Cold Weather Snook Fishing

As winter approaches snook are found leaving shallow flats, searching for warmer. Deep bays and bayous along with other prime locations like deep-water canals, channels, creeks and rivers are prime locations.

During the day, muddy bottom, deep water, residential canals with docks, boats and boat houses absorb the sun’s heat, which then radiates into the water. As tidal flows snake and bend their way back, these canals develop deeper troughs that attract snook and other species.

Creeks, tributaries or runoffs dumping into a channel or canal flushes food like minnows, shrimp and other baits. By doing this it creates a natural feeding location for fish. And if the flow comes from a shallow pool or back country flat it also carries a significant amount of sun heated water.

Snook have one irrefutable trait they like to eat. Although a gluttonous predator during summer, as temperatures cool and their metabolism slows they turn lethargic and almost passive.

Cold weather anglers should begin the transition to wintertime patterns, as temperatures drop into the 60’s or lower. This means slowing everything down. Patience is the key to cold water fishing, but not always a virtue. Fish are primarily looking for warmth to survive; exerting only enough energy to grab an easy meal.

Naturally, nothing works like the real thing and everything eats shrimp, so the bigger the better. If you decide on fast swimmers like greenbacks, threadfins, pinfish, mud minnows and small mullet; make them an easier target by slightly wounding them or clipping tail fins before casting.

Proficient anglers also fool a snook into taking an artificial lure. Much like natural baits it means being patient, choosing lures that emulate wounded bait, and working them extremely slow. In the clear waters of winter, hard lures in bright flashy color combination’s seem to produce well. Try MirrOlure’s MirrODine, MirrOMullet and Catch 2000 or any suspending lure. For the die-hard soft plastic angler the Exude or Berkley Gulp makes excellent artificial options. Regardless, of what you use a good scent like Pro Cure can’t hurt.

Remember, everything must be presented consistently slower than usual. Don’t make a couple of cast into a prime location and move on. Instead, work the area giving it time to produce. Remember they are slow to react, but if you present the bait enough times they’ll usually eat it.

Captain Woody Gore is an outdoor writer, photojournalist, and speaker. He also guides fishing charters in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas. Fishing these areas for over fifty years he offers memorable fishing adventures. To contact Capt Woody please visit his website at WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM or give him a call at 813-477-3814

Egmont – The Key to Tampa Bay

Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, Egmont Key is now primarily a wildlife refuge. Accessible only by private boat, it has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that’s stood since 1858. On any given day you’ll find boating, swimming and fishing activities going on around this small island. Often oblivious to the decades of history, its outward appearance deceives the average observer.  Take a moment to travel back to the beginning.

This modest island located at the entrance to Tampa Bay played a dynamic part in the area’s history. Named in honor of John Perceval, the second Earl of Egmont, it witnessed the passing of Spanish Conquistadors, English, and Spanish Privateers, the violent struggle between brothers in blue and grey and later ships of steam and iron. Today hundreds of steel hulled, oil driven, satellite guided merchant ships pass this small island on course to Tampa.

Throughout the early 1830′s, as shipping increased and Tampa developed into an active seaport, so did the number of shallow water groundings near Egmont. To remedy the situation citizens petitioned the Government to construct a lighthouse at the entrance of Tampa Bay. In March 1848 Congress authorized $7,050.00 to erect the only lighthouse between St. Marks and Key West. Living on the island with his family, the first light tender Sherrod Edwards operated the new beacon.

Shortly after completion, enormous waves with tidal surges exceeding 15 feet completely covered the island, as the great hurricane of 1848 struck Florida’s gulf coast. At the highest point on the island, Edwards placed his family in a small boat, tied it to cabbage palms and rode out the violent storm. By morning the exhausted Edwards returned to the lighthouse finding it severely damaged and their possessions gone or destroyed. As the powerful storm traveled up the coast the winds and seas subsided; Edwards rowed his family to shore and resigned his post as lighthouse tender.

In what is generally called today’s hurricane season subsequent storms followed wreaking havoc on the island and lighthouse. Once again, Congress appropriated monies to redesign and rebuild the lighthouse to withstand future storms. The new lighthouse was 120 feet tall with Fresnel lens and Argard lamp, the most modern of its time. As a tribute to the builders this structure still stands today.

This small island added a dreadful footnote to the Seminole Indian Wars. Egmont served as a holding area and point of departure for hundreds of Seminoles awaiting transportation to a reservation in Arkansas. One tragic event took place on Egmont Key in 1858 as the Billy Bowlegs or third and final Indian War came to a close in Florida. Bowlegs the last remaining Seminole Indian chief in South Florida with his remaining followers, surrendered in Fort Myers. The tribesmen were transported to Egmont Key for their final rendezvous before crossing the Gulf of Mexico to Arkansas. One proud warrior, Tiger Tail could no longer endure the humility of being taken from his native Florida. Preparing for departure he ground up a quantity of glass swallowing it with a glass of water. His suicide tragically ended the era of Florida Indians.

In 1861, the deadliest Civil War in U.S. history began. Confederate troops decided to occupy the island, but quickly realized they were unable to defend its strategic location decided to leave; to render the lighthouse useless, the Fresnel lens was taken during the evacuation.

Despite the inoperable light beacon, Union Forces captured the island in November 1861 establishing a Union gunboat base. These gunboats successfully blockaded the entrance to Tampa Bay and shelled buildings of military importance. At one point they even invaded and briefly occupied the city. Before the war ended with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee in 1865 thousands of run-away slaves, Union sympathizers, and Confederate prisoners were held captive on the island.

As the war subsided, new lighthouse keepers were hired to live on the island with their families. They were responsible for day to day operations involving general house keeping, lens cleaning, and wick trimming.

When the U.S. Lighthouse Service established a sea buoy depot and coal shed in 1872; the small history filled island finally seemed destined to some normality, but not for long.

In 1898, irresolvable differences over the liberation of Cuba loomed on the horizon between the United States and Spain. The Spanish – American War seemed inevitable and apprehension ran high for the citizens of Tampa. Concerned over a Spanish fleet invasion, they demanded the government guard the entrance. Accordingly, in 1906 and named in honor of Army Major Francis Dade, massacred by Seminole Indians 1835; the walls of Fort Dade rose to completion. The mighty fort stood ready to guard Tampa Bay for an invasion that never came. Fort Dade became a sprawling complex complete with a post office, Movie Theater, electric lights, telephone service, sewers, icehouse, hospital, and even an elementary school. Then nearing the 20th century, a fort that proudly served even during World War I and II was finally deactivated in 1923. Now the once proud fortress succumbs to years of abandonment and pounding surf. Much of the original fort and buildings located 250 yards inland are literally crumbling into the sea.

In 1939 lighthouse operations transferred to and are now maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. In the 1940′s the lighthouse was modernized by adding two 200,000 candle power airport beacons visible to 28 miles. This modernization resulted in the tower being shortened to 85 feet when the original beacon was removed.

The Tampa Bay Pilots Association was founded in 1886, to help guide merchant ships into Tampa. Today, their presence on Egmont Key is a living statement to Tampa’s maritime history.

Egmont Key State Park and National Wildlife Refuge – was established in 1974 and protects a diverse community of animals and plants, many of which are either threatened or endangered. This island refuge was once the site of the former United States Army Fort Dade Military Reservation, and abundant reminders of this unique military past can be found scattered throughout the island today. Silent gun batteries testify to a time when mighty battleships reigned supreme on the world’s oceans. Today, the now silent batteries, and an occasional tourist traverse the old carriage roads. Anyone with interest in Tampa history or ghost towns should visit Egmont Key State Park that’s open 365 days from 8 AM until sundown.

Captain Woody Gore is an outdoor writer, photojournalist, and speaker. He also guides fishing charters in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas. Fishing these areas for over fifty years he offers memorable fishing adventures. To contact Capt Woody please visit his website at WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM or give him a call at 813-477-3814

Are New Tires – Actually Old Tires

When making a several hundred dollar investment for tires, we want reassurance they are the best available.

Check the tires on your car or trailer, do they look good, have plenty of tread, no bald spots or wear and tear? If that’s the case; you’ve probably got a great set of tires with years of life? However, those tires could actually be ready to break apart at any moment.

Although they might look new never take them at face value. We all shop price when making a purchase especially for new tires; we want the best deal and often rely solely on price. Unfortunately, we live in a “buyers beware” world. So, always be wary of “great tire deals,” because they actually have a “use-by date.”
Most people don’t know this because it’s not advertised and there’s no law protecting us. And worse still, the consequences of driving on old tires can be deadly. This is not just about getting the best tires for your money…it’s about getting the best safe tires.

European and Asian tire manufacturers elect to warn of the dangers associated with driving on ‘new’ tires that are actually six years old, or even older. For example; the Volkswagen manual states “WARNING” old tires can fail causing loss of vehicle control and personal injury. Replace tires after 6 years, regardless of tread wear.

Tires are a billion dollar business and it’s hardly surprising that here in the good old United States we’re literally kept in the dark; because no company wants to destroy tires and see profits decline. So, if they look new, and smell new, they are new…wrong!

So, how old is old? In 2008, the ABC news show 20/20 ran a special report on the dangers of old tires. The show used undercover reporters to purchase “new” tires from various retailers and tire stores. Some shocking facts came out about so called “new tires,” on sale at well-known reputable outlets. Many tires were actually up to 12 years old, so it makes you wander what stores without the big name and reputation might sell us. The tires purchased during this undercover operation were anywhere from four to 14 years old! Although they were represented as new they’ve been sitting in a warehouse or retailers rack for many years.

The report revealed that old tires are “ticking time bombs.” As rubber ages, it dries out; which leads to increased stress on the infrastructure. The result is tread separation, blowout and loss of control. When that happens, a tire can literally disintegrate while driving. At highway road speeds cars and trucks become unstable when a tire suddenly blows; often causing the driver to lose control with disastrous and deadly consequences. The 20/20 report said some experts are now recommending an expiration date of only 6 years from the date of manufacture.

Most failures result in serious property damage; however for more serious crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates, about 400 fatalities annually may be attributed directly to tire failure. Despite all of this evidence, the NHTSA has failed to impose a six-year shelf life on tires. All they’ve done is issue a warning to check your tires.

Why? Because the tire industry is a billion dollar market and no manufacturer wants to destroy tires and watch profits decline. Tire manufacturers and retailers are not ready to junk thousands of tires every month; that could easily be sold as new?

How Do We Protect Ourselves: As average consumers, how can we tell old tires from new ones? We take for granted when buying tires; they’re new not old unsold tires sitting on a retail outlet rack or in a warehouse for years.

When it comes to determining the age of a tire, it is easy to identify when a tire was manufactured by reading its Tire Identification Number often referred to as the tire’s serial number. Tire Identification Numbers are really batch codes that identify the week and year the tire was produced.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) require identification numbers be a combination of the letters DOT, followed by ten, eleven or twelve letters and/or numbers that identify the manufacturing location, tire size and manufacturer’s code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured.

However, with dwindling profit margins, many times we’re kept in the dark about things that endanger our lives. To the un-informed consumer it’s just a meaningless series of numbers on the side of the tire.

Manufacturing date stamps show the week and year of manufacture. Identifying this date is as simple as looking at both sides of the tire. The answer is located on the sidewall and is the last 4 numbers at the end of the DOT serial number.

Reading the code is easy: In the illustration the manufacturer DOT number is; DOT U2LL L*LR 5107. The first 2 numbers at the end (51) are the week of manufacture and the last 2 numbers are the year (07) of manufacture. For example: 5107 means the tire was completed the 51st week of 2007, or mid December of that year. If the last group of digits has only 3 numbers the tire was made before 2000. For example: “219″ means the tire was made the 21st week of 1999. Before you buy that next set of tires, be in informed buyer. Tell the retailer you want to know when the tire was manufactured and be certain to check the last 4 digits of the DOT serial number yourself.

Make certain to keep your sales receipt. Most manufacturers warranty their tires for four years from the date of purchase or five years from the week it was manufactured. So, if you purchase new tires manufactured exactly two years ago, they will be covered for a total of six years, four years from the date of purchase, as long as you have your receipt.

If you lose your receipt, in this example, the warranty coverage will end five years from the week of manufacture, resulting in the tire manufacturer’s warranty coverage, ending only three years from the date of purchase.

Whether you’re shopping for new tires, riding on new tires, or have tires that are several years’ old, check the actual age as soon as possible. Now we know where to look and how to interpret the manufacturing code we can determine if the store we’re buying from is forthcoming about tire age, warranty and longevity.

Captain Woody Gore is an outdoor writer, photojournalist, and speaker. He also guides fishing charters in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas. Fishing these areas for over fifty years he offers memorable fishing adventures. To contact Capt Woody please visit his website at WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM or give him a call at 813-477-3814

A Trophy Opportunity

You and your fishing buddy have planned this trip for weeks and it’s finally here. The alarm goes off at five o’clock in the morning and you’re up and about like a kid on Christmas. Your buddy’s already in the driveway loading his tackle into the boat and without hesitation you’re off to the ramp. You’ve been hearing about all the wonderful fishing going on and you can’t wait to get at it.

Leaving the ramp you look over to your fishing pal telling him it’s your day. That monster snook’s been waiting for you all month and you’re ready for him. You’ve re-spooled your reels checked your rods and tied your favorite confidence lure to the end of your line. Now it’s up to you and the fish. Can you fool one into taking that artificial lure?

Easing along the outside mangrove lined shore you’ve been casting and placing your lure perfectly into every pocket and under every overhang. As the sun rises, you and your pal have caught several smaller snook and a redfish. Casting, you systematically work the lure back to the boat, slowly moving it across every pothole.

“Suddenly, it happens”, a giant swirl on your lure and immediately you know this is the one you came for. The line goes tight, the rod bends, and you make a slight hook-set before you begin to reel.

The load on the end of your line is heavy; you can feel the head shakes. Comfortable with the hookup you position the rod about 30 to 45 degrees to the waters surface exerting maximum pressure as your drag works flawlessly.

The sequence of events happening over the next few minutes often determines if you are going home with photos or telling stories about the one that got away. Your choice of landing net and fishing partner’s netting performance often means the difference between landing and losing a trophy.

Finally it’s over… your fishing buddy came through. The fish went into the net, you snapped a couple of great photos, and you released this wonder of nature for someone else to catch. Memories is what fishing is all about.

A few tips about netting fish… Always net the fish head-first, never chase it from behind. Even tired, fish can still swim faster than you can move the net through the water. Having a fish friendly landing net is a must when netting a fish especially if you plan on releasing it.

The main reason we net fish is to prevent its escape however; there are other reasons to consider. It’s safer for you especially when using multi-hook lures as hand-landing increases your chances of getting hooked. And landing a fish before it’s totally exhausted definitely increases the chance of survival.

Remember, try to shorten the contest by impulsive or desperate measures can certainly accomplish that goal… you’ll lose the fish. And when that trophy opportunity arrives again make sure you practice good netting techniques.

If you’re interested in using my charter service you can reach me by calling my cell 813-477-3814. Email me at wgore@ix.netcom.com or visit my website at www.captainwoodygore.com.

Blue Fish – Something Different

Looking for something different? Try one of these fast action fighters on for size this summer!

One saltwater fish found throughout Florida and providing some awesome light tackle angling thrills is none other than the unwavering bluefish. Most fish around the Florida area weigh somewhere around 2 to 6 any over that are a real treat. In 1972 off the coast of North Carolina, the recognized IGFA record was caught weighing in at 31 pounds, 12 ounce.

Blues are a schooling fish with relatively large heads, powerful jaws and a mouth full of incredibly sharp teeth. Their tapered bodies end in deeply forked tails making them powerful swimmers and fighters. They’re decorated with blue/green backs, silvery sides, and white/silver bellies, but don’t sell them short these beautiful fish have plenty of muscle and speed.

Rigging for Blues is much like rigging for any toothy fish. Wire leaders are a must or at least 60# or better fluorocarbon with long shank hooks. When fishing live baits I use a short piece of 60# Seaguar fluorocarbon tied to my braid then attach a 12” piece of 30# Tyger Leader (black or bronze) and a bright long-shank 1/0 Daiichi hook. I belly hook the greenback at the pectoral fin, cast it out and the bluefish take care of the rest.

Fish can often be caught on any type of fast-moving lure that resembles a baitfish, including metal spoons, jigs, and tube baits. If you like artificial’s try a shinny spoon or old topwater lure tied to your braid with a dark leader wire leader. Make sure it’s an old lure because you might not get it back.

You might also try trolling on the hot, humid, no wind days. Once you hook-up stop and start fan casting around the area. The fish are there you just need to find them.

It’s not uncommon to find schooling bluefish sharing the same bait schools as mackerel, ladyfish and jacks. If you’re using whitebait/greenbacks start by tossing a few around the area you are fishing. If bluefish are present it won’t take long to get them going. Keep the live chums going and the fish will usually stay within casting distance.

If like using a fly rod here’s your chance to tangle with a fish that give no quarter. Extra strong leaders and larger flies that resemble the most popular regional baitfish will do the trick.

Captain Woody Gore
www.captainwoodygore.com

What Does the Future Hold for Florida’s Wildlife?

Does Our National Symbol Have to Eat Garbage

Our beloved Florida is in the midst of rapid change and the cause for this change is population growth. The major problem that occurs as populations increase is the loss of land due to use designations and changes.

In 2005, Florida had close to 18 million residents and was already overwhelmed by the collapse of natural habitat’s, overcrowded highways and urban sprawl. The materialization of our population growth is land use change, and between now and 2060 when the population is projected to more than double the additional land devoted to urban use will also double. Consequently, without shifts in our policies, and with the predictions of Florida’s increasing population what’s going to happen to our wildlife and their habitat’s?

The amount of anticipated development is stunning, and the byproduct is the loss of wildlife as the lands they inhabit become urbanized. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) tackled the challenge of predicting what may be in store for wildlife 50 years from now if growth trends continue. The results are available in the FWC publication “Wildlife 2060” What’s at stake for Florida?”

As citizens and residents we have a mission to manage fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and our benefit, it is our responsibility to predict what could happen to the resources we must conserve.

Capt. Woody Gore – Tampa Fishing Charters

United States Coast Guard Updates Boat Stability Rule

United States Coast Guard Stability Rule That Will Affect Number of Passengers on Boats – The Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations governing the stability of passenger vessels and the maximum number of passengers that may safely be permitted on board a vessel. The average American weighs significantly more than the assumed average weight per person utilized in current regulations, and the maximum number of persons permitted on a vessel is determined by several factors, including an assumed average weight for each passenger.

Updating regulations to more accurately reflect today’s average weight per person will maintain intended safety levels by taking this weight increase into account. The Coast Guard is also taking this opportunity to clarify and update intact stability and subdivision and damage stability regulations.

Capt. Woody Gore – Tampa Bay Fishing Charters

Renewable Energy – At What Cost?

Florida‘s Public Service Commission is recommending that the state get 20 percent of its power from renewable energy sources like solar and wind by 2050.

Under the proposed approach, each investor-owned utility in the state would be required to produce 2 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2010. That number would increase to 3.75 percent by 2017, 6 percent by 2025 and 20 percent by 2050.

Gov. Charlie Crist last year proposed a flat 20 percent standard but didn’t set a timetable. After much discussion in its last session, the Legislature ordered the PSC to recommend a renewable energy standard and report back to lawmakers.

I feel their targets are not ambitious enough to drive significant investment in renewable energy technology in Florida. These would make Florida dead last and the weakest in the nation. If you had to grade the governor’s targets they would receive a failing grade. Realistically, Crist would be 94 years old before his proposed 20 percent target is realized.

Florida deserves better and should bump up the targets. According to recent research more than 20 states already have standards, ranging from California, which wants 20 percent renewable by 2010 and Wisconsin, which has a goal of 10 percent by 2015.

Some energy experts say a renewable energy standard would boost costs for consumers because the region is not a good location for efficiently producing wind or solar energy.

By Captain Woody Gore – Tampa Fishing Charters

Pink Barbie Fishing Pole Catches North Carolina State Record

On a sunny day in Elkin, N.C., David Hayes was fishing in a pond behind his house with his young granddaughter Alyssa. They have fished the pond since she was old enough to hold a pole. Her father had gotten her a new pink Barbie rod and reel for Christmas, which was now her favorite because she had hauled in several Bluegill Bream over last few outings.

After a little while and like all little girls, Alyssa needed to use the bathroom and asked her grandfather to hold her Barbie rod and reel. Being a good grandfather David took the rod and reel and within seconds something tugged on the line. Granddad had something big and a few minutes later he landed a 21 pound, 1 ounce state record channel catfish.

The fish was caught on 6-pound test monofilament line, weighed 21 pounds. The fish measured 2 inches longer than the rod at a whopping 32 inches and was certified by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as a new state record.

Who says you need $200 dollar fishing outfits to catch record fish.

Part of Sky Fishing Pier Closes Aug. 29, 2008

The Skyway Fishing Pier State Park consists of two piers, north and south, that stretch into Tampa Bay. In 1994, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection entered into a 20-year lease with the Florida Department of Transportation to manage the piers as a recreational site.

Over the last 50 years, typical deterioration and corrosion have lead to the end of the service life of the east side piers. To maintain public safety, the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Department of Environmental Protection have announced that they will close the eastern portions of the fishing pier beginning August 29, 2008. There are no plans to repair the eastern portions which may be removed sometime in the future.

However, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) are working together to continue the operation of the western fishing piers. Both agencies believe that this is the best decision to protect the community’s safety while allowing for continued recreational enjoyment. We are committed to working with the community to ensure this local recreational asset will continue to serve the needs of residents and visitors in the area.

To keep the western portion open construction is scheduled to begin on August 21, 2008 to modify the west piers to allow two-way traffic and one lane of parallel parking. The buildings and crossovers that were built in the early 1990s are safe and will remain open to the public.

By Captain Woody Gore – Tampa Fishing Charters