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.
There was no reverse gear at Karl Wickstrom’s helm. During the last year of his life, I tried getting him to reflect on his success in publishing, his work promoting fisheries reform, his legacy of defending citizens’ access to waters, many other accomplishments. Nope. He would tell a funny story … and then field a phone call on plans to fix the Everglades. Doctors said heart failure took him. I figured the tides took him, as I never saw that heart give out. No doubt Karl would’ve devoted this column to proposing some fresh initiative. That the vote implementing Florida’s constitutional net-limitation amendment (his idea!) took place this month exactly 25 years ago, would’ve warranted maybe a one-liner. Sorry, Karl. I’m looking back. And, I’m assigning the work to you.…
Shoehorned discreetly between the Intracoastal Waterway and Federal Highway (U.S. 1) —and situated diagonally across from Hillsboro Inlet and the Hillsboro Lighthouse, where it acquired its name—sits Lighthouse Point, Florida, a former mangrove swamp-turned-farmland that morphed into an upscale Broward boating community. Settled in the late 1940s, and later incorporated—first as a town in 1955 and then as a city in 1956—LHP soon began attracting boaters and fishermen. Lighthouse Point Marina recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary. Meanwhile, Tom Greene’s illustrious Custom Rod and Reel, has been in Lighthouse Point for 43. Tom, known as the snook-fishing guru, as well as long-time tackle merchant, also put LHP on the map. So did the Honorable Sandy Johnson, a New York transplant who currently serves as a City Commissioner. She’s a long-time LHP…
HILLSBORO INLET LIGHTHOUSE: Go figure! The namesake of Lighthouse Point… is not actually in Lighthouse Point. But it is located on a point, on the north side of Hillsboro Inlet, important passage for boaters heading offshore. Periodic tours are offered; call 954-942-2102. Also great live web cam at hillsborolighthouse.org. CHARTER AND DRIFT FISHING: Hillsboro Inlet Fishing Center ATTRACTIONS: Dine on seafood delicacies in an old-time casino and speakeasy, Cap’s Place (capsplace.com). Accessible only by water—a launch ferries patrons from Cap’s parking lot at Lighthouse Point Marina. Also drop in at RJ Boyle Studio on Federal Highway for bluewater tackle and unique artwork. SHORE FISHING: An updated Pompano Beach Pier is slated to reopen this fall. Great spot for Spanish mackerel, snappers, and a delicious, silvery member of the jacks family…
The new flagship for Sea Fox, the 368 Commander rides solid and smooth thanks to the 23-degree deadrise bottom and a new lamination process adopted by Sea Fox for this model. A massive, foam-filled stringer grid is structurally integrated at multiple bonding points via resin infusion to the hull and deck, creating a rock solid structure that feels like much more than her 36-foot centerline should provide. The wise use of space for seating allows a quick conversion from cruising to tournament fishing. Forward seating includes a wrap-around scalloped high backrest facing aft with an electric actuated table that quickly raises from deck level to dining height. The center console includes a reclining sun lounge for two, with insulated drink compartment beneath the leg rest. A move to the helm…
It is midnight without any moonlight as Capt. Nick Carullo winds up a sabiki rig of goggle-eyes flipping back and forth. “I like my baits to have a hardy layer so their scales don’t fall off,” he says. “Baits get red marks when they are caught and these marks usually appear a couple of days after it happens. They will either die or just not make the cut for tournament use.” Carullo goes on to explain that unmarred, well-fed bait will win out against marred baits which may have not eaten recently or regularly. This midnight foray is part of the dedication which wins sailfish tournaments. You will often find yourself in a steep competition as Carullo did with his teammates on day one of the Final Sail tournament, last…
The mole crab, a.k.a. sandflea, is caviar to fish in the surf. Pompano, whiting, black drum, croakers, permit, sheephead, just about any fish will eat one. They are typically fished live or blanched on dropper rigs, or used to tip a jig. BUY OR CATCH? Sand fleas sold by coastal bait shops are normally blanched and frozen. Live fleas hold the hook better. Fleas that are blanched improperly can be brittle and even rancid (they will have black edges). You can catch your own fleas year-round in the surf zone, but where I rake them (the Southeast Florida coast) September through November are the best months. A wind or moderate ground swell creates ideal surf wash, and that prompts the fleas to surface, where they gather in colonies (thought to…
