Courtesy photo. Capt. Budd Neviaser's son, Jim Neviaser, poses with his trophy. It's Spring turkey season and Capt. Budd has the latest information in his blog below.
Personal note from Capt. Budd: Firstly let me apologize for the delay in rendering a new report. Unfortunately I encountered a extremely complex computer problem, which was fortunately was not due to a virus, but due to my anti-viral protection program. An installation of a new M.S. One Care anti-viral software began to compete with the functions of M.S Outlook Express therefore causing my computer to send out multiple versions of the same e-mail - sometimes up to 100 times to one individual. Needless to say I got complaints from several individuals – one of whom thought that I had nothing better to do than bomb his computer with 100 repeats of the same e-mail. Regardless, thanks to Don Patterson at Computer Central and installation of Kapersky anti-viral softweare, the problem was solved and I am back in business. Now for the blog:
Our weather is the typical March fishing weather with winds creating lots of windy non-fishable days offshore. We did get some well-needed rain. Red tide samples have all been negative and the next results will be available Friday (March 27). Sea surface temperatures (SST”s) still hover in the mid-sixties to the low 70s until you get near the Gulf Stream.
The bottom bite is started to indicate that the fish are moving east as they usually do this time of year. There is still good bottom action going on with good catches of the American Red Snapper, vermillion snapper, lane snapper, triggerfish and black sea bass. The grouper bite has slowed down. Puppy sharks are making a nuisance of themselves. Cobia action has been pretty good – some approaching 40 pounds. The dolphin run has been limited to the Gulf Stream but as the SST’s rise, the dolphin bite will expand more westward. Kingfish are reported still biting as are the Spanish mackerel and bluefish. In the surf, the bluefish and black drum action has slightly diminished but the pompano, redfish, trout, and Spanish mackerel activity has started to increase. In Ponce Inlet, things are pretty hot.
The tributaries and inlet are producing snook, gray snapper; red and black drum, flounder, ladyfish, sheepshead, and trout. Best baits seem to be live shrimp and scented artificials worked properly. In the Tomoka area, the snook action has been good as have been trout. An occasional red drum has also added to the catch. In the lagoon, schooling of red drum has been erratic. Water levels are near normal. Haulover has been reported as hot with activity. Red Tide Experts with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) have contributed to the most comprehensive assessment of Florida Red Tide to date.
This month, a special journal “Harmful Algae” summarizes current red Tide research. In 2006, Three landmark articles by FWRI Scientists provide both historical perspective on red tide research and how red tide toxins affect marine life, including manatees and birds both during and after red tide incidents. A Florida red tide is a dense concentration of a microscopic, single-celled, plant-like organism called Karenia brevis. This organism produces toxins that can kill fish, birds, manatees and other marine animals, affecting endangered species and important fisheries. Red tide toxins in the air can irritate the human respiratory system, and eating shellfish exposed to red tide toxins can cause food poisoning. To ensure public safety, FWRI works with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to monitor Florida’s shellfish beds for red tide toxins.
Recently Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officers arrested three people in an alligator poaching case in Glades County. While on routine patrol, Officer Scott Van Buren and Lt. Pam Steelman observed a pick-up truck pulled halfway off County Road 731, which is south of Rainey Slough. They observed a man in the adjacent canal retrieving an alligator. A woman was in the bed of the truck and a 17 year-old male stood next to the truck. Upon insopection of the truck, the officers found three loaded rifles, four pieces of fresh alligator meat, and two live hatchlings alligators. Additionally they found three butchered alligator carcasses near the canal. The three people were arrested with seven misdemeanor counts of taking and possession of American Alligators and all three were booked in the Glades County jail. Lt. Steelman hopes this arrest will send a strong message to would-be wildlife poachers: "We will find you and hold you accountable for criminal acts."
In the Gulf, Gag grouper opens April 1. Shrimping is closed in Flagler County in April and May. Spring Turkey season opened March 21, and will be closed on April 27.
It has been written; “Nature is the art of God.” So whether you charter, ride a head boat, run your own vessel, stay in the river, surf fish, or fish from shore or a bridge- there are fish to be caught. Fishing is not a matter of life or death, it is so much more important than that.
Tight lines. <*)/// /><