Tides were often slow moving but the weather was great for the better part of the week. The better bite came for most species during times with good water movement.

It’s tarpon time in Southwest Florida as more fish are arriving daily. A few of the hot spots included Pine Island Sound near the intracoastal channel, a short distance off the beaches of Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa Islands in 10 to 20-foot depths, and Boca Grande Pass. Tarpon were hooked on a variety of baits including flies, Hogy lures, pinfish, thread herring, squirrel fish or sand perch, small live crabs and cut mullet or catfish tails.

Catch-and-release snook fishing was steady over the week considering there was often slow-moving water. Snook were reported in the surf along the beaches, Blind, Captiva and Redfish passes, Bull Bay in Charlotte Harbor, and island points and oyster bars in mid to lower Pine Island Sound, plus areas around St. James City and the Caloosahatchee River. Clouser minnow flies and small jigs, both in a white color, worked well along the beaches early and late in the day. Live baits, including pilchards, pinfish, pigfish, thread herring and shrimp, worked best inshore.

Redfish to 31 inches were caught and released from many of the areas mentioned for snook on cut and live bait, plus chunks of blue crab. Reds were also hooked under mangrove overhangs over the last of the incoming and first hour, or so of the falling tides. Both snook and large redfish also took baits under structure such as docks inside the gulf passes.

Spotted seatrout came from areas throughout Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. Fish up to 24 inches took a variety of baits including live and imitation shrimp under popping corks, live pilchards and pinfish, plus a variety of lures and flies. Fish were located over areas along sand bars where the shallow bar transitioned to deeper water and the perimeter around oyster bars on high water.

If you have been on the water, you have probably noticed pelicans diving and other bird activity both inshore and offshore. There are large baits schools around and if you locate one, it could be a great place to bend a rod. A mix of fish including Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish, seatrout and others were hooked while fishing near bait pods in Charlotte Harbor, the north ends of Matlacha Pass, Pine Island Sound and off the beaches. Good numbers of cobia were either sighted or hooked — look for them prowling around bait schools or riding the back on large rays, manatees or sharks.

As we move closer to summer, mangrove snapper are becoming more abundant around the gulf passes and inshore waters. Snapper up to 14 inches were caught around the gulf islands under mangrove shorelines, submerged structure, docks and oyster bars. Numbers reported were not great but should improve each week. The best bite came with good water movement while fishing live shrimp, small pinfish or pilchards on a small hook and light leader.

Finally, with some light winds offshore boats found red grouper up to 28 inches fishing hard bottom in depths from 70-100 feet. A snapper mix, including mangrove, yellowtail, lane and vermilion, were caught from the same depths. Sharks, goliath grouper, amberjack, permit and barracuda were reported over wrecks from 40 feet and deeper.

Make sure and keep up to date with fishing rules and seasons, as they change often. You can visit www.myfwc.com for all current state and federal regulations.

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www.fishpineisland.com; or via email at gcl2fish@live.com.

Have a safe week and good fishin’.

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years.

Local Columns

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WRITING CHALLENGE

cpierce@floridaweekly.com

Cindy Reid picks up a copy of Florida Weekly almost every week and had seen the photo prompts for the first six rounds of our 2021 Writing Challenge before one prompt in Round 7 inspired her creative muse.

“I saw that old van and immediately went back to a different era,” the semi-retired writer who lives on Pine Island says. “It made say, ‘Remember when …’”

She spent about two hours on the first draft of “The Road Goes on Forever” and revisited it a few days later. “The deadline was only three days away when I first saw the prompt and felt called to write a story to it,” she says. “I set an alarm to remind myself to send it in. I gave it a couple of rereads and might have changed a word or two, but I didn’t do any real rewriting before I hit send.”

Nor did she ask her partner, Kip Graham, or anyone else to read the story before she submitted it. “I’m my own worst critic,” she says.

Ms. Reid wrote feature articles for Beaufort Lifestyle in Beaufort, S.C., for 10 years and currently writes personality profiles for Effingham Magazine and Pooler Magazine in those communities in Georgia, outside Savannah.

She and Mr. Graham have lived on Pine Island for four years. While living in the Hudson Valley a few miles north of Manhattan for 20 years, she worked in bookstore management and wrote newsletters.

“I love the chance to write fiction that the Florida Weekly Writing Challenge offers,” she says.

We hope Ms. Raney returns for our 2022 Writing Challenge. The 11th annual contest will kick off in our June 1-2 editions and run through September 28-29. Each of nine rounds will offer one photo prompt to inspire our readers’ creative writing muses. ¦

The Road Goes on Forever

BY CINDY REID

When one sees a VW van, the first and right response is to wonder ‘Where are we going?’ or ‘When do we leave?’ VW vans are meant for travelling — not commuting. But when the road narrows and the idea of home beckons, sometimes it’s right to take a break. When that happens, the van sits in the driveway, as if staged for the next trip, but then it gets moved to the side yard, and then inevitably the backyard because, let’s face it, the travelling van days are over.

Robbie knew her grandparents had lived a hippie life. As a baby her mother Sam had crossed the country twice in the van, roaming the blue roads with Gene and Wanda. (They were never called Mom and Dad, preferring the egalitarian Gene and Wanda.) But when Sam was 3 years old the road sputtered to a stop, and so did the VW, or vdub as they called it.

They bought a sagging wood frame duplex in Vermont with the idea to fix it up and rent out one side while living in the other. This suited their principles, which they possessed in abundance, and their pocketbook, which was significantly thinner.

The bank was happy to unload the place, allowing Gene and Wanda to retire from the road and became landlords. Which was their uneasy joke, “Look at us, a couple of capitalists!”

Gene looked the part of a carpenter, with ponytail and flannel shirt, but it was Wanda who had the skills to make the place habitable. Because they felt awkward collecting the rent, and were suckers for a sad story, the rentable side of the duplex became home to a string of artists, poets, single moms, and at least one drug addict.

By now the vdub settled in the backyard on flat tires. When she was 10, Sam discovered the vdub and would sit behind the wheel and pretend she was on an adventure. Her parents’ stories and the few photographs they had (which tended to feature mountain streams and rock concerts) left her intensely nostalgic for what she couldn’t actually recollect. But it had to be more fun than living in rural Vermont, and the day after her high school graduation she got on a bus to California, a copy of “On the Road” in her backpack. She didn’t look back.

California was different from what Sam had imagined. Too expensive, too crowded, too fake. She worked her way up the coast, waitressing at diners and cafes, until she landed in Oregon, which was more real, or at least more manageable, than California. Wanda and Gene wanted to come out and see her, but Sam was embarrassed about her waitress job and the crummy apartment she shared, so she didn’t encourage a visit. The road was beginning to feel like a dead end.

When she discovered she was pregnant, she was thrilled and terrified. Her boyfriend Jess was a sweet but lazy bartender who didn’t think he was cut out for babies or commitments. After Wanda and Gene learned they were going be grandparents, they flew out to check out the situation. Gene took Jess out for a few beers and tried to encourage him into fatherhood. Wanda took Sam to the doctor and stocked her fridge with nutritious food. After a week Sam shooed them back to Vermont, promising to call the minute her labor started.

Robbie made her arrival punctually on her mother’s due date. She was such a sweet and endearing child that she inspired her parents to merge their paths into one road. Money was tight, but they camped on the banks of rivers and chased fireflies in ancient forests.

When she got older, Robbie spent summers in Vermont with her grandparents. Eventually she found her way to the vdub, same as her mother had done years ago. Was the old magic still there? She thought she felt it. Curled up with her notebook and pencil she wrote about Gene, Wanda, Sam, Jess, and all the roads they had travelled, separately and together.

Robbie polished her stories and sent them into the world, which earned her a spot at college with a scholarship to pay for it. She got on the bus the day after high school graduation and didn’t look back. She didn’t need to because everyone she loved was traveling with her. The road does, indeed, go on forever. ¦

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Gerard’s Tree Service is offering mangrove trimming services for the Pine Island area of Lee County, Florida.

Three mangrove species dominate and thrive in the Florida landscape due to the presence of salty water on account of Florida’s location right next to the Atlantic ocean. The main mangrove species native to Florida are red, black, white, and buttonwood. They are crucial to the Florida ecosystem as their growth and proliferation create ecological conditions that serve as a nursery for fish and habitats suitable for several birds and other coastal species.

The government of Florida has recognized the importance of mangroves to the local ecosystem and hence has put in place strict professional requirements for their cutting and clearing. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has thus released an official list of state-authorized PMTs that is available for anyone to peruse on its website. A PMT (Professional Mangrove Trimmer) is a professional who has “demonstrated to the department a sufficient level of competence to assure that they can conduct mangrove trimming in a manner that will ensure the survival of the mangroves that are trimmed.” PMTs also possess the knowledge and ability to correctly identify and trim mangroves as per the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act. Moreover, according to one requirement enforced by the DEP, part of the state-authorized PMT qualification requires the candidates to complete a minimum of 10 mangrove trimming projects which are verified for compliance with the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act.

Gerard Cicoria, the owner of Gerard’s Tree Service is a state-authorized PMT with a PMT status of “ISA”, licensed in the South district, and based out of his home location, St. James City. He, along with his business partner Ben Armstrong, is fully equipped and knowledgeable to handle all of the South Florida residents’ mangrove trimming needs. Gerard is a Pine Island, Florida, resident with over 25 years of experience working with all types of trees. As an experienced professional climber, Gerard specializes in hard-to-reach trees and hazardous tree removal situations. Ben Armstrong is also a Florida native with over 30 years of experience in native tree trimming and shaping. Ben is also a highly skilled equipment operator, specializing in exotic tree removal and storm cleanup.

Gerard’s Tree Service provides a range of tree trimming services such as certified mangrove trimming, storm damage prevention and repair, stump grinding and root pruning, tree trimming, shaping, and thinning, wildfire mitigation, and zero-impact tree removal in Bokeelia, Matlacha, St. James City, and beyond. Some of the equipment that the company carries includes a 60-foot aerial lift, a portable stump grinder that can access difficult-to-reach areas, a front-end loader to move logs & brush with very little lawn damage, and a 12-inch brush chipper that produces a fine mulch.

A recent review on the company’s Google My Business page says, “Gerard was punctual for his estimate and service appointment. He and his crew are efficient and tidy. Fair price and great work.” Gerard Cicoria let the media know his reaction to receiving the 5-star review by saying, “We are thankful for the reviewer for noting our efforts to always provide prompt service to customers who inquire about our tree care services in Pine Island, Florida. We run a tight ship and we will always let you know the earliest possible time slot when we will be able to head over to your site to address your mangrove or regular tree trimming needs. All our staff is instructed to be clear while communicating with clients and they are trained to place the customers’ needs first. They will listen to your concerns and will let you know exactly how we can help you overcome them. When we arrive on-site, we do an in-depth analysis of the situation and clinically go about fulfilling the task’s requirements. When we are done, we leave the site as pristine and untouched as it was when we arrived. We manage to deliver all of this great work at reasonable prices that you will appreciate. So call us today at (239) 633-3976 or drop us an email at gerardstree@gmail.com to get started with our mangrove trimming service.”

For more information about Gerard’s Tree Service, contact the company here:

Gerard’s Tree Service Gerard Cicoria (239) 633-3976 gerardstree@gmail.com Gerard’s Tree Service 5270 Maria Dr St James City, FL

The next time you're planning a romantic getaway, consider sneaking away to one of these secret Florida islands. Sprawling coastlines, charming beach towns, untouched beaches and a tropical setting will make it a vacation you won't soon forget.

Updated April 2022 by Dani Meyering

This lovely Sarasota-area gem is truly one of Florida's best-kept secrets. Home to the town of Nokomis, Casey Key boasts a beautiful, shell-spotted seashore with nary a high rise in sight. Weekends see crowds swell at the public beach area but the beach quiets immensely as you travel a few hundred yards toward a handful of small, one-level hotels and inns dotting the beachfront. Plan to spend your days soaking up the rays, watching dolphins frolic in the surf, floating in the warm Gulf waters and relishing spectacular Gulf sunsets.

Location: 30 minutes south of Sarasota; about two hours from Orlando Stay: The Beachcomber or Gulfside Beach Club (shown below) Dine: Old Florida spots abound, Casey Key Fish House is classic and Pop's Sunset Grill is a must Do:A visit to Historic Spanish Point and Selby Gardens make for beautiful moments

A lively little neighborhood at the southern end of St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille houses a handful of art galleries, shops, restaurants and bars, plus a few charming hotels and inns. This small, beachfront town is the ideal place to park your car for a few days, relax and enjoy the salt life.

Location: Approximately two hours from Orlando Stay: Inn on the Beach, Coconut Inn as well as VRBO options like the one shown below. Dine: Paradise Grille (right on the beach!) and The Seahorse (for breakfast) Do: Kayak tours, deep sea fishing and sunset cocktails

A three-minute ferryboat ride across the Intracoastal Waterway drops you and your car on Palm Island, a seven-mile-long isle nestled in the Charlotte Harbor area of Southwest Florida.

Location: Just under three hours southwest from Orlando Stay: Palm Island Resort is the island's only hotel but it offers one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, as well as cottages and private homes to rent Dine: Rum Bay Restaurant on the island and Leverock’s Restaurant on the mainland, plus the hotel can make you a picnic lunch to-go Do: Rent a bike, search for sea shells, go on a sunset cruise

Location: Located along the Gulf of Mexico just west of Gainesville, 3 hours from Orlando. Stay: Snuggle into a variety of Gulfside cottages, inns, vacation homes, and condos. The island's Chamber of Commerce has some good suggestions Dine: There is not as much fresh seafood as one might expect, but Cedar Key is considered to be the South's Capital of Clams. Editor's Note: I have family on the island and visit frequently, 83 West and 29 North is my absolute favorite place for eats and drinks. Do: Kayak, fish, book a boat tour (Cedar Key Boat Rentals & Island Tours or Tidewater Tours), rent a golf cart, Cedar Key Museum

Accessible only by boat and served by a public ferry from nearby Pine Island, Cayo Costa is a 2,426 acre state park that's ideal for a day trip or overnight, depending how rustic you can stand your accommodations. Ideal for natural lovers and outdoor explorers, this nine-mile-long island is dotted with pine forests, mangroves and a seemingly endless expanse of untouched beaches.

Location: Located along the Gulf of Mexico just west of Fort Myers, Cayo Costa one of the largest barrier islands in Florida. Stay: For overnight stays, the park offers primitive cabins and tent camping, which can be reserved through Reserve America up to 11 months in advance. Each cabin sleeps up to six people and is furnished with three bunk beds and a table. Though the cabins have no electricity or water, outdoor grills are provided for cooking. Restrooms, cold water showers and potable water are located in the park. Dine: You'll need to pack your own provisions; there is no restaurant on the island Do: Swimming, shelling and fishing

Drive across a four-mile bridge and you'll arrive at the secluded resort town of St. George Island. Not the place for high-rise hotels or strip malls, this beach-centric destination is for people who just want to chill in an unfussy setting with nine miles of pristine, undeveloped shoreline. The 28-mile island consistently rates as one of the top beaches in the U.S.

Location: 1 1/2 hours from Tallahassee; five hours north of Orlando Stay: Home rentals range from two-bedroom cottages to huge, six-bedroom homes with swimming pools. Explore St. George Island Places to Stay. Dine: There are a dozen or more options; check out this TripAdvisor list for the best bets Do: Climb to the top of the St. George Lighthouse (92 steps up) for 360-degree views, bicycle to St. George Island State Park, go on nature walks and kayak trips, stargaze (the pitch-black sky is perfect!)

Arguably Florida's most luxury resort, Little Palm Island is truly paradise. Guests travel by boat departing from Little Torch Key (near Key West) before arriving on the tiny island dotted with thirty private thatched-roof bungalows, a spa and an all-inclusive restaurant.

Location: About six hours south of Orlando toward Key West

Feature Image – Little Palm Island

Although the Pine Island division of Gault Electric kept running, Mike and Shelby Gault moved from Pine Island to the Florida Keys, because he said that was his dream.

“I turned 51 last year and I wanted to go live in the Keys, that was my dream. We went down there and bought a place in Big Pine,” Mike Gault said.

Although Gault went right to work in the Keys, he said his wife Shelby hated living there. Friends from Pine Island were calling every day and he said it didn’t take long before she talked him into coming back to the island. Established on Pine Island in 2018, Gault Electric had been built on trust and friendship. Josh Vest kept the Pine Island Division of Gault Electric running while Gault and his wife were in the Keys. Gault met Vest over a decade ago when he was building houses as a project manager.

“He built and remodeled my last five or six houses. When I moved down here I couldn’t find anybody to remodel so I called Josh and he came down for a week and remodeled my house. He went back and got his wife and family and moved here,” Gault said.

Soon after Gault and Vest began working together, they hired a few more helpers. Gault said the island shares his laid-back attitude, making this the perfect location for his family to live and work.

Islanders must agree, as Gault said his phone has not stopped ringing since he came back. Trust is key in any business where you must enter a client’s home, Gault said, and Vest agreed that a handful of their customers feel confident knowing Gault is here again and visible.

Helping people is the number one priority, Gault pointed out, certain that his client’s issues become his issues until resolved.

“I think what sets us apart is that we are a solution-based contractor. If you’re willing to pay our price, we’re going to fix your problem,” Gault said.

Gault went through a union apprenticeship and holds a four-year degree, explaining that in his industry, that means less than doing the research and figuring out the best solution. This can-do attitude shared by Gault and his team has not only brought them referrals on a regular basis, but clients who wouldn’t go anywhere else.

“My downfall is that I tell everybody yes and we can only do so much work,” Gault said.

Overall, Gault said he has no idea what the secret is to his success, although he suspects he arrived on the island at a good time. The van parked in his front yard upon moving here brought about his first customer who immediately referred Gault to someone else, and Gault Electric has been growing ever since.

“We left the island and missed it and came back after I got it out of my system. I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome back and remind everyone to have a little patience, as we are in season,” Gault said.

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