By MARK COOK
Although lower humidity and shorter days are lowering water temperatures, fishing on area lakes and rivers has been fair at best over the last week. Panfish are scattered, bass are in transition and specks are just biting here or there. Hopefully within a month things will completely turn around.
The bass bite has been a little crazy, with a few wall-hangers caught on Kissimmee and Toho, but the number of fish has been slow. At least two fish over 10 pounds were caught last week working open-water vegetation with soft plastics. A few reports of schooling fish on Toho came in, but the size was only in the 1- to 3-pound range. Shingle Creek was the top bass producer on Toho. Guides on the chain are waiting to see the water temps get below 80 and then the shiner fishing will get into full swing. Bass sensing waters cooling naturally start gorging on larger oily baits in preparation for the spawn and fall is a great time to shiner-fish. The shiners also will last longer in the cooler weather and stay livelier on your hook, attracting bass.
Kissimmee fish camps reported slow bluegill catches, with less than 15 fish a trip the norm. Speckled perch are cooperating early at daybreak but tend to shut off by 10 a.m. Not too many people targeting the tasty specks, but the few that are are being rewarded with above-average numbers and size for this time of the year. Minnow-tipped jigs around grass lines are doing the most damage.
On a side note, longtime Turkey Creek Bait and Tackle employee Sandy Lunsford was recently diagnosed with cancer and local stores are collecting donations for her treatments. If interested in helping, contact me by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
It is that time again — football time. Look to our west in the late afternoon, the colorful skies will tell you it is coming. There is no nip in the air yet, but there soon will be.
The key is the young masses around here now, and those who wish they were still young, have awakened to the distant cheers, the weekend telecasts or live games. There is a spirit, there are expectations for the best. None of our teams, preschool to the pros and professionals at Raymond James Stadium, have yet to be very disappointed. Surely only the best is ahead.
Take the Bucs, who are 2-2 in the preseason with the regular season to begin this weekend. With the regular season, the record is still 0-0, hopes are only for the best. So how will the Buccaneers do this season ahead? I have no idea and likely neither do you, only high hopes. The Buccaneers are without heroes as this season begins and with a head coach (Raheem Morris) beginning his second season under General Manager Mark Dominik.
Heaven knows if your best known player is a cornerback, Ronde Barber, then the future can only be uncertain. Add to that the fact that your starting quarterback is a kid named Josh Freeman who played his college ball at Kansas State, then the future is even more unpredictable. Furthermore, we have a season about to begin, against Cleveland, with an opener not sold out, not going to be sold out, and one that won’t be televised locally. You have to pay to go see it, or drive 50 miles so that you can see it on television.
This is uncommon and expected because of the nature of this starless team, because of the uncertainty of the prospects and because the Buccaneers’ best known players are out of the mix and will be in the stands or in the press box as fans — meaning as loyal examples, John Lynch, Mike Alstott, Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and Doug Williams. If ever a team and its administration cannot be challenged when they say this is a rebuilding year, this is it, unless quarterback Freeman, who at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds and only 22 years of life in his veins who will become what he and his coaches think he can become. Most of us agree this is realistic. This opening game, I think, is critical. Moreover, the Bucs, despite the presence of the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in its own division, may well be where they need to be to beat the best. They have two shots at New Orleans , a good circumstance for these Buccaneers.
Most think the attitude and financing of the Glazer family is just right. They have the money, they own their own facility and site near RJS and they have declared this is their home and they want to prove their ambitions for themselves and for Tampa Bay.
Frankly, the Buccaneers could very well be sleepers in the NFL despite the overwhelming belief that they may well be lousy. They have the chance to sneak up on some people and to return to the pleasant circumstance of being in the wings, lying in wait for an ambush. This is the belief of the Glazers and of Coach Morris. An ambush is on their mind in their plans. This situation of not being sold out should be embarrassment to this proud place in which we live. I know Linda and I are among those of confidence and great expectations. We went through those sorry, sorry times as losers too long.
You may judge this as an out-of-place declaration coming from me, but those of us who have been through the raw, raw times, then the joy of being Super Bowl champions, are the only ones who can so seek that great success for these Buccaneers of ours again.
By ROY CUMMINGS
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TAMPA – The Bucs have been pretty busy the last 24 hours, scouring the waiver wire for upgrades to their roster.
So far, it seems, they’ve found two players they believe can help them. One is former Patriots C Ted Larsen. The other is former Packers RB Kregg Lumpkin.
What the Bucs plans for these players are is hard to know just yet. The team has not confirmed the signings and it’s quite possible more are coming.
The 6-2, 3050-pound Larsen is a former sixth-round pick of the Patriots out of North Carolina State. Lumpkin was a standout at Georgia, but he went undrafted before being signed by the Packers in 2008.
Armwood senior baseball player Josh Spano has verbally committed to High Point, a Division I program that competes in the Big South Conference.
Spano, a catcher/right-handed pitcher for the Hawks, was also being recruited by USF, UCF and the University of Tampa, among others, but decided the Panthers were the best fit after making a recent visit to the campus in High Point, N.C.
“I loved the campus. It was amazing. I really wasn’t expecting that,” Spano said. “I loved the coaches. It feels like it’s going to be a good fit, and I’ll get on the field right away. They made me a pretty good offer, and I couldn’t turn it down.”
Spano has been a catalyst for the Hawks during the program’s runs to the Class 5A state tournament in each of the past two seasons. As a sophomore Spano hit .325 with two home runs and 17 RBIs. Last season he hit a team-best .432 with six home runs and 19 RBIs, and he also stepped into the No. 2 role on the mound, where he went 5-3 with a 2.44 ERA.
Now Spano, who can sign during the early period in November, doesn’t have to worry about the recruiting process being a burden during his final prep season.
“I kind of wanted to get (the recruiting process) over with early, but at the same time I wanted to get all the offers on the table and just make sure I was making the right decision,” he said.
By TONY FABRIZIO
BALTIMORE It’s a beautiful sunny afternoon at Camden Yards. The Rays, after falling short Saturday night, will try to set their franchise record for msot road wins (41) and take two out of three in their second-to-last series of the season with the Orioles.
Tampa Bay begins the day 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East standings and 7 1/2 ahead of the Red Sox in the wild-card race. New York hosts Toronto and Boston hosts the Chicago White Sox today.
Ben Zobrist gets a start at first base today for Carlos Pena, who has the day off. Dioner Navarro is catching because John Jaso caught Saturday night, and manager Joe Maddon generally avoids starting Kelly Shoppach against right-handed pitchers. (Shoppach is batting .238 against lefties and .133 against righties.) Jaso is in the lineup as the DH.
Wade Davis and Chris Tillman take the mound in a rematch of a meeting the Rays won 8-1 here July 17.
Here are today’s lineups:
RAYS
John Jaso, DH
Ben Zobrist, 1B
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Matt Joyce, RF
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
B.J. Upton, CF
Dioner Navarro, C
Jason Bartlett, SS
—
Wade Davis, RHP (11-9, 4.29)
ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Ty Wigginton, 1B
Luke Scott, DH
Felix Pie, LF
Corey Patterson, CF
Craig Tatum, C
Cesar Izturis, SS
Josh Bell, 3B
—
Chris Tillman, RHP (1-4, 7.92)
The game is official here at Raymond James Stadium: USF 59, Stony Brook 14.
The Bulls scored 52 unanswered points after falling behind to the I-AA Seawolves 14-7 late in the first quarter.
USF scored its final touchdown on true freshman running back Marcus Shaw’s 63-yard run in the fourth quarter.
By that time, most of the announced crowd of 40,201 at Raymond James Stadium had seen enough and called it a night.
The Bulls now turn their attention to No. 4-ranked Florida. USF travels to face the Gators in The Swamp on Saturday.
USF is in cruise control as the fourth quarter is about to start here at Raymond James Stadium.
The Bulls lead Stony Brook 52-14, racking up 21 more unanswered points in the third quarter: a 5-yard run by Mo Plancher, a 25-yard touchdown pass from walk-on freshman quarterback Bobby Eveld to RB Demetris Murray, and true freshman defensive back Mark Joyce’s 33-yard interception return for a score.
The Bulls, after trailing midway through the first quarter 14-7, have scored 45 unanswered points to put away the I-AA Seawolves.
After three quarters, USF has 410 yards of total offense; Stony Brook has 182 yards.
Quarterback B.J. Daniels has looked impressive in the first game of his sophomore season, hitting 15 of 22 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns.
The first half of the first game of the Skip Holtz Era was an up-and-down ride for the Bulls.
USF leads 31-14 at halftime, adding to its lead on quarterback B.J. Daniels’ 19-yard touchdown pass to Joel Miller with 6 seconds left in the second quarter.
The Bulls scored 24 unanswered points after falling behind 14-7 thanks to a pair of miscues on special teams: a fumble by punt returner Faron Hornes and a low snap from Michael Walsh that punter Justin Brockhaus-Kann was called down on when he tried to pick it up, giving Stony Brook the ball deep in USF territory.
The Seawolves scored both of their touchdowns off USF miscues, but the Bulls took the lead for good on Eric Schwartz’s 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
USF added to its lead when the special teams made a positive contribution for a change.
On Stony Brook’s first drive after Schwartz’s field goal gave USF a 17-14 lead, USF’s JaQuez Jenkins blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by Chris Lane, giving the Bulls a 24-14 lead.
A quick look at some first-half stats:
—First downs: USF 14, Stony Brook 4
—USF QB B.J. Daniels was 12 of 19 for 196 yards and two touchdowns
—WR Evan Landi had four catches for 51 yards
—RB Demetris Murray led the Bulls in rushing in the first half, carrying seven times for 34 yards.
—Total yards: USF 260, Stony Brook 127
—USF LB Michael Lanaris had the first interception of his career
A loooooong first quarter is finally in the books here at Raymond James Stadium.
If this is how the Skip Holtz Era is going to play out, expect a lot of 49-48 games Bulls fans.
At the end of the first quarter, USF and Stony Brook are tied 14-14.
USF worked a lot during fall camp on improving its special teams, which were ranked near the bottom of the nation last season.
So far, they look the same.
Faron Hornes fumbled a punt return. A bad snap on another punt led to Stony Brook’s second TD. A kickoff went out of bounds.
You get the idea.
USF scored on its first play from scrimmage and then after falling behind 14-7 because of special teams’ miscues, the Bulls tied the game 14-14 on B.J. Daniels’ 4-yard run to cap an 8-play, 70-yard drive.
The Bulls wasted no time in delivering a memorable moment in the debut of first-year coach Skip Holtz.
On the Bulls’ first offensive play of the season, quarterback B.J. Daniels threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to receiver Dontavia Bogan.
Daniels pass was a quick throw to the sideline, and after a Stony Brook defensive back missed a tackle, Bogan did the rest with is legs.
The Bulls are back on defense with Stony Brook on its own 35-yard line with just under 11 minutes left in the first quarter.
One day after the body of John Arum, the son of boxing promoter Bob Arum, was found Friday in North Cascades National Park in Washington State, his family released a statement on his death.
Here it is below:
The family of John Arum would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has shared their concern with us during this tragic time.
John was a very special person. A wonderful husband, son, brother and friend, John meant so much, to so many. He was so loved and we miss him already.
First, we would like to thank the National Park Service, Chelan Mountain Rescue, Stehekin Community and the King County Sheriff’s Office for its tireless efforts in conducting aerial and ground searches over steep and difficult terrain throughout the week. They refused to give up on their search for John despite the conditions and they were a constant source of comfort and information to us. Their dedication to their mission was awe-inspiring and we will remember them for that forever.
And to everyone from around the world who has reached out to us with prayers and messages of support, please know you have helped sustain us during this most difficult time. You have touched our souls.
Thank you again.
Love,
The Arum Family
By TONY FABRIZIO
BALTIMORE The Rays haven’t done anything yet today, and they’ve already lost a half-game to the Yankees in the AL East standings and added a half-game to their cushion over the Red Sox in the wild-card race.
The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 7-5 in an afternoon game, and the Red Sox lost the opener of a doubleheader against the White Sox, 3-1. So entering tonight’s game against the Orioles, Tampa Bay trails New York by two games and leads Boston by 7 1/2.
The Rays won the opener in the three-game series 4-1 on Friday night, and if they win tonight, they’ll set a franchise record for road wins with 41. At 40-25, the Rays have the best road record in the majors - and the best by an AL club on this date in five years.
Although Dan Johnson has been heating up of late, Rays manager Dan Johnson is giving newly acquried Brad Hawpe the start at DH tonight against righthander Jeremy Guthrie. Maddon said he will continue to make a day-to-day decision between Johnson and Hawpe when the Rays need a lefthanded DH.
“We picked up Brad for a reason, and I think he needs a chance to show (what he can do),” Maddon said. “There were other teams involved, and he chose us. So I think it’s incumbent upon us to throw him out there to see how this thing is going to work.”
Hawpe made his Rays debut against the Blue Jays on Wednesday and went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. Johnson is hitting only .161 with two home runs and 11 RBIs, but he had driven in at least one go-ahead run in three of his last four games.
Here are tonight’s lineups:
RAYS
John Jaso, C
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Matt Joyce, RF
Brade Hawpe, DH
B.J. Upton, CF
Jason Bartlett, SS
—
Jeremy Guthrie, RHP (8-13, 3.94)
ORIOLES
Brian Roberts, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Ty Wigginton, 1B
Luke Scott, DH
Felix Pie, LF
Matt Wieters, C
Julio Lugo, 3B
Corey Patterson, CF
Cesar Izturis, SS
—
James Shields (13-11, 4.73)
By ROY CUMMINGS
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TAMPA – The Bucs reached the 53-man roster limit Saturday by releasing 20 players. Here’s the list of those let go:
* CB Brandon Anderson
* S Vince Anderson
* RB Carlos Brown
* WR Michael Clayton
* C Jonathan Compas (waived/injured)
* G Marc Dile
* T Xavier Fulton
* DE George Johnson
* TE Jeron Mastrud
* LB Rico McCoy
* DT Dre Moore
* DT Carlton Powell
* TE Ryan Purvis
* C Donovan Raiola
* CB Derrick Roberson
* LB Lee Robinson
* DE James Ruffin
* QB Jevan Snead
* FB Rendrick Taylor
* CB Trae Williams
In addition the Bucs placed second-year tackle Demar Dotson on injured reserve and placed cornerback Aqib Talib on the reserve/suspended list.
By BILL MILLER
Jim Warren and friends had a banner day fishing with captain Scott Moore from Anna Maria Sound to Sarasota Bay this week.
Using white bait, Warren and crew caught and released more than 100 oversized redfish. Also included in the day’s catch were numerous big trout and keeper flounder.
Moore expects the redfishing to get even better through September.
Sarasota Bay also produced good catches for captain Rick Grassett. Lots of trout, redfish and mackerel were caught by Grassett’s fly fishing anglers using glass minnow and shrimp pattern flies. The Long Bar and Buttonwood flats were the best spots.
Tarpon were caught this week by anglers throwing live bait and artificials in the MacDill Pocket and around Long Shoal. Calm weather is the key to locating rolling tarpon.
Yellowtail snapper have showed up around springs southwest of Egmont Key in 85 feet. Chumming with glass minnows and cut sardines will bring the snapper to the top. After the snapper are up, float a piece of cut bait on a 1/6- or 1/8-ounce jig head back into the chum line. Light line and small hooks will help get more bites. Big amberjack will sometimes surprise with tackle-busting fights.
Red snapper season will open up Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Oct. 1 through Nov. 22.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has ruled that snook season on the west coast will remain closed until Sept. 1, 2011. Snook season on the east coast will open Sept. 17 and run through Dec. 15. It will reopen on the east coast Sept. 1, 2011.
Captain Bill Miller hosts “Hooked on Fishing” on Bright House Sports Network, Channel 47. To book a charter with captain Bill or his son captain Billy, call (813) 363-9927.
Seems like it was just yesterday that Aaron Murray was scrambling around the mostly-dirt field at Plant’s Dad’s Stadium and leading the Panthers to a Class 4A state title.
Saturday at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., the Plant product was tearing it up for the University of Georgia in his first college game.
Murray, a redshirt freshman for the Bulldogs, passed for three touchdowns 184 yards and added another 42 yards and touchdown with his feet to lead No. 23 Georgia to a 55-7 romp over Louisiana-Lafayette.
Despite the absence of top receiver A.J. Green, Murray completed 16 of 24 pass attempts. Kris Durham caught two of Murray’s TD passes. With one second remaining before halftime, Murray scrambled 16 yards down the right sideline, reaching out with the ball to score just inside the pylon.
The 55 points Georgia scored was its highest total in nearly six years. Looks like the ex-Panthers star is on his way to a great collegiate career.
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