Capt. Rob Modys serves FGA on the Board of Directors. He is currently off the water in a fight against cancer. A benefit fundraiser is coming up in Ft. Myers on April 25th to aid him and his family with living expenses while he is not working on the water.

If you would like to donate a fishing trip or any other products, to be auctioned off at the benefit, please contact FGA President Capt. Charlie Phillips by email at [email protected].

Your message should include all the details of your trip including any limitations such as time of year, length of offer, number of people, size/type of boat, etc.

See the Facebook page for a look at more items being donated to the benefit. https://www.facebook.com/BenefitForCaptRobModys?fref=ts

Donations may also be made to a Go Fund Me page at

http://www.gofundme.com/q2rgyk

Despite the widespread use of hydraulic steering, its maintenance is often overlooked until a problem develops. Boat owners may not always take the time to visually inspect their system or to periodically flush the system and fill it with fresh hydraulic fluid.

And when a problem is noticed, often in the form of a leak, replacing the outer seals on the steering cylinder or helm shaft may be all that gets done. Other problems may lurk within, and if not addressed, may result in expensive replacement with new systems, or more importantly, the loss of steering control when underway.

In many cases, a leak can be a symptom of a more serious problem. A rebuild, professionally done, can not only return a system to original spec, but also extend the life of the system, oftentimes providing an extra seven + years of use." With more than 30 years of experience in the design, operation, repair and remanufacture of hydraulic systems, including annual training at Teleflex Marine's Hydraulic Steering facility in Richmond, BC, we stay up-to-date on all the latest steering roll-outs.

Boat Steering Rebuilders, LLC offers SeaStar hydraulic system rebuild services in Safety Harbor, Florida (Clearwater area).Original parts are disassembled and each component is cleaned, analyzed and tested. Worn, bent or damaged components are replaced with new, factory-fresh parts, all internal fluid reservoirs are thoroughly cleaned and new seals and seats are inserted. Rebuilt systems are charged with fresh oil, and bench tested to rated pressure levels to assure satisfactory performance and sent back to the boat owner or dealer who can then reinstall the parts and bleed the system.

The cost of a rebuilt ram or helm is usually about half the cost of buying a new unit and turnaround time for Boat Steering Rebuilders is typically two to three days. Rebuilt steering rams and helms carry a one-year limited warranty (6 months for commercial and guide boats).

More and more boaters are on the water these days with bigger boats and even bigger horsepower. Whether it's a 28-foot deck boat or one of the new triple pontoon boats, all vessels powered by high-performance inboard, stern-drive or outboard engines rely upon hydraulic steering for control and safe operation. Even boaters with smaller crafts and more modest power prefer the ease and control of hydraulic steering.

You never know how important your steering system is until it fails when you're traveling at 50 miles an hour. With Boat Steering Rebuilders, the performance of a problem system can be restored at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

For more information on Boat Steering Rebuilders, contact Butch or Valerie Castleberry at 727-400-4746 or visit their website at www.boatsteeringrebuilders.com. 

King Sailfish Mount's legacy continues to build around its support of "Catch and Release" practices by providing anglers around the world with fiberglass replica fish reproductions to commemorate those special catches.  To further commemorate those healthy release catches, King Sailfish provides the anglers and guides "Release Certificates" for these achievements.

Here is a preview of our new 30 sec commercial spot running on selected fishing shows airing now.

https://vimeo.com/bonniertelevisiongroup/review/122639597/d466d1be6b 

For more information on this program or mount quotes, please contact Garry Van Iderstine 

Garry Van Iderstine

King Sailfish Mounts, Inc

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/King-Sailfish-Mounts/173234699375249

by Capt. Charlie Conner

Calm Days of Summer are Coming

As March blows out of the area, you can still plan on some windy days ahead in April.  The transition into the summer pattern is well under way and soon the winds will die down and you can enjoy those calm days of summer once again.  Expect the fishing to be especially good this April as water temperatures warm up and spring takes over the area.  March was a little cooler, but the water is warming back up to suit the fish.  As the river fills with bait schools, you can bet the fish are hungry and will be feeding heavily.  Have fun!

Redfish and trout will become more active around the flats.  They will be shallow early and gradually move to the edges of the flats as the sun get higher in the sky.  Look to areas like Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island for trout to be feeding on the flats.  On a calm morning, break out the top water lures and switch to jerk baits, like a DOA CAL 4" Arkansas Glow or Watermelon.  Shallow running Mirrolures will also entice the trout into biting.  Don't forget to use the Deadly Combo or CAL Airhead for more exciting trout action on the grass flats.  There has been a lot of redfish activity throughout March and it should make April a fantastic month.  Redfish can be found on sandy flats around the docks or try the Moorings and Bear Point for a chance at a nice size red.  DOA shrimp or CAL grub tails in root beer or glow colors are great ways to find a redfish along with a trusty gold spoon. 

Read more . . . 

Good Fishing and Be Safe,

Captain Charlie Conner

http://www.fishtalescharter.com

[email protected]

772-284-3852

Spring is passing us by and summer is just around the corner and along with this transition comes and influx on fishing options as well. 

Some highlights for fishing on Florida's east central coast during the spring are: the weather is still cool and enjoyable, the waters warming up and the fish begin to shift into their pre-spawning feeding mood. Some examples of this behavior are the cobia moving north up the Atlantic coast, and the spotted sea trout transitioning into their traditional spawning areas on the inshore flats. Like many saltwater species, the cobia and sea trout spawn in aggregations or groups, not on beds. In the case of the cobia their traditional spawning areas are off of the central east coast of the US, and in the northern Gulf of Mexico. As the fish migrate north, they burn energy and feed heavily along the way, hence the cobia run we experience each spring.

407-416-1187 cell

Two of Florida's riverine black basses tie for state record

The state record for shoal bass was broken not once but twice during March.

Tucker Martin, 17, from Chipley, set a new state record for shoal bass on Sunday, March 8. He was bank fishing with a friend on the Chipola River in Jackson County. He cast a spinner bait up under a bridge and the fight was on. He was expecting to catch a spotted bass or largemouth, but landed a shoal bass that weighed 4.49 pounds (4 pounds, 8 ounces), measured 20 inches in total length and had a girth of 14 inches.

Martin and his grandfather met Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regional biologist Chris Paxton at the Main Street Market in Chipley. After congratulating the young angler and verifying the species, the fish was weighed on certified scales. Martin's bass surpassed the previous record by nearly 6 ounces.

"Whereas central Florida is especially renowned for trophy largemouth, northwest Florida has numerous species of uniquely evolved black bass that we are proud to promote and manage," Paxton said.

Barely a week later, Jamie Coleman, 18, of Altha caught a 4.5-pound shoal bass on St. Patrick's Day. The fish's species and weight was verified by FWC biologists Scott Bisping and Andy Strickland. In honor of "going green," Coleman released his catch. The fish measured 20 inches in total length and 14 inches around. It was the third state-record shoal bass caught in Florida since December 2014. Because it was only 0.01 pounds heavier than the previous record, the Martin and Coleman bass are now co-state-record fish.

FGA Guides can list their contact information on www.MyFWC.com/outfitters This is a great way to gain a little more exposure for your guide service and it's free!!