FISHING
lake, causing low salinity everywhere. It’s a shame but at
least authorities are aware of the problem now.”
Dravo has hopes the situation can be turned around, citing
successful efforts at improving water quality elsewhere, such
as in Chesapeake Bay.
As far as the pandemic is concerned, Dravo reports being
slammed with customers, even at the beginning. Tourism and
business is looking good, he said.
“We’re slammed again now,” he said. “I have only four
openings next month March.”
The challenge has been far greater because of poor weather.
Dravo said in January and February this year he only got on
the water eight out of 42 trips because of high winds and cold
water temperatures.
Rising gas prices have also impacted him. It takes $80 to $140
to fill his 22-foot Blue Wave flats boat. A typical charter covers
up to 20 miles. Yet at least he can trailer his boat from his North
Beach home and use a local gas station to save money.
“Marina prices are off the chain! It teaches you to conserve
all you can.”
Yet even when the fishing isn’t so good, Dravo believes in
providing an entertaining adventure on his boat.
“I try to get them to laugh. I’m very sociable, personable.
How much I entertain them depends on how much money
they’re spending.”
Treasure Coast charter captains are dedicated individuals,
resilient in facing and conquering challenges; the pandemic
just made them dig their heels in harder. They do not seem
like an endangered species.
27
TREASURE COAST BOATING
Capt. Mark Dravo
of Fort Pierce shows
off a large tripletail
caught during one of
Dravo’s Y-B Normal
Fishing Charters.
capt. MARK DRAVO, FORT PIERCE
Dravo operates his Y-B Normal charter business inshore.
What’s in a name?
“Normal’s not me. There’s nothing normal about me!”
Dravo has been fishing on the Treasure Coast full time for
20 years, inshore about 80 percent of the time. He said he’s a
fourth-generation captain.
“I grew up on the river since I was just a tadpole.”
He feels pretty sad about the decline of the lagoon’s marine
and plant life, especially the loss of sea grasses. Yet, contrary
to some reports, he still sees a good sea trout population on
the river, but says they are becoming harder to find.
However, snook are plentiful, he reports, as is the redfish
population. Yet all species are searching for suitable and
shrinking habitat.
The same goes for the embattled manatee. Dravo said he’s
seen no drop in numbers and even reported seeing three
juveniles in one day recently. There is a cluster of 40 to 50 sea
cows living in Taylor Creek, he says.
“But I feel bad for them. The authorities waited too long to
help them until the water became polluted from runoff and
sewage. The ones I’ve seen look healthy, not malnourished,
but I still see them with scars from props.
“The authorities are trying to feed manatees lettuce and
they are starting to plant sea grasses,” he said. “I’m seeing
some sea grass growing but nowhere near what it was five
years ago. We’ve had freshwater dumped here from the
ED KILLER