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.
Two different animals, please. Like night and day. And finally, after decades during which some of us have moaned and groaned incessantly about fishery management failures, there is hope, springing eternal as it does. What is new is that more and more leaders are shaking free of the commercial influence that has for so long dominated saltwater fishing regulations for the excessive profits of a few. The landmark change is a long-overdue recognition that there is a world of difference between (1) taking and selling large quantities of fish or other wildlife and (2) strictly limiting non-commercial catches equally among everyone. Four bills in Congress are addressing needed reforms that spotlight the crucial difference between taking fish for profit and catching a few for family-level recreation. And much stronger lobbying…
Q Tell us about a fishing- or hunting-related gift you received that had special sentimental value. I remember when my dad’s friend, who we called Uncle Dan, gave me a hatchet and knife set. My dad was a little apprehensive—I was 10 and just starting in the Boy Scouts. I used those on so many camping trips—and I kept the knife until the leather handle finally disintegrated. The hatchet I had when I was first married—we had a fireplace in the house, the hatchet had a real thin blade and I used it to cut a lot of small tinder and wood. One day I left it outside and someone stole it; that broke my heart. Bill Scarola, retired teacher and coach, Belleair Bluffs The Marlin 336 W my father…
Frogg Toggs PRYM1 Camo Aqua camo in various patterns is all the rage, showing up now on foul weather gear. Frogg Toggs won a Best in Lifestyle Apparel award this summer at ICAST with the new PRYM1 camo pattern Pilot II series jacket and bib. Shoreline Blue, Silvermist and Blackout colors are available. The pieces are microporous breathable, seam-sealed waterproof. Suggested retail price for the jacket is $189.99 and for the bib, $169.99. Hunting camo patterns are also available. Sizes from small to 3XL. See www.froggtoggs.com . T. Allen Rods T. Allen, longtime Florida builder of inshore and freshwater spin and casting rods, has debuted two entries into the fly fishing market. At the Florida Sportsman Expo in Tampa, T. Allen demoed 9-foot, 4-piece, moderate-fast action fly rods in 5-…
Blue Wave 2800 Length: 27' 10" Beam: 9' 2" Max Power: 557 hp Deadrise: 18 Degrees Weight: 3,650 lbs. Hull Fuel Capacity: 94 gal. Base Price: See Dealer www.bluewaveboats.com Blue Wave has a loyal following of inshore anglers along the Gulf Coast who have patiently awaited this newest offering. The new 2800 Pure Hybrid was designed for the angler who wants to venture offshore to fish the deeper blue water but doesn’t want to give up inshore bay capabilities to do it. This boat is arguably the largest production bay/ hybrid on the market. We tested her for two days on the back water and the Gulf Stream and found her to be a formidable competitor in both arenas. At 27 feet, 10 inches in length and 9…
Whether flying fishing kites is something new to you or you’ve dangled baits from above for years, a quick review of your methods could improve your chances of hooking up. Ask yourself: Do you have a variety of kites that are easy to access for changing wind conditions? Can you add and remove helium balloons with ease? Can you move your kite baits quickly to get them in front of moving fish? Many offshore anglers would answer “no” to at least one of those questions. Captain Mike Simko of North Palm Beach, a 30-year kite-fishing veteran who developed the KiteKeeper and the BaitBar (www.kitefishing.com), recently shared several tips with anglers at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club. Among Simko’s suggestions: 1 Do as much rigging as possible before leaving the…
Braided fishing lines offer excellent performance for many inshore fishing situations. The lines are strong, supple and small in diameter—but they also come with some special challenges. What Exactly Is It? In brief, braid is typically four or eight polyethylene strands, or carriers, woven into a bundle. On the shelf, 8-carrier line is always more expensive. Why? “It takes two times longer to braid,” said Chris Pitsilos, Associate Manager of Brand Development for Pure Fishing line companies, such as Spiderwire and Berkley. “Eight-carrier lines are smooth and promote long casts. Four-carrier lines can be rougher and are not as long casting. The strength is the same because you have the same amount of fibers, just different constructions.” Line manufacturers have patented blends. Daiwa’s J-Braid, for instance, is an 8-carrier line…
