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.
DIGITAL WEB EXCLUSIVE BEST BAITS FOR TARPON BY CAITLYN GATRELL Big tarpon are on the move this time of year; use these top offerings to catch a new personal best. YOUTUBE FAN-FAVORITE FAUX WOOD Learn how to paint realistic wood grain like a pro in one of Two Rivers Boatworks’ most ambitious projects yet, a full-faux custom HydraStepp. PODCAST ON MIGRATION WATCH This month Captain Rick and the guys talk bait migration patterns. Is Florida on or behind schedule? BECOME A SOCIAL STAR Send post-worthy pics: @floridasportsmanmaga-zine or #floridasportsmanmagazine GET YOUR MUG IN THE MAG Email your best catches or scenic shots to photos@floridasportsman.com…
So I took a little flack over my comment about wanting to see “Less Sharks” a few months back. But, I’m going to double down: I really do want to see less sharks. (Okay fine, fewer sharks.) To clarify, I’m not sounding a war cry to wipe out predators. What I want to see are systems and practices to help us dial back unwanted interactions with these fish. To that end, I’ve been observing some research tours documenting the Sharkbanz deterrent device. Full disclosure: The manufacturer of the device sometimes advertises in this magazine. From what I’ve seen so far, the Sharkbanz Zeppelin device works as described…but there are caveats (how it’s rigged, for one) as well as questions about formal rates of success (half the time? more? less?). Credible,…
The words, “You’re simply not here,” still ring in my ears. The matter-of-fact answer from State Senator Linda Stewart was to my question on how a relatively small industry, agriculture, represented by a small number of constituents, generally have their way in the state Capitol. While we, the million boat-owning anglers, part of a $10 billion fishing and boating industry, get gas fumes and promises. The good ol’ boy network is alive and well. Thriving some might say. But what is odd is that many of these good ol’ boys—and girls—like to fish, boat and hunt. So, my question is, aren’t they hearing from people at church or the local high school football game about lifeless rivers and manatees starving to death? Or about the disappearance of seatrout from the…
Dan Sardina spoke for us all. “Man, this is pretty. This place is so beautiful, I’d even come here and not fish.” However we didn’t bring the boats just for affect. We were driving toward some interactive beauty featuring the sand bars, oyster bars, mangroves islands, channels and cuts of Pellicer Creek. Fishing Pellicer is always great due to the many promising spots to cast and the bars to walk on. But it’s hot and cold. We’ve had halcyon days hooking endless trout, reds, flounders and bluefish; and other times when we caught only good vibes. “There is absolutely no way to tell,” a local once told me, grimly, “when it will be good. It’s always a crap shoot.” One thing you can depend on, the backcountry bars have zero…
Taken with the idea of fishing offshore alone? Well, you’re not alone! A lot of us enjoy doing it. With realistic expectations and special attention to safety, it can yield satisfying moments. I enjoy the solitude, the freedom, and I enjoy returning to my family with fresh fish. Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years, both from my own experiences and from my mildly obsessive cultivation of boating safety news. First thing is always wear a PFD. And I mean wear it. Truthfully we should always wear a PFD on any boat trip, but the solo trip makes donning that piece of gear even more vital. Ideally, those of us running beyond the horizon would all wear Type I offshore vests. But, these are cumbersome. For all-day…
As our spring becomes early summer, from late March to early April, our largemouth bass move to less predictable spots. Between the post-spawn lazy lull and the mid-May retreat to drop-offs, shade is not yet their most important need. Are they high in the water column? In deep water next to lily pads? Near the reeds in two feet of water? Figuring out where bass hold during these conditions is tricky. Our target is out there, but hidden like in a dense fog. Now is a good time for popper droppers. The dropper rig is an intermediate tackle rig for fly anglers. It consists of an arrangement of two flies, one floating and one sinking. For warm water fishing this rig translates to a top-water popper and a sinking fly…
