Author: Scott Le Roy

Every winter, anglers and captains get together in Stuart and Fort Pierce to compete in sailfish tournaments. It’s an expensive hobby, as boat owners and anglers have to pay their crew, buy fuel, bait, and tackle, and feed everyone who tags along for the event.  But it’s all worth it, at the end of the day. The adrenaline rush of a great sailfishing day is impossible to beat. Catching sailfish is a thrilling, fast-paced sport. Slow days happen, of course, and they aren’t nearly as fun. But taking a chance on a great day is completely worth the wait.  Upcoming Sailfish Tournaments 1. Fish Heads of Stuart Quickie Sailfish Tournament (Nov 29 - Dec 1) 2. Pirates Cove Resort & Marina Sailfish Classic  (Dec 2 - Dec 5) 3. Stuart Sailfish Club Light Tackle Sailfish Tournament  (Dec 9 - 11) 4. Pelican Yacht Club Invitational Billfish Tournament (Jan 10 - 15) ...

Chad Rissman and his Uncle, Darrin Vick, had been waiting for a bite all day at Dunedin Causeway. Suddenly, the line tightened. As they excitedly reeled in their catch, a bald eagle flew in and claimed the shark as its own. Both men grabbed their phones to record the once-in-a-lifetime moment.   Fortunately, they were able to cut the line and remove the hook from the eagle’s vicinity. If you encounter a situation with a bird that’s hooked, don’t immediately cut the line.  If you do, the bird could end up seriously injured. If the eagle in this incredible story flew away with 15 to 20 feet of fishing line hanging from her beak, she could’ve ended up accidentally hanging herself. Instead, reel, remove, and release. If you don’t feel comfortable removing the hook yourself, contact the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay. If you encounter an injured or tangled bird, call Raptor Center of Tampa Bay at 813-205-1851. ...

On Sunday, Eddie Morgan, owner of Harbor Docks (a marina/seafood restaurant) in Destin, treated 300 local children to Take-a-Kid-Fishing Day, which his father pioneered 27 years ago.  During the trip, the kids filled fifty charter boats and had the chance to go fishing. For some of them, it was their very first time out on the water. The trip is free, provides a fresh fish lunch to every child, and a fishing rod to take home. The chaperones are all local volunteers. Many of them are firefighters and police officers.  Take-a-Kid-Fishing Day is hosted every year or every other year, depending on weather. Morgan invites children through community groups and local media channels. The main focus of this annual trip is to provide an unforgettable experience for kids who might not otherwise have this type of opportunity.  Morgan says he loves asking the children what they think they’ll catch and seeing enthusiasm and excitement light up their faces. His favorite part of the...

The 73rd annual Destin Fishing Rodeo has witnessed an incredible win. Shelby Wagner, first prize winner, caught a 329.2-pound bull shark off the coast of Florida! This is the largest shark weighed in the last twenty years of the annual fishing contest. What makes this catch even more amazing is that Wagner is a first-time contestant. After watching weigh-ins at the contest in October, she and a group of friends decided to give shark hunting a shot.  Wagner is new to saltwater fishing, but Captain Kyle Howard and his wife helped her out. In under an hour, all three worked together to reel the bull shark in. They were astounded by the size and couldn’t believe how large their catch was. ...

Florida anglers are starting to prepare for seasonal bites that will soon be abundant. The fall climate change will add a variety of species into the mix. Because of this, preparing for their arrival is vital to catching success.  Inshore, Future Start thinking about cooler water targets. Popular game fish, speckled trout, pompano, and sheepshead will soon be added to the menu. Lighter rod/reels should be inspected to make sure they’re working properly, and tackle trays will need to be restocked. Offshore, Future King Mackerel will soon be upon us! Typically found around artificial reefs and natural hardbottom areas, the King Mackerel usually weighs between 9 and 30 pounds. If you’re looking to catch some of these bad boys, dust off your 15 to 20 pound spinning outfits and 30 pound conventional setups. In addition, take a full inventory of necessary tackle and equipment. King Mackerel can be caught with a variety of local catching methods.  Inshore, Lately Snook and redfish are having a...

Felipe Prieto, Florida angler and fishing enthusiast, recently caught a butterfly peacock bass weighing 9.11 pounds and was granted a state record! The previous record from 1993 was 9.08 pounds. Peacock bass, which are actually large cichlids, are native to South America. They were deposited in Southeast Florida during the 80s to reduce the number of undesirable exotic fish, such as tilapia. These predatory game fish are cherished by anglers because of their striking colors. Their aggressive temperament and powerful body make peacock bass one of the hardest fish to catch on light tackle. In Florida, peacock bass are mostly found in the warmer waters of Miami and Broward. There has been a slight northward expansion due to mild winters, as well. ...

The First Coast is a fisherman's paradise, with a diverse range of fish species, ideal weather, and a well-developed fishing infrastructure. There are 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline in our state, as well as 10,550 miles of rivers, 7,700 lakes, and innumerable ponds. The First Coast also has numerous choices for offshore saltwater fishing, surf fishing, bridge fishing, river fishing, as well as freshwater ponds and lakes nearby.  Fishing In Jacksonville The Southeast is home to hundreds of freshwater and saltwater fish species. Anglers have practically limitless options for good fishing with the St. Johns River and its tributaries right in our backyard. Largemouth bass and crappie are prominent freshwater species in our area too. Long stretches of shoreline provide excellent surf fishing, with great catches including whiting, redfish, bluefish, and pompano. The Matanzas River, Matanzas Inlet, Washington Oaks, Bings Landing, and Princess Place Preserve are all excellent places to go fishing, and surprisingly often people have caught small sharks, rays, catfish, or...