What is up with the fishing in the Sound? It sure has been hard for the last couple of weeks. We have continued to have late season cold fronts, but they have brought mostly wind and changes in the barometer. Apparently, it has been enough to mess with the fishing. Yet, it was a pretty interesting week with some nice surprises.
The week began with the great guys I fished with on the previous Friday, minus one. Jason Erb and his good friend Mike were back for a second shot at the fish, but Matt, the champ from Friday had already flown back home. I'd had a blast with the boys on Friday, and knew we were in for another fun day.
Jason, Mike, and I began our day as always chasing bait. Because we had a stiff north breeze (from the last front), I elected to begin the day at the St. James Creek flats. There was only one other boat present on the flats; Capt. J.T. Sanders, a very nice fella who graduated from FMHS as I did, but a year or two ahead of me back in the early 60's!
I anchored some 75 yards away, and the boys and I went to work. But, in spite of our great chum, expert reading of the water, etc., we only got two shiners in a half hour of trying. Finally, I called over to J.T. to inquire if he was having the same kind of success we were having. He called back that he was about done, and had plenty of bait. He then invited us to come over to where he was and take over his chum line. That was very nice of him.
I have done the same thing many times over the years, and am always happy to help someone else, although I haven't been on the reciprocal end all that many times. Well, once there, J.T. assured me that I'd load up on the first throw. But, I caught a few pinfish and NO shiners. We were both baffled. So, J.T. again very generously gave me a bag of his super secret chum formula, that is what we all used years ago. It's great stuff, but very expensive and smelly, and sort of a pain to make. J.T. took off confident that we would get plenty of bait with his chum formula, but we never caught the first fish.
I reasoned that they had just beat feet (flipped fins?) and were just gone, and decided to move to another area. I took off for the nearby Picnic Island flats, and settled on the edge on the southwest side of the flat. In fifteen minutes and three throws I had some 500 shiners in the well, and we were set for a day of fishing. Hmmm! Could it be that J.T.'s formula is that much better? I didn't want to believe it could be.
We were now ready for the second phase of the bait catching operation, which was to catch ladyfish at the powerlines. It's fun, and a great way to get used to the tackle and pass the time while you're waiting on a slack tide to begin moving.
We had no more than begun, and I had only made a couple of casts with my TerrorEyez when I got hit hard, and the reel began to scream. I was using my brand new Stradic 2500 MgFB, which I like so much may replace my current Stellas when it's time. My reflex thought was big grouper or nice cobia, and I wasn't concerned. But, that was the big mistake. About 15 seconds into the battle, the fish took off like it had JATO rockets attached to it's sides, and I knew right then it was a big tarpon. I see them rolling and free-jumping in there almost every morning this time of year. But, the little Stradic only holds about 150 yards of the 15# Power Pro, and I had just cast a good 150 feet of it off the reel, leaving about that much on the reel. And, I'm here to tell you that big poons ripped the remaining line off the reel before I could get past Jason and Mike and crank the motor. Pow! I was spooled in a New York heartbeat!
Although the line is quite expensive, my concern was for the fish. I was hopeful that once the tension was off the lure, it had fallen out, and that the tarpon would not be swimming around with some 300 ft. of line hanging out of its mouth. That would be an almost certain death sentence.
After that excitement, the boys did manage to catch one trout and three ladyfish, and that was more than enough to see if we could entice some redfish later in the morning. We were ready to fish.
We headed up into the east side of the Sound and settled on a pretty little spot I love to fish. And, that's when the pattern started; snook scaling our baits virtually everywhere we went. We did have one snook on, but lost it.
We moved on, and at our next stop I dressed out some ladyfish and put out some shiners, as well. Mike got a beautiful 29" redfish, and the boys caught several snook, including a double. And, of course there were plenty of scaled sardines.
IS IT SUMMER, YET?
Once things slowed we made a quick moved and were again back on some action. Jason and Mike caught several more snook there. But, that was followed by a dry spell and we drew goose eggs on the next two spots. We caught one more snook at the last spot we fished, and that was it.
IS IT SUMMER, YET?
Although it had been a tough day by our standards, and not a hot bite, we had put some nice fish into the boat, gotten the Slam, and had a great time.
You can just tell when you talk to someone for the first time or two whether you're going to like them, or not. And, there was no question that I was going to really enjoy fishing with Terry and Vicki Heaps, of Delray Beach, Florida. And, the picture he sent me of the two of them sealed the deal. I could see the fun in their eyes! I was really looking forward to this trip.
When I met Terry and Vicki at the dock that morning I knew that whatever happened on this day, we would have fun. And, we did.
We took off for Picnic Island and returned to the scene of the previous day's bait catching. I figured we would quickly find out if there was a special magic to J.T's. formula, or if it was just a matter of circumstance, and my chum had the same magic. Terry and I went to work on the bait, and quickly had hundreds of shiners in the Talon's well, and were ready to go chase ladyfish. So, although I am grateful to J.T. for giving me some of his chum, it is evident that my Purina fish food works every bit as well. I guess sometimes it's just about being in the right place at the right time. And, that is actually what inshore fishing is all about. Timing. Timing. Timing.
With the bowels of the Talon full of minner dinners, we headed to the powerlines for a session of ladyfish fishing, wanting the insurance they offer of catching redfish when things are tough. Terry and Vicki bagged three of the silver leapers, along with two trout, but as I recall Vicki caught two of those priceless ladies.
And, then the fun began. We set up shop at our first stop and went to work with ladyfish steaks and shiners. Oddly the first several snook we caught were out away from the edges where we had the shiners swimming. It was tough fishing through the morning with a slow tide and the wind out of the northwest. We managed 8 or 9 snook, and were ready to see if we could find a hungry redfish.
IS IT SUMMER, YET?
IS IT SUMMER, YET?
IS IT SUMMER, YET?
As I made my approach to the spot I wanted to fish, I saw the boat some quarter mile in front of me turn around. I recognized the boat as one belonging to a young bafoon that works out of Castaways. It's a blue beater center console with a big round black "target" painted on the sides. I have since found out the name of the captain is Joey Burnsed. He came back to where I was about to fish and ran in on the flats in front of me and went around in circles a couple of times to make sure he ran off all the fish. Finally he appeared to have had his fun and to be leaving, but turned around and came back in and did it again. All this idiotic behavior with a boat full of customers!
Now, the worst part is that this is not the first time he's done this. He's done it to me, and to others numerous times over the last few years. And, one way or another, it's going to stop. He seems to have some serious issues, and thinks he owns everything out there. Well, I've got news for Mr. Burnsed. Him apparently being in his twenties, I was fishing, claming, and plucking scallops from these flats long before he was born. So, don't tell me I don't have a right to be out there. And, don't tell Terry Middleton, John Objartle and the others he's done the same thing to, they don't. They have every right to fish where they want as long as they're not encroaching on someone who is already there.
Well, needless to say Terry, Vicki and I were furious. Terry promised he would file a formal written complaint with Castaways. It occurs to me that Castaways could have a serious liability problem if he hurts someone on one of their trips.
I wasted no time in talking with several different law enforcement agencies; Lee County Sheriff Marine Unit, etc. I wasn't surprised when they told me they've had numerous complaints on this bafoon, but have not been able to catch him in the act. I've been instructed to keep a video camera at the ready at all times, and take footage of every move he makes. That will then be used as evidence with the Marine Unit, but more importantly with the complaints I will file with the US Coast Guard MSO. I will also be actively working to make sure that other Captains who have had similar problems with little Mr. Burnsed will also do the same thing, and also file complaints with the MSO. With a few complaints accompanied with good video evidence, he will ultimately loose his license, as well as have serious fines levied against him.
It's a shame that our guide corps has to have one captain who is by age an adult, but by action a spoiled little child. I'm guessing that since this is a public forum, word will eventually get back to him. So, I have effectively served him notice of what is coming. I just wonder if he will be smart enough to put aside his false ownership issues and act like a professional guide. His actions not only make him look very small, but put a black mark on the guiding community as a whole. We've got enough problems to deal with.
I also want to make it clear here that to my knowledge, Joey Burnsed is in no way affiliated with Sanibel-Captiva Fishing Team, which consists of Jim Burnsed, his son Jimmy Burnsed, and Rob McKay. Although I don't know Rob, Jim and Jimmy have always been perfect gentlemen and very professional with me. And, although I understand that Joey is related to Jim and Jimmy, his actions should not reflect in any way against them. They're good guys.
Well, eventually Terry, Vicki and I wound up at the Waterfront Restaurant and enjoyed a fabulous lunch. Of course, Mr. Burnsed was the topic of discussion, and I soon realized that his reputation as a "loose screw" reaches far and wide. It was a tough day made tougher by the actions of an irresponsible guide, but Terry, Vicki and I had a great time in spite of it all. They were great folks.
As I drove down Summerlin Road to the ramp for my Wednesday trip, here came Joey Burnsed in his pickup truck, going about twice my speed. As he blew by me he cut me off very close as he zoomed into the lane in front of me. More reckless endangerment. Well, I have a description and a license plate number, and I'm perfectly willing to get law enforcement involved with his driving, too. Now, I ask you. Is this a guy you want to be in a boat with while he's at the helm?
My Wednesday trip was with Markus Gonczkowski and his girlfriend Diane, of Clearwater, Florida. Markus is an old friend, but we haven't fished together in eleven years. Markus is also the very gifted artist who did the new graphics for my website. That great snook is his! Markus is also a rabid snook fisherman, and often wade-fishes the flats on the south side of Tampa Bay around the Skyway. Markus and Diane were here for this trip and a mini-vacation.
We began our trip right back on the flats at Picnic Island, where bait was a bit tricky at first, but ultimately great! We loaded up and were ready to go add some ladyfish to the mix. Once on the flats at the powerlines, the ladyfishing was good and Markus and Diane had five of them in the well in fairly short order. We also had tarpon free jumping on the flat, and saw several.
From the ladyfish we went snook hunting. The first thing I did was make sure my video camera was at the ready. We fished hard, hitting a lot of different spots, and eventually wound up in the area that I'd had the run-in with Joey Burnsed. And, sure enough! He showed up. But, the first time he did he was just passing through. And, to further prove his single digit IQ, he ran right through the same flat as he went. Then a half hour later he came back and fished it! Amazing. Well, I took plenty of pictures and video, but he behaved himself. I could see him continually looking over at me through my long lens, though.
Our hard fishing netted Markus and Diane about a dozen snook. We couldn't get a redfish to eat anywhere we went, using both ladyfish and shiners. It was a slow day by our standards, but Markus was quick to remind me that half as many snook were a good day for him back on his home turf.
IS IT SUMMER, YET?
At around noon we took off for lunch at the Waterfront Restaurant, where I had some further interesting conversations with some folks on the Sheriff Marine Unit. We had a great lunch, after which we went back out and hit a couple more spots. But, it seemed obvious the catching was over for the day. We couldn't draw a bite. We called it a day, and took it home. It had been a fun and interesting day, and it was great to share the boat with Markus again after so many years.
After maintenance and chores on Thursday, I was back out Friday morning with my old friend, and one of my favorite fishing buddies, Bob McGuire, of Line Lexington, PA. We've been fishing together for some ten years, now. We always have fun, and catch plenty of fish, and I don't think we've had a stinker of a day yet.
I followed the same bait pattern I'd been on all week. Bait came easily after a little more chumming than usual, and we loaded up. But, the ladyfish double-crossed us at the power lines. We only managed to hook one, which got away, along with two small trout. We didn't see the first tarpon roll or free jump. I wasn't really surprised since we were fishing the worst tide of the week. I fully expected a tough day.
The one thing I figured we had going for us this day was a south/southwest wind. Sure beats a north wind! The water was way higher than it was supposed to be because of the wind. That worked in our favor as we got to our first spot. We had no more than gotten settled and put baits out when I saw a big push come around the corner of the key we were fishing. I figured they were jacks by the way they were pushing, and big ones. Boy. Little did I know. Bob didn't really realize what was going on as I buzzed my bait in at triple-time, and dropped it in the path of the approaching fish. A second later all hell broke loose, and the new Stradic 2500 MgFB began to scream in protest. It was big, and was almost surely a jack. The rod in Bob's hands, I slowly screwed the drag down until we stopped the big jack. We were in danger of getting spooled for the second time in a week, as there was already a hundred feet of line off the reel when it hit.
Finally, the run stopped. The drag was so tight I could hardly pull line from the reel later. Now, Bob was able to do hand-to-hand combat with what was surely the biggest jack he'd ever fought. And, we've caught some big ones up in the river. Eventually, we were able to see the fish in the shallows, and it was nearly four feet long. It was a bruiser, for sure.
My mind was now on getting some video footage of the fish struggling against Bob. I got caught up in that and forgot to back the drag back to a reasonable setting. Bob, ran round and round with the big jack, artfully keeping it out of the motor, Power Pole, and trolling motor. Finally, with the fish within reach, it made a huge lunge as I reached for the leader, and swam free. We couldn't believe it. Bob thought it had broken the line, but I knew what had happened. And, sure enough, when he lifted the rod and picked up the line, the Owner Mutu Lite #1 circle hook was as straight as an arrow. That jack had snatched the kinks right out of it. Well, we got to the leader, so it was a catch and Bob had certainly gotten the best out of that fish. We managed a several snook there before moving on.
IS IT SUMMER, YET?
At our next spot we managed several more snook. And, once again at the next spot we caught a few more snook and a small redfish. That small red gave Bob the Slam, though. Doesn't matter what the size is. Bob also lost two or three nice snook. We finished with three more snook at our last stop, and as we left we saw plenty of fish laying right in the hole where we were tossing our baits. We wound up with a total for the day of 15 snook. It was the best day of snooking of the week. For that matter, the best day of catching of the week.
So, as you can see it was an interesting week full of surprises. It was a good week in spite of the slow bite, as all it takes to make a good week is good people who love to fish.
Be sure to check out www.BestFishingBooks.com, Books and gifts for fishermen from my friend Jim Dicken!