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Complete Book of
 Baits, Rigs & Tackle


Features:  This one book provides all the important angling know-how you'll ever need to fish fresh water or salt water, big game or bass, spinning or baitcasting, flyrod or canepole, boat or shore......

New Edition By Vic Dunaway.  Published By Florida Sportsman  A Best Seller.  256 Color Pages, Illustrations

Buy your copy here 
for only $16.95.

Sport Fish of Florida   
       
This Full color 256-page book from long-time fishing legend and Florida Sportsman Magazine Sr. Editor, Vic Dunaway features his 50-plus years of fishing knowledge. Each of the 231 species is illustrated with original full-color artwork from renowned marine artist Kevin R. Brant.  

What Is This fish?   Is It Good to Eat?    Is It a Record?     Answers to these common questions, plus many others are answered in this book. Plus, Common and Scientific Names, Distinguishing features, Food Values, Average and Record Sizes,  Range throughout Florida, Main  Habitats, Game Qualities and Best Fishing Methods.
By Vic Dunaway,   Published By Florida Sportsman
  Buy Yours Here 
For Only $16.95

Florida Fishing reports are provided by professional Fishing Charter Captains 
and Fishing Guides throughout the State of Florida, The Keys, and Bahamas. 
Whether you prefer fishing salt water, freshwater, inshore or offshore, flats, 
back country or flyfishing, for bass, trout, marlin or tarpon, 
you'll find what's happening on the water here.  

Click on region name below to see 
fishing reports for that area.

Florida Major Cities By Region

Northeast East Central Southeast The Keys
Fernandina Beach
Jacksonville
St. Augustine
Flagler Beach
Daytona Beach
New Smyrna
Titusville
Cocoa Beach
Melborne
Sabastian
Vero Beach
Ft. Pierce
Stuart
Jupiter
West Palm Beach
Boca Raton
Ft. Lauderdale
Miami Beach
Key Largo
Tavernier
Islamorada
Marathon
Key West
Florida Bay

 

Southwest West Central Panhandle Central
Flamingo
Everglades City
Marco Island
Naples
Ft. Myers


Bahamas
Abaco

Central America

Hawaii

Punta Gorda
Boca Grande
Venice
Sarasota
Bradenton
St. Petersburg
Tampa Bay area
Clearwater
New Port Richey
Pine Island
Homosassa Spgs
Chambers Island
Cedar Key
Suwanee
Steinhatche
Carrabelle
Apalachicola
Port St. Joe
Panama City
Destin
Ft. Walton Bch

Pensacola
Gainesville
Palatka
Ocala
Deland
Leesburg
Orlando
Kissimmee
Lakeland
Winter Haven
Lake Wales
Sebring

Okeechobee
Belle Glade

See Map of  Florida  By Region  & The Bahamas  Here

              Fishing Reports  --  SOUTHWEST  FLORIDA       (Back to top)

(For contact information, see the Charter Directory)

Captain William Duane Sousa  -  Englewood, FL
Big Boy Sportfishing Charters
941-773-7246  E-mail: bigboyfishing45@aol.com  

Fishing Report

 
April 11, 2009
 
Saturday, April 11, 2009 was hot and humid, around 80 degrees with water temps over 70 degrees and winds around 10 knots.  We had a full crew from Indiana, who were excited to see the Dolphins running alongside the Big Boy Two, as we headed out to Gasparilla to do some Sheeps Head fishing.  The tide was not very cooperative, but we loaded the live wells with Sheeps Head, and the youngest angler on board, 12 years old, actually brought up the biggest fish .  We spent a half day on the water, and all enjoyed the “bottom fish fight” that the Sheeps Head give every angler that tries to put them in the boat.
 
 
Captain Becky Campbell - Everglades City, Fl
Rather Be Fishing Charters
239-695-2029 email: CaptainBecky709@aol.com 

January 2009
Fishing Report By Capt. Becky Campbell
239-695-2029
Everglades City, Florida 

Happy New Years to everyone and many many more to come. 

The weather is still good and fishing is great.  I am sure that winter is just around the corner, but couldn’t prove it to me today.  As I write this report, the temperature is in the mid to low 80’s and the sun is shinning bright.  What more could you ask for?  Okay, good fishing.  Well, the fishing has been good also. The cold fronts are starting to move down slowly so the fish are moving into their winter homes. The water temperature is in the low 70’s which means that the fish are on the deeper edges of the flats, in the river mouths and in the backcountry.  Jan and Feb is when we catch what we call our mix bag.  We will be catching a little of everything.  It is not uncommon to catch 6-11 different kinds of fish.  Let’s see, trout, pompano, redfish, snook, mackerel, bluefish, black drum, sheepshead, whiting, snapper, flounder, jacks, ladyfish and maybe even a chance to jump a huge tarpon. Sounds like fun and it is. 

Just a quick reminder that TROUT season just opened as of Jan. 1 and it is looking like we are going to have another good season for big ones. These fish (trout) are really good to eat too. 

So like I always say…..what are you waiting for….. pick up the phone and make that call for the fishing trip you have been dreaming of.  The weather is great and so is the fishing. 

Capt. Becky Campbell - 239-695-2029 

Rather Be Fishing Charters
PO Box 663
Everglades City, Florida 34139
Phone - 239-695-2029
Cell - 727-709-1375
www.evergladesfishingcharters.com

 
 

             Fishing Reports --  WEST CENTRAL,  FLORIDA     (Back to top)

(For contact information, see the Charter Directory)  

Half Day and Full Day Fishing Charters

Backwater - Inshore
Nearshore

Eco & Photography Tours

Fishing - Sightseeing

Custom Charters

All ages welcome
Up to 6 passengers

REELIN  &  CHILLIN  CHARTERS  INC.

Captain Terry L. Frankford
USCG Licensed & Insured

 941-228-7802 

35 YRS EXPERIENCE FISHING IN SARASOTA 
AND BRADENTON 

Email Capt. Terry Frankford
 

Visit our website:

www.charterfishingsarasota.com 

 

Captain Terry Frankford    --   Sarasota 
Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.
941-228-7802 ~ e-mail - terry.frankford@verizon.net

Fishing Report 06/16/2009 – Capt. Terry Frankford

Summer time fishing is here with trout being the most active species aboard the Reelin & Chillin. Redfish, gray snapper, and believe it or not a few sheepshead have been found in the Sarasota area also. One client picked up a red weighing in at 16lbs, measured at 36 inches, great catch on only 10lb test line. The largest trout measured in at 26 inches, a tie breaker aboard the Reelin & Chillin.

How's It Done

Just before picking up the client's I head out to the beaches North Lido, or South Longboat Key to catch bait. Netting close the the beach I try to pick up a few hundred green backs. Then I head to Hart's Landing and buy a few dozen hand-picked shrimp - these are for the redfish. I have several grassy areas I like to fish for trout in - all ranging from three feet to seven feet deep. Drift fishing is great, if you only have a couple angler's. However, I normally have around four angler's so I use the PowerPole to keep lines from getting tangled. I fish a spot for a few minutes, or until the fish stop biting - then lift the PowerPole - drift about as far as you can cast, and stick it again. This method is great for finding where the fish are. It's surprising how just a couple hundred feet on the same flat can all of a sudden produce fish. Just something a little different like depth, or where the grass meets the sand can make all the difference in the catch of the day.

Terminal Tackle

Light tackle, with small hooks works best for me. I put 10lb test on the reel, a twenty pound test shock leader maybe three feet long (line to line knot - no swivel). And the most important - a #4 MUTU-Owner Circle hook. This set-up gives your green back or live shrimp plenty of action, and life to attract fish.

I hope this information helps you catch more fish - have a great day on the bay.

Tight Lines & Good Times, Capt. Terry Frankford
Reelin
& Chillin Charters Inc.
941-228-7802
terry.frankford@verizon.net
www.charterfishingsarasota.com

 

 

Capt Rick Rodriguez
Gulf Grouper Deep Sea Fishing and  Dive Charters,  Hernando Beach, FL
(727) 992-9494                       Email:  gulfgrouper@tampabay.rr.com 


July 2, 2009

A little rain does not seem to bother the Grouper! Plenty of Gag and Red grouper in the Hernando Beach area. Dead Threadfin Herring and live Pinfish are both working well with great results. Extended Trips are producing big Red Snapper and 10+ Red Groupers. Using longer leaders and the least amount of lead has made a big difference in  getting the larger Groupers to bite.

 Forecast: Spanish Mackerel, Grunt,  Mangrove Snapper, Sharks and Kingfish are abundant and fun to catch on light line .  Large schools of bait are still moving north though our area,  fishing continues to be very good.

 

See you on the water,

Capt Rick

727-992-9494

www.gulfgrouper.com


 

 
Captain Bob Smith  --  Sarasota, FL.
Tel: (941) 366-2159     
Cell: (941) 350-8583    E-mail:  capt.bobsmith@verizon.net

June 14, 2009

Sarasota Florida Fishing Report
By Capt. Bob Smith

The weather had been what I call, a little squirrelly but now has smoothed
out.  A light east wind in the morning will make it a lot easier to spot the
tarpon schools running the beaches.

This has been an excellent year on the bay for gray snapper.  The average
size is about 14" and a few have been up to 16 and 18 inches.  They like to
hang out around docks, rocks and bridge fenders.  I have found the New Pass
Bridge very productive for the larger snappers.  They move around in schools
close to the bottom and love live shrimp drifted past them.  If you hook
one, you should get more in the same spot however, they will move around.  I
like to let my bait drift past the spot with only a quarter ounce split shot
attached just above the hook.  I fish my line loose so that it will drop.
Then I watch the line closely for any subtle pickup.  You could get a snag
but my motto is, "Treat all snags like fish and you lose nothing.  Treat a
fish like snag and you could loose a good fish."

We are also getting Spanish mackerel, large jacks and occasional tarpon
around the bridge.  Snook and redfish can be found around some of the docks
this time of year.  Snook are also being caught in the surf and are best at
first and last light.

Most of the grass-flats around the bay are producing some nice seatrout and
it is not hard to get a mixed bag of fish.  We have also caught pompano,
flounder, mackerel, bluefish and many more different kinds of fish on the
grass-flats.  I like to use the 3" DOA shrimp with a popping float or on a
free line.  Work this lure slow if at all.  Sometime just a few pops of the
line is all it takes.  The fish actually eat this lure, so give them time.
They very seldom drop it and run away, maybe when a bigger fish is looking
at them.

Enjoy & Protect

Phone: (941) 366-2159  Cell: (941) 350-8583.
Email: capt.bobsmith@verizon.net
My Website: http://www.sarasota-fla-fishing.com

 
 

               Fishing Reports  --  PANHANDLE  FLORIDA        (Back to top)

(For contact information, see the Charter Directory)

Book Me A Charter Guide Service Apalachicola, FL  

850-653-2622  -  email: info@BookMeACharter.com

 

May 17, 2009

 

 

The waters are warmer and the fishing is hotter!

by: Sandra Allen

 

As May temperatures heat up the bays and estuarial area waters expect the fishing in general to be good, some days excellent with the right conditions. 

June marks the official beginning of summer and with that, we welcome summer vacationers to our area!  We have been having an excellent spring fishing season catching really nice inshore and offshore fish species.  Our client list continues to grow with families looking for something fun to do with the kids.  A wonderful way to introduce your family to the pristine waters of Apalachicola Bay or surrounding Gulf waters is to see it from a boat for a day or two of fishing or touring during your vacation with our family friendly native guides.   We love kids!  

     

Inshore… The inshore fishing was on fire during the months of April and May.  We expect the “catching” trend to continue.  Our target fish this month are Spanish Mackeral, Speckled trout, Redfish, Black Drum, Tripletail, Pompano and Flounder  just to name a few of the many species that we catch this time of year.  If you’ve ever been out triple tail fishing and were able to snag one of those fighting rascals you know you have to go out and do it again.  I’ve got great news for all you tripletail enthusiast- The tripletail are here! Expect May and June triple tail fishing to be good through out the month.

Speckled Trout, Tripletail, Redfish, Black Drum and Spanish Mackeral are the hot ticket for the inshore angler this month…

Don’t limit yourself to one species of fish guys, go for the slam!

 

In the last few days we have been spotting a few tarpon rolling as they're just beginning to enter our area waters.   Average size tarpon in the area is around 100 lbs, but note there were several caught last year at 175+lbs on the side of our boats.  We're expecting fantastic tarpon fishing again this year as large bait pods have began gathering in our near shore gulf waters and into the Apalachicola Bay!

 

For anyone wanting to try a little night time fishing, we do offer FLOUNDER GIGGING charters for the Apalachicola area waters.

 

Offshore....   May winds have been a little windier than normal this month but as June gets closer our winds typically calm for offshore, deep sea fishing.  Expect to catch Grouper, Snapper, Triggerfish, King Mackeral, Cobia and a mixed bag of reef dwellers while bottom fishing or flat lining our area reefs and wrecks. 

June 1st will officially open Red Snapper season this year and from the looks of it, it's going to be a great red snapper season!!!!    

 

We have been fishing a lot lately, feel free to browse around our website and look at our huge photo album with over 50 pages of fantastic fishing pictures (bragging rights) of our wonderful clients with their prize catch.  

 

 We Know/Go fishing!

 

When can we book you a charter?

 

The economy is looking up and thankfully our boats have been fishing a lot lately!  If you find yourselves in our area and want to go fishing give us a call or an email. We highly encourage you to book in advance but occasionally we will have boats open for a day or two here and there in our weekly schedules.  Of course some weeks are more booked than others especially holidays or special event weekends. Last year some of you were told, “sorry, we’re booked” so you were unable to go fishing with us during your vacation because our schedules were full, and you hadn't made prior arrangements. That would tell you one thing-we are good at what we do!  We fish a lot!  Please book your trip early to insure that this doesn’t happen to you.  It’s as simple as a phone call or an email to insure that you have a boat waiting at the dock, gassed up, iced up and ready to go fishing.   

 

  If you’re looking for experienced, family friendly, native guides give us a call 850-653-2622.

 

We’d love to take you fishing in our backyard!    

 

Sandra Allen

Book Me A Charter

850-653-2622

www.BookMeACharter.com

email: info@BookMeACharter.com

 

              Fishing Reports  --  CENTRAL FLORIDA           (Back to top)

(For contact information, see the Charter Directory)

 

 

            Fishing Reports  -- BAHAMAS & CENTRAL AMERICA         (Back to top)

(For contact information, see the Charter Directory

 
 
 
   

 

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