A Total Backwater Adventure

  A dark cloud has been place on local tournaments, in and around Charlotte Harbor lately. Strong accusitions about trimming tails, and oversized fish, making there way to the bump table. Actually it has become more of a joke, then the importance that it should be. I have been a a professional tournament angler for years, no my eye is not on standings anymore, it is on the big prize, the pay dirt at the end of the day. In all the he saiad, she said, it's been hard to ,make heads or tails, out of which way our sport of fishing is going. I am going to share with you, some rights in my eyes, and some wrongs as I see them.

  First off, the issues of oversized fish making there way to the bump table, I find this hillarious. The state of Florida clearly defines the slot limit of a redfish as 18 to 27 inches. There is no grey area when it comes to this, if you have a fish that is over/ undersize the legal slot limit in your livewell, you have broke state recreational rules of possession, period.  One of the rules in all tournaments that I have seen "you will not break any state or local laws" really? But, tournament directors still allow anglers to bring in oversize fish, with no reprucutions at all. It is time FWC gets involved and tickets the tournament series, refuses to issue culling permits, and fines/ or arrest the anglers. Now I understand that you can not win a tournament unless you puish the issue.

How can this be fixxed you ask? it is simple and any tournament director that slightly cares about the future of our sport, can figure out. The state slot limit is 18 to 27 inches. the tournament slot limit need to be dropped to 18 to 26 inches. Anglers would still be going after the heaviest sack, but with no chance of breaking a state law. I dont know one angler who would try to get a fish by the bump table, that is an inch to long, after all there is no money in it. Simple solution to a very large problem. Yes the angler still breaks tournament rules by a oversized fish, but will not exceed the state limit.

Next up to bat, is the issues that have been place around the tournament issues on manipulating the overall of the by the way of scissors. tail clipping. Yes, it has happened, and I dont care who you are angler/ or not you can tell. A picture was circulating recently of a tail of a redfish that has been clearly trimmed. I have fished all over the southern United States, for redfish. I have seen it all from gators, sharks, dolphins, some redfish accure damage to the tail naturaly. But, I have never seen a straight cut on a tail, such as scissoors make. There was talk that the anglers had crabs in their well, and they must have gotten after the tails. What do I say about that, let me see. I weould have to through the bullshit card down on that one.

The problem is that in the ecomnomic times, tournament directors have been forced to lower entry fees, thus limiting the monies for lie detector tests, in these low entry  tournaments, money for the trail, has been put ahead of the cost of such tests. These test have kept aglers honest for along time, with the fear of them have to be hooked up to the scribble machine. I have taken these tests before you cant beat them, but the tour, can also manipulate the results by the questions that is asked. Did this happen I dont know, but I will tell you I have seen the pictures, and in professional oppinion, the tails were clipped. What has to be done, if a tournament wants to do events. Then manditory tests, to winners, and random tests on other anglers involved. The tour it self will have to suck it up and make less, it's the price of playing in the game. If they dont like it don't run the show. I can say this year, I can say is the worst. I have personally found and recovered fish pens, that serve no other purpose but to hold fish for a tournament. If the tournaments and directors dont want to protect their anglers agaist fraud. Well shame on them, they need to go away.

Yes it is not cheating, it is a criminal offense

In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation. Defrauding people or entities of money or valuables is a common purpose of fraud, but there have also been fraudulent "discoveries", e.g., in science, to gain prestige rather than immediate monetary gain.

Criminal charges should be held against such anglers.

If this blog has offended anyone, then the guilty of them have shined through, I am a very public person, with seminars, fishing classes and such. I am easily reached, to talk about this subject. I will also like to add that I did not mention any one tour. For the simple fact is every tournament  trail faces the same issues. But, it needs to stop.

Yesturday, Wednesday Feb.16th. brought me back to the days of old. Remembering my first Snook, my first Tarpon, and many more. What sparked this childhood memory you ask? Back in the day the old US41 bridge, is where I learned to fish, taken there by my grandpa, in the mid 70's. The bridge was a sight for sore eyes, 2 ft concrete guiderail, no seperation from you, and the traffic. The whole damn thing would shake when a truck came by. But the fishing was incredible. As we headed out yesturday, with crystal clear water, and very light winds. I made a detour out to the Alligator creek reef, like some special force was pulling me towards that location. We got to the markers and began to look, hoovering over the old structure that use to be the old draw bridge, before the new span bridges were built. I was amazed you could see the old railing laying there on bottom, as if it was asleep. Lost in time, the bridge was still holding fish, as it did in the old days. As we trollling motored in amazement. I could hear in my mind. The old bridge keeper yelling at us to move our bicycles, and to be carefull we dont get runned over.. I know "runned over" but that was the words that echoed in my head. And just thinking how many fish we caught off the bridge in the 70's. Redfish, snook, tarpon, huge black drum, all caught of the old bridge. and to be able to see it, settled on the bottom, placed in its final resting place, brought me back to the days of simple.. Thank you "old 41 draw bridge" you have always had a place in my heart. And was the beginning for what I am today.         

  Feburary is sure looking good, most of our trips we are doing, anglers are limiting out on Trout, and Redfish. With a few  Flounder, and Sheephead thrown into the mix. We are still fishing the deeper pockets of Charlotte Harbor, shrimp on popping corks really gets the big girls attention. Once we locate the fish, we are simply throwing shrimp on a jig head, and recking them. Things will only get better as the southeast winds, bring up warmer water. Allready I am noticing some bait make its way back up onto the flats, from its winter haunts. With the change in temps, and hopefully not to many more cold front pushes, we will see the some major changes, in feeding behavior. But for now, work them baits slow, it works for us here at Medina fishing charters.    

May was an interesting to say the least, most was for the better while certain issues seemed to hit news papers, news on T.V, and website forums were all throwing stones, more like boulders on certain issues. I have tried really hard to stay out of the forums lately, because it seems just like High School gossip, more than a “for information site”. It seems where ever you go on the World Wide Web; you were bound to find something. That something is like a bad car accident; you don’t want to see it. But you can’t help but to look. I would just like to take a minute and go over my beliefs on some of these Arguments that I have seen and heard. On one popular web site there was a thread started called “remind me why the Redfish cup is good for Punta Gorda.” This was unbelievable reading to me, someone implied that the cup did nothing for Punta Gorda economically, and I can only say that. With the economy the way it is here in Charlotte, I’m willing to bet any business that made money off any of the anglers, where more than happy. True, not everyone benefited from holding a major ESPN tourney here. But it did help a few hotels, restaurants and other small shops around the area. The post then turned ugly blaming anglers for the destruction of the grass flats, spoiling the resources for profit, and not giving anything back in return. Far as the anglers go destroying our harbors grass flats, most of the persons who made these posts were not here in the 70’s. Way back, when I was young, we used to wade fish around Grassy Point and where the county pier is. We used to catch redfish until we were tired of catching them. The bottom was alive back then, I’m not saying covered with grass but, there was enough to support food for fish to feed on. Now, till this day boats still don’t run that area. But all the grass is gone. So are boats really tearing up the grass enough to kill entire flats of sea grass? I think they need to look at water quality in the harbor. Instead of looking at the obvious, you have to remember just like yards, the grass flats need sun light. With the harbor water getting darker over the last 30 years or so, due to drainage and everything else that’s pumped or spilled in the harbor. I would have to say since the surrounding counties grew, the harbor and it’s grass, has both took a substantial hit. Can you stop growth and expect a town to survive? How about this question, “Can you let a town grow, and grow, without expecting damage to the natural resources?” The answer to that question is “No”. And if the county and the surrounding counties, would have remembered something my dad referred to as the 7 P’s (Proper Pre Planning Prevents Piss Pour Production) maybe this could have had a better turn out. On to another issue that hit close to home, the world record hammerhead shark. Yes, Bucky Dennis broke another record, this time it was on 80lb test and he shattered the record by over 500lbs. The difference now, unlike his previous record, is that people are calling him the Shark killer, News hound, and a bunch of other names, some not even suitable for writing. Well, I would tend to ask every angler “ if they had a world record hooked up, and caught, would they release the fish?” No, they would not, at least not me. As an angler I want to be the best I can, and a world record would prove it. Earnest Hemmingway spent his life Chasing big fish in search of records. Now, I’m not comparing Bucky to Hemmingway but, what is the difference? The answer is “time” and that is it. Hands down I give credit where credit is due, and here you go Bucky, a big fat Credit Due. You might be crazy, or warped in the head, for messing with something that big, but you did it again, and it will be a long time before another angler beats those records. And your children’s kids can hold their heads high and say “My grandpa held the World’s record for the largest hammerhead shark ever caught on a rod and reel.” How’s that for show and tell day? Now on to the fishing, the big talk this month will be Tarpon. They are everywhere and eating well. Myself included has spent a lot of time chasing poons this season. They will eat a variety of swim baits, jigs, white bait, and crabs. And you do not have to leave the harbor to get it done. But while tarpon season is here many anglers forget about the back water species such as redfish, snook and trout. With everyone out hunting tarpon the flats have had a little chance to settle down and the fish are chewing. A lot of large snook have found their way into the Myakka Cutoff, when I say large, I mean fish over 33”. With a well full of large thread fins your chances are pretty good to find a huge line sider. Redfish action has been steady with good reports coming from around Gasparilla and up the inter coastal. This time of the year, half of blue crab is hard to beat. It seems like there are just a ton of five pound fish running around, and eager to eat. Trout fishing has been hot out near the markers in the harbor, I know it’s not the flats, but a bent rod is after all a bent rod. The deeper water seems to be holding a lot of trout, perhaps it is the abundance of bait in the harbor. Get out and fish.

In the world of saltwater fishing, some days seem to be slow. And others are just picture perfect, with what seems to be rewards of a fish on every cast. This past month proved to be no exceptions to the rule. With fronts that blew in, following days of perfect weather.  We had a few days that it seemed the fish would nock the gut?s out of the bait as soon as it hit the water. And then a cold front would hit us from the north. Not a large front,  just a kiss from the north and the fish would fall into there lathargic state once again. The month of march you will start seeing less cold fronts , and hopefully see a warming trend. Gearing up for spring and that magic water temp we as anglers desperatly need. To me that magic number is 82 degrees. A lot of anglers might argue my thinking on this one. But I seem to do my best when the fish are warm and happy. Don?t get me wrong this month we started seeing more redfish, milling on shore lines, and out on the open flats. But once again we have not had a cold snap to send them running. It seems both sides of the harbor are holding fish. Redfish on the west wall, if you catch them feeding is spectactular. Fish all tailed up on the low water are eager to eat a bait if you can get in over the bar and with in casting range. And the same is true on the east side just south of Alligator creek. Fish seem to be bunched up in there spring time haunts already.  Snook fishing will open up March 1st also and the bite has been pretty good on white bait and artificials. Topwaters are doing well, such as the silver and black Skitter walk by Rapala or the old faithfull bone color Zara Spook. The Zarra Spook is an old top water that has not changed  in shape, size or anything else since I could remember. The old saying don?t fix it if it aint broke, seems to hold true in the lure world also. Trout fishing  has been incredable this year,  with a lot of spotted sea trout running in the 3 to 4 lb range. These fish seem to be south in the harbor, but also got some around Turtle Bay.  Also in the Port Charlotte canals is a fish over looked by a lot of anglers, that can be a world of fun when the wind blows. Big Jacks are cruising the canals that lead to Spring Lake,  and around Ackerman waterway. Some of these fish are up around 20lbs and can be a test on ones angling skills. Not to mention his (or hers what ever  the case may be) tackle.  With sceaming runs and pure digging power, these fish can save a trip when the weather and low tides leave you in a stich. Oh, and did I mention they will eat just about any lure or plastic thrown in front of them, when they are on the feed. That?s the good point, because you don?t have to use your best  $14.00 Sebile.  There is also a few lady fish mixed in with the Jacks and trout, this gives you the chance to load up your freezer.  But not to worry, soon the water will warm. And all anglers will be once again remember, why they live here in sunny Florida. Keep watching my web site at www.fishfloridatarpon, soon we will have video tips from the pro?s on the site.  Untill next month, get out and fish, take a kid with you the kids cup is right around the corner.

Capt. Andrew can be reached for charter info at 456-1540 or on the web at www.fishfloridatarpon.com

Exciting November ahead of us.

It really has cooled down in the morning now; the run across the harbor is becoming a little less enjoyable. With all the recent wind we have had, has made it difficult to get out and relax a day on the water.  But, if you ventured out onto Charlotte Harbor lately you would have discovered a number of changes. Some for the better, others for the worst. The worst of is the winter creeping up on us, has to be the tide. I guess another way to put it, is the lack of tidal movement. There were a couple days where you could of drove a truck from Ponce Inlet to Alligator Creek. We are talking very low water conditions, where you could not run the inside. If you step back and think about the water condition for a moment. You will figure out that, if you?re not up in 2 to 5 inches of water, neither are the fish. What I do as part of a normal practice, is watch where the mullet are running. This will tell you where predatory fish are like Snook and Redfish. Most of the fish we have found has been outside the bar. Following the large mullet schools on there journeys. Redfish action has been hot; the bite has been on cut pinfish. With the large breeders running together in schools. We are talking fish over the 20lb range. These fish have been found outside Turtle Bay bar in the 2 to 4 ft of water range. Also, just down from Burt Store on the east side of the harbor. These fish are a pretty easy catch if you bring the right tackle. I?m using my normal inshore tackle with 20lb power pro, and a 30lb leader. Your outside the bar, there are no mangroves to get broke off on. The real only way you get broke off will be a drag setting error. Late in October we found some fish that ran so fast we had to pull the Power Pole and actually chase the fish. These fish ranged in size from slot fish, up to 42 inches. Way to big for the dinner plate, but great photo?s for clients. One other thing I would like to mention about catching these fish is the size of the hook you use. Everyone knows the importance of a circle hook.  This is by far the best choice for this task, as long as the hook is large enough so the fish is unable to swallow it. We have stepped up hook size from our normal 2/0 size to a size 3/0 or even 4/0 circle hooks. The snook fishing has also been doing well. With many keepers, moving up into the tidal creeks and canal systems. With all the bait readily available, the snook are fat. Many 10lb slot size fish have been caught this season. I found some of the best fish I have caught have been taking on a free lined greenie under the docks. Try fishing inside Colony Point , or around the Alligator creek area. Ponce inlet is also a good bet for snook, on a fast moving tide.  It really doesn?t matter whether it is incoming or outgoing, as long as you have movement the fish will eat. Another note is the Trout are still chewing; drift the grass flats around Pirate harbor. Just inside the bar or near the channels, a shrimp under a popping cork is always a great way to get the kids involved and busy. Tarpon are still in are harbor in the 20 ft holes. Plenty of large threadfin hearing have been around and is great bait, for late season tarpon. You may have to try drifting the bait several different ways, such as under a cork or free lined.  But it won?t take long for you to discover how they want the bait presented to them. The rewards are great for late season tarpon anglers, with some of these fish weighing close to 100lbs. till next month, stay warm, dry, and fish through it. We only have about 5 months left of these conditions.

Capt, Andrew can be reached for Charter info at 456-1540 or on the web at www.FishFloridaTarpon.com, 

Check out the bi-weekly video fishing report coming soon at WWW.FishFloridaTarpon.com