Congratulations if you’re among the many southwest Floridians who’ve recently purchased a new boat. Owning a boat can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but ensuring you’re prepared before the maiden voyage is vital. Following is a list of items to check off after your purchase: First, register your boat: Florida Statutes designates that FLHSMV […]
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This is the time of year that all boaters and fishermen have the opportunity to see everything ‘under one roof’! This annual show gets bigger and better every year with vendors that represent virtually every product available to support our SW Floridian ‘lifestyle’. Furniture, fixtures, fishing equipment, marine cleaning products and marine electronics, boat insurance […]
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The ever-popular Bonita Springs Boat Show returns March 2nd-5th, 2023, with hundreds of boats from the area’s best dealers, all kinds of gear and accessories, and marine services pros. The show is held on the sprawling grounds of the Bonita Springs Poker Room, where you can grab a cold beverage and enjoy wandering through the many tented […]
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I am excited to report that the 2023 Boat Show had record attendance during at least one of the 4 days at the Ft. Myers ‘Downtown Location’. Full of vendors and people excited about getting out during the beautiful weekend to enjoy the boats and products that are representative and reflected of SW Florida lifestyle. […]
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Taking the plunge and purchasing a boat for the first time can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and there’s no better time to do this than in the heart of boat show season. However, it’s essential to take the time to research and choose the right boat for your lifestyle needs and budget. Below […]
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New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, and a fantastic place to spend with family and friends viewing one of our area’s many fireworks displays can be from the deck of your boat. Southwest Florida’s waterways and shorelines allow for some pretty spectacular views, and something about being on a boat and watching the spectacle unfold […]
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Notwithstanding the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, everyone seems to be ready to return to our waters for boating, recreational and commercial fishing. The Ft. Myers Boat Show will ‘kickoff’ the ‘New Year’ (January 5-8) with extensive displays of new boats, marine equipment, the Marine Industries Association’s “Know Before You Go” Display and ‘FISHING SEMINARS’ by […]
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The countdown has begun for Southwest Florida’s biggest boating event, and this year it’s celebrating 50 years of providing fun on the water! The Fort Myers Boat Show is our coast’s most extensive and longest-running boat show. January’s show runs the 5th-8th and features over 500 boats from over 130 manufacturers, plus accessory and equipment […]
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On-line applications may be made here: RELIEF FUNDS APPLICATION The marine industry has truly stepped up to help friends and co-workers as the BHB Hurricane Ian Relief Fund has surpassed $60,000 in donations. The Annapolis and Ft. Lauderdale Boat shows each made significant contributions through campaigns at their shows and many other marine companies and […]
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Four weeks ago, Southwest Florida was devasted by the deadliest hurricane to strike Florida since 1935. In Ian’s wake, communities were not only scrambling to ensure their families and loved ones were safe, but many were left to rebuild their businesses or ensure they still had jobs. Because of the extreme winds and record storm […]
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Aside from the sharp pain in your wallet, many other factors should be considered before pulling your boat up to the pump. It’s essential to be aware of some challenges and hazards of fueling up, especially in larger vessels with bigger tanks. Additionally, you can take steps to increase your fuel efficiency and even avoid […]
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Now is the time! Those looking for opportunities to catch big Redfish; now is the time! FWC opened Redfish for harvest this month on September 1st. the limit is one per person with a maximum of two Redfish per vessel with a slot size of 18-27 inches in length. Big ‘Bull-Reds’ will be here anytime […]
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Although Southwest Florida is known for its miles of waterfront property and easy boating access, many of our area’s boaters load up and head for the water with trailers in tow. And what begins as a hopeful day of fun on the water can quickly end before it gets started if you don’t keep some […]
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I thought July fishing was HOT! It was, but so is the first part of August. Fishing remains good for both inshore and offshore on the right tides when paired with the right species and locations. What I mean by this is work moving water on the outgoing and incoming tides. When fishing for Seatrout […]
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Hurricane Boat Prep 101 As we move past Summer’s halfway point, spaghetti plots and CAT ratings become a regular part of boater’s vocabularies. The height of hurricane season is fast approaching, and as with all things boating, preparedness is key. Whether you’ve recently become a boat owner, or if it’s been a while since you […]
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WOW IT IS HOT! I am not just speaking to the fishing but to the July summer heat. Nonetheless, the winds have been tame and the storms not a big issue this year so far. Inshore, fishing has been pretty good for Redfish and Seatrouts. Snook and Mangrove Snapper have been ‘on fire’ with good […]
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There’s nothing like watching 4th of July fireworks from a boat. From Tampa to Naples, some of our favorite celebrations are back, so check out our list of boat-friendly fireworks displays happening all down our coast! Bonita Springs For boats that can navigate the Imperial River, Star Spangled Bonita in Riverside Park includes sunset fireworks. […]
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Anyone who’s spent any time boating in Florida knows how intense our sun can be. And while it’s common practice to whip out the sunscreen before hitting the water, have you thought about the importance of protecting your eyes? If not, it may be time to invest in some specialty sunglasses, and we’ve assembled some important […]
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It’s getting to be that time of year again when Southwest Florida boaters can expect daily afternoon storms to roll through from mid-June to late August. In fact, Florida sees upwards of 100 thunderstorm days each year, and while a brief storm on land isn’t a problem, it can quickly become a life-threatening situation on […]
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Boating and fishing have been exceptionally good during the month of May. Winds have subsided since the early months allowing more and more boaters and anglers to enjoy our estuaries both inshore and offshore. Inshore has produced large Seatrouts, Redfish, Snook and of course, summertime catfish. The Spanish Mackerel seem to have moved on or […]
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