Fishing – Riviera Dunes Marina

World’s Luckiest Fishing Village

09/30/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Destin, also referred to as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," has the largest commercial fishing fleet in the country, the most types of fish in the local area, and direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Any nautical map will demonstrate that Destin stands out from neighboring ports due to its rapid and simple access to the deepest parts of the Gulf. Since different fish species inhabit different depths, fishermen may easily access all fishable water depths, which contain 20 different species of edible game fish. Snapper fish, such as gray snapper, lane snapper, mutton snapper, and red snapper, are among the most often discovered species. The red snapper is widely sought-after by fishermen because of its vivid scarlet color and greater size. Off the coast of Destin, a massive 46 pounds and 8 ounce red snapper that was the biggest ever taken in Florida was landed. Grouper is yet another fish that is regularly caught with a reel. Similar to snapper, there...

Fourth Annual Chad Day Fishing Tournament Set For April 10

03/30/202203/30/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

The fourth annual Chad Day Fishing Tournament will be held on Sunday, April 10th at the Tarpon Bay Grill and Tiki Bar, located at 7150 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243. The family-friendly tournament will kick off on Saturday, April 9th after the mandatory captain’s meeting, held at the Tarpon Bay Grill and Tiki Bar, at 3PM. All anglers are encouraged to attend, but at least one member of each team must be present. The catch and release tournament includes snook, redfish, and trout and all entry photos must be submitted by Sunday at 2PM. The entry fee per boat is $280 for up to 4 anglers. Each additional angler is $70, with a max of 6 people per team. A total of $6000 worth of prizes will be awarded to tournament winners. For each species, first prize will receive $1000, second $700, and third $300. The event will also include raffles, silent auctions, and live music. Raffle tickets can be purchased 11AM-6PM...

South Florida Kayak Fishing Spots

03/18/202203/18/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

SOUTH FLORIDA: ARE YOU FISHING FOR NEW KAYAK SPOTS? We all agree that fishing is fun and highly relaxing, like Kayaking. Summertime is fast approaching. Get your kayak and fishing gear ready, here are some great spots to go for a good time and even better kayak fishing. Located in the northern-most city in Palm Beach County, Jupiter brings you Loxahatchee River. Try not to get lost in the beautiful scenery it offers, (or perhaps do try). The slow flowing river makes it a perfect destination for laid-back fishing. The river remains one of the waters with wild ecosystems. It offers a mixture of fresh and saltwater fishes that allows catching different species of fish. You can get lucky and catch largemouth bass, common snook, and more! Florida is dubbed as the fishing capital of the world. Visiting Lake Okeechobee is something that you would need on your kayak bucket list, hands down. The river covers an enormous space of 730 square miles. It...

Tips For Planning A Family Fishing Trip

03/11/202203/11/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Thinking of a family fishing trip but don’t know where to start? Whether you are traveling long distance or skipping down the road, planning a fishing trip as a family can be stressful. Here are some tips to help ease the stress and ensure you have a REEly great experience! LocationLocation can play a huge factor in planning any trip as a family. Doing your research on the general area will be helpful in many ways. Is there lodging? If you plan to camp out is there easy access to restrooms? Kids seem to always want what is not already available to them so if a trip to a convenient store is necessary it would be really great to be able to get to one quickly. Finding the perfect location can be difficult to meet everyone’s needs, but it is possible with a little planning ahead! Organization The key component to a successful trip for anyone is organization. Making sure that you have everything...

Cortez Fishing Festival Returns February 19-20

02/17/202202/17/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

The Cortez Fishing Festival will be returning for its 40th annual event this weekend, February 19-20. The festival is held in the small fishing village of Cortez and aims to celebrate the region’s history and those who work hard to supply fresh local seafood. Tickets are $5 per person and children 12 and under may attend for free. The event was first held in 1981 as a 1-day festival and drew 500 people to celebrate Florida’s commercial seafood industry. The festival has since grown into a 2-day event and hosts nearly 20,000 people each year. Walking around Cortez is like stepping back in time and visitors can enjoy the charm of the small cottages and friendly locals. Organized by the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage (FISH), the festival will include live music, arts and crafts, seafood, and much more throughout the weekend. The University of Florida is hosting educational “dock talks” and the public is welcome to explore local fishing boats and...

Health Benefits of Fishing

02/04/202202/04/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Fishing may seem like just another hobby or a way to get dinner, but did you know that it is good for your physical and mental health? From building physical strength to calming anxiety, there are a number of benefits to taking up fishing. Here are some of the ways a day on the water can improve your life. Physical Benefits You may think of fishing as a low-effort activity, but it may be more of a workout than you know! While fishing, you’re engaging your arms, legs, shoulders, back, and core. Casting and reeling is a great workout for your arms and being on a boat engages your core and can improve your balance. Want to step up your workout? Try hiking to your fishing location of the day! If you’re not planning to catch-and-release, there are also some physical benefits to eating your catch of the day. Consuming fish is great way to add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, which...

Boaters Gift Guide 2021

12/17/202112/17/2021 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

With the holiday season in full-swing, now is the time to finish your shopping for the boat-lover in your life. It can seem like boaters have a never-ending list of gadget needs and you may not know where to start. Here are some ideas that are sure to be a hit! Boat Scuff Erasers by Better Boat In boating, dings and scuffs are bound to happen. What could be better than a magical eraser for your boat? These boat scuff erasers will gently remove marks and dirt without harsh chemicals. Better Boat Boat Erasers Docktail Boat Table This incredible table attaches to your boat via an adjustable rod holder mount and securely holds all your bar needs. It has perfectly-sized spots for cups and bottles and includes a cutting board and snack bowls. Whether you’re at a dockside party or on the sandbar, this is the perfect way to get your party started. The Docktail Boat Table Caddy with All Angle Adjustable Rod Holder Mount Squid Cup...

Best Fishing Spots in Florida

12/07/202112/07/2021 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Florida has some of the world's best and most extensive variety of fisheries, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Coast, all the way toward the Keys. The Sunshine State has it all: flats, mangroves, reefs, wrecks, deep water trenches - you name it! To help you decide where to fish next, we've compiled a list of some of our favorite Florida fishing destinations. SarasotaInshore fishing is the most popular activity in Sarasota, and for good reason. This area is ideal for sight casting and fly fishing because of its extensive network of flats, sand bars, and seagrass meadows. In quest of Redfish, Snook, Seatrout, and Tarpon, you may either wade in the shallows or pole your way through mangrove tunnels. With the Riviera Dunes Marina nearby too, you also have a great spot to dock your boat! Stephen's Point, Big Sarasota Pass, and Siesta Key are examples of great fishing locations just a short boat trip away. If you're looking...

Seashell Season in Sarasota: Part 1

09/24/2019 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Seashell Season in Sarasota: Part 1 There’s no end of amazing discoveries to be made in Sunny Sarasota! Are you looking for some of the best shelling spots in Sarasota? Keep reading to find your unique vacation souvenir! One of my most treasured memories as a child was diving for sand dollars in Sarasota! Every evening, my siblings and I would run down to the beach and scatter everywhere, searching for the best shell to bring in. The crowning jewel of these shells was the sand dollar. I had many unforgettable memories, diving under the tropical waters for hours, all for the famed sand dollar. I never did find one of my own! My older sister had a knack for it - everytime she dove under, she would come up with another pristine sand dollar. Of all my childhood memories, shell searching in Sarasota was my favorite pastime. Seashells are some of the oldest inhabitants of the earth, and a prized treasure! While...

Vacation Savings: Sarasota Big Pass

09/09/2019 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Vacation Savings: Sarasota Big Pass Are you preparing for your Sarasota vacation this September and looking for the hottest deals? Consider purchasing a Sarasota Big Pass for the best vacation yet! See below all of the ways you can use your Sarasota Big Pass to explore this season. What you need to know about the Sarasota Big Pass: The Sarasota Big Pass offers many opportunities for more fun on your vacation this fall! A limited-time deal, this pass has three different categories to explore Sarasota with: Buy One Get One Free! 25% Off $5 Discounts See the Sarasota Big Pass site here for more information about deals around Sarasota! Sarasota Big Pass: BIG savings on your vacation! This limited-time discount program is able to be used at participating local Sarasota businesses. Your pass is good for one discount per person, per transaction - and here’s the best part: you can redeem your deals as many times as you’d like! Found a favorite restaurant or local fun spot? With the...