Whenever we needed a name for a pet, boat or a project; David Bickel of The Shipwright Shop had always said, “The object will name itself!” But in this special case, from the beginning was a name without a home. Sarah Jane was the name for a little girl, who was to be my sister, but could not live on this earth, so the name was without a resting place. It was a name that needed a boat. The name was conceived in the heart of my mother, but Sarah Jane was passed on to David.
David took a Nexus 21 design and single handedly built the boat out of a pile of wood. He wired it and produced all the proper steering parts along with motor, (We found out that David DOES know how to make things that are not out of wood. Now, the name, Sarah Jane would be able to rest.
Today was extraction day. The boat is not finished, but was ready for a sea trial. It took some blood, sweat and muscle along with the friendship and unity of men who volunteered to help for the payment of donuts, coffee, pizza and coke.
Marty Maier a boat captain and mechanic from Hinckley, along with Ross Webb, CEO of Edison Sailing Club and friend Ken Walters helped David with some technicalities.
Finally, on the trailer she was ready for a sea trial. David and I took her down to the Punta Rasa public launch. The first few minutes were rough since we had to blow some air out of the newly installed gas lines.
After a few minutes the hum of 50 hp engine smoothed out and with the high bow of a Dory, she sliced though the waters under Sanibel Bridge, out and around Estero Bay. David built the dory to be a fishing, diving and “lets go to have lunch at St. James City” boat.
Sara Jane proved to be sea worthy, fast and a whole lot of fun!
Artificial reefs are not a new tool to manage out marine fisheries, the Japanese have been using them as a fishery tool since the late 1940’s. Back in 1972 I was able to obtain a $48,200 grant from the Florida Park Service to start the Clearwater Artificial Reef Program, and then in 1974 it became the Pinellas County Artificial Reef Program using County funds, Back then I had a USF graduate student doing a Masters Degree Thesis on the economic benefits of this reef building program. That study found the economic benefits outweighed the cost over 10 to 1.
Just a few months ago an economic study by some scientist at Florida Sea Grant found benefits from artificial reefs in the Pasco to Manatee county area were actually in the millions (that is if you can believe anything good can come out of the University of Florida).
Studies I have done starting back in the late 1960’s and others in recent years have shown that when an artificial reef is properly sited and constructed, it can actually produce more food per acre than a natural reef! While many environmentalist find it hard to accept that man can actually improve on nature, it really is not that hard to understand. With a natural reef the coral and other marine reef building organisms are growing for their own ecological reasons, the fact that fish and other marine species find it good habitat is not important to the corals. With an artificial reef we can actually design and build a reef that has a much more fish and marine life habitat that what occurs by accident on a natural reef.
We can build one type of reef to attract bottom dwelling spices like grouper, snapper, sea bass, and grunts and another type of reef to attract pelagic species like mackerel, amberjack, kingfish an cobia.
Another thing to consider is that ling after there is grass growing on I-75 these artificial reefs will still be providing habitat for thousands of years (or at least until sea level again drop to ice age levels and they become dry land).
It was once thought that artificial reefs would only concentrate the existing fish populating and that if we made it “to easy” for anglers to catch more fish we would be causing overfishing. While it is true that when we construct a new artificial reef there will be lots of grouper and snapper attracted to the reef in just a few days. These fish moved from the adjacent natural reefs to the artificial reef because it offered better shelter. However studies I have done on natural reefs prior to construction of a new reef have shown that within a year often have even higher populations due to lack of fishing pressure now that all the anglers have moved to the artificial reef.
Much of the sea floor in this part of Florida is bare sand which provides little or no food or habitat for most benthic fish species. Once the artificial reef is constructed, the new hard substrate provides attachment surfaces for marine algae that could not grow on bare sand. These new marine plants now carry on photosynthesis and produce new food that will move up the marine food chain. In addition, these new surfaces will provide attachment for barnacles, sponges and a host of other “filter feeders” that take plankton out of the water column and channel it into food chains that end up in many food and game species of fish.
An additional benefit is that many of the materials we use for artificial reefs are olf ships, barges that are no longer useful on land. Old bridges rubble and used concrete culvert from road construction that would normally go to a land fill, now becomes excellent marine habitat that will last for thousands of years, a win-win for man and fish.
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!
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.
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