Fish Florida Newscaster Back Issue

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THE FISH FLORIDA NEWSCASTER

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November 6th, 1997

Issue Ten

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AUTUMN ISSUE OF FISH FLORIDA MAGAZINE WITH

ALL NEW GRAPHICS/COLORS/MUSIC IS NOW ONLINE

AT:

http://www.fishflorida.com

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CONTENTS:

A. THE SILVER GLADIATOR by Big Mike

B. WHAT COLOR IS THAT SPINNERBAIT? by Tater McDuff

C. FISHING REPORTS FROM AROUND FLORIDA

D. FUNNY FISH TALES

E. CURRENT WEATHER REPORTS

F. TOP TEN SIGNS YOU CAN'T TRUST YOUR BOAT DEALER.

G. SOLUNAR/LUNAR TABLES FOR THIS WEEK

H. FISH RECIPES

I. SUBSCRIBE/UNSUSCRIBE INFORMATION

J. STAFF

K. LEGAL STUFF

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A. THE SILVER GLADIATOR by Big Mike

For more than 125 million years the Tarpon

has cruised the seas of the earth, able to

live in oxygen depleted waters by the use of a

rudimentary lung system.

Spawned offshore by a female who lays possibly 10 million

eggs at a time, they remain for the first 3 months

among the plankton before heading inshore to the

rivers and estuaries to hide and grow. In waters

stagnant and oxygen poor, or entirely freshwater,

they survive the many predators who would dine

on baby tarpon.

An adult tarpon, averaging 60-70 pounds, is roughly

20-25 years old, and is an intimidating work of

creation. The large red-rimmed eyes of the Tarpon give

rise to the family name "Megalops" or "big-eye".

These silver kings of the water, often sought by bait

casters and fly specialists alike, are relatively easy to

hook, and darn hard to land, due to their massive strength,

and incredible aerial antics once hooked.

The range of the Tarpon is from above Cape Hatteras south

to Brazil, and everywhere in between, as well as

off the coast of Africa. The Florida coastline has Tarpon

all around it, and all the rivers in Florida have Tarpon

at some time of the year. Even some landlocked rivers

and creeks have been known to produce Tarpon.

The Tarpon is well protected in Florida, with a $50.00

trophy tag required to kill one. Several big money

catch and release tournaments are held in Florida each year.

Most taxidermists can make a 'glass mount that looks

better and lasts longer than a real Tarpon.

Tarpon can be caught on jigs, plugs, live bait, flies,

and even plastic worms normally used for bass.

More experienced anglers might get by with using lighter

tackle, but most beginners will want some fairly heavy

rods and reels. The ultimate Tarpon experience is fly

fishing in clear shallow water.

For a look at a nice tarpon see:

http://www.fishflorida.com/~stardot/extreme/tarpon2.jpg

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B. WHAT COLOR IS THAT SPINNERBAIT? by Tater McDuff

Some years ago I got into fishing a series of local

tournaments out of the the Highway 72 ramp on the

Elk river in North Alabama, just a short boat ride

from the Tennessee River. My regular fishing partner

was nice fella' named Henry, who was an

executive at a local factory. We were about as different

as two fishing partners could be, him a college

educated professional, and me an automotive

technician with a G.E.D. (That stands for Good Easy Diploma.)

We each brought something to the partnership though,

my family being involved in fishing the Tennessee

River for several generations, and him with a really

nice boat and a desire to learn. Henry was fun, and

a tough fisherman. The tournaments were over

at midnight, and Henry did not quit easily.

We won it a couple of times, and finished in the

top three or four boats almost every week.

Henry like to fish spinnerbaits, and I always

preferred plastic worms, fishing right up against

cliffs and rock walls. I would just finesse the

worms down the little 1 or 2 inch ledges one at

a time, and found lots of bass hugging those walls. Lots of

times Henry would find a fish with his spinnerbait,

and I would come right behind him with a little

plastic worm and get another one or two.

So, one night we were fishing points and rock walls,

and not doing real well, when I decided to try some

little bear haired jigs I had just gotten. I put

down my spinnerbait rod, and picked up another rod,

and tied on the jig. Henry thought I was still

fishing with a spinnerbait. In just a couple of

casts I caught a keeper bass.

"You catch that on a spinnerbait?" says Henry.

"Yup" I said.

Another cast, another bass. A keeper smallmouth that time.

"What color is that spinnerbait?" Henry asked.

"Um..chartreuse." I said. (Henry ties on a chartreuse spinnerbait.)

Another cast or two, bam! Another keeper smallmouth.

"Did you say chartreuse?"

"Yeah, chartreuse and purple" I said. (Henry ties on a

different spinnerbait.)

A few more casts, boom! Another smallmouth, too small to keep.

"I don't get it!" Henry says, "I'm fishing with

the same damn thing! How come I'm not getting any hits?

That's your fourth bass and I haven't had one strike!"

"Henry, did you put a pork rind on it? Didn't I

tell you I put a purple pork rind on there??" I ask.

(All this time I am fishing with a brown bear haired

jig, but casting my spinnerbait every now and then

so he can hear the blades rattle.)

Henry puts on a purple pork rind. He has to borrow one

of mine. I am now about to lose it. This is getting too funny.

Right after that I catch a seriously good smallmouth,

and Henry has to help me get it into the boat. He sees

the jig. I am Busted. Henry is upset, but I am laughing

so hard he starts laughing too after a minute or two.

I gave him one of my jigs and he caught a couple too.

Soon, all was forgiven.

We lost the tournament by a wide margin, but it was

one of the most fun of the many we ever fished together.

At the dock when someone asked what we caught our fish on,

Henry looked at me and said, "What color was that spinnerbait?"

'Till next week,

Love, Tater.

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C. FISHING REPORTS FROM AROUND FLORIDA

Saltwater Spots

1. Sebastian Inlet.

Whitey's Bait and Tackle

Fred at Whitey's reports big catches

of Snook on the jetties, some in the 20 lb range,

Tarpon and large Jacks in the inlet. Spanish Mackerel, Blues,

Pompanos and whiting in the surf. Redfish

and permit on the jetty and the surf. Also a 20 lb

smoker kingfish was caught yesterday on the

north Jetty using a live greenie.

2. Glades- no report available

3. Upper Tampa Bay

Buddies Bait and Tackle-Courtney Campbell Causeway reports;

Lots of Spanish Mackerels in the bay, and Tarpon

and Reds up in the creeks.

Freshwater Central Florida

1. Camp Mack-Kissimmee Chain

Specks very well in Hatchineha,

and around marker 8 and 9 in Kissimmee. Big Bass have been

harder to catch, but smaller bass are around in decent numbers.

SEND YOUR REPORTS TO BIG MIKE at stardot@cyberspy.com

or see the Newscaster info below.

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D. FUNNY FISH TALES

My buddy Jim and I were fishing for bass one fine morning,

just enjoying a beautiful sunrise as we eased around a

point when we saw a squirrel out on the end of a log

over the water eating an acorn. I was just about to

comment on the squirrel when suddenly a giant bass

flew out of the water and slapped the squirrel to

the surface with his tale.

The squirrel started swimming rapidly for the shore when

WHOOM!! the bass swallowed him whole in a massive splash.

"Did you see that!!??" I said. "yup" said Jim.

We backed the boat off to let the scene calm down before

casting a plastic worm for "dessert".

Then, we saw the bass right beside the log. We both watched

open mouthed as the bass gently placed ANOTHER acorn on the log.

(the difference between a fairy tale and a fish tale is

that a fairy tale starts with "Once upon a time" and a

fish tale starts with "Now this ain't no B.S.")

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CENTRAL FLORIDA WEATHER

NEXT 2 DAYS FOR UPDATES SEE:

http://www.fishflorida.com/reports/weather.html

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F. TOP TEN SIGNS YOU CAN'T TRUST YOUR BOAT DEALER. by Tater McDuff

1. Wrote your 10 year-10,000 hour warranty on the back

of a "Thee Doll House" napkin.

2. Swore the boat belonged to his mother but she was

"just getting too old to compete with Roland Martin".

3. Kept asking "Are you sure you aren't a cop?"

4. Started his sales pitch with "Never mind comsumer reports..."

5. He has pictures of Leona Helmsley, Bill Gates, and Marge Schott

on his wall.

6. His only boat training certificate is from the

"Bayou Boat Institute."

7. Insists on a cash only deal because he needs to

"make a church donation in the next half hour."

8. He sells you a 175 H.P. outboard and gives you

"an extra pull start rope."

9. He looks exactly like the guy who sold your

cousin the "fake Rolex."

10. His nickname around the boat dealership is

"Sing-sing Sammy."

*Contribute your "TOP TEN by

sending email to Big Mike. (stardot@fishflorida.com)

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THIS WEEKS LUNAR/SOLUNAR TABLES FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA

can be seen at

http://www.fishflorida.com/~stardot/campmack/novtab.html

Look for some great fishing this month!

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FISH RECIPES by Mighali Pasch

See 4 more delicious international fish recipes each week at:

http://www.fishflorida.com/recipes/index.html

Title: Mom's New England Fish Chowder

Categories: Soups, Fish, New england

Yield: 4 servings

1 lb Haddock Or Firm White Fish Butter

8 md Potatoes, Diced Salt To Taste

1 lg Diced Onion Pepper To Taste

17 oz Condensed Milk

Cook the potatoes and onion in water to cover until almost done. Add fish

which has been cut into small pieces and cook slowly until potatoes are

done. Do not overcook the fish. Add one 12 ounce and one 5 ounce can of

condensed milk and continue to simmer until everything is heated. Add

butter, salt and pepper to taste and serve with fresh baked muffins.

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STAFF:

BIG MIKE (stardot@cyberspy.com)EDITOR and The boss

BRUCE (newscaster@writeme.com)ART DIRECTOR and The other boss

SISTER MARY MACINTOSH (accounting and money stuff)

EDITORIAL STAFF:

TATER McDUFF----FEATURE WRITER

GARY-BOB-GARY LOTT---CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CANDIDA GONZALEZ---FEATURE WRITER

MARCEL DOOBLER---FEATURE WRITER

MIGHALI PASCH---CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MADAME CHEWDEE---CONTRIBUTING ARTIST

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VISIT OUR LAWYER'S PAGE AT:

http://www.megabrands.com/lawyers

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Visit our Sponsors!

Whitey's Bait and Tackle

9030 S. A1A

Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951

(407) 724-1440

http://www.fishflorida.com/whiteys/index.html

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Visit our Sponsors!

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Camp Mack's River Resort

14900 Camp Mack Road

Lake Wales, Florida 33853

(941) 696-1108

reservation line call: (800) 243-8013

http://www.fishflorida.com/campmack

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