January 2016 Newsletter 
Ron Presley, Editor
Celebrating 24 years of Service to 
 Florida's Fishery Resource
Happy New Year from the 
Florida Guides Association


We have started the New Year with a 
new mobile friendly newsletter. Hope you like it! 

From the Crow's Nest
by Captain Charlie Phillips
The crow's nest is the highest point on a vessel and used as a lookout point. As the president of Florida Guides Association (FGA) I plan to be on the lookout for hazards as well as opportunities that affect our organization. This column will be used to communicate my observations to you. Please feel free to share our newsletter with any of your friends that may also believe in our mission to protect Florida's fishery resource to the benefit of recreational angling.
 
New Opportunities for 2016
 




FGA Fishing With Kids 
Submit your favorite kids fishing picture and it may appear in a future issue of the newsletter. S end your photo with the name of captain, angler, location, bait used any interesting side story and your contact info. Submissions must come from current FGA member guides. 
Fishin'with kids-Bouncer Smith
The 20th Annual JEB BUSH Florida Classic was held November 19 - 20, 2015 out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The tournament is sponsored by The Wasie Foundation and presented by AT&T, BB&T, Ford and Premier Beverage to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
 
Fourteen-year-old Sammy Abello was the tournament guest angler/CF patient. He fish with FGA Capt. Bouncer Smith and crew aboard Bouncer's Dusky 33. "Sammy caught six sharks and caught and released his first sailfish," reported Bouncer.

Road Trip: Bassin' on the Coosa Chain
A large variety of fish attract anglers to Georgia's Rome
 
Cody Benton grew up in and around Rome, Georgia. With that kind of environment and a fishing family he was destined to be an angler.
 
The city of Rome is nestled in among seven prominent hills that create magnificent vistas in every direction. Running between those hills are three rivers that form what is described as North America's most biologically diverse river basin. The Coosa River Basin draws the attention of anglers and water lovers of all varieties. 
 
Rome is located at the head of the Coosa River. The Oostanaula River comes flowing from the north and the Etowah River from the east to form the headwaters of the Coosa River Basin. It continues south through Weiss Lake in Alabama and finally to Mobile Bay. Those waters are prime territory for area anglers.
 
Benton developed his passion for fishing at an early age. "I have always fished growing up as a kid," offered Benton. "It was farm ponds and stuff. When I was about 14 or 15 years old I went with my uncle in a little small johnboat. We went to Carter's Lake and fished for a few hours. Ever since then I have been hooked. It was not long, a couple months later, that I got my first boat." 
The important thing on a family charter is to make sure everybody has an enjoyable time_and that may not include catching the biggest fish.
Funtavo Tips: Chartering for Families
By Frank Sargeant

One of the worst trips I ever had with a guide was one in which I decided to take my then-12-year-old son fishing with a top tarpon guide on Florida's west coast. I knew and liked the guide--I had written about him many times.

But on that trip, when my son blew a relatively easy cast at the only school of fish that came within good range of us all morning, the guide blew his top. He stormed and cussed and generally behaved like an ass.

He had forgotten one of the golden rules of successful guiding--and I never fished with him again.

It's not always about the fish, but it is always about the experience.

And particularly when kids or inexperienced anglers are aboard, it's a must for charter skippers to remember that doing things right and catching the trophy is not the most important part of the trip. Making sure all aboard have the best time they can given the conditions is the job at hand.

Some guides I know who specialize in family trips . . .

Boyton Inlet Snook
Photo courtesy Capt. Danny Barrow.
2016 Snook Symposium in Orlando

"Florida is the fishing capital of the world," stated FGA President, Capt. Charlie Phillips. "We have so many options for folks to fish for while in the Sunshine State. 

"I have always thought that most of these fish can be readily found in other areas of the USA for anglers to travel to and book a guide for a day. Snook are the one fish that is really not the case. I know there are some in Texas, but Florida is the flagship for snook fishing in the USA and this is something that we should never forget."

The Florida Manatee--A Conservation Success Story
By Frank Sargeant
Editor, The Fishing Wire
 
The restoration of the Florida manatee is a remarkable conservation success story, though you wouldn't know it from news reports that continue to bemoan the "disappearing manatee".
 

Editor's Note: This story appeared in the December 18, 2015 issue of The Fishing Wire. For a free, five-days-weekly subscription, visit www.thefishingwire.com.

Retired but not forgotten.
Indian River Lagoon Coast Forecast - January 2016
By Capt. Tom Van Horn
The Confession of a Passionate Angler
 
Reflecting back on over six decade of fishing in Central Florida, I must confess I've been blessed by the countless passions driving my life. Our passions propel us through life like the prop on a boat, pushing us faster and harder in the realization of our goals and accomplishments. Like the distant shoreline and our anticipation of reaching our favorite fishy flat, passion drives our desires, excites us, quenches our thirst and sooths our souls. 
 
Compelled by a love beyond explanation, the passions within can please us, or in some cases break our hearts. My passions in life are many, and as I get older and a little wiser, I've grown to realize my passions are often driver and shared by others who feel the same and care alike. 


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Capt. Tom Van Horn 
www.irl-fishing.com
407-416-1187
Treasure Coast Fishing Forecast - January 2016
by Capt. Charlie Conner

Find warmer water for winter fishing success

In past years, January has traditionally been a cold month around the Treasure Coast. Hopefully, 2016 will show us another mild winter and you won't have to worry about the water temperatures as much this year. Fishing in deeper water will provide you with better results on most days. Working your lures and baits much slower will also give you a better chance at success. Fish tend to become lethargic in cold water and are slow in moving to strike at lures. Finding water that is a couple degrees warmer than the surrounding area can also give you an edge on finding fish.  

Read More . . . 

Good Fishing and Be Safe
Captain Charlie Conner
772-284-3852

FGA Goings On - December 2015 
The month of December was a slow month for the FGA , but we did attend the final 2015 meeting for the Charlotte Harbor Fisheries forum on Dec 3rd. This was the last of about 10 meetings held over the past year. The meetings were held to discuss the issues that stakeholders felt were most impacting the Charlotte Harbor area. 

Topics discussed included poll/troll zones, water quality, commercial fishing issues, and boater etiquette and access issues. While nothing concrete was decided to conclude this year's meeting, it was determined to continue this effort into 2016 and work on ways to ensure the Charlotte Harbor fishery is viable for years to come. 

For anyone who fish this area, there is an online survey available to gather data being used for IFAS to compile boater and fisherman use information.  

Please take time to complete the survey by clicking here

Visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Capt. Charlie Phillips, President
Florida Guides Association 
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Capt. Charlie Phillips
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