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.
I saw a crying need for a voice advocating recreational fishing, and in 1969 founded Florida Sportsman. At the time the commercial industry dominated fishery regulations, led by the state’s largest gillnetters. I saw this firsthand in the ’60s working as an investigative writer for the Miami Herald. Fishery management was done all by seafood industry lobbyists and lawmakers close to commercial interests. Throughout the ’70s and beyond we exposed overfishing, mainly by gillnets and abuses continued on a large scale due to increased demand, more efficient boats and gear, state-sponsored promotion of commercial fishing and lack of enforcement. Change, significant change, didn’t come easy. Exposing conflicts of interests and proposing unification of our fishery divisions was a significant effort. Getting Florida to agree to a saltwater fishing license was…
This 1,136-acre Pinellas County park comprises Madelaine, St. Jean, St. Christopher, Bonne Fortune and Mullet keys. The V-shaped Mullet Key—largest of the bunch—offers the secluded East Beach, the heralded North Beach and the park’s namesake military site strategically and centrally seated. On Mullet Key’s southwest corner, just below the fort, stands the 1,000-foot Gulf Pier. East of the fort, the Bay Pier extends 500 feet toward the mouth of Tampa Bay. During the Civil War, Mullet Key and nearby Egmont Key served as Union blockade posts, but it was more than 30 years later when construction of a fort began, during the Spanish-American War. Serving as a subpost to Fort Dade on Egmont Key, Fort De Soto saw U.S. military presence during WWI and WWII. Ultimately, the fort never fired…
It was almost cobia time in Northeast Florida, and my friend Roger Beale was inspecting a jig at his workbench. Roger had a clear tackle tray full of jigs, with a second tray full of every sized swivel he might need to build his leader. His sons were planning a trip, and Roger was making all the rigs they would need. I noticed another two dozen trays stacked on shelves, each labeled. Lipped divers. Connections. Butterfly Jigs. All immediately recognizable. “The boys are old enough to fish without me,” Roger said. “When they leave early, all I have to do is look in a certain spot to make sure they have all the safety equipment, as well as checking our tackle inventory. We have a deal. If every piece of…
While working my popper in an opening in a hydrilla mat, I kicked over an open beverage at my feet, spilling it on the deck. I set my rod down to clean up the mess, leaving the bug in the water. As I reached for the can, I heard “NOKKK!” and looked back to see a swirl. I grabbed the rod, stripped in line and was surprised that the fish still had it. After a spunky, circling fight, the biggest bluegill of the day popped to the surface. Fittingly, that wise old bream crushed the bug after a long pause. The others I had hooked were smaller, and took my bug on the move. I slowed my retrieve after that fish, and it paid off with a few more bronze,…
Calling all divers! In addition to popular hook-and-line categories for redfish, dolphin and many other species, this summer’s CCA Florida STAR angler recognition event offers excellent prizes for the highest number of lionfish taken. Starting May 26, you simply photograph and log your kills on the STAR app. After the event concludes Sept. 3, CCA will announce the Lionfish Division winners. Any STAR-registered angler who is a current CCA member in good standing at the time of entering the tournament can participate. Lionfish of any size may be taken on any type of spearfishing gear—slings, guns, pole spears, etc. There is no limit to the number of lionfish entries daily. Lionfish entries can be made in addition to any other STAR division entries, consistent with the rules for each division.…
You run 30 miles offshore to a wreck and there is a boat already anchored on the spot. You guys are geared up and ready to dive, but there’s stink-eye coming in strong from the other boat. Maybe they’re flying a diver-down flag, and have their own guys in the water. Maybe they’re just hook-and-line fishing. Now what? RESPECT THE ANCHOR First, put yourself in the other boater’s position. How close would you feel comfortable having someone anchor to fish if you were already there? If it feels awkward, it is. So don’t do it. If you don’t have the option of going to a nearby spot until the present divers leave, say hi, ask how it’s been, and if they mind if you guys jump in and do some…
