Boating Tips Archives - Page 6 of 7

8 Tips for Boating with Your Pups

10/06/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

8 Tips for Boating with Your PupsYour dogs are like family, which is why it’s always fun to take them along for a joyride on the water every once in awhile!However, boating with your pups isn’t always a walk in the park. Here are eight quick tips to ensure that your boat ride is enjoyable for both you and your furry loved ones! Pack a collapsible, travel-friendly bowl that you can fill with fresh water for your pup. You can easily find these in most stores as well as online.While you’re at it, pack your pup’s food, treats and toys to make him feel at peace in a new environment.Take some time before your boat trip to get your pup acquainted with your boat.Make sure there is a shaded area on your boat. If you don’t always have a boat shade installed on your vessel, now’s the time when you’re boating with your pups. Shade keeps them from being dehydrated and...

5 Tips for Boating with Your Kids

08/25/201708/25/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

5 Tips for Boating with Your KidsWith the holiday weekend approaching, it’s one of the best times of the year to go boating with your kids. Though, this is sometimes easier said than done. Save yourself from the stress, and look to these tips to prepare for boating with your kids of all ages!1. Make safety your No. 1 priority.Everyone must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket or personal flotation device, including the tiniest members of your family. The little ones that are under 6 years old must wear their lifejackets at all times when aboard a recreational vessel less than 26 feet long. These are just a few of the Florida regulations for lifejackets. See the full list here to know the various types one must wear if on a Jet Ski or operating the vessel outside of Florida, for example.2. Pack more than enough supplies for your boat ride.When bringing the little ones and the youngsters, there are much...

5 Boating Safety Tips for Summer 2017

08/04/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

5 Boating Safety Tips for Summer 2017With summer still in its prime, it never hurts to brush up on boating safety! Keep these boating safety tips in mind as you're enjoying your fun in the sun in summer 2017.1. Be watchful of the weather.Before you head out on the boat, always make sure to check the weather forecast. From the TV and radio forecasts to nifty phone apps, like Weather Underground and DarkSky, there is a plethora of ways to obtain an accurate forecast to ensure boating safety. Of course, if you find yourself seeing dark clouds or in roughening winds, it's best to head home. 2. Make sure you have proper safety equipment prior to departure.Your boat should be equipped with one Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each passenger. In addition, you'll want to have additional throwable flotation devices such as rings and cushions. Lastly, make sure to demonstrate where the devices and life jackets are located as well as the proper way...

Top 5 Boating Destinations Near Palmetto, FL

03/24/201703/24/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Top 5 Boating Destinations Near Palmetto, FLHey boaters! There’s always a new, beautiful place to discover when boating in our Florida waters. From the lovely Shell Key in Tampa Bay to the rich culture found at our own Bradenton Beach, venture to one of these boating destinations near Palmetto, FL, and you will be in for an exciting afternoon!Bradenton BeachSpend some time in the sun on the gorgeous beaches of Bradenton on Anna Maria Island. First, set up your chairs for an afternoon of sunbathing and a peaceful beachside picnic. Once you’ve had your time in the sun, there is much to see and do in town. Visit specialty shops and galleries or embrace nature on a kayak paddleboard!Tampa BayIf you’re looking for fine dining experiences, Tampa Bay is one of the boating destinations near Palmetto, FL that you will not want to miss. In addition to the exquisite dining experiences, there are hidden gems that are only accessible by boat. One...

6 Tips for New Boat Owners in Bradenton

03/02/201703/10/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

6 Tips for New Boat Owners in BradentonDid you just become a new boat owner in Bradenton? Welcome to the club! New boat owners often have a lot of questions when they make their first boat purchase.Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you enjoy your new boat!1. Put together a boat bag."What's a boat bag," you ask? Basically, a boat bag is what holds all of your boating essentials. Some items you might consider putting in your boat bag are bottles of water, sunglasses, bug spray, a flashlight, sunscreen and towels. Of course, there are other items that may be more or less important to you, and you can tweak this list as you see fit.2. Get a towing membership. While you can hope that you won't need a towing membership, the reality is that you'll need a Plan B if you find yourself in a rut. New boat owners often make the honest mistake of not getting a towing membership. Towing...

6 Easy Tips to Better Outboard Performance

01/26/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

6 Easy Tips to Better Outboard PerformanceWondering what's best for your boat's outboard performance? From taking an inventory of your boat's gear to simply keeping up with its maintenance, here are six easy tips that you can take today to better your outboard performance. Leave your engines alone. While it’s tempting to modify the speed, it’s best to leave the setting to how it was manufactured. Modifying the engine, even by just a couple miles per hour compromises its reliability and voids its warranty as well.Straighten your outboard’s posture. Situate your boat so that its outboard points straight ahead. This allows the thrust to be guided to point up as well, which will increase efficiency and use your fuel more conservatively.Find the prop that works for your performance. The prop will differ very much if you’re racing one day and going on a fishing trip the next day. Try out different props to meet your desired purpose.Jack plates are your friends....

Attention Boaters: Watch Out for Florida Manatees!

11/18/201611/18/2016 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Attention Boaters: Watch Out for Florida Manatees!November is Manatee Awareness Month as Florida manatees begin to migrate to our waters to leave the cooler, winter waters. This week, many manatee protection zones went into effect as they travel south.Manatee numbers are currently flourishing, but this means it’s even more important to look out for them. It’s been reported that there have been 91 manatee fatalities caused from boats this year.In order to survive the winter weather, Florida manatees migrate to our rivers, bays and coastal waters. This is why it is especially important for boaters to keep a watchful eye out for these aquatic mammals when out on the waters this month.Though large in size, adult manatees can actually be difficult to spot. To spot them easier, you can wear polarized sunglasses and look out for traces of their presence, such as “footprints” they leave on the water’s surface.When in manatee protection zones, follow the speed rules in these areas...

Learn About Bonito Fishing in Sarasota

11/11/2016 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Learn About Bonito Fishing in SarasotaDo you know about the bonito fish? Let’s learn about this feisty game fish that you may encounter this winter.The bonito fish is a game fish that is known to frequent the Sarasota area. You may hear these fish referred to as ‘bonita’ or even ‘bonehead.’ Bonito fish, named for their aesthetically pleasing exterior, are speedy and powerful game fish. Their speed and power often causes spools to empty very quickly since they put up quite a fight when you’ve hooked them.Bonito often travel in schools and will remain in our waters much longer after most pelagics have migrated. You’ll find that seabirds easily spot them when an underwater commotion arises while they're feeding on small baitfish.Wondering how to catch them? You’ll be successful with small jigs, spoons and flies, which are often used by sportsmen. Try going to nearshore reefs and catching them by way of bottom fishing; you’ll be surprised when they’re suddenly...

Snook Harvest Season has Began

09/23/201609/23/2016 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Snook Harvest Season has BeganDid you know it’s snook harvest season? The recreational harvest season began statewide on Sept. 1 and will continue through the beginning of December.While there are an abundance of unique fish here in Florida, snook is another reason why the state is known as the “Fishing Capital of the World.”Due to a 2010 cold kill, gulf snook numbers significantly dropped, but now their numbers meet Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or FWC goals. So, anglers, when you do take advantage of snook harvest season, please handle these fish with care and use moderation when harvesting; the FWC is still trying to reach the population numbers before the cold kill.Important Information For Snook Harvest SeasonYou must have a snook permit and a recreational saltwater license (unless the angler is exempt from the license).The daily bag limit is one fish per person.No snagging. Snook can only be harvested with hook and line gear.When harvesting from the Atlantic, the minimum...

5 Seafood Gems to Harvest From Your Palmetto Boat

09/02/2016 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

5 Seafood Gems to Harvest From Your Palmetto BoatBoth a thrill to catch and a delicacy at our tables, fresh seafood is one of life’s greatest pleasures. There are several seafood gems you can harvest very easily. All you need is your Palmetto boat and access to a coast, and you have that right here in beautiful Palmetto!Here are 5 seafood gems to harvest from your boat:LobstersWhile lobsters love to hide, you can spot them if you know what to look for—just keep your eyes peeled for their long antennae!Keep in mind that each lobster must have a minimum 3-inch-long carapace, which verifies they’ve reproduced for at least one season. Make sure to check the lobster’s underbelly for a bright orange sac; this means the lobster is pregnant and off limits.Once you catch a legal lobster, preserve it on ice or in a livewell. Fresh water will drown them.Harvest Time: A mini season on the final consecutive Wednesday and Thursday...