MIAMI HERALD | MiamiHerald.com H1 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014 | 9D OUTDOORS

FISHING REPORT FISH COUNTING

BEST BET Captain Michael Shellen of Shellen Guide Service out of Buck Head Ridge reported speckled perch is at its peak on Lake Okeechobee. Anglers are catching their limits of large spec’s in heavy cover along the north shore using jigs and live minnows. Largemouth fishing has been almost as good. Live shiners are being eaten by hungry bass about as fast as you can put them in the water. Artificial lures like the senko’s, flukes and top water baits, swim baits and jigs are all catching bass. Some of the best action is coming along the grassy weedlines and in heavy cover. This past week, a 10.8-ounce largemouth was weighed in and released. That angler had 40 other bass as well.

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD Captain Tom Zask from Topshotfishing Charters out of Fort Lauderdale reported fishing offshore of Port Everglades has been producing steady catches of sailfish outside of 200 feet of water. Closer in kingfish to 30 pounds are being caught on live goggle eye jacks fished under a kite. Captain Nestor Alvisa of Hooked on Flamingo charters reported finding all the Spanish mackerel his customers wanted just offshore of Key Biscayne in 20 feet of water. Alvisa saw two terns dive, anchor his boat in that area and started chumming with a block of frozen chum. In no time his clients were hooked up with hungry 3-pound mackerel that ate their live pilchards. Chris Tam of Canada fished in South Biscayne Bay with captain Mo Estevez and caught and released his first bonef- ish. Tam caught the bonefish on a live shrimp on the first of the incoming tide on an Oceanside shallow flat.

KEYS IslamoradaSportFishing.com reported with the constant wind they have been having the offshore boats continue to do CARLOS ESTAPE/COURTESY PHOTO well on dolphins along the blue water edge. On the calmer KEEPING CLOSE COUNT: A volunteer diver records the number of porkfish at Alligator Reef off Islamorada. days, blackfin tuna are biting over the Humps. On the outer reef sailfish, kingfish and a few nice wahoo are being caught on live ballyhoo and pilchards. On the bottom, mutton and yellowtail snappers are being caught in good numbers. The A numbers game that puts patch reefs are producing good amounts of cero mackerel, an assortment of snappers, jacks and for .

TREASURE COAST divers up close with fish Henry Caimotto from the Snook Nook Bait and Tackle ■ in Jensen Beach reported on the beaches big whiting, Carlos and Allison since the 1997 implementa- sidering tweaking the man- would get into this.” and a few pompano are being caught on clams, cut bait and Estape started their own tion of the Keys Na- agement zones within the The Estapes’ enthusiasm sand fleas. South of the St. Lucie Inlet in the “King Hole,” lots fish count at Alligator tional Marine Sanctuary 2,800 square-nautical-mile for fish counting often of Spanish mackerel are being caught on almost anything Reef, reigniting their management plan. The region. The committee spreads to their diving com- thrown in the water. In 60 feet of water, vermillion and mutton passion for scuba diving couple is up to just over 100 could recommend reopen- panions. On a recent plunge snapper are biting on the bottom, and plenty of sailfish and on their home reef. species on a single dive, ing some areas to fishing at Alligator Reef from the dolphins are providing angler’s action in 110 feet of water on with the photographs to and lobstering while clos- Islamorada Dive Center trolled ballyhoo. BY SUSAN COCKING prove it. Lad Akins, long- ing others. boat, the couple — together [email protected] time operations director for But for the Estapes them- with Akins, Keri Kenning, FLORIDA BAY ISLAMORADA — Back REEF, said the Upper Keys selves, the project has reig- Ed Martin and Elizabeth in the 1960s, University of sanctuary preservation ar- nited their passion for scuba Underwood — scoured the Captain Jason Sullivan of Rising Tide Charters reported Miami marine scientist ea is among only a few oth- diving on their home reef. region for nearly two hours finding quite a few hungry redfish high up on the shallow flats Walter Starck recorded 517 er known locations in the “We track everything we to a depth of about 25 feet in Florida Bay. His clients fed these redfish weedless Gulp soft species of fish in and tropical Western Atlantic see, where we saw it, the armed with a fish ID book- plastics and shrimp pattern flies. His clients also had action around Alligator Reef off Is- with a one-dive, 100-plus date we saw it,” Allison let and a waterproof pencil from large tarpon and shots at a few hungry snook up on the lamorada — the greatest fish species count. Chief said. “You feel like you’re on and checklist. flats. Fishing in deeper water around the islands, his clients number recorded from any among them is the tiny is- an Easter egg hunt. You’re Kenning quickly got into caught sea trout to four pounds. one place in the Americas land of Bonaire in the always looking for some- the spirit. SOUTHWEST COAST at that time. southern Caribbean. thing you’ve never seen be- “I did cartwheels when I Today, following dec- “Both are protected ar- fore. It’s super exciting to saw a small-mouthed Captain Todd Geroy of Naples reported finding a lot of ades of human and natural eas, but other than that, see a species you’ve never grunt,” she said. “I was in a pompano in the backcountry channels and cuts. The pompano impacts, this coral ledge they’re pretty different,” seen before.” school of 100 fish, and there are eating small jigs tipped with a piece of shrimp where there topped by a lighthouse and Akins said. The couple said they it was.” is a strong current next to a channel and flat. The pompano are fringed with rubble and sea For one thing, the Alliga- would make their images The party also netted feeding near the bottom. Quite a few sea trout are being grass still delights scientists tor Reef ledge is fairly shal- available to REEF as identi- several invasive lionfish caught while fishing for the pompano. and divers with its rich spe- low, while Bonaire lies on fication aids for future vol- from the reef before return- cies diversity. the edge of a steep coral unteer fish counts. They al- ing to the boat to tally their FRESHWATER Islamorada underwater wall. Both are popular scu- so would like to share them results. Alan Zaremba reported largemouth- in the photographers Carlos and ba diving and snorkeling with scuba shops and clubs The final count for six L-4 and L-6 canals has been producing up to 66 largemouth Allison Estape — volun- sites located at opposite in the Keys and southeast divers: 117 species. bass to six pounds during a day. The bass are eating suspend- teers with the nonprofit ends of the Caribbean Florida. Akins said counting fish ed Rapala lures, Chug Bugs and Gambler Ribbon tailed worms. Reef Environmental Educa- region. “People could scroll is like birding — but not. Peacock bass are biting in the C-100 canal. The peacock bass tion Foundation (REEF) — The Estapes’ findings through and find things to “With birding, you’re are eating Clouser minnows for the fly fishermen. recently embarked on their might be important be- look for,” Allison said. “It there with binoculars,” he CAPT. ALAN SHERMAN own fish count at Alligator cause the marine sanctuary would be great if some of said. “Here, you’re right up [email protected] Reef, a no-take zone ever advisory committee is con- the dive clubs in Miami close to the fish.”

SOCCER

ROUNDUP struggles with World Cup stadium completions

From Miami Herald Wire Services safety issues and construc- goal in just 15 games after One of six Brazilian tion-site accidents. missing five matches with a World Cup stadiums that Three construction work- suspension. had to be completed before ers died at stadiums late last Spurs climbed above the end of 2013 was symbol- year: one fell about 115 feet at United into sixth place — ically delivered on New the Arena Amazonia in the two points behind Liver- Year’s Eve, although it won’t jungle city of Manaus, and pool — after goals by Em- be fully ready until the end two who were killed when a manuel Adebayor and of the month. crane collapsed while hoist- Christian Eriksen earned Local World Cup organiz- ing a roofing structure at the them a second league win in ers in the northeastern city stadium that will host the a row at Old Trafford. Unit- of Natal turned on the lights World Cup opener in Sao ed has now lost four times at at the Arena das Dunas sta- Paulo on June 12. home this season. dium for the first time on The Arena Amazonia is In other games, Everton Tuesday to symbolize the expected to be completed fell to fifth by being held to a venue’s completion. The of- by the end of the month, but 1-1 draw by Stoke, Aston Villa ficial inauguration, howev- the stadium in Sao Paulo beat last-place Sunderland er, will only happen “proba- won’t be ready until April. 1-0, Fulham came back to bly” on Jan. 20, organizers The Arena da Baixada in win 2-1over West Ham and said in a statement Wednes- the southern city of Curiti- climb out of the relegation day in Sao Paulo. ba, where organizers had zone, Crystal Palace tied Brazil starts the year difficulty securing financ- Norwich 1-1 and West Brom- without six of the 12 World ing for the stadium, is likely wich Albion beat Newcastle Cup stadiums ready even to be ready sometime in 1-0. though FIFA had set the end March or early April. Aston Villa ended its five- of 2013 as the final deadline. The Beira-Rio Stadium in match winless run by beat- Six venues had been built the southern city of Porto ing Sunderland and goals for the Confederations Cup Alegre is set to be complet- from Steve Sidwell and this year. ed in January and the Arena BEN STANSALL/AFP/GETTY IMAGES Dimitar Berbatov helped Soccer’s world governing Pantanal in the wetlands BATTLING: Cardiff City goalkeeper David Marshall, bottom, battles with Fulham defeat 10-man West body usually wants all ven- city of Cuiaba is expected to midfielder Jack Wilshere during Arsenal’s 2-0 win Wednesday in London. Ham. Saido Berahino con- ues ready at least six months be delivered in February. verted an 87th-minute pen- before the tournament However, the league tro- team which played in front Mourinho’s team stayed in alty to secure the win for ELSEWHERE starts so local organizers can phy looks more out of reach of expected new manager third place, two points be- West Brom, overshadowing host enough test events. ● England: Arsenal than ever for Manchester Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and hind the leaders. the return of Nicolas Anel- Brazilian organizers an- stayed atop the Premier United after the reigning frustrated the hosts for 88 After two consecutive ka after his controversial nounced during the World League after scoring two champions lost 2-1 at home minutes in the driving rain. losses, Liverpool climbed goal celebration. Anelka Cup draw in December that late goals in a 2-0 win over to Tottenham and fell 11 City remained a point be- back into the top four after started despite being the none of the remaining six Cardiff while fellow title ri- points behind Arsenal. hind in second after a 3-2 Luis Suarez scored his 20th subject of a league investi- venues was expected to be vals Manchester City, Chel- Nicklas Bendtner and win at Swansea, while Chel- goal of the season in a 2-0 gation for celebrating a goal delivered by the FIFA dead- sea and Liverpool also start- Theo Walcott scored Arse- sea’s 3-0 victory at South- win over Hull. Suarez set a against West Ham on Satur- line. Delays have included ed the year with victories on nal’s goals at Emirates Stadi- ampton in awful weather Premier League record day with a gesture that has financial problems, worker Wednesday. um to beat a resilient Cardiff conditions ensured Jose when he scored his 20th anti-Semitic connotations.

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