Boat ownership is much like owning other vehicles; most require insurance especially when financed. To protect their investment lien holders require insurance on the vessel or vehicle. Even if it’s owned outright you should still consider getting it insured. There are lots of situations that could go wrong when you own a boat including sever liability issues. So, good but affordable insurance will go a long way towards protecting you and that investment.
Insurance is like insurance companies are not all the same. When buying boat insurance do your homework; make sure you’re not buying a pig in a poke.

Here are some thoughts on acquiring affordable and solid insurance.

Shop Around: Make a cost and coverage comparison of at least 3-4 insurance policies from different companies. This helps you locate a policy that offers maximum coverage for an affordable price. Purchase boat insurance from a company that has a good rating.

What’s It Actually Worth: Know what your boat is worth. Today’s market has likely reduced the value of your boat. This might allow you to reduce your premium.

Agreed Value or Actual Cash Value: What’s the difference?

Agreed Value normally costs more however it does provide higher compensation levels. In the event of limited loss it pays the replacement cost of items and will pay the stated policy value if the boat is a total loss.

Actual Cash Value is less expensive because it depreciates all losses and pays you less in nearly every claim. Mutually these policies have benefits but only you can decide which best for you.

What It Covers – What It Doesn’t: Essential coverage usually includes salvage recovery, accidental damage, fire, flood, and storm damage, theft, vandalism or malicious acts, and liability coverage. Make sure you understand exactly what coverage you’re getting as well as what’s not covered.  You need to identify its coverage and the amounts it pays. What about environmental issues, i.e. fuel spills, clean-up and property damage? Does your insurance pay to remove the sunken boat? Not necessarily; it often depends on your coverage and insurance company. If the policy doesn’t make sense ask them to explain in a language you understand. Plenty of policies exclude these type coverage’s.

• Your boat sinks and is covered by insurance, but what about salvage cost, clean up and removal charges.

• Are you protected against hurricane damage? Usually at additional cost with higher deductibles.

• You’ve decided to stay out overnight but weather forces you into a neighboring marina. While there your boat catches fire. Does your policy cover the damage to the marina and other boats, and to what extent?

• While docked or anchored your boat sinks because your automatic bilge switch failed, is the consequential water damage covered? Your policy might exclude losses caused from a failed part.

• Storing your boat at home would not require contractual liability.
However, most rental storage or marinas have, hold harmless provisions in their contracts. Does your policy satisfy this hold harmless agreement?

Drop the Comprehensive: Consider a liability policy that still protects you from lawsuits if you damage someone else’s property or someone gets injured. Do this only if your boat is paid for and you can financially suck up repairs, damages or the loss of your boat. When considering liability only coverage makes certain they include medical coverage for passengers, salvage removal, fuel spills and uninsured boater coverage.

Pay the Small Things: Try to handle the smaller claims yourself, don’t submit claims for minor problems save it for the larger ones. Ask about a larger deductible and always asks your insurance company for a discount.

Safe Boater Course Discounts: Boating safety courses are offered throughout the country, covering all types of recreational vessels. Qualified volunteer organizations, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, and others sponsor boating safety courses. Many times insurance companies will offer discounts if you take and pass an approved safe boating class.

This article is owned by Capt. Woody Gore and is copyright protected. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by Capt. Gore. wgore@ix.netcom.com

Snook (Gulf Coast Size Limit: 28-33 Inches) – The Snook bite’s been ok but nothing like the summer months. These earlier than normal cold snaps dropped the water temperatures drastically sending snook running for warmer water. If you’re looking for greenbacks they’re also on the move and much smaller. While they always seem to be at the Skyway, north winter winds often make it difficult if you are in a boat. Shrimp are usually available except when strong winds keep the shrimpers in port. Here’s a tip when using greenbacks or shrimp during cool water weather. Cut the tail fins off the sardines to slow them down and tail hook a shrimp with a jighead and fish it slow on the bottom. Remember bridges, docks and deepwater structure during cool water times.

Redfish – Redfish should continue cooperating provided it doesn’t the water temperatures don’t get too low. Cut bait and artificial lures are productive. Topwater lures worked with a “walk the dog” action is always exciting, especially on a calm morning.

Sea Trout – Cold water usually means the trout bite is going to start. As the temperatures begin cooling they head to the deeper grass flats, rocky shoals and start eating. This would be a good time to experiment with artificial lures.

Mackerel, Cobia, Sharks – for some reason we seem to keep some resident mackerel schools in the bay area. You’ll find them eating glass minnows and small greenbacks.

Cobias are starting to show up around the bay and with cool water temperatures they’ll head to the power plant hot water discharges. Chum bags, large shrimp and pinfish produce well.
When fishing the hot water discharges you’ll probably catch your share of smaller sharks.

Sheepshead – Sheepsheads are everywhere and should start picking up around rock piles, oyster bars with sandy shoals, docks and bridges. Scrap the pilings, use a piece of green mussel and hang on.

Tampa Bay’s the largest open-water estuary in the state, and is home to a myriad of sea grasses, marine life and a hale and hearty diversity of fish. These marine creatures attract many species of fish, birds, manatees and other wildlife which come to feast on the rich food sources. If angling is something you enjoy, then Tampa Bay and the inter-coastal waters of the gulf coast certainly offer some awesome fishing opportunities.

While fishing can be done year round, fall offers some excellent opportunities on a variety of species. On fishing outings some species you’re likely catch include snook, redfish, cobia, tarpon, trout, grouper, kingfish, and mackerel. Read on to see what’s going on in November?

As we approach the cool water temperatures of winter, shallow water fishing definitely improves. The fish start aggressively feeding for winter and become more active as they search for food. They’ll take an assortment of baits from live to dead. And since they will have large appetites anglers will have greater success using a wider range of artificial lures.

Snook: This is our last month to keep snook as the season closes December first. November is when things usually start coming alive around the bay and inter-coastal waterways. Snook are usually tops on the list as the fall transition has started and we are catching Snook on just about every shoreline.  The best bite has been at the beginning and end of either incoming or outgoing tides. Snook normally respond live baits as well as top water lures, jerk baits and shallow diving lures.

Spotted Sea Trout: Beginning November first it will be catch and release only in the south region until January first. Otherwise winter’s a great time for the big gator trout especially as they start working their way into the back-country and deeper grass flats. Often concentrating in deeper holes usually makes them easier to locate especially on low tides.

Redfish: The reds are still biting and some are still schooled up biting everything tossed in their direction. They should continue to be consistent on the flats and around the mangroves. A variety of artificial lures are catching their share along with live shrimp, sardines, and pinfish. The key to finding redfish, is fishing dark patchy bottoms, especially around schools of larger mullet. Although chumming with live bait works, tossing dead cut bait around the mangroves on flooding tides usually brings them out to investigate. Most are holding close to the shoreline.

Inshore Gag Grouper: The inshore grouper bite will pickup especially as the water temperatures cool down. Fishing should be good when we can avoid the northerly cold fronts and high winds. Lots of keeper nearshore and Tampa Bay fish coming up with a few really nice keepers from 15 to 25 feet of water. These guys are awesome fun especially on light tackle and trolling.

Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Bluefish: November cold fronts are here and so are the traditionally high winds that follow. As the water temps fall with each passing front the near beach kingfish bite should improve. Tons of bait should bring the kings, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and bonito within a mile or so of the beach or inside the bay.

Fish With Captain Woody Gore: Fishing Florida for over 50 years I offer professionally guided fishing and teaching charters around Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Tarpon Springs. So, if you want to catch fish, have a memorable adventure or perhaps learn some new fishing tips give me a call. I also specialize in group or multi-boat charters. Tell me what you need and leave the rest to me. To book a charter please visit my website “www.captainwoodygore.com” or call me at: 813-477-3814.

It’s that time of year, the fish are eating and we’re doing more catching than fishing. This is a great time to fish as late summer and early fall temperatures start dropping. If you want to catch tarpon, snook, redfish, trout, snapper, grouper, or sharks now is the time to do it. “Give Me a Call and Let’s Go Fishing” For charters or articles on catching fish, visit my website www.captainwoodygore.com.

Tarpon are still around and biting. We’ve caught plenty over the past month. On a recent outing with my son Capt. Mike took his new Ranger out for some break-in time and decided to do some early morning topwater action with our favorite the Top Dog Jr. The snook bite was slow so we decided to look around trying out his new Hummingbird 1197.

While checking an inshore reef south of St. Pete Pier, we noticed schooling tarpon feeding on a giant bait schools. Of course neither of us brought out tarpon gear and you can bet your bottom that won’t happen again. Not able to withstand the personal pressure, we decided to fish them anyway. I tied on the deepest sinking lure in the box a MirrOLure Catch 5 and began casting toward the schooling fish. To make a two-hour story short we jumped five tarpon and landed a nice cobia. Unfortunately, we lost every MirrOlure in the boat, but man… what a ride on tarpon.

Redfish and Snook are all over the area hanging around the many lush grass flats and mangrove shorelines. As redfish move back into the bay it’s not usually easy to find them schooled up on the many grass flats covering Tampa Bay. It’s also the time of the year when the really big reds show up. You never know whether you’re going to a catch one in the slot or one of the giants over 30 inches. These big reds often top the scales at 15 to 20 pounds. The upper bay area is holding good numbers of fish but you must pick your tide days carefully when fishing north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway by boat. The area gets extremely shallow on low water, so fish the higher tides with live bait or shrimp under a small cork.

Snook are in season until December 15 on the gulf coast. With most of the snook we caught averaging in the 22 to 25 inch range. The new slot limits of 28 inches to 33 inches often make it tough to put a slot fish in the boat, but if you work at it, you’ll catch one or two especially as fall approaches. We did catch one or two in the 29 to 35 inch range on live greenbacks. For those who like the night life associated with snook fishing, this is great time. They’re hanging under residential docks watching the light line for a quick meal. Use a shallow diving artificial lure or free-line a big shrimp. Make sure to use a weighty leader like Seaguar 30-40 lb., so you don’t get cut of on the pilings.

As for the others, we’ve been catching good sized mangrove snapper at the bridges with some topping out around 3 pounds. Cobia are showing and for us it usually only takes a chum bag over the side to spark their curiosity. If you hook-up, be ready with another rod and bait as other cobias will be following the action. Mackerel, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish are feeding on bait schools everywhere. If its glass minnows they’re after remember to match the hatch.

Never turn your fishing nose up at ladyfish and jacks especially when kids are involved; they can certainly make or break a trip. Most children are not interested in fishing, however they are interested in catching and they don’t care what it is. When you take kids fishing make sure it’s all about them. You’ll get your turn when you and your buds get out.

If you want to catch fish, have a memorable adventure or perhaps learning some new fishing tips give me a call. I also specialize in group or multi-boat charters. Tell me what you need and leave the rest to me. Fishing Florida for over 50 years I offer professionally guided fishing and teaching charters around Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Tarpon Springs.

To Book Fishing Charters please visit my website CaptainWoodyGore.Com or call me at: 813-477-3814.

September Fishing Report – Tampa Bay Area

Snook season opens and as usual the action should be excellent. You’ll find plenty of big fish around bridges and passes especially at night with free-lined baits like pinfish, greenbacks and jumbo shrimp. Fishing the flats around broken bottom potholes and mangroves will be good. For some exhilarating experiences try tossing a good topwater walk-the-dog topwater lure. MirrOlure, High Roller, and Thunder Shad are excellent choices. If you’re not into artificial lures greenbacks always do the trick. However, this usually requires some experience throwing a net and a good circulating livewell. Early morning beach fishing is also productive, you’ll find plenty of fish chasing bait in the surf; try a shallow diving lure.

If you’re looking for some late summer fun particularly for the youngsters, take them snapper fishing. Not only are these fish fun to catch but they are great eating. Small free-lined greenbacks or pieces of fresh shrimp around markers, bridges or rock piles will usually result in a limit of fish. If the tides a little strong add enough split shot to keep the bait down 3-6 feet. Don’t forget a chum bag. Here’s a tip: Put them on ice immediately, this make them much easier to clean. It gels the fat in their stomach keeping it from sticking to your knife.

Tampa Bay is still be loaded with plenty of threadfins and the mackerel and bluefish will be all over them. Mac’s and Blue’s are excellent targets this month. If you’re looking for awesome, light tackle action this is it. Threadfins are everywhere but look around marker cans, range markers or shallow reefs. Anchor up current, toss out a few baits for chum and throw to the striking fish.

Redfish action will be steady with schooling fish moving around the area. Approach schooling fish carefully you don’t want to split them into several groups because it’s often difficult to group them back up. Always pole or slow troll to within casting distance, Power-Pole down and present a low profile by getting off the bow. Try to pick off fish at the outer edges; and never cast into the middle of the school. Reds eat shrimp, greenbacks, and pinfish. If they’re not looking for live bait cut bait might work.

Trout fishing is always productive around lush grass flats. It takes moving water to get them eating but when they start… its fish-on. Popping corks with artificial plastic tails or live shrimp will produce. If you’re watching a cork and it’s bobbing up and down that usually a pinfish eating your bait; trout snatch it under and keep it down.

August Fishing Report Tampa Bay Area

Redfish – August should see more redfish action around the Tampa Bay area. This past month we could find lots of fish but getting them to bite with any consistency was something else. I’ve set on schools of 50 to100 fish and tossed everything in the boat at them only to have them ignore our offerings. Occasionally we’d catch one or two on a cut pinfish but not with the action we’re used to seeing. With tons of bait around its likely the fish are not that hungry but at least they’re out there. The bay area notoriously produces good catches of redfish you just need to find the ones ready to eat. Redfish will push into the Mangrove lined shores and oyster bars on incoming tides. Live bait normally produces good catches along with cut baits. Early morning top-water artificial lures on the grass flats will offer some good visual excitement as well. Work both incoming and outgoing tides.

Snook - One More Month… Snook fishing will continue strong this month with larger fish still on the beaches. Expect to see them bunching up near passes and deeper holes. They often appear to have lockjaw but patience seems to pay off when looking for larger fish. Many report catching good fish with dead bait left on the bottom. Artificial lures usually produce some awesome action and if you’ve passed the learning curve you can have a great time tossing plastics to waiting snook.

Spotted Sea Trout – Trout fishing can always be fun especially when you find some larger fish willing to eat. I’ve been getting into some good action in deeper water and around the fish attractors using free-lined greenbacks. Also check out the deep grass flats (3-4 ft.) using a popping cork with greenbacks, small pinfish (the flats are full of them) or shrimp.

Cobia – Markers and sandy flats equal Cobia. These fish frequent markers especially those holding threadfins. They also cruise the flats following rays and manatees.  When marker fishing, keep a chum bag out you just never know what might show up.

Tarpon – Tarpon fishing at the bridge has its good and bad days. Recently we’ve been seeing nice pods along the beach. Threadfins, crabs and larger sardines should do nicely. If you happen upon a daisy chaining pod, toss bait into the middle and hold on. There are also good reports along the upper bay bridges. Fish the light lines at night.

Snapper - Grey Snapper are everywhere. Pieces of live shrimp or cut sardines on a ¼ oz. knocker rig works great. Just find a bridge, rock pile, dock or just about any structure and its fish-on.

Mackerel & Bluefish – Tampa Bay is loaded with mackerel and bluefish and fishing this month should be great. Just look for schools of threadfins, put out a chum bag and hold onto your rod and reel. I’m seeing mackerel catches up to 5 and 6 pounds and some of the biggest blues ever. This is some real excitement on light tackle but need to use wire leaders like 30# Tyger Leader and inexpensive long shank hooks. For some exciting top water action try tail hooking your bait and let it work against the current. This forces the bait to the top for some great top water strikes.

Looking for something different this summer? Try one of these fast action fighters… on for size!

One saltwater fish found throughout Florida and providing some awesome light tackle angling thrills is none other than the unwavering bluefish. Most fish around the Florida area weigh somewhere around 2 to 6 pounds and any over that are a real treat. In 1972 off the coast of North Carolina, the recognized IGFA record was caught weighing in at 31 pounds, 12 ounces.

Blues are a schooling fish with relatively large heads, powerful jaws and a mouth full of incredibly sharp teeth. Their tapered bodies end in deeply forked tails making them powerful swimmers and fighters. They’re decorated with blue/green backs, silvery sides, and white/silver bellies, but don’t sell them short these beautiful fish have plenty of muscle and speed.

Rigging for Blues is much like rigging for any toothy fish. Wire leaders are a must or at least 60# or better fluorocarbon with long shank hooks. When fishing live baits I use a short piece of 60# Seaguar fluorocarbon tied to my braid then attach a 12” piece of 30# Tyger Leader (black or bronze) and a bright long-shank 1/0 Daiichi hook. I belly hook the greenback at the pectoral fin, cast it out and the bluefish take care of the rest.

Fish can often be caught on any type of fast-moving lure that resembles a baitfish, including metal spoons, jigs, and tube baits. If you like artificial’s try a shinny spoon or old topwater lure tied to your braid with a dark leader wire leader. Make sure it’s an old lure because you might not get it back.

You might also try trolling on the hot, humid, no wind days. Once you hook-up stop and start fan casting around the area. The fish are there you just need to find them.

It’s not uncommon to find schooling bluefish sharing the same bait schools as mackerel, ladyfish and jacks. If you’re using whitebait/greenbacks start by tossing a few around the area you are fishing. If bluefish are present it won’t take long to get them going. Keep the live chums going and the fish will usually stay within casting distance.

If like using a fly rod here’s your chance to tangle with a fish that give no quarter. Extra strong leaders and larger flies that resemble the most popular regional baitfish will do the trick.

This article is owned by Capt. Woody Gore and is copyright protected. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by Capt. Gore. wgore@ix.netcom.com

The first thing you’ll need to make this a successful dish is a dinner guest who’s not afraid to tear claw from carapace and suck the sweet meat from the shell. Serves two.

One dozen fresh clams
6 large blue crabs
6 large shrimp
2 ears of sweet corn, trimmed and cut in half
4 small potatoes, cut in half diagonally
2 tbs. Old Bay or Zatarin’s seafood seasoning
3 cloves of garlic diced
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 dash of Tabasco or Crystal hot sauce
Juice of one lemon
Lemon wedges for garnish
1 tbs. salt

Start with the Clams
Start with a large stock pot, add the rosemary, thyme, garlic, hot sauce and sea salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice and clams and steam with the lid on until the clams just open, about 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and clarified rosemary butter.

The Main Course
Fill the pot about half way with cool well water, add 2 tbs. Old Bay or Zatarin’s seafood seasoning and bring to a boil. Add the potatoes, the corn and boil for 5 minutes. Remove the corn and check the potatoes. They may need a minute or two more.

Carefully grab the live crabs and bring them to a swift end by submerging them in boiling water. Cook for 8 minutes and remove immediately. Toss the shrimp and the par boiled corn in the pot and boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

Season the crabs with more Old Bay and arrange whole lot on the pretty pink newsprint. Garnish with parsley and serve with clarified rosemary butter and buttered Cuban bread.

I haven’t a clue where it really originated. But I do know that it is only found here in Florida and is very popular with the Spanish community. When growing up we used to have a great time catching blue crabs in Tampa Bay; either using a net to scoop them up as we waded the shallow grass flats or using a string and some chicken necks, in back-country creeks to bring them close to shore and net them. My Aunt Eleanor’s recipe was the best ever but seems to have been lost after her passing. However, I got this one from my cousin Bill who besides being our family archivist is one the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

It’s great for family outings but Beware!!!! This is a very messy dish when served with crabs. We take this outside on a newspaper covered picnic tables. Then you can really dive into this wonderful meal. You’ll need nut crackers, butter knives, an old shirt and clean hands to start.

24 large cleaned blue crabs
2 pounds of fresh crabmeat
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cans (48 ounces) tomatoes with puree
1 can tomato paste
1 tablespoon Tabasco/Crystal hot sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning (or Zatarain’s Crab boil seasoning)
Salt & pepper to taste
2-3 pounds spaghetti, cooked and drained

Bring an extra large pot ¾’s full of water to a boil, add 3 tablespoons of Old Bay Crab Boil or Zatarain’s Crab Boil and plunge crabs into water cooking until they pink. Then place in cold water until cooled. Remove the back, and clean out the crab making certain to remove the finger looking things which are the lungs. With a mallet crack the claws. Break the body into two pieces leaving the legs attached to each half. Place in a bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.

In a large stainless steel stock pot (not aluminum), heat olive oil, sauté onion, bell pepper and garlic until tender. Add 2 can of tomatoes with puree, add 1 can of tomato paste, and add hot sauce, sugar, bay leaves, salt/pepper, oregano, and Old Bay seasoning.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 2 hours. Cook the day before, cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to serve heat the sauce and add blue crabs to sauce 30 minutes before serving time.

Serve over cooked spaghetti with lot’s of hot buttered Cuban bread.

Why should anglers target them? Although smaller than offshore cousins, inshore gray/mangrove snapper are loads of fun and fairly easy to catch, especially for kids. These terrific little fighters can often save the day when other fish fail to cooperate.

What are the best times of year to fish for them? Where is the best place to catch them? The bite usually kicks off around April and goes right through the summer. You’ll see anglers fishing around docks, rock piles, artificial reefs, fish attractor’s piers and under bridges. It’s a nice relief to pull up under a bridge, set the anchor, and grab a little piece of shade. Now pop the top on a nice cool beverage and prepare for some marvelous light-tackle action.

What tackle and rigs do you prefer to use to catch them? Light tackle means the same rods and reels you use for everyday snook, trout and redfish. Nothing too heavy as it virtually eliminates the awesome rod bending pull of a 14 to 18 inch snapper. I use a medium-light spinning outfit rigged with braided line and 20 inches of Seaguar fluorocarbon leader. Here’s a method I use when fishing snapper inshore using a knocker-rig. First slide a small soft rubber glow bead onto the leader (small enough that it won’t slide over the leader knot), now slide a quarter or three eights ounce oval slip sinker (depending on current and depth), then another glow bead the same size as before and finish it off with a number one Daiichi circle hook, tied to the leader using a loop knot.

How do you prefer them to be prepared? If you’ve ever cleaned a mess of snapper you know there is plenty of fat which sticks to your knife. To prevent constantly cleaning your knife; as you catch them put them into a cooler with slushy ice. This gels the fat in the body cavity and is easily discarded, after the initial cut. Even though a 12 to 18 inch snapper is small by comparison, fillet them anyway, remove the skin and cut out the rib bones. Now you’re left with a single piece of fish about the size of your hand. Perfect!

Gray/Mangrove Snapper are possibly one of the great delicacies when it comes to inshore fish. And of course fried is the only way to go. Certainly other recipes are good but without a doubt fried snapper is awesome especially when served with a pot of grits, tomato gravy and jalapeno hush puppies… could it possibly get any better.

This article is owned by Capt. Woody Gore and is copyright protected. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by Capt. Gore. wgore@ix.netcom.com