FEATURE ARTICLES

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Try a little Freshwater Angling to mix it up with our saltwater fun now that we are in the Cold.

 

FLORIDA FRESHWATER ENTHUSASTS!

The following list of Top 10 Bass Lakes aims to help anglers find a quality place to catch trophy bass.
Florida is globally acclaimed as one of the best fishing spots, this is because of it exceptional saltwater fishing, though this exceptional freshwater fishing has not captured the attention of the same number of visitors. Inhabitants of this state are in on the secret, the following are some of the best fishing spots so far.

1. LAKE GEORGE

Lake George is considered one of the premier bass fishing lakes in central Florida. It is the second largest lake in the state (46,000 acres), and is 18 miles northwest of Deland and 29 miles east of Ocala.
Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on the eastern shoreline. In winter and early spring, look for bass to congregate at the jetties on the south end of the lake. Additionally, casting deep diving crankbaits is productive near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island.

2. STICK MARSH/FARM 13 RESERVOIRS

Created in 1987, the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir is synonymous with trophy bass fishing. This 6,500-acre reservoir near Fellsmere, west of Vero Beach, became one of the hottest bass lakes in the country during the past decade. FWC biologists predict a continuation of excellent bass fishing in the upcoming years.

3. WEST LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA

Bordering the city of Kissimmee to the south, the 18,810-acre West Lake Tohopekaliga has long been a popular bass fishing lake for both recreational and tournament anglers. In recent years, both Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society (B.A.S.S.) and Forrest L. Wood (FLW) bass tournaments have been held out of the Kissimmee lakefront park. Winning weights are routinely in the 18-to 25- pound range. To date, the largest bass documented from the lake weighed 17.10 pounds.

4. THE RODMAN RESERVOIR

Since it was established in 1968, Rodman Reservoir has been known for the trophy largemouth bass. The state’s largest bass of 2000, 15 pounds and 17 pounds, came from the reservoir during March. Much of the largemouth bass fishery’s success is due to abundant habitat in the form of stumps and aquatic vegetation and periodic drawdown’s.

5. LAKE TARPON

Lake Tarpon is a 2,500-acre lake near Tampa/St. Petersburg in Pinellas County. This lake has consistently produced high quality bass for years. Most fish range from 12 to 16 inches long however, quality and trophy fish are present in good numbers. Biologists have observed anglers catching upwards of 20 fish with an occasional 10-pounder.

6. LAKE WEOHYAKAPKA

Lake Weohyakapka, commonly known as Lake Walk -in-Water, is a 7,532-acre lake, off S.R. 60 south of Orlando, east of Lake Wales. The lake has a national wide reputation as an outstanding location to catch largemouth bass. Anglers regularly catch up to 25 bass everyday with several ranging from four to 8 pounds. Weohyakapka also produces many trophy bass above 10 pounds annually. Last year, Walk-in-Water anglers entered 130 bass with a qualifying weight of eight pounds in the FWC’s Big Catch Program. A 15- to 24inch slot limit with a three-bass daily bag limit is in place to help maintain good bass fishing. Anglers can keep three bass a day, either under or over the protected slot range, of which only one bass bigger than or same as 24 inches is permitted.

7. LAKE ISTOKPOGA

Bass anglers who fish the Kissimmee Chain of lakes to the north and Lake Okeechobee to the south often overlook 28,000-acre Lake Istokpoga. Situated in Highlands County between U.S. 27 and U.S. 98 south of Sebring, Istokpoga is rated the fifth largest natural lake in the state of Florida. Anglers frequently catch bass up to eight pounds, with some between 10 and 13 pounds. An angler caught a 16-pound bass in March 1998.
Lake Istokpoga has a 15- to 24-inch lot limit for bass with a three fish daily bag limit, of which only one bass may be 24 inches or longer. All residents between 16 and 65 years of age and all non-residents are required to have a fishing license.

8. EVERGLADES WATER CONSERVATION AREAS 2 AND 3

Everglades Water Conservation Areas are marshlands bordered by canals. An area 2 has 210 square miles of marsh, Area 3 contains 730 square miles of marsh, and Area 3 contains 30 square miles of marsh. Originally designed for flood control and water supply, the area provides some of the best bass fishing in the country.
The best fishing usually occurs in the spring when dropping water levels concentrate fish the canals. April is the peak month with angler catch rates as high a 4.1 bass per hour in the L-67A Canal.

9. LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Lake Okeechobee is consistently one of Florida’s top producing bass lakes and is considered one of the best lakes in the country for bass fishing. Situated in south central Florida, the “Big O” covers 730 square miles and is easily accessible from Florida’s east and west coast. FWC biologists are expecting a tremendous year class for this lake this year.
The lake increased to 16 feet, early in 2003, due to above average rainfall in the upper lakes. Due to the drought in 2001, the lake has experienced positive changes in vegetation.
Lake Okeechobee has a 13- to 18-inch slot limit on bass, meaning all bass between 13 and 18 inches must be released unharmed.

10. CRESCENT LAKE
This 15,725 acre lake borders the east side of Crescent City on the Putnam/Flagler county line. Crescent Lake flows into the St. Johns River via Dunns Creek on its north end. Past electro fishing samples for largemouth bass revealed one of the highest catch-per-unit-efforts recorded for areas on the St. John’s River. Largemouth bass up to twenty inches long were well represented in the sample and good numbers of larger fish (8 lb +) were collected.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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LAST SEASON SNOOK, THIS SEASONS MEMORY;

September and open season is around the corner!

Snook moves in with wind, just in time for Season to End


At Three inches over slot this one ain't going home for dinner!

According to the St. Pete’s Captains Corner: Big kings are the first in line to eat and seem to be the big news on the last day of Snook season ending tonight at midnight May 1, 2009. Usually when the season is drawing to a close the snookers get snookered as the snook go into hiding or just off the bite until just after its closing; then it is wham bam thank you mama the bite is on but not to this savvy angler Gary Anderson and his son Edwin. We found the honey hole over the closing days of the season and bagged it out with some real fighting lunkers! The ole’ train trestle turned fishing pier were the hole in the walls hideout until the right freelinned bait were dropped in front of them. After tonight, season will remain closed until September of the year giving us all a chance to play CPR to all the snook we catch. Baits of choice were large snapper or grunts on a 12/0 mustad circle hook.


Edwin baiting up over our "Honey Hole."

 

 

 

 

With gasoline prices as high as they are it might be just a great idea to taxi along that kayak out in the garage. When you get to the skinnies, away you go and saving gas too.

www.kayakthegulfcoast.com

Great site for those who enjoy skinny water in a yak.


Top of the line articles to what, where, when and how to catch that trophy your looking for while fishing here on our waters of Inshore Florida. Be it skipping baits across the water under a kite to throwing a Clauser minnow while fly-fishing, kayaking the backcountry to a day aboard your favorite charter, on BlogSpot Inshore Florida you will find action with information you can use for your day when out and about on the waters of Inshore Florida!

BLOGSPOT INSHORE FLORIDA!




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Big Kings Still No Show but Tarpon Hot on Both Tides!

The Skinny on Hook Types; To Which Do I Use 

Many a different hook and design are on the market today so I choose to pick the ones I use the most

 with my favorite being that of the Circle Hook, to which is about all I use today:

 

 O’Shaughnessy Hook, Live Bait Hook

  Aberdeen Hook, Circle Hook

And on and on…

O’Shaughnessy
This hook design, more often called a ‘J’ hook, is considered the basic industry standard hook design because it is the hook design in almost every illustration of a hook. It is a classic hook coming in all sizes, and is made in a variety of metals. It is the most widely used hook on the market today.  Use this hook for all general-purpose fishing. Just make sure you purchase the right size for the fish you looking to either put in the box or practice CPR (Catch, Photograph & Release).

Live Bait
When fishing with live bait, it is desirable to have short shank hook. First, a short shank allows the live bait to swim more naturally, and second, the shorter shank means the hook is more difficult for feeding fish to detect. Long shank hooks with live bait draw fewer strikes when presented on a mono or fluorocarbon leader; though on a wire king rig shank size only prohibits your baits movement not strikes.

Aberdeen
These hooks are made from thin wire and range in size from a number 10 to a 4/0. They are very applicable for fish with soft mouths, like that of the Weakfish or for fishing with light tackle. Many Aberdeen hooks are bent to fit jig molds. Using light line means softer hook sets when using these hooks as the point and barb penetrate quickly. Generally designated as a freshwater hook, the Aberdeen is suitable for saltwater too but must be rinsed of salt, lubricated with a repellant such as Corrosion Block or they have a tendency to rust out in your box or bucket.

Circle Hooks
The commercial industry has used a form of circle hooks on their catch boats. Using this type of hook attached to a long pole, commercial anglers would hooked it up with the fish, slinging them backwards in a quick release and return the pole for more from their encircled nets. It was easier in the early years of commercial Tuna harvesting to employ anglers to pole the fish rather than hoisting the nets because the nets were not strong enough to hold the weight suspended. Circle hooks are named for the unusual circle like bend in the gap of the hook. The point of the hook actually curves into the hook shank. If the bait is swallowed, the hook will come right back up the throat hooking the fish in its jaw line or mouth. As the fish turns away and runs, the hook is pulled toward the mouth of the fish. When the line pulls the shank of the hook out of the mouth, the hook naturally turns back toward the angler, and the fish is hooked right in the corner of the mouth as the angler is slowly retrieving his line back onto the spool of his reel.  Today these hooks are becoming more popular, are used in catch, and release situations. Where size limits mean releasing undersized fish, circle hooks offer a very high survival rate on released fish. The rule is – do not set the hook. It is so hard fro anglers to remember that rule. Setting the hook means pulling the hook and bait right out of the mouth of the fish. Let the fish turn, run, and simply start reeling. The hook sets itself with a slight lifting of the rod at a right angle to the run of the fish!

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THE CIRCLE HOOK RULING;

 JOINT ADMENDENT 27/14

The New Law States As Follows:

The law states you cannot use any hook except circle hooks when fishing for reef fish. The law states at least one de-hooking device is required and must be used to remove hooks embedded in gulf reef fish to leave minimum damage. The law states that at least one venting device is required and must be use to deflate the swim bladders of gulf reef fish to release the fish with minimum damage. NMFS is delaying until June 1 the effectiveness of these requirements to provide additional time for manufacturers and retail outlets to prepare for the demand. This also will provide more time for anglers to comply with these new gear requirements, though Joint Amendment 27/14 became effective Feb. 28, 2008.

The circle-hook rule applies only to tournaments, not recreational fishing!

CIRCLE HOOK RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT IN

February of 2008 but allowing a phase-in so as it will only be pursued after June of 2008.

Beginning in the year 2008, then, all participants in billfish tournaments on the East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. territories in the Caribbean will be required to use a non-offset circle hook when using natural or natural/live bait combinations.

Joint amendment 27/14 requires the use of no stainless-steel circle hooks when using natural baits to fish for gulf reef fish. It also requires venting tools and de-hooking devices when participating in the commercial or recreational reef fish fisheries.

Specifically people fishing for gulf reef fish in the Gulf EEZ must have them onboard and use them as described by law. This new federal mandate is meant to reduce mortality in released fish. Circle hooks tend to lodge in a fish’s jaw; J-hooks can often lodge further down a fish’s mouth, sometimes gut hooking a fish. The circle-hook rule applies only to tournaments, not fun fishing. Even so, many offshore anglers might adopt it full-time, if only for practice. The switch to circles will force not-so-subtle changes in both rigging and tactics.

In order to comply with the law we have to understand just what a circle hook, a de-hooking device and what venting tools are. I think the circle hook and the de-hooker are going to cause some concern until tested in court for there are many look a likes out there as well, those that claim to be but are not. The law and descriptions of these elements are provided by NMFS, a division of NOAA. National Marine Fisheries Service or NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to the stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management, and the promotion of healthy ecosystems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere.

A circle hook is described by NMFS as a hook designed so that the point is turned perpendicular back to the shank in forming a generally circular or oval shape. There are several hook manufacturers that make a hook with the point turned perpendicular back to the shank to form a generally circular or oval shape, but they are not advertised as circle hooks, like an octopus hook. I am curious if these hooks will pass the smell test to usage within tournaments being their description is much the same as a circle hook but in fact, they are not.

In real life and cutbacks at FWC Law enforcement, (story in the works), this is going to be a hard law to enforce. Think about it: What if you have J-hooks in your tackle box and are fishing in federal waters? When you are favorite Game Enforcement officer or other law enforcement agent comes up and checks your box, are you still in compliance even though you do not have one (a J-hook) on your rod and reel?

I do not think enforcement is going to rifle through your tackle box to see just how many different kinds of hooks you possess but if they wish too and you present a danger to them or whatever, they can. The law states you cannot use any hook except circle hooks when fishing for reef fish. What if you decide to troll for king mackerel? Do you have to use circle hooks on them too?

If you use a Duster and nothing else, no, you do not have to use a circle hook. Nevertheless, if you use a cigar minnow as an enticer I would believe you would need a circle hook. The next question is do king mackerel qualify as reef fish, or shark or tarpon or?

The law states at least one de-hooking device is required and must be used to remove hooks embedded in gulf reef fish to leave minimum damage. The hook removal device must be constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal process. The de-hooking end must be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook size and styles used in the gulf reef fishery. Pliers are out, appropriate sized whatever is in; who comes up with this stuff? I wonder what an official de-hooker looks like, hmm maybe The Island Anglers could build and sell it along with the million other look a likes.

At least one venting device is required and must be use to deflate the swim bladders of gulf reef fish. This tool must be a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed, or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel. I wonder how many fish will die or better yet, be murdered before anyone actually learns how to use such a device? Here are explicit instructions on doing just that: Insert the tool into the fish at a 45-degree angle approximately 1 to 2 inches from the base of the pectoral fin.

Hook Composition
Hooks are all made from various metals. Saltwater hooks were generally made from corrosion and rust resistant metal but since a number of anglers had the foresight to worry about our oceans futures, tinned hooks are now available for those of us that are esuriently anglers. Freshwater hooks can be made from wire.

Hook Types
There are several basic hook designs currently on the market today with many specialty designs for catching specific fish, but for the everyday angler the basic hooks are the ones I have chosen to explain to you.

Hook Sizes
Hook sizing is relevant to just what you are fishing for. The measurements used today use a numbering system that measures from the smallest hook to the largest hook. The smallest hook readily available is size 24. This is a hook, with a 1/16 of an inch gap, can be found on trout flies to Salmon egg hooks.  As the size number decreases, the width of the hook gap increases, all the way to a size 1. A size 1 hook is at about ½ inch in width on the gap. After size 1, the numbering system changes and begins with 1/0 goes all the way up to 20/0, the largest commercially made hook; generally used in Gaffs.

Hook Parts
There are five basic parts to a hook: the point, gap. shank, eye, and barb with all of these parts working together in its design; different hook designs are made for different fishing applications. Knowing the sizing and what species you are angling for can help make your selection an easier task. The type of hook you select does make a difference, and hook selection depends on the fish being sought.

 

 

 

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More than one way to use a 'wasted' fish



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Fun Facts to Know
About

The

Fishing Reel

A fishing reel is a device used for the sport of angling for the deployment and retrieval of fishing line using a spool mounted on an axle. They are most often used in conjunction with a fishing rod. The first illustration of a fishing reel is from Chinese paintings beginning about 1195 A.D.

History of the fishing reel

English literature first reported a "wind", placed within two feet of the lower end of the fishing rod in 1651. This is usually accepted as the first reference to a reel. And the first picture of a fishing reel is mentioned above. Until the 1800, the fishing reel was not much more than a storage place for excess line. The British claim to be the originators for the multiplying reel, but the fishing reels of George Snyder, of Kentucky, have become the most famous 19th century multipliers. Snyder's reels were developed in the 1820's, and are what you think of as an "old fishing reel". From these reels came what we think of today as a fishing reel. With various changes and developments along the way.

Types of fishing reels

1) Fly casting - These fishing reels are traditionally fairly simple in terms of mechanical construction, though this has been changing with developments in technology. A fly reel is normally operated by stripping line off with one hand, while casting the rod with the other hand. Another development in fly reels has been a larger design to increase the speed of retrieve and keep a tight line in the event a hooked fish makes a sudden run towards the angler.

2) Bait casting – These reels in which line is stored on a revolving spool. When a cast is made, line is pulled off of the reel by the weight of the lure. Because the momentum of the forward cast must rotate the spool as well as propel the lure, bait casting designs normally require heavier lures for proper operation than most other types of fishing reels. On most newer reels, spool tension can be adjusted to reduce spool overrun during a cast. The result of spool overrun is the famous "birds nest". And dealing with a "birds nest" is no fun at all.

3) Spinning – Spinning reels were originally designed to allow the use of lures that were too light to be cast by bait casting reels. Because the line didn't have to pull against a rotating spool, much lighter lures could be cast than with a bait-casting reel. Spinning reels do not suffer from backlash, although the line can become trapped underneath itself on the spool or even detach in loose loops of line. Various level-wind mechanisms have been introduced over the years to attempt to solve this problem. Most spin fishermen manually reposition the bail after each cast in order to minimize line twist, which is exactly what I do.

4) Spin cast reels – These fishing reels were developed by the Johnson Reel Company in the early 1950's. Just as with the spinning reel, the line is thrown from a fixed spool, and can therefore be used for throwing light lures and bait. This fishing reel eliminates the large wire bail of the spinning reel in favor of two pickup pins. The spin cast reel is then fitted with a nose cone that encloses and protects the fishing line and spool. Pressing a button on the rear of the fishing reel disengages the line pickup thus allowing the line to fly off of the spool. Upon cranking the handle, the pickup pin immediately re-engages the line and re-spools it onto the reel. Many of you probably used a Zebco reel when you were a kid. This is a spin cast reel.

5) Under spin or Trigger spin – These are spin cast reels that are mounted underneath a standard spinning rod. A lever or trigger is grasped with the forefinger. During the forward cast, this lever is released, and the line flies off the fixed spool. Like spin cast reels, there is no wire bail to hold the line, rather two pickup pins. Basically, these fishing reels are a combination of #3 and #4.

 

You can read the saltwater rules at

 

 http://myfwc.com/marine/FWC68B.htm.  

“FISH ON!”  

Florida's Regulated Fish  

 And their look-alikes
(
Illustrations by Diane Rome Peebles) 
 

http://myfwc.com/marine/FishID/index.html

  

 

 

 

 

 

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