When it comes to diving, whether tank diving or free diving, one of the first problems new divers run into is ear pressure. Unfamiliar with the process of “equalizing”, this sometimes can come as a surprise.

Get down with a floating line. We prefer to fish topwater flies like Gurglers and similar patterns on 7- to 9-weight outfits and weight-forward floating lines. But, there are times when it’s more effective to fish the bottom, as in deeper creeks, potholes and channels.

Where teamwork and paddle craft meet. Fly fishers see a picture of a drift boat and think Rocky Mountain river trout fishing. But lately there has been some talk among fly-fishing folk that the drift boat might be just right for Florida bass fishing, too.

A restoration project at Tropical Fish Management Area (FMA), within Miami-Dade County’s Tropical Park will have positive impacts for both fish and anglers. Improved habitat created by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists will lead to healthier fish populations as well as increased angling opportunities at the FMA.

Florida Sportsman member: BigNiner19 NOAA calling for some really rough seas, so I elected to leave the boat on the trailer and grab a rod and some snook lures and head down to the beach. Good action, snook busting on bait and looked like some schools of bluefish were mixed in.

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Chaz Heller
Covering Perdido Key to Cape San Blas, including Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Panama City and Port St. Joe

Florida Sportsman member: Gamekilla Cruised past the group of boas off Knapps point and headed out to some wrecks about 12 miles offshore. It was a nasty ride out on the pathfinder but worth it. Constant action all day with some big kings, released gags, bonita and amberjack.

Fishing trips are a whole lot like Christmas, so much of the fun comes from the preparation and anticipation. I’ve been rigging blue and white Ilanders on 200 pound mono leaders for the better part of 3 months.

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Jim Ross
Covering Tomoka Basin to Sebastian Inlet, including Daytona Beach, Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa and Melbourne

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Ron Kowalyk
Covering Sarasota to Bonita Beach, including Siesta Key, Englewood, Boca Grande, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Pine Island, Cape Coral, Captiva, Sanibel and Fort Myers

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Brent Romiti
Covering St. Vincent Island to Steinhatchee, including Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carabelle, St. Marks and Keaton Beach

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Kevin Merritt
Covering Naples to Flamingo, including Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City and Chokoloskee

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Roger Bump
Covering Fernandina Beach to Flagler Beach, including Jacksonville and St. Augustine

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Eden White
Covering Wabasso Beach to Boca Raton, including Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Stuart, West Palm Beach and Lake Worth

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Alan Sherman
Covering Deerfield Beach to Key Largo & Flamingo to Cape Sable, including Pompano Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Homestead

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Tommy Thompson
Covering Homosassa, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa Bay, Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Captains James Chappell and Juan Garcia
Covering Key Largo to Key West, including Islamorada and Marathon

Florida Sportsman Fishing 4caster Capt. Ray Markham
Covering Aripeka to Longboat Key, including Hudson, Anclote Key, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Anna Maria Island and Bradenton

Weigh-in at bluepoints marina in port canaveral. Must register at captains party may 17th from 6-9pm at Fishlips Bar & Grill in Port canaveral. $2500.00 fot the biggest fish. Categories include : grouper wahoo, dolphin, kingfish and cobia. Guaranteed payout – No minimum number of Boats – $150.00 entry .

“The last time I was at Black Fly Lodge I caught a permit on my third cast…” So begins photographer…»

Left, Long Nguyen, tournament coordinator and SE Forum moderator. It’s almost here: The 2013 Florida Sportsman Southeast Bash & Tournament.…»

Comfortable yet rugged shorts combine form and functionality by incorporating the Stash waterproof pocket, protects smartphone, keys, cash and more.

Florida Sportsman Member: Jerseygirl While we did come up empty trolling, deep dropping was interesting. Neil F. bagged a nice Yellow-Edge Grouper around 25 pounds and I managed a 50 plus pound amberjack that hit on the bottom at 430′

Florida Sportsman Member: Tailinreds05 We cruised the 25 miles or so out to the flats of Biscayne and I finally connected to the infamous grey ghosts. All it took was a trip out of Florida bay and the flats that I have come to love since moving to the keys over a year ago.

Federal managers approve amendment for Secretarial review and increase in 2013 fishing season. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved measures to increase the Annual Catch Limit (ACL) for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region during a special one-day meeting held yesterday. In a compromise vote, the Council approved an increase from the current limit of 847,000 pounds (all measures in whole weight) to 1,814,000 pounds.