When prestige and tens of thousands of dollars in prize money are on the line, attention to detail is often what separates winners and losers. Read on and see how professional kingfish anglers make the most of each and every outing. No ‘fluff’ included!

The remnants of last night’s darkness were beginning to blend with the fiery iridescence of the coming day. Easterly winds were howling a steady 15 to 20 knots, and the calm seas on the beach belied the torturous conditions waiting just offshore. A ridge of high pressure that had moved into the area not two days ago was foremost in the minds of every team.

 Get to know the Sunshine State’s most feared predators.

Thanks to promotion and education, more and more anglers are advocating conservation. This, combined with meaningful changes to state and federal rules and regulations affecting size restrictions, possession limits and closed seasons for both inshore and offshore species - are making a positive impact on the many fisheries we enjoy.

Gone are the days of catch and kill. For many conscientious anglers today, success is defined by Catching…Photographing…and Releasing.

Every wonder how or exactly what fish see? Do subtle changes in shades of color really make a difference? Does depth play a role? Read on for a journey unlike no other and determine for yourself if consistent success on the water is really as easy as it appears.

Sport fishing could be considered a black art of sorts with each angling adventure being an experiment of trial and error for the novice and expert alike, acquiring incremental bits of improvement from each blue water campaign or backcountry flats session.

If you’re a redfish fan looking to experience one of the most excited top-water fisheries in the state, you better set aside some time this holiday season to visit Pensacola Pass where you, too, can cash-in on the region’s copper-colored gold.

Over a hundred wild and crazy birds were dive-bombing the huge bait pod below. The aerial assault lasted most of the day while gradually moving up and down the beach. I first noticed the commotion as I came cruising around the east side of Pensacola Pass where the feathered fiends were actively feeding on one of the largest bait pods I had ever seen. As we eased closer, I noticed that the flock of screeching birds weren’t the only one’s feasting on the helpless minnows. As our luck would have it, a massive school of bull redfish were aggressively attacking the baits from below. I conservatively estimated the tightly packed school of copper-colored fish at over 200. Who knows; there could very well have been double or even triple that.  

Since the very origins of angling, Florida’s many bird species have been helping anglers locate their quarry. It’s time we do our part to insure our feathered friends fish happily ever after.

Due to its diverse habitat, temperate and subtropical climates and prime location on migration patterns, Florida is a bird haven. There are approximately 500 documented species in the state including the majestic bald eagle, endangered wood stork, protected snail kite and clumsy brown pelican. And although it may seem like Florida's bird populations are strong, without proper conservation, education and protection, they may soon be in jeopardy.