Fishing

Wily Florida Lobster Can be Elusive

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The antennae sticking out of the hole gave the creature away. So with great caution and care, I placed my tickle stick behind the Florida Lobster and tried to gently coax it into my net. But with one flip of its tail, it shot out between my legs like a cartoon crustacean, leaving nothing but … Read more

The Basics to Kayak Lobstering

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This article isn’t specific about the Florida Keys but most of the information matches what you would do here. Once lobster season rolls around in Florida, the excitement [for Kayak Lobstering] couldn’t be any more on fire. Being the popular thing to do (with a nice payout) many head to the Florida Keys to go … Read more

Lobster Traps Need to be Degradable

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A study published earlier this year by a state biologist says the durability of lobster traps contributes to a high number of unintended sea life deaths each year. Casey Butler’s study, “Effects of Ghost Fishing Lobsters in the Florida Keys,” was published Jan. 7 in the ICES Journal of Marine Service. “We’ve found that the … Read more

Releasing Deep-Water Fish

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Will you be fishing for Deep-Water Fish snapper or grouper on your next fishing trip? Continue your role as a conservationist by paying close attention to signs of barotrauma and being prepared to respond.

FWC Launches Florida Fishing Pier Finder

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Are you looking for a place to fish from shore? Check out the FWC new Florida Fishing Pier Finder, an interactive map that allows anglers to find publicly-accessed fishing piers, jetties and fishing-specific bridges in freshwater and saltwater locations throughout the state. It is best viewed using a computer or tablet with a larger screen. … Read more

FWC Explores Goliath Grouper Access Opportunities

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At its May meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) listened to a presentation and stakeholder input on goliath grouper in Florida state waters. The Commission directed staff to continue ongoing efforts that recognize the goliath’s role in the ecosystem and promote stock rebuilding while allowing access to goliath through catch-and-release, ecotourism, and dive … Read more

Key West VFW Fishing Tournament Targets 5 Species June 18-20

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Male, female and junior anglers — including first responders, veterans and active-duty service members — can test their skills against five finned species Friday through Sunday, June 18-20, during the ninth annual VFW Fishing Tournament. The family-friendly challenge’s target species are mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, snapper and grouper. Cash prizes are to be awarded for the … Read more

Goliath Grouper 12th Annual Count June 2021

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Save the date for goliath grouper! The 12th Annual Great Goliath Grouper Count is scheduled to take place June 1–14, 2021. The Great Goliath Grouper Count is a stakeholder-driven effort, made possible through collaboration with Florida Sea Grant, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and county partners. Every year, the project provides a “snapshot” of goliath grouper abundance … Read more

Western Dry Rocks New Regulations Beginning 4-1-21

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Effective April 1, 2021, regulation changes will go into effect at Western Dry Rocks that prohibit fishing from April 1 – July 31. These changes are aimed at providing benefits for multiple recreationally and commercially important species that aggregate to spawn at Western Dry Rocks, including permit, mutton snapper, gray snapper, and yellowtail snapper. The … Read more

FWC Protects Fish Spawning At Western Dry Rocks

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At its February meeting, the FWC approved a proposal to protect multi-species fish spawning aggregations near an area known as Western Dry Rocks. “This decision is based on sound science conducted not only by FWC but also by partners at Bonefish & Tarpon Trust,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “This science-based recommendation has been endorsed by … Read more

Sugarloaf Showdown Targets 3 Wily Species Jan 28-30

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Angling teams can vie for awards while targeting the Lower Florida Keys’ wiliest species during the rescheduled Sugarloaf Showdown, a fundraising fishing tournament scheduled Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 28-30. Presented by the Lower Keys Guides Association, the seventh annual tournament was originally slated for November 2020 but was postponed because of inclement weather. It raises … Read more

FWC Saltwater Fishing License Add-On Help Improve Fisheries

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Snook, spiny lobster, reef fish, sharks from shore, blue crabs and stone crabs caught in traps: What do all these have in common? They each require a special add-on permit, designation or registration on your recreational fishing license. Maybe you’ve heard of these specialty designations, some of which have been around since before the Florida … Read more

Applications For FWC’s 2020-21 High School Fishing Program

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2020-21 High School Fishing Program offers high school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to apply for the Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Fishing Grant. This grant program is focused on recruiting new anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, … Read more

Bonefish Dive 450 Feet Deep to Spawn

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A new study provides the first detailed documentation of a shallow water fish diving 450 feet deep to spawn. Uncovering this very rare spawning behavior in bonefish (Albula vulpes) is unprecedented. Using active acoustic telemetry and sonar data along the southern shore of Abaco, The Bahamas, a team of scientists led by Florida Atlantic University’s … Read more

Free Key West Fishing Tournament Kicks Off Dec 1

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Anglers of all ages and abilities can target more than 40 species of fish in the Key West Fishing Tournament, a free-entry multidivision challenge that takes place Dec. 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021.

Now in its 55th year, the tournament features divisions for men, women, junior anglers ages 10 to 15 and Pee Wees under 10 years old — making it ideal for families that want to share the angling experience.

Participants can fish from a boat, bridge or land. At any time during the eight-month timespan they can enter their catches at an official tournament weigh station or online at enter.keywestfishingtournament.com. Weigh stations can be found at several locations in the Lower Keys and Key West.

Key West FishingCelebrating the diverse variety of fish found in Florida Keys waters, the tournament provides recognition and trophies to anglers posting the heaviest catch of each of 33 species. Six different line classes and three artificial casting categories further heighten the competition.

Other awards recognize the most releases of barracuda, blue marlin, bonefish, dolphin, permit, sailfish and tarpon. The Key West Fishing Tournament strongly encourages the release of game fish and will not recognize any killed sailfish, marlin, spearfish, tarpon, redfish, warsaw grouper or shark for award purposes.

All participants receive certificates noting their catches and qualify for a variety of awards including coveted “Master Angler” titles.

Event information: keywestfishingtournament.com or 305-923-5934

Source: Key West Fishing Tournament Kicks Off Dec. 1 with Free Entry for Anglers | Florida Keys Newsroom

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