Florida Sportsman is the complete fishing magazine for Florida and the Tropics. Devoted to fishing, boating, and outdoor activities in the Sunshine State, Florida Sportsman is the authoritative source for Florida's most active fishermen.
It’s almost certain that Florida’s constitutional gillnet ban will live on. Almost, that is. But the historic reform of 1995 faces possible tinkering this year from a little-noticed Constitution Revision Commission that is reviewing the entire state constitution for possible changes. Scary. The net ban was passed in the general election of 1994 by an overwhelming 72 per cent majority. It won big after decades of netting slaughters had depleted fish and other marine populations. For decades, all efforts to stop the overkill had failed on legislative and commission levels. Totally fed up, anglers and other conservation forces launched a Ban the Nets campaign in 1992. It took many months to craft the amendment’s exact language. Fortunately, the adopted provisions then survived one legal and political attack after another. The…
June has always been a great month for fishing. Maybe that’s why they put Fathers Day in June. Memories of fishing with dad are priceless. My own dad, Clayton Adams, was a natural fisherman. Born in 1932, he grew up on a Pennsylvania dairy farm. This gave him a great understanding of the cycles of life, the foundation of his fishing instincts. Dad never tried to force things. When I was little, Dad took me on trips delivering boats up and down the east coast. The journeys were always fun. Every delivery was an opportunity to learn new things. We walked the docks talking to fishermen. Checked out tackle shops. Once in a while, we even did a little fishing. One time at Marco Island, Florida, we could see bait…
Asked: At the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival, March 2017 Q What is your favorite thing to do with shrimp? Eat it! Baked, stuffed, scampi. Rosemary Smith, retired waitress, San Carlos Island Eat it and then be thinking about the cholesterol. Sid Sharples, retired CIA, Daytona Beach Blacken with Cajun spices and then charcoal grill. Ted Clifton, vendor and chairperson for Shrimp-fest Catch-and-release. Shrimp are people too! John Weston, runs a nature park, Buffalo, NY Put a hook through it and throw it in the water. Eat it’s not bad, either. Bill Havertape, futures broker, Cedar Rapids, IA Well, I’ve got two granddaughters who think shrimp come with coconut on them… Ron Matthews, retired real estate appraiser, Fort Myers…
Tsunami Shield Spinning Reel Tsunami announced the release of the new Shield spinning reels, with four models in the 3000 to 6000 sizes. The aluminum-body reels feature internal seals in key locations to keep saltwater out. Front drag configuration is a stack of carbon fiber and stainless steel washers housed in the braid-ready, ported aluminum spool. With no external screws, a special wrench (included) is used to remove the side plate or drag retainer ring for service. Suggested retail prices run from $99.99 for the 3000-4000 reels and $109.99 for the 5000-6000 models. TROKAR TK4 and TK5 TOURNAMENT PACKS If you’re restocking for tournament season, Eagle Claw’s premium-grade, surgically sharp Trokar circle hooks are now available in packs of 50. Specifically, the Trokar TK4 Lancet Circle (wide gap) and TK5…
Tideline 235 Hybrid Edenton, North Carolina boat builder Tide-line Boats wanted to combine the smooth ride of a catamaran with the classic look of a custom-built sportfishing boat. The 235 Hybrid is the result of that effort. The signature look of a Carolina hull peeks through the twin hull design of this offering, from the broken sheer line to the curvy bow flare. The 235 boasts inshore capabilities to rival any bay boat including trackability with a bow-mounted trolling motor, 14-inch draft and a quiet “no slap” hull. Twin engines, 120-gallon fuel capacity, 225-quart fish box and the soft ride of a cat hull make this an offshore capable 23-footer as well. All Tideline boats are sold factory direct and built to the customer’s specs with many custom options available.…
When the tarpon are migrating through the Keys and up both of Florida’s coasts, anglers can’t get enough of the hard-fighting, acrobatic, prehistoric fish. The passion anglers have for the species is incredible, but it seems that etiquette is often forgotten when chasing tarpon. Speaking with three guides who fish almost every day during tarpon season, I picked up a few things anglers can do to make for a better fishing experience for all. Fishing the passes throughout the west coast of Florida is very popular among tarpon fishermen. These deepwater channels that connect the inshore waters to the ocean are a great area for tarpon to congregate, with plenty of forage flushing out from the bays to feed on. Captain Jay Withers of Silver Lining Charters (captjay.com) has been…
