Friday, December 28, 2007

Grouper Fishing In Naples Florida

I have been a fisherman for over 50 years and a charter boat captain since 1977. No matter how often I go fishing I can never accept fish are not biting. Every fisherman knows that fish especially bottom feeders like grouper and halibut seem to refuse to feed on certain days or on certain tides. When these days or times occur I start emptying my tackle cabinet for some magic bait. While the magic bait is yet to be discovered I have found a few techniques that will produce at times cut bait or even live bait fail.

My favorite way of catching fish like grouper, halibut or even large mouth bass is to irritate them to the point they lash out at the annoyance. For fish like largemouth bass a rapidly retrieved rattle or spinner bait will induce a strike. For bottom fish like grouper, a little more persistent presentation is needed. Often times repeatedly banging your sinker on the bottom will attract fish, especially halibut. This sonic vibration caused by the bait thumping or banging on the bottom will cause fish to start feeding when other methods fail.

An even more effective method of catching finicky bottom fish is to drop a Crippled Herring jig or some other lead jig to the bottom. Allow the jig to flutter to the bottom then rip the bait up sharply and allow it to fall again. Maintain this action while watching your line as your bait falls. Invariably a fish will become aggravated and strike the falling bait. Often when I get a hookup I will allow the fish to remain close to the bottom for a short period of time and often other fish will get interested and start to bite for fear all the food may be eaten by others. Grouper, snapper and halibut can all go from lockjaw to biting everything in site almost instantaneously. From famine to feast often in an instant because jigged Crippled Herring, constantly creating attention, aggravated one fish to strike.

I like using heavy lead jigs for halibut with rubber grub tails, buck tail jigs of all sizes based on the depth but the most dependable and reliable bait I have used is the Luhr Jensen Crippled Herring in all sizes.

Remember when the bite gets tough, open up the tackle box for something, like a lead head jig or Crippled Herring, to incite those finicky fish into biting.


Source : http://ezinearticles.com/

Saturday, December 22, 2007

New Construction in Naples Florida

Naples, Florida offers a wide variety of residential new construction opportunities for both investors and second home buyers. With a relative slow down in the new housing market home buyers searching for properties in Southwest Florida have many great opportunities available to them.

Many developers and builders are currently offering rewards for purchasing new construction, including great buyer incentives and low initial deposits.

Buyers looking for a new home should take time to consider what type of community they would like to live in. Southwest Florida offers various communities catering to a variety of lifestyles and activities. Whether a community offers golf, tennis or boating is just as important as the number of bedrooms or square footage.

If golf is your forte, then you might want to consider Lely Golf Resort. A master plan golf community with three 18 hole golf courses. Lely Golf Resort has numerous new construction opportunities including multiple family and single family residences. Amenities include the Player's Club, a clubhouse resort style pool, social center, fitness club, full service spa and dining.

Another fantastic golf community in Estero is West Bay Club. Located within the West Bay Club, Jasmine consist of two luxury high rises with spectacular views of Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy an inclusive resort lifestyle with numerous activities and amenities.

For the avid golfer, Treviso Bay offers an exceptional TPC golf course.

Triviso Bay is a truly unique golf community in Naples, Florida. Golf members will be able to live the PGA experience every day.

For buyers who prefer yachting, Naples Bay Resort is ultimate yachting community in Naples, Florida. Naples Bay Resort will offer 30 luxury waterfront condominiums 108 residential condominiums and 85 luxury condominium-hotels. The community includes 98 boat docks, a shuttle to a private beach pavilion located on Keewaydin Island, a resort style pool, lazy river, fitness center, tennis courts, restaurants and more.

If you prefer the dining and shopping experience then consider Mercato.

The ultimate in metropolitan living, Mercato will offer 175 luxury residential units in a mixed use community. Residents will have shopping, dining and entertainment, all with in walking distance.

In addition to Mercato, Coconut Point and Sao Grato offer similar mixed use developments. Located in Estero's hottest shopping districts, Coconut Point will offer 290 condominiums above or adjacent to restaurants and retail stores. Sao Grato is a vibrant collection of restaurants, retail spaces, offices and residential condominiums, will combine on Sao Grato's pedestrian-friendly main street to create a relaxed, urbane, city center.

Although speculative investment in real estate has all but ceased in Southwest Florida, smart buyers are reaping the rewards of a slow real estate market. New developments in Southwest Florida have continued to sprout up, despite the recent lull in demand for new housing. Regardless of the cyclical trends in the real estate market, Naples is still a highly desirable destination.

Source : http://www.1888articles.com/

Friday, December 14, 2007

Family Overview: Naples, Fort Myers, Captiva, & Sanibel, Florida



Southwestern Florida's sunny quartet of Naples, Fort Myers, Captiva, and Sanibel lures families with beautiful beaches and a range of quality resorts, plus plenty of places to enjoy the natural estuaries, salt marshes, mangrove swamps, and undeveloped sands of Florida.

Captiva and Sanibel islands elevate the classic pastimes of beach-strolling and shell-collecting to new heights. Shells-conchs, whelks, scallops, and scores of others-wash up on the shores of these barrier islands by the waveful because of their east-west orientation. You can keep anything that doesn't have a live critter inside. Captiva Cruises is a great way to get out on the water with the wind in your face and dolphins plying your boat's wake. Try the Cayo Costa Beach & Shelling Cruise, where you'll hit undeveloped park beaches perfect for swimming and shell-collecting.

Paddlers delight in the Great Calusa Blueway, a nearly 100-mile-long system of marked kayak trails. One section snakes through the scenic bays of Sanibel and Captiva islands, while the other takes you through Estero Bay to Bunche Beach in south Fort Myers.

At the 11,000-acre Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples, a two-and-a-quarter-mile boardwalk cuts through towering bald cypress thickets. Ferns feather the ground, birds chirp, and ponds bloom with water lettuce. On your journey, keep an eye out for the nesting endangered North American wood storks, as well as alligators and deer.

The footpaths through the 6,400-acre J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, just 15 miles southwest of Fort Myers, are framed by salt myrtles, cabbage palms, sea grapes, and other native trees. There's also a four-mile scenic drive, but a guided kayak trip is the best way to explore the refuge. Paddling through the mangroves along Commodore Creek, you'll see pelicans, osprey, and herons and learn about the sea squirts, seahorses, barnacles, and oysters that live in the estuary.

Ride a swamp buggy—a school bus converted into a tourist-mobile, with comfortable seats, open sides, and shade—at Babcock Wilderness Adventures, northeast of Fort Myers. Rumble through flatland, swamp, and prairie as your naturalist guide tells you about the 90,000-acre Crescent B Ranch and its wildlife. You're likely to pass alligators, turtles, bison, and, of course, cattle. At the tour's end the guide just might haul out a baby 'gator for you to touch.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park sports over a mile of white-sand beach on a barrier island north of Naples, and this is where loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs each summer. From June through October on Wednesday mornings, rangers lead walks to search for nests or hatchlings.

Beat the boredom of a rainy day by taking kids aged four to ten to Fort Myers' Imaginarium. Here, they can act the part of a television weatherperson, watch a moray eel slither in the aquarium, and feel the force of a hurricane. Fort Myers Skatium, an indoor ice skating rink, is another lousy-weather alternative that's open to the public at select times on weekends. Channel sibling rivalry into a family game of Lazer Runner Laser Tag!

Source : http://away.com/

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

New Places to Retire in Naples, Florida


Are you looking for a warm place full of greenery and beachscapes for your impending retirement? A resort community on the southwest coast of Florida, Naples offers an upscale location for baby boomers to retire. The year 2007 is a great time to find a bargain property or to get in on the ground level of a new development. This article describes three developments undergoing some phase of construction in 2007: VeronaWalk, Ave Maria, and Firano at Naples. At these locations, there is often the possibility of purchasing a home ready for a quick move-in. The August ’07 prices provided here are listed at the web site of Newretirementcommunities.com.

Neighborhood developments that include amenities like community pools, clubhouses, and recreation spaces offer great opportunities for seniors. In most of these communities, one monthly fee eliminates the headaches of watering the lawn, cutting the grass, trimming the bushes, and tending to a backyard pool. The fee also includes maintenance of common areas and recreational facilities. Why not swim at will in a resort-style pool or work out at the fitness center? Discover the Naples lifestyle at VeronaWalk presented by DiVosta Homes. This community lies just a few minutes from Marco Island. This neighborhood offers price ranges of $333,000 to $483,000. For example, the Capri III starts at $332,900. It features 1,526 square feet of living space, including two large bedrooms, two baths, and a double garage. There is a unique assortment of common areas at the Town Center, including the usual pool, tennis courts, and clubhouse. Other features are: bocce ball courts, a salon, a bank, a post office, and a gas station. It’s almost like the residents never have to leave.

The next location of note is the newest town in Collier County, the tranquil collegiate community of Ave Maria. This development flanks the campus of Ave Maria University, established by Domino’s Pizza originator, Tom Monaghan. A huge project, this master-planned paradise includes 5,000 acres. Ave Marie gives different options for family living in a diverse array of neighborhoods and price ranges. Consider The Heron, built by Del Webb, which features a carriage home with 1,438 square feet of living space. The Heron comes with a reasonable price tag starting in the low $200s. The Ave Maria development includes plans for championship golf, retail and restaurant establishments, schools and parks, and all the cultural aspects of a quiet college town.

Your final bet for a very upscale community with an address more conveniently located near the heart of Naples is Firano at Naples. Built by Toll Brothers, this community includes eight different floorplans of single family homes, ranging from 2,058 to 3,753 square feet. Residents can enjoy traditional amenities like the clubhouse, resort pool, and fitness facility. The higher price range of $480,000 to $592,000 implies a community of more affluent residents seeking privacy in a gated community. The beautiful Casa del Mar, priced from $591,975, is a spacious two-story home with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a double garage. Its proudest feature is an impressive foyer of two stories with a turned staircase. This community is a must-see for higher-end homebuyers.

No matter where your search for retirement communities takes you, the affluent and culturally diverse area of Naples, Florida, offers a variety of lifestyles for baby boomers. The Internet is a great way to locate information, but your best bet is to uncover the Naples way of life in person.

Source : http://realestatearticles.us/

Saturday, December 8, 2007

NAPLES VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA


Why Vacation in Naples

Flaunting endless miles of sandy beaches soaked in the tropical sun, rests the “Jewel of the South” - Naples, in the fascinating Paradise Coast Area of Southwest Florida. An abundance of natural beauty complemented by its cosmopolitan ambience, make Naples an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world, who can explore its diverse attractions from their comfortable Naples vacation rental homes.

Naples Vacation Rental Information
Naples vacation rentals include a mélange of vacation rental condos, coachhomes, vacation rental townhomes, vacation rental villas, vacation rental cottages, vacation rental beach houses and vacation rental condominiums. Naples vacation rentals are primarily located on the beachfront or beach side, while the rest can be found in the interiors. Smaller 1-bedroom to 2-bedroom Naples vacation condo rentals, sleep 2 to 5 people. The 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom executive and luxury villas sleep 6 to 10 vacationers, while luxury Naples vacation rentals with 5 or more bedrooms sleep more than 10 persons.

Naples vacation rentals are tastefully furnished and many are equipped with outdoor swimming pools, heated pools, spas and Jacuzzis, BBQs, garages and parking areas. Kitchens are normally equipped with cooking and serving dishes, cooking appliances and accessories. Some Naples condos and Naples vacation rental owners provide bed linen and towels. Room amenities in most of Naples Florida vacation rentals include stereos, televisions, DVD players, telephones and faxes. Some properties provide golf equipment, fishing tackle, boats and watercraft, bicycles, and baby items.

Source : http://www.alwaysonvacation.com/

Friday, December 7, 2007

NAPLES VACATION RENTALS


One of the best ways to explore Southwest Florida is to stay in a beachfront vacation rental in Naples, Florida that lands you right in the heart of the “Jewel of the South”, so you can explore this stunning region at your own leisurely pace. Popularly known as the Paradise Coast, this area of Southwest Florida has long claimed the hearts of vacationers with its lovely beaches, laidback lifestyle, and its amazing range of Naples vacation rentals which include beachfront condos, waterfront apartments, villas, townhomes and beach houses.

Vacation homes in the form of Naples condos and luxury villa rentals allow you to savor the natural beauty in leisure as well as explore nearby Bonita Springs, where attractions such as the Barefoot Beach Preserve await you. You can also enjoy a visit to Marco Island for pursuing watersports and exploring the uninhabited islands in the region.

Apart from offering vacationers a great chance to bask in the warmth of the Florida sun, Naples offers numerous attractions that make your vacation even more pleasurable. Basking in a European aura, Naples flaunts more than 90 art galleries and attractions like the outstanding Philharmonic Center for Arts and the Naples Museum of Art besides hosting a Downtown New Years Art Festival, a two-day event every New Year’s eve. And when your choice of lodgings is a Naples vacation rental, it becomes easier to tour the city, plan a date with nature, and visit attractions such as the Teddy Bear Museum and the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens.

Source : http://www.alwaysonvacation.com/

Thursday, December 6, 2007

City of Naples, FL


Naples, Florida


Naples is a city located in Collier County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 20,976.

Naples Geography

Naples is located at 26°9'11" North, 81°47'55" West (26.152941, -81.798510)1 on U.S. Highway 41 between Miami (to the east) and Sarasota, Florida (to the north).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.3 km² (14.4 mi²). 31.2 km² (12.0 mi²) of it is land and 6.2 km² (2.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 16.53% water.

Naples Area Attractions

North of Naples off Interstate 75 (Exit 17 or 111) is the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

The city is served by Naples Municipal Airport for domestic-only flights; the nearby Southwest Florida International Airport, however, handles the bulk of traffic in and out of the region.

Naples Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 20,976 people, 10,803 households, and 6,568 families residing in the city. The population density is 673.2/km² (1,744.3/mi²). There are 16,956 housing units at an average density of 544.2/km² (1,410.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 92.50% White, 4.65% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. 2.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 10,803 households out of which 10.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% are married couples living together, 5.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% are non-families. 34.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 20.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.92 and the average family size is 2.38.

In the city the population is spread out with 10.9% under the age of 18, 2.3% from 18 to 24, 14.5% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 42.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 61 years. For every 100 females there are 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $65,641, and the median income for a family is $83,831. Males have a median income of $50,092 versus $30,948 for females. The per capita income for the city is $61,141. 5.9% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.1% of those under the age of 18 and 3.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Source : http://www.floridabrasil.com/