02-21-2008, 08:10 PM
MOSQUITO LAGOON - The fishing has steadily improved this past week.
Although Wednesday was a wash, Monday and Tuesday were better. The redfish have begun to show up in schools in the Mosquito Lagoon. We came across several nice schools this past week and for the most part they were cooperative.
You really have to be patient and try not to push the schools hard. When you hook a fish try to get him away from the school as quickly as possible. Once you have landed the fish let the other fish settle down before casting again. If you continue to push the school you will lose them or they will develop lockjaw. Patience is the key.
The fish have been hanging around sand holes with a water depth of 18 inches or less. Last week I had one school in an area where they only had one way in and out. I had to work very hard to reach the fish. It was worth the effort. The majority of fish will be found on the main flats.
Live shrimp, Rip Tide Flats Chub and top water plugs have been working well. It does seem the live shrimp are the bait of choice due to the great run of shrimp in the river. I have been rigging the shrimp on a 1/8-ounce jig head or a 2/0 Daiichi circle hook. Rig the jerk bait on a weightless hook or a weighted hook depending on the area you are fishing. I have been using a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader instead of my typical 20-pound leader due to water clarity.
The trout have been in 3-to-5 feet of water with a grassy bottom. Also look for darker water and you should find more trout. Sometimes the trout have been real aggressive, but for the most part a slow presentation works best. Hopefully these tips will help.
I will be the Miami International Boat Show this weekend. It is the largest in the world. Hopefully I can write a good report when I return.
I will also be at Gander Mountain on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 2 p.m.-to-4 p.m. giving a seminar for the group "˜Outdoorsmen for Christ'. It is open to all. I will be giving away MirrOlure and Rip Tide products. Call 407-405-0819 for details.
Listen to the "˜Hawgwild Fishing Show' from 6 a.m.-to-8 a.m. live every Saturday on ESPN WIXC 1060 and WAMT 1190. The replay is every Sunday at the same time on ESPN WHOO 1080. Also listen on the web at www.hawgwildradio.com
To book a charter, visit us at www.aaahawgwildcharters.com or call 407-405-0819. I am booking for March and April.
Tight Lines and Good Fishing!
TWO FEDERAL TAX DEDUCTIONS REMAIN FOR BOATERS
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - When Congress adjourned for 2007, they left in place two federal income tax deductions of potential benefit to boat owners.
A boat is treated like a second home for federal tax purposes if it has a galley, a head, and sleeping berth. Mortgage interest paid on the loan is deductible from your federal income taxes. Taxpayers may use the mortgage interest deduction for one primary home and one second home and must itemize deductions on their returns.
Some boaters may be unaware of this potential tax benefit because not all lending institutions send borrowers an Internal Revenue Service form 1098 which reports the interest paid. Not receiving the form does not preclude taking the deduction. If a 1098 is not available, boaters should contact their lender for the amount of interest paid and should enter it on line 11 on Schedule A along with the lender's tax ID number. If a form 1098 is sent, boaters should simply enter the amount on line 10 of Schedule A.
The other tax benefit is a deduction for state sales taxes. However, this may no longer be available after the 2007 tax year if Congress does not act to extend it. This deduction may be appropriate for boaters who paid substantial sales tax on the purchase of a new or used vessel last year. Boaters must choose either the state sales tax deduction or state income tax deduction on their federal tax return - you cannot take both.
In addition, to take the sales tax deduction, the sales tax on a boat purchase must be applied at the same tax rate as the state's general sales tax. In order to claim the sales tax deduction, tax returns must be itemized. State sales taxes are entered on Schedule A, line 5b.
For those who fall under the Alternative Minimum Tax, most deductions are unavailable as taxes are calculated differently. Boaters are urged to contact a tax preparer or financial advisor for more information.
For more details on the mortgage deduction, go to http://www.irs.gov and download Publication 936 or the Fact Sheets. For state tax deduction information download Publication 600, which also includes state-by-state tax tables.
BoatU.S. - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with a wide array of consumer services.
CRYSTAL RIVER FREE KIDS' FISHING CLINIC SET FOR FEB. 23
Teaching children a lifelong hobby, instilling appreciation for our marine environment and providing a fun, family outing are the objectives for the Crystal River Kids' Fishing Clinic.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling, Citrus County Parks and Recreation (CCPR) and the Sport Fish Restoration Program will present a free Kids' Fishing Clinic for pre-registered children ages 5-to-15 on Saturday, Feb. 23. Clinic times are at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. The clinic will be held at the Fort Island Gulf Beach Fishing Pier. Because space is limited, pre-registration is required by calling CCPR at 352-527-7677.
This free clinic enables young people to learn the basics of environmental stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety. In addition, environmental displays will provide participants with a unique chance to experience Florida's marine life firsthand. Kids' Fishing Clinics promote several goals, but the main objective is to create responsible marine resource stewards by teaching children about the vulnerability of Florida's marine ecosystems. In addition, the clinics aspire to teach fundamental saltwater fishing skills and provide participants a positive fishing experience.
Fishing equipment and bait will be supplied for children to use during the clinic, but those who own fishing tackle are encouraged to bring it. A limited number of rods and reels will be given away to pre-registered children. If conditions allow, participants will have an opportunity to practice their new skills and fish from the pier. This event is a catch-and-release activity, and all participants must be accompanied by an adult.
Individuals or companies interested in helping sponsor this event or volunteer at the clinic should contact Francine Nobles with CCPR at 352-527-7677 or Gus Cancro with the FWC at 850-488-6058.
Although Wednesday was a wash, Monday and Tuesday were better. The redfish have begun to show up in schools in the Mosquito Lagoon. We came across several nice schools this past week and for the most part they were cooperative.
You really have to be patient and try not to push the schools hard. When you hook a fish try to get him away from the school as quickly as possible. Once you have landed the fish let the other fish settle down before casting again. If you continue to push the school you will lose them or they will develop lockjaw. Patience is the key.
The fish have been hanging around sand holes with a water depth of 18 inches or less. Last week I had one school in an area where they only had one way in and out. I had to work very hard to reach the fish. It was worth the effort. The majority of fish will be found on the main flats.
Live shrimp, Rip Tide Flats Chub and top water plugs have been working well. It does seem the live shrimp are the bait of choice due to the great run of shrimp in the river. I have been rigging the shrimp on a 1/8-ounce jig head or a 2/0 Daiichi circle hook. Rig the jerk bait on a weightless hook or a weighted hook depending on the area you are fishing. I have been using a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader instead of my typical 20-pound leader due to water clarity.
The trout have been in 3-to-5 feet of water with a grassy bottom. Also look for darker water and you should find more trout. Sometimes the trout have been real aggressive, but for the most part a slow presentation works best. Hopefully these tips will help.
I will be the Miami International Boat Show this weekend. It is the largest in the world. Hopefully I can write a good report when I return.
I will also be at Gander Mountain on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 2 p.m.-to-4 p.m. giving a seminar for the group "˜Outdoorsmen for Christ'. It is open to all. I will be giving away MirrOlure and Rip Tide products. Call 407-405-0819 for details.
Listen to the "˜Hawgwild Fishing Show' from 6 a.m.-to-8 a.m. live every Saturday on ESPN WIXC 1060 and WAMT 1190. The replay is every Sunday at the same time on ESPN WHOO 1080. Also listen on the web at www.hawgwildradio.com
To book a charter, visit us at www.aaahawgwildcharters.com or call 407-405-0819. I am booking for March and April.
Tight Lines and Good Fishing!
TWO FEDERAL TAX DEDUCTIONS REMAIN FOR BOATERS
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - When Congress adjourned for 2007, they left in place two federal income tax deductions of potential benefit to boat owners.
A boat is treated like a second home for federal tax purposes if it has a galley, a head, and sleeping berth. Mortgage interest paid on the loan is deductible from your federal income taxes. Taxpayers may use the mortgage interest deduction for one primary home and one second home and must itemize deductions on their returns.
Some boaters may be unaware of this potential tax benefit because not all lending institutions send borrowers an Internal Revenue Service form 1098 which reports the interest paid. Not receiving the form does not preclude taking the deduction. If a 1098 is not available, boaters should contact their lender for the amount of interest paid and should enter it on line 11 on Schedule A along with the lender's tax ID number. If a form 1098 is sent, boaters should simply enter the amount on line 10 of Schedule A.
The other tax benefit is a deduction for state sales taxes. However, this may no longer be available after the 2007 tax year if Congress does not act to extend it. This deduction may be appropriate for boaters who paid substantial sales tax on the purchase of a new or used vessel last year. Boaters must choose either the state sales tax deduction or state income tax deduction on their federal tax return - you cannot take both.
In addition, to take the sales tax deduction, the sales tax on a boat purchase must be applied at the same tax rate as the state's general sales tax. In order to claim the sales tax deduction, tax returns must be itemized. State sales taxes are entered on Schedule A, line 5b.
For those who fall under the Alternative Minimum Tax, most deductions are unavailable as taxes are calculated differently. Boaters are urged to contact a tax preparer or financial advisor for more information.
For more details on the mortgage deduction, go to http://www.irs.gov and download Publication 936 or the Fact Sheets. For state tax deduction information download Publication 600, which also includes state-by-state tax tables.
BoatU.S. - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with a wide array of consumer services.
CRYSTAL RIVER FREE KIDS' FISHING CLINIC SET FOR FEB. 23
Teaching children a lifelong hobby, instilling appreciation for our marine environment and providing a fun, family outing are the objectives for the Crystal River Kids' Fishing Clinic.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling, Citrus County Parks and Recreation (CCPR) and the Sport Fish Restoration Program will present a free Kids' Fishing Clinic for pre-registered children ages 5-to-15 on Saturday, Feb. 23. Clinic times are at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. The clinic will be held at the Fort Island Gulf Beach Fishing Pier. Because space is limited, pre-registration is required by calling CCPR at 352-527-7677.
This free clinic enables young people to learn the basics of environmental stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety. In addition, environmental displays will provide participants with a unique chance to experience Florida's marine life firsthand. Kids' Fishing Clinics promote several goals, but the main objective is to create responsible marine resource stewards by teaching children about the vulnerability of Florida's marine ecosystems. In addition, the clinics aspire to teach fundamental saltwater fishing skills and provide participants a positive fishing experience.
Fishing equipment and bait will be supplied for children to use during the clinic, but those who own fishing tackle are encouraged to bring it. A limited number of rods and reels will be given away to pre-registered children. If conditions allow, participants will have an opportunity to practice their new skills and fish from the pier. This event is a catch-and-release activity, and all participants must be accompanied by an adult.
Individuals or companies interested in helping sponsor this event or volunteer at the clinic should contact Francine Nobles with CCPR at 352-527-7677 or Gus Cancro with the FWC at 850-488-6058.