Category Archives: Fish

Flying Fish

By Ron | Published February 6, 2012

c59-Mullet Toss-3.jpgc6-Mullet Toss-2.jpgc84-Mullet Toss-1.jpg
For over twenty years now, sometime during the month of February, a very strange phenom occurs in the skies over Matlacha, a “funky little drinking village with a fishing problem,” located between Pine Island and the mainland along the coast of Southwest Florida: Flying Fish, or more specifically, tossed mullet. Why, you may ask?

Because it is time for the annual Mullet Tossing Championship sponsored by the Matlacha Mariners, a non profit group of men raising funds for local charities with several events each year.

Useful information about the event from the Matlacha Mariners web site:

 

The 21st Annual “Southwest Florida Mullet Toss Championship”

 

WHAT IS A MULLET?

A mullet is one of the more popular and plentiful fish indigenous to our area.

It is the only fish with a gizzard and is said to possess mystical properties.

It is also an excellent food source low in fat and high in protein.

WHAT IS A MULLET TOSS?

A Mullet Toss consists of individuals throwing a mullet from a marked foul line down a corridor.

Assuring themselves of a New World Record.

It’s also a great excuse for us all to have a local party with lots of fun for everyone.

    WHY TOSS A MULLET?

It began when local folks were looking for another way to amuse themselves as

northern visitors left the little barrier island heading home again.

Besides the amusement factor, proceeds from the flying fish often go to help

individual (s), groups or other non profit organizations in need of short term financial help.


ARE THE MULLET ALIVE?

No

WHAT HAPPENS TO MULLET AFTER THE MULLET TOSS?

They go into crab traps to continue nature’s cycle.

HOW MANY PEOPLE USUALLY COME TO THE MULLET TOSS?

Several Hundred.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR TOSSING A MULLET?

Contestants will toss a mullet (approximately 1 lb+)


NO Gloves Allowed and You Cannot Break The Mullet in Half.

Your mullet must be thrown from anywhere behind and up to the foul line, down a designated path.

No stepping over the line during your throw and follow through or your toss may be disqualified.

Throwing your mullet out of bounds may also result in a disqualification.


All measurement results are final and under the discretion of The Matlacha Mariner’s operating officials.


Great images of the 2012 Mullet Toss are here along with lots more pictures from around Pine Island. Click here for Pine Island blog posts.

Also posted in Matlacha Mariners, Pine Island | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

POD ~ Haitian Fishing Boats

By Ron | Published October 15, 2010

Haiti Fishing Boats

Haiti Fishing Boats

Every coastal village in Haiti has a small fleet of fishing boats. The fishermen either sail or scull (row) to boats several miles off shore to their fishing grounds. Most fishing is done with nets, including cast nets, gill-nets, and seine nets. Traps woven from reeds or split bamboo are also used. Hook and line fishing techniques are used too but very little recreational fishing is done.

Fishermen

Fishermen

Also posted in Haiti, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

POD – Red Gloves

By Ron | Published July 2, 2010

Unloading oysters at the dock in Tarpon Springs, Florida

Red Gloves

Red Gloves (click to enlarge)

Also posted in Boats, General, Note Cards, Photo of the Day, Red | Tagged | Leave a comment

Picture of the Day, Surfing Porpoises

By Ron | Published April 27, 2010

Porpoise 1

Surfing Porpoise (click to enlarge)

Porpoises 2

Surfing Porpoises (click to enlarge)

See Ron’s

Also posted in Florida, Note Cards, Photo of the Day, Pine Island | Leave a comment

Brrrr

By Ron | Published January 11, 2010

Mangrove Snapper

As I sit huddled near my space heater during this unprecedented cold spell hundreds of fish, mostly mangrove snapper and snook, are dying in the canal behind my house. They are coming to shallow, sunlit water trying to warm their cold blooded bodies.

Mangrove Snapper

One feels helpless, wanting to do something. There is really nothing one can do but hope for warmer weather, like all of Florida is doing.

Mangrove Snapper

There are reports from all around Pine Island of dying fish. Snook, lady fish, and mangrove snapper seem to be suffering the most.

Little Blue Heron

But nature wastes very little. Herons, egrets, osprey, and eagles are about to have a buffet like they seldom see.

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Also posted in Cold Weather, Weather | 2 Comments