On the Hook: Divide the tide and conquer

If all of you were ordered to forget all you know about salt water fishing except for one thing, what would it be?

Giant grouper caught off SWFL a rare research opportunity

Jason Boyll of Sarasota caught a 350-pound Warsaw grouper in about 600 feet of water, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Research Institute confirmed on its Facebook page.

Senior Softball: Season off to competitive start

The league has four teams tied for first place in the Island Division: the Brewery, DaVinci’s, Dolphin Tiki, and Nacho Mama’s.

| 6 days ago

Lely boys soccer team on revenge tour, aim to make postseason run

A brief stretch in early December saw the Trojans losing back-to-back games since November 2018. The Trojans offense lacked and was outscored 5-2.

Needy families to benefit from annual Y tourney

It was the 25th tournament for the Y, which puts the money raised towards scholarships for children of families in need of programs and services.

Basketball teams jump into 2020 with Lehigh, Lely shootouts

Eighteen SWFL teams played in two huge events that featured 35 games in three days

Pod of dolphins spotted near Marco Island

What’s the deal with the Cape Romano dome home? It’s complicated.

The iconic Cape Romano dome home near Marco Island has enticed tourists for decades. But, with the fate of the domes in the hands of the state, some want action.

Dolphin births; naturalist has update

The breeding activities of dolphins, and the new babies born, were the subject of a talk by naturalist Bob McConville.

Marco resident Maddy Burt wins state swim title

Marco Island resident Maddy Burt becomes first St. John Neumann swimmer to bring home a state title, capturing the 100 fly at Class 1A meet

Marco runners make school history

By finishing fourth at regional meet, Marco Island boys cross country team becomes first in history of athletic program to reach state competition

MICMS volleyball repeats as conference winners

The Marco Island Charter Middle School girls’ volleyball team are conference champions – again.

Bishop Verot, Canterbury girls, LaBelle, Marco Island boys win district meets

Canterbury's Jessica Edwards wins 1A-6 girls title and LaBelle's Jose Salgado won the 2A-6 title.

Marco cross country team sets sights on state

Marco Island cross country team wins second district title in three years

Marco schools win big at cross country invitational

Marco Island teams won first place in the boys varsity high school and middle school races, third in the girls varsity middle school race on Oct. 5.

Record Tiger Shark caught near Marco Island

Mark Stock landed what he says is a record class tiger shark on April 25 while fishing out of Marco Island.

High School Insider: Top seeds for district soccer tournaments released

Ranked third overall in the state, the Naples boys soccer team tops Class 5A-District 12 field.

| 13 hours ago

Fishingcast: Conditions for Jan. 17-23

The week should start off just fine with nice mild winds and warm temperatures and good fishing conditions but come Monday it’s going to tank.

Gardening: Caterpillar season can lead to unwelcome encounters

It is caterpillar season and if you love butterflies and are encouraging them in your yard this is an exciting time.

Senior Softball: Another decade of play begins

The Marco Island Senior Softball began its 21st season on Jan. 6 with approximately 200 participants in the league.

Fishingcast: Conditions for SWFL, Jan. 10-16

Maybe a good idea to take “climate change” for real after looking at the conditions and temperatures this week here on the Paradise Coast.

Gardening: January dos and don’ts

January is here, and we will still experience cold temperatures since it is the second coolest month of the year.

Fishingcast: Conditions for Jan. 3-9

A good week of weather as we turn the corner into a new year. Predictions are for clear and warm temperatures through the week.

On the Hook: What gets in the way of fishing fun

We all know that sport fishing should be about fun. Plain unadulterated flat out fun.

Fishingcast: Conditions for SWFL, Dec. 27-Jan. 2

The red tide problem continues to plague the waters here on Marco Island.

Gardening: Keep citrus trees healthy

A lot of Marco Island homes have citrus trees in the yards. Unfortunately, the hurricanes of the past years have damaged many of them.

On the Hook: When size disappoints

A real life example of that happened a few years back when a group of local charter captains took a weekend off

Fishingcast: Conditions for SWFL, Dec. 6-12

Looking at an opening winter week with some hurtful western winds but with generally moderate temperature

Non-native fish are found throughout Florida’s freshwaters

Non-native freshwater fish can provide great sport for anglers and also keep invasive species at bay.

Fishingcast: Conditions for Southwest Florida, Nov. 29-Dec. 5

Still seeing the reports from the water evaluators that show the Marco shoreline and backwaters as infiltrated with the k brevis (red tide) .

On the Hook: Tales of ‘Walter’

This week’s article, dates back quite away but I had an interesting recall just a couple of weeks ago. But let me start from the beginning.

Fishingcast: Conditions for Southwest Florida, Nov. 22-28

Will be a good Thanksgiving holiday week. However, of more concern for anglers will be no abatement in the red tide situation.

Gardening: Controlling the weeds in your lawn

The cooler weather means that it will be safe to have your lawn treated with a herbicide to try and bring them under control.

Fishingcast: Conditions for Southwest Florida, Nov. 15-21

Our week is going to be more of the same as far I can decipher from both the regional and area weather reports.

Gardening: Beware the flower eaters

It is nice to see that flower beds full of annuals like impatiens, begonias and petunias are beginning to appear in yards around the island.

Swamp Buggies: Greenling wins again in Fall Classic

Greenling got a strong challenge from Reece Gardner but was fast enough to win from the outside at Fall Classic

Burrowing owls coexist with Islanders

On Marco Island, the burrowing owl population is thriving, in no small part due to the efforts of a dedicated cadre of volunteers.

Photos: Owl Watch, 2019

On the Hook: Catch and release (well, mostly)

I told him that, in the best of circumstances that is a tall order.

Fishingcast: Conditions for Southwest Florida, Nov. 8-14

Forecasts finally are showing a change this week; with full information a bit thin.