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 make a few half-hearted casts, trying to find bottom, wishing I was back on my porch...” FROM THE EDITOR It rained all night. My pool is near to overflowing and my sliders are fogged. Snook, says the voice in my head. Spillway must be running. But dammit I don’t want to go snook fishing at the spillway. I just want to enjoy my coffee while I finish reading Jewfish, a great new novel by Andrew Furman. Jewfish is set in South Florida. It has nothing to do with goliath grouper but instead quite a lot to do with snook fishing. Furman’s protagonist, Nathan Pray, carves his own plugs, runs an old skiff, navigates by ranges. He does things the hard way—meaning not your way. He’s an idealist on the…
"If Atlantic anglers could join the Gulf anglers in their 45-day red snapper fraternity I'm positive they would sign up." Not another permit. “Just let me fish,” I could imagine anglers across the state saying. For me, as it is, if I want to use my center console to fish, I need a fishing license. Okay. But, if I want to keep a yellowfin tuna I also need a HMS permit. A snook, a stamp. A lobster, a stamp. A largemouth bass, a freshwater license. Stone crab, need to register now. And if I want to fish with my brother-in-law in the Gulf of Mexico for grouper, yep, you guessed it, another permit. Who can realistically be asked to keep up with all of this? From the sounds of it,…
By now it’s as routine as checking tides and fueling the boat: It’s summer, sign up for STAR! Catch a tagged red-fish and you could win a new boat—that is, if you’ve signed up to fish the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida Statewide Tournament and Anglers Rodeo. There are other incentives, too, and we’re guessing families this summer are looking closely at those Youth Scholarship Division awards. They’re real! Ten bucks to enter a young person. Familiar fish to catch and enter in the STAR app or by computer. A drawing at the end of the season to determine winners. Elementary, my dear Watson. Recently, Florida Sportsman spoke with two past winners. Cameron Fink, of Tallahassee, was a STAR entrant in 2016 whose name was drawn to win a college…
SALT MARSH SAVANNA Slipping unnoticed into quiet waters and blending into your surroundings makes you aware of the difference in a quiet estuary before and after the intrusion of man and machinery. You’ll see far more wading birds, forage species and gamefish. The Salt Marsh Savanna combines the stealth of a paddle craft with the convenience of quiet horsepower to extend your range and do some of the work for you. Length is 14 feet; beam 48 inches; weight 150 pounds. Max power is 9.9 HP and base price before power is $3,950. See www.saltmarshskiffs.com SABALO 21 For shallow water anglers who enjoy the angling prospects provided by a flats boat but require more stability and room, the Sabalo 21 is a worthy option. A raised bow and sweeping sheer…
Over the years, Gary and Sherrell Carter have set some 31 International Game Fish Association (IGFA) line-class world records. Light tackle billfishing is their specialty. The Carters today live in Las Ventanas Del Mar located in Carrillo, Costa Rica. But, they are past residents of Amelia Island, Florida, where they began saltwater fishing. I spoke with Gary recently to get some insights into the light tackle billfish game. “First of all, it’s critical to be able to spot billfish taking a look at our teasers,” he began. “Both my captains, Albert Battoo and Yoan Algalae, are incredible at spotting billfish. We use two large Mold Craft teasers set at 40 and 65 feet from custom Ian Miller teaser rods in the starboard and portside gunnels. We typically troll at 8…
NAUTICAL DESIGN CUSTOM ROCKET LAUNCHER Nautical Design Inc. has developed this beautiful and versatile fiberglass rocket launcher, available in a number of rod holder combinations, prep area and your choice of either a rocket launcher/tackle cabinet or rocket launcher/40-gallon livewell. Either setup maximizes valuable cockpit space or can even be placed up against the transom. For ease of installation, you may also utilize your existing chair or rocket launcher deckplate. Custom gelcoat colors are available. Contact Nautical Design at 724-368-9400 or visit www.nauticaldesigninc.com…
