Quantcast
 
VISIT FLORIDA: The State's Official Source for Travel Planning
HOMEHOME
 
My Trip Planner My Trip Planner
Welcome Login Sign Up
 
Most Popular: beachesClearwater BeachCocoa BeachDaytona BeachDestinfamilyFort LauderdaleFort MyersKey WestMiamiNaplesOrlandoPanama City BeachPensacolaSanibel IslandSarasotaSt AugustineSt PetersburgTampatheme parks  See All>>
Terry Tomalin's Blog Archive
Back to Terry Tomalin's Page
Cool water, hot action
October 06, 2008

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

Anglers can't miss with live bait
October 04, 2008

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

Catching Late-Season Dolphin
October 03, 2008

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

Cooler weather may trigger kingfish run
September 29, 2008

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

National Hunting and Fishing Day
September 27, 2008

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

bonito make for a scrappy fight
September 25, 2008

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

Flyfishing for redfish
September 23, 2008

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 limits may change for state anglers
September 19, 2008

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

Fall is the season for big bass
September 17, 2008

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

Island Hopping
September 15, 2008

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

Cobia are Coming
September 11, 2008
Very few fishermen can actually go out and catch cobia at will. These secretive fish tend to be caught incidentally while fishing for other species. But if you are lucky enough to hook and land one of these brutes, you will forever keep a watchful eye out for these sportfish, both inshore and offshore.... more
Cast Net Adventure
September 09, 2008
Every time I take my kids fishing, they end up spending more time playing with the bait than trying to catch fish. They will sit for hours staring into a livewell, looking at shrimp or scaled sardines, bonding with the little critters, then raising an uproar when I try to snatch one with a bait net so I can put it on the hook.

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

Deepwater Action
September 07, 2008
Steve Papen isn't afraid to travel to catch fish. The West Coast fishing captain loves to head offshore to the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico late in the summer season.

"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

Never Too Late to Catch Tarpon
September 05, 2008
Tarpon, the silver king of Florida gamefish, are usually thought of as a summertime fish. Sure, the sleepy little fishing town of Boca Grande gets all the press during the peak months of May and June, but tarpon can be caught year 'round all over the state if you just know where to look.

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

Snook Season Open
September 03, 2008
Anglers on the Gulf Coast of Florida hit the water this week in large numbers. After a long summer closure, snook season is finally open once again.

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

Amberjack: Pound for Pound, Heavyweight
August 25, 2008
Fifty miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on a fine summer day, Capt. Craig Lahr rigged a large sardine to a hook and handed me the rod.

"Get ready.... more

Topwater Trout
August 23, 2008

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

New Grouper Regulations
August 21, 2008

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

Fishing for Barracuda in the Summer
August 14, 2008
Barracuda have a fearsome reputation. These wolves of the ocean do have impressive teeth. But that shouldn't stop you from hooking a few on light line from time to time.... more
Big Kings Caught Year 'Round
August 12, 2008

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

Florida Man Wins Bass Rookie of the Year
August 10, 2008
Professional bass anglers come from all over the United States to fish in Florida. We have the biggest bass in the country, so it is no wonder they call Florida "The Fishing Capital of the World."

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

Man catches record blue catfish
August 08, 2008

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

Lobster Season
August 06, 2008
Just imagine dropping off the side of a boat in the Florida Keys, then diving down to a pristine coral reef covered with brightly-colored tropical fish. You drift with the current until you spot a pair of antenna sticking out from beneath a rock ledge.... more
Manatees on the Move
August 03, 2008
Cruising down the Intracoastal Waterway near St. Petersburg's Boca Ciega Bay this week, I spotted a swirl in the water off the port bow.... more
Anglers Seeing Red
July 31, 2008
Don't let the dog days of summer slow you down. The fishing is as hot during the summer months as any month of the year.... more
Dolphin Bigger than Boy
July 28, 2008

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

Snapper Season
July 25, 2008

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

Summer Weeds are Good for Fishing
July 18, 2008
If you are fed up with fighting the weeds in your front lawn, don't feel alone. Every summer, it seems like I do battle every day trying to keep these green monsters in check. But then, just when I am about to pull out my hair, I stop and remember just how much I love weeds.... more
Late Season Tarpon
July 13, 2008
The west coast fishing village of Boca Grande gets all the press during the months of May and June. Televised fishing tournaments have introduced the world to the thrill of catching the silver king of sportfish, tarpon.... more
Snorkeling for scallops
July 09, 2008

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

After the Storm
July 07, 2008
Particularly in the summertime, afternoon showers are a fact of life here in Florida. Natives welcome these 3 p.m.... more
VISIT FLORIDA Experts
Terry's picks
U.S.S. Oriskany reef dive site in Pensacola
A diver swims at the U.S.S. Oriskany reef dive site ... View
Scalloping is a popular pastime in Steinhatchee
Scalloping is a popular pastime in Steinhatchee ... View
Robbie's of Islamorada
One of the giant tarpon that visits Robbie's to be hand fed. ... View
Sharks' teeth on the Peace River
You just might happen upon a shark's tooth while paddling the Peace River ... View
Miller's Marina of Suwannee, Inc & Suwannee Houseboats
Rent a houseboat on the historic Suwannee River, located in the quaint village of Suwannee, ... Read More
 
RSS FeedsRSS Feeds | Meeting Professionals | Travel Professionals | Advertising Information | Media | Feedback | FAQ | Privacy Policy | Site Index | Link To Us | About VISIT FLORIDA®
Florida: The SunShine State VISIT FLORIDA® is the Official Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. To send a comment to the site editor or to report a problem, click here. All material ©2001-2008 by VISIT FLORIDA®, all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. View our privacy policy.