Mosquito Lagoon Crab Trap Cleanup
Capt. Ron Presley
August 17, 2009
Mosquito Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Instead of a straight fishing report this week I have a report that will help make fishing better.
On August 15, 2009 Mosquito Lagoon was the site of a volunteer effort to remove derelict crab traps from Mosquito Lagoon. With volunteers included U.S. Fish and Wildlife, FWC, Coastal Angler Magazine, CCA Florida, Hells Bay Boats, The Fly Shop in Titusville, the Merritt Island Wildlife Association and Mosquito Coast Outdoors.
There were other volunteers whose names I have forgotten and a great bunch of individual anglers just interested in cleaning out the derelict traps.
Crews were set up on land to accept, record and dispose of the traps as they come in by boat. From flats boats to party barges many vessels were use in the effort. After the event started at about 8:00 the first boat back, a flats boat, brought in 3 traps about 8:45. From then on until noon it was a fairly steady flow of boats loaded with traps.
I particularly remember a Gheenoe coming back with 4 traps on his small vessel. Later I saw him unloading 3 or 4 more. Boats continued to come in with as few as 1 and as many as eight traps at a time. I haven't heard the final total but a lot of derelict traps were removed by this volunteer effort.
Some traps appeared to be in workable condition while others were fully encrusted with barnacles and filled with debris. Many of the volunteers site having to cut fish out of the abandoned traps. This is one of the main reasons for getting the old untended traps out of the lagoon.
I heard one captain comment after the event there were still more out there, but I guess those will have to wait until next year.
Following the cleanup, a picnic was held for the volunteers. A tired and dirty, but fulfilled group enjoyed hotdogs, chips, cookies and cold drinks in the shade of a nearby pavilion. Several nice prices were raffled off during the lunch period. Everyone who signed up got a free raffle ticket and then received another for each trap they brought in.
The grand prize, a nice rod and reel combo and a fully stocked tackle box went to a lady who brought in the most crab traps. Her one woman operation brought in 14 traps to add to the gigantic pile.
All in all it was a great turnout with great results. For those who didn't make it this year, I hope you will consider it next year or anytime a similar program comes to an area near you. Similar efforts are being staged all over the state.
The picture shows a few of the traps as they were brought in by boat to the Haulover Canal ramp area.
Announcement: I want to take this opportunity to announce my upcoming book entitled Secrets From Florida's Master Anglers. It is a book intended to provide many tips and pro secrets to fishing success. It is based on interviews with 20 of Florida's top guides on various fishing topics. The book is being published by University Press of Florida. It will be available in bookstore across the state, on Amazon.com or from the publisher directly, sometime this fall. Regardless of your level of fishing skill this book will have something for you.
Here is what some early readers of the book say:
"Ron's highly privileged interviews with many of Florida's top guides expose lots of secrets that are sure to improve fishing success."--Phil Chapman
"A great peek into twenty of the finest fishing minds of Florida! No matter your current skill level, this book will improve your confidence on the water."--Brett Fitzgerald
"Unique in that it includes a variety of approaches to inshore saltwater fishing, provided by a broad selection of some of Florida's finest fishing guides. There is something for almost everyone who fishes the Florida coast."--Richard A. Davidson
If you are interested in the book send me your name and mailing address and I will send you a pre-publication order form that is good until October and you get a 20% discount. Send to Capt. Ron, 516 S. Plumosa St., #19 Merritt Island, FL 32952.
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