Florida has made great strides in tarpon management in recent years, thanks to ground-breaking research by state biologists who have learned how to track the silver king of gamefish.

But researchers rely on average anglers like you and me to help with this ongoing study. To learn how you can do your part, join in the discussion on Dec.... more

December marks the traditional start of Florida's sailfish season. When the winter wind blows, the sailfish start to bite, but anglers need not worry, for these world-class billfish can often be caught well within sight of land.

That is why the world's top blue-water anglers will head to the Florida Keys in a few weeks for the 46th running of the annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, one of the oldest events of its kind.... more

With fall in the air, manatees are once again on the move. These gentle sea cows have begun their annual migration to their wintering grounds in Southeast and Southwest Florida.

On many state waterways, including Tampa Bay, slow speed zones are put into place Nov.... more

People often ask me the secret to catching fish. If they want a one word answer, I tell them "luck." If they want more detailed information, I tell them they will need to spend at least a weekend listening, and when I'm done talking, they will probably know enough to ask the right questions.... more

November is a great month to be a fishermen in Florida. You can stroll out along most beaches, Gulf or Atlantic Coast, and catch ... more

The FLW Outdoors tour, one of the nation’s leading bass fishing tournament series, will kick off the New Year with an event on Lake Okeechobee, Jan. 27-30.

Lake Okeechobee, Florida’s most famous bass fishing destination, has long been the site of big dollar local and national fishing tournaments.... more

Spotted sea trout are sometimes called the "everyman's fish." That's because when you start saltwater fishing in Florida, Cynoscian nebulosus is the first sportfish you will try to catch.

Sea trout are found throughout the state and feed on just about anything that swims.... more

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opens today for the 50th straight year with more than $3 billion worth of boats, yachts, and the latest in marine electronics and equipment. The Fort Lauderdale Show typically kicks off the new boating season and draws buyers and shoppers from all over the world.

If you go, don't expect to see the show in one day.... more

In late October and early November, the waters in the Gulf of Mexico clear up with visibility in some areas up to 80 feet. That makes for great scuba diving and spearfishing. 

Most folks know about the stellar conditions in the Florida Keys and on the state's Atlantic Coast, but the Gulf of Mexico has its share of wrecks, artificial reefs and natural limestone outcroppings, often referred to as "hard bottom," that are well worth a visit.... more

Offshore racing action heats up again next month when Super Boat International holds its world championships in Key West, which has been called the performance boating capital of the world.

This event, scheduled for Nov. 8-15, consistently draws record crowds.... more

The sailors will go head to head in identical Sonar keelboats, which is one reason why match racing is seen as the ultimate test of tactics and skill.... more

The economy may be struggling, but that doesn't mean fewer people are fishing. In fact, the sale of fishing licenses has risen in the past year.

According to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and the American Sportfishing Association, fishing license sales have risen 7.... more

The greater amberjack is one of the toughest fighters in the Gulf of Mexico. Seasoned anglers call these fish "belly bruisers" because after battling two or three of these beasts, the rod butt will leave you looking like you just went twelve rounds in the boxing ring.

Frequently found on offshore wrecks, artificial reefs and over open-ocean springs, amberjack are a favorite target of charter boat captains who want to show their clients a lot of heart-pumping action.... more

With water temperatures dropping, the snook are on the move, leaving the beaches behind and heading toward the sheltered bays and rivers to hunker down for the fall and winter. These fish are hungry and ready to eat.

So anglers getting ready for the Florida Oktoberfest Inshore Slam Challenge should have good luck this weekend.... more

Capt. Ted Lund, who has guided clients to 27 world records, has launched a new charter fishing destination for Over Under Sportfishing in ... more

Sarasota's Mote Marine Laboratory has conducted ground-breaking research when it comes to snook, one of Florida's most popular gamefish.

Anglers can get a chance Oct. 16-17 to do their share for science by signing up for the Laboratory's Snook Research Tournament, part of the William R.... more

Stone crab season opens on Oct. 15, and early reports from divers out scouting local bridges and causeways indicated that 2009-2010 season could be another banner one.

You can gather stone crabs by walking along rocky shorelines, but by far the most popular method for collecting these tasty critters is scuba diving around local bridges.... more

The nation's best amateur and celebrity anglers will converge in Islamorada in November for the Mercury Redbone Tournament at the Islander Resort.

The world-renowned fishing tournament, which teams everyday fishermen with former professional athletes, targets redfish and bonefish. Scheduled for Nov.... more

Anglers fishing the state’s freshwater lakes and rivers should keep an eye out for tagged largemouth bass. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the University of Florida are doing a statewide study that will add valuable insight to the management of this prized sportfish.

State fishery managers hope to learn more about catch rates and the size of fish landed.... more

The Offshore Sailing School, one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions for competitive sailors, is bringing back its popular Offshore/North U. Performance Race Week in April.

The program started a decade ago at the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, home of Offshore Sailing School for more than 30 years.... more

It happens every day somewhere in Florida. An angler gets a tangled mess in their fishing reel, so they cut the line and let it fall to the ground. The line blows away and tumbles until some bird picks it up and flies off with it for a nest.... more

With fall officially here, the water is starting to cool off. That is good news for fishermen because it has triggered a bite on both coasts of Florida.

The snook, small tarpon, false albacore and sea trout have been feeding in the waters off Boca Grande.... more

My 8-year-old son loves to fish. We get out on the water as often as possible and he often shares his tales of adventure with classmates at school. Afterward, his friends often come up to me and ask, "Will you take me fishing too?"

The sad truth is there are many children who would love to fish but don't have an adult to take them.... more

Jimmy Johnson, a two-time Super Bowl-winning football coach, will host a new fishing tournament in the Florida Keys that will pit NFL greats against some of the South Florida's Best anglers.

Johnson, the former Dallas Cowboys coach who also led both of Miami's football teams, the Hurricanes and the Dolphins, is an avid angler.

The Billfish Bowl, as it is being called, will be a friendly event to benefit Gridiron Greats, a nonprofit organization that donates resources to retired NFL players who cannot afford proper health care or basic necessities.... more

Offshore powerboat racing's oldest sanctioning body, Super Boat International, will host its national championships off Clearwater Beach Oct. 2-4.... more

The Florida Sportsman Family Fishing Festival isn't your average boat show. Sure, they will have the latest models and fishing gear on display at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, but the free program for kids is what really sets this event apart from the rest.

The highlight is an indoor spincast pond where the youngsters can learn casting techniques.... more

Looking for a way to improve your angling skills? Swing by the International Game Fish Association and enroll in the School of Sportfishing.

The Dania Beach-based organization, which is responsible for maintaining the Book of World Record Game Fishes, has the best guides in the world teaching everything from trolling techniques to beach fishing basics.... more

In the old days, the only way to win a fishing tournament was to weigh in your catch. But back in the early 1990s, a group of conservation-minded anglers got together and decided there had to be a better way.

The Coastal Conservation Association went on the organize tournaments that were strictly catch and release all around the state.... more

A big bass will eat just about anything including snakes, ducks, even squirrels. But the favorite food of the legendary Florida largemouth is a big, tasty frog and that inside knowledge helped Lakeland’s Kyle Fox win last weekend’s Walmart Bass Fishing League tournament on the Kissimmee River.

Fox, who caught most of his fish flipping an artificial lure that resembled a black frog, weighed in 10 bass over a two-day period weighing 41 pounds, 5 ounces.... more

When the fall winds blow up north and send anglers running for cover, Florida flyrodders will be just beginning their season. October and November are two of the best months to fly fish the shallow grass flats of the Gulf Coast.

One of the best ways to learn knew spots and meet other light tackle enthusiasts is to sign up for a local tournament.... more

When it comes to fishing catching, there are two types of angler: those who care about quality, and those who care about quantity. If you are a "quality" angler, you are willing to invest the time it takes to catch a trophy fish. But if you are a "quantity" angler, you are more interested in action.... more

One oyster can filter up to 10 gallons of water an hour. So the more oysters you have in a particular area, the cleaner the water. The cleaner the water, the more sea grasses will grow.... more

If you want to give a gift that keeps on giving, take some one you know fishing on Sept. 26, ... more

The Kissimmee River is consistently ranked as one of the best places to fish for largemouth bass in Florida. That is why, year after year, the state's top tournament anglers keep coming back to this big bass hotspot.

On Sept.... more

In late September, the fishing action heats up all across Florida. It doesn't matter if you are heading offshore in St. Augustine or fishing the backcountry of Florida Bay, everything starts biting come the first day of fall.... more

You can gauge the health of a fishing area by the amount of grass you see on the sea floor. The greater the amount of the sea grass, the greater the number of fish you will catch.

Tampa Bay, like many other estuaries around Florida, has seen a dramatic increase in total acres of sea grass in recent years.... more

Fly fishing, like golf, is a sport that can take a lifetime to master. But don't let that discourage you from picking up a flyrod and exploring Florida's great shallow-water fishing. Every species, including blue marlin and mako sharks, that can be hooked on conventional tackle can also be caught on a flyrod.... more

Snook, the undisputed champion of the Florida flats, is one of the most desired, yet least understood sportfish in state waters. But thanks to scientists with Sarasota's Mote Marine Laboratory, this prized gamefish is in better shape than it was a decade ago.

Mote biologists, along with partners at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, first released hatchery-bred snook in 1997, and since then, have tagged and released more than 50,000 of these sportfish in West Coast waters.... more

Interested in boating but worried about your carbon footprint? Forget about it. Today's outboard motors are fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. That is why the 44th Annual Tampa Boat Show is bringing back its Green Boating Zone to this year's event.... more

Cast nets have been part of Florida culture since the days of the Calusa Indians. Through much of the 20th Century, this historic fishing method helped sustain the tiny fishing village of Cortez on Florida's Gulf Coast.    

You can step back in time on Sept.... more

The recreational harvest for bay scallops closes this Friday, Sept. 11, so snorkelers still have a few days to take advantage of what has been one the best seasons in recent years. Once on the decline, bay scallops have made a dramatic comeback in recent years.... more

School is back in session but that doesn't mean it is time to hang your rods and reels. September is one of the best months of the year to fish either coast in Florida.

To make things a little easier for mom and dad, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish Florida, the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department and the Sport Fish Restoration Program will be hosting a free fishing clinic for kids on Sept.... more

Florida’s waterways will be crowded this Labor Day. But remember that when you are out cruising you will be sharing the water with manatees.

It is a long way from the Gulf of Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico, but two of its more famous cold-water captains, John and Andy Hillstrand of the Discovery Channel's popular television series "The Deadliest Catch," will be in Florida on Sept.... more

In most parts of the country, Labor Day marks the end of the boating season. Not so here in Florida. Thanks to good weather year round, power boaters and sailors can enjoy the water 12 months a year.... more

Get ready for the roar of big engines along Clearwater Beach.... more

What is the most popular fish in the United States? A recent study by AnglerSurvey, a monthly consumer monitoring service, revealed that 59 percent of the country's anglers targeted largemouth bass in 2008.

Florida is known as the fishing capital of the world. The main reason why is the Sunshine State's largemouth bass.... more

Doug Hemmer looks forward to September. After a long, hot summer of practicing catch and release, the inshore charter boat captain can finally keep a linesider for the frying pan.

"There is no finer fish to eat," says Hemmer, who has been a charter boat captain for 20 years.... more

One of the main advantages of fishing out of a kayak is that the shallow-running craft allow anglers to get into places where traditional flats boats dare not run.

Pine Island Sound, with its numerous oyster bars and hidden creeks, is a fisherman's paradise. There are areas where even experienced boaters do not venture for fear of running aground, but that suits fishing guide Josh Harvel just fine.... more

Two decades ago, scallops were virtually nonexistent in ... more

Ohio may have the Football Hall of Fame and, when it comes to baseball, everybody knows about New York's Cooperstown. But when you talk about fishing, Florida has a right to brag as well.

The International Game Fish Association in ... more

Bass and bream are Florida's best known freshwater sportfish. But there are plenty of other critters to catch and eat in Florida's lakes, rivers and ponds come late summer if you don't mind being on the water after the sun goes down.

Gigging frogs is one of Florida's oldest and most popular outdoors sports.... more

Saltwater flyfishing is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports in America. Every year, thousands of Northern stream fishermen head south to catch bonefish, permit and tarpon on a flyrod in the Florida Keys.

In addition to having the best light-tackle fishing in the country, Florida also has some of the best light-tackle fishermen.... more

Anglers on Florida's Gulf Coast have a unique chance to help state biologists manage two of the most popular reef fish caught in local waters: grouper and red snapper.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute has learned much about the life history of one of Florida's most popular inshore species, red drum, thanks to thousands of anglers who have shared catch-and-release data with researchers over the past decade. Now biologists hope to gather similar data on popular offshore species that are also caught in the Gulf of Mexico.... more

Blackfin tuna may be smaller than their bluefin and yellowfin cousins, but these football-shaped fish can hit a bait as hard as a linebacker barreling into the backfield. Found from Cape Cod to Brazil throughout the western Atlantic and in the Gulf of Mexico, blackfin tuna prefer water temperatures above 68 degrees.

These voracious feeders are often found around shrimp boats, especially in the morning as the shrimpers cull their catch, but this species will show up just about any time bait is in the water.... more

Thousands of sport divers will head to the Florida Keys this week when lobster season opens Aug. 6. Most will follow the rules, but a few may try to take more than is allowed.... more

There is an old joke among offshore fishermen: If you want to catch sailfish, wait until the wind is howling, the rain is falling, the waves are breaking and their air is chilly. Winter, it seems, is the time these pelagic predators feed most voraciously.

But every now and then, especially during the month of August, offshore anglers fishing for dolphin, wahoo and tuna, may cross the path of one of these prized billfish.... more

Florida spearfishermen can't wait for summer. The water is warm, generally calm and full of fish.

Like many underwater hunters, Bill Hardman targets big fish.... more

Jim Henley likes to wait to the crowds are gone to go scalloping. The Steinhatchee fishing guide said scallop season, which opened July 1, is often most fruitful in August.... more

Divers and snorkelers from all over the United States are heading to the Florida Keys for the special, two-day spiny lobster “sport” season.

This “bug” catching frenzy, which occurs every year on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, is designed to give recreational lobster hunters a chance to gather some of these tasty crustaceans before the commercial traps go in the water.

The regular lobster season begin August 6th and runs through the end of March.... more

With scallop season underway, boaters should pay close attention to the state’s “diver down” rule.

The law requires that a vessel display a divers-down flag, which is red with a white diagonal stripe, whenever divers or snorkelers are in the water The flag must be at least 20 by 24 inches if displayed on a boat; at least 12 by 12 inches if towed on a float by the diver or snorkeler.

In open waters, vessels must make an effort to stay 300 feet from a divers-down flag.... more

Want to do something to help save the planet? Take a kid fishing. That may seem like a stretch to some of you, but studies have shown that children who are brought up to respect and enjoy the outdoors will most likely carry those ethics into adulthood.

If you don’t know how to get started, have no fear.... more

Back in 1994, Floridians voted overwhelming in favor of a constitutional amendment outlawing most types of commercial net fishing in state waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has done a good job stopping poachers, thanks in part to alert anglers and boaters who raise the alarm when illegal activity is taking place in local waters.

So it is now wonder that boaters, fishermen and even some beach goers seemed a bit perplexed in recent weeks when they spotted what appeared to be a 75-foot commercial fishing boat netting fish between Jacksonville Beach and Cape Canaveral.... more

Starting August 1, anglers who wade or fish from a fixed structure such as a dock, pier or seawall will need a fishing license. The shoreline angler license will cost $9. Anglers who have an existing saltwater fishing license need not buy one.... more

Nancy Frainetti got tired of people telling her it couldn't be done. So the Clearwater woman climbed aboard her 24-foot electric hybird, the Endeavour, and set off from the St. Petersburg Pier on Florida's Gulf Coast bound for the Atlantic Ocean nearly 300 miles away.... more

The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, more commonly known as ICAST in fishing circles, rolled into Orlando this week for the first time in more than a decade. Thousands of manufacturers, tackle buyers and gear junkies converged on the Orange County Convention Center to see the latest and greatest in the sportfishing.

The past year has been a rough one for many in the industry.... more

The summer is a special time for anglers on the west coast of Florida. The Loop Current, which flows up through the Yucatan Channel, then "loops" through the northern Gulf of Mexico, before joining the Gulf Stream in the Straits of Florida, brings with it a variety of bluewater gamefish.

The river within the ocean is warmer than the surrounding water, so since there are no reefs or wrecks accessible to fishermen in deep water, anglers target this change in water temperature.... more

Mike Gallops of Naples had the luck and skill it takes to win won of the most prestigious fishing tournaments in the Florida Keys. A family physician, Gallops scored an unheard of two five-species "SLAMs" in Islamorada to win his second Florida Keys Outfitters IGFA Inshore World Championship.

This championship event, part of the ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series, consistently draws the world's top anglers.... more

Grab your mask, snorkel and fins. Bay scallop season is finally reopening on the West Coast of Florida. If you have never been scalloping before, now is your chance.... more

If you are out having fun on Florida's waterways this week, keep an eye out for the distinctive red and white divers-down flag. In the past five years, more than 20 divers and snorkelers have been killed or injured by passing boats. As a result, Gov.... more

Looking for a great way to get the kids outdoors during the summer months? Take them fishing. You don't know where to start? Don't fret. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is coming to the rescue.... more

June is a great month for fishing Florida's blue water because you never know what you will catch. It is not uncommon for offshore anglers to hook everything from huge kingfish to blue marlin during the long days of summer.

... more

The Florida Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association has been a leader in protecting the state's valuable fishing stocks. But these angling advocates not only know how to work the system, they also really know how to fish.

On June 26 and 27, the best anglers from the CCA's various local chapters will face off in the 6th Annual CCA Florida Inter Chapter Challenge at the River Palm Cottages and Fish Camp in Jensen Beach.... more

For more than 100 years, the Tampa Bay area has been known as one of the best places in the world to fish for tarpon, the silver king of game fish.

While a tiny fishing village to the south called ... more

Starting August 1, anglers who wade or fish from a fixed structure such as a dock, pier or seawall will need a fishing license. The shoreline angler license will cost $7.50.... more

Naples angler, David Rogers, fishing with Tampa-based guide Dave Markett, landed a giant tarpon in Boca Grande Pass on Wednedsay, took a DNA sample, then let the fish go to be caught another day. The tarpon, which weighed well over 200 pounds, was the largest ever recorded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Genetic Tarpon Program.

Rogers fought the fish for nearly an hour.... more

Forrest Gump would agree that boating and fishing on the Gulf of Mexico is a lot like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get.

St.... more

Boca Grande has always been known for big tarpon. In the old days, anglers had to kill a fish to show off a record catch. But today, thanks to advancements in catch and release technology, most tarpon can live to be hooked again another day.... more

Summer is the best season to fish for snook in the Gulf of Mexico. The months of June, July and August are the closed season for this prized sportfish. But you don't have to stop catching snook just because you can't keep them.... more

Lake Okeechobee's Loggerhead Club & Marina has received Florida's Department of Environmental Protection Clean Marina designation, ensuring that the state's premier bass-fishing destination will have clean water for generations to come.

In order to receive the coveted Clean Marina certification, marinas must adopt stringent environmental regulations that keep solvents, sewage and fuel out of the water. Okeechobee's Loggerhead Club & Marina has 104 new wet slips that can accommodate boats up to 75 feet long, which will be welcome news to boaters since many yachts cross the "Big O" en route to the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.... more

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission escorted the the former U.S. Navy ship, Gen.... more

People come to Florida from all over the world to catch the silver king of gamefish. The state's tarpon fishery rivals that of Costa Rica and Belize, two other well-known fishing hotspots. But one thing that sets Florida apart from other fishing destinations is the way the state incorporates anglers into fisheries research.... more

Flanked by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, Floridians are blessed with plenty of salt water. But with palm trees, world-class beaches and a seemingly endless list of places to fish and boat, it is easy to take our oceans for granted.

That is why Sarasota's Mote Marine Laboratory is hosting a day to celebrate the sea and all its life.... more

Spring is peak season for bass fishing in Florida. Hit any lake in the state this time of year and you stand good chance of bringing home a five-pound bass. Now while anglers may talk about legendary lunkers, to tell the truth, it's not the size that matters.... more

Fishing aficionados often debate which of the southeastern states has the best redfishing. Georgia? Alabama? Mississippi? Louisiana?

The answer is none of the above. When it comes to catching reds in the springtime, Florida is the place to be.... more

Florida has always been an international destination for tarpon fishermen. But the silver king of gamefish, long prized for its fighting ability, is one of the least understood gamefish on earth.

But that may soon change.... more

Florida has its share of big money fishing tournaments. Anglers come from all over the world to fish for redfish, drum, tarpon and sailfish in the hopes of taking home huge cash prizes. Now you can add another species to the list - speckled sea trout.... more

Scuba divers from around the world will soon be able to travel to Key West and explore one of the world's largest artificial reefs.

The former U.S.... more

The water in the Florida Keys is warming up and that means two superstars of flats fishing, bonefish and tarpon, are on the move.... more

May is traditionally the best month for fish for snook on the West Coast of Florida, but anglers should note that the season closes today, so all fish caught must be released.

The four-month closure applies to all state waters in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as The Everglades National Park and Monroe County's coastal and inland waters.

Snook, also called linesiders, are one of Florida's most sought-after gamefish.... more

Team Get Lit of Coral Gables won this year's World Sailfish Championship in Key West, the richest tournament of its kind in the world, with a record-setting 22 releases. It is the third time in the event's seven year history that the Florida anglers have come out on top.

The team, led by owner Kitt Toomey, took home a grand prize of $340,000.... more

Have you ever wondered why sharks don't sleep? Is it true that scallops can swim? Do manatees really eat sea lettuce?

You can learn the answers to these questions and many more if you stop by the 15th annual MarineQuest in St. Petersburg. Every year, researchers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute invite the public to stop by and see what marine biologists do on a daily basis.... more

Usually in mid-April, anglers are gearing up to fish for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. These open-ocean fish are highly prized for both their fighting ability and as table fare. In the past, the season opened on April 15, but this year, anglers may not fish for these fish until June 1.... more

Peak tarpon season may still be weeks away in Boca Grande, but anglers should take note of new rules governing Florida's favorite fishing hole.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has adopted new regulations, which went into effect April 1, designed to help protect tarpon and limit negative angler interaction.

The new rules prohibit the use of more than three fishing lines per vessel and the use of breakaway gear in the pass during the months of April, May and June.... more

Ask any charter boat captain to share the secret for catching big fish, and they you might think you are talking to a real estate agent. "Location, location, location."

It is not enough to know how to catch fish.... more

Looking for some good, clean outdoor fun this weekend? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has declared April 4 and 5 a free freshwater fishing weekend.

It doesn't matter if you are a resident or visitor, everybody gets to fish free of charge in any public freshwater fishing areas throughout the state. But remember, other fishing rules still apply.... more

They may look cute and act almost human, but wild dolphins don't need handouts from people. Feeding wild dolphins is not only illegal, but it can also change their natural behavior and make it more difficult for them to survive in their natural habitat.

Most people don't realize that feeding wild dolphins is against the law.... more

The Gulf of Mexico has often been likened to a big desert. If you were to head out and go scuba diving, chances are you would see nothing but sand. But just like the Sahara, every once and a while, you come across an oasis.... more

Now that spring is here, the fishing action is ready to explode. Fish, just like people, don't like it too cold or too hot. But when the water temperature hits 72 degrees, everything starts biting.... more

Every fisherman knows that the biggest fish are usually found in the deep water, far off shore. But these trophy-sized fish are not just for high-dollar anglers with private guides. You can catch some big ones too this spring if you are willing to "share the rail" with like-minded anglers.... more

Spring Break is upon us again: That means that water temperatures are on the upswing and so is the action for anglers willing to take a hike. Florida may have more boats than any other state in the country, but that doesn't mean  you need one to catch fish. In fact, anglers willing to wade along the grass flats often have better luck then their boating counterparts.... more

If you want to get that "deep-sea" fishing experience, but don't have the time or money to head offshore this spring break, don't fret. Florida has dozens of great fishing piers stretching from Miami to ... more

You don't need to spend $500 on a fishing guide to catch fish in Florida this spring break. Here is how you you can get out on the water, hook some real monsters and pay just a few dollars a day. Rent a kayak.... more

It has been a long month for anglers in the Gulf of Mexico. Many fishermen have stayed in port rather than go offshore and have to catch and release grouper. These bottom dwellers are the most prized deep-water fish from ... more

Searching for cobia around a buoy in Tampa Bay last week, diving seabirds led anglers to a pod of bait under attack. The water erupted as the flock of sea gulls closed in, but it soon became apparent that a more ominous threat lurked below.

Ravenous Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jack crevalle had zeroed in on the school of panicked bait fish.... more

Charlotte Harbor, the second largest estuary in the state, has been getting a lot of attention lately.... more

They are playing major league baseball in Florida, so that means spring must be here. With warm weather and gentle breezes, now is the time to do a little island hopping.

The Tampa Bay area is an ideal place to start your journey.... more

Don't wait until May to start thinking about tarpon. By then, the season will be well underway. Sure, you can fish for these chrome-bodied tackle busters all over the state, but if you want consistent action, the place to go is Boca Grande.... more

For more than a year now, anglers in the Gulf of Mexico have been bragging about the great red snapper bite despite a season that has gotten shorter and shorter year after year.

But now a new study shows that red snapper stocks may be in better shape than previously thought which is good news for fishermen.  

Dr.... more

Spotted sea trout are Florida's most popular gamefish for good reason. This inshore species is perhaps the easiest fish to catch in Florida waters because these voracious predators will hit just about everything from live shrimp to top-water plugs.

For a month now, the spotted sea trout season has been closed in the state's northern zone.... more

Grouper regulations can be confusing this time of year.

Red and black grouper fishing is closed in federal waters, which begin 9 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, through March 15. But recreational anglers can still fish for red and black grouper in state waters.... more

Anglers from all over the Southeast are heading to Florida as the king mackerel begin their annual migration up the Gulf coast. The kingfish tournament trail kicked off its season last month in ... more

Winter has always been the prime time for sailfish in the Florida Keys when these open-ocean predators ride the Gulf Stream in search of prey, just a short boat ride away from most marinas.

During the winter months, the Keys host dozens of catch and release tournaments that target these billfish known for their wild acrobatics. Anglers judge sails not by their weight, but by how many times they jump or "greyhound" across the surface of the water.... more

The University of Florida may be the National Champions when it comes to football, but the Gators will have a fight on their hands when it comes to the college bass fishing title. But fishing fans will get a hint who may come out on top later this month when the National Guard College Fishing Southeast Division kicks off its season Feb. 28 on Florida's Lake Okeechobee.... more

Like many novice anglers, Betty Bauman found fishing seminars confusing.

"The fishing guides seemed to use a different language," she says. "It was like going to a basic Spanish class and the teacher talking in nothing but Spanish.... more

With grouper and red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico closed, many offshore anglers have hung up their fishing rods.

Not Larry Hoffman. The veteran fishing guide has been punching it offshore, every time the wind lays down enough for him to make the 50-mile ride to his favorite offshore spring.... more

For years, the Gulf of Mexico's offshore anglers have had to struggle to keep track of state and federal fishery regulations - especially when it came to red snapper.

But now, anglers can head to deep water and fish for these prized sportfish without worrying. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved a rule that has changed the recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico state waters to match the season in federal waters.... more

Heralded as the largest event of its kind in the world, the Miami Boat Show draws watersports enthusiasts from all around the globe. The show, which runs Feb. 12 - 16 at the Miami Convention Center, features everything from inshore flats skiffs to ocean-going luxury yachts.... more

More than 1,000 of the nation's top offshore sailors and nearly 200 boats will converge on Tampa Bay as the National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta returns to waters of Tampa Bay for the 12th straight year. These top ocean racers will be in ... more

In 2007, after watching a friend battle breast cancer, Serena Hoermann, owner of eBoatCharters.com, founded "Ladies Sail for a Cure" in hopes of raising awareness and money to battle the deadly disease. Since then, Hoermann has gathered breast cancer survivors together for semi-annual sails in Fort Lauderdale and North Palm Beach.... more

Florida has more than 7,700 named lakes, and it would be a safe bet to wager that every one of them is full of largemouth bass.

But Bob Wattendorf, who writes a monthly "Fish Busters" column for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, has heard all too often that, "You should have been here yesterday; the fishing was great."

Anglers, be they fishing in freshwater or saltwater, often find themselves one step behind the action.... more

Bryan Hudgins, an angler from Orange Park, caught more than 30 pounds of bass on the second day of competition to win the Bassmaster Southern Open on Central Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes last weekend. Hudgins’ final day tally was 14 pounds and 9 ounces, which upgraded his three-day total of 68 pounds and 10 ounces, a great catch in anybody's book.
 
Most of the 200 professional fishermen in this event took off running at the start, some traveling more than an hour away, but Hudgins stayed close and fished just ten minutes away from the boat ramp.... more

The trout are biting in the waters off North Florida, but as of  Feb. 1, these prized sportfish should be caught and released. State fishery managers close the season to give the stocks a chance to rebuild, but the season will reopen March 1.... more

On Jan. 9, 2009, scuba diver Rob Murphy was hit by a boat while diving in the Atlantic Ocean near Stuart. As a result of the accident, he lost both legs just below the knee.... more

If you are looking boating down in Lee County, keep an eye out for manatees. A series of cold fronts has sent the sirenians swimming south.

... more

Competitive tournemant fishing will come to the small screen this year with several ... more

Catching a 9-pound bass is like hitting a hole in one. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it's worth bragging about.

Jeremy Smith, of Plant City, has plenty to boast about after a monster largemouth put him over the top to win the Walmart Bass Fishing League's Gator Division Tournament on the Kissimmee River this weekend.... more

Fishing guide Craig Lahr of Largo has tried for the past five years to set a new world fly tackle record for kingfish. This is no small feat, considering these open-ocean predators have dozens of sharp teeth that cut through even the thickest monofilament fishing line.

But this fall, Lahr, who normally fishes inshore for trout, redfish and snook, headed about a mile off Clearwater Beach on a slick, calm day with a livewell full of scaled sardines.... more

While the folks up north may look to the groundhog to tell them when spring is just around the corner, down here in Florida, fishermen see the arrival of kingfish as a signal to the approach of warmer weather.

These open-ocean predators run south along the beaches every fall to their wintering grounds in The Keys; then head north each spring to their summer feeding grounds off the north Florida coasts. 

Tournament anglers look forward to these migrations because kingfish are big business.... more

The Miami Boat Show, the largest event of its kind, is less than a month away.... more

Need one more reason why Florida is considered the "Fishing Capital of the World"?

The state not only holds more world records than any other state or country for that matter, but it also leads the nation when it comes to dollars spent on saltwater fishing.

According to a new study by the ... more

George Poveomo, host of the "World of Saltwater Fishing" on ESPN2, will bring his Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series to the West Coast of Florida on Saturday, Jan. 17. Joining Poveromo will be Ted Lund, a noted light-tackle expert and Editor for Salt Water Sportsman magazine.... more

With cooler temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, west coast anglers will find many offshore species closer to shore, well within the reach of most local "party" boats.

These multi-passenger vessels are a a great bargain for the average angler; don't expect funny hats and streamers once you step aboard. These charter boats get their names from the fact they can accomodate large gorups of fishermen.... more

Everybody’s heard of Florida’s fabled largemouth bass. Every year, the state hosts a variety of amateur and professional tournaments. The fishing is so good; B.... more

Offshore anglers should take note. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has adopted new rules to help manage gag and red grouper -- two of the most popular deepwater species in the state.... more

The season for spotted sea trout, one of the most popular sportfish in the state, is open again in South Florida, after a two-month closure. Trout is widely considered to be a conservation success story. Strict size and bag limits, as well as seasonal closures, have brought this species back form the brink of collapse.... more

The USS Hoyt S. Vandenberg, a 524-foot long former Navy vessel, may soon be Florida's newest artificial reef. The First State Bank of the Florida Keys has purchased the World War II-era missile tracking ship for $1.... more

Every angler, this one included, has a favorite place to wet a line. Freshwater fishermen call these secret fishing spots "honey holes." 

Here in Florida, it is a little hard to keep any fishing spot secret.... more

Now that water temperatures are dropping throughout Florida, boaters should keep a watchful eye out for manatees as they move to warmer water. In mid-November, the The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) changed seasonal speed zone to accommodate this annual manatee migration.

In general, Manatees migrate when the air temperature drops below 50 degrees or when the water temperature dips to 68 degrees.... more

Anglers from around Florida and the United States gathered in St. Petersburg this week to help sick children in need. Over the past decade, the ... more

Anglers on both coasts have been waiting for the water to cool so the big schools of king mackerel will start running south to their wintering grounds in the Florida Keys.

While these prized sportfish can be caught off some fishing piers, most anglers catch them in nearshore waters out  on boats.

The most successful method is trolling, live bait or artificials, but some fishermen like to anchor and get a chum slick going and let their baits drift with the current.... more

Florida is the number one saltwater sportfishing destination in the world, with more than $5 billion generated by in-state and visiting anglers each year. The state has a strong conservation movement and as a result, many species that suffer in other regions are thriving here under sound management practices.

Anglers, at both home and abroad, can thank a long-seated public-private partnership for the state's success.... more

Cooler temperatures have the spotted sea trout working themselves into a frenzy of both coasts of Central Florida. But anglers should keep in mind that the season closed on Nov. 1 in the state's southern zone and all fish must be released.... more

Catch and keep a fish, you have a meal. Catch and release that same fish, you have a future. That is why anglers should take a moment to brush up on the finer points of catch and release:

• Whether you fish with artificials or live bait, start by pinching the barb down on your hooks.... more

While stone crabs can be found from North Carolina to Mexico, Florida has long been considered the commercial capital for these shellfish.

And crab lovers need wait no longer -- stone season opens today (Oct. 15), and by all indications, it should be another banner year.... more

Anglers seeking world-record game fish usually visit the Indian River Lagoon at some point in their lives. With the most fertile sea grass beds in Florida, the lagoon is home to spotted sea trout, red drum, tarpon and snook.

The vast estuary (156 miles long) is a major breeding ground for many commercially viable species as well, including brown shrimp and striped mullet.... more

Fishing off a local pier this week, I watched as a fisherman cut loose a tangled mess from his spinning reel. The angelr, cleary disgusted, threw the hook, line and sinker to the deck with the bait still attached. But no sooner had the pinfish hit the ground, then a bird flew in, grabbed the bait and took off with the line trailing in the wind.... more

If you're searching for schools of feeding fish, all you need to do is look at the sky. Yes, the sky.

Frigatebirds, the undsiputable kings of the tropic skies, can be seen from a mile or more away.... more

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