SoulMate Charters

Naples Botanical Garden

2011-09-02T15:08:00.013-04:00

Walking through the entrance to Naples Botanical Garden is a treat for the senses. There's really no way to even begin to describe its scope. For some reason I pictured something smaller like the gardens of my youth in Clearwater and at our current home in Fort Myers. Was I ever wrong.

The Garden grounds cover 170 acres that feature plants from the subtropics. This includes places like Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Florida. Everything from the wetlands and swamps to the dry and arid is represented and it's laid out in a way that lets you feel as if you are time traveling from one section of the world to another. There are huge water gardens with beautiful lilies and trickling waterfalls and large expanses of open lowlands with sawgrass. There are even rice patties planted and cultivated in the Asian area.

The Naples Botanical Garden was originally founded in 1993, closed for expansion in June of 2007 and reopened to the public in November of 2009. Expansion has continued and the result is a world class, award wining garden.

My visit was made possible as part of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association annual conference. It's held each year in a different area of Florida to help introduce writers to the featured location. During a group tour I was able to speak to executive director Brian Holley and came away with these interesting tidbits.

Seventy acres of invasive melaleuca and Brazilian pepper were removed and turned into thousands of yards of mulch during the reconstruction.
Over a 1/4 of a million yards of dirt was moved around the site to make the highlands and lowlands.
During construction thousands of native plants were saved to be planted later.
There are currently over 7500 different kinds of plants.
There are currently 1000 plus orchids.

The pride in Brian's voice was evident, as it should be. This was a massive undertaking that you'll have to see to believe.

I walked the shell, stone and dirt paths though a good part of the area, but time was pressing and I soon realized that this is more than a quick tourist stop along US 41. I believe you could plan an entire morning or day at the Naples Botanical Garden and still not see it all.

The Garden is open from 9am to 5pm daily. Admission is $12.95 for adults and $7.95 for children 4-14 years old. 3 and under are free. There are also memberships available and members admission is free. Each Tuesday "Early Bird" hours are offered from 8am until 12pm. This gives amateur photographers and painters some quiet time and early morning light.

For more information go to www.naplesgarden.org

Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters

Tarpon Lodge, A Trip To The Past

2011-07-07T16:09:00.014-04:00

I can't tell you how many times I've heard the expression, "Old Florida". Most of the time the description is close, but not right on the money. Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island, in my opinion, is the exception.

My wife, JoNell, has a fairly grueling travel itinerary associated with her job. She goes on excursions both near and far to preach the gospel of vacationing in the Collier County area of Florida. In the month of May, her birthday month, she traveled to New York City and San Francisco and spent her big day on the road, or in the skies as it were. She very much wanted to do something special for her birthday. She told me so, but our schedules just didn't mesh. The window of opportunity was made smaller when she told me she had another trip scheduled to the state of Texas in early June. What's a guy to do?

Call a friend, Rob Wells Jr., business manager of Tarpon Lodge.

JoNell and I had talked about staying at the Lodge many times but it just never happened. I've visited there for a number of fishing outings, including tournaments, and had lunch there on a couple of occasions, but no overnights.

My email to Rob was simple. I need to surprise my wife. We only have a few days to visit and I really want to make it special for her.

Rob got the ball rolling and booked us a 4-night stay in the "Cottage" along with a slip to keep the boat. I'd decided to drive it up there so that JoNell could get in a little fishing and shelling, two things she really loves to do. I also reserved 3 nights in a row at the dinning room. More about that in a minute.

We arrived separately, JoNell by car and me by boat. After unpacking we took a self tour of the grounds and got familiar with our home away from home. The Cottage was perfect. One bedroom with a king size bed, bath, living room and kitchen. There was even a porch, where I could enjoy my evening cigar and look out on Pine Island Sound.

Speaking of Pine Island Sound. It's one of the best fishing areas in the world and Tarpon Lodge is sitting right next to prime territory. I've been guiding in and around the Sound for the last 10 years and nothing anywhere else can match the diversity of fish found there. Tarpon, snook, redfish, trout and a myriad of other species call it home and most are more than willing to cooperate when a lure, fly or live bait is thrown their way.

We spent the afternoon relaxing. Goodness knows, we both needed a break. We walked the grounds and eventually made our way across the road to the Randall Research Center where you can learn about the Calusa Indians. The Calusa's were an ancient and powerfull tribe that once ruled the entire southwest region of Florida. You can walk a trail, reading informational signs, or schedule a guided trip.

As I mentioned earlier in this post, I booked 3 evening reservations for dinner at the resort's dinning room. That turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. JoNell and I soon discovered why it has a much coveted Four Star rating. The food and service were top notch. The selections all looked yummy and it was difficult to pick what to have as the main course. Beef or fish or shrimp or scallops or pork... you get the idea. JoNell summed it up nicely. She said she was very glad I had booked 3 dinner reservations so she could work her way through the menu. Not a bad idea!

Days 2, 3 and 4 were spent boating, fishing, shelling and relaxing. We made runs in our 22 foot Skeeter bay boat, to the small islands just south of the Tarpon Lodge and caught lots of redfish, trout and a mix of fun fish. We visited North Captiva, an island without bridges, so boat access is a must. We walked and shelled an almost deserted beach.

Later that day we visited nearby Cabbage Key, another boat only location, and had lunch at the restaurant. They are famous for having thousands of individual dollar bills hanging from the walls, that are signed by visitors and left behind. They are also noted for their cheeseburgers in paradise. Rumor has that singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett penned his famous "Cheeseburger" song there and, as they say, the rest is history.

Don't worry. If you don't have a boat, there are charters available through the Lodge for fishing, sightseeing, lunch cruises and shelling.

The days went by quickly and soon it was time to pack up and head back to the mainland, leaving island life behind. It was apparent to both of us that more time would be needed on our next trip to the Tarpon Lodge. And there will be another trip back to old Florida.

Tarpon Lodge website is www.tarponlodge.com
Cabbage Key's website is www.cabbagekey.com

Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters

Summer Skin Protection

2011-05-13T13:35:00.002-04:00

I’ve spent a good portion of my life living, fishing and playing in the great outdoors of Florida. I’ve worked on the water for a number of years and with that comes the dangers of over exposure to the harmful rays of the sun.

When I was a child we didn’t even use sunblock. Those were the days of the Coppertone girl with print ads and billboards showing a little blonde girl having her pants pulled down by a small dog to expose her bare, lilly white butt. The rest of her body was golden tanned! My how things have changed! With new science and research it’s been proven that the UV rays from the sun we worship here in Florida are actually quite bad for your skin. It’s no longer fashionable to have that deep dark resort tan.

Because I work on the water almost everyday and I spend most of that time in the sun, I thought I’d pass along some useful information to help you protect yourself from over exposure to Mr. Sol.

Sunblock. I use it everyday and recommend you put it on whenever you are planning a day outside. I like the white rub-on lotion vs. the spray-on version. The lotion covers your skin much better and there is little or no evaporation. The sprays seem to put most of the protection on the deck of my boat and are impossible to use in the wind.

I personally use “Bull Frog SuperBlock” lotion with a 45 SPF factor. The SPF number is very important. An SPF 10 rating means you can stay in the sun without burning 10 times longer than you can without using sunblock. Be careful with the numbers. If your skin begins to burn in only 15 minutes then an SPF of 10 is only going to protect you for a little over 2 hours providing you don’t sweat. Yes, you can reapply but I’ve found that it’s best to put the sunblock on BEFORE you leave the house. It works much better on cool, dry skin then it does on sweaty hot skin. Make sure you put extra lotion on your nose, ears and the tops of your hands. If you are going to be on a boat you should make sure to apply extra sunblock to the backs of your legs. The reflection off of the deck is brutal.

Clothing. It is important to wear proper clothing for protection from the sun. Many of the sport clothing manufactures are now making shirts and pants with SPF ratings on the labels. The highest I’ve seen is 30 and that’s a whole lot better than the typical SPF 5 that a cotton t-shirt will provide. The sporting / fishing attire is also going to keep you a lot cooler than street clothing. It’s also designed with light weight materials that breath and “wick” sweat away from your body. I’d recommend that you buy long sleeve shirts and long pants. The sleeves can be rolled up if necessary and most fishing pants come with zip off legs that turn them into shorts after returning to the dock. Here’s a tip for you. Buy lighter colored shirts and pants for summer wear. The light colors reflect sunlight while dark colors absorb it. There’s nothing hotter than a black shirt on a sunny day.

Accessories. There are several items that you need to add to your arsenal that will help protect you from the sun’s rays.

Get a good pair of sunglasses. The sun is brutal on the eyes and a nice polarized pair of shades will cut the glare and will also provide protection for a wayward lure or hook.

Sun gloves have been on the market for quite some time now. They are fingerless and light weight and dry quickly even after being totally submersed in water. They are designed to protect the back of you hands from the sun and work much better than sunblock lotion because they won’t “wash off”.

A hat is a must and the best are ones made with light colors and wide brims. I have a Tilley hat and would recommend it, hands down.

The buff is a cross between a scarf and a full face mask. They are tubes of a stretch material that are lightweight and breath even in the hottest weather. You simply pull the tube over your head and then down around your neck. You can pull it back up at anytime to protect your face and even your ears if needed. They are simple and comfortable and easy to use. Just don’t wear it to your local bank branch office.

Until next time... Get out there and enjoy all that our area has to offer.

Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters

Fishing Stories

2011-02-10T10:39:00.002-05:00

Everyone loves a good fishing story and because of my profession, as a fishing guide, I get to hear more than my share. Some are believable and, well… some are not, but I’ve noticed that the best stories offer much more than just the “big fish” as a punch line. They usually involve a journey with good friends and lots of laughs along the way. Here are a few of mine from years past.

In the spring of 1999 my wife, JoNell and I along with our friend Steve, were fishing the back waters of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The target for the trip was tarpon and most importantly this would hopefully be JoNell’s first tarpon.

The weather was incredibly hot so we decided to get a very early start. We were on the water just before dawn. After leaving the Matacumbe Marina we headed over to a small bay called Little Basin. We were still in sight of the docks at the Islamorada Fish Company when we noticed there were tarpon rolling everywhere! I made several cast with live pinfish and shrimp but all were refused. Steve was using a couple of different artificial baits with the same luck. It was madding! They just wouldn’t eat. I pretty much knew that the tarpon were in the area because of the fish scraps the Fish Company dumped in the area each morning. With that in mind, I cut up a pinfish and tried that. It was more of the same; no takers.

While Steve and I were discussing what to do next, JoNell found a small crab in the bait well and announced she was going to give it a try. I told her it wasn’t going to work because the fish here in the basin were use to eating scraps and I doubted very much that they would go after a crab.

OK, I admit it. She was right, I was wrong. The crab wasn’t in the water 10 seconds and a tarpon sucked it down! The fight was on and for the next 30 minutes or so she fought the fish like a pro. It weighed in at around 75 lbs. She had played and landed the first tarpon she had ever hooked. Not many folks actually land their first poon!

Steve and I unsuccessfully threw those fish crabs and lots of other offerings for the rest of the morning while JoNell looked on and coached. The tarpon continued to roll all around us and if they were so equipped, they would have thumbed their noses at us.

During the summers of the mid 1980’s a very good friend of mine, Garry from Kentucky, introduced me to small mouth bass fishing in the creeks near where he lived. It was an eye opening experience for me. I could actually go wading without the worry of being eaten (no gators) or stung (no stingrays).

We spent a great deal of time in the Little Kentucky River near Frankfort. It was a beautiful place with huge birch, maple and oak trees and the rocky bottom of the creek was home to literally hundreds of small mouth bass. We fished with ultra light spinning gear consisting of a 5 foot rod, small reel and 4 lb. test line. There was no need for a leader. I’ll never forget the first time he handed me a rod. We wouldn’t even attempt to catch bait here in Florida with something so small!

The lure of choice was a small plastic Rebel Crawdad with a plastic diving lip that you cast and then retrieved slowly, bouncing it among the rocks. The power of the strike was amazing! I’d put it on par with any good size saltwater fish. The fight was also surprising considering that most of the fish we caught were between 1 an 2 pounds.

On one of our trips we encountered a cat that apparently owned the section of the creek we were fishing. He was big and tiger stripped and quite friendly for a wild cat living in the woods. It didn’t take long to figure out why he was stationed near this particular fishing hole. Every time we caught a small bluegill (they are a colorful version of our pinfish) he would come out of the woods and meow and give you that doe eyed look that said, “Please give me that fish.” We’d toss it in his direction and he would catch it on the fly and then proceed to devour it, bones and all! After 3 or 4 he would lay down by the creek in the sun for a nap. We continued to find him there for quite a few years after that first encounter. He’s long since disappeared but to this day we still refer to the area as the “Catnip Hole”.

In the summer of 1978 my brother and I decided it would be fun to sail a couple of sailboats around Sanibel and Captiva on a kind of circumnavigation trip that would somehow also involve fishing. Pete commandeered a 28 foot Irwin from a friend and I rented a 27 foot Catalina from the Sanibel Marina. We loaded the boats with supplies (mostly beer and munchies) and set off around the Sanibel Lighthouse on what was suppose to be a week-long adventure with our wives. We trolled the Gulf and managed to come up with quite a few spanish mackerel. While anchored off of Cayo Costa, for a couple of days, we caught snook in the surf and lots of jacks and ladyfish.

On day 4 the Catalina had a major mechanical malfunction and we decided the best thing to do was to sail back to the marina and pick up another boat. Unfortunately there wasn’t another one available so we were forced to scrap the rest of the adventure. Well, sort of. The girls had had enough so they headed for home, but Pete and I decided to sail the Irwin back up the Caloosahatchee River to her home dock. I’m not sure why we left the marina after midnight. Well, maybe I do know why but there’s no need to point fingers. Once we were underway I fired up the stove and started cooking a big pot of boiled shrimp. We were just about to start eating when the blue lights came on and the boat was bathed in bright light from big spotlights. We were being stopped by the Florida Marine Patrol.

Those were the days of big time smuggling. I’m not talking about illegal aliens, I’m talking about drugs. I have no idea why we were even suspected of being pirates. Maybe it was because we were the only boat on the water after midnight and had no running lights, Jimmy Buffett music was blaring on the stereo and the smell of shrimp (bubble, bubble, bubble) was coming from the portholes. I don’t know.

Shortly after the patrol boat tied up along side of us I offered the officers shrimp and cold libations. After a momentary hesitation they refused the beer, saying they were on duty, and accepted the offer to join us for fresh cooked Gulf shrimp. After a bit of friendly conversation and a quick check of the boats safety equipment, they sent us on our way without even writing a warning ticket for the lights. The moral of the story is: If you are going to smuggle anything into U.S. waters in the middle of the night make sure to bring plenty of fresh shrimp.

Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters

Are You A Local? Take A Day Off

2010-12-15T14:38:00.004-05:00

While driving to Fish Tale Marina a few days ago I crossed over the Little Hickory bridge. At the top there was a young couple standing arm in arm looking east waiting for the sun to come up and start another day. The wind had finally stopped blowing and the air was full of moisture so that everything was shrouded in a mist like fog. I knew the sunrise was going to be a colorful and beautiful one.

We are so lucky to live where we live. Just about everywhere you look there is something to catch the eye. Rosette spoonbills are wading the flats and eagles soar overhead. Dolphins are working the schools of fish for breakfast and the ever present royal terns are diving for bait. It’s too bad we tend to drive right past these moments without stopping.

This is the time of year when we really need to sit back and take a deep breath and enjoy our surroundings. I figure we have just about a month. January will soon be upon us and that will mark the beginning of the winter tourist and snowbird season and we locals won’t have time to do anything but work. It’s a good thing. Our economy depends on this time of year. But it’s very tough on family outings and most of our free time is spent trying to rest up for the next working day.

So get out there and smell the roses. Take a weekday off and go to the beach. I don’t care what beach... just go. Pack a lunch, a good book and a beach chair and plop yourself down and enjoy the view. Turn off the cell phone. You can live for a few hours without voice mail and text messages.

Go to a local weekend festival. There are all kinds of art fairs and events going on in our area and in most cases you can visit a least two in a day. No festivals? No problem. Head over to Matlacha and visit the dozen or so art galleries along Pine Island Road.

Make lunch last forever. Go to your favorite watering hole and have a nice long lunch with your significant other. Arrive around noon and stay until three. Try several small things on the menu accompanied by your favorite libations and be sure to try something you’ve never had before. When you think it’s time to leave, order one more item off the menu.

Go topless. Rent a convertible from one of the car rental outlets at the airport and then cruise the beaches with the top down. Start with a leisurely drive through Sanibel and Captiva Islands and then head over to Fort Myers Beach and cruise the strip. Stop along the way and visit a t-shirt shop and do your best to find something really tacky to put on a shelf when you get home. Something that says “Florida” on it and has sand in it would be perfect.

Last but not least get up before dawn and find a place to watch the sun come up. Take a photo of it and then do the same thing in the late afternoon and watch the sun go down. Put those photos on the fridge or on your desk at work and refer to them often.

The Art Of Fly Fishing (It's All About The Feel)

2010-10-05T10:12:00.004-04:00

I remember the first time I picked up a fly rod. I was browsing in an Orvis shop in Louisville, Kentucky a little over 30 years ago looking for a new fishing hat. They had those really nice wide brimmed hats that kept the sun and rain off your ears and neck, a must for any fisherman. The hats were in the back of the store and I had to walk right past the fly rod display. I stopped and picked up a rod. The first thing I noticed was how light it felt. It was like holding nothing at all. The taper from the handle to the tip was more gradual and the rod was a lot longer than the spinning rods I used. It felt new and different!

A salesman came over and introduced himself as “Mike” and he asked me if I would be interested in trying out the rod. They had a casting area out behind the store and he said he’d be happy to rig the rod up and let me give it a test run. I explained to him that I had never even held a fly rod until that very moment and had no clue as to how to begin to cast with one. Mike said, “No problem. I’ll rig it up and I’ll give you a quick lesson.” I really wish I could remember Mike’s last name. I’d love to thank him for putting me on the road to what has become one of my favorite ways to fish and a major addiction.

Up until that day fly fishing was a mystery to me. I knew it existed because my Grandfather was a fly angler and I had seen it on fishing shows on TV, but the art of casting and rigging the outfit were beyond me. Over the next year I took some lessons and I slowly but surely perfected my casting. I actually started catching fish! It was great but most importantly it renewed my interest in fishing all over again. It was like being 6 years old and catching that first fish.
Now, years later, I’m often asked, “What’s so special about fly fishing and why spend the time and money to learn a new way to catch fish?” I answer, “It’s all about the feel.” That’s the only way I can explain it. I tell the person asking the question that they have to feel what it’s like to have a fish on a fly rod to truly understand what the addiction is all about. And it really is an addiction!

Unlike spin fishing, the connection with a fish on a fly rod is much more pronounced. You can feel every little head shake and move, and when a fish runs you feel the power of it all the way up your arm. It’s almost as if the rod doesn’t exist. It’s just you and the fish. Therein lies the addiction. That’s why “fly guys” have a glassy look when getting ready to hit the water. They know that soon they are going to be able to feed their addiction and they really don’t want anyone or anything getting in the way. OK, I’m kidding… or maybe not.

Seriously, fly fishing is really not that complicated. It’s just another way to deliver a lure to a fish. It takes time and effort so it’s a good idea to seek out lessons if you are serious about the sport. It’s very easy to develop bad casting habits right off the bat and a good instructor will nip that in the bud. There are quite a few shops in our area that cater to fly fishing but my favorite is Lehr’s Economy Tackle in North Fort Myers. They’ll take the time to answer your questions and will work to set you up with the proper equipment to do the job.

I still remember my first fish on fly. It was a smallmouth bass that weighed just over a pound. It ran me up and down the stream and fought incredibly well for its size. It made fishing fun again. I was addicted.

Don't Forget To Look Around

2010-09-02T10:21:00.003-04:00

Sometimes we forget to look around. That thought came to mind a few weeks ago while on a charter with a young couple from Indiana.

We, as anglers, tend to get totally wrapped up in “the trip.” We start mentally planning several days before the event by looking at tide charts, watching the weather and putting the entire fishing outing together in our heads. Long before the trip takes place we begin strategizing like a college basketball coach planning for March Madness. Where’s the bait going to be? Which way is the wind going to blow? Are the tides going to provide a good flow of water? What is Plan “B”?

And then the day arrives.

After a quick trip to the first stop, the bait goes on the hooks and the lines go in the water. One of the baits gets hit and the fight is on. It’s a nice redfish. A few minutes later a trout is caught and then another red is on. After a quick flurry of action it suddenly gets quiet. While I contemplate a move to a new spot, an osprey dives to the surface of the water and catches a trout for breakfast. But before he can get fully airborne a bald eagle dives from above and the battle for the catch is on. All eyes on the boat are on the birds and the fishing is forgotten. After several minutes the eagle prevails and flies off with the osprey’s catch. The young lady on the boat says she’s never seen an eagle in the wild, much less what just occurred. She’s much more excited about capturing the photo of what just happened than catching the redfish.

Moments later several bottle nose dolphin show up and begin to coral mullet against a nearby sandbar. With explosive burst of speed the dolphin crash through the fish and consume their quarry. Once again the couple put down the rods and grab the camera.
As the dolphin swim near the boat the camera shutter clicks over and over and the young man says, “This is a lot better than Sea World!”

I can certainly relate to their excitement.

A few years ago my wife and I took a short vacation break in Colorado. We flew from Fort Myers to Denver and then drove to Leadville, an old historic mining town located 11,000 feet above sea level in the Rockies. For a flat-lander Florida boy, the mountain scenery was breathtaking. We arrived shortly after a late spring snowstorm so the area was still covered in a blanket of white, something not seen in southwest Florida. On our drive up to the mountains we saw wild elk and antelope and even encountered a large herd of buffalo. Fantastic! At every turn there was something wild and different to experience. For my wife and me, it was new. For the locals, it was an everyday occurrence.

Colorado gave me a new appreciation for the natural environment that surrounds our home, and for the thrill it provides newcomers not accustomed to our saltwater estuaries. We tend to take our wildlife and scenery for granted while in the pursuit of the “big one.” That trip taught me to stop for a minute, take a look around and enjoy the moment as well as the great angling available to us here in the Fort Myers area.

Getting Serious About Blogging

2010-09-02T09:58:00.002-04:00

Ok... I admit it. I haven't found the time to blog as much as I'd hoped but I'm going to change that. I'm going to make this easy for the time being, both for me and readers. At least I'll give you something instead of nothing!

I've written tons of articles for different publications and most are introspective and have very little to do with the mechanics of fishing. I started writing those articles back in 2006 on a recommendation from my wife, JoNell. At the time I was asked to write for a local fishing magazine called "The Nautical Mile" but the editor wanted something different. Perhaps a human interest side to fishing and the great outdoors. JoNell, in her infinite wisdom and public relations savvy, came up with "Reflections On The Water". The stories would be about the things that happen on the water, but mostly my observations. I loved the idea and wrote the first Reflections article in April of 2006.

For my blog I'm going to go back and pull from that library each month, along with adding new material as the stories happen.

Enjoy!

The Captain Gets To Go Fishing

2010-06-01T19:46:00.003-04:00

I rarely get to go fishing. I’m not kidding. I’m a charter boat captain and I usually leave the fishing up to the client while I spend my time giving instruction, tying on fresh rigs, baiting hooks, casting and hopefully, unhooking fish. If you’ve ever taken your family fishing then you have a pretty good idea of what’s involved during my day on the water.

A few weeks ago I was waiting at the dock for my passengers to arrive. The weather was what pilots and boat captains like to call, “marginal”. A low pressure system was developing over the Gulf of Mexico and the forecast called for steady rain. The good news was there was no mention of high winds or lightning. When my folks arrived at the dock the decision was made to reschedule for another day. I had explained to them that getting wet was most likely, but that the bite should be really good because of the impending bad weather. They really weren’t equipped though, clothing wise, so we set up another date and they were on their way to breakfast.

As I was walking back to my truck and trailer I got to thinking about how rarely I get to fish alone. “Hmmm”, I said to myself, “I’ve got a fully equipped boat sitting in the water with bait, food and drinks on board. I’ve got a full-body Gore-Tex foul weather suit and there’s rising water, overcast skies and a low pressure system building in the Gulf.” I put the truck keys back in my pocket.

There was a light rain falling as I pulled away from the dock. I decided to make my first stop at the end of the long bar just outside of the Sanibel Bridge. The pompano had started to show up there a couple of weeks ago along with lots of mackerel and bluefish. Not today… The sharks were in, big time! In less than an hour I’d caught and released several big bonnet heads, a couple of black tips and one 5 foot bull shark. The smaller game fish were nowhere to be seen and having had my fill of “shark fun”, I headed for one of my favorite areas; Matlacha Pass.

I love the waters of Matlacha. It’s one of few places that you can fish and see only one or two other boats the entire day. Local knowledge of the water is required to navigate around the many oyster and sand bars and that keeps most unadventurous anglers at bay.

The rain was steady now as I pulled up on a spot near a small creek opening. The water was coming in slowly around one of the mangrove points so I cast a free-lined shrimp on a circle hook just upstream and let it slowly move along the mangrove line with the current. Pop!!! It was the unmistakable sound of a snook hitting bait near the surface! I reeled the tension out of the line and the fish was on. After a brief struggle I was able to pull the 25 inch snook out of the mangroves, land it, measure and release it. Things were looking good!

Over the next couple of hours I caught three snook, four nice redfish, a bunch of sheepshead and several mangrove snapper. I released everything except a couple of sheepies for dinner and then decided it was time to head for home. The inbound tide had started to slow as it reached its peak and with that, the fishing had slowed as well.

The ride back was wet but uneventful. I passed small oyster islands along the way covered in white pelicans, royal terns and gulls. I saw an eagle on a channel marker and lots of dolphin feeding on ladyfish and mullet near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. I only passed one other boat along the way; a crabber pulling his traps.

After arriving at the dock I cleaned the fish and peeled off the wet rain gear.

There were breaks in the cloud cover and the rain had finally stopped. What a great day it had turned out to be; lousy weather with lots of fish! I made a mental note to do this again as soon as possible.

Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters

My Move to Fish-Tale Marina... 1 Year and Counting.

2010-03-17T17:53:00.001-04:00

A little over a year ago I got a call from a friend of mine, Captain Mark Combs. We did a bit of catch up conversation and then he got to the meat of the call. He asked me about the possibility of moving my charter operations from the public ramp at Punta Rassa to a marina on Fort Myers Beach and perhaps helping out with adding a charter fleet to that location. Now I know that sounds like a no-brainer to most folks but for me, and many other charter captains, the thought of leaving the “no strings attached” lifestyle to work under supervision takes some thought. I said, “Mark... I’ll get back to you.”

A couple of weeks later I was sitting in the office of Al Durrett, owner of Fish-Tale Marina, discussing the logistics of a possible move and wether it would work or not in todays volatile economic climate. His idea was to put together a group of the best captains in the area to give his clientele a shot at some of the best fishing that Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico has to offer. He was looking to round out what was already a successful business and put more foot traffic in the marina.

I’ve spent a great deal of time fishing in the Florida Keys and much of that time was spent on the island of Islamorada. Almost every marina in that area had a charter fleet of both offshore and inshore guides. On any given day you could take a trip to the deep blue water for sailfish, dolphin or tuna or go back country for bonefish, permit and snook. I loved walking though Bud and Mary’s, Papa Joe’s and Holiday Isle looking at the charter fleet and wondering what it would be like to work out of a place like that. Time to find out.

One year later the fleet at Fish-Tale has grown to nine quality captains with over 300 years of combined fishing experience. Captains Mac McKinley, Mike Denegre, Brad Brown, Sean Davis, Ward Kowalyk, John Fetter, Sam Arcure, Phil Pica and myself make up a list of some of the finest guides in the area and all are well versed in putting folks on fish. I’m proud of this gang. I’ve watched them work hard day in and day out to make lasting memories and go the extra mile for customer satisfaction.

Captain Mac has more experience in his little finger than most of us have in our entire bodies. You want to learn something about Estero Bay? Mac is your man. Captain Mike is the family guy. He does group trips and always returns with dinner and smiling faces. Captain Phil is an offshore guide that specializes in sight fishing for permit, tarpon and cobia. If he can’t find fish then they aren’t out there. Captain Sam splits his time between back country flats fishing on an 18 foot skiff and captaining the Estero Bay Express; a 50 foot excursion boat that does sightseeing, dolphin watch and sunset cruises. Captain Brad, Sean, Ward, Jon and myself make up the back country crew. If you’re looking for trout, snook, redfish or tarpon on light spin or fly tackle then look no further.

A year has gone by and I have to say that it’s hard to beat the marina atmosphere. I’ve taken a genuine liking to Fort Myers Beach and love working there. It’s a beach town with beach people and that’s hard to beat. It has a character all it’s own and I’ve met some great folks there. There are small motels, beach resorts, restaurants and hidden away watering holes. There are lots of places to shop. I like the fact that you can find everything from expensive beach art to t-shirts on the beach.

Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner. Take time out of your vacation or busy work schedule and visit “The Beach”. Stop in at Fish-Tale Marina and say hello to the gang. You won’t meet a friendlier bunch anywhere. We’ll be happy to show you our little slice of paradise.

Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters

2010-02-15T11:48:00.005-05:00

I write a monthly column for the Nautical Mile Magazine called "Reflections On The Water". I'm re-posting it here in memory of a good friend.
In the photo, left to right. Capt. Rob, Travis Palmer and Nick Contessa... Team "BC Soul".

Reflections On The Water

I lost a good friend and a fishing buddy a week ago. He died in an auto accident on his way home from a meeting in Clearwater. Nick Contessa was a great guy with a passion for his family and fishing. I spent quite a bit of time with him on Estero Bay looking for the ever elusive snook and redfish and talking about our families, dreams and past fishing victories. Every now and then we actually outsmarted the fish. Nick was fun to be around. He was always jovial and full of life which makes it all the harder to say goodbye. Take care my friend. Say hey to Dean-o and your Dad when you see them up there and tight lines.

The following Reflections article is a reprint from March of 2006. I wrote it for Nick after his father passed away.

There’s an old saying that goes something like this… Every day spent fishing adds another day to you life. I wish that were true! But there is some merit to the idea that spending time on the water, away from the trials and tribulations of life, can help alleviate some of the day-to-day stress found on the mainland.

Fishing, whether from shore or from a boat seems to be a “mind eraser” for most anglers. I know that when I’m out there looking for the next big snook, redfish or tarpon, I have very little time to think about anything but the approach and the hopeful impending hookup. This is what led me to call a good friend of mind whose father had recently passed away.

Nick Contessa and I had spent quite a bit of time together on Estero Bay fishing and talking about family, work and the latest lures and fishing tactics. The death of his father had hit him hard and had taken him away from the water. Having lost my dad only a few years ago, I knew a bit about what he was feeling. Like my father, Nick’s dad had introduced him to fishing and had taken the time to see that angling became a part of his life. Nick told me that his dad really didn’t fish all that much himself, but he enjoyed watching and helping Nick. Obviously it’s paid off. Nick is an excellent angler and a pleasure to share a boat with. It was time for him to get back on the water. I called and we set the date.

We started early and headed to one of our favorite spots at the top of the bay. The fish were there and the fun began. We found school after school of marauding jacks chasing bait around and through the oyster bars. Some of the schools were so large the “push” of the water looked more like a pod of dolphin! The mix also included a few snook, ladyfish and Nick managed to get hooked up with a big red.

Nick then suggested we try a spot that I hadn’t fished before and we were off to the backcountry of Estero Bay. After arriving we started casting soft plastics to the bushes and the bite began almost immediately. We both got several snook and large trout along with more jacks. The water was falling and the bite continued for over an hour. We still joke about my next comment. “Nick, I don’t think there’s enough water to float a fish back here now. We might want to think about getting out of here before we have to spend the night.” I then looked up under the mangroves and saw a big redfish moving slowly with a bit of his back and tail out of the water. I led him with a cast and within seconds the fight was on! A few minutes later I landed a twenty-six inch fish. After releasing the red and laughing about what I’d said about the lack of water, I spotted another push well up under the mangroves. Nick graciously said, “Go for it” and soon I had another big red on. The drag sang and the fish ran up and down the mangrove line but there was nowhere to hide. The water was well below the roots and after a short tug-of-war Nick netted another twenty-six inch redfish.

We decided it was time to move on so we headed to a creek opening and ate lunch while waiting for the tide to turn back inward. The conversation eventually led to our dads. We reminisced about past fishing outings with them and how we both were instilled with an appreciation of the outdoors and wildlife. We talked about the first fish we ever caught and the biggest. The conversation was never sad. It was more of a celebration of our angling roots. We both felt that if it hadn’t been for them, we wouldn’t be doing what we were doing that day. And what a shame that would have been!

After catching a few more fish in the creek we headed for home. The fishing had been fantastic and the camaraderie even better. Nick was back on the water where he should be and both our dads were smiling.

Remember, find the time to take your sons or daughters boating and fishing. It’s important to show them what we enjoy in hopes that they’ll continue the traditions that mean so much to us.

Capt. Rob Modys
March 2006

Cooking Your Catch

2010-01-08T10:29:00.006-05:00

Of all the questions I repeatedly get asked during a charter there is one that comes up on just about every trip. How would you cook the fish we caught today? I usually reply with a kind of Forrest Gump answer. You can light fry, deep fry, batter fry, broil, bake, grill, saute or even make sushi out of your catch. After a few more questions I can usually narrow it down to one or two suggestions, give a simple recipe and send them on their way to enjoy a fresh seafood dinner. So on that note I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite ways to cook the fish we catch and maybe give you some new ideas as well.

I think that baking fish is probably the easiest and quickest way to get fillets from the fridge to the table. First, line a baking pan with aluminum foil and then spray the foil with PAM. Place the fillets in the pan. Put a couple of tabs of butter, your favorite spices and some fresh squeezed lemon on each fillet and then put the whole thing in a 350 degree oven. The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the fillets but I usually recommend checking them after about 15 minutes. The simplest way to check fish for doneness is to put a fork in the fillet and twist. If the meat cleanly breaks or flakes away then it’s time to serve.

If you like your fish with a crisper crust just follow the above instructions but instead of baking the fish, try broiling. You really have to keep an eye on this method because the oven temperatures are much higher for broiling vs. baking and this will speed up the cooking time. It also doesn’t work well for a real thick piece of fish but there is a solution. Start the cooking process on bake and then switch the oven to broil after 10 or 15 minutes of cooking. This will help cook the fillet inside and out without drying out the meat and then provide a nice crust.

I love grilled fish. A thick piece of grouper on the grill is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this local, top notch fish. Add a few tabs of butter, some lemon and a touch of spices and you are good to go. Another one of my grilled favorites is a dish I came up with years ago... fish smothered in shrimp. Make a pan out of aluminum foil big enough to hold the fish you are cooking. Peel a half pound of fresh shrimp and set aside. Put a small amount of butter, some salt and pepper and fresh squeezed lemon on your fillets of choice and put them on the grill. While the fish is cooking mix the raw shrimp with some melted butter and fresh garlic. Just before the grilled fish is done place the shrimp on top and cook until the shrimp is pink. Serve and enjoy!

The image most often brought to mind of fried fish is a fillet covered in batter and then deep fried. I’ve got another idea and it taste better because there is less batter on the fish. Instead of dredging the fillets in milk, eggs or both to create a batter I prefer to “dry” dredge. Wash the fillets and then pat them dry with paper towels. Put your favorite powdered fish coating in a small brown paper bag. I like Uncle Bucks, Cajun Fish Powder or Drakes. Drop the dried fillets into the bag, shake and then put them in about a 1/4 inch of hot oil in a frying pan. Cook each side for about 3 minutes and then test for doneness by using a fork to break the fish. Serve with lemon slices or tartar sauce.

The last but not least option is probably the easiest. There are many restaurants in our area that will cook your catch. I’ve tried this at The Fish House, Lazy Flamingo and Pinchers and all were excellent. Most require that you bring fillets and not the whole fish and they offer a number of ways to prepare your catch. You also have choices of vegetables, bread and salads to go along with your fish.

Get out on the water, catch a few fish and enjoy the day and a fresh caught dinner.

Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters

To Shrimp Or Not To Shrimp, That Is The Question

2009-10-19T14:35:00.004-04:00

As I write this, Southwest Florida is in the midst of its first real cold front of the season. Last night we had a record low of 46 degrees. Just a few days ago we were having record high temperatures in the 90’s. Things sure can switch around weather wise in a hurry. I had to go digging for my Gor-Tex jacket and bibs along with gloves and a hooded sweatshirt. Time to put away the flip flops and get out the boat shoes!

To make things interesting I had a fishing charter right in the middle of the change. Before the front moved in bait was easy to find along the beaches and the bite was steady for days, both in the backcountry and in the Gulf. I guess the fish could sense the change in barometric pressure and knew it was time to fatten up for the impending bad weather.

On my charter day the front had passed through the area. The morning temperature had fallen to 52 degrees and the winds were gusting out of the north at 25 miles an hour, which makes it feel like 40 degrees on the water. The low tide was a scheduled negative low at about 7:30 in the morning but the winds kept pushing the water out until about 10 AM and made for a low tide that exposed sand and oyster bars that I hadn’t seen since last winter. The game plan had to be seriously modified or perhaps not go at all.

My anglers arrived at the marina and I gave them the “lack of bait” and small craft advisory report and asked them how badly they really wanted to do this. The vote was to go if we could, stay in the backcountry out of the wind as much as possible and throw artificials if needed. I decided to give it a go and bought 100 shrimp as a backup plan.

I like fishing with live shiners and threadfin herrings and I often forget just how effective live shrimp can be. I tend to feel that a live swimming bait is going to catch the bigger fish while shrimp will attract only the smaller species. That’s really not true at all. Thinking back over the years, I’ve seen some pretty spectacular catches on shrimp. After all, they are native to our waters and I’m sure they are a major part of most game fish diets. The biggest redfish I ever caught was on a shrimp and jig combo.

We headed off to the north end of Estero Bay. The idea was to fish the many cuts found in the area around the oyster bars. There was so little water due to the low tide and wind that I figured the fish would have to be in those cuts. Heck, there wasn’t enough water anywhere else for them to swim in! The hunch paid off in a big way.

We used nothing but shrimp for bait and rigged them on small yellow 1/4 ounce jig heads. The guys cast them near oyster bar points and in the deepest cuts and then worked them back nice and slow over the bottom. During the course of the day they caught over 30 snook including two slot fish, a couple of nice redfish, keeper trout, a dozen keeper sheepshead, a small gag grouper, scads of mangrove snapper and more than our share of catfish. We had constant action for most of the day and we arrived back at the dock with smiles on our faces and dinner in the box.

The valuable lesson here is don’t be afraid to change gears when things get tough and don’t be afraid to put live shrimp in the well as a go-to bait. As we move further and further into the winter months live shrimp should become part of your game plan. They area easy to get and easy to use.

Best of luck!

Capt. Rob Modys
SoulMate Charters

Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach

2009-08-24T17:20:00.012-04:00

I'm looking out through the sliding glass doors of my room at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. I'm here attending the Governor's Conference on Tourism as a partner with Visit Florida. The view is spectacular. The Atlantic Ocean is emerald green and dotted with cruise ships, freighters and cargo ships. From my balcony I can also look toward downtown Miami and see the many skyscrapers, the Intracoastal Waterway and the main entrance drive for the hotel. The entrance drive is fascinating.

I've never seen so many Ferrari's and Lamborghini's in one place in my life!

The hotel is instantly recognizable from the beach side by any James Bond movie fan. The opening scenes from Goldfinger were shot arou

nd the pool area and the curved main building looks just as it did in the early 60's. The famous curved Stairway to Nowhere still graces the main lobby. The staircase was used so the rich and famous could make grand entrances to festivities and be photographed by the paparazzi.

The hotel has been completely remodeled to its original glory. The Art Deco architecture is beautiful. Marble and soft pastel colors and lighting make for a pleasing visual effect and instantly take you back to a time of martinis, the Rat Pack and Marilyn Monroe. The pools and lounge areas make up an oasis of private cabana getaways. I can now mark another place I've always wanted to visit off the list but I have a feeling I'm going to have to return!

Observations:

1. There are more beautiful women per square foot here than anywhere in the world and most have learned to walk on very, very high heels.

2. There is no such thing as a bad tasting cup of coffee in Miami.

3. Cigars taste better here.

4. Ocean Drive in South Beach is worth cruising in a red 2010 Chevy Camaro SS with the sunroof open.

5. I've been to both Las Vegas and Miami Beach. Boob jobs are big money in both cities.

6. The clubs don't open until 12 midnight and it cost more to enter if you are male.

7. The IHOP in Miami Beach has the best service of any restaurant in the country. I've never seen so many happy servers.

Eleuthera Adventure

2009-07-02T15:53:00.008-04:00

I have been to a lot of beautiful places over the years and have enjoyed the scenery, fishing and the local hospitality but my latest adventure was, without question, the best.

Several months ago while at a small get together some close friends of ours mentioned that they wanted to return to the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. I listened with curiosity while Angie and Alan explained the area and what it had to offer in the way of fishing. They also mentioned that it had some of the most remote and beautiful beaches they had ever visited.

I few weeks later, at another party, they brought photographs of Eleuthera with them and ran a slide show. One word came to mind while I watched... Paradise. My wife JoNell and I made the decision right then and there that we weren’t going to miss out on this trip. Neither one of us had had a real non-working vacation in over 11 years and now was the time.

Plans were eventually made to include my brother, his sons and my mother on the trip but a series of events nixed that and the traveling party turned out to be just the four of us. Angie and Alan did their best to prepare us with the proper traveling paraphernalia. They advised us on fly fishing gear, flies, lines and leaders as well as all the other extras to be packed for the trip. We even invested in a small hand held GPS to help us find our way around the island. It looked like we were going on safari instead of an island vacation.

My first look at Eleuthera was out of the chartered Beech 1900 airplane window at about 3000 feet above the island. What a view. A combination of pastel blue and green greeted my eyes along with strips of pink sand beaches. The remoteness of the scene below was breathtaking.

Eleuthera is located on the most eastern edge of the Bahama Islands. It is over 100 miles long and in most places, only a few miles wide. There is one main road that runs the entire length of the island called Queen’s Highway. Off the highway there are hundreds of small roads (more like rutted paths) that lead to some of the most remote and beautiful beaches you will ever have the pleasure of leaving a footprint on.

After arriving at the airport and checking through Customs we loaded our bags in our rental jeep. The paperwork for the vehicle was simply a signature. No check of a drivers license, insurance, first born son or credit history. You signed a slip of paper that told you the daily rate and drove off. No worries mon!

A short time later we checked into the Duck Inn at Governor’s Harbour. The small town is located almost in the center of Eleuthera and has some of the oldest architecture on the island. The Duck Inn is owned by John and Kay Duckworth and is a private compound with four buildings connected by winding walkways bordered by orchid and fruit gardens. It’s a paradise within paradise.

During our first couple of days Angie and Alan acted as our tour guides and then turned us lose to explore. We soon learned why Eleuthera is sometimes referred to as the “Adventurer’s Island”. JoNell almost drowned at the Friday night Fish Fry. It’s a long story. We almost drowned our rental jeep. It’s a longer story. We almost drowned our rental jeep again! It’s another long story. Let me put it this way. If you want to have the most fun and find the most beautiful beaches and the best fishing, you have to work for it. There are very few signs to point the way.

There are scenes on Eleuthera I will never forget. My first look at Ten Bay. Savannah Sound at low tide with elusive bonefish everywhere. The coral reefs and the beach at Lighthouse Point. The Queen’s Baths. The caves at Twin Beach and the spectacular view at the top of the cliffs. I could go on and on.

One thing is clear. JoNell and I are already planning our next trip to Eleuthera. We learned a lot the first time around and we want to continue exploring the island. There are many more photos to be taken, fish to be caught and beaches to walk.

Fishing the Caloosa Catch and Release Tournament

2009-06-23T13:26:00.004-04:00

Over the years I’ve participated in many small fishing tournaments. Most were benefits for organizations I support or group efforts put together by fellow guides for large conventions and the like. I won a few and lost a few and they were always fun. The only pressure involved were the side bets that the guys and gals made the night before over drinks. Sometimes a lizardfish would pay big!

I wasn’t really interested in big name and big money tournaments. I have a successful guide business and that takes up most of my time. The thought of more days on the water working tournaments just seemed a bit much to me. But then a series of things happened.

First, I started running my charters out of Fish-Tale Marina back in early 2009 and by shear coincidence I had seen the flier for the 20th Annual Caloosa Catch and Release Tournament coming up in June. I got an idea to put together a team for Fish-Tale and was lucky enough to land Capt. Brad Brown and Capt. Sean Davis as teammates. We all had been working charters out of the marina for several months and all of us know Estero Bay pretty well but we had never fished together before. Brad had lots of tournament experience and had recently won the Flatsmasters. Sean was also well versed in tournaments and had fished the Caloosa series for 7 years. I was the tournament series virgin with lots of fishing experience and lots of enthusiasm!

Then a couple of months ago I took over the reins of a fishing radio show called Reel Talk on ESPN 770. The show covers all things fishing in and around Southwest Florida including environmental issues, fishing and boating shows, fishing reports and tournaments. I felt I was pretty well versed in most aspects of the sport but I was sorely lacking in first hand knowledge of tournaments. Also controversy had suddenly entered into the equation. Many of my friends and fellow captains believe that tournament fishing is harmful to the grass flats and to the fish themselves and may even be detrimental to the quality of fishing in our area.

I’ve always felt it’s tough to talk about something unless you’ve experienced it first hand. You can read about parachuting or scuba diving a deep wreck, but until you’ve actually done those things you really have no idea what you are talking about.

The wheels were in motion and it was time to jump out of the plane.

The Caloosa Catch and Release fishing tournament is a 2 day event. The sought after species are snook, redfish and sea trout and you must have 2 of each fish on your scorecard each day. In other words... you have to “double slam” on BOTH days to even hope to finish in the top 10. The scoring is done in inches. The total lengths of all the qualifying fish are added up at the end of the 2 days and the team with the most inches wins.

I had done the math. Based on past tournaments we had to score at least 300 points to be in the top 5. That meant that each fish had to average 25 inches. I can’t remember the last time I saw four 25 inch trout in a two day period! We were going to need some nice reds and snook or this was going to be difficult at best.

Sean, Brad and I had made a pact just days before the tournament. We all agreed to have fun. Don’t get me wrong, winning was important to us but I believe we were more interested in enjoying ourselves while doing well.

Day one went pretty much as planned. We had a big snook and a big redfish on the card early and then added another mid-sized red and snook by 9:30. We then worked on trout and had the card filled by early afternoon. I had caught 4 of the 6 fish on the card and was starting to feel like I was earning my keep along side the “Pros”. We had to be back at the dock by 5 PM for check-in so that gave us time to do some upgrading. Sean had had a rough morning with break offs and a missed fish but soon redeemed himself by landing a big red and a big snook within minutes of each other. We headed for check in with 161 inches of fish. At the end of day 1 we were half way there.

Day two wasn’t pretty. I worked the radio show from 7 until 10 AM while my partners fished. When I rejoined them at 11 AM they had a nice snook and redfish on the card. But the bay was crawling with boats and there was another tournament taking place. It seemed that every spot we wanted to hit already had a boat on it. The decision was made to search far and wide for available space but that didn’t work either. We finally picked up another medium sized snook around 2 PM and decided to hit an area we had fished the day before. Once there, Sean nailed a big snook right away but it popped the hook. A few minutes later he hooked up again and this time was able to boat a big snook for an upgrade. Brad then hooked up with a big redfish but it popped off at the boat! To say we were all bummed would be an understatement. It was after 3 PM and we only had two snook and a red on the card and we knew we had to head back at 4 PM to make the check in on time.

While Brad and Sean worked live bait for another redfish I decided to put on a popping cork and “Gulp” shrimp combo and look for trout. The flat looked good for both species and time was running out. At about 3:30 I hooked a big fish. It was the big red we needed but I was fighting it on the smallest rod I had with me. After a short battle my partners netted the fish and there were smiles and high fives all around. Now it was time to get a couple trout.

Sean got the first one on live bait at about 3:45. We worked and worked to find another one but it just didn’t seem like it was in the cards. At 4 PM Brad told me and Sean to keep fishing for a trout while he got the gear stowed and the boat in order to head for the check in. I was just about to give it up when my lure got smacked. It was a nice trout! We all held a collective breath until the fish was netted, measured and written on the score card and at 4:05 we headed for home with a full card.

We arrived at the dock with 4 minutes to spare and we turned in a total of 154 inches. That gave us a two day score of 315 points. We had made our goal and we finished 5th in the Pro division. We had beaten some of the best captains in the business and we had been beaten by the best as well.

Participating in this tournament has been an eye opening experience for me. I witnessed 68 teams work hard to get to the top of the leader board and I witnessed ethical treatment of the fish and the environment. The Caloosa also generated much needed funds via an auction for Florida Gulf Coast University and the Strong Kids Campaign as well as providing a family event that was enjoyed by all.

I’m still happy to just be a “charter” captain but I have to admit I’m looking forward to the next event in the Caloosa series.

Hey Brad & Sean. Wanna do it again?

Working the Back Country

2009-05-31T18:50:00.005-04:00

Fishing in the back country of Estero Bay has been great. I've been lucky enough to spend time with a lot of return clients and that makes my job a bit easier. I know what they expect and I can focus on making it happen.

Neil Eisner joined me for 4 days. We tried to hunt for tarpon but the wind blew a bit too hard and the fish were tough to find. The first day was spent on the outside and we eventually wound up near May Reef. We caught some nice grouper and lost a bunch of big fish. They had a bad habit of grabbing the bait and then heading for the rocks! We also lost a small grouper to a very large barracuda.

While all four days were memorable I think day two was the most fun. When Neil got to the dock he told me he had never gotten a back country slam. It consist of a snook, redfish and trout all caught on the same day. I told him that I didn't think that getting the snook and the trout would be a problem but the redfish was another issue. You see, redfish were in the midst of a disappearing act and I hadn't SEEN one in over a week.

We began the day by catching a trout and a snook in less than half an hour. So far everything was going pretty much like I thought it would. The mission now was to find Mr. Red. Long story short... I hit 7 different areas and we caught fish in each and every one of them, but no reds.

Toward the end of the trip I decided to pull into an unnamed cove on an unnamed island. I'd never fished the area before but it just sort of looked right. After casting a couple of baits up near the mangrove edge Neil hooked up with a big fish. It pulled a lot of line off the reel and did it's best to run back into the bushes. Suddendly it rolled up near the surface and the unmistakable copper color of a redfish reflected sunlight. I told Neil, "You've got your red and it's a big one!" He fought it like a pro and after a 10 minute battle brought a 31 inch redfish to boatside. After we got a couple of photos and exchanged "high-fives" we released the fish. Neil finally had his slam!

Most of us that guide or work on the water have our own names for areas that we fish. It's a way of identifing a special area that has produced a memorable catch. The spot where we caught the redfish is now called "Neil's Cove".

Tarpon, Tarpon and More Tarpon

2009-05-20T08:49:00.003-04:00

Wow, the past few days have been a blast!!! I've been fishing the near shore waters off of Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel and the tarpon have been seriously on the feed. Once located it doesn't take long for the first hookup and they are big boys! Most of the tarpon are over 100 pounds and we landed a few that were easily near 150 pounds.

My most memorable trip was with Sue and Rob Phelan. They are locals and this was their first tarpon adventure. They managed to hook up with 4 huge fish but were unable to bring one to boat side. Sue said that was probably best! She expressed what many of us feel when going after the silver king. The beginning of the battle is the most fun. There's nothing in fishing like the hookup and then the initial jumps of a tarpon, especially when the first jump is right next to the boat!

One of Sue's fish did just that. It exploded straight up out of the water off the stern of the boat, shaking it's head and throwing water and bits of bait everywhere. Sue screamed out loud like she was on a roller coaster ride at Disney! The fish crashed back into the water and then proceeded to do 3 more fantastic jumps before blasting off for Mexico. After fighting the fish for 10 minutes or so she turned the rod over to her husband, Rob. He worked the fish for a few minutes and then one of those bad things happened that's usually associated with tarpon fishing... the brand new Quantum Cabo reel blew up! I later found out that one of the center gears threw a tooth and that ruined several other gears in the process. Needless to say, when the reel locked up we lost the fish. Afterward Sue told me it really didn't matter. She was so juiced on adrenalin her hands were still shaking almost an hour later. Welcome to tarpon fishing!

Sharks, Sharks and More Sharks

2009-05-13T17:25:00.006-04:00

It was another fun day out there with the toothy creatures! Paul Stakowicz and his friend David joined me for a near shore Gulf trip. The idea was to get mackerel for dinner and we succeeded. We had five in the cooler in less than 30 minutes. We then caught a couple more and cut them up for bait and chum. It didn't take long for the sharks to show up. The one in the photo is a blacktip that I'd estimate at 5 to 6 feet long. It took David about 15 minutes to land. We released him so he could grow up. :-)

Fishing Report May 11th, 2009

2009-05-11T17:20:00.004-04:00

The fishing has been fantastic! Summer weather seems to be here to stay. It's been in the 90's each day and very little rain. I'm actually looking forward to a bit of rainfall. Things are very dry here right now.

I'm still getting on lots of snook and some really nice trout along with few redfish. The real fun has been out in the Gulf in 16 to 20 feet of water. There are lots of sharks! We've been catching blacktips, lemons, bonnetheads, and bull sharks with a few going over 50 lbs. Fun, fun! The photos are of Todd Drew hooked up with a nice 5 foot blacktip.

Capt. Rob

Fishing Report May 6th, 2009

2009-05-06T16:02:00.002-04:00

What a great morning on the water! I fished with the Biedlingmaier family from Wisconsin today and the request was to go after sharks. I must confess, it's been awhile since I was asked specifically to go after the toothy creatures. Since the winds finally layed down a bit we headed out into the Gulf and anchored up in 18 feet of water just a few miles off the beaches of Fort Myers. The sharks were there and hungry! I used cut threadfins as chum and it wasn't long before the first fish was on. The final count was 10 sharks on the line with 5 to the boat. The landed fish were 3 blacktips and 2 lemon sharks with one of the lemons going 35 pounds. The group also caught a couple of big spanish mackerel. Fun was had by all!