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The Orlando No Fishing Report

November 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

The Orlando No Fishing Report

First of all, wishing everyone a magnificent Thanksgiving holiday. Don’t forget to count your blessings and give thanks!

Friday morning Sue and I drove to Madeira Beach to go to Ashley and Anton’s wedding. It was a lovely affair and we had a great time, spending the entire weekend over there. See the photos here… http://johnkumiski.com/ashley-anton-got-married/

Monday there was a monsoon as a strong cold front pushed through.

Tuesday was cold and windy with intermittent light rain. It was almost comfortable at the auto repair palace- Auto Nation Toyota Winter Park. They do good work there.

Tuesday evening I attended the public scoping meeting for the Port Canaveral Rail Extension. The Port Authority wants to build a rail line along the route shown at this link… http://www.portcanaveralraileis.com/documents/Port_Canaveral_Project_Area.pdf

Gadzooks!

In order to build the 11 miles of track they want to build a new causeway and trestle bridge across the Banana River Lagoon, which will certainly involve dredge and fill. Once the track is in place a 200-car train will come and go along the track four times a week.

I fail to see how this project benefits the people of central Florida as concerns their quality of life. It certainly won’t be good for the health or biodiversity of the Banana River Lagoon, or for those of us who enjoy using it.

To get more information about the proposed project, visit these links… http://www.portcanaveralraileis.com  …https://www.facebook.com/nofillnokill

You can make comments to the Surface Transportation Board at http://www.stb.dot.gov/Ect1/ecorrespondence.nsf/incoming?OpenForm

My letter to them is at this link… http://www.spottedtail.com/blog/canaveral-rail-extension-letter/

Please paste and copy and send the Surface Transportation Board a letter. If you enjoy fishing in the no motor zone please take the 15 minutes to send the letter. That’s the beauty of the democratic process. You need to write!

 

Some more thought provoking reading- http://www.scribd.com/doc/247019882/Rethinking-Industrial-Animal-Production

 

Broken cars and computers kept me occupied on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday too. The fact that the water temperature dropped 11 degrees over the past four days did not make me want to rush out to go fishing, either. The weather this week has been awful. But my computer is now restored and has had a memory upgrade (I wish I could get one of those) and my car is ready to go. Susan’s car needs a little more work, but the big stuff is fixed.

Friday I worked on various things, especially books. It was reasonably nice out but I just couldn’t get jacked to go fishing, as windy as it was.

One of the errands I ran on Wednesday was to Mudhole Custom Tackle (http://www.mudhole.com ) to get some parts for a rod repair. One of the things I’m thankful for this year is that Mudhole is 15 minutes drive from my house, and they stock every fishing rod component known to man. The rod got repaired on Friday.

 

An ebook version of Fishing Florida’s Space Coast is now available at Amazon at this link… http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PX4PS8C

I’m also working on an ebook revision for Redfish on the Fly. Now that the computer is repaired that work should go a little faster.

I got the new Florida Sportsman magazine on Friday and had an article in it, featuring photographs of handsome son Alex.

 

And because I did not go fishing once this week, that, my friends, is a fortunately rare Orlando No Fishing Report.

Life is great and I love my work!

 

Life is short- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

 

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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See How Easily You Can Lighten Up For Black Bass

May 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Lighten Up For Black Bass

A short time researching “fly rods for black bass” on the internet will find recommendations for bass rods between six-weight and eight-weight. And for beginners these are good recommendations. However, if you’ve been fly fishing a while, if you’re a good caster, and if you understand how to use your rod to fight bigger fish efficiently, you can use smaller, lighter rods than this quite effectively in many situations. Let us discuss the places little rods are appropriate.

I live in central Florida, and fish rivers and shallow areas on lakes with the fly. These places are made-to-order for a little rod. My own favorite is an eight foot three-weight equipped with a weight-forward number four floating line. With this outfit unweighted streamers, small poppers, and gurglers up to size 2 are tossed at likely targets when the wind is less than about 12 knots. When the wind comes up, or if I want to throw a larger or a weighted fly, then I go up to a nine foot five-weight. Either way, the leader is nine or ten feet long, tapered to a 10 pound nylon tippet.

Lighten Up for Black bass

Flies like these can be thrown with a small rod.

Why should you Lighten Up For Black Bass? Several reasons present themselves.
– It forces you to become a better caster. At first casting your typical bass fly* with the little rod will be difficult. If you stick with it will get easier because you will get better.
– You will present your flies with less commotion. The words “delicacy” and “black bass” don’t often appear in the same sentence, but bass can be spooked just like any other fish. A five-weight line makes considerably less splash than an eight-weight line does.
– You can fish longer. That little rod causes less fatigue than a bigger one.
– Those little bass became more fun. A ten- or twelve-inch bass on an eight-weight isn’t very challenging. Put him on a four-weight though, and Boom!- he’s a real fish.
– Those bigger bass are suddenly angling trophies. The five-pounder on the eight-weight was a nice fish. On the four-weight though, you have some serious bragging rights.

orlando area fishing report

If you fish in thick weeds or timber you will lose a few fish. I submit you will catch more overall though, because you will spook fewer. You will enjoy the ones you catch a lot more, too.

Try to lighten up for black bass. If you don’t take to it you can always go back to using your more conventional fly gear.

*You may want to down-size your typical bass fly by a hook size or two.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

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Expanding Oslo Road Boat Ramp a Bad Idea

May 3, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Expanding Oslo Road Boat Ramp a Bad Idea for Anglers and Fish

Guest Blog by Rodney Smith

Expanding Oslo Road Boat Ramp a Bad Idea for Anglers and Fish.

There has never been a more important time to protect the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and its most critical habitat, sea grass. It is in sea grass beds where the vast majority of baby fish, shrimp and crabs grow up.

During a recent paddle down the entire length of the IRL (irl-paddle-adventure.com), paddlers documented the widespread disappearance of sea grasses. In one eighty-mile stretch, from Port St. John in Brevard County to the north end of Vero Beach in Indian River County, the IRL’s bottom was 95 percent void of sea grass coverage.

Indian River County is currently pushing forward with a plan to expand the Oslo Road Boat Ramp by dredging sea grass beds 215 feet out from shore to a depth of 2.5 feet. This is one of the IRL’s best remaining sea grass bed areas, and is a critical spawning ground for spotted seatrout and snook. They are also considering filling in 1.4 acres of mangroves, widening and paving a gravel road, and increasing the parking lot for big boats with big motors. The current depth at the ramp is only inches at low tide, so it only accommodates small boats, canoes and kayaks and wading anglers.

Anglers for Conservation strongly opposes any expansion of the Oslo Road Boat Ramp that includes the dredging of sea grasses.

Below is a summary of major points to put into letters of concern for the Oslo Road Boat Ramp expansion project, and a list of email addresses where we suggest you send them as soon as possible.

An administrative hearing starts at 9 am Tuesday, May 6-8, in the Indian River County Administrative Building in Vero Beach concerning this issue.  If we are unsuccessful, then it is very important to get the Feds to stop this, as the county needs a permit from the USCOE (Army Corps of Engineers) as well as the St. John’s River Water Management District.

If you can only send two letters, send one to Tamy Dabu at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and another to the Press Journal, but getting your concerns to others is also very important.  The same letter, or a slightly modified version, can be sent to all of the agencies involved.

Anglers for Conservation thinks Expanding Oslo Road Boat Ramp a Bad Idea for Anglers and Fish

Rodney Smith is the Executive Director of Anglers for Conservation.

Here are major points to put into a letter of concern for the Oslo Road Boat Ramp Expansion Project.   This project is in a county/state purchased conservation land, (Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area) adjacent to an aquatic preserve and a Federal shellfish area.

  • It dredges 215 ft. into best and only seagrasses left in Indian River County and fills 1.4 acres of mangrove wetland forest with a hard impervious surface for a parking lot and road widening.
  • This project will deleteriously impact essential fish nursery habitat for four of the most protected and intensely managed fish species within the State of Florida:for snook, spotted seatrout, tarpon, red drum.
  • Goes against the county’s own Manatee Protection Plan. It is the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation opinion that “the project is inconsistent with the Indian River MPP because the project represents a deepening of the access from the boat ramp, and an increase in the size of vessels that would be able to launch from the site.”
  • According to the County’s Manatee Protection Plan the County as twice the number of public boat ramp lanes needed to meet DEP recommended levels of service. Riverside park (6 miles away) has a 75-ft.-wide boat ramp plus two 40 ft. long floating docks, 26 paved vehicle and trailer parking spaces, 118 additional parking spaces, bathrooms, picnic tables, drinking fountains, and an outdoor shower. Four additional boat ramps and 10 parking spaces are at nearby MacWilliam Park.
  • Impacts are inconsistent with the Manatee Protection Plan: page 55 “….there shall be no increase impact to manatee habitat, or the natural resources of the Indian River Lagoon, including   seagrass beds, water quality, estuarine wetlands, and mangrove fringe, attributed to the development or expansion of boat facilities or boat ramps in Indian River County.”
  • The Oslo boat ramp is in the largest area of manatee concentration in the county (Manatee Protection Plan).
  • Impacts are inconsistent with Indian River County’s own Comprehensive Management Plan: “The County will strive to improve water quality in the Lagoon, including that portion adjacent to the subject property (South ORCA)”
  • The boat ramp is in a Federal Shellfish Area, conservation lands, and next to an aquatic preserve
  • There is no mitigation for seagrass destruction.
  • The presence of rock indicates that this area was never historically dredged.
  • The following agencies and organizations have written against it: EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, DEP Aquatic Preserve Manager, Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, Audubon Florida, Indian River Keeper Save the Manatee Club, Marine Resource Council, Coastal Conservation Association, Sierra Club, Pelican Island Audubon, Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area Volunteers, Kayak Renters, Wading and Small Boat Fisherman, and Scientists.
  • U.S. Representative Bill Posey sent his Chief of Staff, Stuart Burns, from Washington, D.C. to Vero Beach to pressure the USFWS to overturn their 2011 denial of the county’s permit based on threats to manatees.
  • Common Sense says: 45th St. (Gifford Dock Rd) or 69th St. are Great Alternative Sites-15 minutes from Oslo Rd.
  • Not in a Federal Shellfish Area requiring a Variance
  • Less Seagrass Destruction
  • Little or no Mangrove Destruction
  • Eliminates Unwanted Exotic Plants
  • Mitigates on Site
  • Less Expense to Build
  • Keeps OSLO Natural
  • Closer to the ICW-Intra-Coastal Waterway
  • Not in an Conservation Area or Aquatic Preserve
  • County owns the property

          Where to send your concerns:  

1. Federal Organizations (They have not issued their permit yet, waiting for our hearing):    

-Colonel Alan M. Dodd, District Commander U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Corps of Engineers P.O. Box 4970 Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019  

-Tamy Dabu Regulatory Division, North Permits Branch U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 400 High Point Drive, Suite 600 Cocoa, FL 32926 tamy.s.dabu@usace.army.mil  

-Larry Williams, Field Supervisor South Florida Ecological Services Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 larry_williams@fws.gov  

-Craig Aubrey, Assistant Field Supervisor South Florida Ecological Services Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 craig_aubrey@fws.gov  

-Charles Kelso South Florida Ecological Services Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 charles_kelso@fws.gov  

-Cynthia Dohner, Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 400 Atlanta, GA 30345 cynthia_dohner@fws.gov  

2. Press:

-Most important T.C Palm (Press Journal our county daily paper). Letter to the editor: 300 words maximum to Larry Reisman: Larry.Reisman@scripps.com

3. County Commissioners:

-Joe Flescher: jflescher@ircgov.com

-Wesley David: wdavis@ircgov.com

-Peter O’Bryan: pobryan@ircgov.com

-Bob Solari: bsolari@ircgov.com

-Tim Zorc: tzorc@ircgov.com

4.   U.S. Congressman Bill Posey (Ask him why did he ask USFWS to change their denial to OK approval): Congressman.Posey@mail.house.gov  

5. St. Johns River Management District. Ask why this project was approved (actually don’t they usually do a cultural or archeological survey before issuing a permit? Don’t they care about the fish and manatees anymore?)

-Hans G. Tanzier III, Executive Director: xhtanzler@sjrwmd.com

-John A. Miklos, Board Chairman, jmiklos@sjrwmd.com      

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The Continuing Saga of the Bang-O-Craft- A Photo Essay

April 30, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

The Continuing Saga of the Bang-O-Craft

the Bang-O-Craft

Alex and Maxx in the Bang-O-Craft.

In my yard sits a 14 foot long MonArk jonboat. I call it the Bang-O-Craft. I have had it for a long time, since before my kids were born. Although I love the boat and we’ve had many awesome adventures together, it’s just been sitting there collecting leaves for way too many years now. Very sad.

the bang-o-craft

The late Joe Mulson, on an Everglades trip.

I am trying to get it water ready again. I had to replace the old rotten tires. There went a hundred bucks. When I was putting the new tires back on the trailer I discovered (to no surprise) that the starboard wheel bearings were shot. Further investigation revealed that the spindle on the axle was shot, too.

the bang-o-craft

Maxx runs the boat on the Gulf of Mexico in Everglades National Park. Brother Alex enjoys the ride!

I bought that axle at Tractor Supply. It’s about twelve miles from my house, pretty convenient. A phone call revealed that they no longer stock that length axle. No one locally does. WTF??? I had to order one from a place in Delaware. There went another hundred bucks. It’s now on the trailer, though, some of my work for today.

the bang-o-craft

Maxx’s first camping trip the Everglades National Park. He was two years old at the time.

I wanted to put the wheels and tires back on today, too. I went to Auto Zone to get bearings and seals. It’s easy to see why they don’t call it “Trailer Zone.” They had neither bearings nor seals. I had to order them. I don’t get it. Parts stores used to always have that kind of stuff in stock. Now you have to order them? It’s just another indication of the decline of western civilization. Along with the dust covers and an adaptor for my socket set, there went another fifty bucks, and, I was unable to finish the job today like I wanted to.

the bang-o-craft

In Lake Ingraham on the same trip.

This boating stuff could get expensive.

the bang-o-craft

Maxx running the Bang-O-Craft on the Indian River Lagoon.

I found a new motor for the beast, a 9.9 hp Suzuki. It’s “previously owned,” a two stroke. I hope to go over to Pinellas County this week and pick it up. It’s $850. I need a new fuel tank and fuel line. There goes another hundred bucks.

the bang-o-craft

Dad and Alex with a redfish caught from the Bang-O-Craft.

The boat must be registered. I don’t know what the state of Florida is thinking. It only charges twenty-two dollars to register that boat.

I am lucky to already have a pushpole as well as oars and oarlocks, investments I made years ago. I plan to use the Bang-O-Craft as a St. Johns River fishing boat, with occasional use as a scouting vessel over in the lagoons. I know from past experience it works very well for that. We’ll see how it performs as a river boat. My guess is it will be better than a drift boat. The St. Johns River version of a Hyde!

Stay tuned for the continuing saga of the Bang-O-Craft!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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Bananas and Boats

April 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Bananas and Boats

banana and boats

Have I doomed these flies to a lifetime of failure???

Fishing has been important to me my entire life. Bananas have been important to me my entire life. Fishing and bananas always went together like beans and franks, ham and eggs, beer and pretzels. Et cetera.

It came as a shock when someone tried to educate me in the mid-1980s that bananas in a boat are bad luck. “Hooey!” I said when I heard this. “Bananas are delicious, nutritious, and filling, and have nothing whatsoever to do with luck.”

I still believe this, and take bananas aboard my boat all the time. Of course lately my luck has been declining, but so has everyone else’s around here. Water quality has nothing to do with bananas.

However, having said all of that, I found a video that seems to indicate that bananas may actually be bad luck when taken aboard a fishing vessel. Of course one trip is a small sample size, and preconceived notions may have come into play during filming.

Watch the video yourself, and then let me know what you think by using the comment form below. And thank you for reading!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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This Book Was A Tree- A Review

March 30, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

This Book Was A Tree- A Review

this book was a tree

This Book Was A Tree- Ideas, Adventures, and Inspiration for Rediscovering the Natural World, by Marcie Chambers Cuff, the Penguin Group, paperback, 190 pp., $16.00.

This Book Was A Tree is a beautiful, beautifully written, book, both in appearance and in sentiment.

When I go out anywhere anymore, whether it’s to a restaurant, a sporting event, or a concert, what I see are people, especially young people, fiddling with little electronic devices. They’re not paying attention to or interacting which each other, and they are certainly not interacting with what’s left of the natural world that surrounds them. My guess is many of them never learned how to interact with the natural world, and those that did have forgotten.

This Book Was A Tree will teach you how if you never learned, and will remind you how to if you’ve forgotten. “No need to be a weekend warrior with a carbon-fiber kayak hitched to your bike to appreciate the out-of-doors. Getting out there doesn’t require special equipment or masses of expensive gear. Instead, become re-acquainted with nearby wild pockets of nature. Look around! Nature is as close as a sidewalk crack or a moss-covered stone.” She implores the reader to commit to spending at least 15 minutes exploring outside every day.

One of the chapters is called, “Get Dirty.” Why? “Think of yourself as more than a single organism. Your body is a planet- a superorganism comprised of so much more than your own human cells. Its sun-drenched skin grasslands and waterlogged gut wetlands are teeming with diverse communities of critters- each looking for a shelter, a good meal, and a few trustworthy allies.
“In this chapter, you’ll expose yourself to the germy world. You’ll be challenged to go barefoot in the dirt, make a mudpie, snuggle with a dog, and eat whole unprocesseed fiber-rich antibiotic-free foods that promote a healthy internal ecosystem…”

I can hardly wait.

Another chapter is called “Scatter Some Seeds.” Ms. Cuff writes, “An avalanche of unprecedented global challenges looms before us and very few people are paying attention. How can one single individual make a difference when the Earth’s problems loom so large? Here’s how: you take the information you’ve gathered and then share whatever you have with the world.”

Ms. Cuff wants all of us to develop a more sustainable lifestyle. I could not agree with her any more wholeheartedly. She has me working on three projects already and I have my eye set on a couple more.

This Book Was A Tree is a lovely book. This Book Was A Tree is an important book. Even if you don’t need to read it, you damn sure know a lot of people who do. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest bookstore and buy one. Read it and put its philosophy into practice. The global community will thank you for it.

John Kumiski

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When to Use Small Lures

March 24, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

When to Use Small Lures

When to use small lures presents problems to the fisherman.

Small lures don’t cast well. The hooks are weak and prone to failure. You need to use lighter line and leaders. However, sometimes the fish don’t give you a choice. Use smaller lures or don’t get a bite.

Let’s look at four situations where small baits are necessary.

The fish are keying on small baits. In the southeastern saltwaters the bay anchovy, commonly called a glass minnow, is an important baitfish. These baits are small, frequently two inches or less. Certain gamefish species will feed on them selectively, ignoring other, larger baits.Whenever you find gamefish selectively feeding on small baits of any kind you need to “match the hatch.” Failure to do so will lead to frustration.

Haw River Tackle makes a great lure called a Sting Silver which many fish species will accept as a glass minnow imitation. Find them at www.hrtackle.com.

Orlando Saltwater Tarpon Fishing Report

The Sting Silver is the hot tip for tunny. Doesn’t look like much but they do like it!

Cold water– unlike humans, fish are cold blooded. Their metabolism slows as the water temperature drops. Consequently they are much less interested in eating large meals when the water is cold. For this reason winter fishing often requires the use of smaller lures than used during other seasons.

Heavily pressured fish– in areas where fishing pressure is heavy the fish have seen all the commonly used baits over and over again. The fish learn to avoid these commonly used baits. By using small lures the fisherman gains a competitive advantage. The fish haven’t seen a lot of small baits, and the bait itself is not perceived as a threat.

My current favorite for this situation is the DOA CAL Shad. At three inches in length it qualifies as a small bait. You can rig it with a 2/0 hook , which will hold most any fish likely to eat it.

orlando area fishing report

The lure is a DOA CAL Shad.

Some gamefish just like small baits. Tarpon come to mind. One wouldn’t think a 100 pound fish could derive much nutrition from a two or three inch long minnow. But tarpon often key in on small baits even when larger prey is available. I’ve watched tarpon swim through schools of glass minnows with their mouths open, just filtering the baits out of the water. Again, match the hatch or go fishless.

The DOA TerrorEyz is a small lure which is deadly on tarpon (and other fish). Find them at www.doalures.com.

I’m not suggesting that you toss all your large baits overboard. But you should carry a selection of small baits and be prepared to use them when condition require. If you want to catch more fish, know when to use small lures.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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Two Birds to Watch While Fishing

March 19, 2014 by · 1 Comment

Two Birds to Watch While Fishing

One of the pleasures that fishing so generously provides to its participants is the opportunity to watch some spectacular bird life. Two birds to watch while fishing in central Florida waters include the migratory white pelican, and the resident roseate spoonbill.

White pelicans migrate here to central Florida for the winter, arriving somewhere around Thanksgiving. Summer finds them in the Dakotas and the prairie provinces of Canada, where they nest on isolated islands.

two birds to watch while fishing

Watching them feed I often wonder how they catch enough fish to maintain that large body. Unlike brown pelicans they don’t dive; rather, as they swim they dip their bills into the water to catch their fish. They usually fish in groups, finding it more efficient that way. They actually herd the fish to make them easier to catch. Ease of capture is important, since each bird needs at least three pounds of fish daily. That’s a lot of minnows! Actually, white pelicans can eat fish ranging in size from minnows up to three pounds or so.

White pelicans fly very gracefully. A flock will ride thermals, circling higher and higher for no apparent reason other than the sheer joy of flying. An observant angler will see hundreds of tiny specks elegantly circling together, thousands of feet above the water, an aerial ballet if you will.

Large, pink, spectacular roseate spoonbills do live here all year. If you want to see some, the area around the Merritt Island wildlife refuge is one of the best places in the state to look. They feed while wading in shallow water, sweeping their spatulate (duck-shaped), partly opened bill from side to side. The moment any small aquatic creature touches the inside of the bill—an insect, crustacean, or tiny fish—the bill snaps shut. They need to feed many hours each day to find adequate food. Their dabbling technique only works well when there are lots of small organisms in the water.

two birds to watch while fishing

Watching these and any of the many other types of birds out there can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of any fishing trip- especially when the fishing is slow. It’s good to take a break from chasing fish and observe what else is out there sometimes. The white pelican and the spoonbills are two birds to watch while fishing.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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New Mobile Marine Service Central Florida

February 22, 2014 by · 1 Comment

New Mobile Marine Service Central Florida

There is a fantastic new mobile marine service in central Florida.

Started last fall, Orlando Mobile Marine is the baby of Mr. Fernando Fonseca, who brings over 20 years of experience in marine services to his new business. Fernando is a certified master technician for Johnson/Evinrude and Yamaha. He also services Mercury, Honda, and Suzuki outboards as well as Yamaha Wave Runners and other brands of personal watercraft.

He also performs boat repairs- custom lighting and rigging, electrical work, mechanical work, and detailing.

Fernando says, “Reliability and attention to detail are very important to my customers and to me. Customers are welcome to watch me to see what I’m doing as I work on their boat. It helps them understand the workings of their vessel better.”

Fernando says his rates are comparable or less than those found at other marine service centers in central Florida.

Fernando just rigged a new 70 horsepower Yamaha four stroke engine on my friend Karl Dienst’s venerable Hewes Bonefisher, replacing the old 90 hp that had powered the boat for the last 18 years. Karl was thrilled with the work Fernando did. “Fernando did a great job. I was impressed with his ability to work quickly, neatly, and with precision, without overcharging. He did not try to sell me other services or parts that I didn’t need or want. I am very, very happy with the work, and the boat runs like a scalded dog now.”

Mind you, this is a mobile marine service. That means he brings the shop to you. For this service there is a one-time fee of $60 per job. If he has to come out two or three times to get the job finished, you only pay the service fee once. Of course, parts and labor are additional, but compare favorably with any other shop in central Florida. And you get the benefit of Fernando’s extensive experience and attention to detail.

Orlando Mobile Marine, the fantastic new mobile marine service in central Florida. When your boat needs work, visit their website or give them a call at 407.232.4749.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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Banana River Lagoon Fishing Report

February 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Banana River Lagoon Fishing Report 22214

Upcoming Events-
-Mosquito Lagoon Show and Tell Fishing Seminar, March 15. Visit this link  for more information or to register…
-Mosquito Lagoon On-the-Water Show and Tell Fishing Seminar, March 16. Visit this link  for more information or to register…

Blog Posts this Week-
– Sharkwave Fly Lines Coming
– Lunkerhunt Swim Bentos Bait
– Oil Drilling Coming to the Everglades

The new issue (March 2014) of Florida Sportsman has an article about the Indian River Lagoon Odyssey, by John Kumiski! Check it out!

On to the fishing, men!

Monday the weather was gorgeous, so I strapped the kayak to the roof of the chariot and drove over to the Banana River Lagoon. I got there after nine o’clock. Six cars were already there. I avoided the other boats as much as I could.

Travelling along the shoreline I saw two small trout, two small redfish, and then a school of about 20 small reds, less than 20 inch fish. They elicited no response in me.

I went out to the second bar. There was nothing there.

I went to the third bar. Two boats were there, one on each side. I went up the middle. The water was clear, there was hardly any grass, and I saw nothing. I kept going.

On the fourth bar there was a school of black drum, not the big ones. Two tasted my black bunny leech. The larger one was 12 pounds or so.

I left them, hoping to find big fish. A group of eight big reds was swimming high in the water. I got two casts at them but they ignored me.

The paddle back was uneventful, as no fish were seen.

The grass up there is all gone, and so are most of the fish. It’s a sad thing.

Tuesday found me on a bus travelling to Tallahassee for the Clean Water Rally. Senator David Simmons, the senator from my district, was one of the speakers. Good work, sir!

I had a meeting with my district’s representative, Rep. Jason Brodeur. He told me he understands the need for clean water, would be sponsored a bill addressing clean water issues. It was good to hear, but show me the money. Stay tuned.

One of the speakers was a woman from Naples, Dr. Karen Dwyer, of the Stone Crab Alliance. Here is what she had to say: ” The Everglades oil rush is on. In addition to the 115,000 acres leased for oil exploration, Collier Resources just issued two more leases for massive seismic testing operations to identify more locations for oil drilling: 103,000 acres to Tocala, LLC and 234,500 acres to Burnett Oil, all in the Big Cypress National Preserve in the western Everglades. Everyone. March 11. Please. Pack the EPA Meeting. Take a stand for the Everglades and our water. Now is the time. No one can take your place.”

Fight for your right to clean water!

Fight for your right to clean water!

How this has escaped the state and national news media is beyond me. All fishermen should be going crazy over this- hydraulic fracturing in the Everglades? WE CAN’T LET THIS HAPPEN!!! I will be in Naples on March 11. I hope to see you there.

Wednesday Rick DePaiva, one of my dearest friends, came up to fish with me. Because he likes going there and because I got a good report from one of my subscribers we went to KARS Park and launched the canoe.

The weather was awesome.

The short version is that we went most of the way to the NASA Causeway, went out to the islands on the other side of the channel, and worked it hard. We saw maybe eight fish and had one half-baked shot that did not work. So we went fishless. Had a good time other than that, enjoying the day and Rick’s company.

black-drum-release.jpg

 This is what we wanted. It is not what we got.

            Again, most of the grass is gone. This area had such thick grass just a couple years ago, too. Bad, bad, bad Bad BAD.

And that is this week’s not so great Banana River Lagoon Fishing Report.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short. Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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