Anglers fishing aboard the Flat Back II, my 1820 Action Craft Flatsmaster SE Hybrid, reeled in Inshore Grand Slams of snook, trout, and redfish this week, while fishing the waters of Terra Ceia Bay. The single most important feature in our fishing over the past month has been the extraordinarily high water temperature we’re encountering in the bay and near shore waters. This week I encountered water temperatures up to 74.9-degrees on the flats in the early afternoon. Normally our water temperature inshore in the warmest areas will hit the low 60s for an afternoon high temperature. These kinds of conditions are normally are seen in late April and May. With that said, I’m using my late spring tactics in lure choice for the species we’re targeting. 

Spencer Simon with a trophy Flounder he caught using a sand perch for bait in about 45 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island. The party also caught a limit of large Amberjacks further out fishing with Capt Larry McGuire, Show Me The Fish Charters, operating out of the Bradenton Beach Marina.

With its ability to attract moisture and clog fuel filters, it’s no wonder America’s boaters have not been thrilled with ethanol in gasoline, which today is most commonly found as a 10% blend and known as E10 at the gas pump. America’s desire for renewable fuels is growing, but recent Department of Energy tests on boat engines showed that increasing the amount of ethanol to 15% doesn’t work for boats. While higher ethanol content has been approved by the EPA for 2001 and newer cars and light trucks, E15 is not legal to use in boats and other gas-powered equipment.
 
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) suggests that butanol, an alcohol with a characteristic banana-like odor typically made from corn and beet byproducts, may be an answer.

What do you get when you mix lenses, hinges, frame arms, nose pads, side shields and retainer cord segments from hundreds of Costa sunglasses?

The answer: a very unique, one-of-a-kind Blue Marlin sculpture that the internationally famous sunglasses manufacturer and longtime TBF-sponsoring partner has donated to The Billfish Foundation for its conservation efforts.

March starts the season for me, as Redfish are schooling around the mangrove islands, and Snook start their migration into the mouth of rivers and creeks. Trout move into deeper water flats and the large yellow mouth critters from the gulf are eager to bite.

For me March means the start of the spawning season for (Pogonias Cromis) Black Drum, and these big brutes will be around all summer long, hanging around bridges and artificial reefs eager to be caught on Grouper tackle.

March brings hundreds of the big spawners into the shallow flats of Tampa Bay to do their thing, and the schools are so large the sandy bottom turns brown.

With over 600 tow boats spread across North America, the law of averages dictates that, eventually, BoatUS towing captains will be thrust into the middle of life-threatening emergencies. BoatUS Towing Services recently honored five of its TowBoatUS captains for their heroic actions with its annual BoatUS “Woody Pollack Lifesaving Awards” at a ceremony that capped off the group’s annual conference held in Tampa, FL. The award is named after the well-respected towboat captain in the fleet who died at an early age.
 
“Sometimes the routine of normal day is interrupted by a life-threatening mayday call or an incident that unfolds in front of them, and our captains step in without hesitation,” said BoatUS Vice President of Towing Services Jerry Cardarelli. “They are not in the rescue business, but their actions save others. We are very proud of them.”
 
US Coast Guard Chief of Search and Rescue, Captain David McBride, who BoatUS also honored at the ceremony for his years of selfless and dedicated service to the nation’s boaters, presented the awards on behalf of BoatUS. Here are the details on the incidents:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) introduced a new feature on its website this week. Users can now view and search a database of Florida boat ramps.

“Providing safe, convenient access to Florida’s waterways is one of our goals,” said Pat Harrell, the FWC’s Boating Access Coordinator. “This database is designed to help keep boaters informed about facilities that are currently available.”

My parties have been finding fish and exciting times off Anna Maria Island. Lauren Marie of Bradenton caught, and released,  a big beautiful Gag Grouper She was using a sardine in about 65 ft offshore. Lauren is a avid inshore flats fisherman and this was her first offshore experience; it was a great one. Her party also caught and released many more Gags, plus lots of Red Grouper, Scamp, Porgys, Triggerfish, Hogfish, and lots of other Snappers for dinner.

Roger Phillips The 3rd, using a large live pinfish in about 120 ft offshore, came up with a great Amberjack.

And Kelly Quin of Ann Maria Island said she would like to catch a hogsnapper, as she had never caught one before. Miss Kelly received her heart's desire when her wish was granted while fishing in about 65 ft offshore.

Lauren Marie of Bradenton, FL with a big beautiful gag grouper she caught and carefully released, using a sardine in about 65 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island, fishing with Capt Larry McGuire Show Me The Fish Charters. Operating out of the Bradenton Beach Marina.

Lauren is a avid inshore flats fisherman; this was her first offshore experience and it was a great one. Our party also caught and released many more gags plus lots of red grouper, scamp, porgys, triggerfish, hogfish, and lots of other snappers for dinner.