Security closures also continue to impede access to the fabled No Motor Zone, a section of the Banana River just to the north of where the port connects to the Banana River. This stretch has been a designated manatee sanctuary for many years and a popular site for canoe and kayak anglers. However, after 9/11, the whole eastern side of the river was shut down to fishing. I asked Ross if he still fished that area.

“Not anymore. In fact, I gave my canoe away because it’s too tough now with all the closures.”

Andy Anson, of Orlando, voiced similar feelings about access to the No Motor Zone (NMZ). Like Ross, Anson spent many of his childhood days fishing this area with his grandfather. Over the years he recalls many mornings paddling up the river with good friends before daylight. He has caught big seatrout and lots of redfish, including one bull that weighed 38 pounds.

“Since they closed the eastern side of the No Motor Zone, it’s really hard to justify the paddle,” he said. “From State Route 528, it’s at least a 1 1⁄ 2-mile paddle just to reach the entrance of the NMZ.

“I grew up fishing the Banana River, but the combination of closures and manatee protection zones [idle speed] have substantially reduced my interest in the area.”

Federal employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) retain special access rights to the western side of the NMZ, via the Kennedy Athletic Recreation and Social Park. There’s a boat launch at the site, which allows NASA employees and guests to skip the long paddle otherwise required to access the best fishing areas. Before the 9/11 closure of the eastern shore, most public NMZ anglers launched from several convenient sites near the east shore, which is a much shorter paddle than launching on the western side.

“I have nothing against those who have access to KARS Park, but it does appear that they are receiving preferential treatment relative to the general public,” said Anson. “In my opinion, KARS should consider issuing a limited number of passes to the general public on a daily basis.”

Anglers will find other restricted zones (usually well-marked) inside Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore, including Playalinda Beach near Titusville and Apollo Beach near New Smyrna.

On a positive note, many restrictions have been lifted since 9/11 and, hopefully, others will follow. Some closed areas re-opened: the southern end of Mosquito Lagoon; the Black Point area of the Indian River north of the Titusville Railroad Bridge; and the first four parking lots and crossovers to the beach at Playalinda Beach near Titusville. At present, the closures that seem to concern most anglers are the eastern half of the Banana River and the 60-square-mile area between Port Canaveral and the False Cape.

Dorn Whitmore, who oversees management of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, noted that his agency has lifted some of its restrictions. So has Canaveral National Seashore. Maybe other agencies will follow suit, especially as Whitmore put it: “as 9/11 becomes a more distant memory.”

“I believe in security and I don’t want to be greedy,” Jim Ross said, “but I wish they would give us back just a small piece of the area north of Port Canaveral for fishing.”

Keith Kalbfleisch has the same wish. “It’s our version of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.”

All Andy Anson said he wants is a section of the eastern side of the Banana River No Motor Zone reopened. Or, access to KARS Park on the western shore.

“And all I want is for them to quit harassing me inside Port Canaveral while I’m fishing and obeying the law,” Bryan Pahmeier said.

Canaveral-AreaClosures

Kennedy Space Center Security Zone, North of Port Canaveral

Recent copies of NOAA Nautical Chart No. 11484 show the closed area.

According to the Code of Federal Reg-ulations, Title 33 Part 165, the northern boundary of the closed area begins at latitude 28 degrees, 44 minutes and 42 seconds, and extends from the beach to a point in the Atlantic Ocean 3 miles offshore at 28-44.42'N, 80-37.51'W. There’s a can buoy here marked ‘A.’ From this point, you must remain at least 3 miles from shore, southward around the tip of Cape Canaveral. This includes Playalinda Beach and False Cape. Buoys B, C, D and WR6 mark this line. From Wreck Buoy WR6, the line proceeds to Port Canaveral Lighted Buoy 10, then west along the northern edge of the Port Canaveral Channel.

Monitor VHF Channel 16 or call Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral, (321) 868-4200, or Kennedy Space Center, (321) 867-5000, for updates.

Inside Port Canaveral

Obey signs marking restricted areas—which includes cargo areas on the north and south sides of the port. Otherwise, stay at least 25 feet from all docks; 100 feet from any berthed ship and 200 feet from naval berth.

Banana River No-Motor Zone

The waters east of the channel markers inside the Banana River Manatee Sanctuary remain closed. Canoeists who were launching from the eastern side of the river are now launching from the Barge Canal area on the western shoreline. Look for signs where the zone begins north of Higway 528 and stay to the west side of the channel.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

1) Free refuge sportfishing permit required. Pick one up at the Visitor Center on S.R. 402, five miles east of U.S. 1 near Titusville on the road to Playalinda Beach.

2) Closed for nighttime launching are two ramps located on Mosquito Lagoon, WSEG Ramp and Eddy Creek Ramp. The only boat ramps open for night launching are Bairs Cove Ramp at Haulover Canal, Beacon 42 Ramp and Bio Lab Road Ramp. All three are just off S.R. 3 and have signs leading to the ramp.

3) You may not launch boats, canoes or kayaks from Black Point Wildlife Drive or any side road connected to Black Point Wildlife Drive except L Pond Road.

4) All closed roads inside the refuge are well-marked. You can obtain additional information by calling Refuge Headquarters at (321) 861-0667 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. M-F.

Canaveral National Seashore: Playalinda Beach, Apollo Beach

Most of the parking lots at both beaches that were closed after 9/11 have been reopened for fishing.