After a great weekend at Gasparilla Island (Boca Grande), relaxing on such a beautiful place – so clean that it was impossible to spot any trash on the roads or beaches. Boca Grande has made great steps toward conservation because they have been hard hit environmentally with man-made algae blooms and natural red tide.

After talking with some of the locals, they asked how we deal with scallop season and the impact it makes on our waters. I guess all I could say at the time is, “stomach it”.

After thinking about it, there are some simple things that can be done that have a big impact.

One is not throwing trash down. Don’t leave your corks hanging in the mangroves, lots of birds die a slow death from being tangled in the line, plus you’re giving away your fishing spot!  Luckily for us, we have never had an inshore red tide in my lifetime on the Citrus County coastline, but could you imagine if we did?

As an inshore guide, I believe the majority of us who make our living on the water would like to see a no guide limit kept on our daily charters. I’ve been guilty of it, but if it’s the law then I don’t have to explain it to my clients. With angler limits only, I believe our trout fishery would explode.

Another idea would be to join an organization, like Save Crystal River, Homosassa River Alliance, Captains For Clean Water or BullSugar.org.

We must safeguard our water, even with growth and development all around us let’s not get blinded by dollar signs.

Where I hunt in Gulf Hammock, our Gulf Hammock Hunters Association motto is “preserving the hammock for future generations.”

It could be done here in Citrus County and the Nature Coast. We are model for the state to watch with everything that we do to protect our environment.

I’ll get off my soapbox and promise to write about fishing next week.

Thanks for hearing me out, Capt. William.

High incoming tide will be early morning and late evening this weekend.

To schedule a fishing charter excursion with Captain Toney, visit his website.

If you want to learn more about how to catch Nature Coast fish from Captain Toney, subscribe to his videos at https://inthespread.com