Florida Sportsman Watermen - Charlotte Harbor Slam with Chris Wittman

June 06, 2019 By Florida Sportsman Editor

Charlotte Harbor is ground zero for Lake Okeechobee discharges on the West Coast. This amazing fishery has a rich history and is thriving despite major water issues.

Fox Sports Sun

Friday – 8:30 am

Saturday – 6:00 am

Sunday – 8:30 pm

Monday – 8:30 am

Sportsman Channel

Sunday – 8:30 am

Tuesday – 3:30 pm

Wednesday – 6:00 am

Thursday – 5:00 am

Conservation Front

Toxic Threats

Lake discharges present major health risks to those exposed to blue-green algae. Join Zack Jud, Florida Oceanographic Society, and Daniel Andrews, Captains for Clean Water, to learn about the issues.

Bonus Tips

Captain Benny Blanco explains how a shallow water anchor can improve your fishing.

Captain Benny Blanco discusses why he prefers Engel when choosing a cooler.

Recent Videos

Gear

BoatWorks: Dusky Distinctives

Gear

BoatWorks: Dusky Distinctives

Florida Sportsman staff tours the Dusky Boats factory in Dania Beach, Florida. Company president Mike Brown shows how these smooth-riding, dependable boats are built and outfitted to anglers' specifications.

Gear

Reef Roundup

Gear

Reef Roundup

Fuel efficiency and open-water performance of the Mercury 5.7L V10 Verado outboard are put to the test on a rough-seas run to an offshore fishing reef. A triple-engine setup on a step-hull performance bluewater fishing boat from Contender.

Gear

Edge Quest

Gear

Edge Quest

See how a 39-foot center console leaves a clean wake at trolling speeds under the propulsion of the Mercury 5.7L V10 outboard. The engines deliver 150 amps of DC power to keep batteries charged up while powering electronics, amplifiers, pumps and other accessories.

Gear

Bait Stop

Gear

Bait Stop

Get to the bait-catching hotspot quickly, quietly and efficiently with Mercury's 5.7 L V10 Verado outboard. Hold on the spot with Joystick-integrated Skyhook and Drifthook features. Triple installation on the Contender 39 ST.

Gear

Seakeeper Ride Demo

Gear

Seakeeper Ride Demo

Florida Sportsman staff films Seakeeper Ride demonstration at Miami International Boat Show 2025. Featuring Kelsey Barrett.Florida Sportsman staff films Seakeeper Ride demonstration at Miami International Boat Show 2025. Featuring Kelsey Barrett.

Videos

Crescent Kayak's Fly-Weight Rigs & Ultra-Affordable Primo!

Videos

Crescent Kayak's Fly-Weight Rigs & Ultra-Affordable Primo!

Crescent Kayak has built a reputation for some of the most affordable and sweetest paddling rigs on the market, made entirely in the USA. Their three flyweight rigs are the 10'-2” UltraLite at 49 lbs, the new 10'-6” Primo at 60 lbs, and the 11' CK2 at 65 lbs. The recently introduced Primo is also the most affordable boat in the lineup, and at its Hi-Lo adjustable seat, motor-ready mounting plate, and overall paddling sets it apart in the value category. It's not an easy choice deciding which rig is right for your needs. If you weigh more than 190 lbs, you need to focus on the Primo or CK2. If you want a fishing-ready rig right from the jump, the UltraLite or CK2 are more the ticket. If you are a bigger paddler or haul heavier amounts of gear and tackle, the CK2's generous capacity of 400 lbs gets the nod. If you are super-value conscious and want a stability-focused platform, the Primo is your Huckleberry. To learn more about the features lists and color options, visit: crescentkayaks.com

Videos

Newport NK180PRO: Empower YOUR Fishing Utility!

Videos

Newport NK180PRO: Empower YOUR Fishing Utility!

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of water to reach fish, fight upstream against current, need to rig rods while traveling between spots – or just giving your arms and legs a rest throughout the day. Rigging our super-versatile 13-foot Crescent Crew tandem kayak as a solo boat with a Newport NK 180PRO provided incredible optimization to this kayak – and hands free steering while fishing – making a great rig even more effective as an overall fishing platform. The NK180PRO was super easy to install, even on a sealed boat like this Crew. We've included some useful links below, to a couple of our friend's videos that document how to run steering tubes and route the cables for foot-steered power. We also REALLY like the Newport Bluetooth enabled 24V 50AH LiFePO4, because we can always gauge battery life at-a-glance. If you've been thinking about powering your yak and gaining more overall utility and on-water optimization, Newport has a solution for your needs. For big loads and bigger yaks, Newport's NK 300 offers even more power: www.newportvessels.com

Videos

Native Titan X Rigged with Newport NK300 really MOVES

Videos

Native Titan X Rigged with Newport NK300 really MOVES

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen provides a walk-through on his Native Titan X that is rigged with a Newport NK300 and a few critical YakAttack components to make this the ultimate powered fishing kayak. The Newport design works on a number of fishing-kayak platforms that provide a low-profile power source that moves the boats over 4 mph, and even faster, thanks to an easy-to-reach and ergonomically friendly throttle handle. The NK300 runs on a 36-volt Newport lithium battery that's lightweight and easily stows below the deck of the Titan X. When rigged with Native's foot-steer kit, you can drive the kayak handsfree and focus on making the right cast. This kayak-electric motor combination is one sweet fishing rig. To learn more, visit: newportvessels.com and nativewatercraft.com

Videos

Hyper-Versatile K-Craft Paddle & Powerskiff!

Videos

Hyper-Versatile K-Craft Paddle & Powerskiff!

Discover the game-changing versatility of the K-Craft, reviewed by none other than Michael Carney, President and CEO of Outdoor Sportsman Group, for Kayak Fishing Fun!

Videos

Cover Up With Sun-Protective Clothing

Videos

Cover Up With Sun-Protective Clothing

Mustang Survival introduces UPF shirts and hoodies that are cut just right for active kayak fishermen. Enjoy your time in the sunshine while minimizing the risk of UV harm to your skin.

Videos

Inflation We Can Live With! Mustang Convertible PFD

Videos

Inflation We Can Live With! Mustang Convertible PFD

Great solution for kayak anglers looking for a lightweight, wear-it-all-day Personal Flotation Device. Mustang's Convertible A/M PFD offers unique features that make it an easy choice for kayak fishing in comfort and confidence.

Videos

Converting and Re-Arming Mustang Inflatable A/M PFD

Videos

Converting and Re-Arming Mustang Inflatable A/M PFD

Learn how to convert between automatic and manual modes on the Mustang A/M Convertible series PFD. Also see how to re-arm and re-pack the PFD after use or during annual testing.

See All Videos

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Florida Sportsman App

Other Magazines

Guns & Ammo

Hunting

North American Whitetail

Bowhunter

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

Buy A Copy

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

Buy A Copy

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

Buy A Copy

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

Buy A Copy

2023 Hound

Buy A Copy

2023 Hound

Buy A Copy

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

Buy A Copy

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

Buy A Copy

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

Buy A Copy

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

Buy A Copy

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

Buy A Copy

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

Buy A Copy

See All Special Interest Magazines

More You May Be Interested In

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?

Subscribe Now

Florida Friendly Angler Certificate

2024 Kayak Fishing Fun - On Sale Now!

Subscribe & Save.

Florida Sportsman Watermen - Charlotte Harbor Slam with Chris Wittman

Video That May Interest You

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue.Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Other Magazines

Guns & Ammo

Guns & Ammo

Hunting

Hunting

North American Whitetail

North American Whitetail

Bowhunter

Bowhunter

Special Interest Magazines

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Hound

2023 Hound

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

More You May Be Interested In

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get Digital Access.

Not a Subscriber?

Get a Full Yearof Guns & Ammo& Digital Access.

Get the Newsletter

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.