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.
Anglers want the best science. We also want rules we can understand, seasons that make sense... and no special status for fish-sellers. “… Stocks Hit All-Time Low,” a playful choice of words. You don’t often see irony or humor in missives from NOAA Fisheries, but it’s right there atop the press release for the 2017 Status of the Stocks report. Where you expect dire news about the collapse of fisheries, instead you read that things are actually doing quite well in U.S. waters. “All-time low,” according to NOAA, describes the number of managed fish stocks considered overfished or undergoing overfishing. Three fish have been added to the “Rebuilt” list; six removed from “Overfished;” six from “Undergoing Overfishing.” Today, basically 9 out of 10 fish stocks managed by NOAA are said…
If you’ve never fished these spots, don’t wait. Go this month. Go while the seas are calm. Go while Gulf red snapper season is open. Go and take a picture to send to your Congressman. These Air Force towers are to Florida anglers what the oil rigs off Louisiana are to the northern Gulf: exceptional fish habitat amid stretches of mostly flat bottom. One key difference, of course, is that the U.S. Air Force towers are ecologically beneficial, posing no threat of spills, only holdfasts for corals, algaes and other foundational marine organisms. The Air Force has reportedly decommissioned the tall steel towers—once part of a radio communications and/or combat flight training network (never easy to tell with these things). Word is they are closing in on plans to remove…
Locations for the towers are currently indicated on navigational charts, such as Navionics products, but general GPS numbers are as follows (you’ll see them!): SOUTHERN (Fort Myers - Key West) R Tower: 25°48.0’N/82-13.0’W 68 feet D Tower: 25° 34.0’N/81-43.0’W 28 feet T Tower: 25°28.0’N/82-06.11’W 69 feet L Tower: 25°22.0’N/82-28.0’W 105 feet P Tower: 25°07.0’N/82-00.0’W 65 feet S Tower: 25°02.0’N/82-22.0’W 85 feet W Tower: 24°56.0’N/82-43.0’W 120 feet NORTHERN (Apalachicola-St. Marks) C Tower: 29°24.751’N/84-51.386’W 82 feet O Tower: 29°32.402’N/84-37.093’W 70 feet K Tower: 29°40.000’N/84-22.160’W 60 feet S Tower: 29°18.123’N/84-36.541’W 100 feet SMI Tower: 29°05.000’N/84-19.300’W 96 feet V Tower: 29°25.000’N/84-24.600’W 78 feet…
Jupiter Marine 43 SF In the race to build the largest center console on the water, you won’t even find Jupiter Marine on the list. In the race to build a plus-sized center console fishing machine with sports car looks, competition level functionality, and elegant interior/trim, you’ll find the 43 SF planting her flag firmly at the front of the pack. The ability to combine the immensely fishable deck layout of a center console with the visual helm perspective of a large express sportfish boat, and the creature comforts of a sportfish salon make this model impossible to ignore when you cross paths with her. With triple Yamaha F350 4-stroke engines base price is $699,000. A list of standard amenities and options too extensive to do justice to in my…
I carry spinning and casting outfits under my gunnels. Both types have their purpose. Recently I noticed issues with two of my favorite rigs. A baitcaster wasn’t allowing my to reach the fish I needed to reach, and a spinning reel was losing me fish once hooked. After a little investigating, I was able to address the issues, and make both reels better than new. GOING THE DISTANCE Bearings are a crucial element in baitcasters, allowing the spool to spin freely when casting. They like a little oil now and then, but if grit makes it through the seal, you’ll know it. The friction will slow the revolutions. You might hear a grinding sound. Replacements are available, but so are upgrades. I reached out to Jeff Brooks, specialist at Boca…
Lure Lock Pads Keep plugs from rattling off their paint and weaving hooks together with these retro-fit Lure Lock kits. The patented gel pads grip and hold terminal tackle, hooks and lures. You can also put pads to hold cell phones and tools in place around your boat or truck. Lure pads sell for $6.99 or $7.99 (5 by 2 ½ inches, or 5 ½ by 3 ½ inches) and the tackle box retro-fit kits go for $7.99 for a two-pack of 3500-size, $8.99 for a 3-pack of 3600s, and $9.99 for two 3700s. www.lurelock.com…
