I admit it. I’m the type who likes to fiddle. Regardless of species or technique, I’m always experimenting with tackle and always trying to perfect my
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I’m trailering my boat to Key West in preparation of a Dry Tortugas trip and want to make sure I abide by all of the species and gear regulations. How
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Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) fishing is the fastest growing sector within the marine industry and its rise to the top can be attributed to the growing t
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There is a reason spearos are drawn to the sea. There is something deeply ingrained in our psyche and DNA to hunt wild game and experience the thrill
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The Gulf of Mexico may not feature lush coral gardens with crystal clear water that’s common in the Atlantic, but from Key West to Naples and beyond t
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Anglers in the Gulf have it pretty tough. Oil spills, red tide, a gradually sloping seafloor and ill-considered fishing regulations make it increasing
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One could argue that advancing technologies are changing recreational sport fishing as we know it, but one thing remains constant and will likely neve
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From coastal shallows to expansive blue water, treasured habitats and ecosystems around the world are under attack and threatened by a host of complex
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Mullet may appear apathetic as they lethargically meander along the water’s surface of inshore estuaries and canals, but rigged properly and these ent
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I’ll admit that although I’m still a whippersnapper by some standards, I’m growing old of being young and reckless. At one time I was passionate and a
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In 2003 I wrote an article for New Zealand Fishing News titled Tag or Bag. The article focused on when it is acceptable to boat billfish, but today th
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The successful pursuit of blue water predators requires a fine understanding of numerous factors. When combined, these ingredients hopefully formulate
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Roaming tropical seas worldwide, dolphinfish represent the epitome of blue water sport fishing and alone drive tens of millions of dollars in tourism
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Throwing a cast net is a necessary fundamental that many anglers learn as they climb the ranks of sport fishing. Those who perfect the tactic often ad
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Anglers know quite well that every trip doesn’t produce. There are always unforeseen circumstances and unexpected misadventures, interspersed with epi
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Come mid-March, anglers along the Panhandle have one thing on their minds—intercepting migrating cobia as they move westward along the crystal clear w
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If you fish a spinning reel with thin diameter braided fishing line, you will eventually have to deal with a wind knot, although wind isn’t always to
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The life of a tiny baitfish is a difficult one, with nearly every predator that swims willing and capable of capitalizing on the easy meal. Small stat
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Although consistently finding and fooling brilliant game fish is enjoyable in its own right, another reward comes at the end of the day when you final
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It was the first drop of a long anticipated day and our baited hooks were plummeting to the darkest depths where the most extreme predators have evolv
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Before I start raving about the do’s and don’ts for slaying stellar snapper, I’d like to personally thank the 35 anglers who joined Florida Sport Fish
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Kite fishing is a proven technique that can be utilized by anglers fishing from all types of vessels. While the approach requires specialized tackle,
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If you’ve never been skunked, shutout or whatever you call it, then you simply haven’t spent enough time on the water. Regardless if it’s inshore, on
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Although you can certainly blackout your livewell with a cast net, multiple hook quill rigs—often called sabiki rigs—acquire live bait in a more delic
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I routinely fish with a light or medium action spinning outfit and have an issue with consistent casting accuracy. Sometimes my lure hooks to the left
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The life many South Florida anglers live is a vicious circle complimented with a semi-unhealthy addiction to chasing migrating game fish. Summer month
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Circle-hooks aren’t new by any means, but offshore anglers who troll for pelagic game fish have been the slowest group to embrace the shape. No matter
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Throughout every venue across the state the tide is an extremely important factor that has an incredible influence on your overall angling success. As
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With a majority of anglers locked in the grips of another winter, tropical sportsmen in the Florida Keys live the good life celebrating Christmas in t
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Some anglers are simply destined for failure. It is a sad reality, and a harsh one at that. You see, fishing fundamentals cannot be overlooked no matt
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While many locals and transients call South Florida home due to the temperate conditions and lack of distinct seasons, there are parts of the state th
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With populations of game fish collapsing worldwide and the demand for fresh seafood showing no signs of diminishing, major change is needed or the wor
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Inshore and off, maximum visibility with a clear view of your surroundings is absolutely essential for safe navigation and successful fishing. We all
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What awaits you on the other side is a tropical Mecca where angling dreams really come true. If it’s blue marlin you’re after, West End is the place.
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As summer turns to fall and prevailing sea breezes veer from southeast to northeast, an influx of southbound game fish seeking warmer water will inund
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While the secret is out and many have cracked the code, South Florida’s daytime swordfishery continues to produce incredible results. And although the
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Amy stopped and turned her head slightly, listening. “Hear that?” We were drifting along in 15 feet of water, casting for mackerel. Sure enough, the f
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Today’s complex fishing machines have advanced so far that they really do provide tournament competitors an unfair advantage. Many high-tech center co
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Listed on the periodic table of elements as Ti, Titanium is extracted from principal mineral ores and features 22 protons in the nucleus of a single a
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With stringent regulations making it increasingly difficult to put together a solid catch and the blistering summer sun practically begging anglers to
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Now that the blazing summer season is upon us, coastal waters are typically as calm as they are going to get with smooth seas and variable winds the n
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It’s safe to say that metal jigs have been in existence for longer than most of us have been fishing. As a matter of fact, the good ole’ 4 oz. diamond
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Over the years I’ve had the good fortune of traveling to some of the most critically acclaimed angling destinations in the entire world. While I’ve ex
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Mangrove snapper…gray snapper…black snapper…grovers…mangos…we don’t care what you call them. From the moment these fierce fish enter the aquatic
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In the heat of the battle anglers put serious strain on their tackle. Yet when it comes to failure, your rod and reel likely aren’t the main source of
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Spanning a distance of approximately 600,000 square miles, the expansive Gulf of Mexico is one of the most diverse and critically acclaimed bodies of
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Around the state, anglers both inshore and offshore employ widely diverse chumming techniques in the hopes of attracting inquisitive predators. Whethe
Read MoreThe explosion of BP’s Deepwater Horizon on April 20, 2010 resulted in an estimated 200 million gallons of crude oil polluting the Gulf of Mexico. Whil
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The offshore pursuit of pelagic game fish is becoming more expensive with each passing summer. With an uncertain economy and the price of fuel climbin
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One of the most inviting aspects of sport fishing is that it can be enjoyed on so many levels. Fishing is fishing and no matter what vessel you utiliz
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Things sure have changed since my father, Captain Paul Nelson II, started charter fishing out of Ponce Inlet more than 50 years ago. In those days the
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Inshore anglers have been capitalizing on the benefits of natural and artificial bait enhancements like scented gels, oils and sprays for many years.
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Fast growing, short-lived predators that inhabit most of the world’s tropical seas, dolphin are gluttonous carnivores that at times feed with no remor
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As we left South Florida in our 40-knot wake I couldn’t help but smile, as I knew today had the potential to be one of those days. Like so many times
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By now you are probably well aware that ballyhoo are the most effective and versatile natural offshore offerings. You are probably also aware that the
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The effectiveness of targeting pelagic game fish with live offerings has been discussed at great lengths time and again, although there’s a whole lot
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In addition to field reporters and staffed editors, magazines rely heavily on freelance writers to deliver fresh and interesting content. Whether you
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Aggressive and opportunistic, cobia are some of the ocean’s most formidable predators. Highly prized targets found roaming coastal waters around the e
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If you’ve spent enough time on the water then you are well aware of the fact that flats fishing is forever interlocked with the wind. A part of life w
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It should come as no surprise that sharp hooks and strong knots are key components to successful days on the water. One of many knots used to attach h
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Let me first start by saying that this is a true story about the exploitation of a precious commodity in the idyllic island chain of The Bahamas. Whil
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The weekend following Thanksgiving you’ll find Florida Sport Fishing aboard a legendary east coast party boat—Yankee Capts. We sponsor an annual 3-day
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Having lived along the coast of South Florida my entire life, it amazes me how I still get excited when sailfish begin to invade area waters. Every ti
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Mention red snapper, and perhaps no species across the Southeast evokes as much emotion. The reason this particular reef dweller is surrounded by cont
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Dedicated anglers have been fooling wahoo in The Bahamas for a few months now, but don’t lose hope if you haven’t been able to make the crossing. The
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I recently asked myself exactly what it is that separates those who enjoy headboat fishing from those who really excel at it. The numbers don’t lie, a
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Foul smelling, slimy, relatively durable and highly effective, squid are favored forage for almost every fish that swims in saltwater. While there are
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According to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, daily bag limits for recreational anglers fishing state waters are set for a 24-hour period
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On many occasions, anglers heading out on any of Florida’s well-equipped drift boats get stuck in a rut targeting coveted game fish while failing to r
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Offshore anglers understand the importance of healthy live baits and often times make incredible sacrifices to acquire and care for them. Although liv
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Florida’s billfish frenzy is once again in full-force and with the procession of winter cold fronts and coinciding baitfish migrations, anglers of all
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When the topic of reef fishing is brought up in conversation most anglers immediately think of bouncing sinkers in 100 feet or more. While large preda
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Often times anxious anglers frustrate matters and make their time on the water more complicated than it needs to be. Instead, make your angling advent
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Known for its stunning white sand beaches and incredible fishing opportunities, Destin is a diamond in the rough along Florida’s Emerald Coast. While
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Successful offshore anglers have been reaping the rewards from dredge teasers for years. If you’re not already pulling these flashy enticements you’re
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it should come as no surprise that state and federal regulations in the Gulf of Mexico require all recreationa
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With conservation more important than ever, the International Game Fish Association is proud to introduce a new category of world records that require
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Sport or savage, spearfishing is a proven technique that has been around since the beginning of time. Prehistoric cave drawings depict speared fish an
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With the growing popularity of kayak fishing, an increasing number of open-minded anglers are pushing the envelope by putting themselves in situations
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First off, if you don’t enjoy lengthy boat rides, move on. Fishing the edge of the shelf hours west of St. Petersburg requires big boats, taxing fuel
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Successful yellowtail fishing is not as easy as everyone makes it seem. Sure, any boater can drop anchor over just about any reef or wreck around the
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Broadbill swordfish are extraordinary game fish aided by specially adapted heat exchange organs able to increase the temperature of their brain and ey
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King mackerel are coastal pelagic game fish that excite near-shore anglers statewide. To target and catch these voracious predators with any level of
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Native Son’s Captain Art Sapp is leading the way among South Florida’s most successful tournament competitors. Florida Sport Fishing was granted a pri
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Although dolphin aren’t the smartest fish in the ocean, at times they can be quite challenging to fool. And while we’ve been catching these great tast
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There’s no arguing the fact that dedicated anglers are a quirky bunch. Willingly committing acts the general population would consider foolish and goi
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By now I’m sure you’re fully aware moon phase plays a huge role in favor of and against saltwater anglers. But is the story the same for our landlocke
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Florida’s winter season means sailfish—and lots of them. Prime location along their natural migration route is part of the reason for such a high dens
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As any gambler knows, the odds are always in favor of the house. However, when you are trying your luck on the reefs and wrecks dotting the northern G
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It’s going to be here before you know it—Closed Season. The National Marine Fisheries Service shallow water grouper closure once again takes effect Ja
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If you’re an offshore angler looking to enhance your presence throughout the water column then you should become familiar with downriggers. Although t
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It’s an undisputable fact that the waters surrounding the state of Florida provide some of the greatest fishing and diving opportunities in the entire
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Of all the great game fish roaming our seas, few are as highly prized as the shortfin mako shark. Fearless, makos are arguably the fastest pelagic pre
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