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.
Sure looks like it. Microcystin is a component of what’s lovingly called blue-green algae, or other confusing names like cyanobacteria. Or, my choice: poisonous slime discharged on us from special interests inland. Supposedly, a “recent” study at Ohio State University showed that people living in a four-county Florida cluster (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee) died from liver disease (often cancer) at nearly twice the national average and much more often than elsewhere in the state. This so-called shocking news comes out more than a full decade after noted scientists had already identified nutrient runoffs as the key source of eutrophication, which is known to kill all manner of marine life—and apparently innocent people. For 15 years in fact, I’ve endured seeing on my office wall a large color poster…
Asked: At the Sebastian Inlet North Jetty, May 2017 Sebastian Inlet has long been among the best hotspots in Florida for nearshore superstars such as snook and redfish. Located in Sebastian Inlet State Park about midway between Vero Beach and Melbourne Beach on State Road A1A, the North Jetty, South Jetty and bridge catwalks provide prime fishing opportunities. Unfortunately, the popularity of Sebastian Inlet sometimes draws anglers who engage in bad manners or exercise poor judgment. The following jetty veterans provided observations about such problems and possible solutions. —Doug Kelly Q What can be done to improve behavior and etiquette? Andrew Sullivan, St. Cloud, jetty angler for 15 years: “Newcomers seldom know how to fish the currents and often end up crossing and tangling lines. The park should organize volunteer…
Black Bart Pro Metal Series Black Bart reports that the Pro Metal Series has had great success over the last two years of testing. Originally designed to target wahoo at higher speeds, the lure has been tested at a range of trolling speeds. At a conventional 8 to 9 knots, the Pro Metal Series displayed “outstanding side to side movement with deep dives at the slower speeds.” Testers documented with underwater camera a 100-pound blue marlin attempt nine times to grab the Ascension model, largest in the series. The fish would not quit and eventually got hooked on the relatively large rig. Prices range from $49.95 to $69.95. See www.blackbartlures.com Ballyhood Mini Cowbell No trolling weight and no bait required to shake fish-attracting sensations out of the new Ballyhood Mini…
Albury Brothers 33 The Albury brothers continue their boatbuilding heritage dating back to 1953 on Man-O-War Cay, building classic looking skiffs to order. Their South Florida counterpart turns out widely sought after vessels for U.S. boaters who favor the classic lines and sea kindly ride of these handsome open boats. Willard Albury wanted to be sure the 33 was nothing short of perfect. Lots of man hours and tweaking the hull plug paid off and the 33 became their best-riding, most balanced design to date. This is a wide (11 feet), stable, open design that drifts like a duck with minimal roll and rides softly while tracking straight on her keel section. Pricing for the base boat with twin outboards begins at $224,000 and numerous power options and additional features…
No one sets out for a day on the water thinking they may end up adrift at sea waiting to be rescued. The harsh reality is that boats do sink occasionally. Would you be prepared to deal with the situation? Typically, when you hear of a vessel sinking you might assume it’s due to heavy weather or a treacherous inlet run, but are you safe by using good judgment alone? The answer is no. Mechanical failure (pumps, through-hull fittings) combined with dead batteries have put as many boats on the bottom as named storms. The one thing that every rescued survivor agrees upon is that no price for a rescue is too great in those minutes or hours while they’re waiting to be found. Which is why I can’t fathom…
Summer and storms, two terms that are synonymous to Floridians. The rainy season often brings high water and lack of clarity that can make fishing tough. In many coastal areas, this surplus of water makes its way into estuaries through culverts, fish magnets this time of year. Culverts typically dump from one of two areas, freshwater reservoirs or salt marsh ecosystems such as mosquito impoundments. Why do fish like hanging around these outflows? It’s simple, food. These areas dump multiple species of forage into the river. Species from the freshwater reservoirs consist of bream species, minnows, cichlids and freshwater shrimp. Salt marshes flush crabs, shrimp, and a plethora of baitfish. It’s a no brainer for predatory species to hang around these, the food is being brought right to them! “We…
