The Florida Fishing Experts
Specializing in Florida Bass Fishing on all of the Florida Freshwater Lakes.

(Sep. 29, 2008 – Okeechobee, FL)… Boater Alex Picos of Davie, Fla., won the Walmart Bass Fishing League Everglades Division Super Tournament on Lake Okeechobee with a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 38 pounds, 14 ounces. The victory earned Picos $3,560 plus a $628 Ranger bonus.

Picos said he used a shad-colored soft-plastic jerkbait to target bass hugging isolated grass on the main lake.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Brandon McMillan of Belle Glade, Fla. (10 bass, 38-08, $2,095); Rene Gonzales of Lauderhill, Fla. (10 bass, 37-14, $1,396); Steve Fairtrace of Okeechobee, Fla. (10 bass, 36-10, $978) and Bryan Honnerlaw of Moore Haven, Fla. (10 bass, 35-10, $838).

Greg Sorrell of Fort Myers, Fla., took home the Boater Division Snickers Big Bass award, earning $465 for an 8-pound, 8-ounce bass that he caught on a trick worm on an 18-foot ledge.

Raymond Riendeau of Saint Cloud, Fla., earned $2,095 as the co-angler winner thanks to 10 bass weighing 29 pounds, 1 ounce that he caught while fishing a soft plastic frog near isolated grass.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Brock Stanaland of Jupiter, Fla. (seven bass, 24-14, $1,047); William Wood of West Palm Beach, Fla. (10 bass, 24-02, $700); Robert Wood of Jupiter (nine bass, 23-11, $489) and Ernie Johnson of Okeechobee, Fla. (nine bass, 22-10, $419).

Stanaland earned $116 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound, 3-ounce bass that he caught on a white soft-plastic frog.

It’s so great to see really good catch results on lake Okeechobee once again, the lake is on it way back!

From Staff and Wire Reports
BassOnline.com
888-629-BASS (2277)
www.hawghunter.net
www.bassauthority.com
www.flpeacockbass.com
www.basson-line.com

By BOB WATTENDORF

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Freshwater fishing is one of the many outdoor recreational activities encouraged by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The FWC views outdoor recreation as a tremendously beneficial opportunity that should be available to all residents and visitors, and it strives to provide quality fishing, hunting and wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Cheryl Charles, president of the Children and Nature Network, points out, “People throughout the world are increasingly connected by a resonance and passion, to create a new common sense for the good health of children today and generations to come.”

Dr. Andrew Lepp, assistant professor of recreation, park and tourism management at Kent State, said the benefits from outdoor recreation are varied and plentiful. Outdoor recreation has psychological benefits, including the prevention or reduction of stress and improved self-esteem, confidence and creativity. Lepp also contends it adds to spiritual growth and leads to an increased sense of exhilaration, adventure and challenge from life. Getting outside provides physical benefits, such as aerobic, cardiovascular and muscular fitness, as well as improved functioning of the immune system.

It even offers benefits for the social life. The great outdoors affords social benefits, such as bonding with like-minded people who also enjoy outdoor activities, and feeling an increased pride in your community and nation.

The economy benefits from all of this activity as well. Outdoor recreation creates job opportunities for others, which leads to economic growth and preservation of the natural areas needed for outdoor recreation increases property values. The workplace wins because people who regularly participate in outdoor recreation tend to be more productive at work, Lepp said.

The list continues with positive outcomes for the environment. People who participate in outdoors activities usually have increased environmental awareness. This awareness translates to increased involvement in environmental issues.

Specific activities such as fishing can add to the enthusiasm and provide a fun challenge to become increasingly skillful. In Florida, the abundance of natural waters (7,700 named lakes, 12,000 miles of fishable rivers and canals) means the opportunity is available to everyone. From digging worms and making your own cane pole, to casting a lure, you develop a connection with nature that comes naturally and has been an American tradition since long before Mark Twain’s tales of the adventurous Huck Finn.

Every year the FWC works with the Florida Disabled Outdoor Association at its Sportsability event, and this year we joined them at the Family Café event in Orlando. These opportunities reinforce the pure fun of experiencing nature, and we redouble our commitment to making fishing accessible for everyone.

Clay Dyer – a professional bass fisherman who was born without lower legs, no arm on the left and a partially developed arm on the right – inspired hundreds of individuals with physical and mental challenges during his motivational presentation at the Family Café event. Clay is a hero and inspiration to virtually everyone he touches with his life story, which he calls “The View from Down Here is Just Fine.” He is also a spokesperson for the C.A.S.T. for kids program.

The FWC is doing its part by teaching kids to fish, sponsoring Becoming an Outdoors-Woman events, helping create bank-fishing access and building accessible boat ramps, courtesy docks and fishing piers. Most importantly, the FWC is dedicated to conserving and enhancing fisheries habitat and fish populations for everyone.

We invite you to get outdoors and take someone with you, so you can enjoy all the benefits of getting back to nature.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356).

Report violators by calling *FWC or #FWC on your cell, or 1-888-404-3922.

From Staff and Wire Reports
BassOnline.com
888-629-BASS (2277)
www.hawghunter.net
www.bassauthority.com
www.flpeacockbass.com
www.basson-line.com

 Only two months ago at the start of August, Lake Okeechobee was still below the “11 ft above sea level” mark … and at the tail end of its record-setting 511 day streak below that level. The Lake looked like it was rising out of the cellar just like it did in 2001 (when it rose gradually through the summer and crested at 15 ft near the “wet season’s” end in mid November).

That scenario changed when Fay hit and the Lake topped the 15 ft mark by early September in record-setting speed.
Just like that it looked like the Lake “hopped tracks” over into 2004 chart-topping territory.

But those fears were premature … at least for now. Lake stage has crested, and as of yesterday, it officially dropped a notch below 15 ft, down to 14.97.

There are many people with special interest that would like to see the lake reach 16 ft, as anglers, outdoorsmen and true conservationist of the lake. We would love to see the lake stay between 12ft and 14ft, which is also recommended by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission.

The self-interest opinions of where the Okeechobee lake level should be are not what we need, very few of those opinions have any real interest in whether the god gifted natural lake comes back to it’s old form as a world class fishery.

While there’s a stir regarding the sell out of U.S. Sugar and the economic impact that area will face, which is a feasible concern. Just maybe we should for once turn our focus to the lake and ask a couple of difficult questions, “what does it need?, what’s best for the lake?, what is the future?”

The lake has taken abuse for many years, while providing a huge economic impact to one of the largest industry in Florida, “fishing.” The Outdoor recreation industry supports more jobs then Disney World and bring some 5 Billion dollars to our states economy, Lake Okeechobee has always been a big part of that number. This alone deserves our attention, respect and continued support of all parties as it is a Worldwide land mark and a gift for our state. “Let’s start treating it like one!”

Capt Todd
todd@bassonline.com
BassOnline.com
888-629-BASS (2277)

Paul Shafland, director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Exotic Fisheries Lab, captured this year’s “Pass It On” Award.

September 2008

The award was given by the Florida Outdoor Writers Association (FOWA) and Bass Pro Shops.

He bagged the honor at FOWA’s annual conference Sept. 13.

The “Pass It On” Award is an achievement award created by Bass Pro Shops to recognize individuals who have gone the extra mile or devoted their lives to introduce others to the joys of the outdoors.

“Recognition by Florida’s premier professional outdoor writers makes this especially meaningful,” Shafland said. “They are my professional peers, and that makes this award a high honor.”

Shafland began his devotion to the outdoors 34 years ago when he started working as a biologist at the then-Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, now FWC.

“I’ve always been interested in fishing, and that developed into a strong professional desire to understand and help manage Florida’s native and nonnative fisheries.”

Shafland said he is particularly passionate about enhancing Florida’s freshwater fisheries, especially the urban-based butterfly peacock bass fishery.

During his career at FWC, his most notable contribution has been introduction of butterfly peacock bass in South Florida waters. In 1984, in an effort to fight an exploding harmful nonnative fish population, Shafland and his team got approval to introduce the bass.  While the butterfly peacock bass is a nonnative species, it was released in South Florida only after extensive research determined there would be no ill effects on native fish populations. The plan was to use the species to prey on undesirable nonnatives and produce desirable fishing opportunities. It is the only nonnative fish legally and intentionally released by the FWC.

In the 24 years since the release of the butterfly peacock bass, exotic fish populations in South Florida have declined, and the butterfly peacock bass is one of the most popular sport fish for freshwater anglers. Anglers spend millions of dollars annually to catch this fish.

“I appreciate everyone — especially the thousands of anglers, young and old — who have made Florida’s urban-based butterfly peacock fishery the success it is,” Shafland said.

From Staff and Wire Reports
BassOnline.com
888-629-BASS (2277)
www.hawghunter.net
www.bassauthority.com
www.flpeacockbass.com
www.basson-line.com

September 2008, By RONALD L. LITTLEPAGE

The St. Johns River, always beautiful, especially sparkles on a fresh fall day when the temperature finally dips into the 50s after a long, hot summer.

Thursday was such a day in Jacksonville and the river, indeed, sparkled.

The sight was a vivid reminder of why we must protect the city’s greatest natural resource, the St. Johns River.

As you know, battle lines have been drawn over a proposal by the St. Johns River Water Management District to withdraw hundreds of millions of gallons of water a day from the river to quench the thirst of overdeveloped Central Florida.

One of the first fights in that battle is over a withdrawal permit the district wants to give Seminole County.

That permit has been challenged by the Riverkeeper organization and the city of Jacksonville. A hearing is set for next Wednesday.

It’s important that none of the parties challenging the permit get cold feet. Even if the challenge is dismissed, that order can be appealed, which would delay the permit.

Delay is important for two reasons.

First, the district is in the process of conducting a two-year scientific study of what the environmental effects of withdrawing water from the river would be.

Beginning to withdraw water before knowing that impact would be ridiculous.

Second, delay is important because the focus of the debate is beginning to shift more toward where it should have been all along – - conservation.

The argument for withdrawal is this: Our main source of potable water is the Floridan aquifer, which is stressed because of the demands of growth.

For growth to continue, more water will be needed and the aquifer can’t provide it.

“It doesn’t have to be that way,” said Cynthia Barnett, a writer for Florida Trend and the author of Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern United States.

Barnett was one of the speakers at a forum on water issues sponsored by the Urban Land Institute that was held this week in Jacksonville.

Instead of finding more water to meet demand, a better approach is to reduce demand, and that can be done, Barnett said, even with a growing population.

A study just released by the U.S. Geological Survey backs that up.

The study found that between 2000 and 2005, water use in Florida decreased 9 percent while the state’s population increased 12 percent.

How could that happen? Conservation.

Barnett suggested a number of ways to reduce water use: low-flow toilets, use of gray water to flush toilets, more efficient ways of irrigating farmland, changing landscaping habits, better reuse of water.

“I would argue we are in control of this,” Barnett said. “A region can prosper while using less water.”

That’s certainly a better course than risking the health of the St. Johns River.

From Staff and Wire Reports

BassOnline.com
888-629-BASS (2277)
www.hawghunter.net
www.bassauthority.com
www.flpeacockbass.com
www.basson-line.com