MAR/APR 2011

Free chum abounds around the state. Learning how and where to take advantage of the fresh morsels will keep you connected. By Frank Sargeant

Nobody likes to carry chum, collect chum, or store chum. While great for fishing, it’s terrible for refrigerators, freezers and relationships. Fortunately, in many areas around Florida you can find fresh enticements that are just waiting to be turned into fish-attracting chum.

When it comes to lush inshore waters, Fort Pierce is clearly holding. With great redfishing to the north and fantastic snook to the south, Fort Pierce is the dividing line for Florida's best flats fishing. But incredible opportunities with snook and redfish aren't all that await shallow water anglers on the sun-drenched, mangrove-tangled shores of the Indian River. In fact, the current IGFA all-tackle world record seatrout of 17-pounds, 7-ounces was caught off the Little Jim Bridge in Fort Pierce.

While similar in appearance, permit and pompano have two very different personalities. Can you tell the difference between the two?

The permit is a highly prized game fish regarded by angling's elite as the most challenging of all fly fishing targets. Fool one on fur and you've achieved one of shallow water fishing's greatest feats. While I admittedly have yet to successfully accomplish this right of passage, I can attest to this gamester's uncanny ability to drive a determined fly fisherman to the point of picking up a spinning outfit.

After another chilly winter, it's finally time to shed the layers and get back to boardshorts and flip-flops. Springtime is the right time here in Tampa Bay; the weather is perfect and the fishing is off the charts!

Tampa Bay is Florida's largest open-water estuary, covering more than 380 square miles. I'm a local guide specializing in light tackle. I have been fishing these waters for my entire life and know for a fact that during the months of March and April the angling possibilities in this vast arena are truly endless.

Have you ever wondered what goes into producing the tackle and accessories we use today? Avid anglers and boaters often take for granted the tremendous effort required to design and manufacture the countless components that enhance our on the water experiences. Skilled craftsmen build many of these essential items right here in Florida. We wanted to learn more about these professionals and more about the products they specialize in, and we're confident that you, too, will be fascinated with what we discover in our ongoing investigation.