The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010

ALERT: Charter fishermen, fishing guides, tour boats, rafting and sea kayak companiesOppose Sec. 301 in H.R. 3619, The Coast Guard Authorization of 2010, which legalizes new state and local taxes for charter fishing and other services on navigable waters. Read more to take one simple action to stop this provision.

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, H.R. 3619, which passed in the U.S. House, contains a provision in Sec. 301 authorizing state and local governments to levy new sales taxes on goods and services (including fishing charters) on navigable waters, unless the vessels are primarily engaged in foreign commerce. H.R. 3619 passed the Senate in May without the Sec. 301 provision. The differences in the House and Senate bills will be reconciled in a conference committee soon. If the House version of H.R. 3619 prevails, new layers of taxes and fees will be levied on fishing guides, charter boats and outfitters services in many states, where state and local governments are seeking additional sources of revenue. “Sales taxes” will be interpreted broadly by local governments. Some areas are already charging local taxes, which are not legal unless the state or local jurisdiction provides a service to enhance safety or security.
What you need to do

Call the Washington offices of :

* US Congressman John Mica (R-FL)
Online Contact Form
2313 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4035
Fax: (202) 226-0821
* US Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Online Contact From
United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5274
Fax: (202) 228-2183

Rep. Mica is the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee and the provision was put in at the request of one of his Republican colleagues.

Call Senator Nelson's office as well. (202) 224-5274. Ask his office to work to keep Sec. 301 out of the final Coast Guard Authorization bill. You do not have to speak to the Representative or Senator. His staff will relay the message.
What to say

* Identify yourself and your company and where you live.
* Say you are calling about a provision in the Coast Guard Authorization bill that will enable new taxes on your services.
* Tell the person on the phone that you want Rep. Mica to remove Sec. 301 from the Coast Guard Authorization bill, H.R. 3619.

Sec. 301 only legalizes more state and local taxation. It does not have any bearing on the Coast Guard.

This is not the time to be adding taxes and fees on small, seasonal businesses.
CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY. THIS ISSUE COULD BE DECIDED BEFORE MID JUNE.

For more numbers for Representatives in Florida, go to http://www.congress.org to get contact information for your members of Congress or call 1-800-524-4814.

Snook fishing with my wife on Charlotte Harbor

WELCOME aboard
I had a wonderful day Snook fishing on the waters of Charlotte Harbor with my wife Beth. Its a rare occasion that I get to spend the day fishing with my wife and I always look forward to it. It started off on the tough side; the bait that I've been nailing had moved on but I ran it down and we loaded up the bait well. I was so happy to see the joy that the keeper Snook brought on Beth's face especially with the winter we had and the oil that haunts us. If your in the mood to stalk the mighty Snook give me a ring and I will make it happen Tails And Scales Charters

Redfish Biting In Charlotte Harbor

welcome aboard

the Redfish bite is starting to pick up in the Charlotte Harbor area.Ive had the pleasure of spending some quality time fishing with my boys this week before they head out to see the Grand parents. my youngest boy SAM loves going for the bull of the Backcoutry. we covered a lot of water from Bulls Bay to Turtle and the wall never found them schooling up but we fished hard and managed back to back days of 4-6 reds ranging from 20-26 i feel that to be successful you most be persistent and work hard with the intense heat and amount of fishing pressure that means if your confidant in the hole you are fishing than work it give it a chance it seems that it was tacking at least 45-50 minutes than they would bite and turn off. and if your working the mangroves be as quite as possible and work close to shore and in the trough to try to find a pattern to be honest i never was able to really pin point a pattern but we stayed persistent and it paid off . if you would like a great day stalking the backwaters of Charlotte harbor be sure to check out my rates and trips page

Snook Fishing With My Son David on Charlotte Harbor

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spent the day fishing with my son David had a wounder full time that i will always remember. as most of you no getting your little fishing buddy that's now 15 teen to actually take you up instead of blowing you off for his friend's was a good sign.but the pressure was on i new for this to work i had to find the right bait and and find some feeding fish. our first stop i found the bait and loaded up the net and told Dave to point the bow were ever my head points and go slow once i was close enough i ha-lard neutral and we were done the live wells were full and we were ready for some backwater fishing on Charlotte Harbor.i wanted this to be special as a Dad i realize that when your fifteen you'd rather bee kicking it with your friends and the girls. so i said David want to drive? oh yea he replied ! so we were off and we spent the rest of the day fishing were he drove and i let him set us up on holes and it was a day i 'll never forget. hes a great fisherman that knows the water well and understands the wind and tides and most of all he's my fishing buddy .

the Bite is on!!

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the bite is on with the influx of the mighty Tarpon entering the Charlotte harbor estuary also comes many great opportunity to land sum of south Florida's most sought after game fish including Snook, Redfish and Trout. but don't pass on the hot action of inshore grouper fishing book your trip today .

Tarpon fishing using live bait

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had the day off and figured its my turn to hunt and fish for the mighty silver king so i
spent the morning chasing pods of tarpon in Charlotte harbor using live tread- fins i had to cover a lot water to find them but it was worth it. unfortunately i ended up calling it a early day do to the lighting but not before hooking up with two monsters.

Exploring the backwaters of Charlotte harbor

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spent the day exploring the back waters of boca grande and Charlotte harbor with Bob Collett owner of Mycapehaze had a great day getting to know him and hearing about all the exiting and new properties he has for rent if your looking for a vacation to south Florida i highly recommend visiting his sight and booking with bob. no matter if your looking for a island getaway or a fishing package to golf he has it. the day went perfect found plenty of fresh bait and the breeze was just enough to keep the heat down we ended up at boca grande pass fishing for snapper and grouper and scouting for TARPON and sure enough they are starting to show up its time to book your tarpon trip of a life time