Florida researchers tested a bite-shortened hook to catch and release speckled trout without ever having to touch the fish. Jon Whittle Most anglers agree that non-offset circle hooks are the best live-bait hook to use when catch-and-release fishing. Further, some fisheries mandate the use of circle hooks when targeting species such as striped bass, billfish […]
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Southwest Florida’s Rookery Bay restoration project will help restore tidal flow to vital juvenile fish habitat. Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve There’s a simple truth that most anglers understand intuitively: a fishery is only as healthy as the habitat that supports it. This holds true in both fresh and salt water, from trout to […]
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Red tide blooms from Sanibel to Port Charlotte, Florida have resulted in fish kills and other harmful aquatic ecosystem impacts. Courtesy Captains for Clean Water Red tide blooms are building along much of Florida’s southwestern coast extending from Sanibel to Port Charlotte, resulting in fish kills and other harmful aquatic ecosystem impacts. South Florida has […]
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AFTCO Digger Jon Whittle AFTCO Digger Don’t be fooled. The AFTCO Digger looks like it should be trolled. That’s because trolling plugs with similar characteristics have caught plenty of wahoo, king mackerel and tuna over the years. But the Digger is definitely a casting plug, says AFTCO. Weighted specifically for long casts and sinking to […]
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Florida has been deemed the fishing capital of the world, and its widespread offshore, inshore and freshwater fisheries certainly support that claim. While each of the state’s regions boasts an illustrious history of coastal communities founded on sport fishing, the Panhandle in particular offers an incredible diversity of pursuits. Whether it’s distant offshore opportunities, a […]
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A bonefish caught in the Outer Banks? It’s rare, but it does happen. North Carolina surf angler Tonya Pell with proof of her catch. Tonya Pell Tonya Pell was surf fishing the beaches of South Nags Head, North Carolina, in late October as part of her honeymoon when she caught a fish she didn’t recognize. […]
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The fall mullet run races south along the Atlantic Coast—do not miss the action off the beaches. Jason Arnold Special delivery: Sign up for the free Salt Water Sportsman email newsletter. Subscribe to Salt Water Sportsman magazine for $19 for 1 year and receive 4 bonus digital issues. Every year, beginning in September and running well into November—and sometimes […]
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The author landed this golden trevally while fishing out of Mag Bay Lodge in Mexico. He was able to pedal in reverse to pull the fish away from structure. Jeffrey Fortuna, Courtesy of Hobie Okay, a kayak won’t always outfish a boat. If your thing is fishing blue water or rough inlets or running balls-to-the-wall […]
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Among the many sport fishing pursuits available to anglers in South Florida, targeting butterfly peacock, more commonly known as peacock bass, is certainly not the most popular pastime. With plenty of saltwater action nearby including some of the most diverse shallows in the state, as well as close proximity to the Gulf Stream, the freshwater […]
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As the annual mullet run approaches down Florida’s Atlantic coast, anglers are eager to get out on the water. Whether you’re a seasoned vet or a first timer, this migration is a sight to behold. As these flashy baitfish make their way south along the beaches, anglers and onlookers get front row seats to this […]
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An estimated 500,000 pounds of menhaden and bycatch was seemingly left to rot in Louisiana. Courtesy Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association Menhaden have been called a bunch of different colloquial names. Their proper name comes from Native Americans calling them “munnawhatteaug,” which means “that which manures” as they were used for fertilizer. A more common name, […]
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New tech from Garmin lets you look as far as 350 feet from the boat, 150 feet farther than its last system. Walt Stearns / Alamy Stock Photo The ActiveTarget live sonar from Lowrance was initially designed for freshwater fishing. But on a trip to test the beta version, Matt Laster, director of the company’s […]
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.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Step aboard Charger’s 2230 L Bay Boat. It boasts plenty of power with Mercury’s Verado 300 hp outboard and incredible sea keeping capability thanks […]
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Goliath grouper can grow as big as a refrigerator. Anglers catch them in all different sizes. For those lucky enough to receive a permit and tag in 2023, keeper goliaths will have to measure somewhere in between 24 and 36 inches. More than 30 years have gone by since anglers in Florida have been able […]
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Every year, the mullet run is eagerly awaited by anglers fishing Florida’s east coast. Once cooler fall temps push these bull-headed baitfish out of area backwaters in the Carolinas and other locales further north, they begin a long and dangerous trek southward for the winter. These flickering baitfish travel in huge masses along shoreline shallows, […]
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In pop culture, a hero is the subject of admiration, idealized for strength and ability. For most fall-run surfcasters, the striped bass fits the bill. However, there is a less-sought-after species that deserves recognition and should be included in fall-run forays alongside stripers, bluefish, and false albacore. To loosely quote Gary Oldman in Christopher Nolan’s […]
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New Medium & Low Light Lens Options from Bajío: VIOLET MIRROR / RED BASE Bajío Violet Mirror / Red Base The first truly polarized low light transmission lens on the market at 20% VLT, Bajío’s new Violet Mirror is our lightest high contrast lens yet. Ideal for cloudy overcast conditions, mountain environments, and low light […]
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Of all the ways to target different species of fish, none seems as unique as stepping on a paddleboard. Here’s why. The concept of minimalism simply means restricting yourself to the basic necessities and being as streamlined and efficient as possible, and this becomes particularly apparent in paddleboard fishing. Fishing from a boat allows for […]
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The best sea kayaks are perfect for paddling in all sorts of saltwater environments, from estuaries and bays to open ocean waves A female sea kayaker paddling at the Oregon Coast. Oregon They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles, but the best sea kayaks are floating escape pods that enable you to […]
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The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) announced today that it is collaborating with several industry leaders to send relief funding from the IGFA’s Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) to the recreational fishing community in Southwest Florida in wake of Hurricane Ian. Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sept. 28, 2022, near Fort Myers, Fla., bringing with […]
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