ROTONDA COMMUNITY CENTER
646 ROTONDA CIRCLE
ROTONDA WEST, FLORIDA
Englewood Fishing Club February 2026 Newsletter
February 12th Meeting
The Englewood Fishing Club meets 6:30pm Thursday, February 12th at the Rotonda Community Center, (646 Rotonda Circle, Rotonda West). JoEllen Wilson, Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Program Manager of Bonefish Tarpon Trust (BTT) will present BTT’s Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative in the Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande area. Visitors are welcome. Attendees are asked to bring an item of non-perishable food or sanitary items that will be distributed to people in need. For additional information about Englewood Fishing Club, visit EnglewoodFishingClub.net or visit our Englewood Fishing Club (EFC) Facebook Group.
Fishing Tournaments and Future Events
February is another open tournament; send a photo of your fish, or you with your fish to Steve Daniel retiredsteve@gmail.com for entry. Any fish from the EFC “Eligible Species List” qualifies for this tournament. Just one entry gives a chance to win a gift certificate.
In addition to the monthly open tournament, February has a Sheepshead Tournament on February 20th and February 21st. Entries must be weighed in from 3:00pm until 5:00pm each day at the Bay Heights Park (old rotary park) at 1000 S McCall Road in Englewood. Tides are really slow and look good for catching Sheepshead.
Other fishing tournaments are scheduled. Additional information at the February 12th Club Meeting.
Reef and Kayak fishing tournaments are being scheduled for March 2026,
Beach Fishing Tournaments are being scheduled for April, May, September and November. A Shark roundup fishing tournament is being scheduled for June
An inshore redfish, snook and trout tournament is being scheduled for October.
Cedar Point youth fishing events are scheduled for February 7th, March 7th and April 4th. These events are from 9am-noon. Alan Silverman is our Coordinator. Volunteers are needed for some of these dates.
A fishing equipment garage sale is scheduled for March 27th and March 28th from 8am until 1pm. Club members are encouraged to bring their fishing related items for sale.
The Englewood Fishing Club will host lunch BBQs in April, August and October for members and guests. Come to the February meeting and find out more.
The annual Christmas Party for members and guests is scheduled for December 8, 2026.
Recent Events
Some 33 boys and girls with their sponsors/parents of the Big/Brother/Big Sister of the Sun Coast were hosted by 25 Englewood Fishing Club Members and spent the morning catching dozens of fish that included six different species and a large snook that broke off several lines. Lunch was provided, followed by awards for the ugliest, the most, the largest, the shortest and the tastiest fish. The boys and girls went home with their fishing equipment and memories to last for many days to come. Thank you, EFC members, for making a difference.
Activities
Dan McClain is our Charter Captain Coordinator. Contact Dan for details at danielrmcclain@gmail.com or see him at the meeting.
Patrick Lawrence will sign members up for a ride or if you can provide room for others in your boat see Patrick.
If you have ordered shirts, see Ken at the meeting.
Volunteers Needed
If you are a club member and willing to volunteer, contact either Jim Thompson at Englewood.fishingclub@gmail.com (941-456-3684), or Debbie Jones at packd315@yahoo.com (937-307-7639) for additional information.
Part Time and Immediate Openings
Check out the story behind the story. Ask about attending a Club Board Meeting.
In my opinion, each club member should volunteer to help in at least one activity each year. Many hands make light work.
RR
Last month we used the Rule of 12 to estimate the change in sea level due to the moon and sun. We found that the fastest change in sea level occurs in the middle third of the tidal period. We expect the fastest water current during the fastest change in sea level. If we know the total change during a tidal period in feet, then we know the fastest change is three times the total change and is expressed in inches per hour. For example, if the tidal period is six hours from high tide to low tide or low tide to high tide, then we know the fastest change in sea level occurs in hours three and four of the tidal period and if the tide changes two feet, then the fastest change in sea level is six inches per hour during hours three and four. Although gravity forces from the moon and sun play a significant driver of tides; wind, pressure systems and periods of intense rain affect tides and changes in sea level and current in our area.
Wind can have a significant effect on changes in sea level. Hurricanes or high winds blowing from the west cause an increase in sea level and can and have caused coastal flooding in Charlotte Harbor. High winds from the east and northeast can reduce the water levels in Charlotte Harbor. During certain times, wind can produce more water current than tides. Turbulence induced by wind also increases oxygen levels in our water.
Pressure systems effect changes in sea level. A high-pressure system flattens the water resulting in lower-than-expected water levels. The effect of low-pressure systems has the opposite effect and result in higher-than-expected water levels. Normal sea level pressure is about 1013.25 millibars (mb). One inch of mercury (Hg) is about 33.864 mb. Normal atmosphere pressure in our area is 29.8”Hg to 30.2“Hg. This normal range
converts to a six-inch range in water level due to atmospheric pressure. Hurricane Ian not counting wind, increased water level by about 40 inches at landfall. Karl Butigan once told a story about seeing and hearing many Tarpon slurping pass crabs in Bocca Grande Pass just after a heavy thunderstorm when the water went flat.
Periods of intense rain increases water levels in Charlotte Harbor. Water level increases are highest near the Peace and Myakka rivers and decrease to the gulf.
There are many variables that determine the feeding habits of redfish, snook, trout, and other predators. Water current caused by tides and changes in water level are important. Current triggers prime feeding times for many predator fish and they rely on the current to bring oxygen and food to them. Many shrimp, crabs and small bait fish drift with the current, so predator fish may sit in a single spot and wait for food to come to them. If the current is too fast, the predators may sit in a protected spot and wait for food or they may swim with the current and pick-off food before the threat is recognized. For these reasons, it is best to target flats and mangrove lines during the peak current phase of a tidal period. Other fish like Sheepshead, tend to feed on pilings during slack or slow-moving water or they may feed on the bottom when the current is strong enough to move crabs and sand fleas to them.
Fishers can use currents to improve their catch. Currents sweep plankton and baitfish into specific areas like points, narrow channels, or upwelling zones, creating a dense food source for larger predators. During an incoming tide, fish might move closer to the shore or into the mangroves. Fishing rivers, creeks, mangroves or the harbor it is usually best to cast upstream of where you think the target fish are holding and let the current take your presentation to the fish.
Using the Rule of 12 for predictive current flow and any present-time-conditions of wind, pressure conditions and rain, we can match the portion of tidal periods that correspond with the fish we are targeting.
Rick Rogoski
Englewood Fishing Club January 2026 Newsletter
Last month we talked about supermoons and associated new moons, spring tides, king tides, neap tides and when the earth is closest to the sun or perihelion. How does all this affect tidal current?
A supermoon and new moon amplifies the normal tidal forces, resulting in higher-than-normal high tides and lower-than-normal low tides in Southwest Florida (SWF). “King tides”, the highest tides of the year, occur during supermoons, when the sun, earth, and moon are in near perfect alignment. Since the sun adds about half of the moon’s tidal forces, the absolute highest king tides of the year occur when the earth is at its closest point to the sun or “perihelion”, which happens around January 2nd of each year. The higher tides have the potential for higher water currents.
During the first and third quarter moons, when the sun and moon are at a 90-degree angle, their forces partially cancel each other out, resulting in ”neap” tides with less extreme tidal ranges then full or new moons. Do not expect as much tidal current during neap tides.
January 3rd 2026 is both a Wolf Supermoon and the earth is perihelion to the sun. Expect the highest king tides and potentially the highest tidal currents of the year around January 3rd 2026. During the January 3rd tides, when should we expect the strongest tidal current.
We can use the Rule of 12 to estimate the maximum sea level rise and therefore the strongest tidal current during any tidal period. For example, the incoming (flood) tide on Jan 3rd at Boca Grande. The low tide is at 7:04am and is at a minus 0.771 feet and high tide is at 11:43pm and is at 1.981 feet. The time period between low and high tides is 16.7 hours. The elevation change is 33 inches. We could generally say that the average tidal change is 1.98 inches per hour or we can use the Rule of 12 for an approximation of tidal change at any given time during the tide. .
The rule of 12 says to divide the tidal duration (16.7 hours) into twelve equal parts or in our example 1.39 hours for each part.
The first 1.39 hours, the sea level rises 1/12 of the total tidal change or 2.75 inches.
The second 1.39 hours, the sea level rises an additional 2/12 of the total tidal change or 5.5 inches.
The third 1.39 hours, the sea level rises an additional 3/12 of the total tidal change or 8.25 inches.
The fourth 1.39 hours the sea level rises an additional 3/12 of the total tidal change or 8.25 inches.
The fifth 1.39 hours, the sea level rises an additional 2/12 of the total tidal change or 5.5 inches.
The sixth 1.39 hours, the sea level rises an additional 1/12 of the total tidal change or 2.75 inches.
From our example, we can see that the fastest tidal rise is from 9:51 am until 11:14am. I would expect tidal current speed to follow tidal rise. Like a freight train, it takes the current time to get up to speed and it takes time for it to slow down before the next tidal change. We previously said the average sea level rise was 1.98 inches per hour, but the Rule of 12 indicates a maximum sea level rise of 8.25 inches per hour or almost four times faster than the average.
We can use the Rule of 12 to estimate the maximum sea level drop and therefore current for the January 3rd out-going (ebb) tide at Boca Grande. We previously said that high tide is at 11:43pm and is at 1.981 feet. The next low tide is at 7:47am and is at a minus .684 feet. The time period between low and high tides is 8.1 hours. The elevation change is 31.98 inches. The average sea level change is a minus 3.95 inches per hour and is about twice as much as the incoming average tidal change of 1.98 inches per hour. Using the Rule of 12, the maximum sea level change is a minus 8 inches per hour and occurs at about the same rate as the incoming tide. Will your anchor hold in the current developed by this tidal change?
We can run through the same calculations for the next neap tide of January 18th and find that the maximum sea level rise is 3.12 inches per hour and the maximum outgoing change is minus 3.66 inches per hour. The strongest tides of January 3rd were 4.73 inches per hour and minus 6.89 inches per hour. The numbers show a significant difference of tidal forces between spring/king tides and neap tides. How do we use this information for fishing and boating. See next month’s newsletter. RR
The Englewood Fishing Club meets 6:30pm Thursday, January 8th at the Rotonda Community Center, (646 Rotonda Circle, Rotonda West). Captain Dave from Deep Six Charters and his Associates will team up and talk about offshore fishing out of Englewood Florida and answer your questions. Visitors are welcome. Attendees are asked to bring an item of non-perishable food or sanitary items that will be distributed to people in need. For additional information about Englewood Fishing Club, visit EnglewoodFishingClub.net or visit our Englewood Fishing Club (EFC) Facebook Group.
Fishing Tournaments and Future Events
January is another open tournament; send a photo of your fish, or you with your fish to Steve Daniel retiredsteve@gmail.com for entry. Any fish from the EFC “Eligible Species List” qualifies for this tournament. Just one entry gives a chance to win a gift certificate.
In addition to the monthly open tournaments, the fishing committee is scheduling additional fishing tournaments for 2026. Included on the list to date are tournaments for Sheepshead, Reef, Inshore, Beach, Kayak and Shark fishing. Higher valued and more prizes are being planned. More information at the January 8th Club Meeting.
Cedar Point youth fishing events are scheduled for January 3rd, February 7th, March 7th and April 4th. These events are from 9am-noon. Alan Silverman is our Coordinator. Volunteers are needed.
A Big Brother/Big Sister event is scheduled for Saturday, January 10th from 8:00am-noon. We have 20 volunteers signed up. Bob Nordstrom is coordinating food, drinks, bait, ribbons and certificates. Dave Richardson is cooking.
Recent Events
This year’s annual Christmas Party was held on December 8th with 86 attending. The Christmas Party was an enjoyable event and many gifts were given out. Thanks go out to Debbie Jones and Nan St. Jean for coordinating this event.
Members donated over 100 toys to the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program. Thank You for your generosity and support.
As always, the December 6th Christmas Parade was an enjoyable event for the entire community. Our thanks to David and Micelle Smith, Joe and Nan St. Jean, Patrick Lawrence, Rick Rogoski, Jim Thompson, Jim Klug for handing out candy and club information. Cappy LaBarbera and Dick Kern were in the decorated pickup with our award-winning cardboard race boat.
Activities
Dan McClain is our Charter Captain Coordinator. Contact Dan for details at danielrmcclain@google.com or see him at the meeting.
Patrick Lawrence will sign members up for a ride or if you can provide room for others in your boat see Patrick.
If you have ordered a shirt before the November meeting, please pick up the shirt and pay for it at the January meeting.
Volunteers Needed
If you are a club member and willing to volunteer, contact either Jim Thompson at Englewood.fishingclub@gmail.com (941-456-3684), or Debbie Jones at packd315@yahoo.com (937-307-7639) for additional information.
Part Time and Immediate Openings
Englewood Fishing Club Committee Openings: Support your Club and be involved. Contact Jim Thompson
In my opinion, each club member should volunteer to help in at least one activity each year. Many hands make light work. RR
Englewood Fishing Club December 2025 Newsletter
December has a supermoon on December 4, 2025. This “Cold Moon” supermoon will appear larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
A supermoon happens when the Moon is closest to Earth, (perigee). A supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a full moon at its farthest point (apogee), also known as a micromoon. The term supermoon was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle as a way to define a full moon that is at 90% or more of its closest approach to Earth.
Because the moon is closest to the earth at perigee, a supermoon and new moon amplifies the normal tidal forces, resulting in higher-than-normal high tides and lower-than-normal low tides in Southwest Florida (SWF). “King tides”, the highest tides of the year, occur during supermoons, when the sun, earth, and moon are in near perfect alignment. Since the sun adds about half of the moon’s tidal forces, the absolute highest king tides of the year occur when the earth is at its closest point to the sun or “perihelion”, which happens around January 2ndof each year.
Spring tides happen when the sun, earth and moon are in perfect alignment during new and full moons, and the moon is less than 90% of its closest approach to earth and results in higher high tides and lower low tides than when this alignment is absent.
During the first and third quarter moons, when the sun and moon are at a 90-degree angle, their forces partially cancel each other out, resulting in ”neap” tides with less extreme tidal ranges then full or new moons. The Moon primarily affects Earth's tides through gravity and the combined effects of the Earth-Moon system's revolution, creating two "bulges" of ocean water on opposite sides of the planet. The first high tide bulge is created by gravity on the side of the earth facing the moon. The second high tidal bulge forms on the side of the earth opposite the moon. The second bulge is due to the earth and moon revolving around a common center of mass called the ”barycenter”. The earth-moon barycenter is located approximately 2,900 miles from the earth’s center. The moon moves in an elliptical path around the barycenter and a full cycle takes about 27.3 days. The Earth itself does not stay perfectly still. It simultaneously moves in a small, tight circle around the same barycenter creating what looks like a wobble. The entire Earth-Moon system, orbiting around this barycenter, follows an elliptical path around the Sun. The Earth's center traces a slightly wavy or sinusoidal path as it orbits the Sun, constantly weaving slightly in and out of the overall orbital plane in sync with the Moon's position. This complex motion means that neither the Earth nor the Moon orbits the center of the other; they both orbit the common center of mass or barycenter.
Do supermoons, king tides, spring tides and neap tides affect your fishing strategy?
December 11th Meeting
The Englewood Fishing Club meets 6:30 pm Thursday, December 11th at the Rotonda Community Center, (646 Rotonda Circle, Rotonda West). Josh Olive, The Fish Coach will discuss the best times to go fishing and answer general questions from the audience. Visitors are welcome. Attendees are asked to bring an item of non-perishable food or sanitary items that will be shared with local food pantries. For additional information about Englewood Fishing Club, visit EnglewoodFishingClub.net or visit our Englewood Fishing Club (EFC) Facebook Group.
Englewood Fishing Club supports the Marine Corps annual “Toys for Tots” program. The Club will have collection boxes for new unwrapped toys for children at the December meeting and the Christmas Party.
Fishing Tournaments and Future Events
December is another open tournament; send a photo of your fish, or you with your fish to Steve Daniel retiredsteve@gmail.com for entry. Any fish from the EFC “Eligible Species List” qualifies for this tournament. Just one entry gives a chance to win a gift certificate.
Englewood Fishing Club will participate in the Rotonda West Christmas Parade December 6th at 10:00am. From the Fellowship Church parking lot, the parade will travel east on Rotonda Blvd. West and then turn left to travel north on Parade Circle until turning left and north on Rotonda Blvd. North. Next turn right and east on Rotonda Circle and travel to end at the Rotonda Community Center parking lot at 646 Rotonda Circle.
This year’s annual Christmas Party is scheduled for December 8th. The Activities Committee has been working overtime to make this the best event of 2025. In addition, local businesses have donated great prizes such as rod & reel combos, ice cream gift certificates, dinners at Landys Restaurant and too many more to list at this time. Same as last year, the party is open seating of eight to a table. Come early and reserve seats for those who agree to sit together.
There are still $5 “members only” tickets left for the cash drawings. You do not need to be present to win. There will be one $1000 winner and one $500 winner if all 300 tickets are sold. Remaining tickets will be on sale at the beginning of the party starting at 5:30 pm. Contact Tim Jones at 937-475-2330 for information.
In addition to the monthly open tournaments, the fishing committee is scheduling additional fishing tournaments for 2026. Included on the list to date are tournaments for Sheepshead, Reef, Inshore, Beach, Kayak and Shark fishing. Higher valued and more prizes are being planned.
Cedar Point youth fishing events are scheduled for January 3rd, February 7th, March 7th and April 4th. Volunteers are needed.
A Big Brother/Big Sister event is scheduled for Saturday, January 10th from 8:00am-noon. We have 20 volunteers signed up. Bob Nordstrom is coordinating food, drinks, bait, ribbons and certificates. Dave Richardson is cooking.
Activities
Dan McClain is our Charter Captain Coordinator. Dan may also help coordinate rides with other club members on their boat. Contact Dan for details at danielrmcclain@google.com or see him at the meeting.
If you have ordered a shirt before the November meeting, please pick up the shirt and pay for it at the December meeting. This will help to balance the books before the end of the year.
Volunteers Needed If you are a club member and willing to volunteer, contact either Jim Thompson at Englewood.fishingclub@gmail.com(941-456-3684), or Debbie Jones at packd315@yahoo.com (937-307-7639) for additional information.
Part Time and Immediate Openings
Englewood Fishing Club Committee Openings: Support your Club and be involved. Contact Jim Thompson
In my opinion, each club member should volunteer to help in at least one activity each year. Many hands make light work. RR
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