I usually start out this Fishing Forecast with a bit of commentary on the weather for the up coming month and then I delve into the possibilities for the month’s fishing opportunities. With this year’s El Niño event buggering up all sorts of patterns in weather, currents and fishing I’m going to take a different tack.July is a great time of the year to be here in the Florida Keys due largely to the fact that there are so many possibilities on and under the water. We dive year round here in the Keys and with the warm water now the number of divers sky rockets. If you’ve never tried spear fishing before you may want to give it a try this month. A perfect target for you to learn this sport with is the Lionfish, this non - native and highly invasive species has grown more common in our waters and is wreaking havoc with reef communities from the shallow patches on out to deep water environments. These fish eat EVERYTHING in their path and they reproduce at an alarming rate. These fish are a perfect species to target in many ways, they are slow moving, have no size or bag limits, they’re great table fare and you don’t require an expensive and hard to use spear gun. Through out the Keys there are dive centers that carry the proper equipment that you need to harvest these tasty fish, the dive staffs will be a great source of information on hunting Lionfish. Check out www.MyFWC.com for rules and regulations on licensing, harvest areas and equipment rules.A great local organization www.reef.org has been a leader in Lionfish education and harvest for many years is the best source of information on this invasive species. Here are several facts about these fish from their fantastic web site.Lionfish are:1) Voracious predators being shown to eat native fish and crustaceans in large quantities, including both ecologically and economically important species like grunts, snapper, nassau grouper, and cleaner shrimp
2) Not known to have any native predators
3) Equipped with venomous dorsal, ventral and anal spines, which deter predators and can cause painful wounds to humans
4) Capable of reproducing year-round with unique reproduction mechanisms not commonly found in native fishes (females can reproduce every 2-4 days!)
5) Relatively resistant to parasites, giving them another advantage over native species
6) Fast in their growth, able to outgrow native species with whom they compete for food and spaceHook and line fishermen have it made in July! Snappers spawning, Dolphin schooling and the backcountry ain’t too shabby either! To top everything else going on remember that we have Lobster Mini Season to look forward to at the end of the month as well. So with all this going on where do you start? Boat prep for those of you who own a vessel as well as making sure all your licenses are up to date. Now that this is out of the way lets look at the backcountry action.The Everglades National Park will be a busy place despite the ongoing water issues facing Florida Bay. The heart of Florida Bay and the Everglades is the Flamingo area called Snake Bight and the surrounding waters this area is historically an amazing flats and basin complex for Redfish, Snook, Sea trout and Tarpon fishing. This Summer we all hope to see good action there but it doesn’t look good. Try branching out to the East and West of Flamingo and see what can be had. With out getting into the politics and finger pointing on the water issue s involved I have some homework for you to do. Go to www.EvergladesFoundation.org for a great look into the facts and science behind this growing problem facing all of us in Florida.Bluewater fishing and all along the reef should be outstanding as it has been all year. Mahi mahi, Blackfin tuna, Wahoo and more will be available in deep water and the reef is teeming with snappers, groupers, Hogfish and more. This time of the year there is a huge increase in night fishing along the entire reef tract, its a great way to beat the heat and the snapper fishing tends to be on fire. Tarpon fishing an hour before sunset and into the dark can be very productive as well, I love drifting the passes with crabs and top water plugs, aside from Tarpon don’t be surprised to hook a Permit, big snapper or Jack doing this.Start prepping now for Lobster Mini Season, get the latest regulations for the area you live in here in the Keys, each town all along the Keys has a different set of regulations on the harvest of lobster in their waters. Most importantly gather your gear now and have all that is needed to legally harvest lobster. Start with a legal dive flag and go from there.I’ve given you all some homework to do this month and some effort on your part in these matters can help the environment all around you here in our piece of Paradise. Be careful out here on the water this month and enjoy what we have here as well.
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Summer is here and its about time! So far this year has been a funky thing, the first few months were windy, wet and chilly. The past few months have been a mix of a little bit of everything, more wind, some rain, some cold fronts and then a bit of Spring, what the heck is going? May was for the most part a BUST! Tarpon were here but very hard to feed and the mani bite was almost non existent, now don’t get me wrong, there were fish caught and huge ones at that, but the consistent bite and action was missing. So lets just say that the Summer season is just getting started here in June.
Capt Matt Bellinger Bamboo Charters
With Summer here we are all holding our breath and waiting for main attractions to get the party started, Tarpon and Mahi are the superstars of Summer and rightly so. They both have a huge fan following around here and they both are incredible fighters. The Tarpon bite will last through the season and into Fall and the first really good cold fronts. Mahi, Dorado or Dolphin as we call the the locally are a huge crowd pleaser as they tend to travel in huge rowdy schools and if you can get one to eat a bait they will all chow down. Dolphin are easy to pile into the cooler this time of the year so remember your limits and check with www.MyFWC.com for limits, sizes and seasons.
The 800 pound gorilla in the room is the Everglades National Park and Florida Bay and the water quality issues stemming from upstream issues with fresh water flow and supply to our North. Florida Bay has only been around for 5000 years and it will be around for many centuries to come. this Summer will show us how much damage was done by last years drought, heat and lack of freshwater flow from the mainland, we lost thousands of acres of sea grass prairies last year and hopefully we will have a wet season this year. There has been good Sea Trout activity in the upper Florida Bay this Spring and good sized schools in many areas. Go look for fresh mullet muds in 3-6 feet of water and drift through them throwing small 3-5 inch soft plastic jerk baits on 1/4 ounce jig heads and stake out to work over the area as you get fish. The Key Largo backcountry has had good Snook, Redfish and Mangrove snapper catches all year to date and that should only improve these next few months. Capt. Chris Hanson of Scales to Tail charters has been on the bite for some time in Key Largo using a mix of artificial lures and live baits like Pilchards and shrimp to put together mixed catches. Tarpon will eat like big dogs this month and and as a matter of fact I took a break while writing this and the evening bite was outstanding tonight! I’ve been waiting for the water temps to hit 82-83 degrees and they have, now with steady air temps and easterly winds we can all get down to the business of Summer fishing.
This time of the year seems to be the time where many of us need to renew important fishing permits and replace safety gear on our boats to prepare for the Summer season. Check pressures on your fire extinguishers, check the expiration dates on your flares and smoke signals and replace any wore, thorn or missing life jackets and throwable flotation devices. I reference the web site www.MyFWC.com often here as this is a great resource for your boating safety issues. You will find up to date regulations, safety info and you can purchase new fishing licenses on line here.
Capt Matt Bellinger Bamboo Charters
305-393-0909
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If you are not familiar with our store, it is in Islamorada in the beautiful Florida Keys - the fishing capital of the world. The store was established in 1999. We carry many well known fishing and water sports brands such as Pelagic Gear , Salt Life , Aftco, Guy Harvey, Huk Performance Fishing . We have women's swimwear, clothing and sandals, tropical home decor and gifts. If you have a dog you will love our pet section with toys, treats, collars and leashes with palm trees, fish and more. Bring your 4 legged babies in and we will shower them with love and treats.
This blog will feature a monthly guest blog by Captain Matt Bellinger of Bamboo Charters and Islamorada Fishing Fun.
Matt will write an article about which kinds of fish you can expect to catch that month or that season.
The blog will also keep you updated on events coming to our area as well as new products we are carrying in the store.
I hope you can find the time to tune into us from time to time. We hope to see you soon.
Best Regards,
Gail Schneider, Owner Latitude 25 Clothing Co.
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2012/2013 Florida lobster gets underway August 6 at 12:01am and ends March 31, at midnight. Below is a how to video on catching a Florida lobster. There are many rules and regulations, several are mentioned in the video; ie how to measure to make sure you have the proper size for a keeper.
Attached are the official Monroe County rules, regulations and contact info.
We have a great lobster tee by the famous artist Joe Suroveic
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Tags: joe suroveic t shirt, lobster t shirt, lobster tee shirt, t shirt with lobster, florida lobster
Canines and their human companions will gather for a good time and a good cause on March 10 at the 3rd Annual Woofstock at Founders Park in Islamorada, Florida. The fund-raiser will feature live music, food, pet-centric shopping and special events, with proceeds benefitting presenter MarrVelous Pet Rescues & Adoptions.
The festival begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but donations at the door are most appreciated! If you plan on attending — and you should — be sure to hit these highlights as you work your way around the park:
Blessing of the Pets
Every October, Catholic churches around the world celebrate St. Francis of Assissi’s love for animals with a blessing of the pets. Consider the one at Woofstock to be a booster blessing! The ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Amphitheater.
Ultimate Air Dogs
What started as a Michigan dock-jumping club now reigns as one of the premier dock-jumping organizations in the country. You will have plenty of opportunities to see the Ultimate Air Dogs do their thing, and your pups will be invited to participate as well.
The Islamorada store will stock its booth with a multitude of pet products including:
- Peace Out Dog Harnesses — With Woofstock’s theme of “Peace, Paws & Music,” you’ll want to slip this brightly colored harness on your pup immediately. Sizes for all dogs big or small!
- New! Pet Themed Tervis Water Bottles — Convey your canine pride while keeping your beverage (and yourself) cool with these fun water bottles. Get a free, ice-cold bottle of water with your Tervis purchase at Woofstock.
- Rescue Tees – Show your support for animal rescue by wearing this tee! Paw print burnout short sleeve t shirt with "Rescue is my favorite breed" printed on the front. Not only is this a cute tee, but we will donate $1.00 of your purchase towards animal rescue.
- Dog Collars and Leads – We have all your favorite designers! Teddy the Dog, Up Country Collars and Leashes, Guy Harvey, and Douglas Paquette to name a few. (The “Adopted” collar and lead by Up Country are personal favorites for this occasion!)
Adoption Booths
In addition to presenter MarrVelous Pet Rescues & Adoptions, the following organizations will have dogs in need of fur-ever homes. Woofstock visitors looking to adopt from one of these great groups should visit their websites to learn more:
- ORCAT
- Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida
- Boxer Friends Inc.
- Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescues
- Dachshund Rescue of South Florida
- This is the Dog
- Safe Harbor Animal Rescue of the Keys - Marathon
- The ZENA Fund
All well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at the 3rd Annual Woofstock at Founders Park. One final tip: Leave extendable leashes at home for this event, as it will be crowded and the danger of wrapping such a leash around someone’s legs exists. Don’t have any other kind of leash? Stop by Latitude 25, and the store’s helpful staff will help you pick out a collar and matching leash for your pup.
See you there!
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Tags: dog collars, animal rescue, florida keys events, dog rescue, Tervis Tumblers, Hot beverages hot, florida dog rescue, dog t shirts for people, Personalized Mugs, Cold beverages cold
What a month!
Everyone knows that Islamorada is the sport fishing capital of the world, but this month we really outdid ourselves! With the Bartender’s Sailfish Open, Islamorada SailFly, Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, Al Flutie Over the Hill Rip-Off Sailfish Tournament, and the Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament on the 
calendar, we’ve had some very busy lures.
Needless to say, this tiny, 5-mile island is truly an angler’s paradise, so to finish the month out in style, we’re pulling our lines out of the water to attend the 25th Anniversary tour of the 2012 Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series, where you can lure tips and tactics from an amazing array of fishing gurus, gain intimate knowledge of prize fishing locales and captivate your fellow anglers with your fishing adventures.
If you’re someone who’s not too familiar with the wonderful world of sport fishing, the tour spectacular is a perfect introduction. Making its stop at the Coral Shores Performing Arts Center on January 28th, the seminar is specifically tailored to the region, so whether you're a local or simply looking for your next fishing expedition, the Islamorada Seminar should be your next port of call.
In addition to learning about area hot-spots, you’ll get detailed equipment advice, score inside information on inshore, nearshore and offshore salt water game fishing, as well as tidbits on our community’s dedication to safeguard salt water fishing for future generations.
As local proprietors in a small fishing village, the staffers at Latitude 25 are pretty passionate about the importance of responsible fishing for sustainable growth. In fact, one team member is married to a captain, while another is an amateur angler himself – so it makes perfect sense that one of the brands we’re most enthusiastic about representing is the Guy Harvey Collection.
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t, conservationist and artist, Guy Harvey has a tremendous passion for fishing, and has committed his life to preserving the beauty of the underwater world. His Guy Harvey shirts are original-artwork clothing whose sales support the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which protects the world's fish resources and ocean biodiversity. The signature, short sleeve tees are perfect for everyday wear, while the performance shirts provide sun protection in breathable, quick-dry fabrics, perfect for a long day offshore.
Islamorada is pretty excited for Saturday. In fact, Liz’s husband has been more anxious than a kid at Christmas waiting for a day jam-packed with fishing, fun and facts.
Fifty-five bucks gets you in for six hours of fishing instruction, which includes your course book and a subscription to Salt Water Sportsman. Visit Salt Water Sportsman for more information, and book your ticket for a fantastic fishing extravaganza!
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Tags: florida keys events, guy harvey shirts, sport fishing seminar, sport-fishing instruction
With snazzy designs and creative technology, Tervis has been keeping our cold beverages cold and hot beverages hot for 65 years.
Let's face it - they're everywhere - on the golf course, your co-workers desk, and even sitting right next to you in the stadium, but what exactly are those double-walled cups with the fun and fanciful designs?
Friends, let me introduce you to Tervis Tumblers; a design innovation from the mid-1940s that uses the insulating powers of air to make a tumbler that keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold But that’s just the beginning! It turns out there are TONS of reasons to love Tervis Tumblers.
Virtually Indestruc
tible
Imitators beware! Tervis Tumblers are made out of high-quality polycarbonate, which basically means they’re ten times more impact-resistant than other plastic tumblers. Plus, all that fancy technology makes Tervis Tumblers safe for the dishwasher or the microwave. Now that’s hot!
Lifetime Guarantee
It doesn’t matter if your Tervis Tumbler was purchased this year or in 1946, if it ever cracks, chips, or becomes defective in any way, return it to Tervis for a replacement, no questions asked.
And if you should send your Tervis back, don't worry about it going to the “Goblet Graveyard.” Tervis takes its responsibility to the environment pretty seriously, so everything old becomes new again through the magic of recycling.
Personalized for You
With hundreds, neigh thousands of designs to choose from, Tervis has a design that showcases your own distinct personality, your favorite ball team, or your favorite store!
No Joke, They Float!
Perhaps this notable trait doesn’t deserve its own sub-heading, but if you’ve ever been on a boat, or to the pool or beach, don’t underestimate the awesomeness of an unsinkable cup. (And if you think I’m above testing this theory, you’d be mistaken.) On the other hand, if you prefer a “land yacht,” Tervis Tumblers are perfect for RV adventures since they can take the hustle and bustle of the road.
Kid Tested, Mother Approved
Thanks to the specially designed double-walled insulation, Tervis Tumblers drastically reduce beverage condensation, meaning the Coaster Wars are over and peace in the home is restored. More importantly, with the optional lid and straw, carpet and car upholstery is saved from future grape juice fiascos. [Note to self: Buy lid and straw for red wine nights.]
Born in the USA
Springsteen aside, you’ve got to love that Tervis products are hand-assembled here in the States, ensuring high-quality products and providing your neighbors with jobs. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Give-Back Programs
We love to give back, so it only makes sense that we sell products that are made by like-minded manufacturers. Tervis has introduced three different lines to support Our Troops, Breast Cancer Awareness, and our personal favorite, the Morris Animal Foundation. Be sure to purchase one of our Pet Tumblers today to ensure a healthier tomorrow for our animals and wildlife.
So there you have it – all the reasons why Tervis Tumblers are just so darn lovable! Be sure to check out our Full Collection, and discover Tervis today.
Cheers!
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Tags: Tervis Tumblers, Hot beverages hot, Personalized Mugs, Cold beverages cold
A great time was had by all at Woofstock 2011. Sabrena Corcoran did a great video which you can watch at the end of this blog. She did a super job capturing the Air Dog Dock Diving competition and the Lure Chasing, as well as filming many of the dogs and their two legged companions.
Anyway, it was a huge turnout! There was every kind of dog imaginable. Even Wilbur the pig. They were on foot and in carriers, even some in a red wagon. All of the animals (and people) were well behaved.
There was all kinds of delicious food and great entertainment from several bands.
The theme was Peace, Love and Paws so there was all kinds of peace related and tie dyed merchandise. Our peace collars and tie dye koozies were a big hit. This is Angie and Mack. Mack got a new Guy Harvey collar and leash - bright red and royal blue with sharks. You could see Mack everywhere he went in the festival, he was so handsome!
We featured artist Pat Anderson in our booth. She painted a labrador jumping in the water which is what the dogs in the Keys love to do. We sold a lot of her tee shirts with the Lab on them. A percentage of all of our sales went to Marrvelous Pet Rescue who sponsored the event. I have to congratulate them, especially Michele Beach for such a wonderful, well organized event.
For the safety and comfort of the dogs, there were water stations set up everywhere. I would like to mention something for all pet owners to think about. When taking your dog to an event, please be very aware of the possibility of them getting overheated. At Woofstock, all needs are addressed, but at the average event, they are not. I saw dogs at some of the recent Art Festivals who were absolutely miserable. As much as we love to bring our companions everywhere we go, it is not always in the best interest of our pet. I will give you an example of something that happened to me many years ago. I was walking my dog Stanley down by the beach and he kept stopping at the shadows underneath cars. I then realized that the pavement was so hot his paws were burning! Needless to say, I carried him all the way home. So please, check the temperature of the pavement. Also if they are panting and their tongue is swelling, TAKE THEM HOME.
We hope to see you at Woofstock in 2012. Here is Sebrena's video:
PS Check out a great Yelp review of the event!
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Woofstock is back, it will be held Saturday, March 19 at Founder's Park in Islamorada. An event hosted by Marrvelous Pet Rescue. It is all about raising money for the adoption and care of homeless animals. It is a great cause as well as lots of fun. Last year was a huge success. Fun was had by all, the 2 leggeds and the 4 leggeds. All the pups were well behaved, so were the people!
Woofstock 2011 event schedule
This year will be even better. There will be many live bands, lots of food and several events.
- Blessing of the Pets
- Groovy Magursky Dog Agility Demo
- Dog Dogs (Ultimate Air Dogs) your dog can try it out! Here is a link to watch a video at a Dock Dog event it is a national sport, you may have seen it on ESPN, so get training!
- Talented Trickster Dog Contest email Linda to enter [email protected]
- Team Mad Mac Lure Coursing. A course is set up where your dog can chase a speeding lure around the track. Last year, the dogs could not get enough. They were crying to get back in! For more info you can go to www.teammaddmac.com
- Rescue me Mutt Strut Pet Parade.
- Fantastic Furball grooming demo.
- Islamorada K9 Search and Rescue Demo Islamorada Fire Search and Rescue this team of extraordinary German Shepherds are trained to find missing persons and track down the worst of criminals.
- Hippiest couple costume contest. You and your pet dress up as the hippiest to compete for prizes. Contact Linda at [email protected] to enter.
- American Red Cross Dog & Cat CPR demos and First Aid training.
Please check website for times and updates at www.keyswoofstock.com
Famous artist Pat Anderson will be joining us at our booth and will be donating a print from a silent auction at our Latitude 25 booth at the festival. You can learn more about Pat at her website. We are constructing a Pat Anderson gallery at the store. More later.
A pup at Woofstock very excited about trying on a new collar & leash from the Latitude 25 booth.
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Tags: dog collars, animal rescue, dog rescue, florida dog rescue
