If you are cruising down the West Coast of Florida, be sure to check out the great boating destinations in and around Tampa Bay. Most of these islands, formed at the end of the last ice age, have been taken over by condominiums and hotels. But a select few – thanks to government foresight and plain luck – have retained their natural beauty.... more

Sharks, like tarpon, could be the next great catch-and-release fishery in Florida. Every angler knows that if you catch a fish and kill it, you've got dinner. But if you let it go, it can be caught again and again.... more

As a student, journalist and amateur historian, I'm seldom at a loss for words. Pose a simple question, and prepare yourself for an in-depth (some might call it long-winded) answer. Such was the case one recent afternoon when my 10-year-old son inquired if it was too late in the summer to catch tarpon, the elusive silver king of game fish.... more

You have heard that Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World – and with good reason.... more

Lobster lovers are out in force this month since the season opened on Aug. 6. You might hear divers call these creatures “bugs” because both these crustaceans and insects are invertebrates and come from the same phylum, Arthropoda.... more

Offshore anglers had to sit out the months of June and July when it came to one of the top fighters in the Gulf of Mexico. Amberjack, one of the most well-known tackle busters in Florida waters, were closed to all recreational fishing, but reopened on Aug. 1.... more

There are advantages to waiting later in the scallop season to search for these tasty shellfish. First, the animals are bigger, which means more meat for the table. Second, most people think the grass beds have been picked clean.... more

Summer is scuba season in the Florida Keys. You can dive for lobster, watch the coral spawn or drop down on one of the spectacular wrecks that you will find strung throughout the island chain.... more

With more than 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, Florida has no shortage of places to fish. So it is no wonder that the state has produced more than 900 world records – more than any other state or country for that matter. Here are three species that you must catch this summer.... more

Florida has long been at the top of the list when it comes to scuba diving destinations. The Florida Keys, with its Shipwreck Trail and miles of coral reefs, attracts divers from all over the world.... more

Scallopers in Homosassa, Crystal River and Steinhatchee are gathering their share of these tasty shellfish, but on Aug. 27, Tampa Bay area residents can join in the thrill of the hunt, but this game is strictly catch and release.

The Great Bay Scallop Search is a resource-monitoring program where volunteers snorkel along set transect lines in lower Tampa Bay to count scallops and document the population trend.... more

Dozens of major manufacturers will show the latest in power and sail at the 46th annual Tampa Boat Show slated for Sept. 9-11 at the Tampa Convention Center. In addition to latest in boats and marine products, the Tampa show will also have a variety of seminars and hands-on boating demonstrations at the Discover Boating Resource Center.... more

Two anglers from Fort Myers caught and released their first blue marlin, a 150-pound beauty, which was all it took to help their team Moppy Dick II win $25,000 and first-place at the Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament last weekend in Key West.

Harry Cameron caught the fish on the second day of the three-day contest and his teammate Dan Richards released another 100 pounder on the last day to put them over the top. Both billfish were caught on the same green-and-yellow jethead lure less than a mile apart at the same time, mid-morning.... more

Florida is the number one boating state in the nation, with a marine industry that is worth more than $1.1 billion. But you don’t need a lot of money to have fun on the water.... more

For many people, fishing is a lifelong passion. But ask a dedicated angler how they got started and they will tell you that somewhere along the line they had a mentor.

Some kids, however, are not so lucky.... more

Scuba divers across Florida are dusting off their gear, filling up tanks and getting ready for the two-day, spiny lobster sport season, held every year during the last Wednesday and Thursday of July.

Divers like to call lobsters "bugs." That is because insects and these crustaceans are both invertebrates and come from the same phylum, Arthropoda.... more

If you are heading offshore this summer, keep an eye out for even the smallest patch of weeds. Every angler worth their salt knows that even the tiniest piece of structure, be it a piece of wood, an old palm tree or even the hatch from a sunken boat can hold a school of dolphin, or mahi mahi.

This species, Coryphaena hippurus, can be found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide.... more

There are a few fish that make it on to an angler’s life list...... more

Florida anglers have had a great red snapper season with record catches from Pensacola to Key West. But snapper time is about to end on July 18, so you better get out there now or else you will have to wait until next summer to catch these prized sportfish.

Red snapper is widely viewed as a conservation success story.... more

Get ready to catch some monster kings at the World’s Largest Kingfish Tournament, July 18-23, at Jim King Park & Boat Ramp on the Intracoastal West in Jacksonville. Organizers expect more than 500 boats to turn out to catch the action of the summer king mackerel run.

In 1980, local businessmen decided to organize a fishing tournament similar to those in other coastal cities, but only on a larger scale.... more

I’ve traveled from the mountains of New Zealand to the jungles of the Amazon in pursuit of fish, and every place I have been I have watched anglers haul in some whoppers on everything from fly rods to hand lines. One thing I have learned is that nothing beats local knowledge.

So if you are trying to land a big one in the ... more

Ernest Hemingway, author of the Nobel-prize winning Old Man and the Sea, is known in Key West for more than his writing ability. Papa, as he was called by the locals, was one of the first to hunt big game fish in the blue water outside the reef line.

You can tap into that pioneering deep sea fishing spirit on July 19-24 when the Southernmost City hosts its annual Hemingway Days Festival and the 2011 Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament.... more

Old crab traps not only continue killing marine life for years after they have been abandoned but they are also a hazard to boaters and fishermen. That is why Tampa Bay Watch, one of the Gulf Coast’s leading environmental groups, is going to sponsor a derelict crab trap cleanup on July 16.

Volunteers are needed to remove traps from six locations – Belleair Bluffs, Upper Tampa Bay, Alafia River, Cockroach Bay, Boca Ciega Bay and Demen’s Landing.... more

With more boats on the water than any other day of the years, Florida’s manatees will have a tough time staying out of harm’s way this Fourth of July. But boaters can do their share by being on the lookout for these slow-moving sirenians and obeying posted manatee speed zones.... more

The Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on the water in Florida. Boaters should take great care and plan before they head out. Following are a few tips from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help keep you safe on the water:

Be weather wise.... more

The world’s fastest offshore powerboats will roar into Sarasota this Fourth of July weekend for the running of the 27th Annual Suncoast Grand Prix Festival. Race fans get ready for a weekend of festivities at one of the longest-running powerboat festivals in the U.S.... more

Snook season may be closed through the end of the year, but that doesn’t mean these prized gamefish will stop biting. Capt. Mike Slattery catches his share of lunkers in the waters near Boca Grande.... more

Fish, like people, don’t like to work for their food. They would rather have it brought to them. So if you are trying to land a big one in the ... more

During the summer months, the northern Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Coast has some of the best marlin fishing in the world. Anglers from all over the U.S.... more

Fill your tanks and head to the Florida Keys for a night dive. During the months of August and September, scuba divers can experience a rare natural phenomenon underwater when the coral reefs of the Florida Keys reproduce on the full moon.

Coral reefs are actually colonies of millions of living organisms and every summer, these creatures spawn under the light of the full moon.... more

Grab your mask and snorkels. Scallop season is starting early this year. Head out to Homosassa, Crystal River or Steinhatchee.... more

If you are at a boat ramp on Florida’s Gulf Coast this month and a stranger approaches inquiring about you latest fishing trip, don’t be alarmed. They are not trying to steal the GPS numbers to your favorite fishing spot.

Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute need recreational anglers’ help to complete a study on red snapper in Florida’s offshore waters.... more

Summer is the time when the locals flock to the beaches in Florida and big open ocean swimmers such as dolphin, wahoo and tuna swing close to shore, well within reach of recreational anglers.

Yellowfin tuna, one of the most prized gamefish in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, is a rare treat for offshore anglers during the month of June. These tackle busters like deep water, but every now and again, they venture into the shallows of the continental shelf.... more

Destin will be the site of one of the Top 10 “big money” tournaments in the world, the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic. The action starts June 21 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin. Just two years ago, angler Chip Temple fishing aboard Jasper Time, a 60-foot Hatteras, landed an 124-inch, 714.... more

Looking for a great last minute gift for Father’s Day? Forget about the soap-on-a-rope or another ugly tie that he won’t wear. If you want a truly memorable holiday, take dad fishing. This weekend, June 18-19, is a license-free fishing weekend in Florida.... more

Summer is peak boating season in Florida, but as soon as September rolls around, people will head to the West Coast for the 46th annual Tampa Boat Show and the traditional start of the new boat show season. Many of the top manufacturers use this event to unveil the coming year’s new models. There will be hundreds of new boats and marine accessories on land and in-water.... more

Spotted sea trout, one of the most popular sportfish in Florida, is a conservation success story. The state’s fishery managers have closely managed this species, which can be caught from Pensacola to the Florida Keys, and as a result, stocks are healthier than ever.

As a result, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may relax some of the rules and regulations that govern this particular fish.... more

Permit, one of the most elusive gamefish in the Florida Keys, will be the species of choice when world’s best fly fishermen converge on Key West, July 17-20, to remember a legendary local fishing guide. The Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament honors the inventor of the Del Brown Permit Fly. The designer is said to have caught more than 500 permit in his life, a feat unequaled by any other angler.... more

Florida’s Atlantic Coast fishermen will be able to catch and keep snook once again this fall. This prized sportfish has been catch-and-release only since last winter to give the stocks time to recover.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted last week to reopen snook fishing in the state’s Atlantic waters on Sept.... more

Boating Magazine has picked Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast, which includes the laid-back beach towns of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, as one of the 10 Best Places to Live & Boat. 

The area is a veritable boater’s paradise, with miles of sheltered bays and inlets as well easy access to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which incidentally has the best red snapper fishing in the Southeast United States.

The Emerald Coast also has great scuba diving, sailing, sea kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.... more

Permit, one of the prized gamefish in Florida, the Fishing Capital of the World, will soon get special status.... more

Tampa Bay is known for its world-class sports venues. Baseball, football, hockey… this metropolitan area has it all. But did you know that the bay that that separates Tampa and St.... more

Author Ernest Hemingway pioneered the sport of blue water fishing outside the reef line in the Florida Keys. Papa, as his friends called him, was an avid angler who tangled with his share of blue marlin.

You can get a feel of what it was like to fish with the Old Man and the Sea from July 19-24, during the Hemmingway Days Festival, that rocks the Southernmost City every summer.... more

Fish, like people, don’t like it too hot or too cold. So if you are trying to land a big one in the ... more

Time is wasting. Red snapper are hammering baits in the Gulf of Mexico and anglers have just a few more weeks to catch their share before the season shuts down again 'til next summer.

Red snapper, an offshore species found throughout Florida waters, is considered a fisheries success story.... more

It is “Ladies Only” next weekend in Key Largo as one of most prestigious women’s fishing tournaments, the 18th Annual Original Ladies Dolphin Tournament, draws Florida’s top female anglers. The event, scheduled for June 10-11, targets one of the Florida Keys most spectacular sportfish, the dorado, also known as mahi mahi. Click here to learn more about fishing in  Florida, ... more

The roar of engines will echo across the water this weekend in Miami as the world’s fastest powerboats race deck to deck in the wild Atlantic. Super Boat International, one of the oldest and most prestigious offshore racing organizations, has set up camp in Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami.

Head out today and see the big boats test their engines as they get ready for the 21st Annual Miami Grand Prix on June 5.... more

Florida is the undisputed Fishing Capital of the World, especially this month when the tarpon are thick in Boca Grande Pass and the king mackerel are slamming bait on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.... more

Florida has dozens of great fishing towns, but two have risen to the top of a recent contest by the World Fishing Network to name America’s Ultimate Fishing Town. Destin, a northwestern coastal city that has world class billfish and snapper fishing, and Kissimmee, a largemouth bass and panfish hotspot, are still both in the running. Time is wasting.... more

June is fishing month in Florida, the Fishing Capital of the World.... more

Nearly 450 years ago, the Conquistador Don Tristan de Luna sailed into the beautiful waters of present-day Pensacola Bay and claimed the land in the name of Spain. Pensacola became the first European settlement in the United States and the residents there sure like to party. Check out the city’s Fiesta Days Celebration, scheduled for June 2-10, and sign up for the boat parade.... more

People say the best time to fish is any time you can. But here in Florida there are certain periods of the day when the catching is a little better. Time, like ... more

Florida may be known as the Fishing Capital of the World, but with more registered vessels than any other state, you could call it the Boating Capital as well.... more

May is a great month to catch a variety of Florida fish including cobia, snook, tarpon and king mackerel. But down in the Florida Keys, they will be reeling in dorado, also known as mahi mahi, when the Southernmost City of Key West hosts the Yamaha Dolphin Masters Invitational on May 28. More than $13,000 awaits the angler scoring the highest total combined weight of three dolphin catches.... more

If you want to catch fish, you have to do your homework. Knowing how to “read” the water will increase your chances of a hookup. Terrain, along with Tackle, Tactics, Time, Temperature, Tide and Tips, are the Seven T’s to successful fishing and it doesn’t matter if you are fishing in Jacksonville or Key West, Pensacola or Miami.... more

The Loop Current, which flows up through the Yucatan Channel, circles around the Gulf of Mexico and empties into the Gulf Stream, is a highway for billfish. That is why blue anglers on the West Coast of Florida track the movements of this river within an ocean when it comes time for big game fishing tournaments.

One of the oldest and most prestigious on the Gulf Coast is the Annual Old Salt Fishing Club Loop.... more

Do you want to know a secret? Florida’s got fantastic scuba diving. Sure, there are plenty of divers who already take advantage of the state’s fantastic water and wonderful marine life. They try to tell their friends about what they are missing.... more

If you want to catch fish in Florida, but don’t how, remember the Seven T’s. It doesn’t matter if you are fishing in Jacksonville or Key West, Pensacola or Miami, knowing Tackle, Tactics, Terrain, Time, Temperature, Tide and Tips will insure success.

You have read about ... more

Jacksonville is known for its big kingfish, and as a result, hosts one of the largest tournaments in the nation. But you can catch just about anything that swims in saltwater and freshwater at this year’s Jacksonville Fishing Rodeo, June 10-12.

The main event will be the Southern Kingfish Association’s kingfish tournament, but unlike other fishing tournaments, this event will be a true rodeo with at least 16 different species including offshore saltwater species, inshore saltwater species and freshwater species.... more

We may be sliding into the summer season, and all eyes may be focused on the beach, but don’t forget Florida has many great fishing destinations all over the state.

Florida originally earned its reputation as the ... more

If you want to catch fish in Florida, The Fishing Captial of the World, but don’t how, remember the Seven T’s which will assure success, and it doesn’t matter if you are fishing in Jacksonville or Key West, Pensacola or Miami: Tackle, Tactics, Terrain, Time, Temperature, Tide and Tips.... more

If you want more fish, plant sea grass. It is as simple as that. Sportfish need estuaries to survive.... more

With Father’s Day just around the corner you may be thinking about buying dad another ugly tie that he doesn’t like. He’ll probably wear it once, just to humor you and then hide it away in his closet where it will never be seen again.

Or then again, you could buy dad something that he can use for the rest of his life, like a lifetime hunting or fishing license.... more

Most fishermen take their time, but the legendary angler Johnny Ferlita liked to do everything fast. But you can combine the laid-back relaxation of a day of fishing with the fast-paced adrenaline rush of offshore powerboat racing, in sprit at least, with the The 10th Annual Johnny Ferlita Memorial Fishing Tournament being held June 3-4, 2011 in Tampa.

The tournament, which benefits the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, honors the memory of “Tampa’s Speed King,” Johnny Ferlita.... more

Shellfish lovers will get a special treat this year. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will open bay scallop season a week early and extend the season by two weeks at the end.

Scallops are one of the most interesting sea creatures found in state waters.... more

Florida is the undisputed Fishing Capital of the World, especially in June when the tarpon are thick in Boca Grande Pass and the king mackerel are slamming bait on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.... more

The wooden sign hanging on the wall in my family's cabin said it best: "All fishermen are liars, except of course for you and me, and just between us, I'm not so darn sure about you."

Everybody knows that fishermen, even the best of the best here in Florida, are prone to exaggeration. A fish always grows a few inches and gains a few pounds by the time an angler gets around to telling the story at work Monday morning.... more

May is one of the best months to tackle tarpon, the silver king of gamefish. But now anglers can do more than just battle one of the bait-busting brutes. Do your share for science by participating in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s ongoing Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study.... more

Federal officials have announced that they will increase the recreational quota for red snapper this summer which means anglers will be able to catch more fish, at least more pounds of fish, than the previous year. Biologists have determined that anglers are no longer overfishing the stocks. The season will open on June 1 and remain open through July 18.... more

Want to make sure that Florida’s marine environment is here for future generations? Then teach a kid how to fish. Studies have shown that children who grow up fishing becaome better stewards of the environment than those who don’t.

That is why the Anglers for Conservation will be conducting their Fourth Annual Punta Gorda Hook Kids on Fishing Program at Fishermen’s Village on May 14.... more

If you are a saltwater fly fisherman, and you think you are one of the best, there is only one way to prove it, and that is to fish, and win, the legendary Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament on May 23-25 in Islamorada.

Anglers can fish only with fly gear and all tarpon caught must measure least 48 inches in length to earn release points. To earn weight points, a tarpon must weigh at least 70 pounds.... more

Treat that special mom to something unique and memorable this Mother’s Day with an unforgettable sunset cruise from the Punta Gorda based Kingfisher Fleet. 

Mothers are invited to cruise free from sunset on Friday, May 6 through sunset on Sunday, May 8. The free cruises include the May 6 Sunset Cruise, the May 7 Cabbage Key Day Cruise, Peace River Nature Cruise and the Sunset Cruise.... more

If you want to win a fishing tournament, you have to have a game plan. That’s what Capt. Rob Gorta said as we left the dock at St.... more

When people talk about fly fishing in the Florida Keys, the conversation always turns to Billy Pate, a sportfishing legend, who died last month at the age of 80.

Pate, regarded as one of the world's foremost big-game fly fishermen, is best known for his 188-pound world record tarpon caught on 16-pound tippet, an achievement that remained unbeatable for 21 years.

Fishing fans will have a chance to learn more about the man who pioneered the sport of saltwater fly fishing on May 22 at the Islamorada Fishing Film Festival which will showcase the best in nature and outdoor adventure documentaries.... more

Kingfish season is in full swing on both coasts of Florida. King mackerel, one of the strongest fighters in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico, are sought by tournament fishermen this time of year because a big fish can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. Next up on the circuit: the St.... more

Offshore powerboat racing fans have been waiting for May to come when Super Boat International will kick off its 2011 season with an event that appears likely to become an annual race in Cocoa Beach.

This is the second year in a row the big, fast, extreme machines have stopped on Florida’s East Coast for the May 18-20 battle of the big boats. Once again the race will be staged within easy viewing distance of the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier.... more

Few would dispute the fact that Florida is the fishing and scuba diving capital of the world. This great state has dolphins, sea turtles, manatees and a host of other fascinating sea creatures.

But it takes a dedicated group of scientists to make sure that these animals, and a variety of fish and other critters, thrive and prosper for future generations.... more

Florida has lots of great tarpon fishing spots….Tampa Bay, Boca Grande, Key West, Fort Pierce…but only Sarasota has the World’s Oldest Tarpon Tournament. The 2011 Sarasota Tarpon Tournament, sponsored by the Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club, runs from May 21 through June 26, 2011.... more

Dust off your grouper rods. The season is about to open once again on Florida's east coast and the Florida Keys.

The recreational and commercial season for the shallow-water groupers, which include gag grouper, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, rock hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper and tiger grouper, will reopen on May 1.... more

Are you a die-hard permit fisherman? Well, if so, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust want you to be part of an ongoing study that will benefit one of Florida’s premier sportfish.

Project Permit participants will help biologists by tagging and sampling DNA from any permit they catch and release. Anglers will also mark each fish with a dart tag and obtain a small fin clip from the dorsal or anal fin of the fish.... more

Sharks are probably the most misunderstood animals on this planet. Viewed as villains by many anglers, sharks play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. But despite their position as top predators, many species of shark are in danger of extinction thanks to a negative public image that seems nearly impossible to change.... more

The Coastal Conservation Association has been the driving force behind many of Florida’s fishery success stories. From redfish to snook, these dedicated anglers have led the fight to protect many of the state’s most valuable sportfish.

Now you can do your part to help this worthwhile organization continue to spread its conservation message by participating in the 16th Annual Sarasota Photo All-Release Challenge fishing tournament on May 6-7.... more

Federal officials may re-open gag grouper to recreational fishermen if new rules under consideration are approved this spring. The two-month season would run from Sept. 16 through Nov.... more

It's that time of year when tarpon, the silver king of sportfish, begin their annual feeding frenzy in Boca Grande on Florida’s West Coast. This legendary fishing hole is known for its dynamic tarpon fishing and it is not uncommon to have a dozen boats or more all hooked up at the same time.

But anglers should keep in mind that Boca Grande is a unique fishing spot for other reasons as well.... more

With more than 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers, 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is indeed The Fishing Capital of the world. Now you will be able to get all the information you need on fishing for everything from tarpon and snook to bass and panfish at VISIT FLORIDA's brand new website, ... more

How many sailfish does it take to make a quarter of a million dollars? How about 17? That is what the sportfishing boat Sandman, skippered by Capt. Neil Orange of Miami, caught and released to earn first place and $255,785 at the World Sailfish Championship in the Florida Keys.

The Florida Keys has the best sailfishing in the world and that is why the World Sailfishing Tournament series chose this region of Florida for its season ender.... more

Amberjack, the mainstay for Gulf Coast charter fleets during the summer months, will be off limits from June 1 through July 31 this year under new rules adopted recently by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Amberjack, a thick-bodied species capable of breaking fishing rods in half, are overfished and the closed season will give the species time to recover. The new rules will take effect on June 1, contingent upon approval of a similar rule in federal waters.... more

Anglers travel from all over the world to fish for permit in Florida waters. These prized sportfish are cagey critters and difficult to hook, which is why catching and releasing one is something to brag about.

But nonetheless, this valuable resource must be protected for future generations, which is why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to enhance and protect Florida’s permit fishery while also strengthening management of the Florida pompano and African pompano fisheries.... more

Sure you can fish for fun. But why not have a good time and do you bit for charity? Anglers will have a unique opportunity to fish and give a little back during the silver anniversary of the Faro Blanco Invitational Tarpon Tournament May 18-23.

For 25 years, this Marathon-based fishing tournament has challenged anglers and helped raise money for the Ronald McDonald Summer Camp program for disabled youngsters.... more

King mackerel winter off the Florida Keys, and then as the water warms, migrate north to the to spend the summer months growing fat in the fertile fishing grounds in the northern parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

Anglers wait in anticipation as the big schools slowly move their way up both coasts. At first, a few scattered fish are caught, but by mid April, the feeding frenzy is in full swing.... more

The best bonefishing in the world just got a little bit better. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved new rules that will change this grey ghost's of the grass flats sportfish status.

That means that starting July 1, another one of Florida’s premier saltwater gamefish will be a catch-and-release fishery.... more

The singer Cindy Lauper may have coined the phrase Girls Just Want to Have Fun but that iconic expression from the 1980s will take on a whole new meaning when Marathon hosts its annual Ladies Tarpon Tournament on May 14-15. To learn more about this event and other fishing opportunities in the Florida Keys, click ... more

For the second year in a row, anglers from the University of Florida Fishing Team have earned a spot on the national stage.

The Gator team of Jake Gipson and Matthew Wercinski, both of Niceville, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 14 pounds, 4 ounces Saturday to win their second National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship. The UF team had a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 41-8 on Kentucky Lake in Murray, Kentucky, giving them a 4-pound, 6-ounce margin of victory over the Louisiana State University-Shreveport team.... more

If you want to catch dolphin, you have got to find the birds. The mighty frigate, with its impressive wingspan, likes to soar above pods of baitfish. And where you find bait, you will find dolphin, not the sea mammal variety, but the fish also known as dorado.... more

Stop the presses! A new, mysterious sea creature has just been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and scientists from California State Polytechnic University have identified the previously unknown marine species.

The new critter, Chromodoris fentoni, a type of shell-less snail known as a nudibranch, was found when a commercial aquarium-trade fisherman named Daniel Fenton of Brandon donated sponges and other specimens to the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St.... more

Fishing is a sport, some might call it a skill, that when learned at an early age can provide a lifetime of fun and relaxation. That is why you should take your little one to a free Kids' Fishing Clinic today at Panacea’s Woolley Park.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers an excellent program for children between the ages of 4 and 16.... more

It is every anglers dream - catch both inshore and offshore fish in one tournament. Well, you can do just that during the Florida Keys Triple Slam Tournament set for May 20-22. The two-division boat tournament pits teams against dolphin, wahoo, grouper and snapper in the waters of the Lower Florida Keys.... more

One of the largest fishing tournaments and festivals in the nation is heading to Florida’s East Coast on May 26-29 when Fishstock 2011 makes landfall at Riverside Park in New Smyrna Beach. The Redfish-Trout Challenge and the Striker Offshore Tournament, presented by Mercury Marine and Yellowfin Yachts, typically attract nearly 800 competitive anglers from throughout the country. The Striker, so named because it focuses on the striking fish most often targeted by anglers - tuna, wahoo, dolphin and kingfish – is considered one of the toughest events of its kind to win.... more

Blue skies, calm seas and a light breeze combine to make the perfect conditions for flyfishing this spring. What? You haven’t tried your hand at one of the oldest forms of fishing? Then you need to head over to CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key in Sarasota and enroll in an Orvis-endorsed fly fishing school April 9.

The school will cover fly casting basics, line control, shooting line and the roll cast.... more

The fishing is on fire in the Florida Keys. Bonefish, tarpon, permit..... more

Florida lakes and rivers teem with fish, but every now and then, state fishery managers do what they can to make a good thing better by adding what they can.

Last week, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stocked the Edward Medard Reservoir with 15,000 largemouth bass fingerlings, the last installment of a project to add 100,000 bass to the newly refurbished reservoir near Plant City.

Back in December, biologists stocked this urban fishery with 300,000 bluegills.... more

You know spring is officially here when the Redfish Classic rolls into Tampa Bay. This charity event, scheduled for April 7-8, benefits Blessings in a Backpack. Festivities center at the Westshore Yacht Club.... more

The largemouth bass are coming off the beds. The panfish are hungry and waiting to bite. Why not going freshwater fishing this weekend? Oh yea…did we mention it is free?

Florida natives know that the spring is the best time to find bass, bluegill and redear sunfish in shallow water and well within reach of anglers from shore.... more

You can catch a variety of snapper in Florida waters – red, mangrove, yellowtail – and starting April 1 you can add vermilion snapper to the list if you are fishing in the Atlantic Ocean.

Recreational fishing for vermilion snapper has been closed in state and federal waters since Nov. 1.... more

The recreational fishing season for grouper, one of the most popular fish in the Gulf of Mexico, will re-open in most state and federal waters off Florida on April 1.

Anglers should note that all waters of Monroe County remain closed and the harvest of gag grouper — sometimes called black grouper by recreational fishermen — in Gulf federal waters, which begin nine miles off shore, is still prohibited.

The shallow-water groupers, which include gag, black, red, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind and red hind, have been off limits to anglers since Feb.... more

The world’s best anglers wait all year for April to come because that is when tarpon, the silver king of gamefish, begin their annual migration along the Florida Keys, just in time for the annual Redbone @ Large La Siesta Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament in Islamorada.

Set for April 15-17, this year’s event will be hosted by Clarence Clemons saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen’s famed E Street Band. Other celebrity anglers include former NASA astronaut Bruce Melnick, who spent more than 300 hours in space including trips aboard both the Space Shuttle Discovery and Endeavor.... more

There are not many places where you can catch a bass in the morning and a billfish in the afternoon. But here in Florida, with its 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, you can catch just about anything any time you want. That is why the state is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world when it comes to recreational fishing.... more

No Top Ten Florida Fish list is complete without a permit. These prized fighters are all over the Florida Keys during late March and April.

Earlier this month, Mike Dawes of Victor, Idaho, caught and released three permit totaling 78 inches to win the 2011 March Merkin Invitational Permit Tournament.... more

For nearly 20 years, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has helped protect the state’s favorite sea cow by selling manatee decals. This year’s decal, which will be available in July, comes from a high school art student at Circle Christian School in Winter Park.

Bekah Scoville, 14, created an image of two manatees swimming in water painted in pastel blues and greens.... more

When it comes to sportfishing, Florida has a long and rich history. Anglers from all around the world flocked to Florida in the 1880s to catch bass in the state’s world-class lakes and tarpon in Boca Grande Pass.

Now you can travel back in time with author Doug Kelly as he explores Florida’s Fishing Legends and Pioneers, a new book from the University of Florida Press.... more

The folks in Panama City owe their livelihoods to the sea. This popular vacation spot has some of the best fishing in Florida. So like many port towns with a strong connection to the ocean, the Annual Blessing of the Fleet is a popular traditional maritime event.... more

The spring bite is on in Florida’s lakes. So the fishing catching should be epic for the 400 or so anglers in the Walmart Bass Fishing League headed to the Harris Chain of Lakes on March 26 for the third of five stops in the Gator Division.

FLW Outdoors is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world with more than 190 events and millions in prize money up for grabs in 2011.... more

With more than 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, Florida has no shortage of places to fish. So it is no wonder that the state has produced more than 900 world records, more than any other state or country for that matter. But with dozens of potential species to catch, how does a discriminating angler get started.... more

Anglers up and down the both coasts of Florida have been waiting all winter for the kingfish to return. King mackerel spend the summer in their breeding grounds of the northern Gulf of Mexico. But when the weather turns cold, they flock like snowbirds to the Florida Keys.... more

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to slip below the surface of the ocean and explore the wonders of the sea? If you haven't been diving, you are missing out on the best kept secret in Florida. So head over to the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center near Naples and learn how to scuba dive in a 17,000-gallon tank. Click ... more

Learn everything you need to know about boating and fishing in Tampa Bay with the new information-packed guide from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.

Produced by TBEP and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), the Boating and Angling Guide to Tampa Bay features a large, fold-out map of Tampa Bay on one side and on the other photos and descriptions of bay habitats and inhabitants, along with smaller maps showing boating speed zones and a directory of important phone numbers.

This great resource also contains lists of boat ramps, fishing piers, and designated Clean Marinas, noting facilities with sewage pump-out stations.... more

Tarpon time. That is what they call spring in the Florida Keys. Grab your rod and reel and hook a silver king during the annual Redbone Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament set for April 15-17 in Islamorada.... more

Where can you find the best sunset in Florida? The folks down in Naples think they have their share of good ones. Why not check it out for yourself aboard the Good Fortune out of the Rookery Bay Dock

Climb aboard with a U.S.... more

The top bluewater fishermen in the world are gearing up for a showdown on April 12-16 when the World Sailfish Championship rolls into Key West. With a guaranteed first prize of $100,000, this prestigious sailfish competition benefits the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, Camp Boggy Creek for youngsters with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and other national and local charities. Click ... more

Looking for five-star resort treatment and a full service marina? The Naples Bay Resort has nearly 100 slips that can accommodate watercraft up to 90 feet in length, making it an ideal port of call for cruisers exploring Florida’s Gulf Coast.

If you are a water lover but don’t want to bring your own boat to cruise the inland waterways of Naples Bay, Gordon Pass or out to the Gulf of Mexico, check out the resort’s BOATEL getaway which includes the choice of a new 22-foot deckboat (complete GPS, radio and life safety equipment) or a 24-foot Everglades center-console fishing boat.

If you want to cruise down under your own power, the Naples Bay Resort is the only hotel in South Florida with its own fully operational Yacht Club and Marina, complete with a fuel dock and in-slip pump-out services.... more

Get ready for one of the Top Ten Boat Shows in the U.S. The 26th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, March 24 - 27, will feature more than $350 million worth of boats, yachts and accessories from the world’s leading marine manufacturers.... more

Gainesville’s Shaw Grigsby, one of the elder statesmen on the B.A.S.... more

Sailing fans got a taste of what to expect at the 2012 Olympic Games this week when more than 470 sailors from 25 countries competed in five different classes under ideal conditions on Biscayne Bay.

The BACARDI Miami Sailing Week saw some of the Star class racing as teams battled it out for six days to take home the 84th BACARDI Cup. Going into the final race, the 2008 Olympian Peter O’Leary and David Burrows (Ireland) led the 89-boat fleet followed by Guillaume Florent and Pascal Rambeau (France), and, just five points back, Frederik Lööf with Max Salmiren (Sweden) and Eivind Melleby with Petter Morland Pedersen (Norway) in third and fourth, but tied for points.... more

When people talk about Florida’s best bass lakes, they always have to add at least one river to the list. The St. Johns, sometimes called the “River of Lakes,” is one of the most productive bass fisheries in the state.... more

Top dolphin anglers could land up to $50,000 in cash and prizes at the 25th Annual Coconuts Dolphin Tournament scheduled for May 19-22 in Key Largo. The Coconuts event is one of the largest tournaments in South Florida, historically attracting more than 400 anglers each year. Click ... more

Do you want to give introduce your kids to a sport that they can enjoy for a lifetime. No, I’m not talking about fishing, although that is a great lifelong activity. How about learning to sail?

The Fort Myers-based Offshore Sailing School has launched a new program where kids and teens can learn to sail for free.... more

Organizers expect more than 100 of the nation’s best sailors in Miami this week for the 84th Edition of the world famous BACARDI Cup.  To date, competitors from 25 countries are entered to race in the week-long series that will feature Melges 20, Melges 24, J/24, Star and Viper 640 – that will see action over the week-long series.

With the Olympics just a little more than a year away, these elite sailors will use the regatta as a testing ground for the upcoming trials.... more

Divers and snorkelers visiting the Florida Keys in April can participate in a unique game of underwater hide and seek during the 11th annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt on April 24 off Key Largo.

Captain Spencer Slate of Atlantis Dive Center will put on a giant bunny suit and scuba gear then hide brightly colored eggs for the divers to find. Check in is at 8 a.... more

Montana may be known for its world-class freshwater fly fishing, but when it comes to saltwater, Florida is still the king. That is why John Dobson, a resident of Manhattan, Mont., traveled to Islamorada last week to fish the Backcountry Fly Championship.... more

Florida will be well represented on the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series. Seven anglers have qualified for the series which kicks off March 10-13 on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Tavares. The bass pros will then fish seven additional major tournaments, including a second one in Florida on the St.... more

For more than 25 years, the National Boat Owner Association has been sponsoring boat shows and fishing tournaments across the country. But now, this time-proven organization will host its own event, the Gulf Coast Open, in connection with the Southern Kingfish Association. The tournament, which is actually several tournaments within a tournament, will target kingfish, grouper, trout, Spanish Mackerel and amberjack, April 28-30, in Sarasota.... more

The recreational season for spotted seatrout in northern Florida reopens on March 1.  This means all of the state will once again be open to fishing.

The season was closed during the month of February in Atlantic Ocean, north of the Flagler-Volusia county line to the Florida-Georgia border, and in Gulf of Mexico, north of a line running due west from the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway, which is about 1.... more

 
Florida may be the number one fishing state in the country. But what is the number one fishing town in Florida? If you think that you have the answer, the World Fishing Network wants to know.

The wining community will receive $25,000 that can be used toward some fishing-related effort, such as buying rods and reels for future anglers.... more

Once you have been to outer space what do you do for an encore? How about fishing the Florida Keys? That is exactly what an American space pioneer did recently, catching everything from grouper to king mackerel.

Scott Carpenter, one of two surviving members of the Mercury Seven, hit the waters off Key West recently with Saltwater Angler owner Capt. Tony Murphy.... more

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may soon make one of Florida’s premiere saltwater gamefish all catch and release. Bonefish, which have no value as a food fish, are often called the gray ghost of the flats. Highly sought by fly fishermen, these chrome-bodied brutes are one of the fastest running fish in Florida.... more

If you love the pro bass circuit and dream of fishing with one of the tour’s professional anglers, then Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and The Tackle Box in Gainesville have got the deal of a lifetime for you.

Any angler that catches a bass 10-pounds or bigger in Orange Lake can enter for a chance to win a day of fishing with Shaw Grigsby, one of the nation’s top bass pros and the host of the television show One More Cast on the Sportsman Channel.

And if that isn’t enough, the Gainesville tackle shop is holding a monthly drawing for $100 worth of Daiwa Dollars which you can use to buy rods, reels and other fishing products March through July.... more

Nearly 1,000 sailors from throughout the United States and other countries hit the waters of Tampa Bay for the final day of racing at the 2011 Sperry Top-Sider National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta.

After narrowly edging his way to victory in the J/24 boat class – the largest fleet in the NOOD regatta with 20 boats – local hero Todd Fedyszyn was named the overall winner of the Sperry Top-Sider St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta.... more

For 15 years, the Miami Boat Show Poker Run has been the premiere social event for Florida’s performance boat enthusiasts. Expect to see more than 100 of the biggest, baddest, fastest boats on the water at this three day extravaganza which kicks off Feb. 24 and runs through Feb.... more

Check out the newest in boats and marine electronics at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail running Feb. 18 – 21. The king of boat shows features three locations: the Miami Beach Convention Center, Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center, and Miamarina at Bayside, home to Strictly Sail Miami.... more

If you need proof that Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World all you have to do is ask Zack Mack. The angler from Murfreesboro, Tenn. recently hooked a 14-pound, 2-ounce Florida largemouth bass on Lake Kissimmee, close to the mouth of the Kissimmee River on his sixth fishing trip in five years to Florida.... more

The ... more

Amberjack, one of the most popular offshore species in the Gulf of Mexico, may get a little harder to catch. The National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed a rule that will shut down recreational fishing June 1 through July 31 each year during the height of the season.

Federal officials proposed the closure because they believe recreational fishermen exceeded their quota in 2009.... more

License plates adorned with manatees and panthers are two of the best selling specialty
license plates in Florida, helping raise thousands of dollars for conservation and research. Now Florida anglers can do their share for the marine environment by purchasing the new Catch Me, Release Me license plate designed by celebrated marine artist and conservationist Guy Harvey.
 
Proceeds from the specialty plate will benefit the marine conservation research and education work of the ... more

The largest and most competitive sailboat racing tour in the United States, the National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta series, will kick off its eight-city, 2011 tour in St. Petersburg on Feb. 18-20.... more

Are you looking for the ultimate angling challenge? How about catching 15 different saltwater species in the Key West Fishing Tournament’s 2011 Kickoff set for March 11-13?  Participants will fish off for the heaviest mutton snapper, dolphin fish, cobia, kingfish, wahoo, mackerel, blackfin tuna, mangrove snapper and grunt. Other cash awards recognize the most releases of tarpon, permit, bonefish, barracuda, marlin and sailfish. Click ... more

Charlotte Harbor, one of nation’s top sailing destinations, will once again host some of the world’s most competitive yachtsman Feb. 4-6. The Second Annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta will take place on waters SAIL Magazine listed as one of the top 10 greatest places to sail in the United States.... more

Offshore anglers should take note that the season for shallow-water groupers – including gag, black, red, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind and red hind – is prohibited from Feb. 1 through March 31 in all waters Gulf of Mexico. The season is shut down for two months every year during the spawning season to help maintain healthy fish populations.... more

Anglers can still catch spotted seatrout in the state’s northern waters in February but the fish must be returned to the water unharmed. The season for spotted seatrout closes for one month on Feb. 1 in North Florida, or all waters north of the Flagler/Volusia counties line to the Florida-Georgia border in the Atlantic and north of a line running due west from the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway (which is about 1.... more

Come see your favorite bass anglers at the Pro Night, Jan. 29 at the Walmart in Clewiston, the gateway to Florida’s top bass fishing destination, Lake Okeechobee.

The top FLW Tour pro anglers will be on hand to sign autographs, take pictures and talk fishing with the fasto fans of all ages.... more

If you want to catch big kingfish this time of year, head to Key West. A 67-pound king mackerel, the catch of a lifetime for most anglers, earned the Triple J team top honors in the Key West Harbour King Mackerel Tournament on Jan. 23.... more

Three Florida anglers will be representing their home state next month when the Super Bowl of Fishing takes place in New Orleans. Three Floridians have qualified for the 2011 Bassmaster Classic, slated for Feb. 18-20, 2011.... more

The Ten Thousand Islands is an angler’s paradise where you can catch snook, tarpon and maybe even a glimpse of the elusive Florida panther. But you don’t have to be a fisherman to explore this wilderness.

The Friends of Fakahatchee will host a Coastal Cruise through the mangrove wilderness of this classic piece of Old Florida on Jan.... more

Nothing is worse than cruising along in your boat and snagging the line of an abandoned crab trap. But old traps are more than an inconvenience. They can also be the silent killers of a variety of marine life.... more

A decade ago, Dean Rojas caught 45 pounds and 2 ounces of bass from Florida’s Lake Tohopekaliga to set a new Bassmaster tournament record for the heaviest one-day catch. Over the years, hundreds of anglers have tried to beat this mark, but all have failed.

But now, 10 years later, the conditions are perfect for another record weekend on Central Florida’s premiere bass fishing lake on Jan.... more

Attention all anglers. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission needs your help.

Biologists have an ongoing research study of largemouth bass on the Harris Chain of Lakes, which includes lakes Griffin, Eustis, Harris and others, in Lake County.... more

The best skinny water fishermen will compete to catch the most inches of snook and redfish on fly in a competition where one inch equals one point. The Backcountry Fly Championship, scheduled for Feb. 24-26 in Islamorada, is limited to 30 boats.... more

You never know what you are going to catch in Florida’s freshwater rivers and lakes. Tom Flynn of Homosassa was fishing with minnows he had caught near a boat ramp on the Crystal River last month when he hooked a strange looking catfish.

The yellow bullhead, which weighed 5 pounds, .... more

It is no secret that the Florida Keys has the best fishing in the world. You can catch everything from snapper to tarpon in one day, and as a result, this region attracts its share of celebrity anglers, including athletes, movie stars and even former presidents.

So people in Marathon were not surprised to hear that Jimmy Carter was in town to do a little mackerel fishing.... more

Professional bass fishing returns to Florida this month when the EverStart Series hits Lake Okeechobee on Jan. 6-8 for the first of four stops in the Southeast Division. As many as 300 pro and co-anglers will fish the season opener and compete for $35,000 in awards and a Ranger boat, complete with an Evinrude or Mercury outboard.... more

If you are heading offshore today to do some bottom fishing in the Atlantic Ocean or any waters surrounding Monroe County, make sure you release any grouper you may catch.

The recreational and commercial harvest of shallow-water groupers species – which includes gag grouper, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, rock hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper and tiger grouper – is prohibited from Jan. 1 through April 30.... more

On Jan. 1, anglers may no longer catch gag grouper in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. State waters, which begin nine miles offshore and extend to the shoreline, will remain open.... more

Want to get a jump start on the spring fishing season? Check out the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series on Jan. 15 at the Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers. The $55 ticket includes a one-year subscription to Salt Water Sportsman magazine.... more

Inshore anglers will get a late Christmas Gift this week. Spotted seatrout season will reopen in the waters of Southern Florida on Jan. 1.... more

It is a little late to be Christmas shopping but you can still give the gift of life this holiday by taking advantage of the great seasonal sales to buy someone you love a personal floatation device. Lifejackets, and they come in all shapes, colors and sizes, make great gifts, especially for children.

Statistics show that approximately 80 percent of all boating fatalities could be avoided if people simply wore PFDs while underway.... more

Christmas is almost here and you forgot to get a present for your favorite angler. How about a lifetime Florida fishing license?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has lifetime licenses for Florida residents who like to hunt and fish in both fresh and saltwater. Funds generated from the sale of these licenses are invested and help insure the long-term conservation of Florida's wildlife and fisheries resources.... more

The lowly sheepshead, a species often scoffed at by "serious" anglers, is a mainstay in Florida waters during the winter months. These voracious feeders have a small mouth but a full set of choppers - incisors, molars and rounded grinders - with which they crush barnacles and other crustaceans.

Despite their crushing jaws, sheepshead are well-known light biters.... more

Be on the lookout for manatees that might be having a hard time with the recent cold snap. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute rescued a young manatee in the waters off St. Petersburg this week.... more

Unseasonable cool weather can drop water temperatures and temporarily stun snook which are now protected in all state waters.

Every winter the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission receives hundreds of reports from anglers and fishing guides about dead snook. While large numbers of these fish were killed during last year’s record cold winter, many snook are only temporarily incapacitated and will rebound as soon as the water warms up.... more

Snook season closes Dec. 15 in all Atlantic coastal and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River.  The annual winter harvest season closure of snook in these areas, which normally ends on Feb.... more

Only in Islamorada can you fish offshore in the morning and inshore in the afternoon. So don’t wait, sign up for the 2011 Sailbone and catch your share of sailfish and bonefish in this unique fishing tournament. To learn more about this new three-day backcountry and offshore competition, click ... more

The state has finished its repairs to the dam at Plant City’s Edward Medard Reservoir and biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are stocking more than 400,000 juvenile sport fish, spawned and raised at the FWC’s Largemouth Bass Research Center in Webster.

Restocking began last week when fisheries managers released more than 100,000 juvenile bluegills into Medard Reservoir. Over the next few weeks, another 200,000 bluegill and redear sunfish will be added.... more

Looking for a good way to bring in the holidays? How about taking a kid fishing? You’ll have your chance on Dec. 11 when the International Game Fish Association hosts a free family fishing clinic at the organization’s headquarters in Dania Beach.

This is a perfect opportunity to teach you little ones some angling skills and learn a little bit about the history of this country’s number one participatory sport at the IGFA’s Fishing Hall of Fame.... more

The worlds’ top sailors will head to Key West on Jan. 17 – 21 for a Race Week that ranks high in importance right behind the America’s Cup and the Olympic Games. This year’s challenge will feature yachting teams from more than 12 countries and 24 American states.... more

Red drum, a conservation success story, can be caught just about anywhere in Florida. Decades of sound management by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and changing angler attitudes have brought this species back from the brink of collapse.

While redfish can be caught just about anywhere in the state, wildlife managers are considering loosening restrictions in areas where the species is truly thriving.... more

The recent snap of cold weather means manatees will be moving to their warm-water refuges near power plants, rivers and springs throughout the state.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is urging boaters to be on the lookout for these slow-moving sirenians as they make their way through shallow water. Boaters should slow down and strictly obey posted speed restrictions in manatee protection zones.... more

People thought Floridians were a little crazy 50 years ago when the state opened its first underwater preserve. But ... more

Fish never rest. King mackerel season just wrapped up in Florida, but no sooner can anglers get new line on their reels and rods then another tournament is scheduled right around the corner.

Kingfish spend their summers off the coasts of Northeast and Northwest Florida, but when the fall winds blow, these open-water hunters travel south along local beaches to their wintering grounds off the Florida Keys.... more

The largest event of its kind on the Gulf Coast of Florida, St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show features hundreds of boats on land and in the water as well as the latest in marine gear and electronics.

One of the oldest boat shows in Florida, this event caters to both sailors and powerboaters.... more

Portions of the Mosaic Fish Management Area in southern Polk County will reopen to public fishing on Dec. 10. The 1,000-acre fish management area near Fort Meade, which is managed through a cooperative agreement between Mosaic Fertilizer and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, has been closed for more than three years and the fish should be ready to feed.... more

You never know what you will catch in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Florida has dozens of sportfish valued by recreational anglers, some better known than others.

But one of the most prized offshore species, yet commonly misidentified by anglers, is water is the true black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci.... more

Riding on the success of its inaugural year, the ... more

State officials are considering changing the rules that regulate bonefish, on of the most highly prized species in the Florida Keys. But before any action is taken, they want to hear from you.

That is why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has scheduled two public workshops to discuss rules that would make bonefish a catch-and-release-only fishery.... more

Florida has more than 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline waters, just full of fish. This state has no shortage of places to fish. Here are 10 reasons why I am glad I fish in Florida:

Tarpon, the silver king of sportfish, a species highly prized for its fighting ability and its ability to tolerate a wide range of salinities, which means it can be found throughout the state’s waters.... more

Amberjack, one of the prized offshore species in the Gulf of Mexico, will be fair game through the remainder of 2010. This species, one of the toughest fighters in Florida waters, is managed by a quota system, but it looks like recreational anglers will not catch their share this year. So the ... more

With the weather turning a little cooler, anglers may think it is time to hang up their fishing rods and wait for spring. But don’t be so hasty. December is one of the top months to fish in Florida.... more

More women are fishing than ever before and as a result, the male-dominated fishing tournament scene is seeing a little competition. So to join in the action, sign up for the Second Annual Chix-N-Stix Tournament at the The Joint in Cape Harbour on Dec. 3-4.... more

With cooler weather upon us, many of the state’s manatees have begun moving into Florida’s freshwater springs where the temperature remains 72 degrees year round, regardless of how cold the air is outside. One of the most popular places for manatees to catcher is Citrus County’s Three Sisters Spring.

But the in an ongoing effort to protect these gentle creatures, the ... more

Get an Old Florida treat this holiday season with a coastal cruise along the mangroves and grassy islands of Fakahatchee and the 10,000 Islands. Most people associate ghost orchids with the Fakahatchee Swamp but this coastal area, known for its Florida panthers and commercial fishing families, is an excellent place to explore by boat.

The adventure starts at Fakahatchee Island, where a naturalist will point out unusual plants on the path up to the old cemetery.... more

Anglers have just three more days to catch red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. The ... more