Holy sturgeon!

Jeff Summers, an officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was enjoying a day on the Suwannee River with his family last Saturday when he saw a three-foot-long sturgeon jump out of the water and land in a boat that was passing by.

Fortunately, nobody was hurt, except the fish of course. The boat sustained some minor damage, and the fish was returned to the water, apparently no worse for the wear.

But every year about this time reports such as this start to filter in from the Suwannee, one of the last breeding grounds of the rare Gulf sturgeon. The fish, once found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, is now largely confined to the West Florida River. State officials estimate that as many as 7,500 sturgeon, averaging about 40 pounds each, spend about two thirds of the year in the Suwannee.

The fish, which can get seven feet long and weigh more than 170 pounds, have had some pretty nasty collisions with people on personal watercraft in recent years. That is why state officials urge boaters to slow down during the spring and summer months when travelling along the Suwannee.

Nobody knows for sure why sturgeon jump. One theory is that they might be engaging in some type of dominance display. Another is that the fish are attempting to communicate. But then again, strugeon may jump simply because they are happy.

(Times photo - Lara Cerri, 2006. Click to enlarge.)

The gator hunt

The great gator hunt is on, but once again, I will be forced to watch from the sidelines. For the third year in a row, my friend, the fish-catchin', frog-giggin', gator-gettin' guide Dave Markett called an told me to go out and buy a permit, but once again I dropped the ball.

As I explained to Markett, a Tampa native who knows the lakes of Central Florida like I know each and every Starbucks in downtown St. Pete, that I have the attention span of a second grader. That is why I use those little yellow stickum notes to remind me of things like buy a new fishing license or dry out that tent before the next camping trip.

But gator huntin' isn't easy. You can't just knock them in the head with a stump. You need to take this sport seriously, for unlike snook, trout or redfish, these reptiles can bite your left arm off clean up to the elbow. Just ask Amos Moses.

That is why I, being the rookie gator hunter, took a class on the finer points of how to stalk, kill and clean, the King of the Florida Swamps.

Permits won't go on sale again to next June, but you can learn all there is to know at one of several classes soon to be offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commmission.

(Times photo - Scott Keeler, 2006. Click to enlarge.)

Tarpon passions run high

Last Friday's story about tarpon fishermen on the Redington Long Pier has generated great debate on the local fishing website message boards. For those of you have not been following the story, a small group of dedicated poon hunters broke off from the 74-year-old Suncoast Tarpon Roundup this year when the event adopted an all-release format.

The Times first went out and visited the Redington Shores pier after a long-time local angler said he was bullied by members of the West Coast Anglers club.

While this story is now old news - the tournament ends in two weeks - the discussion is far from over. In my 18 years as outdoors editor, I can not remember another time a story has elicited such rancor from readers on both sides of the issue.

The Florida Sportsman forum, a chat room for serious fishermen, has had several posts on the subject. Mel Berman, a.k.a. Captain Mel, has a website frequented by dedicated anglers and fans of his weekly radio show (970 WFLA, Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) where the conduct of the anglers has been a subject on ongoing debate.

The tournament's website also has guest book where fishermen, both for and against the killing of tarpon, have left some colorful comments.

Most of the discussion is anonymous, or under the standard website pseudonyms. But a few brave souls such as Gary Colecchio, a charter boat captain from South West Florida, and Vicki Morgan, wife of the late tarpon fishing guru Dave Morgan, have waded into the fray, names pinned to their chests, or to be exact, posts.

The freedom speak is a great thing. But as the late senator from New York, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, once said, "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts."

Times Photo: Ed Walker

Offshore racing

Thousands of offshore racing fans will line the beaches in Sarasota today for the 24th annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix. This is powerboat racing's oldest and most prestigious event.

Boaters can watch the race from the water, or you can find a spot on the beach, pitch your umbrella and kick back and relax. There is not a bad seat in the house.

Super Boat International, the organization sanctioning the race, has both vee-bottom and catamaran classes. But these aren't your average pleasure boats. Expect top speeds of well over 100 mph.

The biggest show of the day will be when the turbine-powered MissGeico takes the field. This 170-mph cat literally flies across the water. Watching this boat in action is definitely a treat.

The action starts at 11 a.m. A second race is scheduled for 1 p.m. Get there early to beat the crowds and the thunderstorms, which usually roll in around 3 p.m.

To learn more check out the website for SBI.

Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor

Photo: Willie Allen, St. Petersburg times

Big, fat snook

July is probably the best month of the year to fish for snook. The big females are in the middle of the spawn, and if you catch the right tide, you might just end up battling a 30-pounder.

The fish tend to congregate in the passes and feed on the changing tide. There is much debate about whether an incoming or outgoing tide is best, but either way, as long as the water is moving, your chances for a hookup are good.

But remember, these big fish stress easily, so take care when fighting and releasing these beautiful sport fish. If you are fishing with live bait, use a circle hook. That will keep you from gut-hooking the fish.

After the fight is over, keep the fish In the water if possible. Use some type of tool - needle-nosed pliers work great - to remove the hook.

To learn more about snook conservation, contact the snookfoundation. This worthwhile organization helps protect the stocks by supporting research and promoting catch and release.

Boat safe this Fourth of July

There is no better place to watch fireworks than from a boat. The Cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and most of the beach communities will all be offering pyrotechnic shows this evening.

But if you are venturing out on the water tonight, remember to keep a lookout posted On the bow of your boat. The Fourth of July is typically a dangerous day on the water.

First of all, it is one of the busiest boating days of the year. Secondly, most people like to celebrate on Independence Day. That means there might be one or two boaters out there who have a little too much to drink.

Boating under the influence is a serious crime and the officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Pinellas Sheriff's Office will be out in force looking drunken drivers.

So play it safe. Boat smart. Even if you haven't been drinking, have an extra set of eyes on the boat to keep a lookout for the other guy. You will be glad you did.

For more information on boating safety, go to boatsafe.

Stuck in algae

Zach Railey, a Clearwater sailor who will represent the U.S. in the Finn Class at the Summer Games in China, is confident a huge algae bloom won't derail his plans to bring home an Olympic medal.

"A good sailor can adapt to the conditions," said the 24-year-old. "But It has gotten to an unmanageable level."

More than 10,000 workers and 1,200 vessels have been drafted to try to clean up a monstrous mats of algae that have consumed one third of the sailing course. Local officials have told the media they expect to have the course cleared by July 15.

"I'm not worried about it," said Railey who spent much of June practicing in Qingdao. "I think it will be clear by the time the sailing starts. I think the biggest problem will be the wind."

Finn sailors tend to be on the large side. Railey, 6 feet 4 inches tall and 215 pounds, is trying to drop 15 pounds before the competition starts in August to make up for the lack of wind.

"Ive cut back on my calories," said Railey, who leaves for China on July 6. "I want to be as light as possible."

Railey isn't the only local sailor that will be representing the U.S. in Beijing. Ben Barger, a St. Petersburg native, will be sailing his windsurfer in Qingdao. Click here to follow Zach, and her to follow Ben.

Guilty of animal cruelty

I confess. I am guilty as charged. Several times in my life, I have been guilty of feeding wild animals. Yes, this is a big no no.

But I was young, stupid, uneducated, and hey, it seemed like fun.

Chipmunks, squirrels, birds, fish, raccoons, even bears have all suffered as a result of my unintentional cruelty. But at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission pointed out this week, giving people food to an animal is like pumping your five year old full of Mountain Dew and Oreos.

"Food being fed to animals usually offers inadequate nutrition," said Anni Mitchell, an WC biologist in Lake city. "This people food is junk food to animals."

Many of the things that we eat can be toxic to animals. Other items, such as the bones from a chicken, can splinter and actually cause death if ingested. Other foods, such as potato peels, nuts and some vegetables can actually make animals very sick.

And if that isn't enough to convince you not to feed wild animals, consider this, in Florida it is illegal to to feed sandhill cranes, bears, raccoons, foxes and alligators.

But before you think about turning me in for feeding that black bear, please cut me some slack. I was only eight years old at the time and I was a garbage dump in Maine. Hopefully, the statue of limitations has run out.

For more information on the problems associated with feeding wild animals, go to myfwc.