I was looking at purchasing a boat and was wondering what kind of boat would be best suited for Tampa Bay area waters (Gandy area to Fort Desoto area). Flats boat or bay boat? I would like to have about 3 or 4 persons on board.

Paul Arcand
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Dear Paul:
In the last several years, Bay Area angler have increasingly moved from flats to bay boats – not only because of their roominess, but also for the more secure boating environment they provide with higher gunwales. Should the weather turn sloppy, you and your passengers will be considerably more comfortable in the bay boat. And certainly, the three of four persons that you would take on board will be considerable more comfortable in that kind of vessel.

Capt. Mel Berman

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Hello: Capt. Mel About 16 years ago me and some friends spent a weekend on a stilt house about one mile off shore of Miami beach. Can someone please tell me what these few houses are called.

Great radio show. Keep up the great work.

Dennis Plotts
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Dear Dennis:

Those stilts houses in Miami’s Biscayne Bay are referred to as “Stiltsville.” For more on these structures, log on to these links:

http://www.key-biscayne.com/kb/stiltsville/index.shtml

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,991948,00.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liq80PbMin8


Capt. Mel Berman

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Hello Captain Mel,

Would like to have your opinion on the best fishing rig for a beginner for fishing in the flats, from either a kayak or regular boat?

By the way I really enjoy your show, it's so informative and yet you seem to have fun and enjoy yourself, too.

Thanks,

Sheila Whitt
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Hi Sheila:

When you say "rig" I assume that you mean a rod and reel combo. And for the beginner or more experienced angler, I would say that a light tackle spinning combo would be the best choice. Most local tackle stores carry a good selection -- in price ranges from under 100 dollars -- on up to higher end tackle where you could pay 500 dollars of more. However, I think you should be able to get the ideal outfit for the kind of fishing we do around here in the 100 dollar-ish range.

Thanks for the kind words about my 970-WFLA radio show. You're right -- I do thoroughly enjoy doing it -- even after almost 24 years!

Best regards,

Capt. Mel Berman

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Years ago in winter when the water temp below 65, I would go to the downtown Tampa power plant with my flats boat and catch and release 3 or 4 jacks in the power plant outflow with fly rods. Since 9.11, the power companies have restricted the access to the outflow and even the ship canal going there. I heard that there is a way to get a permit or pass that you can get that will allow you to go in the restricted areas. How can I go to get such a pass. I used to go and fish there only two or three times a year that was 8 years ago.

Thanks you for your time, radio show and your web site. They are all great and informative.

Thanks again

Capt Gerry III
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Dear Capt. Gerry:

I don’t believe that, because of the highly enforced security zones in and around all power plants, you will be able to get a pass to fish there. I too enjoyed fishing these facilities in years gone by but, unfortunately in this day and age of potential attacks on the United States; the government must protect vital power plants – which include prohibiting accesses to all but personnel with clearance to enter these zones.

You might also want check with the local US Coast Guard station to see if these restrictions have been changed.

Capt. Mel Berman


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