To learn more about boat safety education
classes, call The Florida Fish & Wildlife
Commission at 850-488-5600 or go to myfwc.
com/boating.
Our local Coast Guard Auxiliary often offers
classes on safe boating. To find out information
on the classes call 941-855-0799 or visit www.
coastguardenglewood.com.
KAYAKING &
PADDLEBOARDING
Everywhere you look there are pristine
waterways ready for any type of boating
including skimming across the water on a kayak.
Paddling is especially popular around Coral
Creek and Lemon Bay. Check out our Beach
and Parks section, page 15, to investigate sites to
start your day of kayaking.
If you are new to paddling or experienced
in the art of kayaking, it is always advisable to
check with local people who know the waters
you are about to explore. You can also take
advantage of the many kayaking tours available
to explore our scenic coastal waterways. To get
of list of kayak launches check these websites:
www.scgov.net/beaches, www.scgov.net/parks
www.charlottecountyfl.com/communityservices
and www.floridastateparks.org/stumppass.
FISHING
Eventually you will go fishing but it’s up to
you how you “tackle” this popular pastime.
It seems like anywhere there is water, you’ll
find somebody fishing. They’re out in canoes on
a creek, dropping a line off the pier, surfcasting
on the beach or miles out in the Gulf on a
charter boat.
And what are they finding? Far offshore swim
grouper, cobia, blackfin tuna, and yes, sharks. In
the warmer water closer to land, are the snook,
mangrove and red snapper, and sheepshead.
Lakes are home to several species of bass and
Boca Grande is known as the Tarpon Fishing
Capital of the World, attracting anglers from all
over the world to try their luck at the Tarpon
Tournaments.
It’s important to know that just because you
catch it, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able
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/coastguardenglewood.com
/beaches
/parks
/communityservices
/stumppass