Florida Gulf Coast

And I don't mean the Miami Hurricanes as in the University of Miami!

It's true, the season is near and forecasters aren't feeling positive. Of course, they weren't last year either but only 10 storms formed of significance. This year projections are for at least 7 or 8 major storms to hit Florida alone, according to Accuweather.com


With a major season in 2004 and 2005 (Katrina), Floridians caught a break last year with an easy ride throughout the summer and fall. A needed break for sure. But if this year is anything close to projections, people will need to make early plans for insuring their own safety and that of their properties.

Here are a couple of good online sources for updates on local and regional weather:

• www.accuweather.com
• www.weather.com

Stay tuned and keep safe this season! Next post I'll post some research on how Florida residents should prepare for battle against natures most powerful storm. Stay tuned...

Labels: florida weather, hurricane season

Posted by TRock at 5:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

I chatted with my father today...an old time lake and stream fisherman who turned to Gulf waters at retirement...and he talked about the friction between the trendy "Jig Captains" and the traditional "live bait" fisherman down at the Boca Grande Pass. Of course I'm speaking about Tarpon Fishing again because it's all the rage now through most of the summer.

Anyway, this heated dual gets a lot of attention this time of year. Here's the conflict:

Traditional live bait captains fish at night, depending on tide conditions, anywhere from midnight to 6:00am. Freelining shrimp, crab, and different types of live bait fish are useful methods. This restricted fishing time is partly due to fish preference, and partly due to the massive influx of the popular jig fishing that starts at the crack of dawn.

Jig fishing, according to the traditional Captains, is borderline unethical and possibly dangerous to the Tarpon. Their point of view is that when you hook up while short drifting the captain must maintain control of the fish (meaning keeping the fish straight down below the boat) and that adds maximum pressure to the fish, ultimately leading to strain and fatigue. Many times this can result in death of the fish either by exhaustion or by shark attack.

Traditional live bait charter captains contend that they aim to hook up and then move off of the drift pattern in the pass. This accomplishes a couple things:

1. Increased water safety (reduced pass traffic)
2. Better angles (rod - fish relationship)
3. Less chance of harming the fish via the methods mentioned above
4. No chance of snagging a fish as with jigging.

Of course not everything is one sided. Jig fishing, many argue, has made access to one of the worlds greatest sport fishing more accessible to people. If for no other reason than the time of day we see people flocking to try their hand at tarpon fishing. Also it is relatively simple for the non-fisherman to try, given a good captain guiding the way.

The friction between the two different styles remains both camps have something to offer. Can there ever be a mutual respect between jig fisherman and live bait fisherman? Anything is possible but from what I hear ...it's highly unlikely.

Labels: boating, boca grande pass, charter boats, gulf coast fishing, tarpon fishing

Posted by TRock at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments

Just taking time-out to wish all of you a happy Memorial Day weekend. With any observance, examine the purpose and make something of it...

Until next time...live it..

Posted by TRock at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

I decided to write today about how some people gather, socialize, and enjoy the coastal areas of Florida. As my interest expands I'll be writing more about other regions of the Florida Gulf Coast, but for now my attention turns to the Sarasota Bay Parrot Head Club.

Parrot Heads enjoy many social activities such as raft-ups, reef diving to preserve marine life, beach preservation weekends, concerts, and many more relaxed gatherings. There's no age discrimination either, I've seen bikini strapping 20 year olds to freed-up 80 year old fishermen (or women) at Parrot Head functions.

Relax, Life Really Is Good!

The whole Parrot Head idea seems really more about connecting and free enjoyment of life than many other "clubs" I know of. Don't assume that Parrot Head clubs are just for the Florida Gulf Coast...their not. They are really spread througout the US and tropical islands too.

Here's a sample of the popular Sarasota Bay Parrot Head Club website. I've attended a couple of their gatherings and can say sincerely that you can't leave without making a friend at one of their functions....so look them up! Find them HERE!

Labels: boating, diving, parrot head club, social clubs, social events

Posted by TRock at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments

Labels: Florida Entertainment, Florida Music, Gulf Coast Music, Jim Morris

Posted by TRock at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments

Like I said in a previous post, it's tarpon time down in the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, known as Boca Grande Pass. My posts will concentrate on this for a while because it's a major part of this SouthWest Florida region every year. Tourists and locals flood this area in a perfect time of year to test their skills against the Silver Kings.

Every year thousands (like 50,000) of tarpon gather in the pass to meet, eat, and greet. There are a couple of popular ways to fish for the tarpon but mainly it boils down to 2-3 options including:

• Traditional Live Bait (crab mostly)
• Jig fishing with short drifting the pass
• Fly fishing select areas

If you are considering some Tarpon fishing in Boca Grande you might consider a charter your first time out. Guides will normally choose one of the above options, but some are prepared for both Live Bait and Jig Fishing. Here are some things to prepare if you are thinking of heading out with a guide:

• Bring sun-screan, especially if you are coming from the north!
  
• Hat
• Sunglasses, polarized for better view and reduced glare
• Windbreaker (the pass can be pretty windy depending on the time of day)
• Beverage of choice, although many guides will have a packed cooler with refreshments
• Camera (video/digital still camera) ...Mostly something that can shoot quickly.

You're ready to go! I'll try to put together a list of reliable Captains next time.

Enjoy!

Posted by TRock at 5:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

That's right...The Tarpon have moved into Charlotte Harbor and the surrounding coastlines. Now is the time to book a trip down there and hook-up with maybe the best sport-fish in the world!

A couple of years ago I scheduled a trip with my father on Memorial weekend. What a trip! It was much more exciting than I could have hoped for. We hooked up at least a half dozen times. The thrill of having a six foot tarpon online is hard to explain. But the burn in your arms is easy to explain!

I remember our final catch that day ended with a 6-foot, 145 pound tarpon...landed! The sideshow was: 2-3 eight foot Bull Sharks chasing, and even "mouthing" it! But Captain Mike saved the day when he quickly steered the fish 'round to the port side of the boat, and the fish was landed.

Hard to explain in just words. But after a 90 minute fight...you get the idea. Now get on down to Charlotte Harbor and hook-up! Don't be shy girls...there's plenty of fish to go around...

Labels: captain, florida fishing, florida living, gulf coast florida, tarpon fishing

Posted by TRock at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments