Capt. Scott Moore | "Moore Fishing" | Ep. 995
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Some guests carry a whole coastline’s memory with them. Captain Scott Moore has guided Florida’s West Coast since the 1970s, fought for mangroves and preserves, and helped shape how we think about snook, redfish, and water quality. He’s also lived through the hard stuff — four feet of storm surge on Anna Maria — and still shows up every day to teach, protect, and fish.
Hurricanes, Surge, and the Island That Shows Up
Scott walks through last year’s storms: water over the island, homes rebuilt, and a community center that became the heartbeat for months. Power logistics, island access, and the difference between surge and wind — plus the strange calm on the second storm’s northeast quadrant that drew water out.
Mangroves: Nature’s Best Windbreak
Why trimmed mangroves often ride out storms better, how black mangroves breathe through roots that must see ebb and flow, and why buttonwoods on the lee side can look “dead” and come roaring back. If you fish where the groceries stack up, you fish around mangroves.
From Nylon Nets to Braid — and Towers to Livewells
A tour through tackle and boats: Orlando Clippers, early AquaSports, hand-cut nylon cast nets dipped to keep from rotting, then mono and braid that changed everything. Tower boats, bait-well evolution, and why the best guides learned to be great hosts first.
“It’s About the Groceries”
Snook need gambusia need mosquito control that doesn’t nuke the food chain. Redfish congregate on crab flushes because estuaries produce the buffet. Policy and science matter — but only work when we protect forage, flows, and nursery habitat.
Law, Policy, and Real-World Enforcement
The net-ban era, why gear restriction worked, and the ongoing reality: enforcement coverage, licensing, and the budget sausage-making most anglers never see. Scott’s rule: disagree without disrespect — it moves more mountains.
Water Quality Fixes That Actually Help
Practical plays: septic-to-sewer conversions, aerating stagnant canal systems, turf buffers along seawalls, and dealing with phosphate and industrial risk using the “least-bad” emergency options. Plus, why Mote’s closed-loop aquaculture and strategic stockings can jumpstart recovery.
The Ramp With His Name On It
Public access matters. The Scott Moore Boat Ramp is free, clean, and built for everyday anglers — a quiet reminder that conservation is for people, not just fish.
Captain Scott Moore on Hurricanes, Mangroves & Florida Conservation
Legendary Florida fishing guide Captain Scott Moore joins Tom Rowland on the Tom Rowland Podcast to talk about hurricane recovery in Anna Maria Island, mangrove resilience, and the evolution of Florida fisheries and conservation.
Keywords: Anna Maria Island, Mangroves, Snook, Florida Keys, Boca Grande, Conservation, Hurricane Recovery, Captains for Clean Water
Hurricane Recovery in Anna Maria
Tom Rowland: You went through a lot during last year’s storms.
Captain Scott Moore: Four feet of water went over Anna Maria Island. My house had about three and a half feet inside—everything had to be redone. But the community came together. The local center became the heart of the island—volunteers handed out water, food, and supplies for months.
Mangrove Resilience & Shoreline Recovery
Scott: Mangroves are the best windbreak we have. When water covers them, they often avoid defoliation. Exposed canopies lose leaves but always recover. Black mangroves breathe through root spikes—if those are submerged for months, they die. Erosion after the storm damaged some century-old black mangroves near Robison Preserve.
The Evolution of Snook Fishing & Conservation
Scott: Snook made me a conservationist. Early mosquito spraying killed the small fish they ate. Later, gill nets hurt the population. It’s all about the groceries—if the food’s gone, the fish disappear. The first Snook Symposium changed everything by bringing science to management.
Guiding Philosophy & Educating Anglers
Tom: Guiding is really about safety and teaching first, right?
Scott: Exactly. Catching fish is the bonus. If you educate people, they’ll protect what they love. That’s why I started sharing what I knew.
Water Quality & The Future of Florida Fisheries
Scott: Florida’s problems are fixable. We need central sewer like the Keys, aerated canals, better water flow, and shoreline buffers. Homeowner education is key. Small changes add up. As long as people stay engaged and respect science, we can protect the resource.
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