. The Squirrel got into Mom’s potato salad so we grilled the brats and had a great lunch. We logged in some of the GPS numbers The Squirrel’s staff put on the Google maps showing interesting locations. We also discovered the battery charger was broken so I helped Dave with handing him tools as he put in a spare. He is always prepared for the worst, an important trait if you are going to be boating in the middle of nowhere.

Checking out Loggerhead Creek

We headed south and didn’t see much on the three GPS locations. The Squirrel was the man overboard for the day but of the three sites only one had any rock surface, the others were just grass. After we checked them all we headed back north to the south exit from Middle Bight and to anchor up for the night.

Em and I took the dinghy to shore to explore what we thought was a sandy beach. Turns out it was all clay with just a little bit of sand at the top of the shoreline, creating a “dune”. It was a really weird shoreline and there was basically no trash to be seen, which is unusual for most shorelines in the Bahamas. It is kind of a shame so much trash washes up on the Bahamian beaches, taking away from the natural beauty of the area.

The clay banks of the west side of Andros Island.

We headed inland through the mud and mangroves, pausing at a crab hole to take a picture. It was a huge hole and Em commented about not wanting to have to spend the night on the island, fearing the crabs would take over. With a claw about the size of my hand, I too would not want the pleasure of meeting up with one in the middle of the night. I walked out to a mangrove island, checking out the middle in search of the treasure The Squirrel promised we would find. I headed back to meet Em, we walked the beach a little, then headed to the boat.

Man eating land crab, awaits the dark and it’s next victim.

Mudding my way to the mangrove island where treasure awaited.

I was tired but happy with being able to do a little exploring. The drinking continued as usual, and I enjoyed another night on the foredeck watching the stars. Saw my two favorite satellites and another shooting star. Constellation watching is becoming one of my favorite Bahamian past times. Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle said the scotch in my coffee cup. Dwight’s ashes were safely tucked in my gear bag, but I am sure he was enjoying the constellations with his son. I’m not sure if he was looking up at the stars or down at me but I could feel his smile.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Cruising

June 26, 2013

“Fishing was fantastic on the front side of the ‘SUPER MOON’”, says Capt. Terry

Fishing was fantastic on the front side of the ‘SUPER MOON’ and should be on the back side; especially the last 3 days after the passing. So get out there NOW as the Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Seatrout, Cobia and the offshore fish are eating! I have been catching all of the above species and more on charters as well as on my ‘off-time’ while looking for new ‘haunts’.

I am posting 4 pictures with this article. One of my lovely 1^st Mate (Vicki), who took matters into her own hands while transporting the boat through the canals of Cape Coral to meet up with me for a charter. She enticed and landed this nice, juvenile Tarpon on a Rapala ‘crank’ bait.

Two Pictures of the Chase family from the Chicago area, Wade and Collette with Fin (5 yrs old) and Ella (9 yrs old). Ella is holding a nice Redfish that she caught. Both junior anglers caught their own Redfish by using circle hooks under corks with live shrimp.

Also, a picture of my brother Gary Fisher, vacationing from Hannibal, Missouri, is holding one of about twenty Redfish caught on a high tide last Sunday (the day after the ‘Super Moon’).

The rain and higher tides are offering up some of the best fishing I have experienced all year. Now is the time to go. Remember, normally the better times to fish is 3 days before a full or new moon and 3 days after.

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing you a ‘fishing experience of a lifetime’. If I may be of assistance, please contact me at 239-357-6829 or email [email protected]. Additional charter information and past articles may be found on my website at www.fishfacecharters.com.

Posted by Scott Q Boating Pro Tips Fishing Reports