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A wealth of fish for the taking
By BYRON STOUT
bstout@news-press.com
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| Anglers, above, line the rail of a boat in the Florida Keys. Capt. Mike Rehr, below, "tails" a permit caught sight-fishing the clear southside flats of the Marquesas Keys, 25 roadless miles west of Key West. PHOTOS BY BYRON STOUT/The News-Press |
A wealth of fish for the taking
Keys hold game species not found in our area
By BYRON STOUT
bstout@news-press.com
Year by year, and lobster by spiny lobster, the pickings in the Florida Keys are getting slimmer and slimmer.
Anglers, above, line the rail of a boat in the Florida Keys. Capt. Mike Rehr, below, "tails" a permit caught sight-fishing the clear southside flats of the Marquesas Keys, 25 roadless miles west of Key West. PHOTOS BY BYRON STOUT/The News-Press
This year, the state took away the option of fewer than four people on one boat taking 24 lobsters during the regular season — the limit now is a straight six per person — and the area for the six-lobster limit has been expanded from the Keys to include Biscayne National Park.
Not to mention the fact that lobsters are getting a lot tougher to find. According to state records, the Keys lobster harvest for the past two seasons has plummeted 55 percent below the average for the three previous years.
None of which is a good reason for Southwest Florida's 6,087 card-carrying lobster divers to stop their annual migration to the enchanting waters of the Florida Keys.
That swirling palette of Margarita greens and parrot-wing blues, flowing over sands textured with seagrass meadows, sponges, sea fans and whips, and the world's third-longest coral reef, also teems with fish. What's more, many of those are among the most highly rated game fish in the world, and not just a few — permit, bonefish, dolphin, barracuda, mutton snapper and black grouper — are hard or impossible to find in Southwest Florida's Gulf waters.
Thus, for all lobster fishers we are happy to present a guide to lobster alternatives — a primer of Keys fishing for those who would continue with outdoor pursuits between the sport and regular lobster seasons, and beyond.
Fishing the flats
No shallows in the oceans of the world are more storied than those of the Keys. And none of those are more hallowed than the Marquesas — a four-mile-wide mangrove atoll of almost a dozen small islands, 25 roadless miles west of Key West, that epitomizes shallow-water options found throughout the Keys.
Sanibel captains Mike and Joyce Rehr spend the last few months of every summer in Key West, just so they can fish the Marquesas on a daily basis. Mike runs some charters for Lee County friends and clients, and he frequently guides Joyce in quest of her many light-tackle world records.
One of their fishing spots, the "WR Flat," is named after Joyce's record 2-pound line-class permit of 19 1/4pounds, caught in the Marquesas in 1993.
Earlier this month, The News-Press chartered Mike and Joyce for a flats trip to the Marquesas that began on the west side of the islands with a crab check.
"Every crab has a little different personality," explained Mike, whose aptitude for angling esoterica has no bottom. RELATED ITEMS
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Nothing, he notes, is more attractive to a permit than a dollar-size blue crab. But not all crabs are created equal. Some dive for the bottom and disappear from view — bad crabs — whereas good crabs try to swim for it when faced with destruction by permit.
"That's a good crab," he said, not quite cackling, as he water-tested a swimmer beside the boat. Joyce nodded agreement in the plot to put the clueless crustacean in harm's way.
Seconds later, with Mike barely atop the poling platform of his ultra-quiet, 16-foot ActionCraft skiff, a permit appeared as if by transporter beam to a spot scant feet off the little boat's bow.
"What's that?" I said in denial, knowing the fish already had us dead to rights. It was listing slightly, the better to stare at the creature dragging a crab across the surface like a toddler with a pull toy.
The fish left with such confidence that it didn't even flinch as the crab splashed in its face. The good news was, there were permit on the flat.
Permit are members of the jack family, most closely related to pompano, with flanks so shiny they mirror whatever reflects in their slab sides. Thus they become a loggerhead sponge or patch of turtle grass or string of sargassum, trickily escaping detection until another one is right under the crab dragger's nose!
A frantically flipped bait lands just ahead of and beyond the permit, which turns at the sound and instantly loses all recollection of the boat. The deliriously paddling crab has no more chance than a cookie in a kindergarten.
The next step requires all the skill of a monkey grinding an organ as the circle hook sets itself when the line is cranked tight. Startled by the weird pull on its lip, the permit transforms from a moseying mirror to a blinding flash, peeling 8-pound monofilament off the reel's spool in astonishing layers.
Mike orders the rod held high, to avoid hanging the line on about a mile of sea fans between the fish and boat. Push-poling in a tropical sweat, he closes again and again on the fish, only to have it blast away in boiling runs.
After 10 minutes the fish finally does an involuntary rollover against the pull of the line, but not for another five can it be brought to boatside.
Mike, having descended from the poling platform, makes a deft grab of the fish's tail-wrist, only to learn the permit still is full of awesome strength. In a magnificent show of brute power it simply begins swimming at warp speed, jerking Mike's arm from side to side until his bare hand finally loses its grip.
Alas, not understanding it is best to keep the line tight under such conditions, the angler has given slack and allowed it to twist around the rod tip. Pfft! and the fish is gone.
Shortly thereafter, with the salt water washed from the face of the guide, and the egg from that of the angler, a black sickle tail waves briefly from near a distant crab trap buoy. The captain then makes out several fish, which hove into view in reverse order for the caster.
They materialize one by one, each closer to the boat, until the fourth finally is discerned already at the closest distance its path will bring it. A frantic maximum sidearm cast, low into the white-capping southeast breeze, splashes the crab several feet to the fish's fore.
Nothing in angling compares to the heart-thumping moment of watching a fish see and react to a bait cast just for it. A million forces can combine for the fright-and-flight scenario, but if dinner has been put on the fish's plate, as Mike says, there is nothing like watching it eat.
Much, much later — close to 30 minutes that seem more like hours — Mike lifts the permit into the boat for quick pictures. The fish has pulled against the drag so long and often that the brand-new spool of line — changed after every fight — is impossibly twisted and likely nicked from dozens of prickly sargassum patches it methodically has found and swum beneath.
The Rehrs estimate the fish at 22 or 23 pounds, a good one-third larger than the first, and Mike is excited.
"You probably can rack up some good numbers on this tide," he says.
Two good opportunities already have been converted to catches, and a full-moon incoming tide that inspires permit, bonefish and even tarpon to forage in the crystal Keys shallows will continue for hours.
But if there is anything more satisfying than watching a game fish eat a perfectly presented crab, it is watching one eat a perfectly presented amalgamation of yarn and monofilament that it has been fooled into believing is a crab.
And because catching a permit on fly is regarded as one of the most difficult feats of angling, a side benefit is the greatly decreased likelihood of arm aches from hooking yet another fish. Indeed, hours of flailing against the wind later, the score stands at two permit landed, and dozens of sweaty-palmed, cotton-mouthed miscues at one tarpon, a pod of bonefish, and ever more permit for the memories (with not a bad one in the bunch).
WaterFrontFortMyers.com-Pet Friendly-located on the Carolina Ave. canal with boat dock available and solar heated pool (Time Square area of Estero Island) and only 150 yards to the beautiful white sands of Estero Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Be in the Gulf of Mexico within 1 minute from our boat docks. WaterfrontFortMyers.com provides free bikes available upon request, free fishing on our docks, free wireless internet access, and laundry facility. We are located on the Carolina Ave. canal street facing Hooters Restaurant, and 300 yards away from the Beached Whale restaurant in theTime Square area of Fort Myers Beach . Our location is quiet and peaceful.
WaterfrontFortMyers, Inc. Rental Agreement For Guests Physical Address: 249 Carolina Ave , Fort Myers Beach , FL 33931 Mailing Address: 555 Paularino Ave L1009 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Property Manager Brian Kmetty: 239-851-3642 Reservation Phone Jamie Jones: 714-492-3463 |
CHECK-IN: Check-in time is after 3:00 P.M EASTERN TIME. During peak season some units may not be ready by 3:00 P.M. Your patience will be appreciated. Arrivals will find the lockbox combination on their front door knob. Please check-in at the Rental Unit you are assigned. If you discover any deficiencies in the inventory or damage to the property upon your arrival, it is your responsibility to immediately inform WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. so you are not held responsible for the cost of repairing and/or replacing same.
OCCUPANCY: WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. is very serious about maintaining a family atmosphere for the quiet enjoyment of all our guests. We will rent to families and RESPONSIBLE ADULTS over the age of 25, proof of age is required. The total number of persons allowed in the unit at any time is restricted to the stated limit for each property. Absolutely no house/pool parties allowed. Any violators will be ejected according to F. S. 509.141 and will be billed for any damages. Augustine suite max 6 people, 8 people with additional $100 fee per person per week, Aquinas suite max 4 people, Reagan suite max 3 people, and Schaeffer suite max 2 people.
FALSIFIED RESERVATION: Any reservation obtained under false pretense will be subject to forfeiture of any rental prepayments. Guests will not be permitted to check-in.
ABSOLUTELY NO PETS are allowed unless you receive permission (those units that do allow pets, which must be specifically requested in advance). The number of pets must be declared and no unit is to exceed one dog or one cat- pet breed must be identified. Exceptions are made on an individual basis for two dogs but this must be requested in advance. Additional refundable pet fee have been waived on those units that do permit pets for one dog. A $100.00 non-refundable pet fee is required before occupancy for those people who have been given permission for two dogs, plus an 11% tax will be added to the cleaning and administrative fees. At all times, pet owners are required to clean up after their pets. If any evidence of a pet (s) is found in your unit or on the premises without prior permission, you will be asked to vacate immediately with no refund of any payments.
UNIT ASSIGNMENTS: We reserve the right to change unit assignments at our sole discretion without prior written notice and without any refund, this clause rarely happening. When you confirm a reservation, a unit will be assigned, however, no request or a specific unit is guaranteed. If a unit change becomes necessary, every attempt will be made to contact you by mail with a new confirmation and/or by a telephone call.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE: All on-line or phone bookings require an initial pre-payment of $300 - $500 via paypal or check. The final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival by paypal, cash, check, traveler's checks or bank money orders. All rates are subject to Florida state and local taxes. Should your personal check be returned for any reason, there will be a $35.00 returned check fee added to your balance.
HOUSEKEEPING: NO DAILY MAID SERVICE! Rates include housekeeping service only upon arrival/departure. Linens and bath towels are provided and are not to be taken from the unit. We suggest you bring beach towels. Housekeeping provides initial set-ups of paper towels, bathroom tissue, bath soap, trash can liners and may include single use dishwashing soap. The property is equipped with coin laundry located in the front of the complex facing Carolina Ave. If you wish to have additional service through your stay, we can accommodate this request for an additional charge.
CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE: CHECK-OUT time is prior to 10:00 A.M. DO NOT LEAVE KEYS IN THE PROPERTY!
All keys must be returned to the Lockbox that is located on your front door knob, there is a $50.00 fee for each unreturned key. We ask that you leave the property neat and orderly. All units are inspected before and after each occupancy.
CLEAN-UP AT CHECK-OUT: Place all debris, garbage and discards outside in proper containers located on the left side of the parking lot if you are facing the complex from Carolina Ave. Soiled dishes must be placed in dishwasher and cleaned. Up to three loads of laundry are o.k. Don't make your bed (.you are on vacation until you get home). Unit must be left in a neat and orderly condition (there is a minimum $50.00 charge if extra cleaning and rearranging of the furniture is required).
All windows/doors must be closed and locked.
PLEASE NOTE: IF EXPENSES ARE INCURRED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, REPLACE MISSING ITEMS, PAY FOR EXTRA CLEANING OR ANY OTHER VIOLATIONS OF THE RENTAL POLICY AS A RESULT OF YOUR STAY, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.
LOCKOUTS: If you lock yourself out of your property after office hours, you can call our emergency phone number 239-826-6460 . Our emergency service will either allow you back in for a cash fee of $50.00 or contact a local Locksmith to allow you back in the property. You will be responsible for paying any applicable fees directly to the emergency service or the locksmith at the time they come out.
CANCELLATIONS: Reservation prepayments will NOT be refunded unless the unit is re-rented for the same rental payment and time period reserved. If refunded WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. will retain $100.00 plus 11% taxes for a service fee. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance for your protection.
CANCELLATIONS OR EARLY DEPARTURES FOR ANY REASON (EXCLUDING MANDATORY EVACUATION) DO NOT WARRANT ANY REFUND OF PREPAYMENTS OR RENT. Room changes are considered the same as a cancellation since the properties are individually owned.
DAMAGES: Damages must not be the result of willful, wanton or grossly negligent behavior, or damages by a pet. WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. has the final judgment in all instances. You must furnish a credit card to be used as a line of credit in case damages are deemed intentional. PLEASE NOTE: IF EXPENSES ARE INCURRED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, REPLACE MISSING ITEMS, PAY FOR EXTRA CLEANING OR ANY OTHER VIOLATION OF THE RENTAL POLICY AS A RESULT OF YOUR STAY, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DAMAGES: By taking occupancy of the property, you agree to WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. to have an equitable lien on your personal and real property, wherever located, to secure payment of costs relating to damages. Your further agree that WaterfrontFortMyers Inc.. may enforce its claim of lien against you by foreclosing on your real property and/0r obtaining a judgment against you. You acknowledge and agree that WaterfrontFortMyers Inc.. right to enforce such lien is not an unreasonable penalty or forfeiture.
UTILITIES: No compensation will be given for temporary outage of electricity, gas, water, cable or telephone service. Outages should be reported immediately and all efforts will be made to have them restored as soon as possible. The operation and maintenance of these utilities is out of the control of the owner/ WaterfrontFortMyers.
PHONE SERVICE: There is no charge for local calls. All units have a party line and long distance phone calls are blocked, No International calls allowed unless charged to your phone card. The phone number for all units is 239-463-2583 .
ITEMS LEFT IN UNIT: WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. is not responsible for personal items left in a unit. If items are found and you wish them returned, there will be a $ 35.00 service charge plus shipping costs.
FURNISHINGS: Our vacation rentals are individually owned and furnished.
· Please do not rearrange the furniture, take any items outside that are part of the interior décor, move any furnishings or kitchen items to another unit.
· You will be charged if we have to rearrange the furniture after your stay. The unit descriptions were correct at the time of printing, but subsequent owner renovations may have resulted in changes. Although every effort has been made for accuracy, WaterfrontFortMyers is not responsible for errors, for property changes made by the owners, or for any conditions beyond our control upon arrival.
· NOTE: Rental agent represents property to the best of his/her ability and assumes no liability for errors or omissions. Since the premises are privately owned, WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. shall be responsible for any additional furnishings not presently in the property.
· Renter expressly agrees to indemnify owner for any damages or costs to the premises, furnishings, equipment and household items therein, which occur during renter's occupancy excluding normal wear and tear.
· PLEASE NOTE: IF EXPENSES ARE INCURRED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, REPLACE MISSING ITEMS, PAY FOR EXTRA CLEANING OR ANY OTHER VIOLATION OF THE RENTAL POLICY AS A RESULT OF YOUR STAY, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.
PARKING: Please park in designated areas only. Parking regulations are as follows.
· Augustine unit has 2 parking spots allocated located on the furthest most left side on the parking lot (facing from Carolina Ave. towards the complex. These cars are to be parked back to back to each other.
· Reagan, Aquinas, and Schaeffer units all are allocated 1 parking spot
· No guest cars are ever allowed on our parking lot and will be towed at owner's expense
· $100 fine will be assessed against any guest who violated the parking agreement for guest cars parked in our parking lot.
· R.V.'s, Boats, motor homes, travel trailers, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, etc., are not permitted without prior approval and will be subject to towing. We do not have room in our parking lot for any of these items.
RULES AND REGULATIONS: All guests, as well as Owners, are required to conform to all rules and regulations. Violators are subject to ejection, according to Florida Statute 509.141.
REPAIRS: Our staff is here to make sure your vacation home is in the best condition that it can be. If you should discover otherwise, please report it to us immediately and we will correct it as quickly as possible; however no refunds will be given for appliance failure or other circumstances beyond our control. Please do not wait until you are checking-out to let us know about problems, as we no longer have the opportunity to rectify the situation. At times we must wait for parts or service. Please bear with us during these times.
NON-SMOKING UNITS: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside ALL rental units. You will incur any charges for carpet cleaning and deodorizing if any evidence of smoking is found in your non-smoking unit.
AGENCY DISCLOSURE: WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. is the agent of the property owner and is acting at all times, in and for the best interest of the owners. Agent will not be held responsible for acts of theft or vandalism or damages to the guest's personal property.
Please call for details or to reserve your dates. We are pet friendly, family friendly property. Free bikes provided upon request, two boat docks for fishing right at the property, pool, two boat docks
http://rentalo.com/108760/waterfrontpetfriendly.html
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