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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.

Reel Time on the road: Big Sky and Red Lodge, Montana

Reel Time on the road: Big Sky and Red Lodge, Montana

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

This past week was spent mostly sightseeing near Big Sky and then later in the week exploring Red Lodge, Montana. After parting company with my fishing partners and picking up my wife, Christine, in Bozeman, we drove to our accommodations in Big Sky. On our first day we hiked the Spanish Creek trail near Ted Turner’s spectacular Flying D Ranch and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The 113,613-acre ranch operates as a working ranch managed for the production of bison and wildlife. The ranch is home to established populations of mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and the Rocky Mountain grey wolf, to name just a few of the native populations of wildlife the ranch protects. The Lee Metcalf Wilderness adjacent to the ranch was named after the late Montana congressman who was instrumental in the creation of the Wilderness Act. The day was a bit smoky from wildfires to the west but the hike still offered impressive views of the Spanish Peaks, the vast Flying D ranch and sparkling Spanish creek.

On our second day, we traveled south towards Hebgen Lake, an impoundment on the Madison River, and Quake Lake, the location of the tragic 1959 earthquake and landslide that killed 28 unsuspecting campers. The 190-foot deep, 6-mile long Quake Lake was created when the landslide dammed the Madison below Hebgen Lake. The views along the lake are spectacular and only surpassed by the incredible sight of the landslide very much in evidence today. On the outing, I visited Kelly Galloup’s Slide Inn Fly Shop, one of the west’s most famous fly shops. I got some local intel from the shop and purchased some flies they recommended for the nearby Gallatin River. I spent only a couple of hours on the Gallatin the next day and although I got only a couple of looks from the trout, the spectacular views were the highlife of my time on the river.

Reel Time on the road: Big Sky and Red Lodge, Montana
An aerial view of Quake lake created by the slide, still very much in evidence in the distance. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

We traveled to Red Lodge, Montana from Big Sky on Wednesday and settled into our cabin on Rock Creek about four miles from town on the Beartooth Highway. We spent the next few days exploring the area and spent Friday driving the Beartooth Highway to Cooke City and the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The Beartooth Highway was described by the late Charles Kuralt as “The most beautiful drive in America,” and was the reason we decided to stay here. Our experience validated that description and we were awed by the scenery at every turn. I did manage to fish two days on Rock Creek and on my first day managed to land a beautiful 14” rainbow trout behind the cabin. Rock Creek is a crystal clear stream that flows extremely fast and is difficult to fish, so I was pleased at catching a rather small trout that fought fiercely and sported beautiful colors. On our next hike the following day, our trail followed the west fork of Rock Creek and featured much more manageable waters that I plan to return to next week. Stay tuned for the final installment and hopefully some fish pictures!

Reel Time on the road: Dillon, Montana

Reel Time on the road: Dillon, Montana

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

This past week I fished the Big Hole, Madison and Beaverhead Rivers in Montana with a group of anglers hosted by Captain Rick Grassett at Montana’s Medicine Lodge, a working ranch near Dillon, Montana.

Over five days we fished the three rivers from drift boats, casting dry flies and nymphs. This is Grassett’s 20th year hosting the trip and the second time I’ve joined the group in what is evolving into an annual event. We fished with Dave King Outfitters, based in Dillon. Grassett fished with King as a guide for many years at another lodge that eventually closed. After the closure of that lodge, King decided to become an outfitter and hooked up with Grassett and Montana’s Medicine Lodge, which provides a unique western working ranch atmosphere.

The group of seven anglers fished with King’s guides, changing partners and guides each day. On the first day, I fished with Dennis Kinley, who I first met 15 years ago in the Bahamas on a bonefishing trip. Dennis is a regular with the group. Our guide was Jake Heinecke, a fishing and hunting guide who teaches school in Dillon when he isn’t guiding. Over the day we landed a number of brown trout, including some quality fish from 16-19 inches. During our float we watched thunderstorms build over the mountains, eventually overtaking us in a downpour about a half-hour before our float ended at 4 p.m.

Reel Time on the road: Dillon, Montana
Anglers pause for lunch along the Madison River. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Because we had an odd number of anglers, each angler fished solo one day. On the second day float on the Madison, I volunteered and fished again with Heinecke. I took the opportunity to learn from Jake and was fascinated with his mastery of the fly rod. In particular, I asked him to help me with my mend and reach casts that feed fly line up current to assure a drag-free float of the fly. He actually combined the two into a cast he calls the reach-mend. The fishing was a bit slow that day but the weather and scenery were spectacular and I managed to hook and land a 20” brown trout on a dry hopper imitation.

On my third and fourth day, I fished with Nick Delledonne, from Pennsylvania, and Grassett on one of my favorite rivers in Montana, the Big Hole. We launched both days at about 7,000 feet, where the temperature hovered in the high 40s and floated two of the river’s most scenic stretches. Our guide both days was Mark Moreni, who guides for King during the summer season and teaches high school history in the winter. Although the fishing was a bit slow both days, we did get a chance to fish the Trico hatch, where millions of these small-winged insects emerge from the river in a buffet of food for the local trout. During this brief (about an hour) time, fish go on a feeding frenzy allowing anglers a chance to target rising fish with small dry fly imitations.

After fishing each day, anglers returned to the ranch where chef Annie Walz Kubiac had hors d’oeuvres ready to accompany cold beverages and cocktails on the outside deck. It was a perfect place for anglers to unwind and recount “tails” of the day. Dinners each evening featured chef Kubiac’s scrumptious special side dishes that accompanied the entrees like prime rib, elk meatloaf, baby back ribs and shrimp.

On the last day of the trip, I fished with Grassett on a different stretch of the Beaverhead with Heinecke. The morning started with cloud cover and the promise of much-needed rain. We dodged all but brief showers and spent the day fishing streamers along the fast-moving river. Action was a bit slow but we managed a few nice brown and a couple of rainbow trout to 16 inches. The float took us through some beautiful scenery and ended near the landmark “Pipe Organ.” We were lucky that we missed much of the hot weather that had plagued the region earlier in the summer and only got a haze from fires burning to the west. As we parted company on Saturday morning, everyone was already talking about a return trip in 2022. For information on joining one of Grassett’s yearly trips (Montana and the Bahamas), contact him at 941-350-0318. Next week, Big Sky and  Red Lodge.

Reel Time: Anatomy of a fishing rod

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

Every fishing rod, be it a spinning rod, a fly rod or a casting rod, is constructed in a similar way and has the same basic parts. Have you ever wondered why one rod is more expensive than another and why? Here is a breakdown of the basic components of a fishing rod that should help you understand their construction, and why one rod costs more than another. This should also help you determine which rod is best for you.

– Rusty Chinnis | Sun

A rod’s blank is constructed from a product known as prepreg. This material is infused 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 affects its price.

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

The parts of a rod consist of a blank with a butt section, a fixed hood, a reel seat, a sliding hood, a locking ring, handle, guides, ferrules and a tip. The butt section is the cork part of the rod behind the reel seat that fits into a fighting harness or into the stomach when playing a fish. On a spinning and casting rod, it’s where the non-dominant hand holds the rod. The reel seat is where the reel foot is placed either on or near the blank, while the hoods secure 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 handle is the cork where the dominant hand is placed. The guides hold the line along the length of the blank. The ferrules connect sections of a rod. The tip as the name implies is the section at the top of the rod.

You may also have heard 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. Armed with this information you’ll have the knowledge you need to determine how much you spend on a rod. This decision can positively affect your angling efficiency and enjoyment.

Reel Time: Waterkeepers hold HAB forum

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

Island residents might not be familiar with the term harmful algae blooms (HAB), but the bouts of lyngbya and red tide that have plagued the area are all too common. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines the blooms as “simple photosynthetic organisms that live in the sea and freshwater that grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds.”

On Friday, July 23, Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper held a public forum at the Bradenton Yacht Club to inform area residents of the threat these blooms pose and help them understand what causes them and what we need to do to address the problem.

Dead baitfish and a Goliath grouper killed by red tide collect at a barrier erected at an entrance to Robinson Preserve from Tampa Bay. – Submitted

The program began with an introduction by Suncoast Waterkeeper Chair Joe McClash and Founder Justin Bloom. The forum included presentations by Ed Sherwood, the executive director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and Dave Tomasko, the executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. Both Sherwood and Tomasko pointed to the intentional release of over 200 million gallons of waste “process” water from the Piney Point facility in Manatee County this spring as the likely cause of the devastating bloom that has killed millions of fish in upper Tampa Bay in the last month. This event was the first of its kind since 1971, when millions of gallons of partially treated sewage and wastewater were routinely being discharged into the bay.

Both Sherwood and Tomasko are seasoned scientists and also have intimate firsthand experience on local waters. Sherwood came up through the ranks at the TBEP to become its executive director in 2018 after serving as the program scientist since 2008. Sherwood is responsible for maintaining TBEP’s partnerships and continuing the bay’s science-based restoration and recovery strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marine biology from the University of West Florida and a Master of Science degree in marine fisheries and ecology from the University of Florida. Tomasko has more than 30 years of experience on local waters. He holds a doctorate in biology from the University of South Florida, a Master of Science degree in marine biology from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Old Dominion University. Tomasko was also the first-ever SBEP program scientist.

A sold-out audience of more than 100 participants crowded the Yacht Club’s dining room, where they enjoyed coffee, tea and a continental breakfast during the event. Hundreds more joined via Google Meets and a Facebook Live broadcast. The presentation was also filmed by Carl Shelton of Manatee Educational Television and will be available to the public soon. Interested parties can view the Facebook Live broadcast at Suncoast Waterkeepers Facebook page.

Dr. Dave Tomasko is interviewed by news media after his presentation. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Each presentation included supporting graphics and data that emphasized the concerns of both scientists. While there are obviously nuances and the science is constantly unfolding, a few facts really drove home the seriousness of our water quality issues. The main takeaway for this reporter was the fact that between 1980 and 2017, water quality and seagrass coverage improved significantly in Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay. Since 2017, all those almost 40 years of gains have been lost and there are concerns that both bays could soon go the way of the Indian River Lagoon, once described as “one of the most biodiverse estuaries in the Northern Hemisphere.”  That ecological treasure has collapsed and “since 2009, 58% of the seagrass in the lagoon system has disappeared, choked off from sunlight as a result of an over-saturation of nutrients in the water,” according to the St. Johns River Water Management District.

This catastrophic collapse has led to the unprecedented death of more than 841 manatees between Jan. 1 and July 2, breaking the previous record of 830 that died in 2013 because of an outbreak of toxic red tide. Dr. Tomasko explained that most of the deaths have been by drowning due to malnutrition from the lack of the seagrasses they depend on. Both scientists fear that we are perilously close to the same thing happening here if we don’t act fast. Despite the alarming statistics, Dr. Tomasko was optimistic that we could still turn this around. That will take the involvement of all stakeholders in the region from plumbers and electricians to developers, builders and – most importantly – our elected officials. While it’s easy to blame our leaders for our water quality ills, it’s important to remember that this is a shared responsibility. We the voters elected the politicians that are responsible for protecting these valuable resources. It’s critical that we do a better job vetting the leaders we choose. The future we leave for our children, grandchildren and all future generations depend on it.

Reel Time

Reel Time: Back to basics

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

Anglers today have a dizzying array of options when it comes to all things fishing. Super realistic lures, line that “disappears” in the water, “spot lock” trolling motors that hold boats in place, and fish finders that spot fish under, as well as 360 degrees around, a boat. There is a plethora of gear lining the shelves of tackle shops meant to dazzle and lure anglers. Even the basics like line and hooks come in many forms and colors, each promising the angler an advantage over the fish.

In truth, experience has taught me there’s no special magic to finding the right gear for angling success. Instead, I’m convinced that concentrating on a few basic, time-tested techniques will improve the luck of even the greenest angler. Whatever fishing means to you, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Actually, I would go as far as saying, the less complicated it is the better your chance of success.

Fishing means different things to different people. To some it’s the simple pleasure of being on the water with friends and family and “catching” is optional. To others, it’s serious business and the outcome can make or break a day. Whatever your reason for being on the water and pursuing fish, a strong foundation will support your growing interests. Start by knowing the best tackle for the type of fishing you do. Pick the best quality tackle you can afford, but not the most expensive available. I’m talking about gear that is properly sized, solidly made, and therefore able to survive the rigors of saltwater. Whether you’re using spinning tackle, fly tackle or bait casting gear, get an outfit that’s balanced. A balanced outfit means that the weight is evenly distributed when held just forward of the reel on the cork of the rod. This isn’t an exact science, but you’ll be able to feel if one component is too large.

An appropriate outfit is one that is up to the task of catching the fish you’re targeting, but no heavier than necessary. An 8- to 10-pound rig is perfect for snook, trout, redfish and other inshore species while a 20- to 40-pound outfit would be better for anglers hunting kingfish and cobia along the beach or bottom fishing for grouper, snapper or amberjack over offshore ledges and wrecks. The line should also match the outfit you’re using and should fill the spool of the reel. The most common problem I see is reels with too little line that’s too heavy. This severely hampers the angler’s casting ability. Begin with the basics and then let your interests expand where they will.

When it comes to deciding whether to use live bait or artificial lures I think artificial lures are a better choice, especially for beginning anglers. First and foremost, they are a lot easier to deal with than live bait. Live bait takes time to acquire, must be kept healthy and usually stays close to where it’s cast. Artificial lures, by contrast, don’t have to be changed often and can’t be killed or crippled by pests like pinfish. You can cover more water, testing different areas, water depths and retrieval speeds. My personal favorite is a jig, and while I now use mostly lead-headed jigs with plastic bodies, the original lead head jigs with bucktail skirts are still a great choice. My second choice would be a topwater plug. These lures require a bit of practice to master but are recommended because they cover a lot of water, and they attract fish with their sound and surface disturbance. Best of all there’s nothing more exciting than seeing a snook or big trout smash a lure on the surface. While admittedly, live bait can outperform artificial lures at times, on balance I think lures are a better choice overall. Whatever you use I highly recommend bending down the barbs on all hooks. Better for the fish, safer for the angler! Start with the basics and build a foundation in angling that will serve you for a lifetime.

Reel Time: Sea trout

Reel Time: How to catch sea trout

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

Sea trout have always been a target of local anglers, mostly as a food source but rarely by fishermen seeking a trophy. Most would rather target redfish, snook and larger species like tarpon and kingfish. The average Gulf coast trout weighs in at about 2 pounds and doesn’t put much of a bend in a light fly or spinning rod. Larger trout are harder to find, are much warier, and a worthy adversary on any tackle.

In the early 80s, it wasn’t uncommon to catch an 8-pound trout during the late winter and early spring. By the mid-80s, a large trout was hard to capture on any tackle. The net ban that was enacted in 1995 gave anglers great hope for a resurgence in trout populations. The net ban helped restore trout populations, but the anticipated resurgence of trout proved uneven at best. In the last few years, catching larger trout from 4-6 pounds has been a real possibility for conventional and fly anglers who are patient.

Traditionally, the best time to target trout is during the months of March, April and May. The months of December through February can also be good options for trout as they forage for food during the lean winter season. In late summer, late outgoing tides on the full and new moons can also produce some large specimens.

Sight fishing trout requires a stealthy approach. A wading angler moving too quickly through the water or rocking an approaching boat while casting can spook trout. For any measure of success, move extremely slowly and avoid any errant sounds like a push pole hitting the boat or a rustling anchor chain that will telegraph an angler’s presence.

Flats with healthy grass beds with white sand holes and edges provide cover and forage for baitfish, shrimp and mullet, and are prime habitat for large trout. When picking a fly or plug, try to mimic the prevalent forage food. In local estuaries and the open bay, mullet may be the dominant food source, but trout are opportunists and will pursue glass minnows, shrimp, pilchards and other available food sources. The pattern varies depending on the season and water temperatures. During times of low visibility and low tides, anglers can move their efforts to the deeper edges of flats, the drop-offs into rivers and bays and the deep edges of oyster bars.

Fly leaders should be long and tapered (up to 12 feet) with no more than a 30-pound bite tippet. I prefer a premium 20-pound fluorocarbon bite tippet. While it’s possible to catch big trout on a larger tippet, I think the smaller diameter is best for the biggest and wariest trout. Your approach, even on foot, is very important. One of my favorite ways to hunt big trout is with a top water plug or popper. Plugs and noisy poppers can actually scare big trout when the sun is high, but are deadly early in the morning and just before dark. When wading, shuffle your feet and move slowly to avoid a pressure wave. Fly fishers need to be stealthy and avoid disturbing the water when lifting the line for another cast. Every advantage is necessary in the hunt for big trout.

This is a game in which anglers may have to cover a lot of water. When fishing for trout, never run the flats, looking instead for surface action, including schools of baitfish, mullet and diving seabirds. Top producing flies include the Clouser Deep Minnows, Lefty’s Deceivers and top water poppers like the Garthside Gurgler. Some of my favorite plugs are the Heddon “Zara Spook,” the MirrOlure “Top Dog” and the Rebel “Jumping Minnow.”

Now might not be “prime” time to target trout in local water, but it’s a good time to perfect your approach. Many of the trout you catch will be unwanted and undersized, so remember to handle with care and release them quickly. Release them in the water if possible and always wet your hands if you handle them. Trout might not be glamorous but they are a worthy adversary for local anglers. Always remember to check regulations before keeping any fish.

Reel Time: The smoking gun

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

Local anglers feared from the beginning that the release of over 215 million gallons of wastewater from the Piney Point debacle could have catastrophic effects on Tampa and Sarasota bays. The fact that each gallon of water held 10 times the nitrogen of raw sewage and that the total release was the equivalent of dumping 200 tons of nitrogen (80,000 bags of fertilizer) in the bay was ominous.

Compounding the worrying scenario was the fact that for the second time in as many years, huge swaths of grass meadows from Robinson Preserve to Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay were covered in an algae called lyngbya, a toxic cyanobacteria. That bloom wasn’t caused by the release at Piney Point, but the potential that the release could exacerbate the existing bloom loomed large and would eventually prove likely, as the extent of the bloom was much larger than the year before.

Then on May 24, marine researchers from the University of South Florida, in what now appears to be an ill-timed news release, stated:

  • Early results indicate that the effects of the wastewater discharge were localized in nature, not widespread.
  • Concentrations of nutrients have declined over time and are now more typical of those in the historical record for this part of Tampa Bay. Model results show that the concentrations of nutrients within the discharged water have been diluted at least 1000-fold since the initial release.
  • A diatom bloom of about 25 square kilometers in size around Port Manatee that formed in response to the discharge has dissipated over time. Diatoms are single-celled microalgae called phytoplankton. Chlorophyll concentrations (a proxy for phytoplankton biomass) are within the range generally observed in Tampa Bay during April and May.

Just this past week a severe red tide outbreak in upper Tampa Bay has called all those predictions into question. In the same news release, to their credit, they did state, “The nutrient chemistry of Tampa Bay is complex. Questions remain about nutrient cycling in response to a rapid influx of wastewater.”  Now the current bloom is proving what amounts to, in minds of longtime users of the bay like Captain Scott Moore, a “smoking gun.” Moore, who has fished from Sarasota Bay to Port Manatee and beyond since 1970, states categorically, “In all the years I’ve been fishing I’ve never seen a red tide event in that part of the bay that didn’t affect Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay first. Traditionally I fished north of the Skyway because those were rarely affected by all but the most severe blooms.”

This snook was just one of a multitude of fish including tripletail, cobia, redfish, mullet and a plethora of baitfish and other species that succumbed to Tampa’s red tide outbreak. – Captain Dustin Pack | Submitted

My experience over the last three-plus decades bears that out. Jacki Lopez, Florida Director of The Center for Biological Diversity agrees. Lopez reviewed the records of red tide occurrences over the last 20 years and says, “The red tide data collected over the years by FWC appears to indicate that it is rare to have red tide in Tampa Bay, and rarer yet to have red tide persisting in Tampa Bay without a massive red tide bloom throughout the region. The timing of the Piney Point discharge and the presence of red tide in Tampa Bay, especially so close to Piney Point seems to suggest that the discharge influenced this ongoing red tide event.”

The uncertainty and confusion demonstrate our lack of understanding and failure to act. While red tide events are tracked by satellite, other blooms like lyngbya don’t show up in satellite imagery, which is how scientists model for the predictions they make. This means many harmful algae blooms are not picked up by monitoring programs.

The need for a swift and quantum shift in tracking and addressing these nutrients has never been greater. Are we willing to risk reaching a point of no return or will we address these dire warnings before it’s too late?