NAUTICAL MILE

P  U  B  L  I  C  A  T  I  O  N  S

Capt. George Howell

Capt. George Howell
Born and raised on the outer banks of North Carolina, Capt. George Howell grew up fishing waters very similar to the back bays, sounds, rivers and beaches southwest Florida. Before moving to Lee County to pursue his dream of becoming a professional angler, Capt. George earned his degree in biology, an education that provided insight into the world through the eyes of fish. Capt. George is an active participant in C.A.S.T for Kids Foundation (www.castforkids.org) and Operation Open

Arms (www.OperationOpenArms.com) for the SWFL area. As a full time fishing guide, nothing is more fulfilling to him than providing others with a memorable day of fishing.  

(239) 770.5166

www.Capt-George.com

captgeorge@nauticalmileenterprises.com

Ambush Zones

 

Are you confident there are fish in the area you are fishing?  Having trouble getting them to bite?  Understanding how fish use different ambush points such as trees, docks, ledges, grass, shadow lines and other structures can help you get fish to the boat instead of scaring them away.  

 

Ambush zones can describe any area predator fish use to gain an advantage in catching their prey.  These advantages are created by many factors, and each zone is unique.  A few variables created by ambush zones are shadows, current flow, and cover fish use to hide from potential meals.  When more than one of these variables is present in an ambush site, the better chance a predator has to use it successfully.  Below are a few things to look for that might create a feeding opportunity for fish in your area.

Mangroves:  Have you ever felt the hot Florida sun beating down?  Of course you have, and the fish feel it too.  Mangroves provide excellent shade while the sun is up.  The roots and branches also provide a nursery for organisms at the bottom of the food chain such as shrimp, crabs, and baitfish.  Shade not only provides a comfortable place, but also makes predators harder to see.  Thick cover provided by mangrove roots and branches not only act to concentrate smaller prey, but provide cover from larger predators such as birds and dolphins, that are also searching for fish.   

 

Docks and bridges:  Man made objects also make great ambush sites for fish.  Docks and bridges not only provide the advantages associated with shade, but the posts that hold them also disrupt current flow, allowing fish to escape moving water and rest.  Often fish will   position themselves in the current break behind a post, or in the eddy created up current of the structure.  Holding their place in the slower moving water, and usually in the shade, fish will look for an easy meal flowing towards them with the current.

 

Hidden by the posts to oncoming prey, they simply wait for food to come close enough to dart out quickly and grab it, returning in one motion to their hiding place.  Knowing this, allow your bait to flow naturally with the current by objects that disrupt the water.  A tight setting on your drag and heavy tackle might help prevent them from pulling your line back into the structure where your chances of retrieving the fish are decreased.

 

Sea grass:  Grass provides a wonderful hunting ground for fish.  It is usually rich in life, as plants provide cover to hide, and oxygenate the surrounding water.  Predator fish usually position themselves along the edges of the grass beds, waiting for shrimp and baitfish to stumble out of their thick hiding places.  This way their visibility and mobility are not impaired by the grass, and they can still take advantage of large amounts of food located in the area.  Fishing the edge of grass beds associated with potholes or deeper drop offs can be very productive.  If you have trouble keeping weeds off your hook, try suspending it off the bottom with a float or bobber.

 

Humps created by bars, rocks, points and ledges also provide ambush zones for fish.  These types of places can differ greatly, but usually disrupt current in a similar way as docks and bridges mentioned above.  However, these structures are horizontal instead of vertical, and fish will often stay low near the change in depth, waiting for unsuspecting prey to wash overhead in the direction of water flow.  Often with points and ledges, baitfish may be bunched up similar to a fence leading traveling wildlife in the same direction.  As baitfish move in one direction along a shoreline, they might concentrate in larger numbers while finding their way around a point that has extended into their path.  A bend in a channel or creek may act the same way.  As fish travel in the channel, they may come to a sharp bend and congregate before following the channel further or deciding on a different route.  

 

Surely the area you are fishing has many ambush zones.  Deciding which ones to fish and when will be the key to your success.  Nothing beats time on the water, or good advice from fellow anglers, but start with sites that are closest to transition zones.  Transition zones are areas highly traveled by fish such as channels, deeper troughs in shallow areas, and small openings to bays or creeks.  Fish travel through these areas with the change in tide, and if a productive ambush site is close by, they will likely choose the first one they find.  Keep in mind the productivity with such zones often changes with the tide and other factors.  With more time spent in your area, you will learn what conditions fish prefer for each ambush site.  Signs of bait such as shrimp, crabs and baitfish, let you know the water in the area is “healthy” and predators are likely to be nearby.  After you become confident with a few ambush sites, you will be able to recognize productive zones in new areas as well.  

 

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Artificial Basics

 

Today tackle shops are full of artificial lures of every shape, size, brand and price.  Almost all of them are effective, as long as you present them to fish correctly and in the right situations.  Some of them are very appealing to the eye, and some of them are not.  Here are five basic artificials that can cover almost all backwater situations you may encounter.  

 

The most versatile of all artificial lures is the jig.  They come in 3 basic styles:  a lead head with “bucktail” hairs, a bare lead head which allows you to change the body style with a variety of soft plastic grubs, and a soft rubber version in which the head of the jig is already covered by a permanent body that has a strong resemblance to live baitfish.  The beauty is that all of these styles work well and can be fished fast, slow, deep, and shallow.  They can be retrieved in a steady swimming motion, bounced off the bottom sharply to resemble dying baitfish or shrimp, and also jerked erratically in a frantic motion such as jerk/jerk/pause.

 

One of the most eye appealing lures is very abundant in tackle stores.  The hard plastic “twitch baits” come in every color and as many styles.  Some have a “lip”, which is a clear plastic plate at the chin causing the lure to dive when retrieved.  Some do not have the “lip” but will sink or suspend just below the surface on their own.  The most common in backwater situations are the styles that do not run more than 5-7 feet deep, often shallower.  A twitch/twitch/pause style retrieve causes these baits to resemble a dying baitfish or one that is attempting to flee danger.  Hard plastics are simple to use, and with multiple treble hooks, an easy hook set for the angler.  

 

Topwater lures are also made from hard plastic bodies.  They float and will not sink when retrieved.  Many have a concave “face” called poppers.  As they are twitched back the popper creates extra splash to attract attention.  Others are more torpedo shaped, and if twitched back steadily will swing side to side in a motion called “walking the dog”.  Topwater baits are the most enjoyable to catch fish on, as the excitement from seeing fish destroy the bait on the surface can be quite a show!  Best in low light situations such as early morning or evening, they can also be effective when the wind produces a slight ripple on the surface, which helps to hide their artificial qualities.  

 

Spoons are also made in many styles.  Some are for trolling, some for casting, and some for jigging off the bottom.  For inshore fishing, you really only need the “swimming” spoons which are designed to be retrieved straight back, sometimes with a pause or twitch.  I prefer the kind with the single treble hook on the back.  Many say to reel the spoon slowly, but I prefer a medium to fast retrieve.  They can be thrown a long way, and retrieved quickly to cover a lot of water.  Silver and gold are the most common colors, although redfish seem to prefer gold.  You can also try the weedless version, which has a single hook and piece of wire extending from the front of the bait to the tip of the hook.  This style can be fished quite slowly, even pulled up from the bottom and allowed to sink back.  This spoon is not completely snag free, but will bounce off some sticks and rocks helping you fish slightly heavier cover.

 

Last but not least are the soft plastic jerk baits.  Some of these are Exude’s RT Slug and Dart, Zoom’s Super Fluke, Gulp’s Jerk Shad, and D.O.A.’s C.A.L Jerk Bait.  These baits can be used as the body to a lead head jig, but the most common way to rig them is “Texas style” with a plastic worm hook.  A weighted hook, such as those made by Mustad are equally productive.  Fished this way, soft plastic jerk baits are almost completely weedless and can be fished slowly in and around mangroves and heavy cover.  They are perhaps the most lifelike in appearance as they bend, glide and sink beautifully as you twitch them back fast or slow.  The fact that they are weedless also allows you to keep them in the in the “strike zone” longer, increasing you chance of success.  

 

The more I fish with different anglers, the more applications I learn about using these baits.  You may hear several different things regarding how to use each.  Don’t feel like there is only one way!  Different environments and fish may determine how you use them.  Many anglers are more comfortable with one style of bait, but learning to use a few of the lures listed above will allow you to fish almost any backwater situation in southwest Florida.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Beat the Heat     

 

Summer is here, and along with it comes the long, hot days under the Florida sun.  It is also the time of year for Lee County to experience some outstanding fishing.  If you are interested in beating excessive heat, crowded boat ramps and fishing piers, maybe its time to venture out under the stars.      

     

Fish do not live by a work schedule like most of us, and often choose to feed under the cover of darkness.  Predators on land and in the sea take advantage of their keen senses to find and ambush smaller prey at night.  During the daylight, these prey are more likely to detect predators, which must use strategic places to hide and ambush unsuspecting meals.  With out sunlight, predators are hidden by the darkness, and can move freely in search of food with little chance of being seen.  

     

As in the daytime, fish utilize man-made objects to their advantage.  The most important of these for inshore anglers are LIGHTS!  These can be located on bridges, docks, buildings, or even on boats themselves.  Plankton, the bottom of the food chain, is attracted to light in the water.  Once it becomes concentrated in the light, smaller bait fish and other plankton eating creatures will follow.  The stage is now set for larger fish to use this gathering as a feeding ground, often lying in the shadows cast by the light to hide from somewhat blinded prey.  Knowing this, fish your baits around the shadow line created by the outer reach of a light.  Objects such as bridges, docks, and posts to name a few also cast nice shadow lines in these areas.  Predator fish will usually hide just on the dark side of the shadow line, hidden from view as they wait for their prey to venture too close.  

     

Lights aren’t the only place to catch fish at night.  Try the same places you would fish during the day.  Fish have little trouble zoning in on the smell and movements of live and cut baits.  If you use artificial lures, try ones that make extra noise or work near the surface.  Near-surface lures will cast a silhouette and disturb water; this will make them easy targets for aggressive nighttime fish.

 

The most important aspect of night fishing is safety.  Take the time to become familiar with the area you want to fish during the day first.  Bring proper lighting to find your way by water or by land.  If you fish by boat, make sure to have Coast Guard approved lights for your vessel, as it is essential for other boats to see you and avoid collision.  Hands-free lighting such as headlamps and lanterns are extremely useful.  Tying knots and dealing with your gear is a bigger challenge at night.      

     

Keep an appropriate sound device (whistle, horn) close at hand.  You never know when you may need to attract attention for help, or warn an approaching vessel of your location.  Accidents are more likely to occur in low visibility, so never overlook your regular safety equipment such as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and life vests.  Marine and weather radios are also necessary to monitor possible storms and to contact help when cell phones are not receiving a signal.  Before you leave home, inform someone where you are going fishing and for how long.  This is especially important at night, as there are fewer people on and around the water to help or see you in case of an emergency.  

     

With careful planning and common sense, nighttime fishing can be a great way to have the trip of a lifetime.  Fish will be fish, and sometimes they do not cooperate with anglers, but taking advantage of their behavior after dark can be well worth your time.  Remember, the next world record may only be a cast away!

 

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Basic Boating and Safety

 

The following is an abbreviated list of regulations that applies to most recreational boats.  Requirements and rules vary according to size and type of vessel.  For full information on boating laws visit www.uscg.mil or www.myfwc.com.    

 

PFDs (personal floatation device, life jackets/rings):

-A type I, II, or III U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest must be on board for each person.  All PFDs must    be immediately available, on deck, not locked away.  

 -All children age 6 or under must wear a type I, II, or III USCG approved life vest while the vessel is “under way” (free to move in the water, not anchored, docked, moored or grounded).  This applies to all vessels under 26’ in length.

 -A type IV PFD (USCG approved cushion or ring) must be immediately available on deck.   

 

SIGNALING DEVICES (Flares, mirrors, flags, dye)

-Mandatory for all vessels to carry day and night signaling devices (usually 3 of each).  The devices must USCG approved and NOT EXPIRED.  

 -It is unlawful to display these signaling devices except in emergency.

 

LIGHTS

 -At night vessels must display proper lighting.  This varies by vessel length and type, but typically involves forward navigation lights (red and green “running” lights) and a white anchor light.  Larger boats are required to have additional mast lights and possibly special identification lights (see www.uscg.mil for specifics).  

 

SOUND DEVICES (whistles, bells, gongs)

-Also varies by vessel length.  All vessels must have an appropriate sounding device.  They can be very useful to attract attention in an emergency, and are also required during situations such as low visibility, overtaking, crossing, and meeting.  

 

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

 -Size and number vary by ship size and engine type.

 -General table for vessels with NO fixed extinguishing system:

boats less than 26’ = one type B-I  extinguisher.

boats 26’-40’ = two type B-I, or one type B-II extinguisher.

boats 40’-65’ = three type B-I, or one B-II and one B-I extinguisher.

 

PWCs (personal water crafts)

-Any person on, operating, or being towed by a PWC must be wearing a type I, II, or III USCG approved life vest.

 -No person under the age of 14 years may operate a PWC.

-It is unlawful for any person to operate a PWC within 50’ of another vessel or PWC at any speed other than idle.

 -It is unlawful to operate a PWC from ½ hour after sunset until ½ hour before sunrise.

 

SLOW AND IDLE SPEED ZONES

 -“MINIMUM SPEED – NO WAKE”:  Boats must operate at the minimum speed, which allows it to maintain steerage.  There should be no wake coming from the boat.  

 -“SLOW SPEED – MINIMUM WAKE”:  Boat must be fully off plane and completely settled in the water. The vessels wake should not be excessive nor create a hazard to other vessels.  

 

AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION

-Anyone under the age 21 years who operates a vessel with greater than 10 horsepower must have a photo ID and boater safety ID card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  

 

ANCHORING AND MOORING

 -It is unlawful to moor a vessel to any navigation aid except in case of emergency.

-Except in case of emergency, it is unlawful to anchor or operate a vessel in a manner that will unreasonably interfere with the navigation of other vessels.  

 -Proper anchor lights must be displayed while anchored or moored, except in specially designated zones.  

 

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Breaking the Bridges

 

Southwest Florida is a certainly a great place to be an angler.  Especially for those fishing from smaller boats or shore.  There are so many different species available, you don’t have to go “out to sea” to catch the fish of a lifetime.  Quite often I end a day on the water having caught five to ten different types of fish, while only targeting snook and reds!  The Gulf waters are also shallower than the Atlantic coast.  Thus, a deep inlet or channel may be the deepest water within miles.  These areas are often spanned by bridges, making a good fishing location even better.  

 

Water flowing in and out of inlets carries all kinds of natural food for predator fish.  Crabs, shrimp, and baitfish among other things, continually wash in and out with the tide.  Bridges make great ambush locations for hungry predators.  Using the bridge pylons to escape the current, fish often wait for unsuspecting prey to swim by.  As the prey comes close, fish will dart out from the cover of the posts to grab their prey and return to their hiding place.  There is also a wide variety of sea life that live directly on the bridge pylons.  Barnacles, corals, oysters, sea squirts, and vegetation grow here, turning the bridge into a man-made reef.  The entire food chain can be found, from the bottom up.  

 

Of course every bridge is different, but it is no wonder why they make great fishing locations with all the life and favorable environment around them.  There are fish of all sizes to target here, from snapper and sheepshead, to tarpon and sharks!  If you are targeting smaller fish, don’t be surprised if something big makes quick work of your smaller tackle.  If you have bigger gear, a great way to fish a deep bridge is by anchoring up current.  I usually anchor about as far away as my best cast.  This gives me a little room to fight the fish once I pull them away from the bridge.  Sturdy rods, with 40-65 lb test line works great.  Use just enough weight to hold the bait on the bottom, often 3 oz or more in heavy current.  I prefer dead bait on the bottom, such as half a ladyfish or mullet about 4”-8” long.  Live bait works great too, you can free-line baitfish, or larger things like mullet, ladyfish, and crabs while fishing the bottom with multiple rods.  At night, lights from the bridge may cast a shadow line in the water.  I usually try to position my baits right on that shadow line.  Often predators cruise up and down the shadow, staying on the dark side, waiting to ambush prey that would venture into the light.  

 

Another way to attack this area is by drifting or trolling.  By staying close to the bridge structure, you can allow your live or artificial bait to drift naturally with the current.  The closer you position the bait to the structure the better.  Just be ready to fight the fish away from the poles, which are covered with sharp barnacles that will cut even the strongest of line.  

 

Some great bridges to try in Lee and Charlotte Counties are the Sanibel Causeway, Cape Coral Bridges, Matlacha, El Jobean, the I-75 Bridges on the Caloosahatchee and Peace Rivers, and the bridge across Big Carlos Pass.  Give a couple of these bridges an honest chance and I am sure you will hook into some nice fish!  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!   

 

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Circle Hooks

 

Ten years ago I had my first experience with circle hooks after a couple of anglers convinced me how well they worked for catfish.  At the time I was living in North Carolina, spending over 90 percent of my fishing time chasing large mouth bass.  When I needed a change of pace, catfish were a lot of fun, usually producing more action and larger fish.  This introduction was short lived, as I had become accustom to small “J” style hooks that made it hard for smaller fish to steal my bait.  I also liked the smaller sized J hooks because they caught as many big fish as the larger J hooks, while the hook set was similar to the fast, hard attack I was used to delivering using plastic worms for bass.  After a few attempts with the new gear, I returned to my old successful ways, not buying in to this newly found tackle.  A decade later, circle hooks are used in almost all of my live and dead bait fishing.

   

If you have little or no experience with circle hooks, you may ask “what’s the big deal, why use them instead of J hooks that have always worked just fine for me?”  Well there are two main reasons for using circle hooks.  First, circle hooks are safer for the fish.  In an era of fishing in which more anglers practice catch and release, these types of hooks are more likely to allow you to release your catch unharmed.  The points of circle hooks are turned in towards the shaft of the hook; hence the name “circle” hooks.  This shape prevents the point from penetrating deep in the fishes mouth where it would do damage to it’s stomach or gills.  Such injuries can certainly be fatal to fish.  (NOTE: any time you hook a fish deep into its mouth cavity, cut the line as close to the hook as possible and leave the hook in the fish.  

 

The fish will likely work the hook out on its own, and the damage you will cause removing the hook will likely kill the fish).  Instead circle hooks penetrate the fish’s lip, usually in the corner of the mouth as it slowly begins to exit the mouth cavity.  Second, once a circle hook sets into a fish’s lip, it is much more likely to stay there than a J hook.  The bent point holds on better, which can be very useful with fish that jump or have reputations for coming unhooked such as tarpon, snook, and ladyfish to name a few.  

    

Old habits are hard to break, and years of quick, hard hook sets using J style hooks establish a reflex that is hard to over come at first.  Unlike the J hooks, all you have to do to set the hook with the circle style is to reel.  A quick jerk of the rod will almost always pull the hook from the fish’s mouth before it can catch on the lip.  Large, hard hitting fish will hook themselves just by pulling on the line, making circle hooks the only way to go if you are leaving rods in the holders while fishing.  In areas around heavy cover, you will not be able to allow the fish to set the hook themselves, as you will have to pull them from the structure quickly.  Some anglers falsely believe circle hooks are no good in these situations but that is not true.  As soon as you detect a bite, set the hook at the same time you would using a J style, just “reel” instead of “jerk”.  When I say “reel”, I mean “REEL!”  This is not a slow reel; reel as fast as you can until you feel the weight of the fish bend the rod.  

 

Then you proceed to fight the fish in the same manner you always have.  Larger fish will only take a few cranks of the reel, smaller ones will take a couple more cranks to hook as they are pulled through the water by your actions at the same time you are trying to sink the hook.   Even though one might understand the correct way to set the hook using circle hooks is simply to “reel”, the reflex of jerking the rod back to set the hook takes over with the excitement of a biting fish.  A few missed hook sets is all it takes to frustrate an angler into returning to their old tackle.  Try not to give into this so quickly.  Visualize in your mind a fish biting and your response of reeling to set the hook.  A good time to make the switch might also be while the fishing is good.  It is easy to loose concentration when the fishing is slow, and your old reflexes are likely to take over.   

    

As much as I prefer circle hooks while live and cut bait fishing, there are times when J hooks are still the best choice.  It is possible to use J hooks in a smaller size successfully.  In most circumstances, circle hooks are used a size or two larger than J hooks under the same fishing conditions.  When water is very clear, or fish are extremely spooky, I will change to a smaller J style hook so that it is harder to see for the fish.  I only do this when live bait fishing, and so far only with tarpon and snook that are so uncooperative they refuse to eat no mater the style of hook I am using.  In addition, a few fish species have abnormal mouth shapes that make it hard for circle hooks to work properly.  Sheepshead are the only backwater fish that come to mind locally.  Their mouth cavities are much more flat than most fish, and they tend to peck at food rather than inhale it.  Small J hooks seem to work much better for this type of fish, although I wouldn’t set the hook to hard, as a slower pull seems to work better than a fast jerk.  

    

Incorporating circle style hooks into your tackle may not be the smoothest transition, and will certainly frustrate experienced anglers with years of experience using J hooks.   However, once they have found a home in your tackle selection, circle hooks will add versatility and very positive results in no time.  I am so sure of this, that once you feel comfortable with them, you will join many other angles in suggesting them to others.   Remember, the next world record may only be a cast away!

 

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Cold Fronts

 

This time of year brings anglers from all over to test the waters of southwest Florida.  Winter also brings cold fronts, (even though our friends from colder climates might laugh) and they can certainly affect the behavior of fish.  Understanding a few simple facts about the way fish relate to them can make the most of your time on the water this season.

 

There is no doubt that fish are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, perhaps living under water makes it more noticeable.  Whatever the reason, fish can sense the coming of a front at least a day or two in advance.  I can’t say that fish actually reason out the coming and passing of a cold front, but as the pressure drops a day or two before the front hits, their feeding activity generally increases.  Many anglers look to take this chance to get on the water, knowing fish are more aggressive, less spooky, and willing to take a variety of baits.  If you are lucky enough to make it to the fishing grounds on these days, things are in your favor.  Artificial lures can be great under these conditions, as you are able to cover more water and locate these aggressive fish.  

 

As the front hits, the pressure rises, and winds bring cold air, lowering the activity level of fish.  Many fish head for tight cover, or deeper, more stable water.  Cold air changes the temperature of shallow water faster, and the quick change is uncomfortable and sometimes deadly for life in the water.  Some species are less affected by the front than others.  Snook are probably the most sensitive to cold, and the least likely to take your baits at this time.  Knowing this, targeting trout, sheepshead, and even redfish would be a good idea.  Baits that are slow and easy to catch usually produce the best results.  Live shrimp are my favorite for cold front conditions.  Fish don’t have to spend valuable energy to catch them, and they are common food during the winter months.  Shrimp are also likely to catch more types of fish, a fact that may be highly welcomed during slower times.  

 

A day or two after the beginning of the cold weather, the sky usually stays sunny, and the winds fairly strong.  Fish will slowly become more active, possibly feeding better once the sun is up, or in creeks and bays with darker, warmer water.  Eventually the winds will slow down, and the weather will become more stable and warm.  Feeding activity will become more dependent on tidal flow, until the next front approaches, and the cycle begins again.  

 

It would be nice if we could always choose the weather and conditions when we go fishing.  The reality is, we have to take what Mother Nature gives us, and be happy to have the opportunity to fish some of the most exciting waters in the world.  Keep in mind the general behavior of fish in relation to passing cold fronts, and you can make the most of your precious time on the water this winter.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Fish with Confidence   

 

Serious anglers throughout the world, spend a lot of time learning how
things such as fishing tackle, weather, moons, and locations affect their
ability to catch fish. One factor that is often over looked is
self-confidence. Certainly angling can be a frustrating activity.
Realistic views of your abilities combined with a positive attitude will
increase your level of concentration. Confidence also helps you push
yourself and take risks needed to improve your skills.
 

Confidence should be built on realistic observations of your abilities.
Many variables are out of our control while fishing. We have no power over
changing weather, tides, fish, sea creatures, and other boats. It is
important not to let frustration create self-doubt. Where you are under
confident, you will commonly suffer from fear of failure (which will prevent
you from taking effective risks, or trying new things), self-doubt, and
negative thinking. All of these issues cloud your thought process and
inhibit your concentration. Such things will surely reduce your enjoyment
of fishing as well.
 

Overconfidence is confidence that is not based on ability. It can
dangerously lead you into situations that you can not easily get out of
(snagged in the bushes, stuck on a sandbar, late for the tournament weigh
in!). Also, it can set you up for serious failure, which can be devastating
to the self-confidence you should have.
 

Goal setting is probably the most effective way of building
self-confidence. By setting realistic goals, and achieving them, you prove
your ability to yourself. You can see, recognize, and enjoy your
achievement, and feel real self-worth in what you have accomplished. Simply
making a few good casts, tying a good knot, or catching one fish could be a
goal. For some boat handling or cast net use make achievable tasks.
 

Once you understand your limits as an angler, you can begin to use
confidence levels to your advantage. At times of low productivity, we are
faced with decisions such as changing baits, locations, and perhaps even
fishing partners! Self-doubt will affect your concentration level, reducing
your ability to catch fish. If you loose confidence in a lure or location,
you might as well change up, as fishing them with out concentration will
likely reduce their effectiveness.
 

Certainly, research into fish behavior, tackle, and techniques can improve
your success in catching fish. It is easy, however, to get lost in all the
details and bury your own abilities as an angler. As frustrations build,
and you spend more time fishing than catching, self-doubt prevents you from
concentrating on the tasks at hand. Understanding how confidence affects
your concentration, can improve all of your skills as an angler.

 

A special thank you to The Nautical Mile Magazine. Barely two years old and it has quickly become the "GO TO" resource for boating information and events in the Lee County area. Other magazines attempt to give the LOCAL perspective. However, changing a couple words on the cover to say "Fort Myers/Naples", when in fact the pages inside are identical to the book presented in the Tampa Bay area is not local representation. Sounds more like false advertising to me. The Nautical Mile is printed every month for the people and businesses of Lee County. Never before have my writings received so much positive feedback as this last year. Thanks to everyone that has supported us and taken the time to read our publication. Remember, the next world record may only be a cast away!

 

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Cousins in the Sea   

 

Every year more boaters find their way to the waters of Lee County.  Many enjoy the world class fishing available here, while others prefer SCUBA diving, water skiing, or driving fast boats.  At some point, we all slow down to experience a few of nature’s most amazing animals.  Pine Island Sound and the surrounding waters are home to a wide variety of bird life, sharks, sea turtles, alligators, and manatees to name a few.  Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are not only an every day favorite of most nature lovers, they are very common in Lee County and it is almost impossible to go an hour or two without seeing one in the sounds, bays, or inlets.

  

These marine mammals exist in separate populations, one offshore and one near shore.   While it is possible individuals could move between the two, it is believed that they stay in one “lifestyle”.  With a lifespan between 25 and 50 years, bottlenose dolphins may grow to lengths of 8 to 12 feet, and reach weights approaching 1,500 pounds!  The near shore dolphins we encounter spend most of their lives in 7 to 10 feet of water.  In such shallow water, they spend a large amount of time at the surface making them easily accessible to cameras and nature lovers.  

   

Dolphins are most commonly seen surfacing for air, making their dorsal fins highly visible to nearby boaters.  Although they surface frequently, dolphins hold their breath for an average of over 7 minutes.  Several dynamic features help them stay under water for such long periods.  When a dolphin breathes in, 70%-90% of the air inside the lungs is replenished.  In contrast, humans replace about 17% of their lung space each breath.  A special protein called myoglobin also helps them store abnormally large amounts of oxygen (41%) in their muscles (humans store 19% this way).  Since the muscles already have oxygen available, dolphins can reduce their heart rate to 12 beats per minute.  While at the surface, their heart averages 120 beats per minute, and such an extreme change in blood pressure would cause a stroke in most humans.  This circulation control allows them to stay under water longer, as well as dive to greater depths.  

   

The largest obstacles in deep diving are increased pressure on the body, and oxygen consumption.  At depths, oxygen us burned more rapidly due to pressure.  Storing it in their muscles and slowing their hear rate allows them to use it more efficiently.   Having oxygen available in the muscles also makes it possible for a dolphin’s extra floating ribs to collapse under heavy pressure, preventing the mammal’s respiratory system from damage.  The deepest dive recorded for a bottlenose dolphin is 990 feet and was monitored by the United States Navy.

 

Propulsion is obtained through the strongest part of a dolphin’s body, its tail.  The dorsal (back) fin provides stability, while the pectoral (side) fins aid in steering.  Their outer layer of skin sloughs off ever 2-4 hours, keeping them streamline, moist, and free of external parasites.  The outer layer of skin also contains unnoticeably small wrinkles called micro dermal ridges.  These ridges actually trap a layer of water within them, and since water moves through water much more streamline than skin, it helps them slide though the water more efficiently.  Dolphins are not super fast swimmers however, reaching slightly over 20 MPH, but they are very agile. They frequently put on acrobatic shows for nearby boaters, including impressive jumps and even flips!  

   

These intelligent creatures use this agility, combined with keen vision and hearing to hunt for a large variety of fish and sea life.  Studies show that dolphins see exceptionally well below and above water.  Muscles in the eye change the shape of the lens, enabling it to focus above the surface.  The extent of color they are able to see is not quite known, but they are able to see in almost all light conditions.  In low light levels, dolphins are further aided by advanced hearing called echolocation.  Special hearing organs and bone structures allow them to make sounds similar to “clicks”.   These quick pulse sounds travel through the water and bounce back off objects such as boats, rocks, and fish.  The dolphins advanced hearing picks up the returned click, and can determine the distance of an object by the amount of time it takes for the sound to travel back.  This is the same principle used by bats to fly in darkness, and helps dolphins operate in areas of low visibility.  

   

Bottlenose dolphins are probably the most studied marine mammal in the world due to their close proximity to shore, and their quick adjustment to people and large sea aquariums.  When it comes to exciting wildlife encounters, they are also one of the surest things in the waters of Lee County.  Please remember when encountering all wildlife, keep your distance and avoid interacting with them if possible.  Feeding wildlife is illegal, and dolphins are protected under The Marine Mammal Protection Act.  Fines for feeding them can reach $50,000.  Feeding wildlife encourages them become brave around humans.  They often come from nowhere to grab fish from angler’s hands at the surface.  They also take baits from hooks that they are accustomed to being fed.  These circumstances can be dangerous for dolphins and people both.  I encourage you to enjoy the wonderful animals at a distance, as they will surely allow you to spend plenty of time observing them in their natural habitat.  

 

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Using Cut Bait

 

Lee County is known for some of the best fishing in the world.  Certainly there are a lot of anglers here to take advantage of it, as well as plenty more that visit to experience things few other places can offer. Even the best anglers can be overwhelmed in a new environment.  Making the switch from freshwater to saltwater can take a little time considering all the different types of fish and ways to catch them.  Learning to throw a large cast net, and trying to find bait that might end up in it, can slow you down if you are trying to make the most of your time on the water.  Artificial lures are a great way to learn an area, but the easiest way to catch fish is probably with a piece of cut bait on your hook.  

     

Most species of fish found in our local water are very opportunistic feeders.  They will feed on live bait, cut bait, and artificials.  Using cut bait is no secret among most anglers, especially offshore and pier regulars.  There is no doubt a big piece of dead fish will catch some true monsters in our waters!  Often back-country anglers like myself become tunnel vision in thinking we must have live bait.  Sometimes bait is not worth the effort, and a couple lady fish, mullet, or box of sardines might be all you need to get the action going.  

     

Cut bait is especially productive for redfish.  Find a shoreline you like and anchor up under the biggest over-hanging tree you can find.  Be as quiet as possible and cast a couple one or two inch pieces as close to the tree branches as you can and just wait.  Usually fish don’t take that long to find a bait in shallow water.  If you don’t get action in 10 minutes pick up and try another tree.  Keep hopping around and you will find some fish.  There is plenty of by-catch as well, snook, grouper, flounder to name a few will gladly pounce on the “easy” meal you are offering.  

     

While fishing around deeper water such as inlets, reefs, wrecks, or deep docks, don’t hesitate to put on an extra large piece of bait.  If you have larger tackle such as 50-100 pound test line, 100-300 pound leader, hook a 6-12” piece of lady fish, mullet, or catfish on the end.  Give it some time, but be ready because when it gets hit you may need help getting the rod out of the holder!  

     

There are lots of things that work well as cut bait.  Experiment with them all and listen to what local tackle shops say are working well that time of year.  Fish, shrimp, crabs, and much more are available at small tackle shops throughout your area.  They usually have the freshest baits as well.  No matter where you fish in Lee county, shallow, deep, fresh or salt, cut bait is easy to obtain and will surely put fish on the end of your line.  

 

Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Dehydration   

 

Dehydration is a condition that occurs when a person loses more fluids than he or she takes in. Dehydration isn't as serious a problem for teens as it can be for babies or young children. But if you ignore your thirst, dehydration can slow you down.

   

Our bodies are about two thirds water. When someone gets dehydrated, it means the amount of water in his or her body has dropped below the level needed for normal body function. Small decreases don't cause problems, and in most cases, they go completely unnoticed. But losing larger amounts of water can sometimes make a person feel sick.

 

Causes of Dehydration-
One common cause of dehydration in teens is gastrointestinal illness. When you're flattened by a stomach bug, you lose fluid through vomiting and diarrhea.

 

You might also hear that you can get dehydrated from playing sports. In reality, it's rare to reach a level of even moderate dehydration during sports or other normal outdoor activity. But if you don't replace fluid you lose through sweat as you go, you can become dehydrated from lots of physical activity, especially on a hot day.

   

Some athletes, such as wrestlers who need to reach a certain weight to compete, dehydrate themselves on purpose to drop weight quickly before a big game or event by sweating in saunas or using laxatives or diuretics, which make a person go to the bathroom more. This practice usually hurts more than it helps, though. Athletes who do this feel weaker, which affects performance. They can also have more serious problems, like abnormalities in the salt and potassium levels in the body. Such changes can also lead to problems with the heart's rhythm.

   

Dieting can sap a person's water reserves as well. Beware of diets or supplements, including laxatives and diuretics that emphasize shedding "water weight" as a quick way to lose weight. Losing water weight is not the same thing as losing actual fat.

 

Signs of Dehydration-
To counter dehydration, you need to restore the proper balance of water in your body. First, though, you have to recognize the problem.

 

Thirst is one indicator of dehydration, but it is not an early warning sign. By the time you feel thirsty, you might already be dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Feeling dizzy and lightheaded

• Having a dry or sticky mouth

• Producing less urine and darker urine

 

As the condition progresses, a person will start to feel much sicker as more body systems (or organs) are affected by the dehydration.

 

Preventing Dehydration-
The easiest way to avoid dehydration is to drink lots of fluids, especially on hot, dry, windy days. Water is usually the best choice. Drinking water does not add calories to your diet and can be great for your health.

 

The amount that people need to drink will depend on factors like how much water they're getting from foods and other liquids and how much they're sweating from physical exertion.

  

When you're going to be outside on a warm day, dress appropriately for your activity. Wear loose-fitting clothes and a hat if you can. That will keep you cooler and cut down on sweating. If you do find yourself feeling parched or dizzy, take a break for a few minutes. Sit in the shade or someplace cool and drink water.

  

If you're participating in sports or strenuous activities, drink some fluids before the activity begins. You should also drink at regular intervals (every 20 minutes or so) during the course of the activity and after the activity ends. The best time to train or play sports is in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.

  

If you have a stomach bug and you're spending too much time getting acquainted with the toilet, you probably don't feel like eating or drinking anything. But you still need fluids. Take lots of tiny sips of fluids. For some people, ice pops may be easier to tolerate.

   

Staying away from caffeine in coffee, sodas, and tea can also help you avoid dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic (it makes you urinate more frequently than normal).

 

When to See a Doctor-
Dehydration can usually be treated by drinking fluids. But if you faint or feel weak or dizzy every time you stand up (even after a couple of hours) or if you have very little urine output, you should tell an adult and visit your doctor. The doctor will probably look for a cause for the dehydration and encourage you to drink more fluids. If you're more dehydrated than you realized, especially if you can't hold fluids down because of vomiting, you may need to receive fluids through an IV to speed up the rehydration process. An IV is an intravenous tube that goes directly into a vein.

 

Occasionally, dehydration might be a sign of something more serious, such as diabetes, so your doctor may run tests to rule out any other potential problems.

 

In general, dehydration is preventable. So just keep drinking that H2O for healthy hydration.

 

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Don’t Feed the Dolphins   

 

I would to take this chance to address a growing problem here in Southwest Florida…feeding the dolphins.  In 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act became law, making it illegal to harass or feed mammals in the wild.  Anyone can attest how tempting it is to see such a beautiful animal come right up to your boat and take an offering out of your very hand.  However, a further look into the matter shows us how such interaction can be damaging to dolphins immediate and future health.

  

Dolphins are susceptible to many food born illnesses just as we are.  Old frozen bait, rotten or otherwise can make them very sick.  Also fish from a live well are brought together and could increase the transfer of diseases that in turn could spread to the mammals.  Boats have even been seen feeding the dolphins hot dogs, and junk food which is much more harmful for their health than ours.  These creatures don’t have the luxury of doctors to take care of them when something like this happens, and disease could be one of the reasons such animals beach themselves.     

   

Feeding dolphins bait also encourages them to take offerings that are on hooks intended for fish instead.  Dolphins have been found dead with fishhooks in their stomachs and lines extending from their mouths.  

 

Recently other local anglers and myself have noticed the behavior of begging dolphins go from circling boats waiting for out of slot sized fish to be released, to begging from boats directly, and now actually taking baits with hooks not intended for them.  This not only puts them in danger of moving boat engines, fishing hooks and line, but discourages the dolphins and their young to feed in this manner and not find food naturally on their own.  

   

Next time someone on your boat, or a boat near you is trying to feed a dolphin, please remind them how their actions are actually causing harm to that wonderful animal, a civil penalties up to $12,000 and criminal charges up to $20,000 and jail time!  Observe them and let them be.   

 

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Fins Beneath

 

Ever look out over the Gulf of Mexico, perhaps during a nice sunset, and wonder what kind of wild things were swimming beneath the surface of that large body of water.  The near tropical waters in South West Florida are rich in many forms of sea life.  Here one can skip the nature shows on TV as some of the largest, most impressive creatures live a lot closer than the sea at the end of the horizon.  

 

Bull sharks (Carcharhinidae leucas) are found throughout the world’s tropical and near tropical oceans, rivers, and even some freshwater lakes.  In fact, they have been found 2,000 miles up the Amazon and Mississippi Rivers.  Such close proximity to humans, large size, and an aggressive attitude make bull sharks one of the most dangerous predators in the sea.  They are the only species of shark that is frequently found in freshwater, and are very common in the waters of Lee County.  

 

During the summer months, bull sharks mate near shore and even inshore around the mouths of rivers and inlets.  Females carry the young for 10-11 months and give birth to live 29-inch pups between April and June.  At about 5 or 6 years of age and 6-7 feet in length, bull sharks will have reached sexual maturity.  They will continue to grow to lengths approaching 12 feet, and weigh more than 500 pounds!  Females grow slightly larger, having a longer lifespan of about 16 years as opposed to 12 for males.  From above, they appear pale to dark gray, helping them disappear against the murky bottom.  The bottom of the shark is white and helps disguise it’s silhouette from peering eyes below.  

 

Certainly these large ill-tempered beasts have a reputation for attacking people, however permanent residents of the sea have much more to fear than we do.  Bull sharks have been known to eat almost ALL types of fish including large tarpon.  Sea turtles and birds have also fallen prey, as well as occasional dolphins and dogs.  They are very opportunistic feeders to say the least.  Once the food source is caught there is little escape.  Smaller prey is eaten and swallowed whole.  A bottom row of thin sharp teeth grab and hold larger meals while the wide serrated top row cut the food into manageable pieces.  

 

Fearsome and dangerous as they might be, bull sharks are one of nature’s beautiful designs that helps keep life in balance under the sea.  Upper predators such as this weed out weak, sick, and old sea life, preventing disease and ensuring the strongest and most able are left to reproduce.  They have coexisted closely with humans for thousands of years and with common sense, most tragedies can be avoided.  Sharks typically feed in low light situations like morning, evening and nighttime.  It is easier for most well evolved predators, land and sea alike, to use their advanced senses to gain an advantage over their prey under these conditions.  Avoid swimming in waters adjacent to fishing piers where anglers may be throwing left-overs from bait or cleaning fish.  Also inlets with deep fast moving water are highly traveled areas for sharks.  

 

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Fishing with an Open Mind     

 

This month I would like to share something that most of us already know.  Even so, it is good to be reminded every now and then that keeping an open mind can help us become better anglers.  It is easy to become comfortable with certain ways of doing things, and even places to fish.  Why keep doing the same old things?  Fish change their habits by the minute!  Keeping your mind open to change, and learning from others regardless of their skill level, can help you remain versatile when fish aren’t up to their usual routine.  

 

I can’t count how many times I have returned to the same unproductive spot.  It is hard to give them up when they have been so good in the past!  As creatures of habit it is natural to do so.  However, it is important to know when to draw the line and open your mind to knew possibilities.  Surely the fishing is quite predictable on some days. Unfortunately it is often hard to predict, and you will need to “wing it” a little, possibly opening your mind to something new.  More often that not there are fish willing to bite somewhere if you keep trying different things.

 

A few good days on the water will also boost anyone’s confidence.  It is easy to believe you have it all together when you’re the one pulling in the big fish.  There are a lot of anglers out there that do a lot of different things.  With so many types of fish in the world, and people from all over living in Lee County, there is an unbelievable amount of information to be learned from them all.  Even anglers that are new to this “therapy” may have an angle that will open your thoughts to new ways to catch fish.  Further, having good friends that like to fish is a nice thing when they call and let you know where the bite is hot!  

 

Hope you are all ready for a great summer!  Things are heating up and I am not just talking about the thermometer.  Tarpon are rolling, sharks are lurking, reds are tailing and snook are poppin’.  The amount of boats and anglers fishing from shore have reduced with less people in town so make your way out to a place you have always wanted to fish but never taken the time.  Might find a new honey hole!   

 

Remember, the next world record may only be a cast away!    

 

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Fishing Inlets

 

Winter is certainly here, bringing low tides with oyster bars exposed in the middle of the sound!  If you are new to the area or don’t have a shallow skiff that can navigate less then a foot of water, try the inlets for great winter action.

 

Southwest Florida’s waters are pretty shallow to begin with.  Inlets and passes are usually the deepest water within a few miles of the coast.  When the tides are low, they are a great place for fish to group up, and for anglers to find them.  They are easy to navigate, and offer a variety of ways to fish.  There is plenty of room for everyone, and some of the largest fish I have ever seen came from these areas.

 

A popular and productive method is drifting.  Either live or cut bait works well.  I prefer live bait if possible.  An egg sinker placed just above your hook works great.  Use one just big enough to keep your bait on the bottom as you drift.  Depending on the speed of your drift, and size of your tackle (and bait), a ½ ounce to 1 ounce will usually do the trick.  Try drifting over the deep areas, while staying out of the main boat traffic.  If you can control your drift over the deep side of a ledge or drop that would be ideal.  Lots of grouper can be caught during the winter using this method.  With bait you will need to use circle hooks as grouper are reef fish with new regulations.  Don’t forget your “de-hooking device and venting tool as well (www.myfwc.com for regulations).  

 

Trolling is another great way to cover these areas.  Using deep diving hard plastic baits work great.  Try to find on that will run within 5 feet of the bottom or so.  Shallower plugs also work since there are a variety of fish to be caught in the passes.  Mackeral, bluefish, cobia, and crevalle jacks are some of the more common fish you may come across.  

 

If the previous two methods aren’t your style, just anchor up and put down some baits!  It can be as simple as it sounds.  Cut bait or live bait on the bottom, or free line live bait just under the surface.  Bridges and ledges are great spots as they offer hiding places for fish, as well as rest from the current and a great ambush point.  

 

Every thing that comes in and out of the sound from the Gulf must swim through one of the passes, you never know what might pull on the end of your rod.  Keep your eye out for birds diving, this is a great indication that their may be fish also feeding under the surface.  Just pull up and cast a few artificial lures and see what happens.  Either way, inlets are easy to find, navigate, and you don’t have to worry about someone already being on your favorite fishing spot.  If that doesn’t sound good to you, I will make sure to catch a few fish there on your behalf this winter!  

 

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The Jig

 

In conversations about artificial lures, I am often asked which one is my favorite.  Well, I use a lot of different types of lures, and my favorite is probably the one that is catching fish at any given time.  However, if I had to go fishing with only one lure, I would certainly choose a jig.  Jigs come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common is a lead-head style jig with a body made of either soft plastic or “bucktail” hair.  It can be fished in practically any situation, from deep to shallow, and fast to slow.

 

Years ago, the bucktail jig was certainly the popular choice.  These days many anglers choose to place a soft plastic body on their jig instead.  Both work equally well in my opinion.  The advantage of soft plastic bodies lies in the ability to remove the body and change it to a different color or style, without having to tie on another lure altogether.  Soft plastic bodies come in many styles, such as paddle tails, curly tails, fork tails, and more.  Some create action on their own as you pull them through the water.  Others depend on the angler to add action during the retrieve.  

 

The fact that you can alter the motion of the jig at any time during your fishing makes it the most versatile of lures.  I typically retrieve a jig with an irregular jerking sequence.  Jerk, jerk, pause, jerk, jerk jerk, pause.  The pause allows the lure to sink, often triggering a strike from a fish following it with interest.  Another retrieve I like is to reel, pause, reel, pause, reel, pause.  In shallow water I only stop or pause for a brief moment, allowing the jig to sink a few inches to a foot.  This irregular motion imitates bait that is dying or trying to escape, actions that get the attention of fish.  In deeper water, or situations where you might want to imitate shrimp, let the jig sink to the bottom, then snap it up hard a foot or so, and allow it to sink back down.  Bouncing a jig on the bottom like this is a technique you will learn to love.  The beauty is you can use all these retrieves, as well as a steady reeling motion, at any time.  No need to change lures or rods as you move from one terrain to the next.  

 

On most occasions, I prefer a jig between quarter ounce and half ounce.  This gives you a decent amount of weight in a small size, allowing you to cast more accurately and farther, even in windy conditions.  Further, they skip across the water easily, allowing you to get them under docks and mangroves, which can be crucial for fish seeking shade in the hot summer months.  

 

I have seen more colors than I can list here, but take my word that even the craziest, ugliest ones will work at the right time.  Remember, fish don’t see colors the way we do, it is more about the way light reflects off them and the silhouette created.  I usually switch between a natural baitfish pattern such as white with a dark back, and a dark brown or something that resembles a shrimp.  If those don’t produce, I might try a different style body, or go to something with a brighter color such as chartreuse.  

 

If you try all these colors, with different types of retrieve with no luck, consider fishing somewhere else!  It might take a while to build confidence if you have not spent much time using a jig, but adding them to your tackle box can certainly put more fish on the end of your line.  Remember, the next world record may only be a cast away!  

 

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Just Catch Fish

 

Well September is here, and change is at hand.  The dog days of summer are fading away, students are back in school, and fish are moving away from summer patterns to their fall habits.  I love fall fishing, there seems to be more types of fish willing to cooperate, the weather is nice, and plenty of space on the water unlike the winter and spring.  The same things that worked for you the last couple of months may not be productive though, and just concentrating on catching fish may help get you back on track.

 

Snook have finished their spawning as red fish are beginning theirs.  Fresh water is pouring off the land with each new rainfall, and migratory species are moving down the coast for the change of seasons.  Many things are changing, and although they are often good changes, anglers must be able to change as well.  Catching fish using the same methods over the summer can get you in the habit of returning to the same areas and fishing the same way over and over.  When the same old tricks stop producing fish, you might want to keep it simple and just put some fish in the boat.  Even if it means targeting easier things such as snapper and ladyfish, catching fish can keep up your concentration and confidence, keeping you from getting lazy on the water.  When you get bored, it is easy to return to old patterns that might have caught fish in the past, some call if fishing “ghosts”.  It is never a bad idea to return to productive areas as fish move frequently, but not letting yourself move on to new grounds can also keep you from catching on to new patterns.  

 

Fishing with live shrimp this time of year usually produces a lot of smaller fish like mangrove snapper.  I don’t usually go this route, but sometimes catching 30 snapper is better than two small snook!  This type of fishing can also take the pressure off, and I can remember many days fishing for smaller fish and still catching a few nice ones.  Practically every fish in southwest Florida eats shrimp, even the really big ones.  You might be surprised how many nice snook or reds you might end up with fishing for less sought after species.  A few snook and a few small grouper to go along with those 30 snapper can be just what the doctor ordered when you have been targeting redfish and only catching one and a couple catfish mixed in.   You might even run into a new area you have always wanted to try but never took the time.  Fishing with shrimp you will certainly find out what lives beneath the surface!

 

September can also be the time of year we start to see more birds diving at the water after baitfish.  There can be plenty of ladyfish, mackerel, and bluefish under water chasing the same baits.  Catching these fish with artificials or live bait can be rather easy, and don’t be surprised if one of those ladyfish your reeling in gets crushed by a 100 pound tarpon.  Yes, you heard me right.  This time of year tarpon are still scattered around, and some are migrating down the coast for the coming of fall.  The fishing is not consistent for them, but I remember a few really nice fish coming from under the diving birds last year.  

 

Eventually you will fall into your rhythm, and the great fall fishing for snook and reds will come to you.  Just don’t let the opportunities this time of year pass you by.  Near shore fishing in the gulf will also heat up over the next couple months, as well as the rivers and canals as snook and other fish move away from their summer meetings off the beaches.  If one thing is not working for you, try something else.  With so many good things going on, something should come together if you don’t let yourself get caught fishing the same old patterns.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Keep Moving!   

 

Have a secret fishing hole?   Maybe you heard a good tip from another angler where the fish are biting.  It is easy to become comfortable fishing places you have had past success.  Take my advice, when the fish are not biting, moving to a new location is usually the best idea.  

   

Don’t get me wrong; sometimes waiting out the fish is a good choice.  Especially if you know the tidal conditions or similar factors might increase your luck soon.  However, fish behavior changes frequently, and knowing fish are in your area is not always enough.  Sometimes they just don’t want to bite!  Even if you fish  from shore, having a route of different places you can “hop” to and from will increase your chances of catching fish.  While doing so, try to carry only what you need to the shore so you can pack up easily and move to the next spot.  Eventually, you will find an area where the conditions are right and you will start to catch fish.  If you don’t have any luck and one of your favorite spots early on, stop back later and see if the conditions have changed.  Sometimes water flow or other weather conditions may increase the activity level of fish.  

   

The amount of time you should wait before moving is relative to the type of fishing you are doing, and your confidence in your area.  If you are fishing with cut bait, wait a little longer for fish to find your bait by smell.  When chasing fish with artificials in shallow water, I won’t cast at a spot more than a couple times before moving on.  Fishing is not always about catching, so don’t let your frantic running around ruin a nice family day fishing from the surf or anything.  However, on those days when your feeling hard core about getting on some fish, and you have the ability and time to cover water, move around a little and eventually you will stumble across some action.  Who knows, you might run across a new honey hole all together!  Remember, the next world record may only be a cast away…

 

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Take a Kid Fishing

 

My love for fishing started very early.  I can’t even remember the first fish I caught.  Most likely I was at a pond in the neighborhood, using a cane poll to catch blue gill. I was always so excited to be fishing!  Even if the fish weren’t biting, I was on the shore with plenty of things to hold my attention.  There were trees, lizards, critters in the water, and even rocks and sticks for throwing.  Fortunately, my parents took the time to introduce me to nature, and the world of angling.  Like most children, I had many interests.  Catching frogs, skateboarding, about every type of sport that involved a ball, and some that didn’t.  It is during my time fishing however, that I truly felt my place in the world around me.  At peace with other living things, and also with myself, fishing was certainly therapeutic.

 

I wasn’t catching big fish at first, I’m not even sure I was aware of many types of fishing.  The only fish that mattered were the ones I was catching!  When I wasn’t able to be at the pond, I practiced casting in the yard.  I would stand in the grass and cast at Mom’s flowerbeds and bushes as if they were the shoreline.  It didn’t matter that there were no fish, casting was fun, and our cat took the place of fish by pouncing on the weight I used for a lure.  My parents certainly thought that playing with fishing equipment at home was better than shooting streetlights with my B-B gun!

You don’t have to be a skilled angler to introduce a child to fishing either.  Local tackle shops are more than willing to share their knowledge with you, even letting you know some nearby places to start fishing.  Visit a couple shops and see who is willing to talk with you the most.  You will likely learn something from all of them.  From tying knots to spooling line on your reel, there is plenty they can teach you before you even leave the store.  I know first hand that the shops listed in the front of this magazine have quality people that can help.  

 

Keep in mind that you want to keep things simple.  No need to spend a lot of money on expensive rods and reels, or artificial lures that take a little more skill to use.  Start with small hooks recommended for fishing bait such as shrimp (frozen or live) for saltwater, or earthworms for freshwater.  Ask about using a weight to fish on the bottom, and how to use a bobber (float) to suspend your bait under the surface.  These two methods should be all you need to get going.  

 

There are lots of great places to fish from shore in our area, ask around for places nearest you.  There are public fishing piers, canals, ponds, beaches and more.  You might want to sign up for a fishing class given by local captains.  Check with recreation departments, there are usually several each year.  They are typically inexpensive and a great way for anglers of all levels to learn.  There are also several fishing clubs in the area, and beginners are certainly welcome.

 

Fishing is a great hobby to introduce to children.  It is also a great way to spend quality time with them.  A lot of kids rarely get the chance to interact with nature, but they usually enjoy it when they do.  They may not become professional anglers, or fish every weekend of their life, but they might hold on to that special feeling of spending time by the water doing something they love.  It could become something they return to later in life to fill a void at just the right time.    It might become a way to spend time with family and friends.  It might become therapy.

 

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The King is Back   

 

 It’s time for inshore anglers to get out the tarpon gear, sharpen hooks, spool reels with new line, and call into work sick the day before a front hits!  The Silver King has returned a little early, possibly due to colder waters offshore, or perhaps the lingering red tide to the north of Lee County.  Although the fishing is not in full swing by any means, tarpon have been caught in the shallows with a fly rod around Matlacha.  Anglers have also been successful with live and cut bait, even artificials, around the inlets, and the entire length of the Caloosahatchee River.

 

Night is a great time to try and catch one of these inshore monsters.  Tarpon are opportunistic feeders, and will readily take cut bait.  Their sense of smell is more than adequate to find their way to your offerings, and a little extra chumming will certainly help.  Fresh catfish tails or large pieces of ladyfish are great choices for bait, especially when large 6”-12” chunks (usually half the fish) are hooked onto an 8/0 to 10/0 hook.  Almost all of the bridges in the area are productive and easy to find, but numerous deep holes throughout the sound and river will produce results as well or better without having to deal with fish breaking your line on the bridge.  Tarpon also see very well at night, as their large, well developed eyes are much more efficient in low-light conditions than those of the fish they prey on.  Therefore, live bait works very well, usually free lined in the current, or around dock and seawall lights where artificials also produce fish.  

 

Once the sun comes up, tarpon begin to move onto flats to feed.  Look for flats adjacent to areas with a rocky bottom, or an inlet that would be highly traveled by fish.  Patience is crucial here, as you may spend most of the morning looking for fish.  Tarpon often “roll” on the surface as they are feeding.  They are able to gulp air as well as filter it from the water with gills.  If you have a polling platform or tower on your boat, you may be able to spot the fish swimming.  Fish are certainly spookier in shallow water, so once you see them, take every precaution not to scare them.  Try to figure out which way the fish are swimming and place your bait well in front of them.  Live baitfish, blue crabs, and artifcials work well on the flats.  When the sun gets up in the sky around 10 A.M., tarpon move into the deeper water of inlets and channels.  Live and cut bait will once again draw their attention, often in the same places you will find them at night.  

 

As long as the weather continues to improve, the tarpon fishing should get better by the week.  This means exciting times for us, and several anglers will experience their first Silver King in the months to come.  Lots of other species are biting too, be sure to keep your eye out for cobia swimming near the surface, there are lots of them along our coasts and inlets right now, and they often take the same baits tarpon do.  Snook are making the transitional move to their summer spawning grounds as well, so be ready for anything.  Don’t forget, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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LIGHTNING SAFETY

 

Lee County is home to daily summer showers. Lightning is always a safety issue for boaters.           Although we may get accustom to hearing the sounds of thunder, it is always best to make the “safe” decision.  Here are a few things you should know  about lightning:

 

1. While on the water it is important to pay attention to surrounding weather conditions, as well as local NOAA weather radio.  

 

2. If you can hear thunder, you are within 6-8 miles of the associated lightning. The strike distance for lightning can reach 6-8 miles. The best decision when thunder is heard would be to flee to safety immediately.  Offshore boats would need to factor in more dangers due to distance of travel.  For this reason it is good for long range boats to track storm movements using RADAR, providing safe routs of travel.  

 

3. If you hear “crackling sounds”, you are within lightning’s electric field.  You should remove all metal objects, including hats containing any small pieces of metal.  Stay low and crouch down if possible.  Like golf clubs, many fishing rods are good conductors of electricity, and using them near lighting is quite dangerous.  

 

4. People that have been struck by lighting do not carry an electric field and are safe to handle.  Give medical attention immediately if you are qualified, and call or have someone call 911.

 

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Braid vs Monofilament   

 

Mankind’s use of single lines to catch fish is an ancient practice.  The first fishing lines were most likely small vines.  Today’s angling world hosts more different lines than even professionals can keep up with.  Two main styles have become prevalent, monofilament and braided lines.  Back county anglers use the advantages of both types to help them catch fish.

   

For a long time, monofilament was used for the majority of shallow water fishing.  However, the last decade or so has seen rapid improvements in braided lines, which offer more strength at thinner diameters.  The advantage of stronger line is obvious; it has less chance of breaking.  Perhaps more important is that thinner line allows anglers to cast greater distances.  In a heavily fished shallow, clear environment, fish become quite spooky, and longer casts can certainly increase your success.  

   

Braided line has much less stretch than monofilament.  This means it is more sensitive, allowing the angler to detect the slightest bite, rock, or bait movement etc.  With practically no stretch, most braided line use requires attaching a monofilament leader to make up the last couple feet of line before the lure or bait.  This accomplishes a few things.  First, it acts as a shock absorber.  When a fish strikes, it helps to have a little stretch to soften the instant pressure of a biting fish.  This reduces the likeliness that the hook will pull out, and also minimize the strain on the rest of the line.  Braided line is much more “limp” than monofilament.  This will allow a lure or bait to move more naturally through the water, but limp line will tangle more readily as well.  The monofilament leader will prevent the limp braided line from tangling in your hooks and other terminal tackle while you are fishing.  

 

Old habits die hard, and since most people used monofilament for such a long time, it can be frustrating to make the switch.  The advantages are easy to understand, getting used to new equipment in not.  The line does tangle easier, but the more you use it the fewer problems you will have.  Small knots and loops may occur during casting.  Many refer to these as “wind knots”.  Too much line on your reel will make this problem worse.  Keep cutting out the wind knots until you get down to an appropriate amount of line on the reel.  For spinning reels, make sure the line does not come too close to the edge of the spool, or you will certainly have your share of wind knots.  Also make sure to use some monofilament backing.  Spool the reel with at least enough monofilament to cover the base of the spool.  Braided line will not “grab” the spool and will spin freely.  If your reel holds a lot of line, you may want to use more backing, so that you only have 150-300yds of braided line on top.  Also, when you put braided line on your reel, apply solid pressure so that the line goes on tight.  This will keep if from “digging” in on itself the first time a big fish or tree limb pulls on your line!  With monofilament, use light pressure only, as tightly spun monofilament will hold its shape and coil in the shape of the spool.  

 

With the increase in fishing pressure in southwest Florida, anglers need every advantage they can get.  For those that have not incorporated braided lines into your fishing, a little patience and practice will make you a believer. I am not ready to write off monofilament, both lines will always have their place in my tackle box.  But taking advantage of both monofilament and braided lines can help you catch more fish.        

 

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Live Chumming     

 

The act of “chumming” has certainly become widespread throughout the world of fishing.  It has become as much of an art as fishing itself.  Chumming can bring baitfish close enough to reach them with a cast net, or bring a 20-foot long great white shark beside the boat.  However, using live baitfish instead of scent-based chum is a great way to entice spooky fish to eat in the waters of southwest Florida.  

 

The key to live bait chumming is to obtain a large amount of baitfish.  With a large bait well, you can keep lots of extra bait alive, allowing you to use some for bait and some to get the fishes attention.  Pilchards and threadfin herring are the most common baitfish for live chumming in our local waters.  They can readily be caught on grass flats that are near deeper water, and have good current flow.  These flats are often shallow areas in “open” water, as opposed to sheltered bays and creeks.  

 

Anchor up near the drop off to deeper water, but keep the boat over grassy areas in about 3 or 4 feet of water.  Local bait shops carry different types of “dry” and “wet” chum.  Dry chum is usually powdered fish food or barn feed, while wet chum is canned cat food.  Mixing the two together will create a nice “muddy” chum that you can throw in the water a little bit at a time.  I usually put out a golf ball size clump every 60 seconds or so.  Sometimes baitfish will show up immediately to feed on your offerings, sometimes a little patience is needed.  Try to chum in the area you are throwing the net; avoid letting the chum drift too far away.  You don’t want to chum the bait away from the boat!

 

You want to keep as much bait in your well as possible, but be careful not to keep to many, as they will begin to die if there are more baits than oxygen to support them.  Once you are loaded, its time to go fishing!  Live chumming can work for many different species, in shallow or deep water.  Often areas with heavy structure like mangroves or docks are great targets.  Fish can hide so deep in the cover that its hard to get a hook close enough to get their attention.  By using a handful or two of live baits, you can get the fish to take notice, and start looking for your bait more aggressively.

 

I typically start with 6-12 live chummers, just toss them into the mangroves or areas you think may hold fish.  The baits will land in the water and scatter frantically around the area.  The chummers are not schooled up as they would be naturally, and don’t have all those helpful eyes to help them look for predators.  This makes them easy targets for game fish, and their natural action will be hard to resist.  In shallow water you may notice boils on the surface when fish attack them, this will help you key in on your targets location.  Cast a hooked bait into the chummed area and wait for the hunting fish to find it.  

 

Live chumming is also a great way to scout new areas.  Fishing with live bait can be a slow process.  By throwing out a good number of live baits in an area, you can sit and wait for fish to show themselves by attacking your chummers on the surface.  Move around to different areas until you see a good amount of fish attacking your offerings.  In medium sized bays, or creeks with good current flow, release a large amount of live chum, sit back and wait for them to cover the area and get attacked.  The predator fish will give away their position quite readily.  This can help you locate the fish in a larger area.  Offshore anglers even use live chumming techniques over deep wrecks.  Let your imagination go wild!  Often its worth the show just to see fish go berserk feeding on the surface.  Once you have the fish in a feeding mood, it is much easier to get them to take an offering with a hook in it!  You may even have to keep chumming in order for the fish to stay active.  Every fishing hole is a little different, so just give it a try.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Marine Positions, Life & Death

 

Natural marine biotoxins can be harmful to humans and can cause numerous illnesses or even death. However, toxins and other natural compounds from marine animals can also be helpful and used to treat a variety of ailments.

 

Part I

"Eat Puffer and Maybe Suffer," the title of a recent article in a conservation newsletter, may get a chuckle or even a hilarious roar, but in reality it is no laughing matter.

 

Human deaths attributed to poisonous marine animals, particularly fishes, have been recorded since biblical times and some religious laws still condemn eating fish that are finless or scaleless. Figures of scaleless, poisonous fishes have been found on Egyptian tombs. Some early naturalists went further than just recognizing dangerous animals, they actually used marine toxins to remedy ailments. For example, Pliny the Elder (29–79 A.D.) used ground sting ray stingers to relieve the pain of toothaches.

   

An estimated 500 or so poisonous fishes are inshore species living in warm seas between 45 degrees N and 45 degrees S. Many forms are numerous around small islands in the Pacific. Unfortunately, it is impossible to just look at a fish and tell whether it is poisonous. In some fishes, toxicity is strongly associated with the ripening of their reproductive organs or where the fish lives. Fish toxins are sometimes concentrated in a single organ, such as the liver, muscles, skin, or reproductive organs, or the whole animal may be poisonous.

   

The best procedure to follow, if you are stranded, starved, and have to eat a fish you know nothing about, is to skin it, remove the head and internal organs carefully, and then soak the remaining meat in water for several hours, throwing away the water before cooking. Many poisons from plants and animals are soluble in water. Often, cooking alone will not destroy or remove the toxic substances. In Japan, finer restaurants have licensed puffer cooks that have been specially trained in preparing puffer for human consumption. Yet the Japanese, even though they are familiar with poisonous fishes, suffer about 100 deaths yearly from puffer poisoning. Puffer poison has the scientific name tetrodotoxin, after the family name for puffer fishes, Tetraodontidae. It can take 10 minutes or 3 hours before symptoms are evident: nausea, vomiting, muscular weakness, paralysis, and respiratory distress. No specific antidote is known.

 

Puffers, of course, are not the only poisonous fishes. Certain species of snapper, sea bass, barracuda, jack, moray eel, parrotfish, shark, grouper, wrasse, and surgeonfish have also been implicated in human illnesses. Most of these fishes contain one or several toxins, one of which is known as ciguatera toxin. Ciguatera is more famous in Pacific waters; however, in Florida, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, a one-celled dinoflagellate, and shellfish exposed to blooms of this organism, reportedly have a ciguatera-like toxin that can cause human suffering. Ciguatera poison is thought to originate at the base of the food chain. In Pacific waters, it has been traced to toxic blue-green algae that are eaten by small fishes and, in turn, are eaten by larger fishes. It is through the food chain that the toxin is taken in and accumulated.

   

The most toxic marine poison known is 160,000 times more potent than cocaine and is produced by several dinoflagellates common to the shores of Washington, Canada, and Alaska. They produce a toxin known scientifically as saxitoxin, or paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). The name saxitoxin has its origin from the Alaska butter clam, Saxidomas, which has caused shellfish poisoning in humans. Again, the association and resultant human distress is through the food chain.

   

Perhaps other animals of the sea are better known as poisonous and dangerous animals to be avoided. Their effect on man is more direct—by attack. This involves stinging cells or venom glands. The sea wasps or jellyfish of the Austro-Asian area have caused many swimmers pain, scars, and even death. There have been 55 documented deaths attributed to sea wasps since 1963. Physalia, the Portugese Man-of-War, is a jellyfish-like animal known as a siphonophore that periodically causes swimming activity to cease along the Florida east coast and other areas. First-aid stations are set up on beaches to help those suffering from Physalia attacks. Jellyfish and siphonophores have stinging cells called nematocysts in their tentacles, and some Physalia tentacles have been reported to extend 30 feet deep in seawater. Physalia toxin interferes with the conduction of nerve impulses and can cause the heart to stop beating. In addition to poisonous jellyfish and siphonophores, there are poisonous or venomous (having venom glands) cone shells, octopuses, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, marine worms, and other ocean denizens.

   

In almost all cases, the toxin interferes with the permeability of the nerve membrane and inhibits passage of nerve impulses. The physical effect may only involve nausea, drowsiness, weakness, or vomiting, or it may proceed to paralysis and death. In most cases, a cure is not known; however, a drug called neostigmine has been successful in the treatment of barracuda poisonings. Some human illnesses attributed to eating fish are caused by decomposing bacteria and are common among jacks, skipjacks, and oceanic bonito; however, symptoms usually subside within 12 hours.

   

It is estimated that 30,000 human illnesses from eating poisonous marine animals, primarily fishes and shellfish, occur each year, some of them resulting in death. With figures like that, the title of the article "Eat Puffer and Maybe Suffer" should be taken seriously.

Part II

Yes, poisonous marine animals can kill people, but unbelievable as it may sound, they can save lives too. Natural products from land plants have been used for years as antibiotics, narcotics, analgesics, anti-leukemia agents, and other drugs in the treatment of human distress. Why not use products from marine plants and animals as drugs? After all, poisons from marine animals show potential in the treatment of hearing diseases, intestinal troubles, infections, tumors and other ailments.

   

One of the biggest problems is money. It takes approximately 7 million dollars to develop a drug before it is submitted to the federal Food and Drug Administration and then only 1 out of 2,500 drugs submitted reach the commercial market. Another problem involves the collecting and harvesting of suitable marine organisms. If the chemical structure and properties of the poison are known, then scientists can artificially recreate the substance and need not worry about how many animals they have to collect. Prior to the 1960s, little was known about the chemical makeup of marine toxins, but now that scientists have unraveled the chemistry of these poisons, synthesis of these potential drugs is possible.

   

There is one outstanding use of a marine poison as a drug—puffer poison is being used as a narcotic for terminal cancer patients in Japan. Perhaps the Japanese, because they are surrounded by the sea and depend on it so desperately for food, are more attuned to its resources. The Japanese also found that a certain acid in the brown seaweed Digenia is a valuable drug in the control of tapeworm, whipworm, and roundworm. There are many natural compounds of seaweeds that show antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. However, these are not poisons, rather they are often components of the cell walls or byproducts of everyday functions. Ironically, some poisons are thought also to be the byproducts of everyday functions, particularly among the one-celled organisms.

   

One product of marine seaweeds, although not of a poisonous nature, deserves attention because of its potential anti-tumor and anti-leukemia activities in animals exposed to radiation. Sodium alginates of seaweeds tend to inhibit the absorption of radioactive strontium in the bloodstream and bone tissue of rats by 75 percent.

   

To cite examples of potential uses for poisons or toxins often involves using the effect of the poison as the cure. For example, ciguatera poison, which affects the neuromotor system, can relax spasms when administered in small doses. Another poison isolated from an electric eel shows potential as an antidote for pesticide poisoning.

   

These are only a few examples, but they are enough evidence to support research on potential drug sources from the sea.

 

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Monster Fish       

 

Keep hearing stories of the big one that got away?  Sure, we all exaggerate a little when we get excited.  During that moment when the fish is hooked and the rod bends down toward the depths, adrenalin begins to flow and our minds wonder about the possibilities of what monster just snapped the line on the wreck below.  Fortunately for anglers here in Southwest Florida, there are lots of large fish living both inshore and further out in the gulf.  Species like the goliath grouper inhabit a variety of areas common to recreational anglers.  These oversized sea creatures are more than capable of starting some “big fish” stories.

Goliath grouper (Epinephelus Itajara) are the largest of the grouper family, reaching lengths of just over 8 feet and weighing as much as 800 pounds!  It’s not uncommon for anglers with the heaviest tackle to catch fish between 200 and 400 pounds.  Endangered on a worldwide level, we live in the heart of their range that exists from Florida south to Brazil.  They are also found in the East Pacific from the Gulf of California to Peru, and on the west coast of Africa from Senegal to Congo.  Stocky in build, the widths of these beasts are half as much as their total length.   Goliath grouper are long lived with slow growth and reproduction rates.  Ages have been confirmed at 37 years, and most scientists believe that 50 years would be a better time frame for their lifespan.  

 

These large heathens begin their lives as pelagic larvae, hatching from eggs to be swept away with the ocean currents.  At this stage it looks more like a creature from the depths of a scary movie than a grouper.  The main spines from the dorsal and pelvic fins are greatly elongated, possibly to act as “sails” to help it travel with the moving water.  It feeds on small plankton until it becomes a benthic juvenile at about 25 days.

 

From there, it takes a lot of eating to become a 500-pound tackle buster! Maturity does not come quickly for goliath grouper.  With such a long lifespan, males don’t reach maturity until 4-6 years of age, and females even later at 6-7 years.  Such slow growth and reproductive rates make the species much more susceptible to over harvesting, as it will take longer for them to replace the older, mature fish.    Spawning occurs during the months of July, August, and September around the full moons.   

One advantage the goliaths may have on their side is that they are believed to be protogynous hermaphrodites like their cousins the red and gag groupers.  This means individuals that begin their lives as females are actually able to physically change sex at some point and become males.  Not all females change however, usually environmental or population related issues prompt the transformation.  Many protogynous hermaphrodites change because there is a lack of one gender in the population.  Others usually have local populations that are run by an “alpha” fish of one gender that may need replacing, prompting the most mature member of the group to change and take over the area.  The specifics of goliath grouper reproduction are not totally clear, but the ability of a species to change gender would clearly help it reproduce under less than ideal circumstances.  

 

In its early years, goliaths live in the middle of the food chain.  Natural predators include sharks, barracudas, king mackerel, moray eels, and even other grouper.  Once maturity reaches, and the goliaths begin reaching weights counted in the hundreds, their only predator is man.  Taking refuge in and around heavy structure like reefs, wrecks, bridge and dock pylons, these adults can be very territorial.  A goliath grouper will often flare its large mouth and shake its body in order to intimidate other creatures  trespassing in its area.  They are also able to make a low rumbling noise from their swim bladder; this is used both to intimidate other creatures, and to locate other members of the same species.  

 

It would be very hard to reach sizes approaching half a ton without having a healthy appetite, and goliath grouper are opportunistic feeders to say the least.  With very large mouths, several gallons of water can be instantly consumed, along with helpless prey that never knew the well-camouflaged predator was there.  This method is particularly useful in catching spiny lobsters, one of the goliath’s favorite snacks.  Most fish that venture to close cannot even escape the sudden vacuum created when the grouper opens its mouth.  Like other grouper species, goliaths will also chase prey such as fish for short distances.  Extra rows of bottom teeth help grab larger, faster fish such as snapper, crevalle jacks, and other grouper.

 

Excelling at eating this variety of sea life also means trying a few human offerings every now and then.  Keeping or taking possession of  goliath grouper is prohibited, as they are a protected species.  If you do catch one, even a small juvenile, do every thing in your power to ensure you release it unharmed.  With larger ones, use caution not to damage the spine or organs by bending the heavy fish over the side of the boat.  Also their eyes are small but can be easily damaged if the weight of the fish presses them against something.  These fish are made to live in the water, the forces of gravity can be very damaging if its not applied evenly and carefully.  

     

Every year a few monster goliaths are caught under the Sanibel Causeway, as well as the old phosphate docks of Boca Grande.  These fish are accessible to small boaters, and even shore fisherman.  They are year round residents, and have surely frustrated many anglers un-equipped to battle such a large foe.  Remember that next time your friends come back from the Sanibel Pier saying they hooked a fish that was 5 feet long…it may have been longer!  

 

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The Need for Speed

 

Most anglers and seafood lovers are no strangers to tuna, one of the most highly evolved and fascinating fish in the sea.  Those lucky enough to experience first hand the power, and beauty of these creatures will never forget the impression from their first encounter.  Even a small juvenile can drop the jaw of a wildlife lover or experienced angler.  

 

The most notable characteristic associated with tunas is speed.  In fact, the name tuna comes from the Greek word meaning “to rush”.  Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) are the largest of these, living up to thirty years, growing over ten feet long, and weighing in excess of 1,000 pounds!  The all tackle record for Atlantic Bluefin is 1,496 pounds caught off Nova Scotia in 1979.  This species is capable of reaching speeds near sixty miles per hour!  With such extreme size and speed, they must have extraordinary physical characteristics.

 

In order to reach incredible speeds, tuna must expend large amounts of energy.  Therefore, it is important for their bodies to be very energy efficient.  Oxygen is needed in high quantities to keep the muscles going at such a fast pace, and special gills are required to provide it.  Most fish use their jaws and gill plates to pump water across blood vessels, which absorb oxygen and carry it to the rest of the body.  Since tuna cannot afford to waste valuable energy “gulping” water this way, they simply allow it to pass freely through the mouth and gills constantly while swimming.  This method of breathing is called “ram ventilation”, as the fish continually rams water through its gills.  The disadvantage of this process is that the tuna must constantly move forward.  If it stops swimming, it will drown.  

 

The structure of the gill is also specialized.  Unlike most fish, blood flows through the gill in the opposite direction water does.  This process, known as “counter-current circulation”, allows the maximum amount of blood to absorb oxygen from the moving water during the short time it takes to pass through the gill.  Hemoglobin is the component in the blood that carries oxygen, and tuna have a much higher concentration of it than other fish.  Also, gills of tuna contain more surface area, increasing the rate of oxygen transfer.  

 

A tuna’s circulation system is also designed to prevent the loss of heat, making them homeothermic, or warm-blooded.  They are unable to keep their temperature constant like mammals, but maintaining a higher body temperature than the surrounding environment allows tuna to venture into colder waters in search of food.  It also means their physiological processes; such as oxygen transport and food digestion, occur at a faster rate than cold-blooded fish.  This helps them produce energy rapidly enough to keep up with their physical needs.  Such adaptations give tuna a distinct advantage in a highly competitive environment.

 

There are many exciting creatures swimming the oceans around us, sharks with teeth, whales measured in tons not pounds, octopuses that change color to match their surroundings.  However, with lots of muscle, a streamline shape, and highly evolved physiological systems, tunas will continue to impress anyone who is lucky enough to encounter their power and speed first hand.

 

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Rain Advantage

 

August is here and we are well into the rainy season in southwest Florida.  Water temperatures are high, the sun is hot, and sometimes the fish would rather lie around in the shade than chase food.  Rain falls pretty much every day now, but some days see a lot more than others.  Rainwater running off the land into the waterways can have a positive impact on your fishing if you know how to take advantage of it.

 

In the shallow saltwater flats, fresh water run-off can push crustaceans and baitfish away, having a negative impact of the food source of many fish.  However, around canals, lakes, and small ponds, this same run-off can do wonders for fishing.  Snook, bass, small tarpon, catfish, and other species often inhabit these areas.  Rainwater filtering into a body of water can reduce the overall water temperature this time of year, increasing the activity level of fish.  When the water is hot, many fish prefer to spend their time in cooler, deeper water waiting for the cover of darkness to hunt.  Others lie deep within shady mangrove trees to escape the hot Florida sun.  When rainwater cools the area, these fish are much more likely to venture out of these areas and search for food, making them easier targets for anglers.

 

Fresh rainwater enters a body of water through natural feeder creeks as well as man-made gutters or weirs.  Water funneling off the land through these areas also brings a source of food to hungry fish.  Lizards, insects, and frogs among other things are carried in the run-off until they reach the main body of water.  Fish are quick to take advantage of this food supply by waiting in close proximity to the fresh water entering their environment.  Almost like a conveyer belt of food, the fish just sit and wait as new entrees wash before them.  No more sneaking up on prey, or spending energy chasing it down.  All they have to do is turn their head and open their mouth!  

 

In small ponds or lakes, look for areas like feeder creeks.  In canals, look for things like gutters that bring water from streets and houses.  Sometimes these structures can even be located under docks in areas with old seawalls.  Keep your eyes open for anywhere fresh rainwater can enter the area.  By concentrating on these areas, you can eliminate large amounts of unproductive water and find fish that are in a feeding mood.   

 

Continuous rain can have other effects as well.  For canals and creeks, large amounts of run-off may increase current flow.  This water movement will often increase the activity level of fish, as the current keeps a variety of food washing through an area.  Look for fish to hide close to structure such as dock posts, blown down branches, and rocks.  Points and bends in canals and creeks also provide fish an opportunity to hide and ambush prey washing by in the current.

 

Most people view rain as an inconvenience, keeping them from enjoying their outdoor activities.  But anglers can certainly benefit from its effects.  Often we are feeling cooped up during the downpour, but try hitting the water after all that water can create an opportunity for great fishing.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Reign of the Old School

 

100 million years ago, the oldest relatives of modern tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) swam the oceans with prehistoric creatures that would make most science fiction novels seem tame.  Some of these monsters have evolved into totally different life forms, while many have disappeared from our world completely.  A small few however, have changed very little over the years, despite drastic environmental changes.  Like fashions, cars, and weapons, some designs are so good they never go out of style.  From the beginning, Mother Nature designed an opportunistic survivor in the tarpon family that shows no signs of giving way to a new order.

Tarpon live on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, with their populations concentrated around tropical climates.  Many scientists describe them as thermophilic, or able to live in high temperature conditions.  The range of the species exists along Africa’s coast from Senegal to Congo, and American waters primarily from North Carolina south to the West Indies.  In some cases, the extreme range extends from Nova Scotia south to Argentina.  

 

Spawning occurs offshore, primarily around the full and new moons of May and June.  At this time, mature females can produce as many as 15 million oocytes, or unfertilized eggs.  Once the females release the oocytes, they are fertilized by the males “milt” of sperm, beginning the long treacherous journey for the juvenile tarpon.  In the first stage of their lives, the larvae resemble a very small eel or leech which will travel long distances by currents, tides, and swimming to inshore estuaries, mangroves, feeder ponds and even drainage ditches.  Along the way, the larvae are very vulnerable to predators like zooplankton and small fish, and it takes all 15 million fertilized eggs to overcome the amount lost to these predators.  For the lucky ones that reach the estuaries, they develop through different stages, eventually becoming small juveniles that are recognizable as baby tarpon at about 2 inches in length.  

 

 

Prehistoric in design, tarpon are one of the few fish that are able to breath air directly from the surface.  Using their swim bladder much like a lung, this ability enables the young to survive in stagnant, oxygen depleted waters, far out of reach from the many predators living in the sounds and oceans.  In fact, studies have shown that tarpon cannot survive without the ability to breath air directly.  As adults, they continue to gulp air from the surface when their activity level is high, such as in times of feeding and spawning.  This enables them to provide quick oxygen to the body, which prevents fatigue and the build up of lactic acid in the muscles.  

 

Once tarpon reach about 2 feet in length they will move to inhabit rivers, canals, and the upper reaches of bays until sexual maturity is reached at about 6-7 years.  At this point, they join the seasonal migrations and offshore spawning with other adults.  Male tarpon may live over 30 years, while females can live in excess of 50 years, grow to lengths of 8.2 feet, and weigh as much as 355 pounds!  These silver kings are opportunistic feeders to say the least.  They use speed, power, a keen sense of smell, and superior eyesight to locate prey of all kinds.  The genus name Megalops even comes from the Greek language meaning “large eyed”.  These large, highly sensitive eyes allow tarpon to see well at night when smaller, less developed fish and crabs are at a disadvantage.   

 

Traditionally there has been little scientific interest in tarpon, primarily due to their inability to be used as a food source for mankind.  However, with the huge economical increase in sport fishing for the species, more and more money is being allocated for research into the lives and habits of these incredible beasts.  After surviving millions of years in an ocean full of large sharks and prehistoric monsters, tarpon have rightfully earned the respect of scientist and anglers alike.  No need for sharp teeth or pretty colors, these silver kings have made their way through history on a classic design.  They have outlasted many of Mother Nature’s wonderful creations, and they have done it by staying…”old school”.  

 

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Gafftop Sailcat

 

Saltwater catfish here in southwest Florida must be the most caught fish by anglers, and the least fished for!  With so many other sporty fish around, and many that are great eating, catfish are pretty much looked at as a nuisance around here.  It turns out that these funny looking gluttons are well suited for life here in the gulf waters, so don’t plan on them going anywhere soon!

 

One of the reasons sailcats are caught with such frequency is they are very opportunistic feeders.  Although they feed primarily on crustaceans, sailcats are much more active than their freshwater relatives, and are quick to chase baitfish as well.  I have even caught them on top water artificial lures!  Whiskers protruding from their bottom lip act as feelers on the bottom, and can also be used to “sweep” the bottom, scaring up crabs and shrimp for an easy meal.  All sizes can be found in deep inlets, shallow flats, or resident canals.  These whiskered fish surely take advantage of any area that might have something to eat nearby.  

 

Unlike several freshwater cousins, the sailcat only reaches a size of about 8 pounds.  The Texas state record is over 13 pounds, while the Florida state record is just over 8 pounds.  I have seen plenty in the 6-pound range, and believe the state record could certainly be broken.  Surely a lot of people do not realize the record is so low.  Next time you are bummed about pulling in a large one, think about the record, you might be able to put your name in the books!  

 

Spawning occurs in the spring, and the males actually protect the eggs until they safely hatch.  The eggs are large, up to an inch wide.  Once fertilized, the males hold them in their mouths until they hatch and the young fry are able to feed on their own.  During this time the males may not eat for up to 65 days!  With such parental care, no wonder so many of them grow up to chase our baits!  

 

Like most catfish, they are armed with vicious spines on their pectoral and dorsal fins.  These spines are serrated under the skin, and can be extremely painful.  The slime from their skin is left in the wound and facilitates infection, which can lead to serious complications.  If you are not experienced in handling them, and they have swallowed your hook deep into their mouth cavity, I would suggest cutting the line as close to the hook as possible and letting them have it.  Most often the fish will either spit the hook out on their own, or break it down naturally in their digestive tract.   

 

Sailcats are certainly edible.  I have heard everything from them being quite tasty, to having a bit of a “fishy” taste.  However, they are very slimy, and difficult to prepare.  For the work it would take, I would prefer to drive to the local fish market for something I could easily throw in the grill!  

 

I can’t say I actually target sailcats, unless it is to use them as bait for tarpon, but they have certainly kept a few skunks out of my boat.  For that I am grateful!  Remember with the state record in the 8-pound range, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Seafood Safety     

 

Steady north winds have brought an awful case of “red tide” to Lee County waters, and with it will likely come many truths, rumors, and exaggerations concerning food poisoning.  First of all, there are several types of food borne illness, and ALL types of food are susceptible.  Most viruses are transmitted through food because of unsanitary handling procedures.  Even pesticides from unwashed produce or contaminated water can make people sick.  The following is a quick reference to most food poisonings closely associated with seafood.

 

SALMONELLA:  Salmonellae are bacteria that may cause poisoning in undercooked foods such as poultry, dairy products, and seafood.  Therefore, allowing food to reach appropriate temperatures during cooking can prevent the illness.  Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches.  Effects may also return after a few weeks in the form of arthritis.    

 

BOTULISM:  Clostridium botulinum is another bacterium acquired by eating undercooked fish and sausages.  It is more common among canned goods (all types) as it thrives in low oxygen environments, and spores from the bacteria may be found in honey.  For this reason, children under 12 months (1 year) of age should NOT be given honey.  The illness affects the nervous system, and symptoms begin as blurred vision and soon lead to trouble talking and overall weakness.  Effects will worsen to the point of troubled breathing and inability to move arms and legs.  Unlike most food poisonings, symptoms of botulism may not arise for several hours or even days after eating contaminated food.  Cooking your food thoroughly can prevent botulism, as heat will destroy the toxins involved.

 

CHOLERA:  An acute diarrheal illness caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, cholera outbreaks usually result from poor water and sewage treatment.  Cholera bacteria may also be acquired by eating raw or undercooked fish and bivalves (oysters, clams etc.).  The effects are usually mild and unnoticeable, but 1 in 20 victims develop serious symptoms of profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps.  The rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock.  Without treatment, the results of cholera can be fatal within hours.  To avoid contracting the bacteria, avoid fish and bivalves that are raw or undercooked.  In other countries, be sure to boil or treat water with chlorine or iodine.  Do not drink beverages with ice, always peel your own fruit, and only eat cooked vegetables, avoiding salads.  It is also a good idea to avoid food and beverages from street vendors.  

 

CIGUATERA:  Ciguatera is a result of ingesting fish contaminated with toxins from the dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus.  Dinoflagellates are microscopic organisms, closely associated with macroalgae.  G. toxicus is most commonly found living on dead coral.  In fact, it is one of the first organisms to inhabit these areas.  This explains why Ciguatera is most often found in reef fish such as grouper, snapper, barracuda, sea bass, and several fish in the “jack” family.  Moray eels, although rarely eaten, are most susceptible to toxic build up, as they live and feed in close proximity to reefs.  Toxins are initially introduced into the food chain when larger carnivorous fish prey on smaller herbivorous fish.  The larger, long-lived predatory fish, continually add toxins to their flesh over extended time periods.  Since most reef fish do not migrate, certain areas with high amounts of dead coral are much more likely to produce contaminated fish than others.  However, the large scale distribution of seafood world wide combined with the rapid destruction of coral reefs from tourism, global warming, dock construction and sewage, have made ciguatera an important health issue.  Although some prototype test kits have become available, there remains a very low chance of detecting contaminated fish.  

 

The toxins from G. toxicus attack the nervous system.  Usually the initial symptoms are numbness around the mouth and lips, which soon lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain within the first few hours.  About 12-14 hours after ingestion, victims may experience intense burning, tingling, or crawling sensations of the skin.  Also pain in the limbs, muscle cramping, and overall weakness is common.  Further complications include labored breathing, paralysis, coma and death.  Cooking will not destroy the toxins involved in ciguatera.  To avoid contracting the illness, avoid eating large reef fish from tropical climates.  The most common areas in the United States to produce contaminated fish are Florida and Hawaii.  

 

SCOMBROID:  Scombroid is food borne illness primarily contracted through the consumption of partially spoiled fish, usually of the scombridae family (tunas and mackerels) or fish closely related to scombridae such as mahi-mahi, bluefish, and amberjack.  When these fish are not cooled properly after harvest, bacterial breakdown begins to occur, producing histamines and other chemicals in the flesh.  Symptoms occur quite rapidly, usually within 2-4 hours.  Reactions begin as facial flushing and sweating, burning-peppery taste sensations around the mouth and throat, dizziness, nausea, and headache.  Symptoms can escalate to facial rash, hives, short-term diarrhea and abdominal cramps.  Severe scombroid poisoning can lead to blurred vision, respiratory stress and swelling of the tongue.  

 

These effects are short lived, usually lasting 4-6 hours, and rarely more than 1-2 days.  Most common treatment involves taking antihistamines, as for an allergic reaction.  Cooking and freezing fish will not destroy the toxins involved.  To avoid scombroid poisoning, do not eat fish that have been improperly stored after harvest.  Species associated with the illness should receive special care in handling, washing, icing, and immediate freezing to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.  Obtain your fish through reputable vendors, and in other countries avoid buying seafood from street vendors.

 

NEUROTOXIC SHELLFISH POISONING (NSP): Common to the gulf coast of Florida, RED TIDE is an oceanic bloom of dinoflagellates known as Karenia brevis.  Similar to G. toxicus, which is responsible for ciguatera poisoning, K. brevis produces a nerve toxin that can be harmful to organisms that contract it.  Symptoms, although less severe, are similar to ciguatera, and can be debilitating.  Abdominal pains, possible numbness in the oral region, as well as vomiting are common.  Unlike ciguatera, recovery from these symptoms is usually complete in a few days.  Dormant states of K. brevis live offshore in sediment, and are triggered into free drifting blooms by warm waters and possibly by increased mineral pollution from humans.  Fish obtain the toxins both by eating contaminated organisms, or direct absorption through their gills.  Mammals also contract the NSP by eating sea grass, fish, or bivalves rich in the toxin.  Sea mammals such as manatees become paralyzed by the toxins and are unable to surface for air.  

 

Bivalves are not harmed by the toxins, and become a common vector in transmitting the illness to humans.  Like all dinoflagellates, K. brevis produces a microscopic shell made from silica (glass-like) in which it lives.  Constant water disturbances such as waves, and boat propellers disperse the organisms and their silica shells into the air.  These “shells”, combined with the associated toxin, cause respiratory issues, such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as tingling of the lips and tongue.  Individuals with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and emphysema should seriously avoid areas close to water containing red tide.  Since concentrations of K. brevis vary widely, a general rule of thumb is if the red tide bothers you, avoid it.  Bivalves filter the oceans water, and thus contract large amount of K. brevis, avoid eating them during times of red tide and warm weather in general.  Shrimp, crab, and lobster are deemed safe to eat, since they do not build up toxins in the “meat” areas humans consume.  The “meat” section of fish is also safe to eat, as long as the fish was behaving normally before harvest.  Toxins are usually built up in the internal organs of fin fish, but the best way to be sure is not to eat them from contaminated waters.  

   

Remember, food poisoning can come in many forms and can be contracted from almost all foods.  Education, safe handling procedures, and common sense reduce the risk of exposure to food borne illness.  For further information, contact your local health department.  

 

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Stingray Encounters   

 

During the last few years, stingray encounters have received an increase in media attention, especially since the death of television show host Steve Erwin.  Rays are not aggressive creatures, but most are equipped with defensive spines in their tail that should be respected by anyone entering the water.  

     

There are about 200 species of rays found world wide, and several are common in the waters of southwest Florida.  Benthic, or bottom dwelling rays, are often referred to as stingrays.  Stingrays spawn in the warmer months, and are just as likely to lie on the bottom in 2 feet of water as in 30 feet.  Their tan to brown coloration makes them very difficult to see, even in clear water.  Often burying themselves under a thin layer of sand, it is easy to see why such a lifestyle puts them underfoot of many beachgoers and wading anglers.  

  

Attacks by stingrays are almost exclusively the result of being stepped on.  Their tail contains a large, serrated barb, capable of penetrating very hard surfaces.  Barbs from larger rays have been known to penetrate the hull of small wooden boats as they hit bottom in shallow waters.  Not only can the barbs deliver a powerful stab wound, they also inject venom, which in humans causes a rapid decrease in blood pressure, increased pulse, dizziness, nausea, and possible shock.  Many victims of stingray attacks pass out from the intense pain, and if not helped from the water quickly, may drown.  

     

The best way to avoid stepping on a stingray is known as the “stingray shuffle”.  By sliding your feet along the bottom instead of picking your foot up and down, stingrays are much more likely to sense you coming and swim away.  Further, if you make contact with a ray, it will be more of a push or nudge that will send the creature scurrying off.  Stingray attacks are usually a reflex action, not a calculated strike.  Stepping on a ray is much more threatening to the animal than gently poking it with your foot as you shuffle along carefully.   Be wary of wading boots that advertise protection from stingrays.  If you can stab a knife through them in any way, I seriously doubt they will work.  

     

If an attack occurs, get the victim out of the water as fast as possible to avoid drowning.  Seek professional medical attention immediately!  If necessary, call 911 or the Coast Guard.  Often the barb breaks off in the victim, if so it is usually best to allow medical personnel to remove it.  Rinse the wound with fresh water if available, if not, use saltwater.  Bleeding can be severe, try to stop it with pressure, only close the wound as a last result.  Soak

 

the wound in the hottest water possible without burning the skin.  Heat will break down the protein based poison, and relieve pain in 30-90 minutes.  

     

Even people that spend their lives in and around the sea never experience a stingray attack.  However, they do occur every year in our waters.  A little respect for these passive creatures, and the “stingray shuffle” can help keep your ocean experiences fun.

 

Until next month, remember…the next world record may only be a cast away!

 

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Mullet

 

I hope you were not expecting information on the haircut I had back in high school.  I have no idea why one of the common fish in our waters has been forever linked to such a thing!  Mullet have always been one of the most important, and possibly misunderstood fish in southwest Florida.

 

Anglers that have never fished a saltwater environment often find themselves lured to the splashing and jumping of mullet along the shoreline.  They may not realize at first that mullet are not a fish they are going to catch with a rod and reel.  Mullet are primarily herbivorous, feeding mostly on algae and dying plant material.  They can grow up to about 18 inches, and weight as much as 3 pounds.  At a very young age, up to a length of an inch long or so, they feed on plankton suspended in the water.  This plankton is comprised of microscopic plants and animals.  As they mature, they feed heavily on detritus, or decomposing plant material usually found on the bottom of the water column, and algae growing on other plants and rocks.  They do not have sufficient teeth or mouths to rip and tear plant material, so they eat things that will break up easily and can be sucked in.  They pose no threat to helpless sea grass that is firmly rooted to the bottom.  

 

However, the fact that these ever-abundant fish will not be caught by rod and reel does not mean they are useless to anglers.  As schools of mullet feed on detritus on the bottom, every small crustacean and baitfish living there is scared from its hiding place.  Predator fish often take advantage of this situation by swimming with the mullet, allowing them to root out they prey for an easy meal.  Targeting schools of mullet for snook and redfish is often rewarding for anglers, as these fish are usually in a feeding mood and willing to take the bait they are offering.  

 

Mullet are also a great source of bait for many types of fishing.  Mullet is a great cut bait for redfish, tarpon, sharks and more.  They are also great as live bait.  Smaller finger sized mullet are prime for almost any predator species.   Also, live adult mullet are almost irresistible to larger fish like tarpon and trophy snook.  If you are lucky enough to have a live well full of finger mullet, you may not even need a net to get them out, simply opening the lid to your well will produce a few on the deck of your boat as they willingly volunteer!

 

In some areas mullet are not accepted as table fair.  However, if you have spent much time around southwest Florida you may have heard otherwise.  Often smoked, mullet can be quite good.  Some restaurants even specialize in it.  The roe from mullet is also used as caviar and in preparing sushi.  Having a tough day getting fish to bite?  Just pull out the cast net, there are mullet on almost every shoreline on the entire coast of the sunshine state!

 

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Time for Topwater    

 

Winter is upon us here in southwest Florida.  Yes I know everyone from up north laughs when I say that, but if you live here long enough it feels like winter.  In any case, this change in seasons certainly has its effect on the local fish population.  Frequent cold fronts and excessively low tides are the norm for backwater fishing this time of year.  For anglers it is a great time to pull out the artificial lures, as the plentiful baitfishes of summer are few and far between.  The most exciting lures in the tackle box are of the top water variety.

 

Most top water lures are hard plastic baits that imitate dying baitfish.  Some popular choices are the Zara Spook, Skitterwalk, and the Chug Bug.  These baits can be twitched back at slow to medium speeds, allowing a little slack in the line between jerks.  This usually causes the bait to dart side to side as it is retrieved.  If fish are active they will likely chase a bait moving a little quicker, if not try slowing down your bait, even stopping to let it pause for a while before resuming it’s erratic motion.  

 

Mirror Lure has developed a few new surface baits that have proven results.  My favorites are the MR 19 and the MR 17.  These baits can be retrieved in the same erratic jerking motion as other top water lures, but they will suspend about 3”-12” below the surface.  These Mirror Lures have great action; try hard and soft jerks of the rod tip to see how they respond.  Fish may go for different looks on different days, so if one method doesn’t work try mixing it up.  

    

There are some soft plastic alternatives to top water as well.  If there is grass floating on the surface, which gets caught up in the treble hooks of your hard plastic baits, try a soft plastic jerk bait such as the Zoom Super Fluke, Gulp Jerk Shad, Exude Slug, Exude Dart, or Bass Assasin Shad or Slurp Shad.  These baits are all pretty much the same style, and work great when rigged Texas style with a weedless worm hook.  You can also try a weighted worm hook rigged the same way, which will allow the bait to sink a little bit.  Use a similar “jerk-pause” routine as with the hard plastics, and you will be amazed at the enticing action, as will the fish!

   

With low water and a shortage of live bait, artificials are a great way to cover more water this time of year.  Top water baits are a lot of fun, and certainly produce fish.  Try a few of the baits I mentioned above, or check out your local tackle shop and ask what has been working well for anglers in your area.  The visions of nice size fish attacking your lures on the surface will linger in your mind for quite a while.

 

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Tournament Fun    

 

Its no secret Lee County is home to some of the best fishing in the world.  Such good fishing attracts some of the best anglers the country has to offer, and with lots of good anglers, comes plenty of fishing tournaments.  There are tournaments of all kinds, and yes some are competitive on the highest level, requiring you to qualify just to fish them.  However, there are many local tournaments that are suitable to anglers of all levels.  

 

Most local tournaments are designed not only to create a competitive atmosphere for the anglers, but also to raise money for charities in need.  The majority of the events raise money for local needs, usually children or hospitals.  There are plenty of good anglers, novices, and boats mixed with both.  There is almost always a captain’s dinner the night before and activities after the weigh in.  T-shirts, hats, and other similar gifts are usually presented to all contestants. I know of one tournament coming up in June, the Fish Hard Tournament, has pay-outs for best fish, women’s division, children’s division, and fly fishing division!  It will offer an auction the night before to raise money for C.A.S.T. for Kids foundation.  There will be NFL football players donating items for the event.  This tournament is held on June 22nd and 23rd  at the Pink Shell Resort on Ft. Myers Beach, but there is usually one every month or so held in Matlacha at D&D Tackle, and Viking Marina as well.  Lots of area schools benefit from them.

 

Tournaments are not for everyone. I know some of the best guides in the area that don’t  fish tournaments at all.  Fishing tournaments every weekend can become very expensive.  However, one or two a year seems to be a lot of fun, and once you’re on the water just go have fun.  Any one can catch a fish or two and win, but expect to have a good time at the events, and see some really nice fish at the weigh in.  There plenty of good people to meet, and often the weigh in will be more of a festival than anything else.  Bands, food, dancing the works!  Some guides will treat a tournament like a charter and fish it with you if you pay the entry fee.  

 

There is probably a tournament next weekend if you want to fish one, check out the monthly tournament calendar on page 36 or   www.team.screenprintplus.com  to see what events are coming soon.  

 

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Transition Zones

 

 

Having trouble finding fish in unfamiliar waters? Southwest Florida has endless miles of mangroves, grass beds, beaches and man made structures that can be over whelming to any fisherman. Don’t worry, understanding transition zones will have you catching any type of fish hours, days, even months sooner.

 

Transition zones are areas frequently traveled by sea life, much like busy highways we use to get to work every day. Inlets, canal entrances, channels, narrow openings to bays and flats, even a deep cut between two islands or sand bars can be a zone that fish use to get from one place to another. Many reasons cause them to travel these areas throughout their lives. Common motives are searching for food, mates or environmental conditions. Fish from large open areas will also be brought together by a “bottle neck” effect in the narrower transition zone.

 

With so many fish using transition zones on a regular basis, it becomes obvious that they make great fishing spots. By keying on them, you eliminate large amounts of water from your search. Next, consider the seasonal habits of a species you wish to catch. For example, snook spend the summer months spawning around the inlets and beaches. Therefore, inlets into the gulf would be transition zones worth trying. During the winter, they move into canals and rivers in search of warmer, more stable water. Try fishing a deeper channel up the skinny part of a river where the fish become “bottle necked.” By eliminating many of the transition zones on your map,  you  dramatically  increase  your  chances  of catching fish.

 

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Actually it is pretty simple! However, after locating a few good places, you will need to understand how fish relate to these zones in order to catch them. Try to visualize the area through the eyes of fish. Fish relate to structure of all kinds. Look for something that stands out from everything else.  Maybe  it’s a  dock or jetty  extending into the inlet, a sharp bend in the channel, or rock pile you notice on your sonar. Even the pillars of a bridge or deeper shorelines that allow fish access to mangroves and shade can act as holding points in transition zones. Fish relate to structure because it allows them a place to ambush prey, escape strong currents, and provide protection from larger predators. Finding structure will quickly allow you to determine if the area is productive for fishing.

 

What should you do when transition zones don’t produce any fish? First, you must remember that patience is a vital quality in this sport. Some days the conditions are just not in your favor. Second, the productivity of an area can change by the minute, especially in tidal waters. Fish a transition zone you feel good about thoroughly, with different baits and presentations. However, keep yourself from spending too much time in one place, when you loose confidence, move on to the next zone. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to return to an area later in the day, on the opposite end of the tide, or as the sun has fully risen in the sky. Often such environmental factors will increase the activity level of fish.

 

There are also times when fish will be in areas other than the transition zones described above. Don’t let that stop you from using them in your search. For instance, if you know flats with lots of sea grass should hold fish at a particular time or season, then look over several flats that are closest to a transition zone; for example, an inlet or mouth of a canal. Once you find one or two with sea grass, start fishing. Fish that want to use flats as feeding grounds will usually move to such an area from a transition zone as the tide changes. With some species, you may have success in the summer fishing the outgoing tide in an inlet, then as the tide comes back in, the fish will head to the nearest flat while the water rises. Again, look for structure such as grass lines, mangroves, oyster bars, or a deep cut that allows fish to enter and exit the flat quickly. You don’t have to always fish in the transition zone, but using it as a point of reference for finding larger populations of fish can help lead you to more productive areas.

 

From freshwater to saltwater, from north to south, transition zones have helped me locate fish in unfamiliar waters time and time again. Remember them as you read future articles by our staff here at The Nautical Mile. Combining their knowledge with what you now understand about transition zones can certainly help you find and catch more fish. Till next month, remember... a new world record may only be a cast away!

 

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Try Artificials for Winter Success

 

With weekly cold fronts, and unpredictable conditions, winter fishing can test the patience of all anglers.  In general the fishing is still world class, and there are more options for anglers wanting to target different species each time out.  It is this time of year when versatility will increase your chance of success.  

 

Few anglers will argue there are times when live bait is more apt to trigger fish to eat than artificials.  However, there are many advantages to spending time with man-made lures than the real thing.  For one, post cold front conditions this time of year can really slow down feeding habits of fish.   Live baits targeted by anglers and their cast nets also become harder to locate.  Using a variety of artificial baits can eliminate running around looking for bait instead of spending your time fishing.  Also, you may spend time fishing an area with live bait unsuccessfully even though there are fish there.  Using artificial lures to “cover water” by moving constantly can help you locate fish that are actually willing to eat under less than ideal conditions.  This method is easier with artificials than live baits, since you are able to cast and retrieve them at a much faster rate.  

 

Attitudes of fish also become much more finicky in the colder months.  In other words, they can be quite picky.  With artificial lures you can change shapes, sizes, actions, colors, and depth at which you fish to help determine what fish are willing to eat on any given trip.  I usually leave 3 or 4 lures tied on at all times, so that I am able to pick up a different rod quickly as the location demands.  A few lures that remain staples in my fishing are lead head jigs, soft plastic twitch baits, hard plastic suspending lures, and the trusty golden spoon.  

 

 Jigs are the most versatile of them all.  They can be fished fast, slow, shallow and deep.  My favorite is a red head ¼ ounce jig with a natural or white colored paddle tail grub.  It is most effective when jerked back in irregular hard motions that resemble a scared, fleeing baitfish.  They can also be bounced off the bottom to mimic a dying bait or shrimp.  

 

Soft plastic twitch baits such as Zoom’s Super Fluke, Exudes, and Gulp’s Jerk Shard are very effective.  They can be rigged weedless Texas style, and twitched back slow and irregular.  Try  jerk, jerk, pause…jerk, jerk, jerk, pause…Darker colors resemble a fleeing shrimp, while natural baitfish colors resemble a dying baitfish.  The action of these soft plastics is amazing, and the weedless ability makes the perfect for fishing around mangroves and grass beds, making it possible to leave them in the strike zone longer without worry of getting hung up.

 

Hard plastic suspending lures such as Rapala’s Husky Jerk, Mirror lures MR19, and Catch 2000, along with many other company’s effective versions are also great baits.  Work them similar to the soft plastic twitch baits.  Top water lures also fall in this category and can be worked with similar retrieves.  Faster for aggressive fish, slower for picky ones.  Suspending types are best as they naturally sit still in the water when you pause the retrieve, instead of sinking or floating back to the surface.  This pause and natural action will grab a fish’s attention, and when you begin to retrieve the lure again, the fish see it “trying to escape” and can’t resist pulling the trigger on a final attempt to prevent it from doing so.  

 

Golden spoons such as Johnson’s sprite, or any other “swimming” style spoon are always a good option.  They are very easy to use and cast a mile.   Just reel the spoon back in at a medium speed.  Little action is needed to trigger fish into striking.  You will be able to cover large amounts of water looking for aggressive fish this way, and gold seems to be the color most effective, especially for red fish.  

 

Artificial baits are certainly great options this time of year.  Do yourself a favor and give them a try.  Moving constantly by using your trolling motor, push pole, or drifting will help you cover more water and keep you from becoming bored in slow times.  Constantly casting and moving will also keep your concentration levels up so when the action does start you will be ready!  You will also be able to explore new areas more effectively, and adapt to the conditions you face easier with a variety of man-made creations on the end of your line.  Remember, the next world record could be one cast away!

 

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Try a Little of Everything

 

The cold fronts are gone!  It seems every species of fish in southwest Florida is waking up.  Tides are finally high enough for most people to get onto the redfish flats.  The snook are a month away from spawning and feeding heavily.  Tarpon are here at last!  Crevalle jacks are cruising in schools looking to eat anything that moves, and the king and Spanish mackerel are chasing bait in the gulf.  Yes there are certainly a lot of options for anglers for the next few months.  Personally I don’t like to miss out on any of them!

 

Certainly a lot of excitement will focus on tarpon.  Most of us have been waiting since the last one was caught months ago for them to return.  If tarpon are your thing, you will likely want to start your early morning trying to catch one.  With over 45 billion boats launching every half hour this time of year, I would recommend getting out before first light.  If the early bite has slowed down after a couple of hours, it might be a good idea to make a move.

 

The flats will be on fire with snook, redfish, and trout.  Artificial lures, cut bait, and live bait will all catch fish.  On high tide focus on the mangroves.  When the water is low look for deeper troughs, pot holes, inlets or canals for hungry snook.  If the shallow flats are not your cup of tea, no problem, head for the Gulf of Mexico and target bigger fish!

 

There are many great artificial reefs in southwest Florida.  As the schools of baitfish show up they will usually stay close to these reefs.  When there is baitfish, there are predator fish.  This will usually mean mackerel.  You can free line live baitfish or troll artificial lures with great success.  Mackerel will usually attack anything that moves so be ready!  You may also get a surprise doing this, as there are cobia, more tarpon, and many other fish that might end up on the end of your line!

 

Even though the fishing is outstanding right now, fish don’t always cooperate.  When plan A doesn’t work out, just pick up plan B.   Heck, sometimes plan A does work out, and you can still move on to plan B and C.  The only way to end up with a backcountry slam or grand slam is to go for it all!  Remember the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Wade Fishing

 

Hello March!  The worst of winter is behind us and some very exciting fishing lies ahead for residents of Lee County.  This past summer and fall brought us a lot less rain than usual.  Thankfully the weather forecasters were way off with their hurricane predictions for 2006.  The lack of fresh water rushing out of our lakes and rivers is greatly welcomed by saltwater anglers here.  Water quality in the sounds and inland waters is currently very good.  Salinity levels are where they should be and it almost feels like you are in the keys when you look down and see the bottom through the crystal clear water.  In seasons when excess fresh water is present flowing from our rivers, it greatly affects our fish populations.  It is also believed that fresh water run-off promotes harmful algae blooms such as red tide.  However, there is one particular disadvantage for anglers in this beautiful clear water:  spooky fish!  

   

Wading is the best way to get close to shallow water fish, especially with clear water and excess boat traffic this time of year.  I spend a lot of time in my boat looking for fish that I want to try and catch in the future for a tournament or charter.  Believe me when I tell you trolling motors and other noises associated with moving around in a boat spook fish!  Sound and vibrations travel very well through water.  Furthermore, inshore fish encounter boat after boat trying to get them to eat something with a hook.  Not only is it possible for these fish to see multiple boats in one day, they spend their whole lives wising up to these large floating “predators”.  Fish swimming toward a motionless boat would be less likely to notice it, but most of the time anglers are moving their boat slowly through the water towards locations where the fish are sitting still instead.  Almost all wildlife recognizes “movement”.  More so than checking out your boat and the people standing on it, they see a large moving object, and this movement puts fish on alert.  In a world of survival, this “alert” mode means fish are interested in staying alive, not eating something.  When you wade quietly through the water you have a much smaller profile, you move and splash less water, and don’t have any electric “hums” coming from you.

   

Shallow inshore waters that make up most of Lee County’s fishable waters are perfect for wading.  If you fish from shore, putting your feet in the water is a good way to access more areas, as well as get away from trees and structure that can inhibit your casting, and make landing fish more difficult.  Be sure to wear shoes to protect your feet from sharp oysters and other shells that can cut you easily.  Also, wear shoes that will stay on if you walk through muddy areas where your feet may sink a foot or so.  Take slow steps, one at a time.  This will help prevent you from tripping in the mud or on unseen objects.  Waterproof anything you don’t want to get wet such as cell phones or cameras, or leave them behind.  If you spend enough time wading you will certainly find yourself face down at some point!  Try not to go alone for safety reasons, and be careful at all times.  It is very easy to become focused on the fishing at hand, but make sure you know your surroundings.  One step could put you in a 10-foot hole!  Further, if you are using cut bait I would suggest keeping it above water.  The scent not only attracts the fish you are trying to catch but other larger ones with teeth as well!  

   

I do love fishing from my boat.  With all my “toys”, gadgets and tackle, I have everything I need at hand.  I would certainly rather stay in my boat or the comfort of dry ground, especially during the cold months of winter.  However, there are plenty of days when doing so means not catching fish, and I have been known to do more uncomfortable things than wade though water to catch fish!   Remember the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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What Monkeys Eat   

 

Each day before I go out on the water I stop to double check I have every thing I need.  Rods, reels, tackle, gas, nets, chum, ice, life jackets and who knows what else.  With my mind on fishing, its easy to over look things like food.  Some days it will be the mad dash at the gas station to grab a thing or two, other times its leftovers from the refrigerator or I may even put something together.  Want to know what monkeys eat while out fishing?  Here’s an inside look at the Mad Monkey’s top ten fishing snacks.  Maybe there is a little monkey in you!

 

10)  Subs/Sandwiches:  Perhaps the most common snack among anglers.  There are plenty of places to stop and grab a good sub, or you can make your own.  When a group of friends are grabbing food together for the day, its also easy to find a sandwich that will agree with each person.  

 

9)  Ice cream sandwiches:  Oh my! This time of year it is pretty hot out there, if you have the ability to keep them cold, this is an exceptionally nice treat!  They are not as filling as other snacks, but there is a little sugar boost and not much beats ice cream on a hot summer day.

8)  Beef jerky:  Easy to pack, no need to keep cold, filling, and low fat.  No problem finding beef jerky at the last minute either, you can get it at any convenience store.  Usually packed in a resealable bag, this one’s a no-brainer for someone that wants a quick, easy snack to get them back fishing.  

 

7)  Snickers bar:  Commercials never lie, and yes… snickers satisfies you!  Plenty of candy bars can be substituted here, they are cheap, easy to find on the way to the water, and fill you up fast.  If you don’t have an icebox however, this treat will certainly backfire into a real mess!

 

6)  Vienna sausage:  Because my father said so…you might not feel like you will want them later on, but almost everything taste better on the water and that is the perfect time to eat a snack you don’t always have.  Fast, accessible, easy, and can also be mixed with other snacks such as crackers.  If the bite is really good and you run out of bait, this one can double as a back up for cut bait also.  I am positive there have been a few catfish, snapper, or pan fish caught on Vienna sausage

 

5)  Rice crispy treats:  This one was higher up my list a few months ago.  I have spent the last year or so loading up on a few of these babies at the gas station while gassing up the boat.  A cheap snack at one dollar for the large size bar, this one delivers a little sugar kick from the marshmallow, and is quite filling for the price and amount of calories.  If you have the time or are lucky enough to have someone make you the homemade version, I highly recommend you go this route!

 

4)  Pizza:  That’s right!  One of America’s favorite foods is not only for deliveries.  Even the few people that don’t appreciate cold pizza will change their tune when hunger hits out in the sun.  While they are picking through their bag of chips that were smashed between all the other gear and stuff on the boat, they will be eyeing that delicious looking ‘za your wolfing down!  Just put a few slices in zip lock bags and through them in the cooler.  You can even leave them in the bag and put them on the deck for 20 minutes and let them heat up in the Florida sun.  Bon apatite!

 

3)  Fried chicken:  What?  You’ve never taken chicken out with you fishing!  This is another great classic that tastes almost as good cold as it does hot.  Its probably

 

the most filling of snacks on the Mad Monkey’s list, and if there is no fast food chicken place on your route, almost all grocery stores carry it boxed up ready to go.  What is left after you devour this prime fishing snack also doubles as chum!  I have heard rumors from the Nautical Mile Magazine staff that yellow tail snappers will gladly eat your leftovers when you drop them in your normal chum line…

 

2)  Donuts:  Yup!  I am talking about the little powdered donuts that come in a bag at the local convenience store. If these aren’t your favorite other kinds will do.  I prefer the powdered ones because they wont melt in the heat, and they are easy to shove down in a hurry!  It is very important to bring a couple on the boat from time to time even if you don’t like them.  I am not sure if its the actual make up of the donuts, or a mystical force that is created by the circle treat with a hole in the middle, but donuts are good luck when you are fishing!  That’s right, I don’t share that secret with everyone, but sometimes a good thing is just too hard to keep quiet.  Some of my best fishing days resulted from the mystical powers of donuts.  Bring a few of these gems to enhance your fishing experience.  

 

 

1)  Nabs:  There you have it!  Number one on the list are the many brands of cheese crackers with peanut butter in the middle.  Light but filling at the same time makes this one easy to eat.  They store almost anywhere, are incredibly cheap, and have multiple uses to serve you on your day of fishing.  For you boaters that experience seasickness, nabs are great for settling your stomach.  Further, they are great for days when you are fishing for tarpon or mackerel off the beaches.  These waters can get crowded with anglers looking for pods of fish under the birds.  The first boat to the fish has the best chance to hook up, as other boats eventually come and break up the fish or spook them out of feeding.  Just through a few nabs in the water a ways off from where the fish are, but in an area other anglers might be looking.  Gulls will appear in no time and begin dive-bombing and fighting over your offerings.  Take off and find your fish as other anglers waste an hour fishing under a flock of birds that are enjoying the all time greatest fishing snack!

 

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Do What Works for You

 

Its no secret, the entire nation knows that southwest Florida boasts world-class fishing.  Many are also aware that some of the best anglers in the world reside here.  Our area also has many new residents, full or part-time, as well as vacationers.  Sometimes fishing new waters for unfamiliar species can be overwhelming.  If your just getting started, don’t get overwhelmed thinking this type of fishing has to be done like the pros on TV.  Almost every type of fish here can be caught on artificial lures, live bait, or cut bait.  Choose the technique that works best for you, and before you know it, you will know every method for catching snook, red drum, trout, grouper, crevalle jacks, snapper… Ok, I could run out of paper listing them all here!  

 

There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to any type of fishing.  The simplest way is using cut bait.  No need for bait wells, cast nets, super casting skills or knowledge of working artificial baits.  Frozen shrimp, sardines, mullet, and more are available at any local tackle shop.  In fact, my most productive days lately for snook and red fish have been using frozen cut bait.  Rigging can be made simple using a sliding egg sinker just above the hook.  The disadvantage is you will not be able to cover as much water looking for fish.  Therefore, when you are fishing shallow areas, get up and move if there is no action after 20 minutes or so.  For deeper areas such as inlets or piers, more time can be spent waiting for fish to seek out your bait through their sense of smell.  

 

Artificial lures are the best way to cover the most water in your search for hungry fish.  I won’t get into the many types of lures available, there are way to many to list here.  But if you are comfortable with your casting, or want practice with it, this is the way to go.  No mess, catching bait or keeping it alive, bass fisherman and other freshwater anglers seem to be naturals for this method.  Even offshore grouper anglers bounce jigs down deep with great success.  Like I stated above, every fish I can think of here will take a fake lure, I have even seen catfish eat top water plugs!

 

Live bait is the most natural of baits, and can be very productive.  However, unless your buying shrimp, you will likely need a cast net, and a bait well to keep your catch alive.  You won’t be able to cover as much water as with artificials. However, drifting along banks with good current flow, as well as pitching baits briefly under docks or mangrove trees is a great way to search for productive areas.  Pinfish are hardy baits that can even be caught on little hooks tipped with shrimp or squid.  Pilchards and threadfin herring can be sighted as you walk the shorelines of beaches or inlets.  All these types of baitfish can also be chummed up in grassy areas using canned cat food, bringing them within range of your net.  In shallow areas try using a bobber, or free lining your baits.  In deeper areas you can free line or use a slip sinker above the hook or leader.  

 

The more comfortable you are with the type of fishing your doing, the more likely you will be successful.  Remember that the fish in our waters are very opportunistic feeders, and will gladly take a variety of baits.  Fishing doesn’t have to be too technical, just fun.  Try to keep it simple, and as things start to “click” you will venture out to new methods, making you more versatile.  Do what works for you, and soon you will be showing others how its done.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!   

 

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Winter Canal Fishing

 

Southwest Florida has countless miles of canals throughout it’s coastline.  They come in saltwater, freshwater, deep, shallow, wide, narrow… you name it!  During the winter months, low tides and howling winds make these areas great places to spend your time fishing.  

 

Canals are usually deeper than the bodies of water they are attached to.  This is because they have been dredged to allow boat access and travel.  During the winter, these “deep” water areas are beneficial to fish looking to escape the changes in weather.  When cold fronts come through our area, water temperature drops faster, and more drastically in shallow water than in deep water.  I know many people from around the country (and world) will laugh at me calling them cold fronts here when the days are still in the upper 60’s.  However, for fish that live their entire lives here, this change in temperature, especially the colder nights, can have a huge impact on their activity level and well-being.  

 

Snook for instance, cannot tolerate water temperatures much lower than 58 degrees.  This is the reason they do not live much farther north than the Tampa area.  In shallow water areas, a cold night can push temperatures down fast.  Fish caught in shallow areas during these situations may not survive the drastic change, even resulting in fish kills throughout shallow bays and flats.  This is why canals and deeper areas are much more stable during the winter when the weather changes so quickly.

 

Since canals are usually deeper than other areas, the low tides of winter are less of an issue.  Fish are also less likely to move large distances as the rise and fall of tides does not push them out of an area altogether.  There is very little rain this time of year, meaning the canals will not have large amounts of fresh water flowing into them, and thus support saltwater baitfish and crustaceans.  

 

Although snook are likely to stop feeding during cold fronts, there are some winter delights that are much more cooperative during these times.  Sheepshead are common during the winter.  Older docks and seawalls with barnacle and oyster growth on them are great places to target these fish. They primarily feed on crustaceans living in and around oysters and rocks.  Shrimp is usually the bait of choice, but bring plenty, as sheepshead are the most skilled of bait stealers!  

 

Crevalle jacks are also plentiful, although I have much better luck when the weather is nice and they are actively chasing baitfish.  If you see a frenzy on the water’s surface, it is likely a school of jacks and you can usually hook up by casting any bait, lure, or object at them that moves!  They are not much for table fare, but it is hard to find a stronger, more aggressive fish that these.

 

Snook are very plentiful in the canals during the winter, they will certainly frustrate you during colder days, but when the bite is on it can be great!  Night is also a great time to target them, especially around bright lights.  Shrimp work well this time of year, since fish are cold-blooded and often a little slower during the cold months.  A slow prey like shrimp are much easier to catch, as fish do not have to spend as much energy chasing them.  You may loose a lot of bait to small fish, but there is a much larger variety of things to catch using shrimp.  I can’t think of many things in the water that do not eat them!

 

If you have access to canals with fresher water, you may catch normal freshwater species such as bluegill and bass.  You might also catch exotic species such as Mayan cichlids, oscars, or peacock bass!

 

Sometimes canals are so vast it is hard to know where to start.  I love areas with different things to offer such as mangroves, rocks, bends and intersections.  Find the “fishiest” area you can and just fish it well.  With plenty of windy days you will not have to worry about rough water or tough casting.  If you find a productive area, it may also stay that way for the entire season.  Believe me, canals also have much less fishing pressure, and you will easily be able to fish pretty much any where you like.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Winter Lows

 

Alright, I confess, its not winter yet!  However, the extra low tides that come with it are here.  Not every low tide is super low, but you will start to see parts of the sound sticking out of the water you haven’t seen in a while.  Since our area is shallow enough at high tide compared to most places, this lower water can be discouraging to some boaters trying to navigate to their normal recreational spots.  For anglers, really low water can be a great time to target fish that also have less water to navigate.

 

There are a few different areas worth targeting during excessive low tides.  For anglers with boats that don’t float in less than 2-3 feet of water, inlets, channels and canals can be productive.  As water flows out of canals, sounds, and flats toward the Gulf of Mexico, bait also flows with it.  It funnels through these types of areas and often predator fish will concentrate here when prey becomes bunched together.  Inlets are a prime example of a “funnel” zone, and they are almost always the deepest water around.  Large fish especially may take advantage of this, since deep water is at a premium during these low tides.  For inlets and the mouths of canals and creeks, look for some type of structure that will disrupt current flow.  These structures are great ambush points for predators.  Some of my favorite structure here can be bridges, docks, jetties, and sharp bends in the shoreline.  

 

Anglers with medium sized boats and others that can float easily in less than 2-3 feet of water; there are a couple of other options to consider.  When the tide is down so far that entire grass flats are practically dry, and large flocks of feeding birds are walking around on them, try the small drop off right on the edge of that flat.  Often this will be right where the water meets the exposed flat, and the drop is only a foot or so deep.  When low tide is not excessive, many fish will stay on the flat feeding, or take refuge in potholes and troughs.  When the water is extra low these fish must escape the flat altogether, and wait on the edge for the tide to come back in.  Since there is less water accessible to the fish, they bunch up in the closest water near their desired flat.  Also the baitfish can be bunched up here as well, creating a feeding opportunity for predators.  This is an excellent time to sight-fish.  Look for larger fish pushing wakes, tails sticking out of the water, and of course explosions on the surface.  When you see this activity, along with baitfish near the edge of an exposed flat, good chance that a variety of fish are there.  These fish can be quite aggressive, but also spooky so be as stealthy as possible.  

 

For those of you able to fish from a boat that draws less water than the average soda bottle, large potholes and troughs that are found in and around shallow grass flats can really concentrate fish as they wait for the water to rise.  Fishing top water lures or finesse baits can be a lot of fun.  Can you say “shooting fish in a barrel”?  Wade fishing can also provide this type of action, just cruise along and cast at the pretty green potholes!  Again, one major drawback to fishing such shallow water is the ease at which fish will spook.  In such low water, fish are more likely to see you, your movement, and predators such as birds.  They naturally don’t feel as safe, I guess they feel a little “exposed” and this leads to their increased paranoia.  

 

So get used to the extra low tides from time to time, they will be around for several months now.  Don’t let the lack of water deter you from floating your boat, the fish also have less water to navigate.  Waders also have more area to wade, and fish are bunched up in more predictable areas and easier to see.  Take advantage of low tides and before the winter is over you will start to schedule your fishing trips when the water is lowest!  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!   

 

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Micro Fishing

 

As I write this article, I think about the small, but large addition to my life this past week.  My first child was born!  My wife Lynda and I patiently waited 9 long months, which probably seemed much longer to her.  During the pregnancy our son’s presence caused over 7 months of nausea (all day every day!), and as many months of never ending movement which wreaked havoc on Lynda’s sleeping habits!  My wife went into labor at 1 am, and 24 hours later (yes a GRUELING 24 hours) the doctor informed us the child was not going to come out naturally!  Well everything worked out great, but it sure is amazing how something so small can fight so hard!  That brings me to this months topic, micro fishing.

 

Micro fishing is simply fishing with ultra small tackle for smaller fish.  You may have heard of ultra-light fishing.  Well micro is one step smaller still.  The equipment is very affordable, and can make the most out of situations when your normal fishing activities are not available.  Ever wanted to go fishing, but there was only a small pond or creek around?  Maybe you vacation somewhere up north with small streams.  You might not find 10 pound fish in the water, but downsizing your gear makes fish under a pound or so a lot of fun!  

 

There are some advantages to micro fishing as well.  Often small fish can be very plentiful, as well as hungry!  This means more action.  Its also a great way to include fishing into a vacation or daily activity that might otherwise seem monotonous.  Micro gear is quite easy to use around heavy tree cover or bushes that would otherwise make casting difficult.  Further, children will enjoy the smaller, easy to use gear and increased amount of “catching”!  You can pretty much fish the same methods as with larger gear, but I prefer small artificial baits such as beetle spins or small crank baits.  Micro fishing might be the best way to introduce young anglers to artificial lures since the smaller tackle will not wear them out as fast, and lots of casting and catching increases their skill level rapidly.

 

So next time your at that boring work get together with the little pond out back, or only have a short time to run down the street to the local canal, try a downsizing your gear.  You will be surprised how hard snapper and bluegill fight on 4-pound test!  At some point you will also realize that pretty large fish can be caught on very small baits!   Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!   

 

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A Walk on the Beach

 

Summer is finally here and the fishing is great!  These months offer some of the best fishing we will see all year, and its time to take a walk on the beach.  Forget about cleaning the boat or working to catch bait.  Snook are spawning on and around the beaches so this is a great opportunity to catch fish from the beautiful beaches of southwest Florida.

 

Snook can be found very close to shore, within an easy cast distance or even closer!  They are cruising the beaches day and night, but if you really want a chance to hook some big fish, try going for a stroll down the beach just after that awesome sunset.  I can’t imagine shore fishing being much more pleasant than this.

 

Artificial lures work great in the dark, especially top water or hard plastic baits with a lip on them.  Cast ahead of you as you walk, working your lure near the shoreline.  Under the cover of darkness, these fish will look to trap baitfish in shallow water.  You will be surprised how close to shore some of them will be.  For best results, I like to keep walking.  This allows me to cover as much water as possible.  Often these fish are hungry and quick to bite, so no need to keep casting in the same place.  

 

Sanibel and Captiva beaches are my favorite, but all the beaches can be productive.  Just like in the day, some nights are better than others.  Worst-case scenario is you go for a walk on the beach!  It is an easy area to navigate by foot, and there are basically no snags to eat your lures!  You will likely have the water to yourself all night, no pulling up to a spot just to see another boat anchored on it!  It is probably the simplest way to catch big snook, and there is no need to be an advanced angler to do it.   Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

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Jack Attack

 

Summer is in full swing and so is the fishing!  Some days it seems like every fish in southwest Florida is actively seeking angler’s baits.  It is possible to catch up to a dozen different species during a few hours of fishing.  If you like to hear what the drag on your reel sounds like, I suggest spending some time with the local Jacks!

 

Crevalle Jacks are very common in canals, deeper creeks, inlets and channels surrounded by shallow water.  They don’t relate to structure like snook do.  Jacks are usually found swimming in schools chasing baitfish.  Often during your time around the water, you will see a frenzy of fish feeding on the surface.  I am not talking about small splashes here and there such as Spanish mackerel feeding under birds.  I am referring to eruptions of a more violent nature!  If you have spent much time around canals, you have most likely seen the commotion from time to time.   These fish can cover a lot of water, as they do they will eventually come across baitfish, and when they do it will not be a quite affair. Large intersections in canal systems often hold these fish, especially around the opening into larger water.  If you have caught or seen them more than once in a certain location, they will likely return frequently.  Bridges can also be a great place to meet them as they feed on the abundance of bait in the area.  

 

If you are fortunate to witness a school of Jacks feeding, getting them to bite should not be too hard.  Pretty much any lure or bait that resembles a fish should do.  Actually if it moves and has a hook on it, it will probably work!  However, if you want to incite your own Jack frenzy, visit an area you have seen them before and release some live baitfish such as pilchards or threadfin herring.  If you are not sure where to start, try the first large canal intersection you see when entering a canal.  After the baits swim around for a short time, Jacks will take notice.  There will not be any doubt about it either, if you think someone is throwing bricks in the water, they are probably jacks so hook a bait fish on and put it in the water!  After trying a few of these areas you may very well find an area that you can come back to time and time again, especially in the summer months.  Although they do keep moving, they often return to the same areas.  Canals and deeper creeks are great for Jacks because they are deeper than the grass flats, but are also narrow areas unlike the open water of the sound or gulf.  This prevents baitfish from moving out of the area too fast, basically keeping it pinned up in close quarters with the hungry Jacks.  

 

Action can be fast and furious, so make sure not to leave your rod lying on the ground with a bait in the water.  Definitely put it in a rod holder if it is not in your hand.  Jacks don’t nibble on your baits; they blast them like a runaway freight train!  Circle hooks are great for this type of fishing, the Jacks will hit hard and fast hooking themselves.  There is no need to set the hook, just hold on!  The first run is usually a big one, even with a pretty tight drag; they will strip line for quite a ways.  Jacks in the 5 pound range are more than capable of spooling lighter gear, and if you hook into one over 10 pounds you will likely have to pull up the anchor and chase them with the boat!  If you try to stop them during that first run go easy, they are so strong they will likely rip the hook out themselves if the line doesn’t break first.

 

If you can get them feeding on the surface, try a topwater plug for some great fun.  You may see that plug get knocked 5 feet into the air, only to be eaten as if falls back to the surface!  Perhaps you’re into fly fishing and want to really test your skills fighting fish.  Get a school of Jacks feeding and toss a fly into their midst!  Maybe in all your time fly fishing you have never had a fish take you to the drag on your reel.  One suggestion, just make sure your extra line is not wrapped around anything because your just not fast enough to get it undone before that train is gone!

 

I still spend a lot of time chasing other fish this time of year, but I usually find an hour or two for the “Jack Attack”.  Often while hooking into these bruisers, other fish will be caught.  Over the last month a couple of cobia and snook have been caught during the frenzy.  If you have friends along that spend most of their time fishing in fresh water, see what they think of the Jacks.  It is kind of hard to look at bass the same way after a Jack attack!  Remember the next world record may be a cast away!   

 

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the Knocker Rig

I am often asked what kind of rig is best when using a weight for bottom fishing.  Well there are several ways to do this, but the one method that seems to work for almost every type of fishing I do is the Knocker Rig.  It is the easiest and fastest to rig, and there is little “hardware” on the line to spook clever fish.

 

Simple enough, the Knocker Rig is a sliding sinker (usually egg shape) that slides along your line right down to a single hook.  As the weight finds the bottom, the line can move freely through it, giving your bait a more natural action.  Another popular rig, the Fish Finder Rig, positions the sliding weight above a swivel that is usually placed a couple feet above the hook.  This prevents the weight from sliding all the way down to the hook.  Unfortunately, it also twists more in the current, and requires 2 more knots to be tied.

 

When the fishing is fast and furious, and rocks are taking your share of hooks, it is nice to tie one quick knot and be back in the water fishing.  

 

I use the Knocker Rig exclusively now when I fish the artificial reefs in the gulf for grouper, snapper, cobia and more.  Typical weight sizes for reef fishing are usually ¼ ounce to 1 ounce.  I also use it with lighter weights such as a quarter ounce when fishing the mangroves with cut or live bait.  Any time I use a weighted rig, I only use as much weight as needed to keep the bait on the bottom.  With live bait I don’t mind if the weight rolls slowly on the bottom a little, as long as it stays down.  With cut bait I want it to stay still so the fish can find it easier.  

 

Surely there might be a better rig for certain situations, but the Knocker Rig can be very effective in almost any situation.  It is simple, effective, and easy to use.  What’s not to like?  Shallow or deep, the Knocker Rig is the only rig I need.  Remember the next world record may be a cast away!

 

 

 

Red Fever

 

No I am not talking about red tide or some disease from the wild-west.  I am talking about the wonderful Red Drum that are so much fun to catch this time of year!  “Reds” spawn in the fall and fishing for them is usually “lights out” during September and October in southwest Florida.  

 

The patterns can be pretty simple.  If you are new to fishing for reds, I suggest using cut bait such as ladyfish, sardines, mullet, or shrimp.  Live bait and artificial lures work well too, but reds are big suckers for the dead, stinky stuff!  Like a lot of things in life, its best to keep things simple.  An egg sinker that slides down to the hook that is just heavy enough to keep the bait on the bottom is all you need.

 

Reds spend a lot of time around the passes this time of year, and outgoing tides in these funnel zones can produce some of the best fishing days of the year.  If you are drifting through the pass you might want to try live pinfish which stay on the bottom and work really well.  If you want to anchor up, use cut bait.  A really big piece of cut bait can bring in the larger oversize fish.  Don’t be scared to try half a lady fish 6 inches long!  

 

If the tide is rising and close to touching the green leaves of mangrove trees, pitch chunks of cut bait close to the shore.  In shallower water along the shore don’t sit in one place too long.  I usually will not stay in one place longer than 10 minutes if I don’t get any bites.  In shallower areas fish seem to eat quickly if they are there and hungry.  Sometimes it is hard to pick up the anchor when you just started fishing, but moving around as much as possible can help you find the mother-load!  Look for areas with a lot of overhanging branches and 2-3 feet deep.  If the branches are really thick, throw out a little extra cut bait for chum to get the fish out and looking for your bait.  Don’t worry about over feeding them, most fish are gluttons and will continue to eat until they are big and round just like Santa Claus!  

 

It is not uncommon to catch larger “bull” reds in the 20-30 pound range, especially around the inlets and near-shore reefs this time of year.  The Florida state record is just over 52 pounds, with the world record being caught in North Carolina at a whopping 94 pounds 2 ounces!  Since there is a 27 inch maximum length on keeping red drum, the state record can’t realistically be broken, but a picture with an obvious record breaker is worth more than the record itself to some anglers.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

 

Reaction Strike

February is the month I spend longing for March!  By then the cold fronts are gone and the fishing turns on like someone flipped a switch.  The winter can certainly be good to anglers as well though, and I like to use artificial lures to make the most of my days on the water.  Although I come prepared with several styles of lures, most of my casts in the winter are made with lead-head jigs.  Very few artificials can draw reaction strikes like a jig snapped quickly off the bottom.  

 

During the summer, I spend most of the day using finesse style lures such as soft plastic jerk baits.  When the sun is up, there are plenty of fish getting comfortable in the shade of the mangrove trees.  Slow, life-like baits such as soft plastics rigged with weedless hooks are great because you can keep them in the “strike zone” of the mangrove roots longer.  When the water is cooler, however, fish will often seek out sunlight in open areas along a shoreline.  The water is generally clearer in the winter also, helping your artificial lures to look more “artificial”.  

 

This is why I like to retrieve jigs with aggressive, quick jerks, causing the fish to make a fast decision whether to eat the bait or not.  I don’t want them to follow it around and look at it for a while.  The more time they have to investigate your lure, the greater the chance they will see something in its appearance or action that doesn’t look real.

 

Scented soft plastics work well when fished slowly, but if a fish is less active due to the colder temperatures, they will be less likely to spend energy moving around trying to locate something by scent.  I like to move fast, casting my lure in every “fishy” looking place I can.  Fish are cold blooded, and during the winter they usually don’t like to spend energy moving around if they don’t have to.  An enticing food source dropped right in front of their nose is the easiest way for them to feed without using up that energy.  Fishing faster also means you can cover more water during the day, making it more likely you will come across fish willing to bite.  I like shorelines that are facing south and receive sun most of the day.  If the bottom is a darker color, even better!  

 

When my jig hits the water, I allow it to sink to the bottom, then immediately and aggressively jerk the lure off the bottom 6”-24” (In shallow water I pull the bait off the bottom less than in deeper water).  I then let the jig fall back to the bottom, and after a split second pause, snap the jig off the bottom again.  As nearby fish see the lure explode off the bottom, they must decide very quickly if they want to take advantage of the food source or not.  It is kind of like throwing a ball to a friend that is not looking, and calling their name as the ball is in the air.  Usually they will just react to the ball and catch it (or try to!).  If the fish does not take the bait on the first jerk, it will usually get their attention.  When the bait is brought back off the bottom again, the fish is ready, and as it falls back to the bottom slowly, it becomes an easy target.  Most of your bites will come as the bait is falling, but since you’re about to yank the rod for the next jerk, the hook-set will come very naturally.  

 

Jigs are also great because you can change colors quickly by adding a different soft plastic body to it.  This reaction strike technique works well with natural baitfish style colors such as white, or white with blue or black backs.  During the winter however, I prefer shrimp patterns since that is a very natural food source this time of year.  Usually less baitfish are present during the winter months, while more and larger shrimp are available.  A ¼ ounce jig head is a good all around size, although you might want to adjust depending on water depth, the speed at which you want the jig to fall, and the distance you need to cast.  In case the fish just don’t want to react quickly to this type of fishing, the jig can always be slowed down, or even retrieved steadily back.  The jig is without question the most versatile of all the artificial lures.  Stick with it a while, and I am sure you will build confidence using it.  Remember, the next world record may be a cast away!

 

 

 

 

 

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Capt. George Howell’s Website

www.Capt-George.com

 

E-Mail Capt. George

captgeorge@nauticalmileenterprises.com