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Get involved in keeping Sarasota Bay healthy

Get involved in keeping Sarasota Bay healthy

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

Spring is a great time to enjoy our coastal waters while work­ing to keep them healthy. Two upcoming events in April provide a terrific opportunity to do this vital work and meet others who share the passion.

The first of these events is the 8th Annual Reef and Beach Clean Up scheduled for April 5-6 at Sea Breeze Park in Terra Ceia. This event was previ­ously scheduled last September but postponed due to impacts from Hurricane Helene. The event combines environmental steward­ship with friendly competition.

Hosted by Suncoast Aqua Ven­tures, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering participants a chance to win cash prizes while making a tangible impact on our coastal environment. Suncoast Aqua Ventures is a community-driven organization dedicated to preserv­ing and protecting Florida’s coastal and underwater environ­ments through hands-on clean-up events, educational programs and advocacy.

The Reef and Beach Clean Up is not your typical beach clean-up. This unique event turns trash collection into a competitive sport, with cash prizes awarded in several categories, including Most Recyclables, Most Tires, Most Anchors and Most Shoes. Whether you’re a land lover or a certified SCUBA diver, there’s a way for everyone to participate. Those with access to a boat can clean up underwater, ensuring our reefs are as pristine as our beaches and mangrove coastlines.

Since its inception in 2016, Suncoast Aqua Ventures has mobilized over 2,200 volunteers who have collectively removed an astonishing 182,000 pounds of trash from our beautiful coastline and underwater environments. What began as a small local effort has blossomed into a movement that has brought together commu­nity members, environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Cheryl Huntsinger, President of Suncoast Aqua Ventures, reflects on the origins of the event: “We started this organization after witnessing the sheer amount of human debris littering our coast­lines and underwater habitats. We knew something had to be done, and what better way to tackle the problem than by bringing people together in a fun, competitive family-friendly environment? It’s incredible to see how much we’ve ac­complished in just a few short years.”

The 8th Annual Reef and Beach Clean Up is more than just a day of trash collec­tion—it’s a celebration of community, conservation and the power of collective action. Whether you’re here for the competition or to enjoy a day by the water, your participa­tion helps protect our coastal environment for future generations. To register, visit https://suncoastaquaven­tures.com/event/8th-annual-reef-beach-cleanup/.

The second event just a week later on Saturday, April 12, is the Annual Sister Keys Cleanup. Since 2009, Sarasota Bay Watch has been dedicated to caring for our “adopted islands” – the stunning Sister Keys.

This event invites you to be a part of this important mission to protect and maintain the natural diversity of this incredible space. Whether you’re passionate about marine life, conservation, or simply love spending time on the water, your help ensures that Sister Keys remains a thriving sanctuary for genera­tions to come. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers!

Whether you prefer to walk the shoreline collecting debris, captain a boat to ferry volunteers, or capture the action as a photographer, there’s a role for everyone! Boaters will transport volun­teers to the cleanup site, as well as haul collected trash. Have a kayak? Bring it along and paddle your way to the cleanup site. Your support makes a huge difference!

Continuing a tradition first started in 2009 by the Chiles Group, previous owners of Mar Vista on Longboat Key and the Beach House and Sandbar restaurants on Anna Maria Island, Beachside Hospitality will provide a complimentary boxed lunch after the cleanup.

If you’ve never been to the Mar Vista, come and see what true coastal dining is all about while enjoying the new look and an unparalleled view of the Sister Keys. Come make a difference, enjoy the great outdoors, and connect with others who share a passion for conservation!

For more information, call Ronda Ryan at 941-232-2363 and register at sarasotabaywatch.org.

Spring fever? Go for cobia

Spring fever? Go for cobia

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

The first day of spring is March 20, and as local water temperatures warm with the approach of spring, local anglers need to be alert for cobia in area waters.

Often mistaken for shark, whose shapes and coloration they resemble, cobia are long and streamlined with a broad, flattened head. Their upper body is brown with a dark lateral line that extends through the eye to the tail. The brown color transitions to white on the belly.

Cobia range up to 6 feet long and can weigh more than 100 pounds. While most anglers target cobia in the Gulf, they range widely throughout local bays, particularly near local passes. Cobia spawn in the spring and early summer and feed on crabs, small fishes and squid.

The recreational and commercial bag limits for cobia in Gulf state wa­ters is one fish per person or two cobia per vessel per day. The minimum size limit is 36” to the fork of the tail.

Cobia have a way of surprising anglers, so it’s wise to have a rig ready should you encounter one. Fly anglers who target cobia opt for at least a 10-weight outfit, although it’s pos­sible to land smaller cobia on lighter outfits.

A favorite fly is a black bunny tied to resemble a small eel, one of their favorite foods. Anglers fishing conventional tackle most often use live baitfish and live crabs, another of their favorite foods. Cobia will also hit a variety of plugs and lures that imitate baitfish.

When fishing this spring, inspect any floating objects you come across like flotsam and buoys as well as structure including markers and artificial reefs.

Cobia are worthy adversaries for local anglers. They can show unexpectedly and be hard to target but put up a terrific battle. Smaller cobia make great table fare but make sure you limit your catch and carefully release any cobia you don’t intend to eat fresh.

In praise of seabirds

In praise of seabirds

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

Seabirds are an angler’s friend. Besides being an integral part of the marine ecosystem and beautiful to behold, 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.

Birds can become entangled in fishing line and take 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 mangroves from an errant cast.

If a bird is hooked while fishing, it’s important to bring it to the boat with a properly set drag to prevent the line from breaking. This can be a death sentence for the birds when they return to a mangrove roost trailing line. If a bird becomes hooked or entangled in your line while fishing, work them to the boat carefully as you would a big fish, then throw a towel over their head to calm them and grab them securely by the beak while removing the hook. Care should be taken with all birds, especially ones that have sharp beaks. They don’t know you are 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 annoys anglers and is dangerous to the birds. Second, while you’re fishing, be aware of birds that might be targeting your bait or lure. It’s easy to pull the lure out of harm’s way at the last second a gull or tern dives on it. If they do become hooked, a barbless hook is easier to remove from the bird and the angler.

Taking care of the wildlife that inhabits our coastal estuaries is every 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.

The honorable harvest

Reel Time: The honorable harvest

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

While reading a chapter in “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer this morning, I came across the chapter entitled, “The Honorable Harvest.” Kimmerer, an American scientist, ac­claimed author and Native American member of the Potawatomi Nation, speaks about the tenets which guided the way her people historically interacted with the natural world. It made me think about how we as fishermen treat fish and the natural world that sustains them and us. Their values included never taking more than was needed, harvesting in a way that minimizes harm, being grateful for the gifts of the earth and sustaining the resource for future generations.

We live in a very different world today where most people buy their fish from refrigerated cases or frozen, wrapped in plastic and sitting in grocery store freezers. As fishermen, we still harvest our catch from the natural world much as the first Americans did.

Can we also honor our harvest, and how might we do that? We can easily take only what we need to feed ourselves and our family, minimize harm by the way we handle the fish we release, and be grateful for the gifts of the sea.

We can work to sustain the resource today and for future generations in these ways and by joining with others who appreciate and value of the natural world. A few of the most active and effective local organizations include Suncoast Waterkeeper, Oyster River Ecology, Sarasota Bay Watch and Suncoast Aqua Ventures. Suncoast Waterkeeper’s mission is to defend our coastline through advocacy, water quality, community engagement and legal action. In addition to an active water quality monitoring program and habitat protec­tion efforts, in the summer of 2024, SCWK instituted an initiative to protect and preserve our local bays through the “Love Your Bays Consciously” campaign.

This campaign is a year-long effort to recruit, manage and train volunteers to proactively and reactively tackle ever-growing threats to clean water in our local bays. Their stated aim is, “Together, we can create a future where clean water and thriving ecosystems are the norm, not the exception.”

Oyster River Ecology’s mission is to improve water quality, restore oyster habitats and increase the public’s understanding of natural systems. One way they ac­complish this is by engaging the public, including youth, through hands-on experiential learning projects. A good example is the creation of Oyster Rag Pots that are made by volunteers and installed in areas where ORE has attained permits to restore large areas of oyster reef, the largest being a 10-acre site in the Manatee River east of I-75.

Sarasota Bay Watch is dedicated to restoring coastal ecosystems through citizen participation. You can become an active participant by joining as a member and volunteering in Sarasota Bay Watch’s ongoing effort to protect and restore this valuable natural resource. Their goal is to initiate innovative and effective action grounded in selfless and comprehen­sive planning to assure the sustainability of Sarasota Bay, its stakeholders and all its inhabitants. They aim to establish collaborative relationships with other environmental organizations, scientists and NGOs. They strive to forge partnerships that allow Sarasota Bay Watch to accomplish its goals while enhancing the effectiveness of every person and group that benefits from the natural assets of the bay system.

Suncoast Aqua Ventures is focused entirely on cleanup events. They work to keep our coastal and underwater ecosystems free from human trash and debris. They initiate and participate in several cleanups throughout the year to promote this cause.

Through these and other efforts, including letter writing, attending governmental meetings and advocation for the environment, it’s possible to honor the harvest today and into the future for the benefit of the fish and the natural marine world that sustains our passion.

Anatomy of a fishing rod

Reel Time: Anatomy of a Fishing Rod

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

All fishing rods, whether a spinning rod, a fly rod or a casting rod, share the basic components – blank, guides, reel seats and handles. So why is one rod more expensive than another?

A rod’s blank is constructed from a product known as prepreg. This material is impregnated with resin and wrapped around a mandrel (which is removed after the blank is formed), giving the rod its basic round shape. This “blank” holds the guides, ferrules, handle, reel seat and fighting butt.

Prepreg has fibers that have a unidirectional (straight) orientation. The fibers can be made of different materials including fiberglass, graphite, boron or Kevlar. Some rods are made from a prepreg that has additional fibers that run around or at an angle to the unidirectional fibers. This gives the rod additional strength and influences flex, stiffness and affects its price.

A rod’s scrim refers to a lightweight material that forms an additional lining under the primary fibers and helps in working the material when it is wrapped around the mandrel. Scrim can be straight or woven and adds what is known as “hoop strength” to the finished rod.

The butt section is the cork part of the rod behind the reel seat that is held either in the non-dominant hand or fits into a fighting harness when playing a fish, while the handle is where the dominant hand is placed. The reel seat secures the reel to the rod. The fixed hood is the metal receiver where one end of the reel foot is placed. The sliding hood is the rear receiver that holds the other end of the reel foot. The locking ring is a nut that puts pressure on the sliding hood and holds the reel securely in place. The guides hold the line along the length of the blank. The ferrules connect sections of a two- or four-piece rod. The tip, as the name implies, is the section at the top of the rod.

You may also encounter the term “taper.” A rod’s taper refers to the diameter of a rod from the butt to the tip. The taper affects the rod’s action. Most rods have either a fast action (stiff) or a slow action (flexible).

When you’re shopping for a new outfit, knowing the parts and construction of a rod will help you make an informed decision. The most important part of the rod and the one that most affects its price and your buying decision is the blank.

The materials and the method of construction of the blank determines its price. The least expensive rods are made from fiberglass while the expensive ones are constructed with graphite, boron and Kevlar. While fiberglass may be good for a beginner, the more expensive rods are a better choice for the seasoned angler. They are lighter, more responsive and less prone to break. But don’t let price determine your selection. There are a lot of very good rods on the market today that can be purchased at a good price point.

The one thing to avoid is cheap equipment. It’s OK to buy a lower price point outfit if you’re a beginner, but choose an outfit that will make a good second rod when you upgrade. An informed decision can positively affect your angling efficiency and enjoyment.

Reel Time: Harbingers of spring

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

The signs of spring are in the air, even though the official start of the season is a month away. I heard the first whippoorwill this past week and bait is starting to school in Sarasota Bay, welcome signs to winter weary anglers.

This doesn’t mean that there won’t be another cold snap, and if the calendar says spring isn’t here yet, we know it’s just around the corner. Experience tells the savvy angler that fish have their own special calendar, one that consists of the angle of the sun, temperature of the water and the length of the days. When water temperatures rise into the 70s, fish come out of their winter haunts, even if it’s winter one day and spring the next.

It’s a time to keep an eye on the Gulf, looking for the first snook in the surf and for wheeling, diving seabirds as they forage on schools of baitfish that will begin to gather off the beaches in a seasonal primal ritual.

Anglers know from experience that schools of little tunny, Spanish mackerel, cobia and kingfish won’t be far behind. It could be just a matter of days before they will be swarming the bait schools, wrecks, reefs and hard bottom just off the beaches.

In the bay, trout, redfish and snook will also be roaming the flats in search of pilchards, shrimp and glass min­nows to replenish themselves from their winter fast. Spring is the time when local anglers have a host of pis­catorial choices and some of the best conditions to pursue them. Of course, it can all seem like just an illusion as another front riles the Gulf, sending chill winds and muddy water into the bay, and forcing anglers to put on a sweatshirt. It’s the kind of weather that plays with the emotions of fishers. But hope springs eternal, and we know from experience that it won’t be long before the run is on. That’s why it’s time to be prepared, flies tied and tackle ready for that day when it’s no longer a question of when it will happen, but what species we’ll fish for!

I like this time of year even if it can be exasperating. One day the flats and Gulf can be barren and the next the action red hot. That’s why it is so important to be ready for just about anything. Having rigs on board that can handle a big cobia and wire leaders in case kings make an appear­ance can make the difference between frustration and success. Anglers who are vigilant, prepared and persistent will be rewarded. Whatever your fish­ing style or whether you like fishing the Gulf of Mexico or local bays, take advantage of this swing time and you’ll be rewarded.

 

 

Marine debris cleanup effort planned

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

The effects of the 2024 hurricane season have been all too apparent to Anna Maria Island residents since the passing of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in a two-week period in late September and early October.

The devastation broke the record for the shortest amount of time between two major hurricanes in Florida. Collapsed buildings, mountains of sand and huge piles of debris lining local neighbor­hoods and coastal highways have served as constant reminders. Since then, local municipalities, along with FEMA, deployed over 1,000 incident management personnel, while other federal and state agencies deployed 1,200 additional search and rescue personnel. This herculean effort by relief workers has been impressive as the piles of debris have largely been removed.

Unfortunately, those storm surges and winds pushed massive amounts of detritus into local waters, littering grass flats and choking local mangrove forests with the shattered remnants of island life. Now local environmental non-profits and concerned citizens, watermen and sportsmen are banding together to clean up area waters. On Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., you can join Suncoast Waterkeeper, Suncoast Aqua Ventures, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Tampa Bay Water­keeper, the Organized Fishermen of Florida and Sarasota Bay Watch in a crucial cleanup of marine debris in our waterways and mangroves.

TERRA CEIA BAY AND MANATEE RIVER

The cleanup will focus on the waters of the Manatee River out of Blenker Boatworks and Marina at the mouth of the Manatee River in Bradenton and Terra Ceia Bay at Tropic Isles Marina on Terra Ceia Bay in Palmetto. Organizers are calling for help from kayakers, shallow draft boat owners and shoreline helpers. The cleanup will focus on mangroves, so volunteers are encouraged to wear protective clothing, eyewear and shoes. Lunch, gloves and other collection supplies will be provided to participants, who are being asked to bring a reusable water bottle. Exact meet up locations will be provided to participants via email after registration. Sign up to participate at https://bit.ly/dec_14_cleanup.

The wind damaged mangroves will regenerate leaves. It will be up to volunteers to remove debris. Capt. Justin Moore | Submitted

As I’ve reported through the years, our local waters have been increas­ingly stressed by loss of habitat, sewage releases, storm water runoff and what I’ve described as “death by a thousand cuts.” While we often hear how fragile our marine resources are, the fact is they are extremely resilient, to a point! To recover from these insults and the natural disasters that are becoming more common, we must understand these critical issues and their importance to our health and the economy and work to protect them. Lending a helping hand and support­ing these organizations in the field and through the legislative process has never been more important.

Successful trip planning

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

Planning any fishing trip can be a challenge given the peculiarities of weather and the idiosyncrasies of fish. Add a few thousand miles, a different language and an exotic species or two and some serious planning is advis­able.

Chances are you’ve been looking forward to this trip for a long time and finally you’ll have the opportunity to do nothing but eat, fish, sleep, and repeat for a week or more. More than likely it’s taken a tremendous amount of time and money to get this opportu­nity, so it makes good sense to develop a plan to assure that you have the best possible chance of success.

Deciding where to go and when are the first decisions you’ll make. While it’s not impossible to book your own trip, knowing the best time, tides and lodging can be daunting. In addition, juggling the details of plane reserva­tions, transfers, accommodations and guides can increase the challenge of putting together a self-guided trip.

A knowledgeable outfitter or travel host can provide you with the experi­ence and insider information that will allow you to immerse yourself in the experience instead of the details. Even when using an outfitter, you’ll need to do some research to ensure you’ve matched your angling needs and ex­pectations to your chosen destination. There are a lot of resources online, including some great groups on Facebook, but you’ll need to vet those sources.

When choosing an outfitter or destination host, be aware that know­ing what you want from your trip and asking the right questions is important to fulfill your expectations. Some of the best fishing is available at sites that have the least amenities. If you require a certain level of service or are traveling with non-fishers, you’ll want to research locations that offer specific conveniences as well as good fishing.

While you won’t want to plan your trip based on second-hand information, you’ll find it can be helpful to talk to others who have made the trip you’re planning. Ask the outfitter or host for several references and question them carefully. Make sure they have been to the location recently and at the time of the year you plan to visit.

In foreign countries, you’ll be hard-pressed to replace items you forgot to pack, particularly fishing tackle. This is one case when it’s probably better to pack more than you think you’ll need, at least within reason. Making a packing list and checking it before your departure will pay dividends.

Most destinations provide lists that you can use to make sure you don’t forget anything important. While their recommendations are a good place to start, customizing your travel list can help ensure that you have what you need while streamlining the amount of baggage you take.

Many tropical fishing destinations are very near the equator, so anglers need to pay special attention to the sun. Long-sleeved pants and shirts with sun protection are advisable, along with a high SPF waterproof sunscreen.

Polarized glasses with glare guards and a fishing hat with a dark underbrim are mandatory and a second pair of each should accom­pany you. For many of my fishing adventures, I’ve used a full-face mask and gloves for sun protec­tion.

Recently I started wearing a fishing hoodie with thumb holes that protect my face, hands and wrists. I find hoodies much more comfortable and invested in several that have bamboo fibers woven into them. Invest in a good pair of flats wading boots and a sling or fanny pack with a water bottle holder and you’ll be good to go.

You can be a consummate planner and still fail to properly plan if you aren’t comfortable with your cast. Pay special attention to casting into the wind and being able to place an accurate 40-foot cast. Practicing these skills well in advance on grass will greatly increase the pleasure of your adventure.

The success or failure of any fishing adventure will vary due to conditions beyond your control but being mindful of the things you do have control over can make or break your trip. Be prepared, practice casting, do your homework up front, ask good questions from knowl­edgeable sources, and be flexible. The time and effort you expend in planning the trip will pay dividends of tight lines and lasting memories.

Reel Time: Bahamas fishing

Reel Time: Bahamas fishing

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

Fishing the Bahamas or any other destination always seems to offer challenges as well as rewards. This annual trip to the Bahamas has checked both those boxes. The trip had a damp element at the beginning, when a tropical disturbance dropped a record amount of rain on south Florida the night after we departed Fort Lauderdale. The ride was bumpy as gusts of wind from the advancing front buffeted the Makers airplane and resulted in a sprint to the door of the Andros Town International Airport. The first two days proved challenging as wind, clouds and high tides resulted in neither myself nor my partner, Anna Maria resident Bill Partridge, landing a single bonefish. The last two days proved to be a totally different experience as winds calmed, the sun made an appearance and we were able to each land between 15-18 fish. More on this trip next week!

Reel Time: Join the 2023 EcoSummit

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

On Dec. 5-6, the Science and Environment Council, the region’s network of 43 leading science-based environmental organizations, will offer the community a two-day summit at Van Wezel Hall in Sarasota that will explore solutions for balancing growth with nature and reducing our impacts.Join the 2023 EcoSummit

Since 1930, the population of Sarasota and Manatee counties has grown from 35,000 to 891,000 people. The growth has resulted in significant degradation, fragmentation and loss of natural habitats and the fish and wildlife they supported. The summit will offer the public a lively, thought-provoking and entertaining experience that will include lectures, panel discussions, storytelling, film and music.

Dozens of national, regional, and local experts will share the stage with local storytellers and Americana songwriter Karen Jonas and her band. Australian documentary filmmaker and regenerative environmental leader Damon Gameau will be the summit’s keynote speaker and will screen his film, “2040.”

Florida’s favorite storyteller and author, Carl Hiaasen, journalist Craig Pittman, and local dolphin whisperer Randy Wells will contribute to an unforgettable and entertaining evening of Florida stories.

U.S. News and World Report ranked the Sarasota metro area as the second fastest-growing place in America in 2023-24. Ongoing challenges with impaired waters, recurrent algal blooms and declining fish and wildlife make it clear that we cannot continue to grow the same way we have in the past.

This is particularly important to convey to voters who will need to elect leaders who understand that our economy and quality of life depend on a healthy, resilient natural environment. A recent decision by the Manatee County Commission to reduce wetland buffers, a move in the opposite direction, points to the urgency of informing the public. Nature cleans our air and water, supports fish and wildlife, promotes public health and drives our economy.

An important book by Florida author Jack Davis, “The Gulf, the Making of an American Sea” (winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for history), is highly recommended to show residents what has been lost and the importance of protecting what we still have. Floridians whose families have lived here for generations know this story well. For four years running, participants in Sarasota County’s annual Citizen Opinion Survey have identified population growth and development as the county’s biggest issue.

We’ve done it before. Since the 1970s, our region has often led the state with bold, community-driven environmental initiatives. Residents rallied to protect South Lido Beach Park, Emerson Point, Sister Keys and Casperson Beach. We banned phosphate mining in Sarasota County and adopted the first summer ban on fertilizer use. We established Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor as estuaries of national significance and empowered three National Estuary Programs to protect and restore them. We protected the Myakka River and more recently the Little Manatee River as state-designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. In November 2020, 71.34% of Manatee County voters agreed to increase property tax by .15 mills and authorized purchasing $50 million in bonds to acquire, improve and manage land to protect drinking water sources and water quality, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, prevent stormwater run-off pollution and provide parks.

Our communities overwhelmingly support our natural environment, and we have exceptional environmental organizations with highly qualified and dedicated people who work to conserve and restore it. Now it’s more critical than ever that we elect leaders who listen to the will of the people. I highly recommend this summit as a learning experience and a call to action. See you there.

Reel Time: The secret to fly casting

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

Everything we learn to do in life is learned by repetition. The act of repeating an action over and over actually trains neurons in the brain to fire together, eventually creating neural pathways that, in time, allow us to act without thinking about it.

Consider learning to ride a bike. Did anyone just get on their bike and effortlessly ride? I know I didn’t. It required falling and getting up repeatedly. Now I get on a bike and ride without even thinking about how to balance, steer or anything else that allows me to stay upright. Teaching fly casting reminds me of those things I now take for granted, like riding my bike, driving my car and fly casting. It’s also shown me why it’s harder for people who have been fly fishing for a long time to master the fundamentals (physics) than for some initiates. Those same pathways that assure success also store bad habits that have been developed over time. This first became apparent to me when I gave lessons to someone who had been fly casting for a long time but who had ingrained bad techniques. When I showed them how to properly move the rod tip in a straight line to form a “tight” wind penetrating loop they understood the concept immediately. The eye-opener for student and teacher was when they tried to repeat the proper casting stroke and their ingrained bad habits overpowered their new understanding.

Reel Time: The secret to fly casting
Joan Wulff demonstrates one of her unique, and effective techniques for mastering the casting stroke. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

This isn’t necessarily bad news for long-time casters but does require them to “retrain” their brain. The same applies to proficient casters who are learning to cast with their non-dominant hand. Try this and you’ll see what I mean instantly. If you’re a right-handed caster, putting the rod in the left hand is like handing it to someone whose mind knows the cast, but has a body that doesn’t cooperate. The good news is that by learning the fundamentals of the cast and practicing them repeatedly, anyone can become an excellent fly caster with time.

Although we’ve established that practice is the key to mastering the cast, there’s another “secret” to supercharging your progress – the frequency of the repetition and establishing a habit. Create a realistic practice schedule that you can stick to. It’s much more effective to practice every day for a few minutes than to practice once a week for hours. Start by practicing at least four to five times a week for 10 minutes. Any additional time will, of course, be a bonus, but the importance of a regular practice schedule cannot be overemphasized. There are lots of resources on the internet to help you perfect your cast and lessons with a caster trained by Fly Fishers International can be invaluable. Some of the best videos I’ve found online feature master casters and instructors like Joan Wulff and Lefty Kreh. Orvis also has excellent resources. Locally, anglers have a great resource in AMI Outfitters on Anna Maria Island. They have complete outfits for beginners and rods and reels that will appeal to the most discriminating fly fisher. Visit them and try different outfits to see what fits your style and your pocketbook. Learning and apply- ing the fundamentals of fly casting and practicing them often will help you avoid learning bad habits or help you overcome them. It’s the secret to fly fishing and a path to an exciting fishing future.

Reel Time on the Road: Frankie's Two Boys Inn

Reel Time on The Road: Frankie’s Two Boys Inn

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

Wakes rippled the water’s mirror-smooth surface, revealing the school of bonefish as they worked their way off the vast shallow flat. Moving towards open water on the quickly falling tide, they were tracking a coral edge that fed into the middle bight of Andros Island, the largest and least populated of the 700 islands in the Bahamas. When they were 30 feet away, I launched a roll cast, made one false cast, and landed my Peterson’s Spawning Shrimp 2 feet ahead of the school. I started my retrieve with a long, smooth strip that got the lead fish’s attention. As soon as it changed direction to intercept the fly, I paused, letting the fly dive for the bottom. When the bonefish got close and started to “tip” down on the fly, I made another long strip that was quickly intercepted. A short, sharp, strip strike set the barbless hook and I immediately prepared for the laser-fast reaction I knew was coming. True to form, the bonefish streaked to deeper water, making the fly line “rooster tail” across the surface in what must be one of the most electrifying experiences in fly fishing. The first long run went 50 yards into the backing before the fish reversed course and raced back towards me faster than I could recover the line. I thrust the tip of the rod in the water to prevent slack from forming that might loosen the barbless fly and left it there until I was able to “come tight” again.

The first run was followed by three more, each a bit shorter but equally thrilling before I was finally able to get the bonefish’s head above water and work it to the boat. Reaching into the water, I lifted it belly first, causing it to quiet down for a quick posed photograph and release. Wave after wave of fish poured from the flat that morning on what would be my best day of bonefishing ever. My companion, Rallis Pappas, and I took turns landing fish until I decided to get out and wade. Rallis and I were able to land close to 20 bonefish between us before the falling tide emptied the flat. In the water I had shots at multiple schools of fish, allowing me to land three and hook a fourth in quick succession. This was Pappas’ first time bonefishing, and I was quick to let him know what an amazing first day he was experiencing.

I was fishing with a group of friends out of Frankie’s Two Boys Inn in the Behring Point settlement on Cargill Creek, situated on the southern edge of Andros’s northern island. The “middle bight,” a vast and pristine wilderness of mangrove-lined cays surrounded by azure channels and seemingly endless flats, is just a short ride from the lodge’s docks. On days with good weather and tides, anglers can elect to make the hour-long run to the West Side National Park, arguably one of the most remote and unspoiled areas in the Bahamas chain. Having fished South Andros for many years I made my first trip to Frankie’s last March and the experience led to this return trip. Andy Grosso, a friend from Sarasota, and I made that first trip where we met Greg Huffman from Sarasota and Dana Fogle from Deland. This year they joined us again with friends, Michael Riter and Jimmy Harris, owner of Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Georgia. We were joined mid-week by my brother from another mother and father, (stepbrother) Rallis Pappas from Atlantic Beach, Florida.

Readers of this column know of my love of bonefishing in the Bahamas, an experience I was eager to share with new fly anglers Riter and Pappas. Harris and I have fished the rivers of north Georgia on multiple occasions over the years and he has introduced me to many memorable experiences hunting for trout, stripers and bass on his home waters. During our week at Frankie’s, owners Melinda and Frankie, the guides, and lodge staff looked after our every need and although we experienced some rainy and windy days (typical of all my fishing trips) everyone had outstanding fishing for bonefish. While the fishing was the “main course,” afternoons and evenings around the bar and dining room table were memorable for the hilarious jokes and camaraderie.

Frankie’s is a great value and while it isn’t on the water and doesn’t have amenities for the family, everything a dedicated bone fisher needs is provided. If you’ve never fished for bonefish or are a dedicated angler, Frankie’s is a great choice. Getting there was quick and easy flying from Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport with Makers Air. For more information, check out Frankie’s Two Boys Inn.

Keep an eye out for cobia

Reel Time: Keep an eye out for cobia

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

As the waters cool in the Tampa Bay region, savvy anglers know it’s time to start looking for cobia in area waters.

These feisty game fish can grow to over 100 pounds, and 50- to 60-pound fish are common during the fall. While most anglers target cobia in the Gulf, the species ranges widely throughout local bays as well. Years ago, I was introduced to a cobia fishery I never knew about in upper Tampa Bay by Capt. Bryon Chamberlin of Land o’ Lakes.

That first day we launched near Apollo Beach and motored towards the Big Bend power plant, its twin stacks emitting plumes of steam silhouetted against a brilliant orange sky. That cold morning, the warm water discharge created steam that wafted over the chilly waters of Tampa Bay. The hope was that these warm waters would attract rays, jack crevalle, snook and our target, cobia. The strategy was to look for large eagle rays. Chamberlin knew that cobia “ride” their wings, looking for prey.

We had barely set up near the warm water when the wing tips of a large ray broke the surface about 100 feet away. Chamberlin dropped his trolling motor and quietly closed within casting distance. When the ray was 50 feet away, I made a cast and stripped the fly in the path of the ray as three large cobia came into view. A fish we estimated at 50-60 pounds attacked the black and purple bunny with a vengeance that surprised me, causing me to hold on too long and breaking my 16-pound tippet. I barely had time to recover and tie on a new fly before Chamberlin was moving towards another disturbance on the water. This one didn’t have a cobia in attendance, but in the next half hour, I had shots and refusals from four fish.

Chamberlin suggested a different pattern and I started to cut off the fly. For some reason, I waited a split second. Suddenly, a large brown shape morphed near the boat. Making a roll cast, I placed the fly 2 feet in front and watched as a large cobia inhaled the offering. This time I made a hard strip strike and relaxed my grip on the line as the fish bolted for the horizon. The cobia fought hard, making frequent head-shaking appearances at the surface followed by long runs into the backing. Thirty minutes later, Chamberlin lifted the 40-pound-plus fish for a few photos before we revived it and released it.

Unlike most fish, cobia are often easier to find and feed on a slack tide. When the tide is running hard, the rays feed on the bottom. When the tide starts to slow, the rays come back up to the surface and bring the cobia with them. Bright sunny days with light winds make for optimal conditions and could yield multiple shots.

This is definitely a hit-or-miss fishery, but it’s totally worth the effort when you have a chance at a 50-pound fish on a fly in Tampa Bay. Cobia can also be found along the beaches and over structure offshore in the fall. It’s a good idea to have a 10-weight outfit rigged and in the rod rack even if you’re not targeting cobia. They have a way of showing up suddenly and it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

Reel Time: Catch and release redux

Reel Time: Catch and release redux

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

Catch and release is a term I haven’t heard much recently. I’ve actually seen postings on social media that make me wonder if maybe this important conservation tool needs to be revisited. Catch and release wasn’t commonly discussed in saltwater sport-fishing circles when I was growing up. It became prevalent when fish populations became stressed in the late 1980s and organizations like the Florida Conservation Association (now the Coastal Conservation Association) were being formed. Slowly, it caught on as an important tool to help flagging fisheries rebound.

Most anglers I know who practice catch and release have no problem with taking an occasional fish home for dinner. It’s more about enjoying the sport and trying to be proactive in helping it to remain healthy and viable. There are many species that have little or no food value that anglers seldom intentionally kill. But catch and release is not just about releasing fish that you don’t want, it’s also about releasing undersized and unwanted species. Catch and release is a wise use of the resource and that’s why it’s important that anglers know how to handle fish properly from hook set to release.

When we get cut or bruised, we can head for the local drug store, or in more extreme cases the emergency room. Not so for fish. In their world, it’s the sick and wounded that fall prey to predators. Releasing fish with a minimum of damage is important with a 6-pound trout, a 150-pound tarpon and everything in between.

Start by making sure you’re using the right tackle for the species being pursued. Trying to land a 100-plus pound tarpon on 20-pound tackle might be okay if you’re experienced, but to the uninitiated, it’s like announcing a free meal to sharks that ply local waters looking for weak or injured prey. You want to enjoy the action but land the fish as quickly as possible. Once you have the fish under control, it’s best to never take them out of the water.

It might be necessary to revive big fish. That’s best accomplished by slowly motoring forward while holding the fish underwater. They’ll let you know when they’re ready to be released.

The hook is another important consideration. Some anglers don’t like to bend their barbs down because they’re afraid of losing the fish. The key to keeping fish on a barbless hook is keeping a tight line. When you’re ready to remove the hook, use a de-hooker.

De-hookers will prevent you from having to handle your catch, keep your hands clean, prevent you from inadvertently harming the fish’s protective mucus membrane and come in various shapes depending on use. The simplest is J-shaped and removes hooks in or near the jaw. A circular-shaped longer version allows anglers to remove hooks that are deep in the throat of a fish. A set of pliers can also be used if the hook is easily accessible.

Anglers who fish for reef fish like snapper and grouper need to learn how to “vent” fish with inflated swim bladders. Bringing the fish up from deep depths quickly bloats their bladder, which has to be punctured to allow the fish to return to the bottom. For bigger, hard-to-vent fish like Goliath grouper, new technology uses a descender device to get them back down in good shape. Visit the Return ‘Em Right project web page to learn how to use the device and get one for free.

By being prepared, anglers can use proper catch and release methods to increase a fish’s chance of survival. Taking the time and having the tools and knowledge to release fish properly is a great way to help ensure healthy fish populations both now and in the future. Catch and release is an important concept that needs to be practiced and discussed among anglers.

Reel Time: The price of inaction

Reel Time: The price of inaction

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

Red tide. They’re probably the two words that nobody on or near Florida’s west coast wants to hear and I can understand why, sort of.

Someone who owns a resort hotel, has a restaurant on or near the beach or runs a business that takes people fishing or sightseeing depends on clean, healthy water for their livelihood. It’s easy for the average person to see that these businesses are negatively affected by red tide or even the mere mention of it.

What’s less obvious is that poor water quality affects everyone, from fishing guides to developers, realtors and builders, right down to the plumber sweating pipes in Lakewood Ranch. Humans seem to focus only on the things that directly impact us in the present, finding it easier to “kick the can down the road.” I suggest looking your children and grandchildren in the eye and asking yourself, “What part am I taking in creating and protecting the world they will inherit?”

We only must look back at the last five years for two haunting cases in point, starting with the harmful red tide algae bloom that devastated coastal waters from Naples to St. Petersburg and rendered Sarasota Bay a virtual wasteland. The result? In the last five years, Sarasota Bay lost most of the seagrass than had regrown in the past 20 years plus, if not more.

As if we needed another example, the disastrous release of over 200 million gallons of polluted process water from the legacy phosphate facility at Piney Point in late March 2021 led to the worst algae bloom in Upper Tampa Bay since the 1970s, killing thousands of tons of sea life. Piney Point is the perfect example of kicking the can down the road and running out of road.

Resident anglers have seen firsthand the decrease in water quality and the resulting loss of habitat, seagrass and its negative effect on local fisheries. Unfortunately, anglers and residents who recently relocated here see “the new normal.” Is it possible that we might consider what we’re leaving for future generations instead of how it affects self-interest in the here and now? This is not a new problem and I’m sure there were others saying the same thing when we first arrived here. But this is now and the time to act is slipping away.

If you want to see how the officials we elect represent us in enacting rules and regulations to protect our natural resources, consult the League of Conservation Voters.

The LCV is non-partisan and tracks the voting records of members of the Senate and Congress on environmental issues in its National Environmental Scorecard. This is a clear indication of how those tasked with representing our interests actually vote. Who we elect is critical to facing this problem. Politics is more divisive now than I can remember, but it’s critical that we elect politicians who represent our interests, not those with no vision who are concerned with division.

In the end, we all suffer the consequences. Vote, and consider joining and working with advocates like Suncoast Waterkeeper, Vote Water and Sarasota Bay Watch, groups working to educate the public, get them involved and hold politicians and municipalities accountable for their votes and action or inaction.

The time to act is the only time there ever is, right now. It won’t happen overnight, but it’s critical we begin now.