Florida Sportsman

Florida Sportsman is the complete fishing magazine for Florida and the Tropics. Devoted to fishing, boating, and outdoor activities in the Sunshine State, Florida Sportsman is the authoritative source for Florida's most active fishermen.

Florida Sportsman

Boats Built for Guys Like Me

Let’s Buy Some Dirt

CTA

Big Bend Boondoggle • Barges don’t cross the state here, but today a lot of fish pass in and out these waters.

LOCAL HINTS

Return ’Em Right • Improve fisheries, fulfill new regulations: Get the tips and gear to reduce bottom fish mortality.

Free Education & Gear: Sign Up!

Give Your Lures a Spa Treatment • An easy trick for bringing trolling lures and soft baits back into shape.

Three Shrimp Rigs to Know • Where to put the hook? Depends on where you’re casting—or not casting.

Improve Your Dock Skipping • How to get those baits back into the shadows—and get those big fish back to your net!

Macks Made Easy • Spanish mackerel are a prime target for fly fishing.

Weather or Not • When it comes to calculating rain, wind and waves, forecasts are only part of the equation.

Grilled Fish Steaks, Mediterranean Style • It’s simple, but it requires attention, whether you’re grilling over gas, charcoal or wood.

INGREDIENTS

HOW TO PEEL AND SEED A TOMATO

Super Clams Get Their Day • A NOVEL SHELLFISH-BREEDING PROGRAM SEEKS TO RESTORE BALANCE IN THE FAMED INDIAN RIVER LAGOON.

Reef Cleanup • ISLAMORADA DIVE OPERATORS PROMOTE SOME MARINE HOUSE-CLEANING.

BUCKTAIL BASICS • A VERSATILE LURE THAT’S STOOD THE TEST OF TIME—AND STANDS UP TO ALL KINDS OF ABUSE.

’TAILS FROM THE KEYS • DELICIOUS, ABUNDANT AND FAIRLY EASY TO CATCH, YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER ARE AMONG THE ICONIC FISH OF THE FLORIDA KEYS.

A CHUMMING PERSONALITY

YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER REGULATIONS

UPPER KEYS PLANNER

TRIPLETAIL BUOY-HOPPING IN APALACHICOLA BAY • DISCOVER SOME OF THE SOUTHEAST’S FINEST TRIPLETAIL FISHING AND COASTAL DUCK HUNTING ON FLORIDA’S NORTHERN GULF COAST.

TAGGING REVEALS TRIPLETAIL SECRETS

PLANNING A TRIP

APALACHEE BAY WATERFOWL WONDERLAND

PULLEY UNPLUGGED • DROPPING JIGS TO 900 FEET ON PULLEY RIDGE USING BRAID AND MANUAL-CRANK GEAR OFFERS UNIQUE CHALLENGES—AND REWARDS.

THE YANKEE CAPTS: BORN IN THE NORTH

CONSERVATION CONCERNS

Florida Turkey 2.0 BY IAN NANCE • OBSESSING OVER OSCEOLA? DON’T FORGET FLORIDA OFFERS UNIQUE AND REWARDING HUNTS FOR EASTERNS, TOO, AND OVER A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS.

2022 SEASON DATES AND BASICS

LATE MORNING TURKEY HUNTING

Cracking the Code • LESSONS ON CATCHING SHELLCRACKER, THE BIGGEST, BADDEST AND MOST ELUSIVE OF FLORIDA’S SUNFISHES.

REDEAR SUNFISH: WHAT’S A BIG ONE?

SHELLCRACKER FISHING TIPS

SHELLCRACKER SHOWDOWN

THE EVER-SHRINKING BIG GAME REEL • COMPACT REELS ARE THE RAGE—FOR NON-COMPACT CATCHES!

Sight Fishing the Florida Salt • It’s a thrilling and effective approach, but you must know what to look for—and how to react.

NORTHEAST CAPT. DAVID BORRIES

SOUTHWEST CAPT. GREG STAMPER

PANHANDLE CAPT. GABRIELLE BARNES

CHOOSING A LENS TINT • Some anglers settle on a tint they like and stick with it, but many others will have one or more extra pairs of sunglasses in their kit to accommodate varying light levels during the day.

SELECTING SUNGLASSES

EAST CENTRAL CAPT. JOE CATIGANO

TAMPA BAY CAPT. RAY MARKHAM

Florida’s Classic Bait and Tackle Shops • JOIN OUR FIELD EDITORS FOR A TOUR OF SUNSHINE STATE BAIT AND TACKLE SHOPS.AN OCCASIONAL SERIES.

DON’S BAIT AND TACKLE, HOMESTEAD

BETTS...