April 1 marks the return of harvest season for bonefish and tarpon from state waters and the opening of Gulf grouper season for recreational anglers.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission temporarily closed bonefish and tarpon season in January as a precautionary measure after prolonged cold weather resulted in massive statewide fish kills. Read more here.

Improvements are coming across the harbor to Bayview Park. During the next year, the seawall will be rebuilt, the boat ramp will be expanded and the fixed dock will be replaced with a floating dock. A second phase of improvements will include additional parking spaces to reduce parking along Danford Street.

Click here for a peek at the plans!

There’s a rebound happening in the boating industry and Florida, deemed the hub of U.S. brokerage sales, is taking the lead, according to recent reports in Soundings Trade Only, a leading marine industry publication.

The first months of 2009 saw very low sales volume, but by mid-year, local big-boat brokers were able to surpass the monthly unit sales for 2008.  Valuations outpaced 2008 in the fourth quarter and by December Florida brokers led the big-boat market rebound, which has “bred guarded optimism about 2010.”

This optimism hasn’t been so guarded in Naples, however.  Record crowds attended the recent 2010 Naples Boat Show and many left as new boat owners. 

“In a good year we sell maybe one or two boats and plant a few seeds,” said Pete Kostuk, certified professional yacht broker with Galati Yacht Sales.  “This year we sold all four of our display boats in the first two days, including two buyers we’d never met.”

According to Jim Coburn, president of the National Marine Bankers Association, this type of sales breakthrough has also been recently reported by marine dealers in other sections of the country.  A common thread among them is a focus on boating as a lifestyle and not a passing fad.

“This recession has caused a shakedown in the industry,” says Kostuk.  “Those left standing are the cream of the crop and focused more than ever on customer service.”

Kostuk adds that the aged inventory that brought sales down in 2009 is almost gone and dealers are introducing new models and more traditional new boat packages.  Values on trades are also becoming more acceptable. Combine these factors with our beautiful Southwest Florida weather and now is shaping up to be a good time to buy a boat in Naples!

 ”Boaters may not be going as far or as fast,” says Kostuk, “but they’re still boating.”

More than 70 million Americans participate in boating and there are more than 15 million registered boaters currently in the marketplace.  Click here for a full report on 2009 brokerage sales and here for a 2010 industry outlook.

The BGCCC offers programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.  It’s a postive place for kids and a perfect parntership for HHYC.  This isn’t the first time kids from the BGCCC have been to Hamilton Harbor.  Over the summer, they took over our docks on a mission to hook the biggest fish.  Read more here.

Our 2nd Annual In-Water Luxury Boat Show hit the harbor yesterday and was a smashing success!  More than 700 invited guests perused a fantastic display of the newest and finest vessels, from yachts to backwater fishing boats, showcased in and around the waters of Hamilton Harbor.  They also enjoyed a Taste of the Harbor with samples straight from our menu.  Kids were invited to create nautical crafts with Rookery Bay while adults indulged in a Sunset Wine Tasting.  One lucky guest left as a new Hamilton Harbor social member…part of our raffle to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County, which raised more than $3500!  Check out the show photo gallery here. Thanks to all of our boat brokers, boating and fishing vendors and community partners.  We’re already looking forward to next year!

Naples Botanical Garden shares our commitment to protecting and celebrating Southwest Florida’s magnificent natural environment.  We are proud to be a major supporter of the Garden’s horticultural and conservation programs, including the Collier Enterprises South Wetlands Preserve, and we encourage you to visit.  Go to www.naplesgarden.org for more information!

What a late summer it’s been for plying the Gulf of Mexico waters! Throughout August and the last several weeks, light winds, calm seas and a solid bite has reigned supreme. The bite has been so good that it’s had many anglers seeing red, red grouper that is!

From the near shore ledges and hard bottom areas out beyond to the offshore artificial reefs red grouper limits have been consistent and impressive. Mixed in with the great grouper catches has been an eclectic mixed bag of snapper, stout Spanish and king mackerel rounded out with heaps of coastal sharks.

Cpt. Geraghty and HH Member with a King Mackerel

On a recent outing with members of Hamilton Harbor, the game plan was to make the long run to fertile offshore grounds. Greeted with slick calm seas and exceptional tides we knew we were in for an outstanding day on the Gulf!  

Breaching Gordon Pass shortly after sunrise, we pegged the throttles of their beautiful triple 350 Yamaha powered 37′ Pursuit. A short stop at the Santa Lucia, a shallow artificial wreck located due west of the pass, had us gathering a variety of small baitfish employing  #8-10 Sabiki rigs. Live bait, often a crapshoot during the summer months, proved easy as we filled the wells in no time flat with a healthy combination of threadfin herring, pinfish and spot tail grunts. Necessary live baits to have on board for those wishing to tangle with big grouper!

Arriving on the scene in eighty-two feet of Gulf cobalt water we took the opportunity to diligently look around checking out the rocky substrate on the Raymarine fish finder in search of an aggregate of fish. Once dialed into where we wanted to concentrate our angling efforts, we set anchor and began deploying a variety of metal jigs coupled with live and dead baits.

Cpt. Geraghty and HH Member with a Grouper

The bite was on fire from the first drop as we enjoyed solid red grouper action for nearly an hour before being “covered up” in pesky Atlantic Sharpnose sharks. No worries, as we had nearly a limit of reds up to 9 pounds already in the fish box on ice!

For the remainder of the morning and into the early afternoon we shopped around on several diverse natural live bottom areas with each producing quality catches of yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper and smoker king mackerel up to 35-pounds!

Look for this offshore bite pattern to continue to hold strong well into September. While the action is indeed hot out in the Gulf it will be prudent to keep an eye to the sky as the afternoon weather is heating up as well. Always check the forecast, pick your days wisely and catch em up!

Till Next Tide, Hook Up, Hold On and Have Fun!