Like most fishermen, I have been keeping close track of the weather page in the newspaper, watching as water temperatures slowly drop, week by week. While the water in Florida never gets too cold or hot for swimmers, fish on the other hand, do have an optimal temperature that they prefer.

Most species, and this holds true for the waters off Pensacola and Miami, feel most comfortable when  the water temperature hits 72 degrees.... more

Everybody has a favorite month to fish. Mine is October. That is because this is the month when the large schools of baitfish begin to show up again in near shore waters.... more

As water temperatures drop, some gamefish will be looking for warmer water. Dolphin, also called dorado or mahi mahi, can tolerate temperatures as low as 68 degrees, but prefer water that is in the 78- to 85-degree range.

That means anglers targeting these prized sportfish should be heading to Southeast Florida and the Florida Keys for some late season tuna action.... more

Now that fall is officially here, the weather is starting to cool a bit and drop water temperatures ever so slightly. In another month, the ocean should hit that magic mark of 72 degrees and the kingfishing will be at its peak.

King mackerel, an open-ocean predator found in both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, are voracious feeders that migrate south in the fall and north in the spring.... more

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for a chance to celebrate. So I would like to thank the Congress of the United States for declaring today National Hunting and Fishing Day.

It has been 36 years since our elected officials set aside one day a year to celebrate America's greatest outdoors sports.... more

Fifty miles offshore on a hot September afternoon, the tuna, wahoo and dolphin were nowhere to be found. With four ballyhoo trolling behind the boat, we thought it would only be a matter of time before something took the bait.

Then a reel screamed as a fish stripped off 100 yards of line.... more

You can keep your Eastern brook trout and let those Rocky Mountain anglers brag all they want about their rainbows, but down here, we do our share of fly fishing too. Florida flyrodders catch everything from 20-pound red drum to 200-pound tarpon on "the fly" all year round.

On a recent fishing trip on the grass flats of Tampa Bay, angler Jeff Abeles worked all day hunting one school of redifsh.... more

Grouper is a favorite of Florida fishermen. These thick-bodied bottom dwellers are super fighters and when it comes to the dinner table, they can't be beat.

But this offshore species has undergone overfishing in recent years and federal fishery managers have already addressed the problem in the federal waters which begin nine miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.... more

They don't call Florida "The Fishing Capitol of the World" just for grins and giggles. With more than 1,200 miles of coastline, two oceans and thousands of lakes and rivers, there are countless opportunities to catch a wide variety of fish.

But while Florida's saltwater fishing ranks among the tops in the world, it s the state's freshwater species that originally put the state on the international angling map.... more

With temaprtures dropping, fall is a great time to hit the water and do a little island hopping. Whether your vehicle of choice is a outboard-powered flats boat, kayak or shallow-draft sailboat, Florida has dozens of barrier islands that make for great camping and picnicking.

Some of the best spots are Florida State Parks.... more

After several failed fishing trips, I finally gave up.... more

"If you want to catch big fish in the Gulf of Mexico, you have to head offshore," said Papen, who operates Fintastic Charters of more

This species is typically found on both coasts during the peak migratory runs of the spring and early summer.... more

This sportfish, perhaps the most sought-after inshore species in Florida waters, is not for commercial trade or sale, which is a good thing, because few would argue that there is a better-tasting fish to be found anywhere in the world.... more

"Get ready.... more

When the sun rises over the horizon, I like to be on the water, fishing rod in hand, ready to cast for spotted sea trout. This inshore species, found throughout Florida waters on both coasts, will hit a variety of live and artificial baits.

I love the slick, calm days of summer, when the slightest twitch on the surface of the water usually signals feeding trout.... more

Grouper, one of the most prized sportfish in the Gulf of Mexico, is valued for both its fighting ability and flaky white flesh. The species, sought by both commercial and recreational fishermen, has been the subject of an ongoing regulatory battle for more than two years. But federal officials have finally come up with a plan they hope will protect the stocks for generations to come.... more

Florida may be known for its fall and spring kingfish runs, when the open-ocean hunters make their yearly trek from northern waters to the Florida Keys and then back again.

But one of the best-kept secrets in offshore fishing is that big king mackerel, the kind that will "smoke" a fishing reel, can be caught year round in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.... more

But this week, Florida earned one more accolade to put on its fishing resume.... more

When you go fishing in Florida, you never know what you are going to catch. Just ask James Mitchell. The 64-year-old Washington County resident went out to his favorite fishing hole this week hoping to hook a few catfish.... more

Summer is the time for dolphin in the Florida Keys. Anglers come from all over the United States to catch these prized sportifsh, known for both their fighting ability and as excellent table fare.... more

Twenty years ago, red snapper were hard to find in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers set out to find out why and discovered that millions of young red snapper died each year in shrimp trawls.

But today, thanks to sound management and changing angler ethics, red snapper have become a conservation success story.... more

Seafood lovers across the Florida need wait no longer. Scallop season is open and early reports indicate that 2008 may be a banner year for these tasty bivalves.

Bay scallops, a tiny cousin of the common sea scallops you see seared on restaurant menus, are not for sale so the only way to enjoy this bounty from the sea is to strap on a mask and fins and swim.... more