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Tag: Reel Time

Reel Time: We’ll see

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

Recently I was intent on fishing an area that has become one of my favorite haunts.  Unfortunately, when I got there, another boat was anchored nearby. As I started working my way towards my intended target, yet another boat pulled up behind me, intent on heading in the same direction. My first reaction? Disappointment crept over me and I was thinking my carefully planned strategy had failed me.

Then I remembered a fable I had read in a book by Zen master Thich Nhat Hahn. In a parable from his book, “The Art of Living,” the poet, global spiritual leader and international peace activist tells the story of a farmer’s son who fell off his horse and broke his leg. His neighbors tell him how unfortunate that is. His response? “We’ll see, we’ll see.”  Two weeks later the military comes to conscript new recruits for a war and his son was not taken because of his broken leg. Once again, the neighbors chime in, this time saying how lucky he and his son are. His response, once again, is, “We’ll see… we’ll see.”

Suddenly my mindset changed and I saw this as an opportunity to maybe actually benefit from what had initially been my frustration. Although there wasn’t any catching involved, I fished a place close by and discovered some promising areas I had never explored. I’ll definitely return there again as I’ve learned over the years one certain fact about fishing (thank you Captain Scott Moore), “Fish move around!” How many times over the years have we as fishermen developed a plan that was altered by factors out of our control? Wind, rain, cold, heat, tides, competition for territory and a hundred other things conspire to alter and sometimes completely destroy a well-thought-out plan.

While it doesn’t always turn out to be advantageous, who hasn’t in hindsight looked and found perceived disruptions to be “blessings in disguise?” Over-optimistic, you say? Maybe, but I’d rather look for the proverbial “pony under there somewhere” than let disruption ruin my day.

Don’t get me wrong, I am totally a fan of having a plan for my fishing. I’ll check tides, wind and myriad other factors to try and develop a strategy to improve my odds of catching fish. Having said that, it’s good to have a backup plan that includes addressing the actual conditions you find on any given day. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m not really good at finding fish. I jokingly ”and fully in earnest” comment on the fact that fish and I don’t see things alike; the places I find that should hold fish don’t seem to appeal to them.

Then there’s the strategy of being persistent, definitely an advantage as fish get more spread out, pressured and spooky. Another seasoned fishing guide has a saying that resonates with me. Captain Steve Huff, arguably one of the best guides the Florida Keys ever produced, likes to tell anglers who seek his advice, “pole far enough and the fish will find you.” My advice? Go out with a plan but be willing to make a change. Will that strategy pay off?

We’ll see, we’ll see.

Reel Time: The Waterman

Reel Time: The Waterman

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

The second annual Waterman Fly Fishing Tournament was held last weekend. The two-day, fly-only redfish tournament and snook Calcutta had 114 two-member teams and three single-angler teams.

The fishing boundaries were wide, including the west coast of Florida from Crystal River to the southernmost tip of Sanibel Island. The photo submission format and the IAnglertournament App made it possible for fishermen in this entire range to participate. The tournament culminated in an awards banquet and prize-rich raffle at the Bradenton Yacht Club on Sunday evening that was made possible by a large number of generous sponsors. All proceeds from the Fly Fishing Tournament benefited Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the protection, preservation and improvement of the Tampa Bay watershed.

Two-angler teams received two, long-sleeved microfiber tournament shirts, two Tampa Bay Waterkeeper hats, dinner for two anglers at the awards ceremony and one raffle ticket for each angler. Target species were redfish and snook. Scoring was done by the highest combination of the two longest redfish caught between Day 1 and Day 2. If a tie had occurred in any of the three top places, it would have been decided by a casting competition based on fly casting distance and accuracy.

Sponsors were pivotal to this event and the fishing community stepped up to support TBWK’s mission. Some of these included a $5,000 donation from Tampa-based primary care physician Antonio Castellvi MD and his wife, Christine, a Helios 3D Fly Rod 8wt. four-piece rod donated by Orvis, a Pro Dry jacket and pants donated by Simms Fishing Products, fishing trips by Capt. Derek Rust, Rusty Fly Charters, Capt. Greg Peterson, Head Shot Charters, Capt. Dustin Pack, Fly Tide Charters, Capt. Brian Jill, Lost Coast Anglers and Capt. Bucky Goldman.

Others included Two License Plate Fish Art pieces compliments of Cody’s Fish, fly lines by Cortland Line Company, gift cards from the Compound Board Shop, Sarasota’s go-to fly shop, a $250 gift card from Tampa Fishing Outfitters, a Tailing Redfish original acrylic on watercolor paper by internationally-recognized Florida Keys artist Tim Borski and an NRX + T2s 11wt. fly rod courtesy of G. Loomis. See the full list of sponsors at Tampa Bay Waterkeeper’s website.

Participants were greeted upon entering the yacht club with fresh oysters from Lost Coast Oyster Company, which aims to revitalize the lost industry along Florida’s Gulf Coast and become a leader in sustainable aquaculture practices.

Of the 117 teams that competed (only three of which were single-angler teams), some large redfish were landed during a close two-day event. In the end, the winners were Sean Kersting and Trip Saunders with two fish totaling 67.25 inches. My fishing partner, Benny Parrish, and I came in second with 64.75 inches. The team of Mike Rogel and Jeff Harrell won third place.

Anglers were pleased with the numbers of redfish that were spotted and landed but concerned with the condition of the bay. That sentiment was shared by tournament organizer and TBWK board member Adam Fernandez in his introduction at the evening’s awards ceremony and raffle. Other speakers included Maya Burke from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and Justin Bloom, founder of Suncoast Waterkeeper. Kudos to all the sponsors, anglers and TBWK board members that made this event such a big success.

Reel Time: Before you go

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

Getting on the water can be challenging for the average angler. Life often gets in the way of your favorite pastime and finds you unprepared when opportunity arises. Maybe it’s the “chance” day off or an unexpected invitation that has anglers grabbing their gear, putting it on a boat and heading out. Being prepared before you go and after can guarantee a better chance at success on those special days.

One way to make sure you’re ready when opportunity arises is to create a checklist that you follow before you head out to make the first cast, and one that prepares you for your next outing. With a little due diligence, you can avoid the mistakes that cause you to lose opportunities and fish, mistakes that can be easily avoided.

Here are a few things I include on my checklist, before and after a trip. The hook is one of the smallest but most important components of an effective rig. It’s also one of the easiest things to forget to check. A hook that was razor sharp the last time you used it can become dulled in numerous and unnoticed ways. Contact with the rub rail of the boat, structure in the water, guides and many other objects can cause a hook to lose its edge. Check the hook on your fingernail, if you touch it there and it doesn’t slip, you’ll know it’s sharp enough. It’s always a good idea to have a hook sharpener on hand and touch up the point several times during your outing.

Having tackle and accessories ready before you go will increase your chances for a successful day on the water. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Knots are probably the second leading reason fish are lost. Even the best-tied knot will break if it’s not tightened. You may tie perfect knots but there’s a chance they could loosen between trips. Always make sure you moisten knots before tightening them, and draw them up very tight. The first place a leader will break is at a knot when it slips.
Checking the drag is, of course, one of the most important things you can do. Make sure your drag is smooth. I would suggest having the drag set so you don’t have to touch it while fighting a fish. Equally important, loosen the drag when not fishing, which prevents the drag washer from becoming compressed.

Checking leader and line for nicks and abrasion is another must. It’s easier to cut off a small section of leader and re-tie than to lose a good fish to an imperfect line. Fly anglers should always stretch their fly line before making the first presentation of the day. Fly line has memory and will come off the spool in small loops that can tangle easily, causing you to break off a fish. Strip off the line you’ll be casting, make a cast and gently stretch it as you retrieve it. It doesn’t hurt to repeat the process during the day.

Each time you step to the bow, make sure your knots are tight, the drag is properly set, hooks are sharp, leaders are abrasion free and fly line is stretched. It only takes a minute but might just save the day. On the trips when you find willing fish, your preparedness will turn opportunity into memories. While you’ll always lose fish, even when everything is right, you’ll definitely have a better chance if you develop and follow a simple check list.

Finally, consider keeping flies, lures, leaders, nippers and other essentials ready to go in a boat bag. Check the list, grab your rod, reel and pack and enjoy the fruits of preparing before you go. Tight lines!

Reel Time: Scallopalooza is ‘Clamtastic!’

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

On Saturday night, Feb. 12, Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) held its 11th annual major fund-raising event, “Scallopalooza, It’s Clamtastic,” at the Sarasota Hyatt Regency Hotel. The yearly event was another sellout and at the time of this writing final totals are still being tabulated.

I was impressed at the overwhelming community support that was shown for Sarasota Bay Watch’s efforts and estimate that close to 400 people were in attendance. SBW’s event coordinator, Ronda Ryan, worked with volunteer Jen Zak, the SBW Board and Scallopalooza Committee Chairs Brian Jung, Al Jeffery, John Ryan and Ernesto Lasso De La Vega to organize an event that highlights the importance of, and support for, local nonprofits that stress the importance of clean water.

The evening began with live music, an open bar and a large silent auction including art work, event tickets and merchandise of every description as participants mingled to share their passion for Sarasota Bay. Event Chair Brian Jung welcomed the crowd and thanked them for their support while keeping everyone apprised of the auction items and encouraging them to visit the tables. Ernesto Lasso De La Vega gave an inspirational introduction to the clam restoration project, speaking about the scientific documentation that the group is currently involved in. John Ryan, a founding member of Sarasota Bay Watch, was next and explained the motivation and purpose of SBW’s many projects and emphasized the group’s non-partisan “fun” approach to conservation. Ryan cited SBW’s many activities including island and rookery cleanups, citizen and student education and much more.

Island entrepreneur and conservationist Ed Chiles took the podium after dinner and encouraged the attendees to support the efforts by turning dollars into clams and offered a substantial match to those who might join the effort. Another prominent Anna Maria Island business owner, Ben Webb, made a major contribution to the efforts that raised the funds to implement the ongoing “Clampaign” to stock 1.5 million clams in the coming year. WWSB TV’s Channel 7 weatherman Bob Harrigan, one of the area’s most popular and respected broadcasters, gave a rousing speech lauding the group’s efforts. Harrigan has been promoting those efforts since SBW’s first-ever Scallop Search in 2008.

The city of Anna Maria is currently considering a similar project to prove the efficacy of using clams to help mitigate red tide algae blooms and encourage the growth of threatened seagrass beds.

To get involved with the work SBW is doing to protect Sarasota Bay and support their mission, visit their website. As they say, “A Healthy Bay is Everybody’s Business,” literally and figuratively!

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.

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