Live Shrimp: The Best Bait During a Florida Winter

Live Shrimp: The Best Bait During a Florida Winter

by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed
Live Shrimp: The Best Bait During a Florida WinterWith the changing seasons, the appetite also changes for the fish in our Florida waters. Have you not been having much luck catching fish lately? Try baiting your hooks with live shrimp.You'll find that you'll have great luck using live shrimp to catch redfish, black drum, sheepshead and other species depending on where you're fishing.If you happen to be traveling in the back country areas this holiday season, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see what this seasonal bait will catch you. Look out for catches of flounder and mangrove snapper in these areas.Perhaps this is your first time using live shrimp as bait. Here's how to bait a live shrimp depending on your fishing method:DriftingHook your live shrimp through the carapace, avoiding the stomach and pancreas. Your hook should be just under the shell and crosswise through the carapace.Longer distance castingFor this fishing method, you'll want to place the hook under the chin and through the carapace's...
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Your Hurricane Matthew Checklist

Your Hurricane Matthew Checklist

by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed
Your Hurricane Matthew ChecklistHurricane Matthew is well on its way, and you don't want to waste another moment before heading to the store or locating essential items in your home.Many of the local grocery stores have restocked their shelves with extra food, water and other supplies that you'll need once the storm hits Palmetto.Here's a helpful checklist to assist you when preparing for Hurricane Matthew.Food ItemsBottled Water: It's recommended that you have about 20 gallons for a family of four.Food: You'll of course want to get lots of nonperishable canned and dry food items. Consider around 20 cans of chicken, tuna, chili and soup. Peanut butter, bread, cookies, crackers and pet food are other important food items to pick up from the store.Important Items to Locatefirst aid kitcan openermedications for your family members and petsflashlights or battery-operated lanternstoiletriesbatteries (make sure you have a variety of sizes for your flashlights)plastic cutlery and paper bowls and platestrash bagsgallon-sized freezer bags to keep items dryimportant documents (insurance, Social Security cards, driver's licenses, etc.)Other Important...
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Snook Harvest Season has Began

Snook Harvest Season has Began

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...
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New Florida Law Allows Transportation of Bahamas’ Fish

New Florida Law Allows Transportation of Bahamas’ Fish

by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed
New Florida Law Allows Transportation of Bahamas' FishWill you be fishing in the Bahamas soon? A new Florida law now allows fisherman to bring their fresh catches back from the Bahamas via boat while in Florida waters.The fishing exception went into effect on Sept. 13, 2016. Anglers can now retrieve dolphin, reef fish and wahoo caught in Bahama waters. The new regulation only applies to fish transported via water, not those by air. Here are some important things to keep in mind when retrieving fish from Bahama via water:Do not remove skin from the filet. This way, law enforcement will be able to identify the fish.Anglers must continue to adhere to Atlantic federal bag and vessel limits.When considering bag limits, two filets are the equivalent of one fish. Anglers must have valid Bahamian cruising and sport-fishing permits.Each passenger aboard the vessel must have a valid government passport with the latest Bahamian stamps and travel dates. Vessel travel must be continual when voyaging through state waters and equipment...
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