‘Come on over, the fishing is very good …’

August 31, 2018

Like many of us, my fishing fascination started with catching crappies, sunnies, yellow perch and largemouth bass in local streams and picturesque millponds in the Mid-Atlantic States eventually "graduating" to saltwater in the Chesapeake Like and Delaware Bays.Now living in the bass capitol of the world but guiding for saltwater species there's not much time to get over to one of the greatest bass lakes on the planet Lake Okeechobee and the heart of the algae controversy.As a guide with unexpected free time, I gave bass central in Clewis-ton a call for a conditions update.On Thus-day, ...

Late summer into fall is a great time to fish local waters

August 24, 2018

Late summer into fall is one of the best times to fish in Southwest Florida. I'm praying that the summer remains quiet as another bad weather event will only make our toxic water situation much worse.Finding cleaner water and cooperative fish in Charlotte Harbor from tarpon to trout. I received several e-mails about last week's comments about the "middle holes" in Charlotte Harbor, what they are and how to find them. The MH's are simply the deepest spots in the harbor where fish gang up in summer and it's located directly west of Pirate Harbor. Depth is approximately 20 feet. Consult ...

Head north or west if you want to catch fish

August 17, 2018

To cross this beautiful wide river of ours on a beautiful sunny summer day in paradise and not see a single boat as far as the eye can see both east and west is quite upsetting. The radio reported this morning on the tons of dead fish being removed from the beaches of Sanibel Island.My house went on the market a little over 4 months ago, looks like I'll be staying for the long haul unless health officials tell me it's too toxic to live next to the water in my particular backyard. Then what?Cancellations for fishing charters arrive daily as out-of-towners see national news pictures of ...

Fishing for tarpon in Charlotte Harbor

July 27, 2018

Although there will always be some tarpon relating to the passes this time of year, the main body has moved into Charlotte Harbor where they will stay gorging on baitfish of all types and sizes till it's time to pack up and head south once again.Along with the tarpon are an army of sharks of all sizes that also provide great sport on properly sized tackle.For anglers new to harbor tarpon angling, there are a few essentials you will need to put fish on the hook. The first two are patience and the willingness to put in the time to make it happen. Bringing a good pair of binoculars will ...

Sometimes you have to learn how lures work

July 20, 2018

Being a lure and fly collector, the Limited Edition 4 pc. Trout Master lure set made as a tribute to Harold LeMaster, the founder of the MirrOlure Co., was right up my alley. Limited to 2,500 sets at $49.99 each, I immediately took the bait and have been awaiting the postman's arrival.If you care to order yours, contact the L&S Bait Company at www.mirrolure.com; 727-584-7691.As a young angler it took me awhile to catch on to the effectiveness of those seemingly lifeless hunks of plastics. Other lures dipped, dived or swam in some type of swimming motion on the retrieve but the ...

More Lake O water coming, plus invasives?

July 13, 2018

Heard bad news on the radio this morning, more contaminated water is about to be released from Lake O and will be heading our way. I turned off the radio and hit the TV to watch politicians bickering as they questioned FBI agents that now play a role in swaying national elections.I switched channels and saw long-term previously unseen politicians speaking out about "solving the water problems." Would it be unfair to think: where have you been for the last several decades? Now, I'm staring at that redfish on my plate wondering if it's really safe to eat. Sadly I know the answer.With ...