Tag: Featured

When learning the ropes — and rods — of saltwater fishing, thorough preparation involves more than just a rich arsenal of gear and the appropriate attire. Open-water fishing is challenging and requires technique and prior research.

If you’re embarking on an open-water adventure for the first time, keep the following saltwater fishing tips in mind.

RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION

The key to discovering a spot rich in saltwater fish is ample research. At least a week before your trip, you’ll want to read up on fishing reports, tide charts and weather forecasts.

Some areas are more crowded with fishing enthusiasts during different times of the year. Consider whether you are traveling in the spring, summer, fall or winter and do the appropriate research. You can get some ideas of where to go at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking “Where to Saltwater Fish.”

THINK ABOUT YOUR TARGET SPECIES

The type of catch you’re after will dictate where you anchor your boat. Targets, such as yellowfin or other tunas, for instance, are surface feeders. Thus, you’ll want to be on the lookout for weed lines and baitfish breaking the surface.

On the other hand, some species including groupers and snappers are bottom feeders and prefer structures including reefs and wrecks. Angling for these species can require special equipment, such as a fishfinder, circle hooks, dehooking tools, descending devices and more. MyFWC.com/FishHandling explains much of this fishing gear.

Stay up to date on the latest regulations for saltwater fishing at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations” or by downloading the Fish Rules app on your smart device. Learn about fish identification at MyFWC.com/FishingLines

Click here to read the entire article

The State of Florida has notified the City consumers can purchase qualifying back-to-school supplies exempt from tax during the 2021 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Saturday, July 31, 2021 and extends through Monday, August 9, 2021

Items exempt from sales tax:

• Most school supplies selling for $15 or less
• Clothing, footwear, and accessories selling for $60 or less
• The first $1,000 of the sales price of computers and accessories (when purchased for noncommercial and personal use)

The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

For more information and a list of qualifying items, visit the following link: https://floridarevenue.com/backtoschool or click through the following documents:

• 2021 Back to School Tax Holiday FAQs – Consumers
• 2021 Back to School Tax Holiday FAQs – Business

The 2021 Captiva Island Beach Renourishment project commencement is currently being coordinated with the resource agencies and contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock. Following recent and ongoing planning discussions, construction is now projected to start no earlier than August 26, 2021 pending all notice to proceed approvals from the agencies. Barring any unforeseen delays, it is estimated to take approximately 35 days to place the contracted 600,000 cubic yards once construction is underway; if additional sand is authorized by the CEPD, the number of construction days will be adjusted accordingly. Construction of the beach will first move south near 16141 Captiva Drive to Turner Beach, and then north toward Chapin Lane. Once the southern portion of the island is completed, construction operations will move north to fill the remainder of the island in a similar manner.

On Monday, July 12th, the City of Sanibel will begin surveying the island’s beaches to monitor coastal erosion and accretion. This work will not interfere with access or usage of any of the beaches and will take approximately three weeks to complete.

This year’s monitoring project has been awarded to Aptim Environmental & Infrastructure, LLC. This project is half funded by the Tourist Development Council with the remaining half being funded by Beach Parking fees. The project is part of a continuing effort to collect and analyze beach profile data.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Department of Community Services Public Works Operations at 239-472-6397 if you have any questions regarding the 2021 Beach Monitoring project.

On Monday, July 12, 2021 through Friday, July 30, 2021 from 8:00AM to 5:00PM, the vegetation along Sanibel Captiva Road from Bowman’s Beach Road to Blind Pass will be trimmed on both sides of the road, including the Shared Use Path, weather permitting.

Due to the nature of the vegetation work, one lane of Sanibel Captiva Road may be intermittently closed to traffic. Please be prepared to expect delays. We request drivers and pedestrians to please PROCEED SLOWLY and CAUTIOUSLY through the area when workers are present.

Please contact the Department of Community Services Public Works Division at 239-472-6397 if you have any questions regarding the trimming work

CCP Government Affairs Committee Chair David Mintz reported that Vice President and Golf Cart Committee Chair Antje Baumgarten previously presented the panel with proposed changes to an existing county ordinance that regulates the use of golf carts on designated roads on Captiva. However, the panel’s position on the changes were unclear.

He explained that in beginning to work with county staff on the previously mentioned ordinance amendments, which includes the golf cart use revisions, an official stance from the panel would help.

There are two proposed additions to the ordinance, which are:

• No persons on a golf cart shall have any open alcoholic beverages in their possession.
• All golf carts that are leased or rented for use on Captiva, or that are provided by rental properties on Captiva for use by renters, must have a visible company or property identification and number on both sides of the golf cart and a permanent sticker on the dashboard or windshield advising clients that underaged drivers, open alcoholic beverages, driving on the beach, on road shoulders, and outside of permitted golf cart zones are strictly prohibited. Companies that lease or rent golf carts for use on Captiva must instruct their customers at the time of the rental of the rules set forth in this ordinance governing the use of golf carts on Captiva.

Panel Member John Jensen asked about the fine or punishment for violators. “It’s a non-criminal infraction,” Mintz said. “It’s a traffic offense.” A motion to approve the proposed additions to the existing ordinance passed.

Recreational and commercial blue crab traps in state waters from the Palm Beach-Broward county line to the Pasco-Hernando county line have to be removed from the water before July 10, the first day of a 10-day trap closure. The closure gives groups authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the water.

Traps may be placed back in the water starting on July 20. Until then, blue crabs may be harvested with other gear, such as dip nets and fold-up traps. Blue crab harvesters may also use standard blue crab traps during the closure if the traps are attached to a dock or other private property.

Closures may be reduced in duration if it is determined the number of lost and abandoned traps in the region will take less time to remove.

Lost and abandoned blue crab traps are a problem in the blue crab fishery because they can continue to trap crabs and fish when left in the water. They can also be unsightly in the marine environment, damage sensitive habitats and pose navigational hazards to boaters.

The closure is one of three regional, 10-day blue crab trap closures for 2021. There are six regional closures total: three in even-numbered years on the east coast and three in odd-numbered years on the Gulf coast and in south Florida.

While state waters extend to nine nautical miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, the blue crab trap closures include only state waters extending to three nautical miles offshore on both coasts.

More information regarding the FWC’s trap-retrieval program, blue crab trap closure dates, regulations and cleanup events is available online at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Trap and Debris.” For additional information, contact the FWC’s trap retrieval coordinator, Pamela Gruver, at 850-487-0554.

On a trip to the Islands off the coast of Florida, Sandra Bornstein and her husband, Ira (aka the Traveling Bornstein’s), asked each other, “What delicious seafood should we order today?” That was the dilemma they faced while visiting tropical islands. But, isn’t it an excellent problem?

Whenever The Traveling Bornstein’s explore a coastal destination, they take this an opportunity to taste and rate the local seafood. During their visit to South Seas Island Resort, they explored the seafood options at the Resort and the local Island restaurants. They selected some of the most delicious appetizers and entrees on both Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Click here to read their full review

Do you want to turn your yard into a Florida-Friendly landscape? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) may guide you to do so.

The City of Sanibel has recently received a notice from these two environmental protection departments that they seek Florida homeowners who would like to turn their yard into a Florida-Friendly landscape a part of the “Flip My Florida Yard (FMFY) television series.

The Flip My Florida Yard team will work with the chosen homeowners to develop a plan to flip the current yard and bring it to life. According to the size and needs of the yard, you can either convert your entire yard or just a part of it. 

The FMFY team will visit the selected homes around the state for the ultimate Florida-Friendly makeover and convert the selected yards to help protect and conserve Florida’s natural resources through science-backed landscape practices. The landscape designs are based upon the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL): right plant, right place; water efficiently; fertilize appropriately; mulch; attract wildlife; manage yard pests responsibly; recycle yard waste; reduce storm-water runoff, and protect the waterfront.

To learn more or sign up to be considered for season two, visit Want Your Yard Flipped? – Flip My Florida Yard.

The American Legion Post 123, at 4929 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, presents the following:

• July 1: Open mic from 6 to 9 p.m.
• July 4: 4th of July Celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. with the Marty Stokes Band; free hotdogs all day, along with specials for Sloppy Joes, sloppy dogs and sloppy nachos

Food is served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with steak sandwiches on Fridays and tacos on Tuesdays. There are also daily specials and half-pound burgers. In addition, two pool tables are available for use.

The new American Legion eligibility date is Nov. 11, 1918, through today’s current date. All veterans are welcome to become a member. For more information, contact Tim or Randy at 239-472-9979.

American flags that need to be retired can be dropped off.

Open to the public, hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. The Legion includes a “no smoking” facility.

For more information, call 239-472-9979 or visit “American Legion Post 123 Sanibel Florida” on Facebook.