Out-of-season trout everywhere

[Sarulja]

If we were to put my last trip to song, I believe that “Old McDonald Had a Farm” would be appropriate.

Here a trout, there a trout, everywhere a trout, trout. It was too bad that trout season had closed a week earlier. We would have caught our limit.

We were fishing the grass flats above Chino Island and the big trout were holding in 2€ to 4 feet of water. Mixed in with them were the usual bait stealers — pinfish and small mangrove snapper. It could have been a great day, instead it was just a good day.

I like to bring you reports from other areas so you can either plan your trips or dream as I do. This time I am going to give you a quick report from Croatia. Yes, my last group was partly from the Mediterranean coast of Croatia. He was originally from Charleston, S.C., but has lived in Switzerland and now Croatia for quite some time. His comment is that the fishing is very bad due to all the netters they have. The netters have wiped out most of the fish.

We are fortunate in Florida that we realized early on that banning netting could help the economy and fishing. You do not notice much improvement since the net ban in 1995? Stop and think how much more fishing pressure we are exerting, with the increased population over the last 10 years. If we had not stopped local gill netting we would really be hurting today.

Now another area we need to start addressing is the way we shrimp. I do not have the numbers in front of me but best I can remember it is about one pound of shrimp for every eight to 10 pounds of bycatch brought on board. Of this bycatch, most of it is dead due to the compression in the nets. What is done with this bycatch?

It is shoveled overboard. Yes, it is just thrown back since most of it is juvenile red snapper and other small babies. And we wonder how to get our red snapper populations back to a sustainable number. Who are we to voice our concerns to the marine board that governs the regulations. They do not listen to the recreational side. All they seem to think about is the commercial people. Enough soap boxing today.

If you went to the boat show and bought a boat this past weekend or are new to the area, I would highly suggest that you check into a mental institute — no, I’m just joking, but be sure to check out a safe boating course.

There are several groups that offer them throughout the year. I do not recommend one over the other. They are all good. I think you would be well served if you did take one.

You can check with the Cape Coral Power Squadron or the Coast Guard Auxiliary. There are also a few others. Then as I always recommend, hire a guide for a trip to show you the lay of our local waters. I know we all feel macho and think we can handle it and you probably can, however it is no fun becoming good tight friends with one of our local sandbars with the tide going out.

Four to five hours stuck on a sandbar, not in a bar, is no fun. Be careful and be safe.