Despite the chilly, windy weather, the third annual Crystal River Women`s Fishing Clinic (WFC) was a huge success! It was held Nov. 17 at the beautiful Fort Island Trail Park and right along Kings Bay. Our guest speakers were Capt. Rick Burns, a local fishing guide, and Andy Smith, supervisor of Crystal River Parks and Recreation. Capt. Burns volunteered to offer his three "T"s to the group, tips, tackle and techniques and point out a few red drum and spotted seatrout hotspots. The ladies enjoyed his laidback style and are looking forward to a guided fishing trip with Reel Burns Charters. He also pointed out the pros and cons of a spinning rod and reel versus a bait casting rod and reel and the benefits of braided line over monofilament. He even shared his secret to catching red drum: the Gold Spoon! Following Capt. Burns was Andy Smith who outlined other parks in Crystal River that would be wonderful for fishing and exploring as well as a few upcoming local events. He encouraged visiting folks to return to Crystal River and pointed out their online calendar of public events occurring around the holidays. Both speakers volunteered their time to help make this fishing clinic a success. Thank you! 
FWC (and Cedar Key Resident) Jennifer Saranzak teaches basic tackle rigging and identification
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The fishing clinic participants traveled near and far to learn about inshore saltwater fishing. Some came from Lake Okeechobee and Kissimmee and some live in or around Crystal River. The group started off the morning with homemade goodies prepared by one of the ladies while other shared extra coats or blankets stashed inside the cars. Next on the agenda was Rebecca Lucas, FWC outreach staff, who outlined local marine habitats, game fish found living in or around these habitats and habitat destruction and conservation. She passed around actual preserved specimens of wildlife found in the various habitats and explained the importance of habitat to the survival of marine fisheries. Lucas followed up this talk with knot tying, the importance of knot selection, and tying skills for fishing. Before lunch, FWC Officer Cara Russo explained safe boating practices, life vests and other safety gear. The group enjoyed the free whistles and handouts about the Boat Safe test. All the participants left the event knowing the basic boating safety information and skills for inshore fishing.
After lunch there was a tackle demonstration, cast netting, rod rigging, casting practice and finally fishing! The group was excited to try out their new soft body jig they constructed, try out artificial bait and lures or use live shrimp donated by Barnacle Bills. Not much was caught, other than the bottom, but the participants had a great time honing their newly learned skills. This group had so much fun together they are organizing a fishing club and are planning to get together in Cedar Key for the New Year.
Funding for this free fishing clinic is through the Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) Program, a user-pay, public-benefit program. Funding for this program comes from an excise tax when anglers purchase boating fuel or fishing tackle. Anglers benefit from this program anytime they see the SFR logo because the Sport Fish Restoration Program uses funds generated from these purchases to support projects that provide everyone with improved fishing and boating opportunities such as new or updated boat ramps, gamefish research, angler and boater outreach, aquatic resource education or the construction of new artificial reefs. For more information about the benefits of the Sport Fish Restoration, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on "Sport Fish Restoration." For more information about Women`s Fishing Clinics or other saltwater outreach opportunities, contact Jennifer Saranzak at Jennifer.Saranzak@MyFWC.com or by calling (352) 543-9219 X 216. |
