Guy Harvey will be at Bass Pro Shops in Orlando on June 2 and at Ron Jon's Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach on June 3.

Celebrated Marine Artist Guy Harvey To Make Appearances in Orlando and Cocoa Beach

Celebrated marine artist, scientist and conservationist Guy Harvey will make personal appearances at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World location in Orlando on Saturday, June 2 at the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach Sunday, June 3 from 1-3 p.m.

Guy Harvey, whose name is synonymous with conservation and ecology, has most recently lent his efforts to protecting shark, bluefin tuna, grouper and other sportfish populations that are being decimated around the planet. Since its creation in 2008, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation has quickly become a leader in the marine research and conservation fields, funding an increasing number of very important innovative research and education projects.  At the forefront of the marine conservation effort is the Guy Harvey Research Institute at the NSU Oceanographic Center.

“Healthy oceans are essential for life on our planet,” said Dr. Harvey.  “It’s a vast arena, and a task best attacked in collaboration with other like-minded people.  The more we collaborate, undertake and educate together, the better the result will be for the marine environment and, ultimately, for all of us.”

Dr. Harvey’s appearance is scheduled from 12-2 p.m. at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store located at 5156 International Drive in Orlando.  For directions or information, call 407-563-5200.  In addition, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World will be selling Guy Harvey’s new U.S. Armed Forces Collection of t-shirts and Tervis Tumbler mugs. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each item in the Guy Harvey U.S. Military Collection will be donated to the Gary Sinese Foundation and Birdies for the Brave, both committed to assisting our heroes and their families.

Ron Jon Surf Shop is located at4151 N. Atlantic AvenueinCocoaBeach(321) 799-8880 .  At Dr. Harvey’s Ron Jon Surf Shop appearance, a free Guy Harvey poster will be given to customers purchasing $20 or more in Guy Harvey merchandise, while supplies last.  Dr. Harvey will only be signing Guy Harvey merchandise and there will be a wide variety of Guy Harvey merchandise available for purchase during the event.

Ron Jon Surf Shop will donate 10% from the sale of Guy Harvey merchandise that day to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

About Guy Harvey

Guy Harvey is a marine wildlife artist and conservationist who earned a Ph.D. in Fisheries Biology. His depictions of marine life, especially of sportfish such as marlin, are very popular with sport fishermen and have been reproduced in prints, posters, t-shirts, jewelry, clothing, and other consumer items. Harvey is also a very vocal and active advocate for marine conservation, having established the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University of Fort Lauderdale, Florida as well as the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, an organization that funds marine conservation research and educational initiatives.

www.guyharvey.com

Here and below, scenes from last year's Big Bend Saltwater Classic.

Carrabelle, Florida is the place to be this year’s July 4^th weekend.  July 6-8, 2012, marks the date of the 24^th Annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic (BBSC), benefiting the Organization for Artificial Reefs, Inc. (OAR).  The tournament, filled with family fun and local flavor, has grown to be one of the top saltwater fishing tournaments in Florida based on participation.

Founded in 1989 by a group of dedicated local anglers, the tournament was intended to be the primary fundraising project for OAR.  A Tallahassee-based non-profit organization, OAR’s purpose is to expand and develop a system of artificial reefs in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico.  Through the efforts of BBSC and OAR, artificial reefs have been deployed from Mexico Beach to Dog Island.  These reefs help support the fish populations as well as the overall ocean environment.

With recreational, masters, junior, and recreational team divisions and numerous inshore and offshore fishing categories, the BBSC is certain to provide any angler with a hearty competition and a fun-filled fishing weekend.  Whether you’re bringing the family out for the weekend or just looking to compete individually, the Saltwater Classic is the place to be.

For more information about registration and the tournament, please visit the BBSC website at www.saltwaterclassic.com.  Happy fishing and we’ll see you in July!

Florida’s summer heat and storms can limit your fishing day to just a few hours. But redfish oblige over shallow flats on both coasts of Florida. Sam Snyder caught this redfish during a summer run in the Indian River Lagoon in Southeast Florida. Photo taken by Sam Hudson, shooting with a Canon 20D.

Sportsman HD Gallery

Lake Worth Kayak Snookin’

Florida Sportsman member: frankthetank

Woke up early to haul but to Lake Worth. We launched at the snook Island Kayak launch me and my older brother and began our journey. We fished in an out of every nook and cranny of the snook island area nothing but a stingray and bait everywhere. Paddled north seen some sheepies but no connections, we found this nice little sandbar exposed with rock piles next to it so we worked the only lure I ever caught snook on, a Bass Assassin silver chartreuse, hooked up [...]

Click here for the full forum post.

Boynton Boys Offshore Report

Florida Sportsman member: CamDawg

Better weather is finally approaching, and the fishing is hot hot hot offshore. Saturday winds and surf were a little choppier than predicted but we got into some nice fish. Winds were great for the kayak and currents did not start ripping until after 1pm. On saturday, hooked, oarknot, and myself ventured out. caught alot of bonita, nice kings, runners, jacks of all sorts and sizes and one tuna. Water was murkier than normal which is not a bad thing, plankton and silt brings bait and bait brings predators. I will also make note that, absolutely zero bait, live or dead, are used on any of our trips, so whatever we catch is on artificials.

Click here for the full forum post.

Offshore Kayak Success

Florida Sportsman member: FLATS BROKE

Everyone I spoke to slayed fished yesterday. Here are a couple of the bigs boys Joe & I brought in. I was happy about my 35″ BFT until I spoke to Rob(PottyMouth) and he told me he landed a 40″! What a beast!

Click here for the full forum post.

Super Moon Kayaking

Florida Sportsman member: bbarton13

We decided to hit some bottom spots off destin on this super full moon. well we didnt launch till about 3 a.m. or so and it was calm and the sky was lit up! got to the first spot and josh pulls up this beast red snapper. not much going on after that till’ the sun started to rise. We heard a loud splash and everyone looked over there then we saw a sailfish jump and we all freak out and started going over towards it [...]

Click here for the full forum post.

Delray Beach Kayak Sailfish

Florida Sportsman member: blazing_reels

I was free lining a whole squid on the Penn Torque and had not checked the bait in quite a bit. I had let out quite a bit of line and was trying to speed reel the line in. As the line got close I slowed down to a stop to see if anything might of been following it. Sure enough I see a rather large shadow behind the squid. I let it sit but the lack of action made him lose interest. I pulled it in a threw it out in front of my yak, sure enough I saw him dart right for it.

Click here for the full forum post.

Paddling the Florida Keys

Florida Sportsman member: bugdoc

Took the wife down to Conch Key Cottages, MM 61, for a few days of paddling and exploring. She let me fish a little. The hotel is right on the water adjacent to what should have been good bonefish flats, but I did not see one the whole trip. There were some respectable barracudas to be had. It’s nice to be able to roll out of bed and be fishing within 5 minutes.

Click here for the full forum post.

The Delray Yak’ Drift

Florida Sportsman member: lckirk

Planned on a Delray to Boynton inlet drift, even staged a car at Boynton inlet. We put in at the beach in Delray water was perfect, flat and a light wind. We never got that far off only about 80ft we let the wind take us. It ended up taking us south east not the way we planned on going. The ocean had a good April fools joke by taking us the wrong way. But it ended up working out. Birds were diving all around us and bait was getting slammed on the top of the water. My bro-in law ended up with 2 AJ’s and I was skunked. Still a great day on the water.

Click here for the full forum post.

A Month of Action

Florida Sportsman member: Dj Dan Decibel

I haven’t posted anything in about two months or so, I just got back from Djing out of the country in late February. I’ve been doing some fishing here and there but this month has been really windy and it seems like the only time to have some fishing opportunity has been in the mornings when the winds are kind of calm. Even though the high winds we have, I have had some luck here and there [...]

Click here for the full forum post.

Palm Beach Offshore Yakin’

Florida Sportsman member: NELBAG

Well the plan was to get on the Cobia bite today as I have been hearing scattered reports. We hit the beach at Phipps Park in Lake Worth and are greated by 2-4′ seas and a erroded beach. We disscussed for awhile and decided to charge the surf at 7am. We hit 100′ and throw out flat lines and start jigging with DOA swimming mullets. Hour into the trip..nada..so we decide to paddle back out and north as the east wind has blown us in. My buddy Hoke trolls a DOA Terror Eyz in golden bream and is slammed by this gal in 65′ [...]

Click here for the full forum post.

Little Hickory Pass

Florida Sportsman member: bonitabob

The plan was to launch from the North end of Lover’s Key and visit the islands in the middle of the bay and look for reds and snook. When I arrived at the launch, I found my plans thwarted as one million mph winds were coming across the bay. Not to be outdone by weather, I opted to launch at Hickory Pass and maybe find some shelter from the wind. I met up with my buddy Mike, and we took off at sunrise [...]

Click here for the full forum post.

Mixed Bag

Florida Sportsman member: Yaksquatch

Decided to try somewhere brackish I haven’t spent much time, just to try something new this afternoon. Fished a few hours of daylight plus about 30min after dark with the moon so bright.

Was push-poling around in a foot of water when I came across a big, dark, gnarly tail sticking out of the water. Thought it was a big black drum and threw on him. After a 20minute sleigh ride I found out I was mistaken [...]

Click here for the full forum post.

Estero Bay Double Slam

Florida Sportsman member: bonitabob

I wanted to get over my dismal 12th place finish in the IFA tournament so I called Allen Reddick for some Estero Bay fishing. We launched at Week’s into a little wind, but not as bad as it was yesterday. Week’s is such a great place to lauch as it’s never too busy! We started fishing the flats right outside of the channel on the falling tide. I was using my usual, Gulp shrimp on a DOA cal jighead and it didn’t take long to snatch up a slot redfish [...]

Downrigger Plus Gog Equals Smoker Kayak King

Florida Sportsman member: FLATS BROKE

Went out yesterday with a half dozen gogs paddled out to 90ft and put my baits out, 1 flat line 1 on the downrigger. Slow troll out to 165ft and drop my jig and pull up a small king 28 inch. Headed in to 140ft where there was a nice color change and my rigger goes off zzzz’. 15 mins later I land this nice king. The downrigger was set at 50 feet.

Click here for the full forum post.

Florida Sportsman Member: FLATS BROKE

Fishing was slow for us this weekend, Current was ripping North 3+mph. Managed to catch this kingfish (70ft) on the way out on a deep diving Yozuri plug. We did a lot more kayaking than fishing. I sold the fish on the beach for a whopping $13.00 to a Canadian couple that really wanted it. They offerd to buy it so I said “$20 its great deal”, Then he said he had no cash .I loaded up my kayak and was ready to leave when I noticed the guy running down the street towards me with cash in his hand. He told me he managed to borrow $13 and thats all he had. So I gave in and took the $13.00 and used it for bait the next day [...]

Click here for the full forum post.

Cinco de Mayo Spearing

Florida Sportsman member: SnookMagnet

Headed offshore from Marco with JoeSnook on Saturday looking for a limit of Red Groupers and we weren’t disappointed. Great weather, calm(ish) seas, and a hot bite. Put four keepers in the box via rod and reel, threw back a bunch of shorts, then strapped on the tanks and speared up the rest of our limit (plus some big grovers).

Click here for full forum report.

BPK Spearin’

Florida Sportsman member: Gamekilla

Left the house around 8 a.m. and put in a spread of 4 around 150 feet, trolled out to about 600 and didnt see anything, no good weedlines, no debris…nothing.  So we head back to around 100 feet and anchored up and started chumming, nothing! It’s my first day so maybe I’m still getting warmed up but it was slow [...]

Click here for full forum report

Free Diving for Brown Bombers

Florida Sportsman member: tobyhere

We limited out. Shark Tales may look familiar to a lot of you. I was almost as stoked to drive that boat around as I was to shoot big fish. The most noteworthy thing I’d like to say about that day of diving was that my SD card was full before I shot my fish and I took it off of a school of at least 100 plus cobes following 1 shark…all 30 plus pounders. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen diving. Kyle from FL Freedivers said it best, “looked like a gigantic school of mullet swimming up from the bottom.” Mike wore the gopro for a long dive through some crevalle Jacks and it turned out rad [...]

Click here for full forum report

LWI Bluewater Spearing

Florida Sportsman member: Bluewaterspearo

The last couple weeks have been awesome with cobia action. The cobia are thick right now on the bulls….. Find the bulls and you will find the cobia! Morning started yesterday at 6am. We wanted to get some diving in before the front hit. Myself and 3 buddies headed out the inlet and it was very smooth ride to the cobia grounds. I was getting stoked as the water looked real blue and we jump in and its 100 ft viz! Also a raging north current at 3.5 knots [...]

Click here for full forum report

Monster Lobster Haul

Florida Sportsman member: vettepicking

Caught off Stuart 30 feet of water. Two 7 pounders and one 4 pounder. 17 bugs in total.

Click here for full forum report

Homestead Mutton’s and More

Florida Sportsman Member: Rootbeer

Went out with our friends over to Matheson for a change… Usually we have been launching out of homestead but to save some money we decided to go to Matheson since its about 15 minute drive from our house. There was cops road blocking old cutler that held us for 1 hour before they let us [...]

Click here for full forum report

The new WX Gravity sunglasses are the latest edition to Wiley X’s Climate Control Series.

Fresh and saltwater fishermen have a new sunglass option–the WX Gravity from Wiley X. These shades won’t help you cast farther or trick a big seatrout into biting, but it will help you read the water more effectively, spot fish and bait orienting to underwater structure, and keep eyes safe and comfortable from dawn to dusk. It’s one of the few sport performance sunglass models in the world certified to meet U.S. Military Specifications for combat protective eyewear.

The WX Gravity is the newest addition to Wiley X’s Climate Control Series, featuring a patented removable soft foam Facial Cavity Seal that blocks out peripheral light along with dust, wind and airborne debris. This unique feature is especially useful for boaters and fishermen, preventing the glasses from flying off during high speed runs and boosting polarization for sight fishing capability. This climate-controlled environment — together with Wiley X’s advanced Polarized Blue Mirror over Green Tint lenses — gives anglers and boaters enhanced visual clarity and unique ability to see fish and bottom contour. Wiley X’s exclusive Filter 8 polarized lens technology utilizes eight layer construction to eliminate glare off the water and other light colored surfaces, improving both eye comfort and sharpness of vision.

Rubberized temple pieces and a frame ideally sized for medium to large head sizes ensure a comfortable secure fit, even during hot fishing action or a bumpy ride across the bay. The WX Gravity’s stylish wraparound Black Crystal frame is also great for wearing to and from the water, or during any outdoor activity.

In addition to eye comfort and clear vision, the new WX Gravity provides anglers with the state-of-the-art protection Wiley X is known for. Wiley X is the only premium performance sunglasses brand whose entire line meets the stringent ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Safety standards. This distinction means that the new WX Gravity is built to withstand the numerous dangers present when fishing and boating, from flying insects to low-hanging limbs to errant backcasts.

Florida Sportsman member: BCSAILS

As a “Florida Sportsman” sometimes you need to prolong your season so a trip out of state is required. This was our third year going to Nebraska to chase big Eastern Gobbler’s. My brother, his two sons and I hunted west and south of Lincoln on public WMA’s and private farms. We stayed at my nephews friends little hunting “shack” as you can see and had to rough it [...]

Click here to read the full forum report.

Missouri Hunt

Florida Sportsman member: flydown

Well, my good string of bad luck continues, as I went birdless for 2012, but I won’t complain too much after getting 6 days of great hunting weather, while chasing turkeys in my favorite part of the country.

Pictured are a few of the birds taken, as well as a 174″ gross buck shot in Iowa last fall, by a friend.

Click here to read the full forum report.

A Great Bird

Florida Sportsman member: trotsky

Headed up to my buddies lease for some fun on the last weekend. The plan was to do some calling for 1 of my buddies since I had already limited out. Well the boys stayed up to late, and enjoyed themselves a tad to much. When I got out of bed it was already light, and over cast with rain threatening. My friend who was supposed to go was sawing logs so well I opted out, and took my other buddy. I was not real optimistic. Since I killed my bird on opening weekend at his place the birds had been scare I think mainly do to a dog problem [...]

Click here to read the full forum report.

Bird Down! Bird Down!

Florida Sportsman member: relicshunter

My first Osceola turkey, a 12 lb, 9in bearded, 3/4&7/8 in. spurred turkey. I have been pursuing the elusive wild turkey for two seasons now, and today it finally work out. I have had many sits with Jay calling and toms responding but just could not bring them into the decoys or gun range. Some of my closer calls were ended by someone else’s gun shot. This season started out promising, I saw lots of birds just could not get them in range. I was hunting a local WMA with 30-40 other hunters and they were just too stirred up. This place has too many roads and drive by callers [...]

Click here to read the full forum report.

“Hog of my Dreams”

Florida Sportsman member: harbison

One of my all time favorite sports is the challenge of hog hunting. The wild hog, recognized as one of the smartest animals in the woods, is also a gourmet’s delight. No wonder hogs are one of the most sought after animals in the woods. Florida is a tropical paradise. A paradise offering some of the most exciting hunting this great country has to offer. At the top of the list is the big bad Florida wild boar. The Florida wild boar, a cunning, dangerous, adversary, the beast with an attitude, all bad. Who could ask for anything more? [...]

Click here to read the full forum report.

Big Central Florida Buck

Florida Sportsman member: catchusifyoucan

Great shot of a big buck taken in Central Florida. “Finally killed him,” he reported. “I have 15 pictures of him on game camera since bow season. He finally made a mistake. 106 5/8 gross score and 104 3/8. Another Florida Registry buck.”

See the thread here.

Snookin’ the St. Lucie

Florida Sportsman member: snookcook

Hey everyone, That was a great tournament, I can’t wait to do it again next year. Although I did not fish the tournament, I got to be one of the guys checking in the fish at the weigh in. If was fun mainly because I was just as anxious to see who was taking the leader board, as I was trying to load the pics on the computer. Some really nice fish where caught [...]

Click here for full forum report.

A Full Day of Fishing

Florida Sportsman member: Joupdog1

We launch from Jensen Beach Causeway about 6:15 a.m. and head over to some dock lights before the sun rises. No luck on them but we keep working the docks through sunrise and I’m hooked up and the fish is stripping drag. I try to stop it but it gets around the dock and breaks me off after a minute or so. About 15 minutes later, dad has a snook pop his lure right beside the boat, but miss it. We go back to fish the line again and I pick up a couple of 6 to 8 pound jacks, which are always a blast [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Recently Released

Florida Sportsman member: Converted_UWF

After a week of fixing a few things we took her out for a maiden voyage this afternoon after church. Boat ran great. My friend’s son broke it in nicely and landed his first snook. It was a keeper at 31.5″ North Fork of the St. Lucie on a soft plastic jerk bait.

Click here for full forum report.

Goliaths, Reds, Snook and More

Florida Sportsman member: capt_toddtt

Hello forum friends, I have a two reports rolled into one for you. A few days ago we ventured out to try out my new Okuma Makaira 50WII reel. I had it rigged and ready for some heavyweight prize fighting and we quickly found it with several Goliaths. Big Goliaths. I did a lot of research before deciding to invest in this reel and I must say I’m glad I got it. In low gear this reel is nothing short of a winch and with 85 Lbs. of drag on tap you’d better know how to back it off quickly or plan on going swimming – or water skiing. This thing is AWESOME! [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Red Tide!

Florida Sportsman member: mr.redfish79

Met CaptNoBait along with his coworker Jim at the ramp at 5:30 for some inlet red/snook fishing. After three throws of the net we had enough bait to last for the day with plenty extras as well. Bumped into Capt Charlie on our way into the turning basin, and gave him three scoops of bait since I knew we had more than enough to spare. We milled around in the basin and just south of south bridge looking for some snook or whatever while we waited on the tide to get right. Jim and I both pulled the hook on two snook while CNB managed a @7lb crevalle. Finally the tide was good so we slid out to the inlet to start drifting.

Click here for full forum report.

Pompanotastic Day!

Florida Sportsman member: snook87

Few friends wanted to go out fishing for a little while today and I couldn’t resist with picture perfect weather (a little too breezy for me). We launched off around 3 to 4 in the afternoon at Sandsprit Park and head straight over to the flats and using cut bait tried to get some snappers but we were getting a few very tiny lanes so we moved on. Hit the docks and still some small snappers, none worth keeping. We all figured we would head over to some of my good docks in Sewall’s Point and try and scoop up a red or two but on the way over I figured I’d give it a shot at some pompano [...]

Click here for full forum report.

More Wading…More Fish!

Florida Sportsman member: Joupdog1

The bite had been good, so we figured why not fish some more! Rodney was already out there so we joined him at about 5:15pm. Walked down a ways so we were casting with the stiff 15mph south wind then began to fish. Really really low tide! I was a good 100 yards out from shore and the water was just over knee deep. We work down, catch some jacks and ladyfish then Rodney is slammed. Mid 20 inch snook, but the line down its side is broken! Really cool to see that [...]

Click here for full forum report.

GOLIATH!

Florida Sportsman member: capt_toddtt

We have spent a ton of time in the Fort Pierce Inlet lately fishing for a variety of species using a variety of techniques. Occasionally we get hooked into something very powerful and after a short fight it’s gone. Pretty sure we were dealing with Goliath Grouper so we decided to gear up and drag one of these mystery bites to the surface. As you can see we were correct in our assumption. Bait was live Ladyfish [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Snook Spring Fever

Florida Sportsman member: phlats

March madness has arrived and the fishing has followed suite, spring fishing offers great action for a variety of species. Anglers should expect spectacular fishing the next few weeks as many should be gearing up for the up coming mullet run. Snook action is superior along sea walls, docks, sand and grass flats. Early morning snook are active taking heddon spooks walked slowly near structure. As the sun rises jigs and live baits take precedence. Anglers are having great success jigging the bottom enticing snook to feed. Green colors have been the go to, 1/8 jig heads allow anglers to work baits, feeling every move and strike [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Full Inshore Report

Florida Sportsman member: zar2754

Just returned from 8 days in stuart fla, unfortunately the wind blew 20-30knts every day we were there untill the day we departed (big suprise). We fished 5 days, and caught a variery of species encluding but not limited to Snook, Sheepshead, Jack Cravale, Mangrove/Grey Snapper, Southern Kingfish, Spanish Mackeral, Gag Grouper, Fluke, Bluefish, Lady Fish, and Speckle Sea Trout to name a few [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Down at the Boardwalk

Florida Sportsman member: snookcook

I could not stand it. I can see the Roosevelt bridge from where I am. The wind has died down & my tide clock says High Tide. I need to get to bed butttttt, the water is about to start flowing so, I grabbed my rod and walked down the boardwalk to the bridge. When I got down there I found my buddy fishing a point with his mirror lure. He got a couple lady fish but nothing else, after shootin’ the breeze for a bit, we got to talking about the bite [...]

Click here for full forum report.

St. Lucie Inshore

Florida Sportsman member: snookcook

I fished all last week in the St. Lucie River, was too busy to report but fish everyday some days twice everyday the same action. Snook, trout, snapper, jacks, bluefish, moonfish, ladyfish, mostly threw live mullet up on seawall and shrimp under the bridge. Went threw lots of dozens of mullet. Tons of jack and snook in the St. Lucie. Also tons of Trout. Went out one night with the fly rod and got a bunch of trout and snook [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Ft. Pierce Inshore Mixed Bag

Florida Sportsman member: SLW UroCane

Cut out of the office today. Fished solo (kids in school and wife at tennis). Had 4 dozen shrimp and headed up to Queen’s Cove area. Catch and release about dozen trout (throw in the occasional jack, ladyfish, pufferfish). Decided to troll YoZuri blue plugs from Harbour Branch down past South Bridge. Landed a bunch of bluefish and macks (also several lizard fish, ? can you eat them ?). Also had a nice pull (thought I [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Stuart Night Snookin’

Florida Sportsman member: snook87

Just got in from a great snook bite at the bridges in Stuart. I took Jeremy (snookcook) and a friend of mine Austin out to the bridge for some evening fun. First couple casts I got a few hits and I hooked up on one that was stripping line when I fully locked drag on my Penn Battle 5000, got this baby up to the piling and called for the net, soon as someone grabbed the net this snook pushing 40+ inches decided not to go in the net and headed right to the fender and broke me off. The second one got to the bridge probably pushing 35-40inches gave one kick before the net and popped my 30lb braid like it was nothing [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Taylor County Spring Fishing

Florida Sportsman member: reel cowboy

Here are a few pics from some recent trips to Taylor County. Most of these fish were caught out of Fenholloway but long runs between points, bars & creeks. Mostly my tournament partner but a couple of me as well [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Some Trout and a Cobia Conquest

Florida Sportsman member: IAM

I’ve been fishing quite a bit since it warmed up, but wasn’t too much thinking about cobia until 2 weeks ago. We were working the bars at the mouth of St. Marks and having luck here and there on redfish, trout and flounder that were unlucky enough to smell the fish blood stains on my skiff (it’s like collateral chumming), but never really keyed in on the fish in my opinion. We got some trout and had some fun over the numerous trips in March and April, and Bruddy fell in the water. The trout are around the bars and nearshore, pinfish are on the flats in 4 to 8 feet. In about 20 feet, things were pretty quiet most trips except for the hoards of millions of bait that seemed ever-present and hungry [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Econfina/Aucilla River

Florida Sportsman member: Jolly Man

My dad and uncle and some friends camped down at the Econfina State Park to make some memories. Uncle Butch and I met down there a little after lunch and set up camp. After setting up tent and screen room we decided to go out…wind was calm and we were met by bites on every cast soon to find out the bottom is littered with baby rock bass. Ended up catching one keeper trout. My buddy and his kids were out there and had been since 10 am they had four when we went to fish shoreline in hopes of reds with no luck. We decided to head in at 6 pm to meet with dad. Only to learn dismayed that my buddy stayed where we drifting and put 9 more keeper trout in the boat.

Click here for full forum report.

Ecofina Reds and Trout

Florida Sportsman member: charlie tuna

Put in around 9:00 AM – tide dead low — ran North and fished in 3 to 4 foot of water that had a lot of bait pods. First fish was a good size mack, but as i didn’t have my net ready he ended turning at the side of the boat and cut me off and swam away with a brand new $12.00 lure .. Fishing was red hot, lots of ladyfish, lower slot trout, couple of bluefish, kept one 22 inch trout. Moved inside to fish the river mouths as the tide was on the increase. Caught eight reds, one 24 and one 22 inch which i kept.

Click here for full forum report.

Lanark Inshore Report

Florida Sportsman member: flat sick

I love the spring every time you go on the water you never know what your going to find. We have been fishing grass flats from 2′ to 5′. Speckled trout have been busting top water plugs and jerk shads. There are a few spanish showing up and a lot of bait on the flats. Live shrimp on the reds and flounder has been the ticket the weather and the fishing has been outstanding [...]

Click here for full forum report.

St. Teresa Inshore

Florida Sportsman member: flat sick

First off, hi everybody, I’m new to the forum. Enough about me me lets talk fishing. The weather the last couple of weeks has made it a little challenging. I’ve been catching some nice speckled trout in the creek mouths in the crooked and new river. Top-water plugs are my favorite mirror lure or what ever you got as long as it looks like a wounded mullet fishing em’ slow. On the flats we have been fishing for big red drum there’s some big schools out there sight fish in 1 to 2′ fish points, potholes, look for mullet
and rock grass fish DOA shrimp or gulp. Trout and flounder are also being caught on the flats with some blue fish and spanish starting to show up [...]

Click here for full forum report.

A St. Marks Winter

Florida Sportsman member: IAM

Hey yall’, I don’t know if you’ve been thinking fishing lately like I have, but this warm weather is really sticking around. Most trips, the warm outer clothes had to stay on most of the day, but we were blessed with a few calm days where conditions allowed for me to turn the skiff loose in the gulf [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Spring Warrior

Florida Sportsman member: beer thirty

Pony Keg had to stay behind to work on a school project and was not happy about it. That left me and Big D to thin out the fish population. This is my favorite time of the year to fish for many reasons. No bugs, no sweating, and no crowded ramps to name a few. We did not set any records, but did catch a few good fish and had a great time floating around on the flats. I will be back before the first hard freeze hits [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Mosquito Lagoon Gator!

Florida Sportsman member: Flathappy

It was a very windy day but I managed to sight cast, land and release this very healthy 33 inch gator trout. This is my personal best!

Click here for full forum report.

IRL Report

Florida Sportsman member: Skinnywtrfdman

This week I had great days on the water. Got to enjoy great fishing with good friends. Got my biggest trout on top water, got some black drum, and my buddy got an oversized red. SkinnywtrfdmanWe have used top water early I the morning and soft plastic the rest of the day. Oh’ yeah except the black drum would only take shrimp. I guess I need to invest in a fly rod. I’m thinking that may work better when the fish are spooky.

Click here for full forum report.

Indian River Reds and Trout, O Myyyy.

Florida Sportsman member: Panfishangler1

Put in to the ol’ Haulover Canal with light winds and glassy conditions at 8:30 a.m. Proceeded to travel West. Onto a (THE) flat 3 miles later and sighted very little surface action. We only had jerk baits, DOA’s, and a cast net for live bait. Fingering mullet were extremely HARD to find; everything was all grown up…BTW did you see that Publix now has mullet fillets in the seafood department under the glass? [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Epic Mosquito Lagoon Fishing

Florida Sportsman member: Cavanaugh68

All I can say is wow! Just wow! It just keeps getting better and better as time is going by here in central Florida. It is starting to look more and more for all of us here on the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River that this year is going to be epic. The weather has just been perfect along Florida’s beaches and along with this it has brought some of the best sight fishing I have seen in a few years now. The New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Scottsmoor and Titusville areas are the epicenter for some of the greatest fishing on the backcountry grass flats there is.

Click here for full forum report.

A Lil’ Night Action

Florida Sportsman member: Hejzabayboatworks

I was at work Thursday when my lady friend texted me saying “I miss you we need to fish!” and she talked me into it. I checked the winds and tides and once I had seen low tide at 6ish I was eager for the port. So once 4:30 came I went straight to my house and hooked up the boat. We decided it was time to see if snook found there way to the port yet. I got to her house around 5:45 in Cape Canaveral and we were off. I decided before nightfall hit I’d try the beach and jetty to no avail [...]

Click here for full forum report.

36 Hours of Florida Fishing

Florida Sportsman member: jmsnookman

My half bro Alex and his buddy Jeff flew in late Thursday night for a Florida fishing adventure. Plan was to fish for dolphin on Friday on my 24′ Pathfinder, go inshore Saturday, and fish Sebastian inlet Saturday night. Wind forecast for Friday had me and my ruptured C5-C6 disc worried, so my brother John and our buddy Gray stepped it up and set up a charter on the Incentive with Bruce Alcott. I’ve bottomed fished with Bruce before and he is the man!

Click here for full forum report.

Jack’s Report

Florida Sportsman member: Panfishangler1

Such a gorgeous day! Now the plan was to get lucky, find the redfish was the goal. Well I might have hooked one and lost it but chances are it was a trout, because THE Trouts back on the menu for the 4th straight week in the lagoonic waters off the space coast. All those underslot trout I caught last year must have grown up because they are big now! and super fun to catch [...]

Click here for full forum report.

IRL Report

Florida Sportsman member: Skinnywtrfdman

Well after working at the FD 72 hours straight, I was able to get out on the water today. Got off to a late start around 8 a.m. Got on a school of big fish right off the bat. Lost one and then landed one. Once the wind picked up they stopped showing themselves. I don’t like to pressure them so instead of sticking around we left. We spent the rest of our day on this one flat [...]

Click here for full forum report.

ML Morning Reds

Florida Sportsman member: jumboshrimp

I am on spring break as of yesterday so I was very excited to fish nonstop but the weather is starting off nice and crappy. It looks like this weekend will be terrible but luckily I was able to get out today. The bite was very hot, and very early. The wind was dead calm first thing and kicked up a little bit by around 11:00 but by then I was already working my way back to the launch. Lots of redfish schools prowling the flats and tails were everywhere [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Mimms Area Fishing

Florida Sportsman member: shouldabeenworkin

Took the morning off and drove over to Mimms for few hours of fishing before going into work. I live in Mount Dora so it’s a hour and 40 minute trip one way for a few hours on the water, never mind the gas cost. Sometimes you just gotta go.
The wind was maybe 5 or 6 straight up the river from the south. Not too much of a problem in a kayak…if you don’t forget your anchor. I decided to paddle south down to the railroad tressle and drift back while looking for fish, hopefully some tailers. Drift back I did!! [...]

Click here for full forum report.

The Lagoon

Florida Sportsman member: jumboshrimp

Today was kind of like summer (only not 100 degrees) the water level was up and it was calm in the morning, caught a trout before sunrise and then it rained in the afternoon. Anyway, fished middle lagoon with fairly good success caught a trout and a few reds really early. The water was up by a noticeable amount and very very clear, just beautiful. Fish were tailing and I got several great shots at singles, small groups and one school [...]

Click here for full forum report.

New Smyrna Beach/Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report

Florida Sportsman member: Cavanaugh68

Well now that we are into the New Year of 2012 here in east central Florida and great weather is amongst us the flats fishing of the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River has taken of tremendously here in the New Smyrna Beach, Titusville and Oak Hill areas of central Florida. Sight fishing the backcountry flats of the national park and refuge has begun to improve quite a bit, with water clarity getting into the optimal range it should be for this time of year and just outstanding days to fish in [...]

Click here for full forum report.

Christmas Redfish

Florida Sportsman Member: capt mike mann

Fishing has been great with sight casting for tailing reds and black drum and the upper creeks have been great for a mixed bag of reds, trout, flounder and black drum . The weather forecast for next few days is light winds and sunny skies which equal some top of the line sight casting for schooling reds and tailing reds and black drum this could be the best week of fishing in last couple of weeks . Get out on the water and catch some fish while the girls or guys are out shopping and the weather is great. Merry Christmas.

Click here for full forum report.