In this issue

Double Down The Ultimate Daytime Swordfish Spread.

Calm Amid Chaos How a Single Breath Can Enhance Your Time on the Water.

Tampa Bay Triumph Summer Strategies for Florida's Largest Open Water Estuary.

Control Freak Joystick Technology Provides Unprecedented Maneuverability.

Menhaden By The Millions: Little Fish Create Big Controversy

AMONG THE MYRIAD OF BAITFISH SPECIES that fuel the food chain, perhaps Gulf and Atlantic menhaden play the most essential role in their respective habitats. Distinguishable by their olive-green backs, yellow-tinted fins and silvery sides with a series of dark spots, menhaden make for outstanding live, dead and cut offerings. However, their tremendous value extends far beyond the realm of sport fishing.

3 mins

Hands Free: Planer Fishing Made Easier

WHETHER IT’S YOUR TOP TACTIC right out of the gate or a last resort when the afternoon heat shuts down the bite, using planers to present trolling baits at various depths beneath the surface is a trusted technique that has stood the test of time. Once the planer reaches the rod tip the reel is rendered useless and a mate is forced to hand-line the hooked quarry to the boat, leaving coils of leader on the deck and greatly complicating the end game process.

3 mins

Without A Hitch: Snag-Proof Soft Plastics

AS THE CORNERSTONE OF LIFE among inshore ecosystems, seagrass beds are critical to the health of Florida’s widespread estuarine habitats. Supporting as many as 40,000 fish and 50 million invertebrates, seagrasses are flowering plants that have roots, stems and leaves that can grow in mud, sand and fragmented shell bottoms.

4 mins

Marlin Metrics

How to Catch a Blue Marlin from a Center Console.

5 mins

Deep Color

Queen Snapper Shine  Bright In The Twilight Zone.

6 mins

Control Freak: Joystick Technology Provides Unprecedented Maneuverability

WHILE SEASONED CAPTAINS CAN DOCK A VESSEL with the utmost control under the worst conditions, many boaters are truly terrified about navigating a crowded marina. They say a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, but for owners of outboard-powered vessels with twin, triple and quad configurations, advanced steering systems eliminate much of the adversity by delivering precise directional thrust for total boat control. 

3 mins

Sentinels Of The Sea: Revitalization of Data Buoys Enhances Marine Forecasting

CONSIDERING FLORIDA’S ever-changing weather patterns, mariners must remain diligent and always be on top of the current and forecasted conditions. Fortunately, NOAA’s National Weather Service provides updated marine forecasts with access to near real-time reports to ensure safe navigation amid the fluctuating conditions encountered throughout our year-round boating season.

3 mins

Familiar With The Fine Print: The Real Deal Behind Boat & Engine Warranties

BUYING A BOAT IS AN INCREDIBLY EXCITING experience. However, the process can be understandably stressful and it’s important prospective buyers are aware of every last detail involved in the transaction. Hull, engine and equipment warranties are among the many factors of the purchase that need to be carefully scrutinized, with new owners often finding out the hard way that what once seemed like a glorious guarantee ends up being too good to be true. 

4 mins

Ceviche Stuffed Avocados: Beat the Heat With This Cool Summer Treat

A TRADITIONAL DISH originating along the northern coast of Peru, where the Pacific Ocean has provided its bounty for millennia, ceviche is a refreshing summertime treat that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. The ultimate no-cook cuisine comprising raw fish, shellfish and/or crustaceans, this ancient seafood salad is light, bright and tangy, utilizing acidic marinade to cure the delicate ingredients. 

1 min

Friends With Benefits: Making the Most of the Buddy System

FISHING IS THE ULTIMATE THRILL and my life’s one true passion. But on hot summer days when even the slightest breeze is hard to come by and the sweltering sun is already unbearable by 9:00 a.m., sitting on a skifff or hours isn’t always appealing. On such days, I like to substitute rods and reels with Hawaiian slings and lobster nets to escape the heat and explore the underwater world.

2 mins

Read all stories from Florida Sport Fishing

Florida Sport Fishing Magazine Description:

The most comprehensive resource for resident and visiting saltwater anglers and boaters in Florida and beyond. Each issue is jam-packed with revealing editorials and informative departments complimented by award winning covers, spectacular photography and creative illustrations. Published by fishermen for fishermen!