On the Boards in Venice Florida

DEAR 16 YEAR OLD ME...a must see

2011-12-23T23:09:00.000-05:00

I Know, I have been here. I live each day one day at a time, as each day is another day I survived. Watch the show, spread the word and help yourself as you help others around you. This is my Merry Christmas present to you world. Listen, learn as Knowledge is power and power can save your life to someone you know! Gary A. Anderson

A Letter to the Governor of Florida; Rick Scott

2011-11-15T18:51:00.000-05:00

A Letter to Gov. Rick Scott; FWC & Sea Trout Delayed Action Needed!

A Letter to the Governor of Florida; Rick Scott

From the Publisher: Fisheries are an integral part of our nation's food security -- or should be. It is time we began treating them as such -- albeit a food source directly tied to the protection of aquatic ecosystems and science-based harvest levels -- and not just the plaything of a science agency.

THE LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA: RICK SCOTT

LUNCH ANYONE?

2011-03-14T22:56:00.002-04:00

LUNCH ANYONE!

Sport fishing education and information from the Florida Keys to the ends of the earth. - Easy 2 Hook on Knot 2 Kinky Line

2011-03-06T17:14:00.001-05:00

Sport fishing education and information from the Florida Keys to the ends of the earth. - Easy 2 Hook on Knot 2 Kinky Line

Gulf Tides 11: Deepwater Deliberations - BP Drilling Disaster - Mar. 2, ...

2011-03-03T20:48:00.000-05:00

The oil didn't disappear, just the media - help us keep the story alive by following the links after the video to send a letter to your Senator. Please also forward the video to your friends and family, asking them to take action.

The Political Sandbox: Gary Anderson; a right of center Modern Whig Party...

2011-02-17T21:41:00.000-05:00

The Political Sandbox: Gary Anderson; a right of center Modern Whig Party...: " WAKE UP AMERICA! <iframe src='http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=bpl&..."

The Political Sandbox: Think About Catch Shares, Sector Separation & R.I....

2011-02-11T23:07:00.000-05:00

The Political Sandbox: Think About Catch Shares, Sector Separation & R.I....: "When it was passed in 1970, the RICO Act was primarily intended to eliminate the influence of the Mafia in the nation's economy. Though toda..."

Florida Keys fishermen won’t endorse controversial federal catch share program - Outdoors - MiamiHerald.com

2011-02-07T18:03:00.000-05:00

Florida Keys fishermen won’t endorse controversial federal catch share program - Outdoors - MiamiHerald.com

Saying NO is the first step! Now let us oust Jane and get NOAA back into the clouds, where they belong.

The Political Sandbox: Mutiny on the bounty of Catch Shares; Aye Capt rai...

2011-01-28T19:39:00.000-05:00

The Political Sandbox: Mutiny on the bounty of Catch Shares; Aye Capt rai...: "WHERE I ASK? DO YOU SEE THE WORDS RECREATIONAL ANGLER? OR HOW IS THIS OUR SITE IN WORKING WITH NOAA? So how does catch shares and marine sp..."

The Political Sandbox: The Voice of America

2011-01-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

The Political Sandbox: The Voice of America: "Scrap the Catch Shares Program, get rid of the 'Witch Hunt' in the fisheries industry and do it with real, up to date data and rationalistic..."

The Political Sandbox: SAVE OUR FISHING INDUSTRY: TELL PRESIDENT OBAMA>>>...

2011-01-23T23:07:00.000-05:00

The Political Sandbox: SAVE OUR FISHING INDUSTRY: TELL PRESIDENT OBAMA>>>...: "Here is a link to the white house web that will give you an opportunity to submit a question for Pres Obama to be answered after his state..."

The Environmental Right: Boga Grips are fatal :)

2011-01-16T11:34:00.000-05:00

The Environmental Right: Boga Grips are fatal :)

Facebook | JaneLubchenko Must Go

2010-12-02T13:27:00.003-05:00

Gary Poyssick

Honored to be a small component in the battle to keep the Environmental Defense Fund, NOAA and the left from controlling our fisheries. Americans have the right to fish. Make America Aware of the travesty of progressive regulation of our fishery. Defend our right to fish. Defend our Carbon Footprints!!!!!!

Gary Anderson

NOAA, the EDF, the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council and the Keep America Fishing advocates are pushing for more recreational permit programs, thus allowing those that can afford to fish to do so and those that can't, well they can just cut bait. The Keep America Fishing logo is just that, a branding or a tool for all the government ABC's to control your fishing rights and all those that joined up under the Keep America Fishing website thought it was aimed to preserve their right; where as they were really just sold a bill of goods. The Duping of America! “Fishermen who signed up for Keep America Fishing email campaigns as are now united under one voice with a group which openly supported the restrictive language written into Magnuson in 2006 and is now advocating for

building broader private angler support for catch shares in 2010,” Jim Donofrio, RFA (Recreational Fishing Alliance) Executive Director.

THE BACKBONE TO DEFENDING OUR RIGHTS TO FISH: THE ONLINE FISHERMAN DOT COM!

Recreational & Commercial Anglers Declare War!

2010-12-01T20:28:00.000-05:00

Why not join us over at The Online Fisherman dot com, as we are going to war against NOAA, the EDF, Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council and any other ABC unit of our Federal Government that wishes to stick its nose where is does not belong; on the end of my fish hook while I'm out either angling for a living or taking my son fishing! What they are doing is not only illegal but based on false to old to make it up as you go along data. We are banning together all over the country. Call your friends and fellow Captains because no matter our differences on the water or as neighbors, color, creed or religion, we must have solidarity against this bunch of Bushwhackers! Together, in numbers, as Americans, indivisible as one, united in cause and we will win! Fish for one, Fish for ALL! JOIN US!

President Obama is LOST, help him find his way...

2010-11-30T13:34:00.002-05:00

Be Saved by the Online Fisherman or be LOST under the UN!

If you are looking to help save angling as we know it now and would like to get involved in helping spread the word of Anti-Catch Shares & Sector Separation, it would be appreciated, as after the Oceans are contained by the UN under LOST and President Obama's signage of said Bill (to which we and a hand full of Senators are trying to stop), the inshore of the inshore is next in their sights, along with all out flowing rivers into the oceans and public lands adjacent to them in the form of angling restrictions to which have never before been seen in this country before. An example would be angling for your favorite fish anywhere, USA.

The Political Sandbox: Sarah Palin; No match to Gary Anderson, a Tea Party Letter

2010-11-26T16:52:00.000-05:00

The Political Sandbox: Sarah Palin; No match to Gary Anderson, a Tea Party Letter

GMFMC , An Alphabet of B.S. “NO FISHING ALLOWED!”

2010-11-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the latest B.S. On SPECIAL FISH?

It's Your Money, why are you letting them play with it?

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to Convene its Standing and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committee

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene its Standing and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committee December 13-15, 2010, in Tampa, Florida. Every attempt will be made to broadcast the meeting over the Internet.
The Committee will meet to review several issues related to development of the generic annual catch limit/accountability measures amendment. These issues include a review of the latest version of the draft acceptable biological catch control rule, as well as a discussion on the use of judgment calls and mean catch to define the overfishing limit when setting acceptable biological catch for *data poor* species.

The Committee will also review the use of in-season accountability measures and proposed revisions to species groupings to be used in setting annual catch limits. Finally, the Committee will develop recommendations for acceptable biological catch and potential overfishing limits **for all stocks **in the generic annual catch limit/accountability measures amendment.
The meeting will be held at the Gulf Council office, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, in Tampa, Florida. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am Monday, concluding no later than 3:00 pm Wednesday. Copies of the agenda and other related materials may be obtained by calling 813-348-1630 or by visiting the Council’s ftp site at ftp.gulfcouncil.org.
This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Trish Kennedy at the Council office at least five working days prior to the meeting.
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the committee, in accordance with the M-SFCMA, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Panel action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans designed to manage fishery resources in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

*data poor* means best guess?

**for all stocks ** means anything with fins by or near a reef and all pelics.

Generic; another make it up as we go along and spend my tax dollars!

Pier Fishing At Venice Florida, Catching Shark

2010-11-15T19:50:00.001-05:00

Out on the Boards with Sharky's Sharks

As water temperatures have been on the drop, with the passage of each new weekly cold front, so to has been the bite of a variety of fish. Those magic temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees bring in the Kings as the run their migratory dash up or down our beaches, depending on the time of year it is and to this migratory run are to those who would dine upon them; sharks, big sharks! Fall has transitioned into winter and to has the water temperature, moving earlier in the week to the upper sixties. This is usually the end or near the end of catching big Kings from out on the boards of the Venice City Pier, at Sharky's. At 68 degrees, the water has a bit of a chill to it, but to some species it is a holiday tune where our local visiting Bulls move onto the beaches and as the bait starts to become more scarce to none at all, birthing on the beaches of Venice will begin.

The really big female Bull Sharks generally do not show up to deliver pups until around Christmas in Venice, Florida but this year seems to be off to a really odd start. Last years extremely cold killing waters or the vast reaches of the oil as it was everywhere and then, poof; it was no where? What ever the reasons, a big female bull shark was caught on the 13^th of this month, the day the water hit 68 degrees but too, were flounder, Spanish and yes, their big brothers the Kingfish or King Mackerel.

As the temperatures rose today, so did the water temperature and thus at 70 degrees, who knows what tomorrow will bring as again an approaching cold front will skirt through the area and like a roller coaster the bite will turn it on to turn it off as the baits move in and off the beaches. Hopefully it will be a mild winter and the shark fishing will only improve as the months go by with January/February being the best in bite at night when angling for jaws of the deep. “From dusk till dawn, the feed is on” if your into shark fishing. Apparently, this shark on Saturday did not know of this old saying, as she took a bite while the beaches were full of swimming baits and people too. Enjoy this video from Florida Fishing Deep Sea .com as Mel Larsen and Rob were having fishing fun...

Fishing with Gary Anderson before the Storm

2010-11-04T20:38:00.002-04:00

Spanish mackerel, little tunny and a few kingfish, mixed in with trout,sail cats, Rat reds, Snook Pompano, Black Tips and sandbar shark rounded out the day prior to the front approaching, depending on where you were fishing from. We elected to run, north of Cattlemen' s and then a side trip up Venice way with the Snapper into the Alley up through Bird Island and back to Rattlesnake Island, with a retirement out on the boards of that infamous pier called Sharky's on the Pier. Trout fishing was “insane,” as the season came to a close and where the season closed the bite did not. Redfish to flounder are everywhere from just inside the inlet to along the beaches to throughout the bays on rat movement. Snook too seem to be everywhere as this front approaches, maybe they know something we no not; like come the weekend with Burr cold temperatures, they may be hiding down deep in the channels to holes throughout the ICW and open waterways! Edwin even managed a small Gag in the channel, which means they too are on the move to their favorite haunts through the bays to passes. According to reports from the Legacy in Venice the grouper bite just offshore is hotter than ever and has he got some Jim dandy spots for eager clients wanting to dip in a line in also hooking it up with a few Pelagic action too.

STRAWS + Hook = Spanish Mackerel

2010-09-13T22:36:00.000-04:00


They like Shakes too!

What’s in Your Tackle Box?

McDonald's is the place to be but it’s not for the burgers! I’ve got a Mac attack on my mind and I need some straws. Their shakes may be the best in town but it’s the straws that are totally awesome. The next time you’re in there, order a couple of extra shakes and keep the straws; you’re going to need them to satisfy your Big Mac attack.

The Macs were talking about are Spanish mackerel and with them comes their cousins the King Mackerel, following right on their heels. Spanish mackerel or just Spanish are commonly caught here in Florida and here in Venice. For a real tongue twister; they can be found offshore, inshore and near shore. Spanish love clear water and their eyesight are very good. I rarely catch any with metal leaders although I do use them when tackling the sharp teeth of a Cuda.

Here Kitty-Kitty; In Search of Florida Cats

2010-07-20T15:16:00.003-04:00

Off the boards and on to the freshwater where there is no oil except on the salad at home that we plan to have with our Florida Channel Freshwater Catfish dinner. Here kitty-kitty, we are in search of Florida Cats!

Channel Cat fishing, no matter where you fish, has always been a past time to cool away under an oak tree, spinning tackle to a bamboo pole, a can of worms, your favorite stink bait or just a pint of chicken livers from your local grocery....

The Venice Area Pier Report

2010-07-16T22:57:00.002-04:00

Jimmy at Papa’s Bait Shoppe at Sharky’s on the Pier said it was pretty slow this week as far as fish goes. A hit and miss situation. The pier when I got there was a balmy hot with Titans building to the south and the Gods were throwing bolts there and far, “I wonder if it’ll hit here”, Jimmy exclaimed, “Nah”, I said, the Gods of Sharky’s will part the clouds like Moses on the Red Sea and Lightning will come to dinner everywhere else but not here, just a blow.” Sure enough, the clouds parted, it blackened towards Tampa and down south my way in North Port. Out here, on the pier, it was just a stiff cool breeze, as I observed one person using a Gotcha combo sabiki rig, catching really nice twenty inch plus Spanish. He was catching them one after another!

Gee Whiz Jimmy, I stated, I thought you said nothing going on. He shrugged his shoulders. Must be a secret this week. He did tell me though that earlier a nice flounder was caught in the morning and earlier in the week guy caught seven undersized Snook at beaches edge, from atop the pier, from underneath. That is a tongue twister, using greenies freelinned on a 2/0 circle Owner hook. All were brought up with a bridge net, as required by law, and released by lowering them back into the water where the swam off. OK! Out on the end, I conversed with long time friend and expert on anything thing with fins and swims ‘Dennis’ as he was “Trollying” fishing.

I asked if he was after smokers (lone King Mackerels that patrol the beaches in the summer time in the 49 pound plus range), or that big ole’ Cuda right there, as I pointed out under the pillions at the break under the “T”. “Nope”, he said, Tarpon are my game and have been all week. Apparently, he has jumped a couple this week, making his total now of I believe he said seven from the piers end. Today’s were little ones at around forty to fifty pounds but were fun to catch. “I’ve had more fun today watching the tourist dangling shrimps to hardware down to that Cuda for hours and he ain’t gonna bite nut’n.” If your ever out on the Venice Pier and need advice, the guys in the shop are there to help you out and if need be, they will point out guys like Dennis, good ole Florida Boys that cut their front teeth on fishing line and the business, they to, if you lend an ear will give you a hand in how to catch big fish. The problem today is, everybody is an expert and nobody listens. I was about to leave when one of the locals ask if I had been up in the Harbor, back in the skinny water lately, to which I replied yes I had and will again on Friday. He was planning to shark fish but was targeting Black Tips particularly. I told him his chances of catching a Black Tip in this hot water of this pier this evening might happen but I wouldn’t put money on it. On the other hand, with enough chum and staying overnight it might be possible to get something big to bite off the pier, if you have the right equipment. Otherwise, you’re just wasting your time. He asks me what I meant and what type of gear so I told him about another friend of mine Mel Larsen. He said, that crazy old coot, what has he ever caught.

I told him the story about his homemade 32/0 fishing reel and showed him this picture, then he caught my meaning. Smart guy! He said where would you try and I said, Don’t laugh, but with all the spawns going on in the skinnies, I’d pick a four-tide day and fish and out flowing tide. Which one he asked again. Who cares, the sharks don’t, why should you, and that is another area for another report.

Eleven Foot Tiger on Nokomis Beach Florida

2010-05-29T11:28:00.002-04:00

An Eleven Foot Tiger Shark decided to go sun bathing on the Nokomis beach as of yesterday 05/28, 2010. Mote Marine officials concluded its appearance on the beach might be due to the offshore Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which now closes about twenty-five percent of all commercial Gulf of Mexico fishing or 60,683 square miles of the Gulf. The

Gulf of Mexico fishing closures now extend all the way to the west Florida shelf, The Blue water at the 200-meter line. This closed area is one of the most abundant commercial fishing areas found off the western coastline of Florida. The shelf is about 140 miles off Venice, Florida and extends northwestwards. The new “best guess” is between 12,000 to 19,000 barrels a day are sluing into our Gulf marine environment establishing this oil spill as the largest in American history. That is nearly triple the amount spilled of the Exxon Valdez incident of 1989. Though to different monsters, it is still oil but of a higher grade. Considering our Tarpon travel some 125 miles offshore in their “Daisy Chaining” mating ritual, I wonder to what effect it will have on their migratory run and the offspring they deliver. I have talked to a number of area anglers, boat ramp owners and tackle shops and all have agreed we need to form an alliance to be prepared for the oncoming onslaught. As The Online Fisherman suggested, we need an oil spill prevention plan. Just in case.

NEW FLORIDA FISHING MAGAZINE!

2010-05-21T20:53:00.001-04:00

The Online Fisherman

Check out The Online Fisherman, the hottest angling website on the market today. At close to one million impressions a week, the bite is on and you too can hook up a keeper!
Everything you need to know in catching bigger, better fish in Florida Waters.

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16” Venice Flounder to a 48” King and the Follies

2010-04-20T23:13:00.006-04:00

Chelsea and her Dad Keith of Massachusetts were on there last day of their vacation and thought they would give it a go on the pier. Armed with nothing but Bass to perch baits, Chelsea had a quarter ounce bass headed jig with a white and red tailed plastic grub. Flipping it out like any young semi-pro youngster would do, she bounced that jig in a slow to quiver retrieve. First cast to the deck, Chelsea landed a sixteen-inch Venice Flounder. Apparently, the kids know how to fish. To that, I changed over to a half ounce “Dude”, a white bristled jig with wraps in red, and started bouncing the bottom. Learn from what you see or as in the military; be aware of your surroundings.

Under a brisk north by northwesterly wind at fifteen to twenty, a few brave souls were out on the boards at Sharky’s on the pier chunking hardware to drowning dead baits. Added to those brave anglers trying their luck for Flounder, Bluefish, Mackerel, Pompano’s or anything that would constitute a “Fish On!”, were “the crew” of Trollyers, at the end of the pier in hot pursuit of big Kings on this cold day in April. Yes, you heard right, cold day in April when it normally would be in the high eighties to low nineties and the water at 77 would be teaming with Hammers to massive migrating schools if Kings to Tarpon. Instead, the water temperature today was a hot 71.8 degrees at the pier. Maybe next week?

The usual local crowd out on the pier were throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the water, Gotcha’s, Clarks, Silly Willies, and the list goes on with nothing but a sore arm in the taking. Some had squid, cut baits and on the main menu, dead shrimps. Nothing, nada, no way Jose was the fish in a cooperative mood. Water clarity was partly to blame as it was as clear as glass; the bottom at fourteen feet down one could see the ripples in the sand.

Alias! I hooked it up with two Blues, a Spanish and one Pompano; a bucket of fish. The only other fish and stuff to lie on the boards this day were two King fish in the forty inch plus range. The follies of it all was watching two gaffs in hooking up that one forty-eight inch fish.

A Bucket of Fish spells Dinner.

The Kings are a coming for yesterday a fifty pounder was caught along with five of his gang in the thirty to forty pound class by the “crew” or “T” gang who posses the end of the pier as their own. Tomorrow or Thursday should be even better with Friday being hot as the weather is suppose to warm up and a mild front arrives on Saturday. I suspect Friday will be hot if the water will go off color and by Sunday, it could be a scorcher in Kings on the deck.

“FISH ON!”

On the Boards in Venice Florida: Alex Caught a Blue

2010-04-19T21:52:00.000-04:00

On the Boards in Venice Florida: Alex Caught a Blue

Alex Caught a Blue

2010-04-18T15:01:00.006-04:00

Alex Switzer fished amongst an onslaught of anglers all trying their luck in catching the big one while out on the boards of the Venice City pier, located at the west end of Sharky’s on the Pier. As the water temperatures were non-cooperating and the off color water, due to the cloudy to patchy sun trying to peek through, one could see the bottom at fourteen feet down. This makes for a beautiful picture but hard to bite on the fish as they see hook and all. While most of the anglers were catching a case of the blues, Al actually caught his first Blue Fish and proud he was.

Between intermittent drops of passing drizzle, the Bottlenose Dolphin rounded up a ball or two of dancing ladies (Ladyfish or poor men’s Tarpon), to which also fell prey to Silly Willies and Gotcha’s alike. Cigar minnows patrolled the pillions and the occasional Pompano to Spanish fell to the bump stop retrieve of my pink and white Silly Willy.

Al Switzer, Alex’s dad snapped the photo’s of his sons prized catch, as well the sea of rays, to which were grazing the bars along the piers edges. When Cow nose Rays appear around the pier or any location you are fishing means there are probably some sort of invertebrate swimming about as these gentle gliding creatures of the sea feed on them as well clams to oysters. Rolling Dolphins to gliding rays usually means the bite is right and a turn on is near. Casting directly behind the rays can produce a number of species of fish from Cobia to Blues. While a cast just to the side or in front of the rolling Bottlenose is a best bet in finding erratic Mullet to Spanish mackerel, which are on the dolphins menu. Do not worry about catching the dolphin for it is far smarter than most give it credit. It will not take your lure but in hooking it up, it will take your catch so hast is necessary in landing your catch, unless you are happy with only half a fish to none!

Always remember to pay close attention to following the rules which apply to your particular area, watch your bag limits if taking home your catch and most of all practice CPR (Catch, Photograph and Release) when at all possible. Sustaining our marine fisheries of the future is in your hands. Just because the bag limit says say fifteen, take only what is needed to feed your bunch and release the rest. This way there will be more tomorrow and so forth.

“FISH ON!”
™

Venice Pier Fishing Tournament, Venice Florida

2010-04-10T23:11:00.007-04:00

As a picture is a thousand words, enjoy the smiles through my lens:

AND MORE!

"FISH ON!" Venice Pier Anglers.

SHARKY’S ON THE PIER PRESENTED:

The Biannual Family Fishing Tournament Sponsored by Sharky's on the Pier Casual Dining & Papa's Bait Shop on the Pier in sunny Venice Florida. Home to the Sharks Tooth Coast as it is "The Sharks Tooth Capital of the World!"

By Gary A. Anderson

Papa’s Bait Shop on the Venice Fishing Pier hosted the “Family Fishing Tournament” on Saturday, April 10 2010 from 8 AM to 11 AM. Entry fees to fish were a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Trinity Presbyterian Food Bank. Donations or not, all children who had a wish to fish and have fun out on the boards of the pier at Sharky’s, also attended the event. Prizes awarded to all youth between the ages of five through seventeen. The prizes of first, second and third place awarded to each of the 3 age groups, 5 to 9, 10 to 12 and 13 through 17 and each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Continental breakfast supplied by Sharky’s on the Pier and registration at seven through the volunteers from the Trinity Presbyterian Food Bank, Carol Ann Mancuso, Barbara Jahnke and Damaris Weidner began the festivities. Prior to the rising of the sun, under a sliver of a moon, volunteers began the preparations in co-hosting this ongoing bi-annual event.

A participant named Joe caught the first two Hardheads (catfish) of the morning with both being a first. A young man of five, James Morrissey with a grand Whiting followed this (Southern-Kingfish) along with a most unusual catch of the day. James said, “I want to catch a Bonnethead. I want one to be caught on my hook.” With this said a bait shrimp placed on his hook and cast from the pier, developed into a whopper of a tale. A few minutes passed and James exclaimed, “I got a bite! Maybe it is my Bonnethead” and with this he reeled in a monster, never seen before and caught on a hook at the on the boards of the pier. There before all was a Bonnethead shark without a body. He caught a head of a small shark, which had circum to a grizzly ending to which someone, or something had decapitated this young shark. A shark without a body but never the less, he caught a Bonnet Head.

The morning continued in warming as the bite picked up with more catfish, pinfish, stingrays and whiting. An onslaught of twenty participants each grinning with enthusiasm as each bite to catch occurred. The stiff east wind and brownish to green sand filtered waters stopped none of these kids in having a great time angling with their selected partner or parent. Volunteers were moving across the boards like ants at a picnic while recording all the fish caught and snapping photographs. All were encouraged to practice CPR, (Catch, Photograph and Release), to learn to respect the marine environments to which was fished.

The following identifications of the species caught today at Papa’s Bait Shop are located in the FWC commission’s publication FISHING LINES.

HARDHEAD CATFISH - Arius felis
Family Ariidae, SEA CATFISHES
Description: brownish to gray-green; white to
yellowish below; fin spines with no fleshy
filaments; barbel at corner of mouth not very
flattened and shorter than head; four barbels
on chin.
Size: to 60 cm (2 ft.) and 5.5 kg (12 lbs.) but usually
much smaller.
Where found: same as for gafftopsail catfish usually much more common.
Remarks: commonly caught from catwalks, bridges, and piers, particularly in passes and inland waterways; edible, but
generally not eaten.
Found on page 32 of http://myfwc.com/docs/Fishing/fish_id2.pdf

PINFISH - Lagodon rhomboides
Family Sparidae, PORGIES
Description: small mouth with incisor-like
teeth; distinctive black spot behind the gill
cover; body bluish-silver with blue and orangeyellow
horizontal stripes, yellow fins.
Where found: seagrass beds, bridges, piers,
marker pilings, and around natural and artificial
reefs; spawn offshore.
Size: usually less than 8 in.
Remarks: popular live bait, notorious bait stealers found on page 26 http://myfwc.com/docs/Fishing/fish_id2.pdf

SOUTHERN STINGRAY - Dasyatis americana
Family Dasyatidae, STINGRAYS
Identification: disk almost a perfect rhombus, with
pointed corners; ventral finfold on tail long and relatively
high, dorsal finfold rows near shoulder; disk usually
uniform dark brown above, grayer in young.
Size: to 1.8 m (6 ft.) across disk.
Where found: common in bays and estuaries.
Remarks: the largest stingray along our southeastern
and Gulf shores. Found on page 4 of http://myfwc.com/docs/Fishing/fish_id2.pdf

SOUTHERN KINGFISH - Menticirrhus americanus
Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Description: grayish brown above, with
silvery sides: 7 to 8 diagonal dusky bars or
blotches on each side, but these marks are
obscure and never form V-shaped marks on
side; scales on chest about same size as those
on body.
Size: to 38 cm (15 in.) and 1 kg (2 lbs.).
Where found: shallow coastal waters; common
along beaches.

Found on page 31

To Purchase a Florida Fishing License

Our Pro Youth Anglers

SAVE WET ELECTRONICS WITH RICE

2009-07-01T12:42:00.000-04:00

SAVE WET ELECTRONICS WITH RICE

if your camera, cell phone, or other device accidentally gets wet when
you are traveling (or at home), try the following tricks to save wet
electronics:

** 1. Do NOT turn it on if it is wet. Remove the battery and memory
card and leave all the doors and covers on the device open so it can
dry.

** 2. Vacuum it out. If you try drying the device with a fan or a blow
dryer, you risk pushing moisture deeper onto the circuitry. This could
cause a short. Instead, pull moisture away from the device with a
vacuum.

** 3. Bury it in dry rice. Rice absorbs moisture from nearby objects.
If your camera gets wet, drop it into a container of rice and let it
sit for a day. The rice will help pull the moisture out.

** 4. Power it back up. After your camera or phone spends a full day
submerged in rice, reinsert the battery and cards, and turn it on. If
it does not work, call the manufacturer. Do not try to hide the fact
that it got wet. There are internal indicators in most devices that
show water damage.

AKA Kahula Kites Catch Fish;

2009-04-22T12:51:00.004-04:00

Brand New AKA Big Game Fishing Kite

Getting More Bangs for Your Bucks!

When You Want Your Monies Worth & a Trophy to show for it, use a Kahula Kites.

I remember when life was simple and the only thing that mattered was getting your kite to fly. I also remember my dad saying, “Watch that power lines son,” as I scampered out the door. We would spend hours adding just enough tail to keep the kite straight and ride bicycles with the kite string tied to the fenders as the kite suspended in the air 30 or 40 feet above us. On calm days, we would run sometimes forever and a block trying to launch our kite. There were the store bought brands you put together or grandpa would talk of how there was a day where you had to make one to go fly a kite. I still enjoy kite flying; only today, it is from a beach, pier or stern of a boat! In addition, the kites I fly today are very different from the newsprint and balsa wood versions suggested by grandpa or from those heavy brand named kites we purchased at the five and dime. The kites I use today are of a high tech variety and I use them but for one purpose, to catch fish. There are but a few out there and most are over priced and come with no guarantee other than you will receive one once purchased. Some of these kites are used from the shorelines to over come obstacles like rocks or sand bars in a delusively method to bait presentation and others are for inshore/offshore use on fishing vessels.Large Kite - 34" x 34"

Featherweight Fiber/Carbon Spars - Kite Weights Only 3.8 oz.

Reinforced Double Stitched Spar Pockets - Leather Bridle Adjustment

Clear Plastic Water Resistant Storage Tube – Full Instructions Included

This New Model AKA Fishing Kite has a Large White Leaping Sailfish graphic.

Like all of our Kites, it has been tested and Flies High and Tight! The Material used is

the EXACT same Quick Drying, Lightweight material that is used on Kites costing over $129.00.

This is a Light to Medium Wind Kite, great in conditons from 5-15mph.

We're so sure you will be impressed with the Quality and Workmanship of this AKA Kite, that

they are offering a complete 30 Day Guarantee. if this Kite does not perform as indicated,

simply return it for a Replacement Kite!

ओवेर्सिजेद मच्केरेल मेंस किंग्स ओं थे वे...

2009-03-28T12:53:00.001-04:00

Zippity Do DA, Zippity Day, My Oh my what a windy ole’ day; Winds continue to be heavy, setting back any coming of kingfish by at least a week। Anglers should be using a variety of baits, such as white bait to straws in bagging bragging rights to some of the biggest Spanish mackerel seen in years just off the beaches of inshore Florida। Larger mackerel have invaded the artificial reefs 5 to 7 miles offshore along with scattered kingfish. During the daytime, pompano and nice-size sea trout are being caught in the holes adjacent to the flats, and Reds are found tailing falling tides along side channels to docks.

Kahula Fishing Kites Catch Fish!

Ban on Gag Grouper Fishing Killing Florida’s Economy

2009-02-01T15:57:00.000-05:00

Federal and state fishery managers have closed recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico for gag starting February 01, 2009 and continuing until March to stop overfishing. Overfishing means gags caught at an unstained rate, although gag stocks do not suggest evidence of overfishing; go figure how this came about without evidence in a decision to cost southwest Floridians millions in lost revenues. Out of all the time in which to pick a closure, the council closes the season down during a time when this type of fishing is at a peak in bring in angling dollars in state to merchant revenues. A trickle down effect could cause small businesses to close and tourist dollars to go elsewhere. Tourist to locals who spend money to go private charter fishing target the first three months of the year as the best opportunity in catching a grouper and will plan their trips accordingly around this angling event. Peak Snowbird season (tourists) is February and March of any given year. With this new ruling, it doubles last year's original recreational closure, from Feb. 15 to March 15. At a time where housing is at a rock bottom low and the dollar in a stimulus mode why, would anyone wish more ills on an already plagued state of economical failings? This closure may need to be but not at a time where people are depending on Gag dollars to pay the bills. By placing an additional ban on gag grouper by extending the closed season through Florida’s peak tourists time, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Southeast Region and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council are killing Florida’s economy in Gag Dollars. These dollars represented in the forms of lost tackle sales, fuel sales, charter captain sales, fishing license sales, food, and ice and lodging all lost because of bad timing. In a time where we are all pinching pennies, someone needs to do their homework before taking dollars away area anglers and local merchants.

Florida Great White Sharks: frenzy in the Gulf

2009-01-26T15:17:00.002-05:00

[FWC/NOAA (2007)]
This white shark head was seized by federal and state authorities from a Seminole storage facility in 2007, where
the jaws of this estimated 10- to 12-footer caught in the gulf could be worth $20,000 on the black market.

Commercial shark season recently opened in the Gulf of Mexico, but anglers should know they might get more than they bargained for if they are angling for jaws.
This is the time of year that big bulls are out on the beaches at night delivering pups between the bars with a hunger and thirst for fresh meat. If they can catch their own first-born and they do often, it goes back inside as a meal. The Venice City Pier located at Sharky’s on the Pier 1600 Harbor Drive South, sets some three hundred feet outside the last sandbar or just over seven-hundred feet from the waters edge, making it as a pearl in location for catching big winter sharks. Zebco need not apply here at night as only the mighty are amongst the victors at fights end; Penn, Avet, International, Accurate to name but a few are the names of equipment in aid to the Venice pier anglers who are in pursuit of the biggest and best shark to claim as their own. Baits range from Barracuda to Kingfish heads and reel sizes from a cheeky 4/0 to massive workhorses in the 18/0 category, one speed or two, four hundred pound test leaders and hooks to match in strength, shark fisherman are serious in their quest to be the best. Many a large predator has but picked up bait and made that long zinging sound of a reel groaning in action, only to keep right on going and spooling out five-hundred yards of line to tail whipping a four hundred pound test leader at twelve feet in length. Even better yet, to an amazing surprise of a straitened out 12/0 hook or bit in half wire leader to match none! These great sharks are the ones that got away. I wonder if it could be…
Florida Great White Sharks.

Saltwater angling to require Federal Fishing License

2008-12-24T16:42:00.000-05:00

Florida’s Free Fishing out in Three Years
Saltwater angling to require Federal Fishing License
Posted Dec 24, 2008
Public Policy
Federal registration would be good for one year, and would allow anglers to fish anywhere in U.S. waters.
The first year will be free, but thereafter, a fee of about $15 to $25 per year is planned, NOAA said.
As currently drafted, the requirement will affect “anyone who fishes in federal waters (3 to 200 miles from shore), as well as anyone who fishes anywhere for **‘Anadromous or Catadromous’ species,” the DEM said in a report about progress by the R.I. Marine Recreational Fishing License / Registry Study Group. Anglers 15 or younger would not be required to register, nor would people who fish only from licensed party or charter boats.
Other Keywords to Know and Associated with
**Anadromous or Catadromous’ species:
• Anadromous species:
Fish that spend their adult life in the sea but swim upriver to freshwater spawning grounds in order to reproduce.
• Catadromous species:
A Catadromous fish does the opposite of an anadromous species - it lives in fresh water and enters salt
water to spawn. Most of the eels are Catadromous.

• Diadromous fish travel between salt and fresh water (Greek: 'Dia' is between).
• Amphidromous fish move between fresh and salt water during their life cycle, but not to breed (Greek: 'Amphi' is both)
Bull sharks will also migrate to and from the ocean, making them an amphidromous species, which falls under the protection of all anadromous fishes.

Think of all the fish that either visit the rivers in the winter to hang out or to breed and you will find a few you angle for right here in our own backyards like Tarpon and Snook, to name but a few. Rather than trying to figure out if, it is legal or not it is just easier to purchase the license and let your money go in helping preserve our oceans habitat.

WANT MORE ON THIS STORY?
Feds delay saltwater fishing registry to 2010

BASS PRO 20 Dollar Give away...

2008-12-12T12:05:00.001-05:00

Bass Pro Shops has an exciting offer just in time for you last minute gift shoppers! Purchase $100 worth of gifts from selected categories and receive a free $20 Bass Pro eGift Card! Offer lasts until December 24! Here are the categories this offer applies to:
• Shoes and boots
• Hunting Clothing
• Men’s Clothing
• Ladies’ Clothing
• Kid’s Clothing
• Gifts & Toys

Purchase $100 in gifts and receive a free $20 eGift Card!

Think Mackerels, Think Bottom, Think Venice, FL!

2008-10-29T22:22:00.000-04:00

Windy, cold northeaster conditions have stopped the boats and most pier anglers from venturing out to the wave tops this week but that is not where to be but to go down and jig off the bottom in a fast and irregular sweeping and dropping of your rod tip as the bite occurs on the drop. From baited, tipped jigs to casting small spoons in your favorite color, it is of the same sweeping motion that yields a sure fire wham bam fish on! The smokers are on again off again with a few caught right off the beaches of Casperson’s on surf gear under mini-balloons, Caught in Flight Kites and Aqua Gem Floats with live threadfins or needlefish. Boats trolling one, two or four ounce rudders with there favorite island lure or any which leads a bubble trail has been doing pretty well on the King Mackerels, with an occasional one pulled on to the boards in Venice, Florida, on their City Pier. If wind should shift slightly, and the temperatures not drop too sharply, this Halloween weekend ought to be hot on the Kings in Venice, Florida! As the winds change direction, the baits, like a magnet, change direction with them and make a move towards the next area of hard bottom in that direction. AS the wind blows from the north or south for a couple of days, the bait will follow the wind; a key point to know if angling from a vessel.
“FISH ON!” ©

Kings to Tarpon East is the Least

2008-10-17T11:52:00.001-04:00

The Venice Pier Report sponsored by
Kahula Kites and the Venice Pier Anglers
For the weekend of the 18th Oct.

With the water teaming with boo coo bait this should be the best time of year to fish the waters of our area for Kings to Tarpon this time of year with the exception we have three things stacked against us; the wind, the moon, the temperature. At 83 degrees it is ten degrees too hot and with the wind blowing from the east as they say, “the fish bite least”, topped with a full moon and higher than normal tides and it equates out to some real itty or hit and miss angling! Changing all of the above except the water temperature this week has yielded Cobia to thirty inches, kings to 48, Spanish averaging three to seven and nice slot Reds to Snook at the beach head but only on a westerly wind!

Easterly winds, there are the here and there kings brought up on the boards like Erik’s 48 incher earlier this week and my 26 inch Schoolie caught on 12# test with a spoon and no wire, sure was tasty grilled in lemon butter king. Ben’s Slashed Jack on a Trollied and Edwin’s thirty pounder miss as it tried to hit a greenie free lined on a 12# line and hook; ha, ha, ha. Last night the runs were quite often with small sharks brought to the boards but none up on the boards and, of course the cut off and ones that got away. If the wind should change any direction from the southwest, west, northwest or north the King action should improve dramatically so keep an eye to the weathercocks. Water temps are dropping and it will take time for this to take place so do not hold your breath or you will be dead and blue before tis happens and the moon is waning down, so in a couple of days you may join me on the dark side Luke and we will catch more fish. Until then, Same’O Same’O Pier stuff… “FISH ON!”

King Mackerel Sunset Trolley Rigging Blues

2008-10-14T00:40:00.000-04:00

Upon reaching the end of the pier, Edwin and I attached a four-ounce trolley weight to the end of our 12 beach spinning outfit and heaved it out as far as I could. Pointing the rod tip straight down towards the water below the pier, I slowly started racking the bottom by twitching the rod tip in a jerking action as to catch the anchor weight into the bottom. Weight caught and now it was time to attach my PVC six-foot pipe to the rails with bungee cord as a home for the trolley. For our king rod, we decided to use my a Daiwa Beef Stick and an older reel; the Penn Mariner with 1000 yards of twenty pound test and thirty feet of fifty pound shock leader. Rigging it; 38 pound American Wire and a number seven Owner hook with a number four treble, as a stinger, I was ready to catch some bait but not before attaching the rig to the trolley with a quick release clip.

As you looked out across the pier you could see Venice Pier Anglers scurrying everywhere in a mad attic to catch some bait and be the first one in the water with their trolleys. One small Jack Carvel was landed and like ants to a bread crumb everybody was at that spot, crisis crossing lines in an attempt to catch bait also! Though the Jacks were small, they appeared too large for catching Kings but when it’s all you’ve got, just do it! The single hook attached just shy of the fish’s head and the stinger attached under its anal fin, this fish was ready for someone’s lunch. Off this fish went, on the ride down the trolley, to swim in circles, as we now settled down to catch more bait fish, hopefully some Lady Fish, mullet or some King Candy; the Blue Runner. Runners were like playing the Florida Lottery; one to none. We ended up with a couple of Ladies, Bluefish, and a couple of lucky finger mullet.

Wham, Bam! Our Trolley bounced as the reel let out a low groaning in a high-pitched fashion; this Penn spinning reel was smoke’n! The fish had first come in and nudged the Jack. Then it ripped across the surface and took a passing glance to the Jack. This fish was bleeding and coloring crystal clear water an off brown to red. Before you could say “Jack”, the Smoker homed in and engulfed the bait while shooting the pier, across the wave tops like a torpedo blast. The King wire was no match for this five foot bolt of lightning. He sliced through that wire like a knife in butter, while stealing that hard to come by first bait.

The entire afternoon went like this; fish on, fish off; playing light switch with our baits and loosing plenty of tackle in the process. Overall, it was a great day, with lots of action but very, very slow. Even though the water temperature had dropped and was back to 83 degrees, someone forgot to send an invite to our guest, the big Kings, as only the schoolies were ever so present, mixed and matched with a few cobias and Spanish. By now, we all had either mullet or ladies dangling from our trolleys, in hopes a King would show.

As the wind up above played tag with the clouds down below the made love to the horizon and to that we called it a night until well maybe tomorrow…maybe…
“FISH ON!”

Catching Macks on Hookless Lures???

2008-10-13T23:54:00.001-04:00

For years I have caught toothy fish with nylon stockings, drinking straws and knitting yarn because they are cheap to use and easy to make on the spot lures. The drinking straws work on almost any species of fish where as the stockings only on those with teeth but both are not eco-friendly as one is plastic and the other nylon, both lasing hundreds if not more, years to degrade if ever. Yarn on the other hand is rope, twine and is esuriently, biodegradable and hook free if you wish to fish that way making it kid friendly! Yarn Flies are with a hooks optional clause but try without and just see how many mackerels you will still catch. Add strips of flash as in foil or spray with glue and add silver glitter; the colors are endless and the price is unbelievable. You won’t know until you try it, so what do you have to lose. Other people in other parts of the world and country use this for Pike to Musky like in this video on how to make such a lure. Try it, have fun and “FISH ON!”

YARN FLIES:

How to Tie a Yarn Fly for Fly Fishing -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

Lured Kings to Trollied Spanish

2008-10-13T23:45:00.001-04:00

Not knowing the Difference between a King and a Spanish can put you in jail

A Kingfish by any other name is a summons or even jail time it your that stupid. The first king mackerel have appeared with most of them falling within the 10 to 20 pound class, and a few smokers at 48 inches today, peeling twenty-pound class lines off Avet to Penn’s attached to Down-East Rod Holders. Contestants lined up in a bout to feast on presented spoons to trolleys with live suspended baits, just off the boards of the pier at Sharky’s located in Venice, Florida. Ladies, Jack mackerels, Jack Crevalles and large Threadfins were the choice live baits of the T head, with Threads taking in monster twenty inch plus Spanish and the Jacks as prime for the Kings, both schoolies and smokers. Rolling Tarpon a plenty but no hook ups today. The schoolies were living up to their names as they were congregated in schools of 50 to 100 or more as they boiled the pods of baits about and around the boards of the Venice Pier at Sharky’s in Florida. The inshore waters were black with bait and the pier loaded with anglers catching plenty a fish and not a clue as to what it was they were catching other than it was a fish or maybe a mackerel; think God it did not have wings or they might have thought it was a bird. I even heard one Father tell his son it was to small to be a Kingfish. Ehhh? The simple difference between a Spanish and a King is one has a slanted “L” on its lateral line and the other does not! In addition, generally one is of different spots, color and sometimes size but remember you cannot always judge something just by its spots alone. Also boxed or keeper Kings to other mackerels must be of a regulatory size limit or called “slot.” Measured from the tip of the nose to the bottom fork of the tail or beginning of the V. We use a “FISH STIX” because they are virtually unbreakable, bendable plastic, have a picture of all Florida’s game fishes printed on it for easy I.D., gives limits, bags, seasons and is fold up at 36 inches long giving all of us no excuse to be stupid when fishing. Also if the fish bounces on the deck and says Ola, it must be a Spanish, compared to the King who may just sing out a tune of “the Jail House Rock’ if too small but I would not count on that!

On my son, Edwin’s, last cast, with a silver cast master, jigging along at a medium retrieve using a Pflueger loaded with Big Game Trilene Blue 12 pound test, he hung on to a fish which seemed to pull in an odd fashion. This fish was a drag pulling mamma, as it was at twenty-one inches at the fork, once landed this Cero Mackerel was not caught on his lure but on another in its gill plate; a brand spanking new Clark Reflector-Spoon. Somehow, his hook had slid through the eye of the barrel swivel attached to a leader, half-ounce weight and Clark Spoon with fish attached. What are the odds? I took that same Clark Spoon, attached to my line and casted out this Clark, ripping it in across the surface of the lapping northwestern waves, as in a split second, a monster of a fish slammed the spoon and peeled out about 150 yards of my twelve-pound test fluorocarbon. My Pflueger reel and Ugly Stik bowed in agony as the line sang a tune in the wind. Twenty minutes later Edwin, my son, dropped the bridge net, and we brought up a 26 inch at the fork Schoolie kingfish. The person standing next to me said wow nice Spanish Mackerel, I did not think they got that big. You know folks if a Game Warden had been present today Edwin and I would have been the only people left on the pier, just about, with the exception of a couple of friends I know who also know what their doing, like Barry Garmen. The rest would be in county, waiting bail on Monday, maybe reading the rules and regulations on Florida Saltwater Fishing Laws. Especially the picture pages on the differences between the different mackerels and yes the do come small!

The really odd thing today was it was a backwards day. The people casting spoons on the pier were up to their necks in all types of mackerels. I watched as one gentleman casting a Down-East Demon Bait caught a king that had to be at least forty pounds but on such light tackle, no wire leader and the fish wrapping his ten pound test line around a pillion; ping, ding, good-bye. Then the ones angling with the trolleys for Kings were catching monster Spanish, with the exception of Captain Erik who placed a great hook set in a 48-inch smoker. If you had been in a boat with either planers and spoons out or skipping baits under a Kahula kite behind tour motor craft, you would have been on some fish…Oh well, there is all ways tomorrow and the next up until the water gets too cold.

Fish Tails 101

It is all in the tails folks, from the dorsal to the tail and you too can tell the difference. Some of you experts say it is in the color or spots and sometimes that works but sometimes all mackerel look similar and it can be confusing even to an expert just by judging it spots. All fish have a lateral line on them. Some are colored in scale others in an actual line, like the Mackerels. By looking at this line, you can save yourself the embarrassment of a ticket and be an expert too. King Mackerels have a break or sudden drop in their lateral line in the shape of a slanted “L”. Spanish and all the other mackerels have either a wavy or dropping lateral line with no slanted “L” shape. In addition, Kingfish minimal slot is 24 inches at the fork to keep with a possession limit of two per person. All other mackerels are minimal slot 12” at the fork, with 15 fish in possession per person. Stupid is not looking for that slanted “L”. “FISH ON!”

Kings and Cero and Spanish OH My; on Straws?

2008-10-09T12:38:00.003-04:00

As we approached the beach, it had that look of dead floating seaweed awash on the lapping waves, yet none was sticking to the sand on the back flow of the wash. Upon closer review of the waters edge, revealed acres of greenies to threadfin herring abound as far as the eye could see! A black line of batfishes against a mixed greenish muddied sea, diving seagulls as in numbers like out of Hitchcock’s “The Birds” and many a mackerel breaking the surface in giving chase for a mixed and fulfilling dinner. Pulling out a Johnston ‘Sprite’ my son Edwin whipped it out across the diving birds and to the edge of this migrating pod of bait on the move. Bam on the first skip as not even a rotation of a crank happened and it was “FISH ON!” as his Pflueger spools drag screamed in an agony of despair. “Twenty-one inch Spanish at the fork, not bad for my first cast eh Dad,” Edwin exclaimed. “Wonder how many more I’ll get cause it is the only one we have with us today, maybe they will take a straw, is that what your going to use?” He was probably right as I chunked out a Gotcha in a smirk and said, “Lucky You, Watch the ole man work!” and work I did as I was changing lures like they change tires at Daytona and still looking for that first nudge much less a real hit and fish. Hmmm…he did say straws right.

On that note, I too was now in catch up mode to Ed, as I tied a Jansik onto two #1 hooks and rigged up a pair of straws…

Start calling your friends Ed and I will call mom to go to the store, looks like a fish fry tonight. Remembering Spanish are measured at twelve inches at the fork of the tail to be a "keeper" and bag limit is 15 per person maxium. Filleted out, beer battered and eaten, this almost a bag full was as good to eat as it was to catch, it was the cleaning that was the hard part.

In two and a half hours, we bagged out and headed for the house as the sharkers were heading out to the setting sun on the “T”. Bet it is a good one tonight but then again I will hear about it tomorrow and let you all know the rest of the story...

AND OUT ABOUT:

Angling the skinnies of Lemon bay via kayak to getting the legs wet the bite on the flats was not exclusive at all this Saturday morning. Spanish from last night out on the pier at Sharky’s to a hit on redfish, trout, snook and jack, all in a cooperative mood to feast on my soft crank baits or live greenies under a Cajun bobber. A true smorgasbord of fish this week and smiles for all, including the Offshore groups where I have heard reports of big Bonita’s to bunker sized Blues mixed with large Schoolie Kings and a mix of marauders out of the Inlet to New Pass from Grouper to Scamp. Sharks in an abundance around three miles out with yellowtail, lane and mangrove a bit further to the west from New pass at around thirty-six miles to the spot of enlightenment.

A MUST HAVE BEFORE ANY ATTEMPT TO FISH INSHORE FLORIDA WATERS IS A QUICK REVIEW OF THE LATEST FACTS TO TACKS ON FIN & SKIN MAGAZINE!

Your Guide to Fishing the Flats

A sportsman “Must have” packed to the rim with articles to many a destination ‘Flats Arena” in catching that big one with facts and techniques in the latest of fashion from “Fins & Skins”, it is where you want to be! From catch’n to cook’n, it serves up a plate to the pallet for all to enjoy. King mackerel is the name and King Creole is the game.

“FISH ON!”

A True Thumb Saver; the THUMB DINGER!

2008-07-09T18:37:00.000-04:00

The VPA of Venice Florida

2008-07-08T17:36:00.003-04:00

Positive mentoring through fishing is not only a phrase to live by but is also a philosophy in responsible stewardship to our marine ecosystems. The Venice Pier Anglers a group of anglers united in a bond to angling formed back in the 1960’s and through their philosophies, practices and behavior in respecting the environments of the pier, The Anglers and present day youth continue in their efforts in creating and passing on the traditions for years to come to all of those who will listen. We have a website online, Venice Pier Anglers, set up to raise and employ local funds for local outdoors sportsmen events and causes as well, a mission on giving visitors of our area a road map of places to go and see while visiting with us here in Venice, Florida. One might say we are an enhancement to our cities Chamber and Mainstreet Society but on a much smaller scale and through the eyes of local anglers young to us old guys alike!

The Venice Pier Anglers are on a mission to educate youth and their parents, friends and relatives regarding fish, game, outdoors activities, laws, sportsmanship, and safe practices through the usages and practices of “Positive Mentoring through Fishing” and On the Boards, a revolutionary fishing information site. The site gives all Venice Pier Anglers a place where they can go to get all the information needed to become a better angler and to catch more fish. There was nothing available on the internet, up until now, where you could receive quality information from Venice Pier Anglers on most any subject about any fish caught from On the Boards of our pier. This site is the only site of its kind delivering weekly, detailed fishing reports from Venice Pier Anglers, the bait Shoppe guys at Papa’s and members excursions out ‘On The Boards’ giving all who read ,both an angler report and a best bet to the fish targeted, as well our exclusive Shark Report. That is the ones tagged when caught and info sent off to NOAH. The neat thing about becoming a Venice Pier Anglers is all you need is a line in your hand and to step onto the pier and you are suddenly a member; so remember, fish with responsibility we are all watching you and all together about you if you need a hand. “FISH ON!”

Bite On! Bite Off!...and Sometimes Bit Off.

2008-07-06T10:45:00.003-04:00

Mel Larson's 'new' Homemade 32/0 Reel

"The General"

He ain't fish'n fer Florida Shell Cracker with that monster reel!

On again, off again… and sometimes bit off with plenty of hot action found on the boards, this week, if you were there when the fish were on a bite! Schools of baitfish have attracted tarpon, sharks, cobia, snook, and even a few redfish throughout the week with Tarpon running through the pilings late in the day into the night. Edwin Anderson, my youngest son, hooked it up with a Chartreuse Gotcha with the single hook protruding just as the plug was exiting the water, right below the pier, this gentle giant was anything but gentle. The Poon inhaled the Gotcha, rolled out from under the boards and leaped into the air in an acrobatic moment of about thirteen seconds; taking all 129 yards of fluorocarbon and lure with him. Angling the daisy chain is another sure hook-up if using a weighted streamer fly under a casting bubble and a purple and black saddle hackle known in some circles as the “Blue Death” is a best bet for hooking up just about any game fish, including small sharks. The sharks will destroy the fly, so be sure to carry a few spares. This Blue Death is an outstanding fly and Inshore Florida will soon be carrying it in their online shop, along with an entire new line of dry and wet African Hand Tied flies in the near future. Be sure to check out the thumb protectors too, Thumb Dingers saving your thumb and slowing down a running fish at the same time, protection you need if using the new braids or power lines.

Reports of other anglers hooking Poons with spoons, live baitfish, and plugs resembling the smaller baitfish came from Papa’s the bait Shoppe on the pier with catch and release snook action falling into an unbelievable category on the Venice City Fishing Pier between the shoreline and just past the bait house or the third sandbar. We had several fish over the slot. Free lining live bait like a pinfish or large threadfin has produced the best bets in the late afternoon. Jesse, Barry and company were doing a fine job in dwindling the populations of Atlantic White Croaker or kingfish, also known to locals as tiger whiting or just plain whiting. The mangrove snapper bite along the bars has been awesome on light tackle using frozen shrimp to squid cut in tiny pieces or strips. A couple of the pier kids were catching limits on strips of gulp too but the dead bait seemed to work best. Occasional flounder, as in one or two caught as I watched in awe while they were caught on gold Johnson Sprite Spoons with that wobbly red tagger thing hanging on the hook; go figure? Bites were on for most that stayed in close and off for anglers on the end of the pier. Shark reports were small sandies or just born pups near the end, late at night with but a couple of decent runs and cut offs earlier in the week but nothing to brag about except Island Angler Mel Larson and his new, improved bigger reel for that biggest of fish, yet to be produced. Well, another week starts today, we will see. “FISH ON!”