Skip to main content

Tag: Reel Time

Reel Time: The bridges of Manatee County

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

Bridges provide anglers who don’t have a boat or don’t want to bother with one some excellent fishing opportunities.

Their structure provides the perfect habitat for fish. Besides the plethora of small baitfish, crabs and other crustaceans that call these places home, bridges provide gamefish a refuge and an ambush point for feeding. The bridges that span the local passes are also natural pathways for fish like pompano, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish. These fish migrate from the Gulf to the local bays and feed around the bridge pilings and fenders. Winter and early spring are particularly good times to find action around the local bridges.  If you happen to have a boat, you’ll find them a great place to fish too.

Reel Time: The bridges of Manatee County
Dave Sparks caught this nice Spanish mackerel on the Longboat Pass Bridge fishing a jig. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

This winter has been, thankfully, a bit cooler than past years, and fishing for sheepshead, a perennial winter favorite, has been strong around local bridges. If you wonder when the best time to fish bridges might be, I’d refer to the old saying that the best time to go fishing is any time you can. Having said that, if you have the luxury of picking your time and tide, a morning incoming tide is hard to beat. The second-best time would be a late outgoing tide. Timing your trip to coincide with the beginning or end of the tide cycle will make it easier to deal with the often-strong currents that course through the passes. That doesn’t mean you’re restricted to those times and there are ways to rig that will allow you to deal with any tide stage.

A medium-weight spinning outfit is perfect for fishing the bridges. I prefer a 10- to 12-pound outfit since you’ll have to hoist your catch from the water to the bridge. There are special nets available that can be lowered to help with this operation, but it is one more piece of equipment you’ll have to transport. With most catches, a careful hand-over-hand retrieve will work just fine and your mobility will not be restricted. Gloves are recommended. Depending on what is running, a few lure choices will suffice. One of the most effective lures for fishing the passes is the jig. When the current isn’t particularly strong, a jig tied directly to a 30-pound section of leader will work perfectly. If the tide is strong, a weight will help get the offering down in the water column where most of the action often occurs. To keep the weight from interfering with the jig, tie a section of 40-pound leader with a sliding egg sinker between two small swivels. Then add your leader and jig below. This rig can be used with lures or live bait. Another advantage of this rig is that as it is being worked across the bottom, it sends up a small puff of sand that attracts predators like pompano. One of the advantages to fishing from a bridge is the ability to easily move from one spot to another. This allows the angler to try near the pilings, on the edges of the channel and areas where striking fish might be found. If the action is slow or you’re exploring a bridge and pass for the first time, work both sides of the bridge. Vary your retrieve, working the lure fast and slow, exploring the water column.

Spanish mackerel and bluefish, two common species that frequent local bridges, have sharp teeth and can cut through monofilament leader. There are two options to protect your lure. One is to use a short strand of wire leader or heavy monofilament line. The other is to use long-shanked hooks. Wire leaders can make fish leader-shy if the water is clear.  I most often just take my chances. You’ll lose a few lures but, in the end, I’d rather get hits and risk a cutoff than get no hits at all. All things considered, I think you’ll catch more fish without wire. If you do use wire, check out the brands that can be tied like fishing line and use a smaller test (30-pound) leader. The exception to this rule is if you’re fishing turbid water or early and late in the day when the sun is low.

Whatever your fishing style, don’t pass up a trip to the local bridges. The action can be spectacular and the effort required is far less than an outing in a boat.

Reel Time: On the Road - the Nature Coast

Reel Time: On the Road – the Nature Coast

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

Have you ever had a fishing trip that was so memorable you felt the need to pinch yourself to make sure it was real? I’ve been fishing a long time and I could count those times on one hand. Now I’ve started on my second hand. Allow me to explain.

I had traveled to the Nature Coast the second week in January this year and settled into a rental house on the Withlacoochee River in Yankeetown. About two and a half hours from Anna Maria, the Nature Coast is one of my favorite places to fish, photograph and explore. Over the years I’ve investigated the waters from Chassahowitzka to Crystal River, but last year at Captain Nick Angelo’s suggestion, I booked a couple of days with him north of Crystal River in Withlacoochee Bay. That trip enamored me with the wild beauty of the region and the redfish that were so willing to take a fly. The second day of my two-day trip started with an experience that I’ll never forget.

Angelo poled his flats boat through a channel and into a cove that had been inaccessible the day before. The sky was cloudless and the shallow water was clear and only 2 feet deep. As we eased towards the black-mangrove edge, Angelo pointed out a half dozen redfish silhouetted over the light bottom and positioned me for a cast. The first two presentations were ignored, but on my third attempt, a 28” red started tracking the fly as Angelo coached me on stripping the fly. The instructions worked and the red rushed and inhaled the fly as I strip struck to set the hook. The fish bolted towards the mangroves but turned as I applied pressure with the rod. Racing back towards the outlet that fed the cove, the red caused the line to “rooster tail” a thin line of water over the mirror-smooth surface. Applying pressure and alternately moving the rod from the left to right I was able to tire the fish after two more short runs. After a quick picture and video clip we returned the red to the water. We had been fishing a total of about 30 minutes when I turned to Angelo and said, “My day’s already made!”

This is a wild and unforgiving part of Florida whose shallow waters are studded with limestone outcroppings, shallow flats and oyster bars. While I always champion using guides in areas I don’t know, this is one place I would never consider bringing my boat. Even Angelo’s mud motor, a specialized engine, was churning up mud and bumping bottom as he took me to places where it seemed angels (or airboats) would fear to tread!

On the first day, we were on the backside of a strong cold front that plunged temperatures into the low 40s with north winds to 20 mph. After a cold run across the open bay, we were able to fish in the lee of a group of mangrove islands. The wind had blown the water out of the shallow bay and we were unable to reach some of Angelo’s favorite backwater haunts. Fortunately, we found groups of hungry redfish huddled on the Gulf side flats. In the low morning light, we had to move extremely slow, sometimes seeing fish almost under the boat. This required nothing more than a quick, short roll cast and made it necessary to shorten my leader and downsize my bite tippet. Once we had the fish “dialed in” we enjoyed a morning and early afternoon of sight-fishing singles, doubles and small groups of redfish.

In the afternoon as the tide rose, we elected to investigate deep into the creeks and channels that feed the vast expanse of marsh grass hammocks. At one point we beached the boat and hiked to an ancient grove of grey weathered cedar trees. The feeling while standing at the base of those twisted sentinels was one of being the first to stand in this spot, a rare experience in today’s Florida.

The second day the winds died and although the day dawned cold, it warmed up to be perfect for sight fishing with multiple opportunities for hook ups and a chance to explore the back bays and coves that had been inaccessible the day before. To top off the trip, just as we were about to “pull the plug,” Angelo spotted a large redfish close to a shallow oyster bar. On my first cast, I was able to hook up with what was the biggest and hardest-fighting fish of the trip. The big red made multiple runs into the backing with head-shaking appearances at the surface before finally tiring enough to be landed, photographed and released.

If you would like to experience one of Florida’s “last frontiers,” contact Captain Nick Angelo at 813-230-8473 or visit his website. It’s a trip you won’t soon forget.

https://youtu.be/DvbdkjMpxZE

Reel Time: Suncoast Waterkeeper, guardian of the bay

Reel Time: Suncoast Waterkeeper, guardian of the bay

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

As readers are no doubt aware, I love to write about all things fishing, including the need to actively work to protect the resources that support this special area. That’s why I work with and write about Suncoast Waterkeeper, the organization that I believe is the driving force in protecting water quality in Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Sound.

The organization has experienced significant growth recently and is now seeking an executive director. A member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance, the group was formed in 2012 by attorney Justin Bloom. A graduate of New College in Sarasota, Bloom worked in New York City as Waterkeeper Alliance’s Eastern regional director before moving back to Sarasota and founding Suncoast Waterkeeper. The mission of Suncoast Waterkeeper is to protect and restore the Florida Suncoast’s waterways through enforcement, field work, advocacy and environmental education for the benefit of the communities that rely upon these precious coastal resources. The group’s stated priority is to work with local municipalities to ensure that appropriate laws are being followed, and to take corrective action when they are not. Their work is supported by science, statutes and environmental ethics.

This is a terrific opportunity to lead an organization with a committed board that has a proven track record of success and has seen exponential growth over the past few years. While the organization’s focus is on the coastal waterways of Sarasota and Manatee counties, it has negotiated major settlements with Sarasota County, St. Petersburg and Largo. These settlements have led to millions of dollars of investment in upgrading outdated wastewater treatment facilities that have and will have a major impact on preventing nutrient loading to Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay. The organization is highly respected in the community as a leader in protecting the resources that are the economic engine of the region.

Suncoast Waterkeeper is located in an area that is rich in philanthropy, at the center of three National Estuaries, and is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. This position provides direct access to some of the area’s most influential decision-makers.

Suncoast Waterkeeper’s executive director will lead the organization’s daily activities while developing sustainable streams of revenue through fundraising. The director will have overall operational responsibility for Suncoast Waterkeeper’s programs and will work with Publitics, the organization’s public relations firm, to manage its social media presence and website management. The director will report directly to the board of directors. This is a remote/virtual workplace position to start and has the potential for an office location in the future.

The director will be expected to communicate a clear vision for Suncoast Waterkeeper, coordinate and implement ongoing strategic planning and direct fundraising and budgeting. A major focus will be on identifying, applying for and monitoring grant applications. The director will also oversee committees to strengthen membership, donations and sponsorship programs.

Strong communications skills will be necessary to effectively serve as the official spokesperson and to clearly articulate a compelling case for supporting the mission. The director will work with a variety of audiences, particularly city and county officials, community leaders and major donor prospects. The director will attend community, government and agency meetings to represent the organization. In addition, the director will advise and inform board members, recommend policy and provide clear and accurate reports for the board to effectively monitor the organization’s progress. The director also will be charged with establishing evaluation systems and organizational processes to monitor project and program outcomes and improve quality services.

Financial planning, compliance and management skills will be needed to work with the treasurer and accountant in preparing and presenting the annual budget with the board’s direction and guidance. The director will also monitor cash flow and provide regular, comprehensive reports to the board on revenues and expenditures. The director will oversee all necessary registrations and certifications to comply with state requirements for non-profits.

Qualifications require a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences and/or environmental studies or non-profit management. An advanced degree is a plus. Equivalent experience in environmental sciences and/or environmental studies or non-profit management will be considered. The director should also have a proven track record of 3-5 years in a leadership role, preferably in a non-profit. Public speaking and media experience will be a critical component.

Suncoast Waterkeeper is an equal opportunity employer. The organization celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, contractors, volunteers and members of our community. Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience.

Applicants should submit:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume/CV
  • Three references (references will only be contacted during the final round of interviews)

Submit applications to: EDSearch@suncoastwaterkeeper.org, P.O. Box 1028, Sarasota, FL 34230 • 941-202-3182 • www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org

Reel Time: A New Year’s resolution

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

I’m guessing that when it comes to making and keeping New Year’s Resolutions, your average isn’t much better than mine. When I look back, I don’t sweat most of them. Resolutions like losing weight or exercising more aren’t so critical. Then there are other resolutions that one just can’t take for granted or put on hold anymore. The resolution to work to protect the habitat and water quality of the Suncoast rises to that level.

If you think that’s an overstatement, I encourage you to speak to any one of the professional fishing guides, like Captain Justin Moore, a second-generation guide on Anna Maria Island who spends over 200 days on the water every year. As a keen observer by trade and nature, Moore is alarmed with what he’s seeing. It was Moore and his dad, Captain Scott Moore, who first alerted me to the fact that vast stretches of Sarasota Bay had lost seagrasses after the devastating red tide of 2018. How did they know almost a year before the official notice was released by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program? He saw it with his own eyes, thousands of acres of lush grasses that he had fished for decades were suddenly just bare sand. I heard the same concerns from veteran anglers like Captain Todd Romine, who has been fishing Sarasota Bay for over three decades. Romine was so concerned, he sacrificed a day of fishing to take Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko to show him. Tomasko made an initial determination that day that grass beds that had been in water 5 feet or deeper were essentially gone.

This was six months before the results from the Southwest Florida Water Management District seagrass survey documented an 18% decline in seagrass across Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay and Little Sarasota Bay from 2018 to 2020. The decline equates to a loss of 2,300 acres of seagrass. The total acreage of seagrass coverage in the area is down from 12,853 in 2018 to 10,540 in 2020. By comparison, seagrasses in the 1950s covered about 10,246 acres, a low after dredge and fill operations and sewage systems devastated a once-vibrant ecosystem. The coverage steadily built from there as municipalities converted to central sewer systems and stormwater runoff began to be managed. Now the loss we’ve experienced in two years means the area basically has to start over.

Tampa Bay, linked directly to Anna Maria Sound, didn’t fare much better, losing 13% of its seagrass, more than 5,400 acres. When you consider that 2.5 acres of seagrass supports up to 100,000 fish and 100 million invertebrates like clams, crabs, starfish and snails, the impact of the loss becomes more evident.

If that wasn’t enough to alarm observers of the bay, the debacle at Piney Point – which released over 200 million gallons of phosphate process wastewater into Tampa Bay in the spring of 2021 – should have been. That release likely led to the most devastating red tide event in upper Tampa Bay in more than 30 years, killing more than 1,711 tons of sea life.

On top of these devastating events, two years of massive and unprecedented lyngbya (cyanobacteria) blooms in Anna Maria Sound and Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021 blanketed thousands of acres of seagrass with a foul-smelling mass that blocked life-giving light.

While local waters have become clear as they cool during the winter, keen observers will notice that the bay is still chocked with a variety of algae. Why is that a problem? For an answer, we only have to look to the east coast of Florida and the sad saga of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). Once one of the most vibrant marine ecosystems on the planet, the IRL in recent years has seen massive die-offs of marine life and most recently an unprecedented loss of Florida manatees.

This is not an issue that should concern only fishermen, but has the potential to devastate an economy that depends on clean water and a vibrant ecosystem. People move to our area and buy homes because of the water and natural environment. It’s time for realtors, developers, builders, anglers and every segment of our community to pull together to demand accountability, purchase and protect vulnerable habitat and demand improvements in infrastructure that protect this environmental engine of progress. There are solutions if we can affect the political will. Yes, they will be expensive, but if we don’t act, the cost in the future will be overwhelming and may be too late. Resolve to be part of the solution.

“If you work to save the world and the world is lost, no regrets.” – The Dalai Lama.

Reel Time

Reel Time: Catch and release digitally

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

The world of digital photography (and videography) continues to evolve and anglers have never had more options to explore. Whether you’re capturing a picture or a video clip to remind you of your catch, to share with friends and family, or to post on social media, digital cameras allow us to capture images of our catches, making catch and release all the more rewarding. Photography has never been easier and anglers can enjoy this amazing technology no matter what their level of expertise. Most digital cameras and most smartphones also come with software (or apps) that let you enhance the image, crop the size, and share the final product in several ways. You can send the images by email or as a text (straight from a phone), or download them, edit, and print them out to frame and display.

Even though taking a picture may be easy, there are a few basic rules that will help you capture a better image:

  • Before ever leaving the dock be sure you have fresh batteries, charged phone, memory cards with enough space to record your images, a clean lens and a cleaning cloth.
  • There is almost always a certain amount of chaos associated with catching a memorable fish, so get an idea in advance of where you’ll compose your image.
  • Check the background through the viewfinder carefully for distracting and cluttered backgrounds. Make sure you don’t have any unwanted objects, like a rod appearing to stick out of someone’s head.
  • Look to capture photographs that aren’t posed and remember that the sooner you get your picture the more vibrant the colors of a fish will be. First and foremost, fill the frame with the subject, eliminating anything that doesn’t add to the composition.
  • Since you’re filming on the water, check that the horizon is straight. Cameras and most smartphones have the option of putting a grid on the screen.
  • Use a polarizing filter to cut glare and saturate colors.
  • For most shots, I set my camera to aperture (F8) priority.
  • When trying to “catch” a jumping fish make sure you stop the action with an ISO of at least 1,000th of a second. Many digital cameras can capture up to 10 frames a second so set the camera for a rapid burst.
  • Many photographs taken on the water are exposed in bright light. When possible, avoid shadows on anglers’ faces and use a fill flash if necessary.
  • Take several shots from different angles and get the angler excited and talking to you. One of the great advantages of digital is that you can take lots of pictures and edit them on the go to make sure you have the shot you want.
  • Check out accessories like gimbals to take your work to the next level.
  • Start a YouTube channel and learn to upload and link movies.
  • If you’re interested in recording underwater images and clips, check out the GoPro line of cameras and accessories.

If you have photo editing software like Lightroom or Photoshop you can lighten the shadows in post-production. This can sometimes eliminate the need for fill flash (if the contrast isn’t too great) and prevent a flash from creating unwanted reflections on fish. Since lighting is almost always challenging, shoot and then review important shots. If you have a more advanced camera, you can bracket important shots in difficult lighting situations. Expose at least three images: one slightly (one stop) underexposed, one slightly (one stop) overexposed, and one at the setting suggested by the light meter.

There are a lot of excellent digital cameras on the market today. The new generation of smartphones can take amazing images and have clip-on accessories including a polarizing lens.

If you’re really interested in photography, I suggest getting a camera that meets your needs. Most come with a trial version of an image editing software like Adobe Elements. There are many cameras on the market from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Taking the time to capture the “moments of life” pays dividends that you can continue to relive by sharing them through your images.

For more information on the right camera for you, check with a professional at your local camera shop like Johnson Photo Imaging www.jpiphoto.com or go to www.bhphoto.com. Software demos (check out Lightroom CC 2019) can be downloaded at www.adobe.com.

Reel Time: Against the wind

Reel Time: Against the wind

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

A “perfect” day on the water is hard to come by. Why? Because it just doesn’t happen that often. Rain, clouds and extreme temperatures can make fishing challenging, but of all the weather conditions, the wind can be the most daunting.

The wind makes for an uncomfortable ride in a boat, tests an angler’s casting ability and has a way of just wearing on your constitution. On windy days, you’ll find most anglers huddled in an area that provides some protection. That might be the lee of an island, a canal or a pass where they can get some relief from the choppy water and poor visibility. Sometimes the conditions will shut the fishing down and discourage fishermen from even staying on the water. While avoiding the windy days might be an option for some anglers, others will have a limited window of opportunity and have to make the best of a “bad” situation. In truth, the wind can actually provide prospects that most anglers might miss.

Experience has shown me that fishing in the lee on windy days might be the opposite strategy to employ. This might seem counterintuitive since fishing in areas exposed to the full force of the wind is definitely less daunting. In reality, the wind and the choppy water it produces might actually concentrate baitfish and crustaceans, providing predators with an opportunity to set up an ambush. The wind might mean it’s hard to see the fish if you’re sight fishing, but it also makes them less spooky and less visible to the prey they’re after.

Recently I had the displeasure of fishing just such a day. The weather guessers had correctly predicted winds from 12-15 knots. While we might have chosen not to fish that day, it happened to be the only time my friends and I could find to get together. We started out with the intention to fly fish but conditions (winds that actually gusted to 25 knots) soon made us glad we had stowed spin tackle under the gunnels. Wind doesn’t usually deter single-minded fly anglers, but even the most die-hard know when to say when. We worked the flats determinedly for close to an hour and only managed to catch one small trout before we finally made the switch to spinning tackle.

Casting jigs and top water plugs was a whole lot easier than attempting to fly fish, but the fish still didn’t respond to our new strategy. Moving from spot to spot we were determined to find some willing fish but even though we saw a few we couldn’t buy a bite. Fortunately, that changed late in the day when we targeted some deep-water flats that were fully exposed to the now howling wind. Using DOA jigs and the DOA Deadly Combo we began encountering some hungry trout. For some reason, a later afternoon shift in the tide had put them on the feed. In five or six drifts we caught and released some beautiful fish to 22 inches. This reminded me that if you’re determined enough and persist you can usually find some time of the day or tide when fish will feed. In this case, it turned what could have been a frustrating and futile day into a successful outing.

If you can hold out for better days to fish, you’re a lucky angler. Most fishermen don’t have that luxury. In any case, if you’re determined and use some counterintuitive logic, you have a good chance of turning a windy day into a successful outing, even against the wind.

Reel Time: Pole long enough and the fish will find you

Reel Time: Pole long enough and the fish will find you

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

I’ll always remember the adage, “Pole long enough and the fish will find you.” I heard this years ago when fly fishing legend Captain Steve Huff was the featured speaker at a Mangrove Coast Fly Fisher event. Huff, who honed his skills in the Florida Keys before relocating to Everglades City, holds a rare place in the legion of outstanding guides that have fished the Florida Keys since the heyday of fly fishing in the 70s. Huff is recognized as the “guides’ guide” by a cadre of anglers and competitive guides that are arguably at the top of the saltwater fly-fishing game.

It was about the same time that I remember asking Captain Scott Moore, a legend in his own right, what he had gleaned from his decades of fishing local waters, which I knew included his habit of keeping a comprehensive log of his fishing exploits. I have a vivid memory of fishing one day with Moore and his long-time client and friend, Stanley Glenn. When we were starting out after catching bait he announced, “We’re going to that point and catch a snook, then over to a nearby flat where we’ll find a school of redfish and then to a deepwater grass edge along Tampa Bay where we’ll find big trout.” He then proceeded to do exactly that. That’s why I was surprised and chagrined when he told me he had thrown all his logs away because he could sum up everything he had learned in three words, “Fish have fins.”

What I’ve learned from my time on the water and my fishing with and writing about guides for over three decades boils down to two words: patience and persistence. Whether that’s standing a long cast from a pot hole and waiting for spooky redfish to come to me or being patient as I pole an area I know has fish and not running from spot to spot, the strategy has paid off. Does that mean I catch fish every time? No, definitely not, but it does mean I’ve slowed down, enjoyed the process more and developed my powers of observation. Then there are the times when the strategy pays off.

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with my longtime friend Michael Riter and his son, Chase, a pilot living in Tampa. Our plan was to fly fish, but because the conditions were so calm and the fish so spooky we decided to start by exploring the flats, casting spoons and jigs. The reasoning was that when we found fish we would anchor and wade for them with our flyrods. As it turned out, we never found enough fish to initiate our plan. That didn’t mean we didn’t catch fish, because exploring using the “Huff method,” which involved poling for four hours, we landed two reds, two pompano and several jacks.

A day like this reminds me to slow down, use my powers of observation and not make catching fish the only thing that defines a successful day. The funny thing is when I don’t get so consumed with catching, I actually do better. Enjoyment of the process and being out in the natural world rules the day!

Reel Time: Bahamian bones

Reel Time: Bahamian bones

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

If I had to pick my favorite fish to catch, it would probably be a bonefish. Tarpon are amazing targets, as are redfish, little tunny and snook, but sight fishing for bonefish in the locations they inhabit and the crystal-clear waters in which they swim is incomparable. Not to mention that a well-placed fly is more often than not tracked and inhaled.

From Nov. 10-17, I returned for my seventh trip to South Andros in the Bahamas and my second trip to Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge with my friend Captain Rick Grassett and a group he had been bringing to the lodge (except for a COVID-19 pass in 2020) for the past six years. The lodge is situated near the southeast tip of what is the largest and least populated island in the Bahamas. I’ve been to several other islands in the chain, but South Andros is special. It’s maybe one of the only places I’ve ever been where things had hardly changed in almost 20 years. That went for the fishing as well. There are very few places where you can travel to in a day and then fish all day and sometimes never see another angler. South Andros was like that when I first visited in the late ’90s and it remains that way today.

https://youtu.be/GPC18uDV1CQ

This trip (except for one day with perfect conditions) was challenging, with frequent clouds, some rain and a persistent 20-plus mph east wind. Despite the inclement weather, the guides were able to lead anglers to bonefish every day. On the days when the clouds persisted, we were able to stalk tailing bonefish on the flats while the appearance of the sun led to some terrific sight fishing opportunities. On the final day of the trip, my partner Kirk Grassett and I had our best day, despite some extremely challenging conditions.

One of the reasons anglers travel to this part of the Bahamas, besides the endless flats and solitude, is the number of big bonefish that ply these waters in the early fall. Fly anglers have a very good chance at bones pushing 10 pounds and on every trip, a fish or two in the double digits are landed. That was no exception this trip as one member of our party, Tracey Baker, landed a bonefish that pushed 12 pounds on the first day. I’m still looking for my first 10-pound bonefish, but did manage to land several fish from seven to nine pounds.

The lodge is smoothly run by a Bahamian staff and guides, and is owned and managed by Bill Howard, an expatriate from Nebraska. We stayed at the lodge for seven nights and fished six days. The day started out with a 7 a.m. breakfast, although coffee was on for early risers by 5:30 a.m. We loaded up at 8 a.m. and made a five-minute ride to a nearby boat basin where boats, guides, drinks and lunches were waiting. After an approximately 30-minute ride, we rounded the south end of the “main” island and entered into an angler’s paradise with seemingly endless flats, islands and channels. After seven hours of chasing schools of cruising, tailing and schooling bonefish and dodging sharks and barracuda we returned to the basin at 4:30 p.m.

Back at the lodge, our chefs Cathy, Chrystal and Vaddie treated us to local hors d’oeuvres and libations of our choosing. The food at the lodge was consistently excellent and included fresh local delicacies including lobster, conch, local fish, steaks and rack of lamb. Dinner was served at 7 p.m. and evenings were spent discussing the day’s fishing on the back veranda where cool Bahamian breezes were complemented by a sky ablaze with stars and the occasional satellite. On the nights when the wind abated and the mosquitos pushed us inside, we watched football on a flat-screen TV and anticipated the next day’s fishing.

If you’re interested in experiencing some of the world’s best fishing in a destination that’s literally in your backyard, contact Grassett at 941-350-9790 or check out his website. The lodge can be reached by emailing marsbaybonefishlodge@yahoo.com. Check out their website.

Reel Time: Anatomy of a fishing rod

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

Whatever rod you fish with, be it a spinning rod, a fly rod or a casting rod, they all 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 (laid up) 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 price.

Rod choice becomes critical when choosing an outfit for demanding conditions. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

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 determine 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: Get ready for fabulous fall fishing

Reel Time: Get ready for fabulous fall fishing

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

As I write these words, the first front of the fall season has begun to clear the humidity, a harbinger of cooler temperatures and hot offshore action.

Just last week I scouted the Gulf waters from Big Pass to mid-Longboat Key with Captain Rick Grassett. Although we managed to land four tripletail and a 16-pound cobia in a morning outing, signs pointed to a change we eagerly await after a long, hot summer season. We’ll still probably have to close our windows and doors and turn the AC on again, but the light and the cool mornings will be teasing us with the change to come. When the water cools into the 70s and we hope for the passing of the red tide, we can look forward to some of the season’s best fishing. When it all comes together, schools of bait, already starting to mass off area beaches, should continue to migrate inshore with pelagic species like kingfish, Spanish mackerel, false albacore, cobia and tripletail hot on their trail.

Now is a great time to prepare for the fall season, getting tackle in order and keeping an eye to the sky for diving birds and breaking fish. Fortunately, all of these species can be found right off our Gulf beaches and some even enter the bays. All will take live bait, lures or flies and can be caught on spinning, bait casting or fly tackle. With the possible exception of king mackerel and cobia, most are able to be landed with light (8-10 pound test) tackle, adding to the excitement.

Depending on the species you’re targeting, you’ll want to rig accordingly. Since it’s possible to encounter such a plethora of fish in a single outing, multiply outfits are a good idea. One of the main considerations should be rigging. After a long, hot summer, tackle can fall into disrepair and need to be replaced. However you fish, make sure your knots are properly tied. To assure you’ll never lose a good fish to poor preparation and inferior knots, moisten and tighten all knots, sharpen hooks and rig outfits with the appropriate bite tippet and leader. Options include wire, monofilament, long shanked hooks or a combination of these. It’s possible to catch a kingfish without wire but your odds aren’t good. The same applies with certain exceptions to Spanish mackerel. Mackerel can sometimes shy from wire. 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 you’ll be guaranteed more action if the fish are feeding. 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 a black one as opposed to silver to prevent fish from mistaking it for forage. American Fishing Wire makes a product called Surflon Micro Supreme that is extremely flexible and kink resistant. This wire 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. Wire is less likely to deter a bite 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. Predators can also be present without revealing themselves around structure, reefs and wrecks. When you find baitfish schools and 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 a number of ways. By anchoring up-current 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 who 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 would be a good time of the year to have a 10- or 11-weight rod rigged with a big black fly should a cobia or late-season tarpon 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. Good fishing!

Reel Time: Enjoy nature at the Florida Birding and Nature Festival

Reel Time: Enjoy nature at the Florida Birding and Nature Festival

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

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ann Paul since the late 1980s when she and her late husband, Rich, head of Audubon’s Coastal Island Sanctuaries, worked with the Sister Keys Conservancy and the Town of Longboat Key to make sure the keys remained as open space for generations to come.

Ann began her career with Audubon Florida’s Coastal Islands Sanctuaries in June 1991. Over the years, she has worked diligently to assure the protection of local wading bird species and was called “the wading birds’ best human friend” by the National Audubon Society. She was named the Theodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award winner in 2018 by Hillsborough County. Recently I got a call from Paul mentioning she was now heading the Florida Birding and Nature Festival Oct. 15-17.

The mission of the Florida Birding and Nature Festival is to promote appreciation and conservation of Florida’s birds, wildlife and their habitats through responsible nature-based tourism and public awareness. A lofty mission, the festival works to host a festival once a year.

This year their efforts reflect a sensitivity to the coronavirus, and all in-person events are located outdoors. Thirty-six field trips to special habitats in all of the region’s six counties will be led by expert birders and naturalists and the managers of the preserves we visit. Fourteen seminars will be presented by Zoom about Florida’s most beloved and iconic birds and other wildlife, including gopher tortoises, rattlesnakes, coyotes, bees and butterflies by the scientists who know most about them.

The festival coincides with the peak migration of more than 180 species and features expert-led field and boating trips to the best wildlife sites in West Central Florida.

Among them are the Cross Bar Ranch in Spring Hill; Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County; Egmont Key; Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve; Bullfrog Creek Mitigation Area and the Hillsborough River. A trip to the Shultz Preserve will focus on butterflies and other insects, as well as birds. Some of the trips are to areas normally not open to the public.

A Nature Expo on Friday and Saturday will be hosted at Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, using the open air under the elevated buildings so exhibits are both outside and in the shade. Two evening keynote talks with sumptuous appetizers are planned – on Friday, Craig Pittman, award-winning author and investigative environmental reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, and Saturday, Clay Taylor, long-time birder, naturalist and nature photographer with Swarovski Optik North America.

Pittman tells fascinating stories about Florida’s wildlife and history in such compelling books as “Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save The Florida Panther,” “Oh, Florida!: How America’s Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country,” and “Manatee Insanity.”

Taylor has been photographing birds for more than 45 years and is the Naturalist Market Manager for Swarovski. Taylor will discuss a birder’s photographic options and field techniques and show stunning bird pictures. He will address how digital cameras and smartphones have changed how people go birding.

The Nature Expo will include binoculars and optic companies Redstart and Swarovski. Other bird and nature-related merchandise, including butterfly plants by the Little Red Wagon Native Plant Nursery and agency and environmental groups will be featured.

The opening will include a dinner buffet, including hors d’oeuvres, and a beer and wine cash bar. Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariella Smith will give a special welcome to festivalgoers.

This is a robust and vigorous selection of opportunities for people to explore our region’s most significant preserves with the best naturalist interpretation about the wildlife and habitats during the height of the great North American bird migration season. It is a great opportunity to learn more, see more and appreciate more the area’s unique and special natural features. Space is limited so early registration is advised. Contact Andee Richards, Administrator, 813-444-0115; or email info@fbnfestival.org. For more information and to register for tickets, go to www.fbnfestival.org.

More Reel Time

Reel Time: Pick up some trash, win some cash

Reel Time: Vote water

Reel Time: The Mayfly Project

Reel Time: Pick up some trash, win some cash

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

PALMETTO – Suncoast Aqua Ventures will hold its 5th Annual Reef and Beach Cleanup the weekend of Oct. 2-3 at the Bradenton Yacht Club, 4307 13th St. W.

Participants from the 2019 cleanup pose with their “catch.” – Submitted

Suncoast Aqua Ventures was formed in 2016 when a few friends were scuba diving. Upon surfacing, the divers all commented on the amount of trash they had seen underwater, trash that most people aren’t aware of. That day they made a pact to get some friends together and “clean this stuff up.” Three months later they had their first Reef and Beach Cleanup.

The participants create a shoe tree every year from the shoes they find underwater. – Submitted

“Over the years, we would add an interesting twist to a typical cleanup event,” said Cheryl Huntsinger, who heads the event. “Knowing how competitive the human spirit can be, we added a little cash to the equation, gearing this like a fishing tournament with cash and prizes.” During the inaugural event in 2016, 40 people recovered over 1,800 pounds of trash. In 2019, 170 participants recovered just shy of 19,000 pounds of trash and debris from Manatee County waters during the two-day event.

The event is free to enter and kicks off Saturday, Oct. 2. Registration is from 8-10 a.m. After registration, there’s a free breakfast, and cleanup supplies will be distributed. “Weigh-in” is Sunday, Oct. 3 from 1-3 p.m. at the Yacht Club. Food will be served, and there will be parking lot vendors, kids’ activities, and a mermaid for photo ops. The cleanup encourages volunteers as well as spectators to come to the event.

“Come see what’s found out there that shouldn’t be in the water!” Huntsinger said.

Participants are eligible for over $5,000 in cash paid in 18 categories. Entry is free for all participants. First Place winners take $500, Second Place takes $250 and Third Place takes $100 for fishing tackle, nets, rope, recyclables, chain and other metals, trash and anchors. $300 will be awarded for the most tires and $300 will be awarded for the most unique item on land or sea determined by the judges.

Register online in advance to ensure the group has enough food, supplies and T-shirts. For more information, call Cheryl Huntsinger at 941-962-1488 or Troy Brown at 941-737-3165, email suncoastaquaventures@gmail.com, visit their website or follow them on Facebook where there will be frequent posts leading up to the event!

Reel Time: Vote water

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

Readers of this column are well aware of the critical state of our coastal waters in Manatee County and beyond. The recent 2020 and 2021 lyngbya blooms brought the issue front and center as the harmful algae bloom choked waters and fouled the air and seagrass beds from the Manatee River to Palma Sola Bay.

If that wasn’t reason enough for alarm, the release of more than 200 million gallons of nitrogen-rich phosphate process water (with 10 times the nitrogen of raw sewage) from Piney Point, the long-defunct site on Tampa Bay, and the resulting red tide bloom in upper Tampa Bay put an exclamation mark on the failure of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s mandate to protect the state’s water resources. This led the environmental group, Suncoast Waterkeeper, and partners to file suit in federal court seeking redress.

The vote water yard sign highlights the non-partisan nature of the campaign.

I’ve mentioned in recent columns that these insults to Florida’s environment point to the lack of political will to effect the changes that are necessary to preserve our environment and the economy it supports.  At a recent State Waterkeeper weekly Zoom meeting, Florida Sportsman Editor Blair Wickstrom addressed their most recent efforts to elicit support for their “Vote Water” Initiative. The efforts dovetail perfectly with what groups like Waterkeeper are seeking to address. This advocacy is a continuation of the magazine’s long involvement in protecting Florida anglers’ interests. Florida Sportsman’s Founder, Karl Wickstrom, and the magazine have been on the front lines continually lobbying for common-sense rules and regulations.

Their plan resonated with me immediately so I reached out to Wickstrom to hear more about Vote Water’s goals. He responded immediately with a passionate and well-reasoned argument.

“If you had to pick one reason for the lack of success in protecting our state’s water from continual degradation, it would have to be lack of political will from our elected officials to get something done,” said Wickstrom, vice president of VoteWater.

“What we have in the state of Florida is a political problem, not a party issue, but when it comes to fixing the state’s water, the political problem requires a political solution,” VoteWater president Ray Judah emphasized. “Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. If you truly want to have clean air, clean water and public officials that represent the public interest instead of the special interest, the people that vote need to be informed.”

That’s the same argument I’ve used on these pages pointing out the shared responsibility we as voters have to effect much-needed change.

“The 2018 voter cycle, when over 300,000 people engaged with the Bullsugar.org/vote, our original voter guide proved that people do indeed want to be informed,” according to Wickstrom.

The VoteWater team highlights politicians’ votes and also the amount of money they accepted from special interests.

“The Dirty Money part of the Voter Guide is definitely something we want to spend more time on in 2022,” said VoteWater board member and Fort Myers resident Wil Revehl. “As the adage says, you have to follow the money. It’s clearly the case in politics.”

“In order for people to be represented, to have a true democracy, we need to help make taking money from a special interest, such as the phosphate industry, toxic,” emphasized Revehl.

“We’re looking to expand our numbers of volunteers in the 2022 election cycle, which hopefully will allow us to cover more counties. Ideally, we can cover all 35 coastal counties in the next cycle,” Wickstrom said. “But we’ll need both money and volunteers to make that happen.”

Once again, anglers can thank Florida Sportsman for taking a major role in effecting the change that our elected officials have avoided. I encourage all my readers to join the effort by joining the coalition, volunteering, spreading the word, donating to the cause and voting for politicians that have a track record of voting for clean water and healthy fisheries.

Don’t be fooled into believing what candidates promise; check their voting records. The future of fishing in Florida and the economy hang in the balance.

Reel Time: The Mayfly Project

Reel Time: The Mayfly Project

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

I discovered The Mayfly Project when a child therapist reached out to me to find a mentor for a young man in St. Petersburg. Like so many young men and women, he loves to fish but has no one to coach him. My first thought was to reach out to my friend and former Florida Outdoor Writer’s Association President Bill AuCoin. AuCoin is a member of and produces a newsletter for the Suncoast Fly Fishers (SCFF), a St. Petersburg-based fly club. SCFF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is also a charter member of the Fly Fishers International group.

The day after I reached out to AuCoin, he sent me an email introduction to Scott Russell, a fly club member who is heading up a project to mentor foster children through a unique program called The Mayfly Project. The Mayfly Project is a 501(c)(3) national organization that uses fly fishing as a catalyst to mentor and support children in foster care. The website describes the mission of The Mayfly Project: “To support children in foster care through fly fishing and introduce them to their local water ecosystems, with a hope that connecting them to a rewarding hobby will provide an opportunity for foster children to have fun, build confidence, and develop a meaningful connection with the outdoors.”

When I went to The Mayfly Project website and read the story of how the founders, Jess and Laura Westbrook, were inspired to form the organization, I was “hooked.”  Jess Westbrook’s idea to use fly fishing as a tool to support children in foster care was derived from how he used fly fishing as a therapeutic tool to manage his own anxiety. In 2014, Jess and wife Laura’s son, Kase, was born. Soon after, Jess started experiencing intense anxiety attacks, which he had never had before. In a six-month period, he lost 30 pounds, was missing work frequently and distancing himself from loved ones. Even though Jess had been fly fishing since he was 6 years old, everything changed for him when a friend stepped in to help.

“A friend that I admired kept getting me out on the river to fish and I found that when I was on the river, I forgot about everything but fishing,” explained Jess. All his worries and anxious thoughts seemed to disappear as soon as he stepped into the water. “When we are fly fishing, we are so concentrated on casting, mending, presenting good drifts, etc., that we forget about everything else around us.”

During this time, Jess was introduced to mentoring children in foster care through an organization at church. The timing was perfect. He was looking for a way to give back to the community through fly-fishing, a sport that had helped him over some very tough hurdles.

“It broke my heart learning more about what foster children go through and that they needed the community to support them during their difficult journey,” Jess said.

When I reached out to Russell about a mentor, he related his own story. “My wife and I are very familiar with the challenges foster youth struggle with. Many of them that struggle with controlling their emotions frankly have days that are full of being ‘corrected’ by the adults (e.g. teachers, parents, foster home staff, etc.) in their lives. Our project is meant to just be a break from everything. As mentors in the program, we’re not there to try to fix things that aren’t going right in their life, we are only there to spend time with them, have fun, and teach them about fly fishing. Similar to how fly fishing has been found to be great therapy for veterans through the Healing Waters program, we hope that fly fishing can be a great escape for these kids from their normal routine. I know for me, even just tying flies or practicing casting is a great way to get my mind off of all the ’stuff’ going on in my life. It’s also a nice opportunity for them to learn about conservation and how it will help preserve the natural resources we enjoy. These youth need all the help our community can provide.”

Westbrook and Russell’s story is inspirational to me and resonated because fishing in general, and fly fishing in particular, had been so helpful to me when I experienced my own bout with anxiety and depression. I credit a large part of my recovery to the friends and family who supported me. I had experienced the same relief that Jess and Scott had on the water.

There are many programs like The Mayfly Project that use fishing to help disadvantaged children, breast cancer survivors, soldiers and others navigate the inevitable traumas that life brings. What better way for us to use our passion to assist others who need a helping hand.

Reel Time: Dog days

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

The term “dog days” originated with the ancient belief that Sirius, the dog star, in close proximity to the sun, was responsible for hot summer weather. Dog days is a common term among fishermen signifying the long hot days of August and September when fish can be hard to find and catch. Add in an early and persistent red tide and anglers can be faced with a daunting challenge. While there’s no doubt that late summer days are long and often intensely hot and uncomfortable, they can also yield some surprising results for savvy anglers. By employing a change of strategy and tailoring their efforts to maximize comfort and opportunities, anglers can catch fish in relative comfort.

One of the prime times to fish during the “dog days” is at night or in the early morning hours before the sun climbs high in the sky. The myriad dock and bridge lights that illuminate local waterways hold concentrations of fish including snook, trout, mangrove snapper, redfish, bluefish and tarpon. Docks and bridges surrounded by relatively deep water generally hold more fish. Tidal flow is another indicator of action. Lights on the up tide side of a structure are best, allowing anglers more latitude when making a presentation, preventing hang-ups and allowing flies, lures and bait to swing to the fish naturally. With a little attention to detail, it’s possible to target prime dock and bridge lights on the incoming tide, and then again on the outgoing tide.

Captain Rick Grassett with a mangrove snapper that took a baitfish fly from an underwater light in Palma Sola Bay. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

The presence of hard bottom near a bridge or dock is another indicator of good fish habitat. Bait is also an indication of a prime area, and ledges, oyster bars and seawalls near lights can further increase the odds of action. Underwater lights, now fairly common, can really concentrate fish, especially when you factor in structure. Concentrate casts first to the shadowy edges and then progressively beside and through the light cone. Lights in Anna Maria Sound, Palma Sola and Sarasota Bay host the same opportunities for fish ranging from just a few pounds to over 100 pounds. Match your presentation – fly, bait or artificial – to the size of the fish that are attracted to the lights.

During times of red tide, try concentrating on lights in and around the Manatee and Braden rivers where fresh water lowers the salinity and limits harmful algae blooms.

When the rising sun lightens the horizon, anglers can move to the flats to target redfish, snook and trout. Concentrate your fishing around flats with good grass cover. In addition, look for flats that feature channel edges, pot holes, sand bars and oyster bars. Strong tide will also increase your odds.

In the hottest months, from August through September, most of the early morning tides are from one to one and a half feet, so anglers will seldom see pushes or tails. Instead, concentrate on scattering bait, working birds and schools of mullet. One of the most productive strategies is to fish “seams,” demarcation lines that separate grass, sand and other structure.

While pre-dawn or early morning is generally the best time during sweltering weather, there is one exception. Late afternoon outgoing tides that correspond to the full and new moons provide some fast action with a variety of species. Areas to concentrate on include the slues and channels that drain the inshore flats, and the passes where the funneling effect concentrates game fish and their prey. Passes that have flanking seawalls and rock groins can be particularly productive. These areas attract and concentrate the baitfish on which the predators feed. Work lures and flies close to the structure.

Fishing the “dog days of summer” can be productive no matter where you fish as long as you follow a few rules. First and foremost, you must find conditions that are acceptable to the species you seek. In general, water temperatures must not be excessive, and you can count on early mornings and deeper water to moderate conditions.  The exception to the rule will be those areas and times where the presence of food overrides the fishes’ desire to locate comfortable conditions. Fishing the “dog days” can be challenging, but master the rules and you’ll have a lot of productive fishing and very little competition.