Last week I reported that the red tide was about gone, was I ever wrong. The red tide is still here and it is strong. Anyone who has spent any time on or near the beach can tell you how annoying the situation is. Watery eyes, coughing and sneezing are the major symptoms caused by breathing in the toxin. I live about a mile due west of the beach and I’m getting the effects of it here. I feel sorry for those living beachside. It’s also nasty when trying to fish the ICW. Wearing a surgical mask may not look chic but it will cut down on the breathing symptoms.
When is it going to go away? No one knows. According to information I received from the state, red tide can last days, weeks or months and can also change daily due to wind conditions. With the east/northeast winds that have been blowing for the last couple of weeks I don’t see a change coming soon unless we get some strong west/northwest winds that last a few days.
I have also received reports of fish kills in the ICW around Matanzas inlet, Pellicier flats and as far south as the Hershel King boat ramp. None of theses are good reports for fishermen. I haven’t noticed any dead fish south of the rte 100 Bridge in Flagler Beach. I’m hoping it stays that way. The southern end of Flagler County and the Highbridge area tides are controlled by Ponce Inlet rather then Matanzas Inlet. Let’s hope it keeps this area free of the red tide. For more information on red tide you can go to http://www.redtideonline.com/ or view videos at www.start1.com
The winds are also creating havoc with baby sea turtles. The hatchlings, they usually spend the first year of their lives floating around on seaweed, are being washed ashore by the easterly winds. To date my wife Lori has collected over 500 hatchlings that have been turned over to the piers Flagler Bait and Tackle shop and to Roy’s Bait House. Both places will get in touch with Lori for their safe return. She gathers the turtles and takes them to the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet. The turtles are given a good rest and some antibiotics before being returned to the sea.
Now for some fishing news, the pier reports blues and redfish but you have to fish out past the breakers.
Roy’s Bait House reports Dave Bourde fished the pier for redfish of 41” and 39”. Brenden Smith fished the surf and landed a 26” red, 14 bluefish and 2 – 16” sheepshead. William Konetzky pulled a 36 ½” snook from the ICW.
Last Friday I landed 3 snook in the Highbridge area, the fish were 8”, 17” and 26”. All fish were caught on a mirrolure or a yo-zuri 3D minnow. I talked with a fellow who told me that last week he and his buddy caught over 37 snook fishing from the bridge and all fish were caught on artificial baits. Reds, trout and flounder are also being caught from Highbridge to the Granada Bridge.
Photo: Lori Ottlein holds one of over 500 baby sea turtles that have been washed ashore onto Flagler County beaches in the past week. All turtles have been taken to the Marine Science center in Ponce Inlet.
When is it going to go away? No one knows. According to information I received from the state, red tide can last days, weeks or months and can also change daily due to wind conditions. With the east/northeast winds that have been blowing for the last couple of weeks I don’t see a change coming soon unless we get some strong west/northwest winds that last a few days.
I have also received reports of fish kills in the ICW around Matanzas inlet, Pellicier flats and as far south as the Hershel King boat ramp. None of theses are good reports for fishermen. I haven’t noticed any dead fish south of the rte 100 Bridge in Flagler Beach. I’m hoping it stays that way. The southern end of Flagler County and the Highbridge area tides are controlled by Ponce Inlet rather then Matanzas Inlet. Let’s hope it keeps this area free of the red tide. For more information on red tide you can go to http://www.redtideonline.com/ or view videos at www.start1.com
The winds are also creating havoc with baby sea turtles. The hatchlings, they usually spend the first year of their lives floating around on seaweed, are being washed ashore by the easterly winds. To date my wife Lori has collected over 500 hatchlings that have been turned over to the piers Flagler Bait and Tackle shop and to Roy’s Bait House. Both places will get in touch with Lori for their safe return. She gathers the turtles and takes them to the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet. The turtles are given a good rest and some antibiotics before being returned to the sea.
Now for some fishing news, the pier reports blues and redfish but you have to fish out past the breakers.
Roy’s Bait House reports Dave Bourde fished the pier for redfish of 41” and 39”. Brenden Smith fished the surf and landed a 26” red, 14 bluefish and 2 – 16” sheepshead. William Konetzky pulled a 36 ½” snook from the ICW.
Last Friday I landed 3 snook in the Highbridge area, the fish were 8”, 17” and 26”. All fish were caught on a mirrolure or a yo-zuri 3D minnow. I talked with a fellow who told me that last week he and his buddy caught over 37 snook fishing from the bridge and all fish were caught on artificial baits. Reds, trout and flounder are also being caught from Highbridge to the Granada Bridge.
Photo: Lori Ottlein holds one of over 500 baby sea turtles that have been washed ashore onto Flagler County beaches in the past week. All turtles have been taken to the Marine Science center in Ponce Inlet.