December is always a great month to be on Marco Island, and this year is no exception!

The Holiday Season is here, and the Marco Sportfishing Club has a number of activities

scheduled this month to help you start celebrating early and get in the “Holiday Spirit”. The

Tree Lighting on December 2nd will start the celebrations and provide us with an opportunity

to socialize and “tailgate” at this annual event. Later that week, the MSC Holiday Party will

be held at Bistro Soleil. Year after year, the Holiday Party, with its great food, good friends

and wonderful entertainment proves to be an event that gets better every year! On

December 16th, the Marco Island Street Parade will be taking place. Come to the parade

and cheer on your favorite Club! And if all this activity isn’t enough for you, we also have a

MSC Tackle Box www.marcosportfishingclub.com Howard Laskau - President

Dedicated to Safe Fishing in and Around Marco Island

President’s Message for December, 2017

Grouper Tournament scheduled during the beginning of the month. Please check your email for details or check

the MSC calendar on the website for additional information on any of these events.

We’ve been getting a lot of requests, and are happy to announce that December also marks the return of the

MSC Ship’s Store. If you are looking to do a little early Holiday shopping, the Ship’s Store will be open at the

General Meeting on December 7th New orders were placed, inventory has been restocked, and the tables will be

full of your favorite MSC shirts, hats and merchandise. Cash or checks only, please!

Captain Mike Merritt will be our guest speaker at the December meeting. Captain Mike will provide an update

on the Hurricane Irma relief efforts he has spearheaded in Everglades City. And…if you have been having

trouble catching fish lately, you won’t want to miss Capt. Mike’s tips and techniques for catching redfish, snook

and trout in the winter months. He will cover topics such as proper tackle, rigging baits and will even point you to

the right areas to fish in.

Current members…if you have already paid your 2018 dues, thank you. If not, please take this as a friendly

reminder that December marks the second and final month of MSC’s 2018 dues renewal season. Please see the dues notice in this newsletter, and if you haven’t taken care of this yet, please do so. Remember, 2018 dues renewals must be paid by December 31st. I look forward to seeing you out on the water. Get hooked!

Thought for the month: Happy Holidays!

LEADER BOARD Updates as of November Get LEADER BOARD updates using the link below.

Link to LEADER BOARD

Fish of the Month (FOM) as of November Get FOM updates using the link below.

Link to Fish of the Month

DUES INVOICE

• Your 2018 MSC membership renewal is due by December 31,

2017

• This is your only opportunity to renew for the 2018 year----

Late renewals cannot be accepted!

• Tell your friends we’re accepting new member applications until

Feb. 1, 2018

Just click below now,

so you’re not left out!!

Click Here to Renew Your MSC Membership

November Turkey Slam Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in the inaugural Turkey Slam. Despite the

windy weather, it was a fun, team focused event, which merits consideration for next

year.

Congratulations to the winners, and to everyone who braved the wind and fished the

event. The results are posted below.

Many thanks for your enthusiastic support of our backwater program throughout the

past year. We have many exciting events planned for 2018, so grab your rods and

fishing partners and join in the fun!

Tight lines to all.....☺

Mike Larsen – MSC Backwater Events Coordinator

Capt. Crew Crew 2 Angler

1st Prize Boat $105.00 Jim Doench John Marchetti Largest Jack $35.00 Bruce Roberson

2nd Prize Boat $95.00 John Mueller Don Richards

3rd Prize Boat $85.00 Pete Arcididcono Jim Mueller

4th Prize Boat $75.00 Mark Delauro Humberto Del Rio

5th Prize Boat $65.00 Barry French Howard Laskau Mick Haldeman

6th Prize Boat $55.00 Dave Dodd Mike Larsen

7th Prize Boat $45.00 John Baker Bruce Roberson

$525.00 $35.00 Total: $560.00

Total Prize Pool = $560.00 - $310 in Entrance Fees, and $250 in Club Provided Funds

December, 2017 Fish of the Month: Black Drum

Date Event Information & Comments

December 2 Marco Island tree lighting at

Veteran’s Park

See Website and e-Blast

December 4 Grouper Tournament – fishing day

December 5 Grouper Tournament – alt bad

weather day

December 6 MSC Holiday Party Sold Out

December 7 General Meeting Rose History Auditorium, 6:30 PM

Guest speaker: Capt. Mike

Merritt, Backwater Guide

December 9 Marco Island in-water boat parade Canceled

December 13 Board Meeting (note date change) 8:30 AM Coast Guard Auxiliary

Station, Caxambas Park

December 14 Kayak Event – Everglades City See Website

December 16 Marco Island Street Parade Details See Website

December 22 Newsletter deadline

January, 2018 Fish of the Month:Pompano

Date Event Information & Comments

January 4 General Meeting

Annual Membership Meeting

Rose History Auditorium, 6:30

PM

Guest speaker TBD

January 8 Board Meeting 8:30 AM Coast Guard Auxiliary

Station, Caxambas Park

January 11 Kayak Event – Hell’s Gate See Website

January 12 Captain’s Meeting - Pompano Event See Attached Flyer

January 15 Pompano Event – fishing day

January 16 Pompano Event – alt bad weather

day

January 23 Newsletter deadline

January 24 Welcome Snowbirds Picnic See attached flyer

January 25 Buddy Trip See Website

January 29 “Whack-A-Whiting” II Details to follow

Updates from the Editor November 2017

Welcome back to all MSC members. The fishing/catching will be improving as our waterways are clearing up from the effects of Irma. Enjoy this Holiday Season in beautiful Marco Island and its’ surrounding waters. If you want to contact the Editor I can be reached at pfwanzenberg@yahoo.com.

February, 2018 Fish of the Month: Sheepshead

Date Event Information & Comments

February 1 General Meeting

Rose History Auditorium, 6:30 PM

Guest speaker TBD

February 5 Board Meeting 8:30 AM Coast Guard Auxiliary

Station, Caxambas Park

February 13 Kayak Event – McIIvane Park See Website for Details

February 15-19 Miami Boat Show Details to follow

February 21 FeBREWfest Picnic Details to follow

February 22 Newsletter deadline

Marco SportFishing Club Ship’s Store

MSC Burgees (Flags) $15.00

Buffs $5.00

Golf Shirts (limited sizes) $20.00

Hats $12.00

Hats (CAMO) $14.00

License Plates $8.00

T – Shirts S/S $12.00

T – Shirts L/S $16.00

Sweatshirts

Rapala Folding Ruler 60”

$22.00

$15.00

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CURRENT PICNIC PARKING RULES

Beginning in October 2016, MICA no longer issues stickers for vehicles, rather requires

that vehicles have a person aboard with a current MICA membership card. In the past,

as a courtesy to the club, they had allowed club members without MICA membership to

park in the lot if they were attending the picnic. However, due to complaints from MICA

members that the lot was full during picnics, we no longer have that luxury.

Please be aware that the fine for parking on a swale within the vicinity of Sarazen Park

is $95.

HOW TO PARK AT SARAZEN:

1) Marco Island residents can purchase an ID card at the MICA office (above the

Mutual of Omaha Bank on San Marco and S. Barfield) for $140. You will need a tax bill or homeowners insurance policy with your name on it. Application forms available here. The ID for your wallet (or on a lanyard) allows you to park any vehicle in the lot. However, it appears that the ID card does not replace the old sticker, i.e. you can’t let someone else drive your car, they will look at your card to make sure you are in the vehicle. Also, MICA has been leaving notices on cars (including convertibles) that the card must be left on the windshield (not on list of 27 rules or on MICA website). Be aware if someone steals your ID card for following this dumb rule, it will cost you $25 to replace it. Maybe leave a copy of your card on the dashboard instead?

2) Get a Collier County beach sticker from the library or Caxambas boat ramp, and

park in the Collier County parking lot, which is adjacent and east of the MICA lot. You cannot park in the MICA lot with this sticker. The stickers are free to Collier County residents, but you need your car registration. Note that in season on very nice days, the Collier County lot could be full by mid-morning*.

3) Pay the fee for parking in the Collier County parking lot of $8 (correct change

required).

4) Find a ride from someone who has a MICA card.

5) Be aware that MICA rule #15 states: “MEMBERS MAY NOT SHUTTLE GUESTS. MEMBERS MAY ENTER ONCE WITH FIVE PERSONS ONLY.

6) Park at a friend’s house/condo that lives within walking distance. I’m not allowed to

say who they are (we have many) but you can check the roster. Maybe buy him/her some beers at Happy Hour.

*The Collier County rangers who sometimes patrol the Collier County parking lot, have been telling picnic goers that the lot is for “beach parking only” and not for attending picnics (I doubt if this has been tested in court). So if you park there you should appear as if you are going to the beach. Passing chairs over the fence will probably get you busted.