Once again, I'm going to point out what a weird year this has been in terms of seasonal changes. Spring took forever to come; and once here, she behaved very badly. Downright cold temperatures and biting Northerly winds made access to fishable waters - and plain just being on the water - a testy experience, day after day, not to mention punching a hole through tarpon season.

Here we are in the middle of July (yup, I said 'middle of July' as opposed to 'middle of Summer', like all you folks up North, 'cause it's Summer here all year 'round!)and we still have yet to make the transition into 'rainy season.' At the same time, alot of clouds and electicity have been flowing through the area at all hours - sparking more forest fires than actually raining, and wreaking havoc on my ability to (safely) get out and fish. The reason for the tardiness of the rainy season lies far beyond my comprehension somewhere between El Nino and La Nina. Do you know that someone on my boat actually asked me where that was..? Not a Bait Box customer.

What I do know is that our weather pattern in the Summer is typically dominated by what is known as the Bermuda High. A high builds up and stalls over Bermuda for weeks on end resulting in our typical rainy season day: beautiful blue skied mornings with a slight offshore breeze. At about Noon, the wind breeze dies and the water is smooth as glass. At about 1:00 PM, the onshore breeze begins to pick up, and big puffy clouds build over the mainland. At c.4:00 PM, massive thunderheads that have built up extremely quickly - given the start to the day - unload their wrath on all those who disrespect Mother Nature. At other times, the high will drop South over the Bahamas, which results in brutal morning storms, clear but humid middays, and big boomers in the afternoon again. Our problem has been all the booming, all the time, but no rain. Boomers are bummers, so to speak. Also, the 'water cops' are running around town looking for illegal lawn watersprinkling (no, not FWC, Marine Patrol, Coast Guard, etc...), and I can't figure out how to turn mine off.

The Punta Rassa ramp is closed until 9/28/07 for reconstruction and new parking spaces. The Sanibel ramp is open; the Bait Box is no more than a driver/nine iron away, just around the corner on Periwinkle Way for all your bait and tackle. It is wisest to purchase a parking sticker from the Sanibel Police/Parking Division for $80 (annual: 12/1 - 11/30; no prorations) if one plans to boat alot over the next ten weeks - hourly parking will quickly break the bank (not to mention keeping you looking at your watch all day on the water). Keep one eye to the sky at all times if you're going out. Remember: Don't jerk it 'til you feel the tug (and be prepared to yank and crank!).