With countless natural and artificial offerings available to Florida anglers, and numerous different baits effective for various species across a wide array of venues, we wanted to take a closer look at the options and share the benefits of each offering in a head-to-head competition. As Bait Wars progresses, readers may be surprised to learn there are scenarios when an ar... Read More
Along the inshore estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico there are numerous venues that harbor healthy populations of seatrout, redfish, tarpon, snook and more. Across all of these bait-rich bodies of water soft plastic imitations are an absolute staple in every angler’s tackle bag. No sane backcountry guide or weekend warrior would dare leave the dock without an assortment of ... Read More
If you’re a lunker lover looking to turn pro, the last thing you want to hear about is an ultralight spinning reel loaded with hair-thin line. No way will this combination provide the necessary power to haul big bucketmouths out of heavy cover. On the other hand, if you’re a pond or canal junkie looking to increase the challenge and adrenaline rush of catching fish on ... Read More
Pound for pound, heavyweight gag grouper are some of the strongest fighting fish an offshore angler will ever encounter. Few denizens of the deep have brought as many fishermen to their knees or humbled as many experienced sinker bouncers as monster gags determined to make it back to their lairs. I’ve been there and each time I locked up and held on, pushing my tackle to... Read More
Across the state’s varied inshore habitats, trolling motors are critical to successful outings chasing everything from tarpon to redfish. Purists claim a push pole is the only way to explore inshore fisheries, but for their simplicity and ability to move skiffs and bay boats across the shallows with ease and stealth, trolling motors are extremely popular and sometimes co... Read More
Growing up with a dad and mentor that had a severe case of fishing fever was pretty special, but only in recent years has it really set in just how truly blessed I’ve been to fish Louisiana for all of these years. It should have dawned on me much earlier considering the state license plate reads Sportsman’s Paradise.The saltwater fishery that Louisiana has to o... Read More
The latest high performance offshore center consoles are outfitted with impressive baitwell systems capable of housing multiple forage species in hundreds of gallons of seawater. However, as advanced as these livewell and pump systems are, you can really only reap the full rewards if you keep the captives in excellent condition by using proper handling practices.Iâ... Read More
For most anglers it all starts at the local pier. Accessible, available and affordable, Florida’s fishing piers are the breeding grounds for future fishermen as well as the favored go-to spot for anglers in the know who just can’t get enough.Stretching 40 miles across the emerald green waters of the Panhandle and protecting the mainland from storm damage, the b... Read More
With technology advancing at a rapid pace, the face of saltwater fishing will change in a big way. The next generation of recreational sportfishing vessels will not look anything like what you are accustomed to seeing today, nor will the game we all enjoy so much be played the same. With fish populations plummeting worldwide due to unprecedented demand for wild-caught seaf... Read More
Across Florida’s numerous inshore venues, fishing with a popping cork is one of the most fundamental and productive tactics for catching seatrout and redfish, especially around healthy grass beds. Pompano, sheepshead, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack and snook will also attack baits and lures suspended under a popping cork, making this effective presentation a versatile ... Read More
