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Tag: Reel Time

Reel Time: Angler’s action guide

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

I’ve written a lot lately about the critical issues facing our local waters and the need for anglers (everyone really) to get involved in efforts to protect them. What does it mean to get involved? How can you best accomplish your goals? Good questions. I realized late in life the power and necessity to make my voice heard and exercise my power at the polls. That’s why I wanted to share the information I’ve gleaned by asking those very questions.

Complaining about something we have some control over and doing nothing about it works against your interests. Unfortunately, inaction often becomes glaringly apparent when it’s too late. Learning how to exercise your rights effectively and efficiently is more critical than ever.  Here are a few ways I’ve found to be efficient and links you can use to get your voice heard.

Reel Time
A lyngyba algae bloom stretches from the Manatee River to Perico Island on Monday, May 3. Capt. Justin Moore | Submitted

Write letters. I’ve found writing letters to the editor of the local newspapers is a terrific way for the average citizen to be heard. Chances are the people who need to hear what you’re saying are paying attention. Locally I submit letters to the Anna Maria Island Sun, The Observer Group, The Bradenton Herald and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Each of these same papers may allow you to submit a guest editorial. Also consider writing letters and perhaps asking for a meeting with a legislator.

Attend meetings and speak out. The slogan, “Think globally, act locally” is powerful and locally perhaps the most effective way to make a real difference. Attend local commission meetings and either speak in person or have your comments read to commissioners. Check on how to do this by using search terms like address the Anna Maria  (substitute your city) City Commission. The same goes for Manatee County or whatever county you may reside in. If you’re concerned about an issue that affects you and your children’s future and you don’t act, there’s one thing you can count on – others will be making the decisions based on interests that might support them financially but have a negative effect on you.

Nothing makes that point as dramatically as the recent debacle at Piney Point where inaction over decades led to the dumping of 215 million gallons of phosphate process water containing 10 times the nitrogen of raw sewage.

I think you’ll find taking action is empowering. By taking action you’ll soon realize that you have a voice and that voice has power. But only if you use it.

Reel Time: Get ready and get involved

Reel Time: Get ready and get involved

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

Tarpon were the sirens that lured the first tourists to Florida, and their mystique is still in full sway today.

While fly fishing for tarpon holds a mystique of its own, the vast majority of anglers pursue them with conventional tackle. The go-to bait for spin anglers is a live crab. Small blue crabs can be purchased at most bait shops during tarpon season and pass crabs can be dipped from the local passes on a falling tide. Other effective baits include pinfish, threadfin herring and pilchards. Artificial lures like the DOA Bait Buster and the 4- and 6-inch shrimp, jigs and even top water plugs can be effective.

Patience is a critical factor when fishing for tarpon, especially when fly fishing. The most successful anglers find the edge of a sand bar or other underwater feature that tarpon track, anchor in casting range and wait. Sometimes tarpon come at a steady rate, but just as often there are long periods of time when the only thing to look at is the water and the bottom. This really separates the great anglers from the good anglers. There are times when you need to move but knowing when and where is a skill that is developed, if never mastered.

Once set up, the angler must be able to make a 40- to 50-foot cast to a location the size of a dinner plate. Placement of the fly cannot be overemphasized, because tarpon will seldom vary a foot or two from their path to eat a fly. Although there is always the rare exception, a fly must never travel in a path towards the intended target. A tarpon’s prey species wouldn’t survive long if it moved toward its aggressor, and tarpon know it. Besides moving away from the fish, the fly must move at the proper pace, be at the proper depth and never slow down when a tarpon is tracking it. Conversely, you can’t move the fly too fast, taking it out of a tarpon’s range.

Conventional anglers usually look for rolling fish in the near-shore Gulf and motor well ahead of them to intercept their path. Trolling motors can be effective for following a school in deep water but will spook them in the shallows. Knowledgeable guides that have “mastered” multiple presentations to a school of moving fish provide their clients some spectacular results. One thing that all tarpon anglers should practice is courtesy. Often a boat has been working long and hard to get properly set up for a shot and a boat running up on the fish will spoil the day for everyone.

Fortunately, once a tarpon decides to eat, there’s no need to make a lightning-fast hook set. The right set is called a “strip strike” in fly fishing, which involves letting the line come tight and immediately setting the hook with a combination of the line hand and the rod. Conventional anglers should also have the patience to let the line come tight before attempting to hook the fish. Then the angler must at once work to set the hook in the cement-like jaw while being ready for the fish to bolt away from the boat. Tarpon are not trout, and attempting to raise the rod to set the hook is a cardinal mistake.

After a fly angler sets the hook, attention must go immediately to clearing the line (getting the loose line off the deck). In most cases, the angler has been stripping in line when the fish bites and the hook is set. That line can easily foul on the angler, the rod or the reel. Disciplined anglers (successful ones) take their attention from the fish to the line at your feet. They know to hold the rod away from their body and let the excess line pass through their stripping hand with a circle made with the thumb and the forefinger. Once the line is “on the reel,” the hook is set again with several more strip strikes. Conventional anglers often use circle hooks, which don’t require a hook set. Conventional hook sets also require letting the line come tight with the addition of several quick jabs to set the hook. In all cases, the tarpon cannot be aware of the angler before the hook set.

While it’s important to exert maximum pressure on the tarpon during the fight, anglers must yield on jumps. On the jump, the standard maneuver is to thrust the rod forward to relieve pressure on the line. This prevents the tarpon from breaking off if it lands on a taut line. This maneuver is known as “bowing to the king.”

It’s customary to start the engine and get as close to the tarpon as possible after the initial and subsequent long runs. This allows the angler to apply maximum pressure. If a tarpon is a hundred yards from the boat, the stretch of the line makes it impossible to apply any real pressure. Keep the pressure on throughout the fight, but don’t clamp down and try to force the fish to the boat.

The thought that these next few months, the highlight of mine and many other angler’s year, might be sacrificed to the onslaught of a harmful algae bloom is a painful reminder. While there are many bad actors to blame for this misfortune, if we don’t speak up and act, nothing will change until after a disaster. Piney Point is the perfect example. Call your elected officials, attend commission meetings, write letters to the editor, and more importantly, become an active advocate.

Perhaps the best strategy of all is to get excited about, look forward to and get ready for a magical time of the year. While we’re at it, we’ll let the passion fuel our determination to protect it.

Reel Time: Tarpon time

Reel Time: Tarpon time

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

Tarpon season is one of the most anticipated times of the year on local waters. While I’ve encountered tarpon occasionally most every month of the year, April through July is the time eager anglers turn their sights to these silver-armored adversaries. Their arrival in numbers worth pursuing is generally water temperature-dependent. The magic number is debatable, but when water temperatures reach into the 70s, ardent anglers take notice. When that number reaches the high 70s to 80s they take action. Hopefully, there will be a season.

I thought long and hard about the subject of this week’s article. The condition of local waters has worried me the past few years as regular readers of this article will no doubt be aware. The resilient marine ecosystem that has amazed me in the past has not recovered after the 2017-18 red tide. On top of this, the disaster at Piney Point puts massive amounts of nutrients into Tampa Bay just as waters start to warm and red tide reports creep up the coast. But let’s be optimistic.

We are blessed with some of the best tarpon fishing in the world and the local bars and inshore waters host some of the finest fly and spin fishing to be found anywhere. For most anglers this isn’t a numbers game, it’s the hunt and the action that keep them pinned to the bow in the sizzling summer sun.

Tackle should match the size of the quarry with most anglers opting for a 20- to 30-pound spin outfit and/or 11- to 12-weight fly outfit. A heavy bite tippet is required because of the size of tarpon and their rasp-like mouth. Fly anglers generally use 60- to 80-pound tippet while spin anglers choose 70- to 100-pound test. While it might seem like a difficult task to land a tarpon on the fly, or any tackle for that matter, an angler who knows the limits of her gear can actually land a tarpon in a surprisingly short period of time. The key is to apply maximum pressure from the hookup and never let up. Too many anglers “baby” their tarpon in a misguided attempt to land them. The truth is that the longer you fight a tarpon the better chance you have of losing it.

A properly (IGFA approved) tied tarpon leader used by fly fishers usually runs between 10 and 12 feet and is tapered to accurately deliver the fly. The leader includes a class tippet (weakest link) from 16 to 20 pounds that is doubled at both ends to soften the (shock) impact to the class tippet and bite tippet. Key to the whole equation is to have a very sharp hook, as tarpon have extremely tough mouths. Conventional leaders vary from angler to angler, but a doubled standing line tied to a leader and then to the bite “tippet” with a blood knot or Albright Special won’t fail you.

Flies vary from the classic splayed feather “Key’s” style to more complex designs like the “Toad,” various baitfish imitations and worm flies. Some fly anglers are not concerned with landing a tarpon, preferring to just enjoy the hunt, the hookup and the jumps that usually follow the hook set. They use light bite tippets which allows the tarpon to work through the leader with their abrasive mouths. The key to landing tarpon on the fly is accuracy. The fly must be placed perfectly, move in a precise direction relative to the fish and be at the proper (fishes’) depth. Even when all of these factors come together, there’s still about a 50% chance that the tarpon will reject the fly, assuming that the condition of local waters doesn’t repel them first.

It’s happened before and while some would have you believe it’s natural and there’s nothing to be done, if there’s any silver lining in all this, it’s that it wakes us up to what we can and must do to protect our passion. But more on both fronts next week. To learn more and lend support visit Suncoast Waterkeeper.

Reel Time: An unfolding tragedy

Reel Time: An unfolding tragedy

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

Rounding a mangrove corner into Clam Bar Bay on the edges of Tampa Bay, I had the sensation of a place remembered.

I had first visited Moses Hole on a kayak outing in 2013. But this time, something seemed oddly different, and a disquieting feeling enveloped me. It was only later that I fully appreciated that emotion.

Reel Time: An unfolding tragedy
Steve Traves paddles into Moses Hole in 2013. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

I was surveying and documenting the conditions in an area south of Port Manatee that represents the most pristine region of Florida’s largest – and now most threatened – estuary. Days before, a legacy phosphate stack at nearby Piney Point had ruptured and a catastrophic collapse was deemed imminent. Over the past week, millions of gallons of water containing 10 times the nutrients of raw sewage had been released into Tampa Bay at the port in an attempt to avert the sudden release of 480 million gallons.

That day I saw a Tampa Bay in crisis, even before the effects of this latest failure are being felt. The shallow waters from Cockroach Bay to Robinson Preserve were covered in algae and large areas were devoid of seagrass.

In addition, and totally unexpectedly, I was stunned at acres of mangroves I observed in Miguel Bay, near Terra Ceia. A large swath of the mangrove shoreline, once over 12 feet high, had been trimmed to barely three feet high, with large dead stumps bleached by the sun from previous cuttings.

Reel Time: An unfolding tragedy
An extensively-trimmed section of mangroves in Miguel Bay. Large dead mangroves from prior cuttings line the bay. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Returning home, I looked through my photographs and found an image I had taken that day in 2013. I was consumed by a feeling of sadness. What I experienced that day was disheartening, but only reinforced my resolve to expose the inaction of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in doing their mandated work to protect the public good.

The failure at Piney Point, a facility owned by HRK Inc. and overseen by the FDEP, was preventable. The state agency knew of the problems at the facility long ago but failed to address it adequately. Although this has been a disaster in the making for decades, the agency mandated to protect Tampa Bay allowed water levels to increase from a near-empty stack in 2007 to an accumulation of over 700 million gallons of water and dredged material.

FDEP failed to provide the resources needed to remove the water from the stacks at the site and knew as early as 2013 about the need to remove the water. The discharge required by the inaction far exceeds water quality standards for the Tampa Bay Estuary and is delivering excess nitrogen and phosphorus to Bay waters. Both nutrients are known to fuel harmful algae blooms such as red tides. At the current rate of wastewater discharge, nearly 500 tons of nitrogen are on track to be released in the course of about a week. This is equivalent to approximately 50,000 bags of fertilizer or 28 years of population growth in the region. This far exceeds the goals established by the FDEP to protect the public resources used for recreational and commercial activities.

In a joint press release, Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper expressed dismay that the rights of the people of Florida have been jeopardized by the failure of our state. They demand that the governor and Legislature act, holding all responsible parties accountable and establishing a statewide commission for phosphogypsum stack operations and closure. They stipulate that the commission should be composed of Waterkeepers, environmental advocates, state, federal and other stakeholders.

Additionally, they specify that the state fund the closure of all Piney Point stacks, including removing the existing water and capping the site to prevent any water containment onsite, and process the seepage water after closure to prevent degradation to Bishop Harbor and Cockroach Bay, Outstanding Florida Waters that bracket the site.

The final outcome of this latest insult to the waters that surround us and provide us our solace as well as supporting our economy won’t be felt for several weeks or months. I hope we’re not too late.

Get involved by joining and supporting the efforts of Suncoast Waterkeeper and make sure your elected officials get the message that we will hold them responsible.

Reel Time: Focus on the fun of fishing

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

To many anglers, fishing is simple. It’s no more complicated than dangling a shrimp or fishing a jig in any likely spot. Like other human activities, the level of involvement ranges from the simple to the insane. Most fishermen fall somewhere in between. Some live and breathe life on the water. They dream of rigging rods and reels, sharpening hooks, consulting charts and exploring tackle shops. They regularly consult YouTube videos and online forums for intel on the next great lure or fly. What we should all strive for is keeping our fishing fun.

Reel Time: Focus on the fun of fishing
Stu Apt works with a young cancer survivor, teaching that fishing is fun and rewarding. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Some anglers steadily graduate from cane poles to graphite spinning rods and fly tackle. Some never consider killing a fish, epitomizing the catch and release ethic. Others sport stickers on the back of their trucks with epitaphs like: “I Kill Fish.” Once again, most of us fall somewhere in between, content with our fishing method, respecting our catch and enjoying an occasional fresh fish dinner. Fishing develops into an individual passion, one that’s much more than catching. Some of us can have a great day on the water and never catch a fish, others may be disappointed if they don’t fill the cooler, but we all benefit from our time on the water.

Whether we’re just relaxing on the boat or are in a constant state of alert, the oceans and bays sharpen our senses and take us away from our day-to-day lives. Whatever kind of fisherperson we might be, everyone profits from being immersed in the natural world. The important thing is to enjoy the experience and come back to shore in a better mood than we left.

Of course, not every day on the water is as relaxing and enjoyable as we’d like it to be. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, the fish don’t bite and engine and tackle problems intrude on our reverie. A fishing trip, after all, isn’t immune to the unpredictable. The best advice is to expect the best and be prepared for the worst. Be flexible. I know anglers who wouldn’t think of picking up anything other than a fly rod, and while I might have been one of them, these days there’s usually a spinning rod in my rod rack. After more than my share of frustrating days, I learned a valuable lesson and flexed. Now I seldom venture onto the water without a spinning rod or two, outfitted with a jig and/or a topwater plug. When the wind makes it just too much work to fly fish, I switch to my spinning tackle, a move that has paid dividends more than once.

If you are a live bait fisherman, try artificial lures, particularly topwater plugs. Sometimes when the pinfish are stealing your hard-won bait faster than you can get them on the hook, artificial lures can save the day. The important part is to make the best of your day on the water. Be okay if the catch is less than you hoped for, because if you keep your eyes open, you’ll learn lessons that will pay dividends on future trips.

Taking a kid fishing is a great way to break out of a narrow focus on catching. They’ll be thrilled to land fish but will also notice the rays, dolphins, manatees, birds and other creatures that inhabit our watery world. Whatever your experience, make sure that you’re able to focus on fun.

Reel Time: Get wet

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

The author caught this pompano while wading a windswept flat last week.

For the first time in a few years, we’re having an “actual” winter. When anglers consider their options this time of year many never consider getting out of the boat and wading. That’s unfortunate because cold water can produce some fantastic results. Like any time of the year, wading provides some distinct advantages overfishing from a boat. Wading puts you in the fish’s realm, gives you the advantage of a low profile and a silent approach. This can be particularly important during the winter when the water can be gin-clear making gamefish extremely wary.

The key to comfortable winter wading is staying warm and dry. A good pair of waders, wading boots, sweat pants and insulating socks will do the trick on the coldest day. Add a pair of polarized glasses, a hat with a dark under-brim, a wade vest or pack, and you’re in business. You won’t need heavy tackle unless you’re fishing docks or other structures. Under most conditions, an eight-pound test tackle will be sufficient. You can go even lighter if conditions permit. Fly anglers generally opt for six/ eight weight outfits unless wind or other conditions warrant upsizing.  Make sure reels have plenty of line for long smooth casts and make sure the drag is properly set. I generally opt for a 30-pound bite tippet but downsize to 20 and even 18-pound test when fishing clear water, high sun and spooky fish. You’ll risk being cut off should you encounter a big snook but I always err to getting the bite, risking a cut-off for the increased action. A longer bite tippet allows anglers to change lures and flies more often without having to re-leader. When constructing leaders and tippets I use 100% fluorocarbon material.

If the visibility isn’t great, or you’re fishing early or late, blind cast the edges where grass and sand meet. These sandy areas (the seams) and potholes are perfect ambush spots for the predators you’re targeting. Start with presentations about two feet short of the area your working towards, then in and past your target. Make sure you cover deep grass often found at the ends of the potholes.

During the winters you’ll often find big trout on the flats on cold mornings. The fish will come into some extremely shallow potholes to feed on an incoming tide. Work your way through potholes, always staying vigilant for surface action, tails, wakes or feeding birds.

If fish are particularly spooky or hard to see try standing still and waiting for them to come to you. Try this approach if fish see you just before you see them. Anchor well away from the area you intend to fish, get out of the boat and stake out a pothole or sandy area where you have visibility. By staying a long cast away, you can easily see the fish when they enter a hole or pass across a patch of sand. Position yourself off to the side in the grass where you’re less visible, keep a low profile and be still. Just waiting them out gives you a big advantage when targeting reds, trout, snook and other game fish as they wander the flat. When you make a presentation, don’t make any quick moves, and make your casts low and slow. It takes patience but can be productive when all else fails.

Give winter wade fishing a try. Look for likely spots on charts or go online to programs like Google Earth. When you “get wet” you’ll discover some excellent angling opportunities, and as a bonus, get some exercise. Get wet.

More Reel Time:

Reel Time: Fishing with Captain Nick Angelo

Reel Time: Push pole pointers

Reel Time: Make your New Year’s resolutions

Reel Time: Cold weather angling strategies

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

Once again, late December’s cold winds have blown in, dropping water temperatures and requiring anglers to adjust their strategies. Winter fishing can be challenging, but there are opportunities for some excellent action for anglers who adjust their tactics and “think” like a fish.

While there are no magic bullets, awareness of conditions and perseverance can pay dividends when the thermometer plunges.

Reel Time: Winter strategies
Ken Watkins landed this sheepshead on a DOA Shrimp on a sun-warmed winter day. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Popular species including snook, redfish and trout will often concentrate in areas where the surrounding waters are more moderate. Snook, the most sensitive, will migrate to rivers, canals and protected bays where the sun heats seawalls, dark bottom and the surrounding water. Areas where shallow bays and bayous funnel temperate water on afternoon outgoing tides can be particularly productive.

When fishing, pay attention to water that receives the most sun during the day. Sun-warmed areas that are protected from cold winter winds produce conditions that are more desirable to cold-stressed species. The wind moves the water, keeping it from absorbing the sun’s rays. A combination of sun exposure, depth, and the color of the bottom all figure into the warm water equation.

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

While many local species are negatively affected by the cold water, many, like trout and redfish, have a high tolerance. Others actually thrive on it. The best examples are sheepshead and black drum. These fish, while shunned by some anglers, are hard fighting, challenging to hook, and excellent to eat. Target sheepshead and drum around structure where they feed on barnacles and crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. One way to attract these species is to scrape barnacles from pilings on an outgoing or incoming tide. A small live shrimp or shrimp-tipped jig fished among the “chum” are good options. A small, stout and sharp hook is advised for a sheepshead’s tough mouth. A quick hookset is required for these bait stealers. It’s often said that you need to set the hook a split second before they bite! Tackle sensitive enough to detect their stealth bite is recommended.

Once you find the ideal conditions, remember to slow your presentation. Lures and bait fished slowly, and close to the bottom, will generally draw more strikes than a quick retrieve. If you’re in a promising area make sure you try varying your retrieve before moving on.

Another option for inshore anglers is to slow troll large swimming plugs along inshore ledges in the bay for grouper. Prime spots include areas along the Intracoastal Waterway as well as limestone outcroppings and structure in the Tampa Bay ship’s channel. Use your senses, experiment, be persistent, and you can experience some very good fishing during our cooler winter months.

Reel Time: Threatened seagrass has trickle-down effect

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

The seagrass beds that carpet Sarasota Bay harbor a tremendous array of living creatures. This critical and diverse ecosystem is generally out of sight except at extreme low tides.

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

Harmful algae blooms like this occurrence of lyngbya on the east side of Anna Maria Sound are indicative of poor water quality and smother seagrasses. – Submitted

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

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

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

Preventing the loss of valuable seagrasses must be a high priority. Watershed management, replanting, avoidance of direct impacts to existing grasses, and mitigation are avenues to reach those goals. Mitigation involves the replacement of seagrasses impacted by residential and commercial development. Unfortunately, the literature reveals that the effectiveness of mitigating seagrass damage is considered, even among the leading wetland scientists, as marginal at best.

In recent years, seagrass rebounded in Sarasota Bay. Unfortunately, that trend reversed after the red tide of 2018, and now there have been reports by local fishing guides including Captain Justin Moore and Captain Todd Romine that acres of once-lush seagrasses have been reduced to sand flats. It is a foregone conclusion that development will continue to impact coastal areas and their seagrass resources. It is vital that decisions are made that will accommodate unavoidable development while protecting the quality of our most valuable local resources. Enlightened citizens, anglers and their interest groups must take part in this decision-making process.

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

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

Reel Time: Choosing line and leader

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

While most of the advertising and branding of fishing tackle targets rods, reels, lures and accessories, lines and leaders are an integral part of the equation.

The choices of line are varied but are mostly limited to monofilament, braid and fluorocarbon. While fluorocarbon, monofilament and braided lines were created to spool reels, monofilament and fluorocarbon along with wire are most often used as leader material. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and you’ll want to choose them based on how they perform in different fishing scenarios.

Monofilament has been around for decades and is the most commonly used line. It has many advantages and a few disadvantages. Chief among its advantages are affordability and the fact that it sinks slowly and is more forgiving (stretches) making it less likely to break when shocked. Its disadvantages include the fact that is less durable, stretches, and has a larger diameter.

Braided lines have made significant inroads since their introduction in the early ’90s. They are constructed of a special blend of polyethylene fibers. Some brands are wound loosely while others are fused. Braided lines are extremely durable, with no stretch. The unfused lines are generally suppler, while the fused ones are stiffer but less likely to wrap around guides and form knots during casting, one of the disadvantages of braided lines. When using braid, it’s important to be aware that no loops form on your reel, a sure sign of trouble to come. It’s also wise to raise the rod tip to tighten the line after a cast and before retrieving.

Braided lines are much stronger than mono lines, so pound for pound they have a much smaller diameter. In order to get the line to spool on the reel like mono, it is necessary to choose a matching diameter, which will be much stronger than the equivalent an angler is used to. Most anglers choose to go with a matching line test (i.e. smaller diameter line) and add a base of mono on the spool. That way you don’t have to use extra braid that will never see the light of day. The major advantage of braided lines is the lack of stretch which makes it easier to feel a bite and to set the hook on a fish. This is a big advantage when bottom fishing and targeting fish with subtle bites.

Fluorocarbon lines are expensive, and most anglers use them for leaders. Its most important advantage over monofilament is being less visible in the water. In addition, it is denser, sinks faster and is more abrasion-resistant. It’s important to carefully seat all knots after wetting them and this is especially true with fluorocarbon.

Wire leaders are used for toothy fish like Spanish mackerel, king mackerel and barracuda that can easily cut mono or fluorocarbon line. Traditional wire leader is hard to tie and kinks easily. While still being used, most anglers opt for wire that can be tied. These wires don’t kink readily and don’t require any other hardware like swivels.

Most choices are common sense. If you’re fishing shallow water or light floating flies and lures, you’ll want to opt for monofilament, which sinks slowly. If you’re interested in getting your offering down quickly, fluorocarbon would be a better choice. Fluorocarbon would also be a better choice for wary species like permit and bonefish. Generally speaking, you can get away with it earlier and late in the day when the sun is low or the water is off-color.

There are, of course, exceptions to all these rules, so my advice is to seek out local knowledge from anglers and tackle shops and try different lines and leader combinations to see which suits your fishing style.

Reel Time lines and leaders
Fluorocarbon leader material is advised for snook, whose raspy mouth can more easily abrade through monofilament line. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Reel Time: What happened to catch and release?

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

Catch and release used to be a topic that came up often in fishing circles. The idea was to educate anglers that fish populations are finite and not the bottomless resource that they were once thought to be. For a time it seemed the idea was relatively commonplace. Now a look at Instagram and Facebook posts might have you wonder what happened.

Lately, a lot of posts of dead fish are appearing that seem to be taken more to impress others and get likes than to provide a meal. With increased angling pressure, burgeoning populations and serious water quality issues, proper catch and release methods are more important now than ever. Fish that aren’t headed to the dinner table should be given the best chance of living, reproducing and sustaining threatened populations.

Releasing a tarpon
Keeping big fish like tarpon in the water is critical. Andy Mill measures a tarpon while Captain Doug Kilpatrick assists. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

When we get cut, bruised or break a leg, we can head for the local drug store, or, in more extreme cases, the emergency room. Not so for fish. For them, it’s heal or die, and in their world, it’s the sick and wounded that first fall prey to predators. What a shame to do the right thing, releasing a big, speckled trout full of roe, only to have it eaten by a shark, barracuda or other predator because it wasn’t handled properly.

Fishermen have been criticized because catch and release fishing is seen by some as playing with fish. Anglers, unlike hunters, can pursue their passion and release their prey.
Most anglers I know who practice catch and release have no problem with killing fish occasionally to take home for dinner. Responsible anglers and hunters are often on the front lines protecting the habitat and welfare of fish and animals. It’s more about enjoying the sport and trying to be proactive in helping it to remain healthy and viable.

There are many species, notable among them, tarpon, that anglers seldom, if ever, kill. Catch and release is not just about releasing fish that you don’t want, it’s also about properly releasing undersized fish or species that aren’t valued at the table. Catch and release in any form is a wise use of the resource, but unfortunately, many anglers don’t know how to properly handle fish.

Here are a few tips. First, make sure you match the tackle to the species you’re fishing for. Trying to land a big tarpon on 20-pound tackle might be OK if you’re experienced, but to the uninitiated, it’s like announcing a free meal to sharks. Enjoy the action, but land the fish as quickly as possible. Once you have the fish subdued, if possible, never take them out of the water.  If you’ve been fighting them for a long time (think tarpon) make sure you revive them sufficiently. If you can reach the water over the gunwale, slowly move the boat forward while holding the fish. This forces water and oxygen through their gills. They’ll let you know when they’re ready to go.

The hook is probably the next most important consideration. A barbless hook is best for fish and anglers alike. The key to keeping fish on a barbless hook is to keep the line tight. The other important factor you should consider is hooking yourself. A barbless hook is far easier to remove from a finger or an ear. Another option is a circle hook that helps prevent “gut” hooking fish.

A de-hooker is a tool anglers should always have at hand. It keeps your hands clean and prevents you from inadvertently harming the fish. Fish have a viscous coating that covers their scales and skin and acts as a defense against the invasion of bacterial, parasitic and fungal pathogens. De-hookers come in various shapes depending on how they’re used. The simplest is J-shaped and removes hooks in or near the jaw. A circular-shaped longer version allows anglers to remove hooks that are deep in the throat of a fish.

Anglers who fish for reef fish like snapper and grouper need to learn how to “vent” fish. Reeling fish from deep water inflates their swim bladders. Unless this bladder is punctured the fish is unable to swim back to the bottom. Search YouTube for the Florida Sea Grant video that explains the venting procedure.

Taking the time and having the tools and knowledge to release fish mindfully is one way to help ensure we have a healthy population of fish now and into the future. Let’s bring catch and release back as a topic of conversation.

Reel Time: Shifting seasons 

Reel Time: Shifting seasons 

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

I admit, it’s been a subtle shift from summer into fall, but even if the weather doesn’t reflect it, the shorter days and cooling Gulf waters are sending local anglers a message. One sure harbinger of fall is the arrival of king mackerel to inshore Gulf waters. The appearance of king mackerel, little tunny (a/k/a bonito) and Spanish mackerel are a sure sign that shoals of baitfish are congregating off area beaches.

Anglers wanting to target these species should look for diving birds in the inshore Gulf waters. This is a sure sign of feeding fish. Always approach a school of feeding fish cautiously, getting only as close as your longest cast. If trolling, just run lines and not motors around the edges of action. You’ll be respecting other anglers and have the best chance at catching fish.

There’s been a pickup in action in the inshore waters as well, with schools of redfish prowling the edges from Sarasota Bay to Miguel Bay. Snook action has also been consistent, especially on the last (strong phase) of an outgoing and the early incoming tide.

Stone crab traps are in the water and will be producing some mouthwatering claws starting Oct. 15. This should also signal the arrival of tripletail. These peculiar fish can be found impersonating seaweed on traps, pilings, buoys and any floating objects in bay and Gulf waters. A well-placed shrimp fly, DOA shrimp, or the real thing will most often elicit a response. Remember, tripletail are one of the few fish you can work a bait directly to because they’re ambush feeders.

The fall season through the first strong front in late November is one of my favorite times of the year. The oppressive heat lifts and Gulf and bay waters clear as temperatures trend down from the low 80s. Sight fishing for cruising fish of any kind is my idea of a perfect day on the water. Poling or wading a clear grass flat with fly or spin tackle is the most challenging and rewarding way to pursue gamefish in my world. Whatever your passion, pursue it, keep your ear to the “ground” and the shifting seasons won’t disappoint.

Fred and the fish-eating squirrel

Reel Time: Fred and the fish-eating squirrel

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

Most of Bradenton was asleep and dreaming when I pulled up to the locked gate that barred access to Jiggs Landing on the shore of Ward Lake (a/k/a Bill Evers Reservoir). Beeping my horn and flashing my lights, I knew I was signaling my presence to a small white Boston Whaler somewhere in the inky darkness. The lake is located south of State Road 70, approximately 6.5 miles from downtown Bradenton. It was created as a water source for the City of Bradenton in 1939 when a dam was constructed across the Braden River. The reservoir was expanded to almost 400 acres in 1986 and stores over 1.4 billion gallons of water.

Moments later, Andy “Doc” Lee appeared out of the darkness in his 13-foot Whaler, “Slow Poke.” Lee has been fishing the lake for 45 years and it would be safe to say that no one knows it better. I first met Lee in the late 80s when we formed the Manatee Chapter of the Florida Conservation Association (now CCA). Lee, who hails from upstate New York, started fly fishing at age 7 when his aunt gave him his first fly rod and a fly-tying kit. When he moved to the area in 1977, he called Bradenton Herald fishing editor Jerry Hill to learn about fly fishing locally. A friendship developed and Lee became a featured speaker and fly-tier at Hill’s Bradenton Herald Fishing College.

I did my first story on Lee for Florida Sportsman in 1996. That day we fished the Manatee River and caught an assortment of different species including a 15-pound snook, flounder, channel catfish, panfish and bass. The thing that attracted me to Lee in the first place, besides the fact he catches a lot of fish, was his innovative methods and handmade flies.

We fished for bluegills and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) on three-weight fly outfits. Lee rigged me up at the ramp with an 8-foot, 4-pound leader, strike indicator and a “flutter” fly he developed. After motoring to a nearby shoreline where the river enters the lake, he showed me how to fish the rig and soon we were catching hand-sized panfish. Over the four hours, Lee moved several times to areas of grass where the panfish congregate. He triangulates the spots from landmarks on shore and then verifies the location on a fish finder. While the fishing wasn’t “hot,” according to Lee, we did manage to land over a dozen fish that he would clean for dinner.

As we were headed in, Lee said I had a good chance of meeting Fred and the fish-eating squirrel back at the ramp. Noticing the puzzled look on my face, he explained. For the last few years, Lee has been greeted at the ramp by a red-shouldered hawk he named Fred who loves fish carcasses. Another frequent “greeter” was a squirrel that also loves the remains of the fish he cleaned. On cue, Fred was sitting on a nearby fence when we returned and waited patiently as Lee cleaned fish. When he was done, he flipped the remains on the ground and Fred swooped in for breakfast. The only thing missing that day was the fish-eating squirrel, but Lee invited me back for another chance. I accepted right away; after all, how often do you get to meet a fish-eating squirrel?

New horizons in trolling motor technology

New horizons in trolling motor technology

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

If there’s one thing I learned over the years it’s that the more “stuff” you put on a boat the more you have to deal with. Having said that, there are a few things I have found worth the effort. Chief among those is a trolling motor. Recent advances in technology have made the problems I encountered in the past less of a problem.

I’m an inshore angler most of the time, only venturing into the Gulf seasonally in pursuit of tarpon, little tunny, cobia, tripletail and Spanish mackerel. While l prefer to use my push pole most of the time, there are times the trolling motor is “indispensable.” Chief among them are the times I fish alone and use the trolling motor to set myself up for drifts or to work a shoreline. Then there are the times when the trolling motor gives me a distinct advantage over anchoring or drifting when targeting tripletail on crab buoys or fishing lights in the pre-dawn hours.

My first trolling motors were analog and operated with air switches. I remember them as being more trouble than they were worth. Fortunately, advances in technology brought us digital motors that were far more reliable and coatings that make them far more saltwater resistant.

Today, technology continues to advance at a dizzying pace and trolling motors and anglers are reaping the rewards. The advances are particularly notable for big boat owners. While there are two major brands available to anglers, this article centers on Minn Kota, the motor I use and I think has made the biggest strides for saltwater anglers.

All Minn Kota saltwater models have coated lower units. The lower unit is grit-blasted, aluminum coated, then powder coated for protection against oxidization and rust. The other parts of the motor that are most susceptible to the corrosive effects of saltwater are the motor’s control board and electronics, which are completely encapsulated to keep saltwater out. All motors are also equipped with a technology they call a “digital maximizer” that extends the life of the batteries that power the motors.

The technology really benefits offshore anglers and guides who depend on a trolling motor every day. The new Riptide Terrova has an 87″ shaft and a GPS system with a feature called Spot-Lock that automatically holds a boat over a chosen location like a favorite reef, eliminating the need to anchor in deep water. The GPS also allows an angler to follow a particular track or heading automatically keeping hands free for fishing.

Other features include a bow-mount stabilizer to lock the motor in place when you hit heavy chop and wake, and a quick-release bracket for easy motor removal. The innovations get even more hands-free with the introduction of an i-Pilot Link which connects Riptide trolling motors to a Humminbird fish finder unit, enabling the angler to control their motor from a Humminbird fishfinder.

The Riptide Ulterra® increases the ease of use with a button that automatically deploys and stows the motor and adjusts it up and down. All this can be controlled with a hand-held controller, from a smartphone app or on the fishfinder unit.

With these advances in technology, the only work you’ll be doing on your trolling motor is maintenance. In truth, finding someone to work on my trolling motors has always been a problem. That issue was resolved when I met the Trolling Motor Guy. Robert Schroeder operates a factory-authorized Minn Kota service center right here in Bradenton. Local Island anglers can even drop their motors off to be serviced in Cortez!

Trolling motors have come a long way since I hung the first one on my boat and have become an integral part of a lot of the fishing I do. This article just touches on many of the possibilities. The Trolling Motor Guy can be reached by calling 941-518-9940.

Hone your hot weather strategy 

Hone your hot weather strategy 

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

Summer may be on the wane but you would never know it unless you’re up early or get out later in the day. Savvy anglers know to change their strategies, tailoring their efforts to maximize comfort and opportunities.

One of the prime times to fish during the “dog days” is before the sun crests the horizon. The myriad dock and bridge lights that illuminate the waterways from Bradenton to Venice are prime targets. Basins with deep holes are also a great place to target rolling tarpon. These areas hold schools of snook as well as trout and a host of other species.

Docks with a water depth in excess of 6 feet are best. Tidal flow is another indication of action. Lights on the up-tide side of a structure are best, allowing you 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 some docks on the incoming tide, and others on the outgoing tide.

The presence of hard bottom near a bridge or dock is another indicator of good fish habitat. The presence of bait is directly related to structures like ledges, oyster bars and seawalls. These areas attract the bait that lures the fish. The type of light on the dock can also influence the action. Lights that sit low to the water seem to have a more distinctive shadow line, an area where feeding fish concentrate. In any case, the fish seem to hang on the dark edges of the shadow lines.

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, potholes, sandbars and oyster bars. The addition of a strong tide will increase your odds.

In the hottest months, most of the early morning tides are from 1 to 1 1/2 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. The 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 “doldrums” 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. Snook and redfish are much more tolerant of high water temperatures than trout. 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 fish’s desire to locate comfortable conditions. Fishing the “Summer Doldrums,” can be challenging, but master the rules and you’ll have a lot of productive fishing to yourself.

Fishing at o-dark-thirty

Fishing at o-dark-thirty

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

The clear, pale green halo of light stood out in stark relief, surrounded by inky dark water at the end of the boat basin. The properties and docks that encircled the water, normally bustling with activity, were eerily quiet in the pre-dawn darkness.

Captain Rick Grassett cut his outboard 100 yards away and used the electric trolling motor to ease us into position so we could peer into the netherworld below. Turning off the electric motor, we drifted into casting distance and quietly lowered the anchor. As we stripped line from our fly reels and prepared to cast, an ethereal world appeared. Schools of small baitfish and mullet darted into and out of the shadows and the dark shapes of snook and tarpon prowled the edges of the light.

On his first cast, a 30-pound tarpon tracked Grassett’s fly from the edges of the light, turning off only a few feet from the boat’s transom. On the next cast, a snook pounced on the fly just as it landed near the circle of light. The snook put on a characteristic aerial display with multiple jumps and a few spirited runs before it was landed, revived and released. The action put the other fish down and when we would have normally backed off and let them return, we decided to head to a local pass for the change of tide before dawn.

Grassett was one of the first anglers to popularize night snook fishing in the Sarasota/Venice area, and for more than three decades, he has divined the secrets of nocturnal gamefish.

These highly-sought-after species congregate around lights on the Intracoastal Waterway and in the local passes. The lights are a magnet to small baitfish, shrimp and crabs, and snook, tarpon, redfish and other predators target them there. Grassett has learned the best time to target fish at night is during a moving tide. Through trial and error, he has found that these predators prefer certain dock and bridge lights during a falling tide and others during a rising tide. He has also learned the important relationship between lights and nearby structure, ledges and grass flats.

After a short run to a nearby pass, we pulled close to a lighted dock and once again got into position to cast. The tide was just starting to come in and I wondered if the move might have been a mistake. There were a few fish in the lights and one occasionally came to the surface to chase a shrimp, but the action was slow and the fish deep in the water column. In the next few minutes, the whole scene morphed completely as the tide picked up steam and snook piled into the lights, crashing prey at the surface. In the next 45 minutes, we landed and released more than a dozen snook before the action started to slow.

We left the fish biting as the horizon started to lighten because we wanted to check a couple of other areas for tarpon before the summer sun chased us off the water. The air was cool as we headed towards Longboat Key and as a bonus, we were treated to a fiery sunrise over the Sarasota skyline. When we arrived at our first stop, we immediately saw a large tarpon roll in the basin we intended to fish. Moments later other small fish rose to the surface. I was fishing a sink tip line with a small white baitfish fly while Grasset used a DOA Terrorize on 8-pound spinning tackle. A few minutes later Grassett was hooked up to a tarpon we estimated at 25 pounds. The fish put on a hard 15-minute fight with several jumps before we landed and released it. Once again, we left fish to scout one more spot across the bay. The tarpon were thick in a basin there too but weren’t in a feeding mood so we headed back to the ramp before the sun rose above clouds on the horizon. The only time we broke a sweat was as we loaded the boat on the trailer, but the promise of air conditioning and the action we experienced that morning made it all worthwhile.

If you can forgo a few hours of sleep in the pre-dawn hours during our “Dog Days” of summer, you can experience some epic action. The combination of cool temperatures, with peace, quiet and action makes it one of my favorite times to fish. Grassett can show you the ropes, a good way to be introduced to this nocturnal world. He can be reached at 941-350-9790. Check out his web site at www.snookfin-addict.com.