Saltwater fly fishing is a blast — and easy to learn

May 15, 2020

Now that you've decided to dive into the fly fishing game, it's time to gather the proper equipment. Choosing the proper fly reel will depend on the species you seek.There are multiplying reels that turn the spool two to three times for every revolution of the reel handle and in many case these older style reels are heavy with many mechanical parts to rust and break while offering reduced line capacity.Auto-matic reels have a spring tension device that respools line by depressing a lever activating a spring and like multiplying reels, are heavy with many parts to break or rust.Both of ...

Being properly prepared to fish an offshore reef or wreck

May 8, 2020

If you're new to the offshore reef and wreck grouper and snapper game but determined to try it, the time is right. After going light-years over budget on the new boat and most of the needed equipment, you're almost ready to go. Question is, where?The FWC website is always a great resource. "Florida has one of the most active artificial reef programs among the 15 Gulf and Atlantic coastal states involved in artificial reef development. Since the 1940s, more than 3,330 planned public artificial reefs have been placed in state and federal waters off Florida's coast."The site's interactive ...

The sport of ‘Saltwater Ramp Watching’ can be fun or frightening

May 1, 2020

I was introduced to the wonderful sport of "Saltwater Ramp Watching" in my late teens. Participation in this interesting angling sport doesn't require tackle, a boat or truck to pull it with, just some comfy lawn chairs, virus masks for everyone, an umbrella, some sunscreen and bug repellent, plenty of refreshments and some time to laugh.My introduction took place at Lewes, Delaware, back when the bay was full of big beautiful silver and purple seatrout or weakfish, huge packs of ravenous bluefish, runs of stripers and doormat-sized flounder. Anglers from Maryland and New Jersey left ...

Don’t believe there are big fish out there? Check the record books

April 24, 2020

The International Game Fish Association lists Max Domecq as the owner of two impressive records, actually world records for tarpon. During March of 2003, he landed a 286-pound, 9-ounce giant on 80-pound line establishing an IGFA All Tackle World Record and Line Class World record.My angling bucket list includes finally catching one over 200 pounds and after decades of trying, a measured fish of 170 pounds has been my personal best. Imagine being hooked up to a 300-plus-pound African coast monster. Wonder if they turn and ram the boat?Going through the IGFA records list is quite ...

It’s tarpon time, but snook and redfish are also on the prowl

April 17, 2020

Tarpon fever is its on kind of incurable virus and many of us have had it for several decades and still function semi-normally. I opened the curtains very early this morning to see baby tarpon rolling behind my house and within the blink of an eye was standing on the seawall in green boxers and red plaid slippers casting jigs while doing the dawn, humid morning, no-see-um two step swat and shuffle, trying not to get eaten alive, which for some reason drew loud snickers from passing joggers. They just don't understand tarpon fever.From backyard canals to Boca Grande Pass, it's tarpon ...

Area ledges and rock formations holding a variety of fish these days

April 10, 2020

Off- and nearshore ledge and rock formations are loaded up with a variety of fish from red grouper, permit, mangrove and lane snapper and triggerfish, with a cobia sighting a strong possibility during the trip.Red grouper season is open year round in Gulf waters with a limit of two per day per angler with a 20-inch minimum size limit.This week generous friends supplied me with delicious black grouper fillets and some pompano. To many the black grouper is the best tasting grouper and pompano is always welcome at my house.Triggerfish are open to harvest from March 1 to May 31 and, if you ...