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'Zone Watch' Provides Access

OUTDOORS COLUMN

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By FRANK SARGEANT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2007

Manbirtee Key, otherwise known as the Port Manatee spoil island, is a manmade stack of rock and sand that was created with the leftovers from dredging the ship channel and the well-known port near the Hillsborough-Manatee county line on the south shore of Tampa Bay.

While the dredge stack was ugly from the start, anglers soon discovered it had a hidden beauty: The rocky bottom rubble created a very attractive spot for spawning snook in spring and early summer, and for jumbo reds and snapper as fall approached. At one point, Florida Wildlife Research Institute scientists estimated that some 10,000 snook may spawn in the area during the four-month spawning period.

Manbirtee remained productive for years, but a conservation project a few years ago added meandering creeks and saltmarsh grasses, turning what had been a nasty-looking mark of development into a productive estuarine area highly attractive to wading birds, and also offering nursery habitat for crabs, shrimp and baby reds and snook.

Unfortunately, with the improvements came more regulations. Anglers once could freely go ashore on the island and fish anywhere along its perimeters, but with the conservation area designation, setting foot anywhere in the bird habitat was prohibited.

And then came Sept. 11. With the Trans-Gulf gas pipeline coming ashore on the island, Port Manatee security officers and the U.S. Coast Guard decided that allowing free access to the area opens a window of opportunity for terrorists.

As of Jan. 1, waters within 500 yards of most parts of the island will be off limits to boaters. But there's a silver lining. Thanks to a cooperative effort between the Coast Guard's Captain of the Port, Joseph Servidio, and the head of Port Manatee Security, Frank Holden, boaters willing to undergo a bit of bureaucracy will be allowed to fish the productive waters.

The program, known as "Zone Watch," will provide permits to boaters with the required identification so they can enter the zone, with the understanding they will act as added eyes and ears to report any suspicious activities anywhere around the island.

Here's the drill. Captains will be required to complete an application form online, by going to www.portmanatee.com/security.asp. The form was not posted as of Tuesday this week, but port officials said it would be available by Dec. 1, when the application period begins.

Applicants also will be required to present a picture ID of some type, such as a driver's license, and their Social Security card. Licensed charter captains can present their guide's license.

Once the paperwork is complete, each skipper must attend a briefing offered by the Port Authority Security Department, and will be vetted through the terrorist watch list. All applicants must also agree to standards of conduct while inside the restricted area.

It's a far cry from simply motoring up to the island, dropping anchor and tossing out some sardines, but unfortunately in these troubled times, it's necessary to go to a bit of trouble to gain access to this prime fishing area.

Anglers who have questions can call the port access line at (941) 722-6455.

TOURNAMENT TALES: Anglers fishing the Old Salt King of the Beach tournament during the weekend turned in some impressive results, with the top fish a 47.84-pounder decked by L.J. Smith and crew aboard the Pocket Change. Just as impressive as the biggest fish was the number of fish more than 30 pounds - the top 12 all broke 30, and it took 23.96 pounds to place 35th.

It's likely that excellent kingfishing will continue for the next several weeks, barring a severe cold front. Gulf temperature is around 69 degrees, right where the fish like it, and reportedly there are still plenty of kings to the north of the Tampa Bay area, likely to pass through here on their way to the wintering grounds off the Florida Keys.

Best bet for one of the giant fish continues to be slow-trolling large live baits like ladyfish, horse threadfins or blue runners on stinger rigs. The bigger fish are often found near the largest passes as well as over offshore wrecks. For smaller school kings, 7 to 10 pounds, most anglers troll around the schools, 1 to 5 miles offshore, towing Drone-type spoons behind a downrigger or planer. Anchoring and chumming with cut bait also draws the schoolies, and live threads or sardines are among the favored baits.

SEMINAR: Captain Todd Foucher presents a free seminar on inshore tactics for fall Thursday at 7 p.m. at Tightlines Tackle, 6924 N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa; (813) 932-4721. Apollo Beach Sail & Power Squadron welcomes all boaters to their monthly meeting Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Church Hall, 5309 U.S. 41 N. in Apollo Beach; (813) 785-5086.

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