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Tag: Reel Time

Reel Time: Winter fishing- slow and low

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Feature, Outdoors, Reel Time.

When winter arrives with cold winds and plunging water temperatures, it’s time to change your angling strategies. While winter fishing can be challenging, there are opportunities for some excellent action if you use your senses and think like a fish. While there are no “magic bullets,” awareness and persistence really pays dividends when the thermometer begins to plunge.


The most popular species (snook, redfish and trout) will often concentrate in areas where the surrounding waters are more moderate. Snook are most sensitive to the changing water temperature and will migrate to rivers, canals and protected channels. Explore areas where dark bottom absorbs the heat of the sun and warms the surrounding water. Shallow bays and bayous that heat up quickly on sunny days and flush warm water on late afternoon outgoing tides can be particularly productive. Even the seawalls that line residential areas can warm up the water and attract fish on cold days. It doesn’t take much of a temperature difference to attract fish. You’ll know these areas because they’ll feel warm to you as well as to fish.

When fishing a particular area, pay attention to the exposure that receives the most sun during the day. Areas protected from a cold north wind will be more desirable to fish. The wind moves the water, keeping it from absorbing the sun’s rays and warming. A combination of sun exposure, depth and the color of the bottom will all figure into the warm water equation.

When the weather prevents the sun from warming the water, look for deeper pockets to harbor fish. The deeper areas warm more slowly, but they also cool more slowly. Channels, holes under big boats in canals, deep pot holes on the flats and boat basins are all potential refuges for fish during cold weather. Rivers and creeks are also good sanctuaries depending on the conditions.

While many local species are negatively affected by the cold water, many, like trout and redfish, have a high tolerance. Others actually thrive on it. The best example is the sheepshead. These fish, while shunned by some anglers, are hard fighting, challenging to hook and excellent to eat. Target sheepshead around structure where they feed on barnacles. One way to attract sheepshead is to scrape barnacles from pilings on an outgoing or incoming tide. A small live shrimp is hard for them to turn down; fiddler crabs are also prime baits. A small, stout and sharp hook is necessary for their tough mouths and you have to be quick setting the hook. It’s often said that you need to set the hook a split second before they bite!

Once you find the ideal conditions, remember to slow your presentation. Lures and bait fished slowly, and close to the bottom, (low and slow) will generally draw more strikes than a quick retrieve. Use your senses, experiment and be persistent, and you can experience some very good fishing during our cooler winter months.

Help protect our waters on Giving Tuesday

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Feature, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Suncoast Waterkeeper is calling all residents to stand up for clean water. In just two weeks, communities everywhere will unite for Giving Tuesday, a day built on gratitude, generosity and collective action. At Suncoast Waterkeeper, that spirit fuels the work we do every single day to protect the waters that define our home.
Your support drives real, measurable impact. It helps Suncoast Waterkeeper:
• Test 19 bayfront sites weekly for bacteria;
• Monitor nutrients each month to track pollution trends;
• Expand our PFAS sampling to uncover hidden threats;
• Defend vital habitats like mangroves and seagrass that keep our coast resilient;
• Engage residents to become informed voices for clean water; and
• Take responsible legal action when our waterways and communities are put at risk.
This builds the foundation for safer beaches, healthier ecosystems and a future where our waterways remain places of joy, recreation and connection.
As Giving Tuesday approaches, Suncoast Waterkeeper hopes you will include us in your giving plans. Your gift, no matter the size, helps safeguard the Suncoast and ensures our clean water work stays strong.
Anyone who supports Suncoast Water and makes a donation by midnight on Dec. 2 can enter to win a free copy of Rivers Always Reach The Sea: Angling Stories by New York Times bestselling author Monte Burke, plus a ticket to his talk at Bookstore1 on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Join Burke and Suncoast Waterkeeper for an inspiring evening about angling, conservation and the stories that connect us to our waterways.
Give early, support clean water and don’t miss your chance to win. Suncoast Waterkeeper has become the premier environmental organization in the region and has made a huge impact in protecting our waters and holding polluters accountable. Recent legal action by SCWK has the City of Bradenton under a consent order for the massive amounts of sewage that they have been releasing into the Manatee River due to an aging and failing infrastructure.
Rusty Chinnis is chairman of Suncoast Waterkeeper

Reel Time: Fall is in the air

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Feature, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Fall is in the air. Most of our windows and doors are open and we’ve turned off the A/C, the time change has turned the lights on earlier and made the afternoon light fade all too soon. The changes ushered in by cooler temperatures and shorter days produce some of the best nearshore and offshore piscatorial pursuits. As water temperatures drop, schools of bait migrate inshore with pelagic species like kingfish, Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), cobia and tripletail hot on their tails.

Now is a great time to have tackle in order, a well-stocked rod rack and a time to keep a keen eye cast towards the sky for diving birds and breaking fish when you’re on the water. All these fall species will take live bait, lures or flies and can be caught on spinning, bait casting or fly tackle. Except for larger king mackerel and cobia most can be landed with light tackle, which adds to the challenge.

Rigging will depend on the species you’re targeting. Since it’s possible to encounter so many different species in a single outing, multiple outfits are a good idea. Rigging options include wire, monofilament, long shanked hooks or a combination. It’s possible to catch a kingfish or Spanish mackerel without wire but your odds aren’t good. Most species shy from wire, especially in clear water and when the sun is high. That’s the time to switch to a long shank hook or a heavy (60 pound) monofilament leader. Even then it’s possible to get cut off, but the action can more than make up for the possibility.

When using wire, an 8- to 12-inch trace can be tied to monofilament using an Albright Special knot (best) or a swivel. If you use a swivel, use black as opposed to a silver one to prevent fish from mistaking it for forage. American Fishing Wire and Orvis make an extremely flexible wire that can be knotted to your lure, hook or fly like monofilament; it also provides greater flexibility and less stretch than monofilament. Umpqua makes a product that’s ideal for fly anglers. Their Re-Twistable Haywire Twist wire is reusable and will allow you to change flies in a snap. This is the quickest and most painless system to rig wire for toothy fish. It’s safe to switch to wire under low light conditions like early morning, overcast days and late in the day.

One of the most effective ways to find schooling fish in the fall is to look for surface action and diving birds in the inshore Gulf waters. But don’t assume fish aren’t present if there are no outward signs of them. Predators can often be found around structure, reefs and wrecks that attract bait.

When you find feeding fish, you can approach them by trolling, drifting or with the use of a trolling motor. Whatever method you employ, never let your boat pass through or get too close to the action. With more and more boats and anglers pursuing feeding fish, they are likely to sound and move away. The best bet is to stay outside the action but within casting distance. If trolling, make wide turns so only your lures pass through the action.

Live bait anglers target schooling fish in several ways. By anchoring upcurrent from a likely area they may deploy a chum bag and then toss wounded live baits to draw fish into casting range. This can be an extremely effective method. Those that prefer artificial lures find spoons particularly effective as well as jigs like the DOA CAL or the Berkley Gulp. One of the most exciting and effective types of lures are top water models like the MirroLure Top Dog, the Heddon Zara Spook or Rapala Saltwater Skitter Pop. Not only is the strike visual and often explosive, but their action can attract target species.

Fly fishing is also an effective and exciting way to target fall species from cobia to tripletail, Spanish mackerel and even kingfish. The same rigging applies and top water flies like the Crease fly or Garthside Gurgler can produce some memorable strikes. Clouser Deep Minnows are also a great choice for Spanish mackerel and false albacore. This is a good time of the year to have a 10- or 11-weight rod rigged with a big black fly should a migrating cobia make an appearance.

Whatever your fishing style, take advantage of the great action you’ll find in area waters this fall. If you’re new to the game, consider hiring a guide. This is a great way to learn the ropes and a great value when shared with a friend.

Reel Time: Partners grants good for bay

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Feature, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Sarasota Bay Partners grants are competitive awards for projects in the Sarasota Bay watershed that promote habitat and water quality restoration, environmental education, community involvement and stewardship to improve the overall quality of Sarasota Bay and its tributaries.
Stormwater runoff, sewage spills, leaking septic tanks and a thousand other insults threaten the health of Sarasota Bay. Add to this warming temperatures, rising sea levels and altered weather patterns, all of which will continue to impact our natural and built environments.
I’m often asked what an individual or a group can do to be part of the solution instead part of the problem. One way to make a difference is to take advantage the Sarasota Bay Estuary Programs Bay Partners grants. The SBEP was formed with the aim to protect Sarasota Bay and its environment, the economic engine of the region and the reason most of us live here. Local actions like this help prepare our communities and estuary for these changing conditions. There are many opportunities to engage. These include but are not limited to:
• Planting shade trees in highly paved urban areas;
• Installing rain gardens and bioswales to filter runoff from impervious surfaces;
• Diverting gutter downspouts from impervious surfaces to planter boxes, garden beds or other permeable areas, or to rainwater harvesting systems like rain barrels and cisterns; and
• Implementing living shorelines or seawall modifications that will allow mangroves to migrate upslope.
Recently, Banyan Bay on Longboat Key took advantage of a grant to turn an area they had nicknamed the “swamp” into a vibrant area that beautified the grounds, created a natural pollinator garden for birds and insects and helped protect Sarasota Bay, which fronts the property.
The project was led by residents Dr. Jeff and Terri Driver. Their experience and the outcome are best expressed in Terri’s words: “We had some uncertainty about whether our proposed project would fit the requirements for a grant from SBEP Partners. A friend recommended we call SBEP and simply ask if they would look at our space and situation and see if it was appropriate for a grant proposal. On a very tight timeline and on short notice (because the proposal was due in about two and 1/2 weeks, SBEP grant manager Darcy Young visited our property and evaluated our proposed site, agreeing that it was exactly what would help Sarasota Bay if re-planted to native species. SBEP was very helpful in response time and providing guidance to complete our grant application. SBEP recommended a couple of native plant nurseries, but Annie Schiller at Florida Native Plant Nursery was very responsive. On very short notice, Annie visited, evaluated our proposed renovation area and very quickly provided a list of plant species and number to be planted specific to our wet and dry areas. She also reminded us about mulch requirements. We called Annie the morning our proposal was due to make changes, and Florida Native Plants Nursery provided updated estimates two hours before our proposal was due. They were very responsive to changes. Once we received the grant (yay!), Florida Native Plant Nursery brought the plants in and helped with recommended placement. Our community members planted all 134 plants, creating a new native forest at The Banyan Bay Club.”
On Feb. 27, members of the press and the association attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the new space and celebrate their investment in protecting Sarasota Bay while improving the condominium grounds, a true win/win experience.
Although the next grant deadline is March 2, now is an excellent time to plan how you can take advantage of this program and make a difference while enhancing your place in the bay’s watershed. For more information and to apply for a grant, go to https://sarasotabay.org/get-involved/apply-for-a-grant/.

seagrass

Reel Time: The importance of seagrass

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Feature, Outdoors, Reel Time.

The seagrass beds that carpet Sarasota Bay harbor a tremendous array of life, a critical and diverse ecosystem that is out of sight to most except on lunar low tides.

Seagrasses are actually underwater flowering plants that serve a number of important functions. They produce oxygen, bind sediments and baffle wave action while cleansing the water column. Seagrass roots, their leaves and the epiphytes and microalgae that cling to them clean water by converting dissolved nutrients into plant matter. Besides giving us clean and clear water, seagrasses are home to the organisms that provide food and shelter for fish, crustaceans, shellfish and wading birds. They also are food sources for manatees, sea turtles and various fish and crustaceans. Because they flower, seagrasses require sunlight and are limited to clear, shallow waters.

Of the 52 species of seagrasses worldwide, only seven are found in Florida. Three main species are found on Florida’s southwest coast. They include turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) and manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme). The historical loss of these species has been extensive throughout Florida. Tampa Bay has lost 81% of its historical seagrasses, Sarasota Bay 35% and Charlotte Harbor 29%. Poor watershed management (stormwater runoff and sewage disposal), dredge and fill operations and scarring from boat propellers have taken a heavy toll on Florida’s seagrasses.

Through the elimination of small, poorly-maintained regional sewage systems and the work of organizations like the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Tampa Bay Estuary Program and Tampa Bay Watch, programs were instituted that began to turn the tide on water quality.

Anglers, from experience, are aware of the importance of these prolific, shallow beds. They experience firsthand the myriad interactions that produce fertile fisheries. They may not understand the intricate web of existence that proceeds from the microscopic level to the fish on the end of their line, but they reap the benefits nonetheless. Government scientists (NOAA) consider seagrasses to be of such importance that they have adopted a “no net loss” policy to manage them. Despite this pronouncement, seagrasses remain under assault.

Preventing the loss of valuable seagrasses must be a high priority. Watershed management, replanting, avoidance of direct impacts to existing grasses, and mitigation are avenues to reach those goals.

Mitigation involves the replacement of seagrasses impacted by residential and commercial development. Unfortunately, the literature reveals that the effectiveness of mitigating seagrass damage is considered, even among the leading wetland scientists, as marginal at best.

In recent years, seagrass rebounded in Sarasota Bay. Unfortunately, that trend reversed after the red tide of 2018. While it is a foregone conclusion that development will continue to impact coastal areas and their seagrass resources, it’s critical that decisions are made that will demand accountability and smart development while protecting the quality of our most valuable local resources. Enlightened citizens, anglers and their interest groups must take part in this decision-making process.

Cost considerations often eclipse concerns for seagrasses, but research reveals the true value of these resources. A study (Virnstein and Morris 1996) conducted in the Indian River Lagoon estimated the value of seagrass to be $12,500 per acre, per year, based solely on economic values derived from recreational and commercial fisheries. In the last few years, the effects of rampant development, antiquated and failing infrastructure and associated stormwater runoff are feeding red tide events and algae blooms, and threatening the very existence of the bay’s seagrass system.

Groups like Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, alarmed at the prospect of a potential collapse of the bay (like the one that has plagued the Indian River Lagoon), have sprung into action to alert the public through education, effective policy and in the case of the Waterkeeper groups, hold governments accountable under the rules of the Clean Water Act of 1972. It is imperative that citizens let leaders know they will hold them responsible to protect the resources that form the basis of our quality of life as well as the local economy. Next week: “Where Did The Grass Go?”

The promise of philanthropy

The promise of philanthropy

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time, Water Quality.

Philanthropy in Sarasota and Manatee counties is a well-organized network of foundations and active donors with a strong focus on community resilience, enhancing nonprofits’ capacity to grow and responding to local challenges.

Two of the main nonprofits that work to protect the waters and marine habitat of the area, Sarasota Bay Watch and Suncoast Waterkeeper, have both been able to make a larger impact thanks to grants from local foundations like the Barancik Foundation, the Manatee Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of the Gulf Coast, the Mote Scientific Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC).

In April, CFSC awarded $322,450 to 29 nonprofit orga­nizations to enhance operations, support technology upgrades and strengthen strategic planning in the region.

The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation played an important role in capacity build­ing for Sarasota Bay Watch and awarded a two-year, $200,000 grant to Suncoast Waterkeeper. In addition, the Mote Scientific Foundation (not related to Mote Marine Laboratory) has been the driving force behind Suncoast Waterkeepers’ ongoing water quality testing.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event at the new St. Regis Resort on Longboat Key that was organized by Sarasota Magazine. Sarasota Magazine supports local philanthropic works by highlighting the work of nonprofit organizations, fundraising events and com­munity initiatives across Sarasota and Manatee counties. Through its editorial features and digital outreach, the magazine amplifies the work of nonprofits, raising awareness of their missions, highlighting donor opportunities and celebrating impactful partnerships. By doing so, Sarasota Magazine helps connect the philanthropic community with causes in arts, education, health, environment and human services, enhancing visibility for organizations that might other­wise struggle for recognition.

The St. Regis was the perfect venue for this event. Hotel Manager Kara Hardiman welcomed guests and pointed out that their commitment to the larger community was best summed up by a quote from Lora Whitney (Whitney Beach): “We are determined to create a space of sanctuary that celebrates the natural beauty of our region at the same time as it encour­ages education, exploration and implores us to slow down and make memories with each other.”

Besides expressing pride in being part of a women-led management team, the resort commissioned a painting by Lauren Marshall entitled, “Matriarchs of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.” The paint­ing honors (and they named their exquisite suites after) women who were in their words “… trail­blazers whose impact shaped the region’s cultural, scientific and philanthropic landscape.” They include Caroline Astor, the undisputed queen of New York society in the gilded age and Eugenie Clark, the pioneering marine biologist who founded Mote Marine Laboratory in 1955 and broke barriers for women in science. Others include Lora Whitney, Marie Selby, Mable Ringling, Irene Colson (a vital figure in Sarasota’s early African American community), and Katherine Klauber, the president and general manager of the Colony Beach Resort, now home to the St. Regis.

The resort features an “Under the Sea Lagoon” – a 500,000-gallon saltwater habitat containing reef fish, rays and other marine animals, guided by a staff of resident marine biologists/aquarists who educate guests about the ecosystem. Their children’s club, called the Reef Rangers, offers a “marine explorer camp” where younger guests engage with aquatic life and learn about local marine environments and species.

A highlight of the evening was a panel discussion among the leaders of local foundations that centered on the challenges facing nonprofits and the area’s most vulnerable citizens they serve due to federal funding cuts. A part of the discussion centered around strategies to continuing serving the needs of environmental nonprofits that support the basis of the region’s appeal, and those most in need. The evening was an inspiration and a terrific opportunity to get to know and mingle with the region’s most engaged philanthropists.

Join water warriors for an inspiring brunch

Join water warriors for an inspiring brunch

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors, Water Quality.

Suncoast Waterkeeper’s (SCWK) annual fundraising event, Brunch for The Bay, is coming to the Sarasota Yacht Club on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to support SCWK’s clean water mission and meet and hear from one of the world’s environmental “rock stars.”

This year’s keynote speaker, Rob Bilott, is known worldwide as the attorney who took on chemical giant DuPont and uncovered the dangers of PFAS contamination. His “David and Goliath” story was depicted in the 2019 feature film, “Dark Waters.” Bilott has dedicated his career to protecting communities from the toxic threat of “forever chemicals.” At Brunch for the Bay 2025, he will present “Uncovering the Global Threat of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Contamination.”

One of the notable sponsors of this year’s event is the Holmes Beach Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee. The group serves as an advisory commit­tee to the City Commission. It was conceived by Mayor Judy Titsworth, whose family (the Holmes in Holmes Beach) has been on Anna Maria Island for generations. Titsworth’s idea comes from a lifetime of seeing the changes firsthand that so few of us late arrivals appreciate.

In her own words, she explains the concept behind the committee and the life experiences that led to its formation: “The Clean Water Com­mittee’s vision is to ensure waters will meet the designated human uses for drinking, shellfish harvesting or swimming and fishing, while sus­taining healthy natural ecosystems that support natural processes and resilient native plant and animal communities. Growing up on the Island in a house on the bay gave me a most remarkable childhood. My sister and I spent most of our days outside playing in the bay and along the natural shorelines. The bay isn’t what it was back then and much of the marine life has drastically diminished due to the impacts from development, pollution from storm­water runoff, Piney Point and sewage spills. The clean water committee is a recommending ad hoc board that I developed to assist in identifying so­lutions to improve our water quality by reducing our impacts. We greatly support the efforts made by Suncoast Waterkeeper in educating the public about the adverse conditions of our waters, holding polluters account­able and their commitment to water quality testing and documenting the effects that the pollutants have on seagrasses and marine life.”

There’s never been a better time to help support the clean water mission of the committee and Suncoast Waterkeeper. Meet like-minded advo­cates, enjoy a great meal overlooking Sarasota Bay at the area’s premier Yacht Club and be inspired to join and advance this critical mission. Get your tickets before they sell out.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Rules change regarding derelict vessels

Rules change regarding derelict vessels

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Boating, Outdoors.

“Derelict” boats in local waters have been a problem that I’ve been questioned about over the years.

Being on the water myself for almost four decades, it’s been disheartening to see the numbers of these boats steadily increase. They are unsightly for sure but the damage they do to the local grass flats is hidden from the view of most casual boaters.

This wasn’t the case for Capt. Justin Moore, who knows the importance of the grass flats and sees the damage derelict boats do in real time. A boat anchored on a grass flat from a distance might be floating on a high tide but often is resting on and killing grass on a low tide.

The next high tide floats it again, it shifts with the wind, and it settles in a new spot. Last week Moore sent me a video of several “derelict” boats that had recently shown up on the grass flats just off Cortez Key, known in the village of Cortez as Kitchen Key.

The timely video showed the damage and encouraged me to investigate. What I found out was heartening and something I want to pass along. Florida law has defined “derelict” vessels broadly in the past and legislation has made it egregious to address these vessels. But recent legislation enacted this year (Senate Bill 164) introduced stronger requirements around anchoring, long-term mooring permits, clearer authority for law enforcement and greater flexibility for removal funds.

Rules change regarding derelict vessels
Senate Bill 164 addresses “at risk” vessels. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Now the law defines these vessels as “at risk,” so those which might not yet be derelict but show signs that they may become so can be addressed. Vessels can be considered at risk when they:

  • Are taking on water without the ability to de-water;
  • Have open or unsealed enclosed spaces;
  • Have broken loose from anchor or are a mooring risk;
  • List because of water intru­sion; or
  • Lack effective propulsion.

The “at-risk” category lets FWC and other law enforcement intervene earlier to prevent more serious deterioration.

As the FWC website explains, “Recent legislative changes (effective as of July 1, 2025) strengthened the tools available to FWC. These include:

  • Clarified ownership defini­tions: A valid vessel title now acts as prima facie evidence of ownership;
  • Enhanced requirements for “effective means of propulsion” evaluations if requested by law enforce­ment;
  • Public nuisance designa­tions: three citations within 24 months for any at-risk condition can allow a vessel to be declared a public nuisance, which allows removal as if derelict;
  • Noncriminal infractions expanded (e.g., anchoring long term, expired registrations) to allow mailed citations;
  • Penalties for repeat offenses escalated: Misdemeanor to felony depending on the num­ber of offenses.

FWC has several programs aimed at preventing vessels from becoming derelict, as well as removing ones already in bad condition:

  • Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP): Allows owners of at-risk vessels (with at least one warn­ing or citation) to voluntarily surrender the vessel. FWC then disposes of it at no cost to the owner. This aims to reduce future derelict vessel numbers and legal exposure for owners;
  • Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program: Provides fund­ing (100% reimbursement) to local and county governments for removing derelict vessels;
  • Rapid Removal Grants: Cases that meet certain criteria and need more urgent removal can access a faster track for grants;
  • Block Grant Option: For local governments that have demonstrated capacity (e.g., removed many vessels over past years), FWC allows block grants so they can remove eligible vessels without individual pre-approval for each removal.

FWC law enforcement (along with state, county and local officers) conducts investiga­tions and inspections. When an at-risk vessel is identified, owners may receive warnings or citations. If conditions persist, the vessel may be declared a public nuisance or derelict, trig­gering removal actions. The law also provides penalties (fines, potential criminal charges) for abandonment or intentional improper disposal.

Ryan Gandy, the incom­ing executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, provided me a link to file a report, and I was pleasantly surprised when I made a call and was promptly connected with a case officer who promised to visit the site and report back. It appears that we finally have some resources that take these nuisance vessels seriously.

On its website, the FWC clarifies the process: “Overall, FWC’s approach is multi-pronged: Defining and dis­tinguishing between “at-risk” and “derelict” vessels; using preventive programs (especially voluntary surrender under VTIP) to reduce the number of vessels sliding into dereliction; leveraging grants (including block grants) to assist local governments; strengthening legal tools and enforcement; and tightening ownership/title responsibilities. The aim is to protect waterways, navigation, habitat, safety and keep state and local costs down by inter­vening earlier when possible.”

If you know of any vessels that might fall under these definitions, I encourage you to report them. Our marine habitat and the quality of our fishery depend on citizens taking action!

Volunteers clean up Egmont Key

Volunteers clean up Egmont Key

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Egmont Key, located just north of Anna Maria at the mouth of Tampa Bay, has a rich and diverse history. For centuries, it was a landmark for native peoples and Spanish explorers on Florida’s Gulf coast.

Due to increased shipping in the area and numerous groundings, a lighthouse was built in 1848. When the Great Hurricane of 1848 struck that September, tides 15 feet above normal washed over the island and damaged the lighthouse.

Another storm did additional damage, prompting Congress to appropriate funds to rebuild the lightkeeper’s residence and the lighthouse. In 1858, the lighthouse was reconstructed to “withstand any storm.” That lighthouse stands today as one of Florida’s oldest.

During the Third Seminole War in the 1850s, the island was used as a military outpost. In the Civil War, Confederate forces briefly occupied it before Union troops took control. During the Spanish-American War of 1898, Egmont gained importance when Fort Dade was constructed as a massive coastal defense system designed to protect Tampa Bay. Gun batteries, brick roads and buildings which thrived with military activity were abandoned by 1923.

Egmont’s history also had an ignoble chapter when it served as a holding site for Seminole Indian prisoners before their forced removal west. Today, most of the island is a National Wildlife Refuge and state park, preserving both its natural beauty and historic ruins while also providing sanctuary for birds, gopher tortoises and sea turtles.

On Sept. 27, Suncoast Aqua Ventures (SAV) helped preserve this rich ecosystem by conducting the Great Egmont Key Cleanup. Suncoast Aqua Ventures, along with The Tampa Bay Estuary Program and Egmont Key Alliance, had collaborated for three months to plan this large scale and desperately needed cleanup. Most of the debris removed from the island was storm-related debris washed ashore during Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year. In total, volunteers removed over 23,240 pounds of debris.

Volunteers clean up Egmont Key
The Great Egmont Key Cleanup netted more than 11 tons of debris and trash. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Unfortunately, seeing the piles of debris people had collected and staged over the past year in anticipation of the cleanup prompted some weekend visitors to add their daily picnic trash to these piles. Seeing the bins, upright with trash in them, gave the illusion that there was a regular trash pick out there, which there isn’t! In fact, there have been no park rangers or harbor pilots living on the island since the storms. Their small communities were completely destroyed.

Visiting the Island frequently and watching these piles grow week to week prompted SAV President Cheryl Huntsinger to start reaching out to Tampa Bay area partners for assistance. The three organizations came together with local citizens, including many from Anna Maria, to pull off the largest one day cleanup of Egmont Key in many years.

Over 250 volunteers registered to ride out on three different ferries, including Anna Maria Dolphin Tours. In addition, over 100 people came on private vessels. Numerous partners provided support with dumpsters, barges and boats to haul the trash and two boats with cranes to lift the heavy bags from the beach to transport vessels. SAV provided all the supplies needed, transportation for over 120 passengers and a fantastic free lunch as a reward for our volunteer efforts.

A great deal of the cleanup was accomplished with volunteers filling three dumpsters and boats making a total of nine trips to the mainland with trash. Unfortunately, building sea conditions in the afternoon halted progress, so there are still piles of debris on the beach that needs to be removed. SAV is watching weather conditions and coordinating with their partners to return and remove the remaining debris from the west side of the island.

SAV also hopes to be allowed access to the bird sanctuaries before nesting season starts again. These areas were off limits to volunteers but needs attention as well.

All in all, it was a great day for everyone who participated. Islanders who enjoy Egmont are encouraged to take their trash home with them and help remove the remaining debris.

It’s for the birds

It’s for the birds

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Birds, Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

I was reminded this past week that it’s a good time to remind anglers about the importance and protection of seabirds. Knowledgeable anglers know that these birds are valuable, but some beginning anglers (I’m being kind) should learn a few valuable lessons early on to keep them safe.

Besides being an integral part of the marine ecosystem and beautiful to watch, they help us locate fish. An observant angler notices where birds congregate on a low tide. They know the birds are feeding on marine organ­isms that fish will seek out when the flat is covered with water on a rising tide. They point us to schooling fish, often indicating action much farther away than we can see. Anglers who fish the coastal waters of Florida will invariably come into contact with the seabirds that inhabit local waters. The encounter can be deadly to seabirds if anglers don’t know the basics of caring for them.

The inspiration came as I was fly casting to Spanish mackerel (my target) and blue runners (an incidental but fun catch). My top water gurgler attracted observant birds on almost every cast, and I couldn’t take my eye off them for 10 seconds. Around me, a couple of other boats were chumming, and I noticed birds picked up hooked baits a couple of times.

The fall run is just beginning, and a lot of effort will be put into fishing for breaking fish on the beaches. The encounter can become deadly if a bird becomes entangled in fishing line and takes some of it back to their roosts. The birds are also put in harm’s way when they come into contact with fishing line that careless anglers leave in the water and in the mangroves from an errant cast.

That same day as I was waiting for the tide to change and drift­ing the west side of Jewfish Key, I noticed a braided fishing line trailing behind me. After about 30 minutes, I managed to retrieve 100-plus yards of bright blue 100-plus-pound line. It was chilling to imagine how many birds and other wildlife that might have impacted.

If a bird is hooked while fishing, it’s important to bring them to the boat with a properly set drag to prevent the line from breaking. It can be a death sentence when they return their mangrove roost trailing it. Eventually, most anglers will hook a bird, even if they’re being diligent to avoid them. When it does happen, work them to the boat carefully as you would a big fish, then throw a towel over their head to calm them before removing the hook.

Care should be taken with all birds, especially ones that have sharp beaks. They don’t know you’re trying to help them. Handle birds carefully as they have very light, hollow bones. Cau­tiously remove the line from their body, wings and feet and check them thoroughly before releasing them. If you see a hooked or tangled bird in an active rookery during nesting season, it’s important not to approach them as their young may be startled and fall from the nest.

You can reduce the chance of hooking birds by fol­lowing a few simple rules. First, never feed birds, as this will teach them to look for a handout, a practice that is dangerous to the birds. Second, while you’re fishing, keep an eye out for birds that might be hover­ing, getting ready to dive on your offering.

Taking care of the wildlife that inhabit our coastal estuaries is everyone’s and especially angler’s responsibility. If you see a bird in distress and can’t help it, call Save Our Seabirds at 941-388-3010 or Audubon Coastal Island Sanctuaries at 813-623-6826.

Manatee County joins SB 180 lawsuit

Manatee County joins SB 180 lawsuit

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

If you don’t know about Senate Bill 180 and its implications to anglers who fish Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Sound, let me explain. The bill prohibits counties and municipalities (including Manatee County and the three Anna Maria Island cities) from adopting new, more restrictive land use or zoning regulations, or imposing development moratoriums, within certain timeframes after a hurricane.

This applies even if the changes aren’t related to recovery from the storm, which is the original intent of the law. It becomes draconian because the new state law allows anyone to sue local governments if they violate this provision – creating a chilling effect on local planning and resilience efforts.

As mentioned, this law was originally conceived to protect homeowners af­fected by the twin hurricanes: Helene and Milton. The law extends the life of existing development permits, streamlines the permitting process for rebuilding, waives or reduces certain fees for like-kind reconstruction and allows temporary accommodations for displaced residents. It would also provide clarity and uniformity throughout the state so property owners and builders have foreseeable rules to rely on after disasters and it will help keep homeown­ers from getting bogged down in permit­ting or zoning delays during recovery.

Unfortunately, as the bill moved through the state legislature, ad­ditional land use restrictions placed on local governments were added. These changes prevent counties and cities from adopting new development regulations or moratoriums after a disaster (unless directly tied to recovery) and give “any person” the right to sue local governments that try to impose stricter restrictions.

The additions went well beyond the original disaster-recovery intent and shifted the law into the realm of limit­ing local control of overgrowth, zoning and environmental protections.

So how might that affect anglers? In the last election, Manatee County resi­dents made it clear that the wetland protections removed by the former commissioners were not popular. That was evidenced by the voters’ removal of the county commissioners seeking reelection who voted to remove the county’s setbacks requirements that were more restrictive than those allowed by state statutes.

When the current commission recently considered voting to reinstate the more restrictive wetland setback requirements, they were threatened by the implications of Senate Bill 180 – which State Sen. Jim Boyd and State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. both voted for earlier this year.

I’ve heard from a number of sources that Manatee County developer Pat Neal may have been an influential and key figure behind the more restrictive land use provisions included in SB 180. I contacted Neal to give him a chance to respond but he did not reply.

In response to this change, a coalition of local governments that includes Manatee County, Orange County and the cities of Alachua, Deltona, Stuart, Weston, Windermere, Naples, Delray Beach and others are joining in the lawsuit that will challenge the law created by SB 180.

On Sept. 2, county commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of joining the lawsuit, with Commissioner Mike Rahn voting no. I was at the meeting and numerous citizens showed up to support the commission in joining the suit. No one spoke in opposition to joining the suit.

Political maneuvers like this hit at the very heart of the democratic process and threaten to negate the votes of citizens working to protect the environment in their region by encouraging sustainable building practices. Unfortunately, it appears that greed is attempting to prevent citizens from enacting common sense rules and regulations at the expense of future generations.

I would encourage everyone who wants to protect the integrity of our local marine environment to write letters to elected officials demanding common sense laws.

Contact Senator Boyd by email at boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov, by letters sent to his Bradenton district office at 717 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 100, Bradenton, Fl. 34205, or by phone at 941-742-6445.

Contact Representative Robinson by email at will.robinson@flhouse.gov, by regular mail sent to his Bra­denton district office at 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 305, Bradenton, Fl. 34205-7801 or by phone at 6941-242-8430.

I’ll continue to update readers on the progress of the lawsuit as it unfolds.

Reel Time: The Great Egmont Key Cleanup

Reel Time: The Great Egmont Key Cleanup

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time, Water Quality.

Suncoast Aqua Ventures’ (SAV) work can be summed up in three words: “Dive. Preserve. Serve.” But this group of divers does so much more. Their work in cleaning up our coastal islands, shorelines and underwater reefs cannot be overstated. Now Anna Maria residents have the opportu­nity to join in a cleanup in their own “backyard.”

On Saturday, Sept. 27, they will set their sights on Egmont Key, which is still littered with trash after the 2024 hurricane season. Join in an effort to clean up debris and restore this treasured island! This event is not like the usual beach cleanups they host. This cleanup will be focusing on removing large debris from the interior and shoreline of the island and hauling it away on barges. Volunteers should be aware that there are no services, including bathrooms, on the island. Volunteers must be 16 years or older and physically able to withstand four-plus hours in the Sep­tember heat. SAV will have a reprieve station set up at check-in where volunteers can grab some shade, Gatorade, snacks and water refills.

Volunteers can meet on Egmont Key with their own boat or get a free ride to the island from one of the follow­ing vessels:

  • Hubbard’s Marina Ferry (departing from Fort De Soto, Tierra Verde, Florida);
  • Riverside Tours (departing from Regatta Point Marina, Palmetto, Florida); and
  • AMI Dolphin Tours (departing from Waterline Villas and Marina, Anna Maria Island, Florida).

Registration aboard the ferries is free but limited, so sign up each individual in your party as soon as possible. Volunteers will not be able to board without a valid registra­tion. To board the ferry, you must be physically capable of disembarking from a semi-mobile ramp on the shoreline or climbing down a ladder. Information about meeting time and other ferry logistics will be communicated through email, so be sure to register with an email that you check regularly.

Free lunch and snacks will be provided for all volunteers as payment for their hard work.

For more information, email Cheryl Huntsinger at suncoastaquaventures@gmail.com or Sheila Scolaro at sscolaro@tbep.org.

For more information about Egmont Key, visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/egmont-key-state-park.

Opportunity meets preparedness

Opportunity meets preparedness

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Whether you’re fishing for reds, snook and trout in Sarasota Bay or Anna Maria Sound, stalking bonefish in the Bahamas, stripers in the Northeast, or casting to rising trout on a mountain stream in Montana, you’ll be spending more time anticipating the adventure than actually fishing. That’s the perfect time to prepare so you’ve addressed the things you have control over in advance. When you do get on the water, you will inevitably encounter unpredictable forces like wind, rain, clouds and any number of other conditions.

With so many unavoidable pitfalls facing anglers, there is often a propensity to just hope for the best and then take what you get. How many of us have waited for months to take that trip of a life­time, had perfect conditions and then found our casting abilities no match for our prey? The old saying that luck is “opportunity meeting preparedness” is especially true for fishers. Why not develop the mindset from the beginning that everything we do (on the water and off) contributes to turning odds into opportunities?

Preparation comes in many forms, and the most important for anglers are:

  • Short, numerous practice sessions throughout the year;
  • having tackle in top form; and
  • knowing how to tie proper knots and choose baits that imitate your prey’s food.

Casting skills are developed over a lifetime, and practice should not be saved for fishing trips, or even the days leading up to a trip. The best practice is on grass, throwing to targets placed at different distances and angles. If you are a fly fisher, don’t make the mistake of judging your casting ability by how long a line you can throw. Learn to make a tight, accurate 40-foot cast first, and then work on distance.

While I’ve been blessed to learn from some of the industry’s leading experts, I’ve found the best instructor, after mastering the basics, is experience. As a fly fisherman, one of the first and most important lessons I’ve learned is to see the wind as friend, not foe. If you’re new to the game, don’t put off a fly fishing trip because the wind is blowing. On my first trip to the Bahamas I was face to face with a large school of bonefish just 40 feet away into a 25 mph head­wind! All those days of avoiding the wind meant that I didn’t have the skills to get the job done! Now I value the windy days because I know that if I can make the cast, I can benefit from the conditions. Fish are far less spooky and will more readily take the fly or lure when the waves riffle the surface. The waves also provide windows into the water. If you can make an accurate cast into a 15-knot wind, you’ll be golden on those days when the wind is in your favor.

Being mentally prepared and employing techniques like visualization gives you the ability to form a mental picture of the outcome you desire by seeing the quarry in exquisite detail and imagining yourself making the perfect presentation, setting the hook and feeling the line and the pressure on the rod as the fish streaks for the horizon. The athletes in all sports know how to plan and visualize their outcome. They’re prepared when opportu­nity presents itself as “luck.”

Pine Island Redfish: Sustainable aquaculture

Pine Island Redfish: Sustainable aquaculture

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

When I first heard about Pine Island Redfish, I contacted owner Megan Sorby about a tour. I had assumed that the operation was on Pine Island but when I reached out to Megan by phone, she informed me that they were located at the Mote Aquacultural Park in Sarasota, refining their operations while they built out their vision on Pine Island. Check out their excellent video at www.pineisland­redfish.com for an introduction to see the operation and learn about their plans.

Sorby has worked in commercial aquaculture around the world for the past 20 years.

“I actually had my first internship in the field right here at Mote Aquaculture Park and was hooked ever since,” she related. “Together with my partner, Tom, we focus on the development of new species for aquaculture, beginning with broodstock all the way through to harvest. We saw a real need for our sector to communicate our process more with the public so that seafood farming was seen as just that – farming – and something that offers great opportunity for coastal communities, working waterfronts and transparency in food supply. In that, we also wanted to be the model for how all our food systems must be for the future, which is regenerative.”

Pine Island Redfish’s intention is to produce food in harmony with the environ­ment and, when possible, in a way that gives back.

The company was founded in late 2023 by Sorby. They’re developing a land-based Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) on Pine Island, Florida, to sustainably farm a food fish that’s been off limits to com­mercial fishing since 2007 due to severe overfishing rightly or wrongly attributed to the blackened redfish craze of the early 2000s.

Pine Island Redfish is the first company in the U.S. to successfully farm red drum using RAS technology. In March 2025, they achieved their first commercial harvest and now their farmed redfish are available at select Publix supermarkets in Sarasota and in several regional restau­rants, including Indigenous, an elegant and trendy Sarasota eatery. The company uses the waste generated by the fish farm to grow mangroves and halophytic (salt-tolerant) plants like sea purslane that contribute to coastal restoration and ecological health.

Building on their initial success, Pine Island Redfish intends to develop a full-scale facility capable of producing around 800 metric tons of redfish annually, and growing nearly 50,000 mangroves each year.

What instantly excited me about Pine Island Redfish was the fact that their farm­ing method combines sustainable seafood production with habitat restoration, which minimizes their environmental footprint while enhancing coastal ecosystems. If suc­cessful, Pine Island Redfish could serve as a blueprint for climate-conscious aquaculture practices nationwide, eliminating concerns of organizations like Suncoast Waterkeeper with proposed local offshore operations that threaten pollution and potential negative effects on native fish stocks.

To learn firsthand from the people behind this exciting technology and to sample their product (redfish) prepared by proprietor and chef Steve Phelps of Indigenous, come to Mote Marine Labora­tory’s Keating Building on Saturday, Aug. 30 from 2-5 p.m.

Join the Great Scallop Search

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Fishing, Outdoors.

Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) is seeking volunteers for a citizen science event to collect data on shellfish, animals and seagrass in Sarasota Bay.

The Great Scallop Search will be on Saturday, August 23 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Participation helps scientists assess the health of the bay and is part of a larger effort along Florida’s west coast to gather information on marine life and water quality.

Join the Great Scallop Search
Young volunteers proudly show the scallops they found during an earlier search. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Volunteers’ efforts during the search will help identify areas of interest for investigation. Using the provided scallop survey equipment, participants will set up an observation area with buoys and ropes. Volunteers then work in teams to record any sea life found within this perimeter. The event allows snorkelers to survey the study area and report their findings to a volunteer who will stay on the surface and document the observations on a data sheet. Once the observa­tion area has been thoroughly surveyed, the team will retrieve their equipment and proceed to the next site.

Kayakers will focus on very shallow areas near the shore. Working in pairs, one volunteer will snorkel while the other records data. Kayakers will be responsible for transporting their survey equipment to these locations.

Boat captains will cover deeper areas working with their designat­ed crew and snorkelers to record life on the bottom. Boat captains are responsible for transporting their survey equipment to these areas. Crew are volunteers who have a boat captain prior to the event. Snorkelers will be paired with boat captains who have additional space on their vessels, space permitting.

All participants (except boat captains) should be prepared to snorkel and must provide their own snorkeling gear.

Choose between two Scallop Search locations: North (Long­boat Key) or South (Sarasota Sailing Squadron). Upon arrival, volunteers will check in, collect their scallop survey equipment from SBW and join their desig­nated groups. Groups will receive instructions from SBW, then depart to search for scallops and return the equipment afterward. You must return to the Scallop Search location you started at to return your equipment. Lunch will be provided at the south location.

Experienced boat captains, kayakers and swimmers are preferred for this event.

Tips for participants

  • Wear heavy, closed-toed shoes that can get wet like sneakers, water shoes or boots to protect your feet;
  • Opt for clothing that covers your arms and legs to ensure comfort and protection;
  • Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and reduce waste;
  • Don’t forget essentials like sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat for sun protection;
  • Use a dry bag to safeguard your valuables;
  • Only scallop survey equipment will be provided (clipboards, ropes, buckets, etc.). Volun­teers must provide all other equipment that they need (snorkels, kayaks, fins, etc.).

Launch locations are: North location – Coquina North Boat Ramp: 1507 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach; South location – Sarasota Sailing Squadron: 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota.

The event is one of Sarasota Bay Watch’s longest and most popular events. It is a great family fun/educational event and also a great way to get friends and family together on the water.

According to SBW Executive Director Ronda Ryan, “When people see what is in and under the water, they can relate to the need to protect this habitat. Seeing is believing!”

Scallop searches are held along the west coast of Florida during the summer months when the scallops are the largest. All the information collected during the searches is shared with scientists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The Scallop Search is a great example of citizen science at work and an opportunity for the public to interact with marine scientists.

Complete your online registra­tion at the event website to secure your spot and stay informed about updates.