From the Publisher
I’d like to introduce an old friend and a new writer for Nautical Mile, Capt. Barry “Cuda” Nicholls. I’ve known Barry for over 20 years, he & I go back to the “Dean-O Gang” when Dean-O Hicks hosted SW Florida’s Saturday morning Reel Talk Radio show.
I’ve known people who fish for a living, and others who fish for the love of the sport. Capt. Barry “Cuda” has spent the past 72 years doing both while gathering a lifetime of stories, lessons and fishing knowledge along the way.
Originally from Sarasota, Capt. Barry has lived and worked all over the world before returning to Florida 37 years ago. Since then, he has spent countless hours exploring and fishing the waters of Southwest Florida. Today, Capt. Barry is a U.S. Coast Guard certified Master Captain with a 100-ton rating. He also runs fishing charters in the backwaters of Estero Bay aboard his 23-foot Key West Bay Reef, Dreamcatcher.
But Barry’s real passion is sharing what he has learned. Whether he’s on the water, speaking to a local fishing club or organization, or sharing his knowledge online, his goal is simple: help people become better, smarter and more efficient anglers. He has the ability to communicate salty experiences in a way that keeps anglers listening which has earned positions at many speaking engagements including an outstanding group with an international reach that brings women together through a shared love of fishing, boating, and the outdoors, “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing.”
His new column in Nautical Mile will bring that experience directly to our readers, with fishing tips, stories, techniques and plenty of hard-earned wisdom from a captain who has been chasing fish for so long, some of his tackle probably belongs in a museum.
Barry is also a strong believer in catch-and-release fishing and doing his part to protect the incredible fishery we enjoy here in Southwest Florida. And if you ever ask him how deep he fishes, be ready for his favorite answer: “If you fall overboard, stand up!”
We’re excited to have Capt. Barry aboard. I have no doubt you’ll enjoy following his adventures—and even pick up a few tricks along the way. His first column is about braided line.
I’ve been following West Marine’s corporate train wreck. According to records, a Chapter 11 was filed on May 17 when there were roughly 200 stores. In June the closure of 59 stores was announced, with 32 additional stores added in July. So West Marine has now announced plans to eliminate 91 of its roughly 200 stores, or nearly 46% of its retail footprint.
It’s possible they shifted from marine supplies to clothing, shoes and sunglasses in an attempt to re-brand, but there’s also signs showing that they saw this coming a couple years ago and started manipulating prices in the form of “Make all the money you can on the way out.” If a failing company deliberately misrepresented prices or concealed material information from customers, I would expect a criminal investigation.
I’ve also been following the protests about data centers. As opposed to coming up with a solution to something we all use and need, the uninformed want to just throw their hands in the air, ban them, and give up. Every time we send a text message we’re supporting a data center, as opposed to Kamela Harris telling people, “Data just hovers in space…ya know, in a cloud.”
Everything from the 3,500 photos people think they need in their phones, to court records, DMV, and even Google itself, EVERYTHING we know lives in a data center somewhere, and WE are creating the ongoing demand for more storage needs.
The average iPhone holds nearly 50,000 times more data than an older flip-phone. Facebook alone holds several exabytes of data. (For reference, roughly 500-billion phone camera photos would fill an exabyte, if they’re compressed.) I especially get a kick out of people protesting data centers on Facebook—because the very Facebook post they’re using to complain is being stored in a data center. The world’s hypocrites are actually protesting the infrastructure that makes their protest possible.
Digital storage is a necessity, and people would never give up their digital addictions, but they’ll soon have to choose between that and data centers which store all of that info. I don’t see people banning air conditioning, irrigation, heated pools, oversized homes, or large personal vehicles because exhaust is bad for the environment. It seems personal comfort is managed differently.
I wrote about how people are so quick to give up as opposed to finding a solution and how we were once a nation of problem solvers as opposed to the “Cancel Culture” many have adopted. My writings got the attention of people who are protesting data centers nationwide, people who are organized and funded. Their feedback was positive as opposed to criticizing. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of it all in the next few years.
We have to say goodbye to a contributing writer. Sophie Mckee has been with us since she was 12, writing about reptiles from all over the world. She’s in High School and starting college classes. Her priorities are in order, with her focus on study. She has the distinction of being a published writer for years, and she added flavor and quality to this publication with every word she submitted. Not seeing her column each month will certainly be a “change”—something we could all get better at embracing. Thank you for the years, stories, and memories you’ve given us. We wish you nothing but the best in whatever direction you choose.
This month I celebrate 24 years of publishing Nautical Mile. Back in 2003, this was a flyer intended to give me a free place to advertise my boat-waxing business. It’s been an interesting journey, but the winds of change are blowing, and Nautical Mile is looking at new waters to explore. Keep a weather eye!
Next month I do something that’s been on a bucket-list for a while- I’m riding my bike from Key Largo to Key West. I’ll do it in 2 runs, 50 miles each. My wife will be waiting for me at the Opal in Key West where I’ll be spending the rest of that week in the sauna. OctoberFest is a very expensive time to be in Key West, but when the party ends the resort fees drop in half and there’s minimal crowds. The Opal is downtown on the water with covered parking, once you put the car in it’s place, everything you’d want is walking distance. I’m looking forward to it.
Then come the cruises, one to Aruba, one to Mexico, and we just booked Alaska. For Alaska we’re flying into Anchorage 3-4 days early to rent a car and do our own scouting, then they take us on a train through Denali National Park, and on to Seward to board the Celebrity “Summit” to Vancouver whale watching on the way, then fly back to SW Florida. I spent time in Dutch Harbor and Nakneck in the 80’s commercial fishing where I had the opportunity to see wild Alaska and fly with bush pilots, I’m looking forward to seeing what I missed.
Recreational gag grouper fishing in Florida's Gulf waters opens this month, September 1 through September 30. Anglers are a vllowed a bag limit of 2 fish per person per day with a 24-inch minimum size limit, part of a 4-grouper aggregate limit. Atlantic state and federal waters have different regulations. Private boaters targeting Gulf reef fish must sign up for the free State Reef Fish Angler Designation.
Jim Griffiths
Publisher, Nautical Mile
