Fishing and Boating

July has arrived, and it is a good bet not much will change for Southwest Florida anglers when it comes to the very warm weather and warm water temperatures. Factors anglers might have to consider in order to be more comfortable and have productive fishing and catching will include changing the time to fish and just maybe targeting different areas. Full story »

A resident of Naples for five years, Dale Goble was born and raised in the panhandle city of Destin. Now 53, he has fished the Gulf of Mexico nearly his whole life, even working as a deckhand on a charter boat in his youth. Full story »

Here is a situation in which many Marco boaters might find themselves. Full story »

This week’s article is not intended to be political in it’s nature, but unintentionally, it may drift that way. So please — pay that drift no mind. Stay focused on those small and not-so-small nautical creatures that have thrilled our fishing exploits on warm summer days and built our dreams on cold winter nights. Full story »

Boating has always been one of America’s favorite pastimes. As the sport grew, along with the development of the single-operator motorboat, and the outboard engine, the number of recreational boaters skyrocketed. Full story »

Not much has changed for Southwest Florida anglers. Many anglers fishing the inland, outer shoreline, flats, and passes will get out there early, hit several of their special spots to beat the heat, and avoid the tropical afternoon rain storms that should continue through July and most of August. Full story »

This summer is already very warm — even hot. Maybe it’s just me getting older, but I don’t remember a summer quite this hot this early in many years. Full story »

Even princesses can be struck by a down economy as evidenced by a temporary closure of the popular attraction, the Marco Princess, a 96-foot luxury yacht, offering tours in the coastal waterways.
The Marco Princess will leave the Marco River Marina after it’s final summer voyage Sunday, June 28, and not return until services are expected to pick back up again this November. Full story »

A decision on whether to continue dragging on an anchoring case against an Island resident was brought out of the shade and into the sunshine Monday afternoon. Council discussion on the matter of whether to continue pursuing a case against a resident for anchoring too long and too close to a Marco seawall in 2007 was to be had in a meeting closed to the public. However, Chairman Rob Popoff announced after a brief closed session Monday afternoon, that the decision and discussion would be made in public. Full story »

“My nephew and his friends are coming down for a visit and want to go deep sea fishing.” That seems like a simple straightforward statement, right? But hold on a minute; it’s not so simple. Full story »

Some Southwest Florida anglers are floundering about the new shoreline fishing license but said at least the new fee isn’t too stiff. Florida residents have always been able to fish the shore without a license but a new state law, effective Aug. 1, will force them to shell out $7.50 for a shoreline fishing license. “I think it’s unnecessary,” Naples resident Andy Reschke said. “It seems like an insignificant amount so I don’t really see the purpose but I fish the shore a lot so I’ll end up buying one.” Full story »

Florida’s resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to buy a $7.50 (plus administrative and handling fees) shoreline fishing license by Aug. 1, unless they have a regular resident saltwater fishing license. The new license applies only to Florida resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore. Resident anglers may prefer to purchase the regular recreational saltwater license that covers them, no matter where they fish for saltwater species in Florida. Full story »

Change is upon us, and a fad has once again come full circle. Water sports are back and in a big way. Wake boats and water sports are emerging as the fastest growing boating demographic in this slow economy. Full story »

June has arrived and should offer Southwest Florida anglers some of the finest fishing. Full story »

City Councilors questioned whether it was time to no longer pursue a case against Dave Dumas, a Marco Island boater, who in 2007 intentionally and admittedly violated the city’s ordinance regulating anchoring in some areas. Dumas hoped by challenging the ordinance it would be ruled unconstitutional.
Governor Charlie Crist’s recently signed into law house bill 1423, which will void the ordinance that the city has been spending more than two years and about $60,000 in legal fees to enforce in court. Full story »