February 2015
“Because I am out on the water every day, I try not to take the beauty for granted. Even though I see dolphin, sharks, stingrays, fish leaping and shore birds almost everyday, I slow down and let folks see things for the first time. And sometimes, it’s a first for me, too.
A couple of years ago I took a family outside of the Bay trolling along the shore of the Cape. I was just cruising on the Gulf side of the Cape, and, I saw this giant deer. It was a buck. He was playing in the sand. Then he would “buck around” playing and then go for a swim out in the Gulf.
Sometimes when I am out on the water my eyes see things but then my brain tells me I don’t see them. I’ve seen bear swimming in the Canal. Once, in the middle of the Bay, I saw a dark brown blob. I thought, ‘that looks like a dog.’ And, it was really a dog and he was a very lucky dog, too. “Dex” swam all the way from Windmark to the middle of the Bay. He escaped from his rental house. We were at least 2-3 miles out from Windmark. Poor guy was exhausted. He had a tag and we returned him. His owner was beside herself with happiness when I called her an informed her that we had Dex on a boat in the middle of the Bay. That day, he got delivered back home by our boat!
I’m not sure if being a marine biologist makes me a better charter captain. It’s really about experience and there are a lot of great guides here. But, I do know how the environment impacts fish. Where they may be. Where they may be hiding. I know the reasons why things happen. But, some times, you just can’t predict what you’re going to see out there.”
Captain Charlene, marine biologist and owner of About Fun Charters recommends taking at least one St. Joseph Bay charter adventure with her or any of her peers. You never know what you can discover. Especially in the Spring.
Updated: Dec 08, 2017 0:02
Published: Feb 13, 2015 22:24