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.
Do you also find it sort of funny and touching when seasonal residents take umbrage at being labeled “snowbirds?” The tourists, too, in recent years seem to get a bit of a chip on their shoulders—though it’s harder to tell expressions these days, what with the COVID masks and Buffs. The reason I think all this defensiveness is silly is that, frankly, we’re all in the same boat. Florida “natives,” or “locals,” or whatever you want your rear windshield sticker to imply, are actually some of the most itinerant recreationists of all. We are like the goofy sandhill cranes, or more recently, the black-belly whistler ducks, claiming year-round residence while flapping noisily all over the state. Sometimes beyond. We Floridians do a lot of our traveling in the summertime—think scallop…
Where is the outrage? Where are the packed Capitol chambers like in 1988 when the CCA, then FCA, bused in hundreds of red hatted anglers from across the state to fight and win gamefish status for redfish? Where is the commitment CCA had in 1992 when it helped gather over 400,000 signatures to change the state constitution, making it illegal to use gill and entanglement nets over 500 square feet to harvest fish in state waters? These type of efforts for and by recreational anglers, and our representative organizations, have been nonexistent for the last two decades. Granted, Florida is doing a better job these days managing the state’s fisheries. The gear and allocation issues of the 1980s and ‘90s have been settled for the most part. However, the reason…
The collective voice of over 1 Million Saltwater Anglers needs to be heard. Tell your respective organization to get involved in the LOSOM process, and to fight for legislation to reduce nutrient pollution of our fishable waters. CCA Florida (407) 854-7002 info@ccaflorida.org Captains for Clean Water (866) 670-2329 info@ captainsforcleanwater.org Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (786) 618-9479 info@ bonefishtarpontrust.org Florida Wildlife Federation (850) 656-7113 news@fwfonline.org American Sportfishing Association (703) 519-9691 info@asafishing.org…
It was the afternoon hunt of the first day, probably two hours in, when a beautiful 4-pointer came out from the brush about 20 yards away to the left,” recalled Doug Myers. His son, Gabe, had registered for a deer hunt with the Youth Hunting Program of Florida coordinated by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “Gabe noticed him first and said, under his breath, ‘Buck...buck!’ “Kevin, our guide, motioned for Gabe to ready his Savage Axis .243 and wait patiently. The buck was going to continue to cross our path. When it got directly in front of us, it looked right at us. Kevin told Gabe he could take the shot when he was ready. What felt like an eternity later, Gabe took his shot. The buck…
Learn about Youth Hunting Program of Florida at myfwc. com/education/outdoor-skills/youth-hunting-program/. Find out how to register for supervised hunts scheduled throughout the seasons. November is a busy month! Here’s a quick look at the days and weeks ahead: SNov. 12-14:e Deer/Hog/Coyote - River Osceola , rush County hour. /Lee Ranch Nov. 13-15: Deer/Hog - Okeechobee County/Istokpoga Nov. 13-15: Deer (Buck/Doe)/ Hog - Okaloosa County/Welannee Plantation Nov. 13-15: Deer (Buck & Doe)/ Hog - Alachua County/Newnans Lake and River Styx Nov. 13-15: Deer/Hog - St. Lucie County/Trail Ridge Nov. 20-22: Deer/Hog - Lake County/Shockley Tract Nov. 20-22: Deer/Hog - Levy County/Gulf Hammock Nov. 20-22: Dove/Quail - Gadsden County/Cooksey Tract Nov. 20-22: Deer/Hog - St. Johns County/McCullough Creek Nov. 27-29: Deer (Buck/Doe)/ Hog - Polk County/Hampton Nov. 27-29: Deer/Hog - Okeechobee County/Grassy Island…
BOSTON WHALER 240 VANTAGE Fresh off the line from Boston Whaler for 2021 is their “do it all” 240 Vantage model. This dual console begins with a new hull design meant to provide stability at rest and a comfortable ride with sharp entry bow and sleek flare above the waterline. For the family that wants to do it all on a boat, the 240 Vantage offers the versatility required for a day that begins early fishing, moves into some watersports midday and transitions into a beach and picnic venue at sunset. Draft is 18 inches, fuel capacity is 111 gallons and max power is 400 hp. Price of standard boat with 250 Mercury Verado is $127,264. www.bostonwhaler.com XPLOR BOATWORKS X24 ANDROS The X24 Andros takes a fresh look at what…
