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Thursday, February 28, 2008

The Everol Army is on the March!





The Everol Army is on the March!
24 Models and Growing
Starting with a new model with the combined power of a 9/0 reel shrunk into the body of a 4/0 reel at two speed, EverolUSA is about to conquer the world of angling in a new performance reel with an outstanding presentation called the Canyon Special. Also, Everol is now prototype testing a new 2-speed version of the Waterproof 12/20, which will be publicly available in late 2008 / early 2009. We are in search of anglers to be a part of the Everol Army, spreading the word of our reemergence back into the top slot in angling performance and satisfaction. Join us here at Inshore Florida-Offshore Anywhere on our mission to catch fish, with the best reels found on the market today.

Order an Everol today!Pick Your Model, send us an email and we will invoice you back. Questions or just more info, drop us a line.

From its small factory in Italy, Everol has handcrafted the world’s finest since 1958. Our reels are handmade one at a time. The 1960’s and 70’s were Everol’s glory days in the U.S. market, where their reputation for superior design and unique drag scale was nationally recognized. To be honest though, 20 years of non-existent marketing has virtually destroyed Everol’s domestic brand recognition. This is about to change. Check us out, do not be the second one to hear of this, be the first in bring back the legend, Everol forever, EverolUSA!

Inshore Florida’s: House of Styxs, Handcrafted Rods by Cohn

LOOKING FOR A NEW STICK? How about a Custom Rod by Cohn...

Inshore Florida’s: House of Styxs

Dave Cohn’s Handcrafted Custom Fishing Rods

COHN’S STYXS

A custom-built fishing rod should fit the user like "A GLOVE". The rods length, power, type, line, grips, reel seat, guides and colors should be considered and are key components that go into a Professionally Built Custom Rod, matching your personality to your stick. That's the difference between buying a rod Off the Rack and one that's Custom Built; It's the matching of components to the user along with fishing style, fish species and personal preferences. It should FIT LIKE A GLOVE!

Ask yourself these questions to determine what type of fishing rod you need:


1. Fish Species or what will the rod is used for.
2. Rod Style...Spinning - Casting - Big Game - Surf - Fly Rod - Ultra Lite
3. Overall Rod Length
4. Action / Power...See the illustration below
5. Blank...Graphite - EGlass - SGlass - Boron - Composite Material
6. Grip...Cork - Hypalon - Mooseskin - Pistol Grip (casting) – Alum.
7. Reel Seat...Graphite - Machined Aluminum - Wrap-On - Fighting Belt
8. Line Type and Lb Test... Mono - Dacron – Hollow Core - Braid - Lead Core -
9. Guides...Hardloy - Silicone Carbide - Aluminum Oxide - Alconite – Mildrum
10. Color Scheme and Personalizing

ACTIONS -Extra Fast Action Curves the upper 1/4 of the blank -Fast Action Curves the upper 1/3 of the blank -Moderate Action Curves the upper 1/2 of the blank -Slow Action Curves progressively through the entire length of the blank


"I build one rod at a time,
hand crafted to the exact specifications
of each Customer. Your Cohn Stix should be an extension of ones body, one rod, one fish, and one angler. Discover my unique ability to custom fit your rod with an individual signature and designed Stick that is all about you!”
Dave Cohn

You also need to consider the various characteristics of Fishing Rods. Some of these are the actions of Fishing Rods, the weights, and their lengths. You will be able to determine the appropriate Fishing Rod you need by getting familiar with these basic features. Here are the guidelines:



Fishing Rod Actions
A rod's action determines its flexibility. There are four action types in Fishing Rods. These are: extra fast, fast, moderate, and slow. Fast-action and slow-action rods have their own unique characteristics. A fast-action rod is more sensitive compared to a slow-action Fishing Rod. Likewise, the angler will be able to know if his lure is already reaching the bottom because a fast-action rod can send out the lure's vibrations. On the other hand, a soft cast is possible using a slow-action rod, unlike a fast-action rod wherein it may break the bait off. If you are using a very light Fishing Line, it is advisable to use a slow-action rod when casting a considerable amount of bait or lure.

Fishing Rod Weights
A rod's weight indicates its strength. There are seven fundamental categories of rod weights: ultra light, light, medium light, medium, medium heavy, heavy, and extra heavy. Choosing the right Fishing Rod weight is not an easy task. However, be guided by this rule: the right Fishing Rod's weight depends on how big and/or how heavy the lure you will be using, and/or how big the fish you wish to catch is. In other words, the bigger the fish and/or the bigger or heavier the lure, the heavier the Fishing Rod you need. However, many Fishing Rod makers categorize rods based on what species they are made for, so buying the rod with the appropriate Fishing Rod weight becomes easier.

Fishing Rod Lengths
The length of the Fishing Rod is also an important factor to consider. Basic physics principles will tell you that a longer Fishing Rod allows you to cast at a greater distance. This also affects your ability to fight against a fish. For instance, a shorter, thicker Fishing Rod will be able to provide better advantage for "pumping" a powerful kind of fish from deeper water.


Knowing the basic features and various characteristics of Fishing Rods can help you determine which type of Fishing Rod you can use for your Fishing needs. For more information on your style and rod type, please drop us a line and we will bite back soon.

How big is that Shark; Sun Coast Florida



Want to Know just
HOW MUCH THAT FISH MIGHT WEIGHT,
because to us anglers
Size Really Does Matter!


Overall Area: Water temperature at the Venice pier was reported to be 72 degrees a couple of days ago and further south down on the pier of Naples, a whopping 82 degrees of bathtub water, Wow! That is excessively warm for February as the vacationers were enjoying the swimming and the snook and tarpon were revved up for a good meal. Good numbers of snook, tarpon and redfish were caught in all areas from Lemon Bay to the Myakka River, and many of the fish were large ones. It seems to be a week of April fishing only it is February. Schoolie Kings are ever so present as well, Caleb while angling the mid-section of the pier this week picked up a slender but nice six foot Blacktip Shark at around 129 pounds, give or take a tenth of a pound. Ladies, Bluefish, Mackerels and bait pods to walk on mixed with just too many birds. If you see a tourist feeding them, please tell them to stop, it’s a death sentence for a tangled bird but a hefty citation for the person on the feeding side.
Our warm-weather fishery is coming to a screeching halt as our recent cold blast of a winter cold front moved through on Tuesday night, and the temperature on Thursday and Friday morning is predicted to be in the lower 40s or even upper 30s, as was the case here in North Port.
This front will undoubtedly slow the bite for a few days, but the real worry is the possibility of a fish kill. Snook and even tarpon cannot tolerate plummeting cold water; they cannot stand drastic changes to which such a drop can cause massive fish kills. This has been one of the warmest winters I can remember and back in December this was mirrored and there was a severe fish kill when the water dropped 20 degrees in two days. Dead snook, tarpon and goliath grouper littered the waters throughout our coastlines. We can only hope that this fast moving low pressure too will not have a devastating effect.

Boca Grande: Capt. Rob has been enjoying plenty of kingfish mixed with Spanish, Cobia and sharks while kiting behind his vessel trolling live baits for the kingfish. He said that the kings are on the bite and have been caught in a various of methods but by trolling live baits skipping under a kite, the anglers can see the kingfish come to the surface and take the bait; what a thrilling moment to see a sky-rocketing king enucleate a bait. He has also been chumming and catching Cobia and medium sharks, while on the look out for rolling Silver Kings.
Back up in the harbor and along the rocks, a steady supply of snook and redfish with big jacks mixed in are the mixed bag of the day. Some of these fish have been large ones for this time of year, including several slot size snook and monster Bull redfish. Drop offs to ledges and cheese holes are producing great snook hook-ups.

Lemon Bay and North up the Ditch: Reports that the fishing has been great prior to the approaching cold snap. Snook to Reds, mixed with nice Trout caught on D.O.A. and Reds on my Red on white Upside Down Cake produced some tail dancing top water action.

Venice Ditch, The Alley north and our Inlet: Fishing close out of the Venice Inlet bonito, cobia, snook, and heads seemed to enjoy the out flowing tides mixed with small shark and mangroves. Report of a 50-pound tarpon inside the inlet at Snake Island have not been substantiated but sounds hopeful, considering the eight foot Hammer caught last week on the pier at Sharky’s.
Further north around New Pass: Capt. Dave Hanson fished in 40 feet of water with David Unger, Tony Pastori, Jim Sistek and Bob Wilson, and they caught 14 mangrove snapper to 17 inches, sheepshead to 18 inches, five hogfish to 15 inches, Spanish mackerel, triggerfish and porgies. They also caught and released a pair of 24-inch gag grouper and a 21-inch red grouper that were out of season, as reported from a news report.


Freshwater to the Brackish Back waters:
The freshwater fishing has been good, although with the warm weather, there are more snook being caught than bass, in the brackish waters of the rivers and inlets. The largest bass have moved up onto their beds, and some have already spawned and are feeding in the holes near the beds, but all this could change with this week’s cold front, time will tell.
It will be windy and much cooler on Thursday and Friday, and even though it will warm up quickly, the change in temperature will certainly shut down the snook fishing temporarily. The bass are less susceptible to the cooler temperatures, but they too will likely be affected, especially since the Myakka and its subsidiaries are so shallow because of the drought, and there will fewer deep areas for the fish to hide with the exception of them gator holes. In all, hopefully by Sunday the bite will be back on.

“FISH ON!”

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

SIZE REALLY DOES MATTER

SIZE MATTERS!
Just How Big Is It?
Do not have a scale and wish to know just how much your catch weights…
Fish weight shall be determined to the nearest tenth of a pound using the following formula: (L" x G" x G")/800 or the length in inches multiplied by girth in inches squared, and then this product divided by 800.

The KayakSlam Tournament Series

Come join the fastest growing Kayak Only Series in Florida
The KayakSlam Tournament Series
presented by
Joe's Crab Shack
Devoe Hummer
Captdick Stake out Poles
Yak-Pads
Kayak Excursions
DOA Lures
Butt Rest Rod Holders
Fish N Drinks
Immersion Research
Cape Tool & Tackle
Affinity Tackle

Supported By
Inshore Florida-Offshore Wherever
If it is not an EverolUSA, It’s Just A Reel!

West Coast Division
Clearwater event
Tournament location - Joe's Crab Shack, 2730 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater
Capt Meeting- Feb 29 @ 6:30pm,
attendance is mandatory, Food will be served
Tournament Hours- 6:45am to 3:30pm- check in line opens at 2:00pm
Awards Ceremony at 4:00pm Food will be served

Entries will be accepted at the Captain's Meeting.
$85.00 no late fee cash only at the meeting please.


LOOKING FOR A NEW STICK? How about a Custom Rod by Cohn...

Inshore Florida’s: House of Styxs

Dave Cohn’s Handcrafted Custom Fishing Rods

COHN’S STYXS

A custom-built fishing rod should fit the user like "A GLOVE". The rods length, power, type, line, grips, reel seat, guides and colors should be considered and are key components that go into a Professionally Built Custom Rod, matching your personality to your stick. That's the difference between buying a rod Off the Rack and one that's Custom Built; It's the matching of components to the user along with fishing style, fish species and personal preferences. It should FIT LIKE A GLOVE!

Ask yourself these questions to determine what type of fishing rod you need:


1. Fish Species or what will the rod is used for.
2. Rod Style...Spinning - Casting - Big Game - Surf - Fly Rod - Ultra Lite
3. Overall Rod Length
4. Action / Power...See the illustration below
5. Blank...Graphite - EGlass - SGlass - Boron - Composite Material
6. Grip...Cork - Hypalon - Mooseskin - Pistol Grip (casting) – Alum.
7. Reel Seat...Graphite - Machined Aluminum - Wrap-On - Fighting Belt
8. Line Type and Lb Test... Mono - Dacron – Hollow Core - Braid - Lead Core -
9. Guides...Hardloy - Silicone Carbide - Aluminum Oxide - Alconite – Mildrum
10. Color Scheme and Personalizing

ACTIONS -Extra Fast Action Curves the upper 1/4 of the blank -Fast Action Curves the upper 1/3 of the blank -Moderate Action Curves the upper 1/2 of the blank -Slow Action Curves progressively through the entire length of the blank


"I build one rod at a time,
hand crafted to the exact specifications
of each Customer. Your Cohn Stix should be an extension of ones body, one rod, one fish, and one angler. Discover my unique ability to custom fit your rod with an individual signature and designed Stick that is all about you!”
Dave Cohn

You also need to consider the various characteristics of Fishing Rods. Some of these are the actions of Fishing Rods, the weights, and their lengths. You will be able to determine the appropriate Fishing Rod you need by getting familiar with these basic features. Here are the guidelines:



Fishing Rod Actions
A rod's action determines its flexibility. There are four action types in Fishing Rods. These are: extra fast, fast, moderate, and slow. Fast-action and slow-action rods have their own unique characteristics. A fast-action rod is more sensitive compared to a slow-action Fishing Rod. Likewise, the angler will be able to know if his lure is already reaching the bottom because a fast-action rod can send out the lure's vibrations. On the other hand, a soft cast is possible using a slow-action rod, unlike a fast-action rod wherein it may break the bait off. If you are using a very light Fishing Line, it is advisable to use a slow-action rod when casting a considerable amount of bait or lure.

Fishing Rod Weights
A rod's weight indicates its strength. There are seven fundamental categories of rod weights: ultra light, light, medium light, medium, medium heavy, heavy, and extra heavy. Choosing the right Fishing Rod weight is not an easy task. However, be guided by this rule: the right Fishing Rod's weight depends on how big and/or how heavy the lure you will be using, and/or how big the fish you wish to catch is. In other words, the bigger the fish and/or the bigger or heavier the lure, the heavier the Fishing Rod you need. However, many Fishing Rod makers categorize rods based on what species they are made for, so buying the rod with the appropriate Fishing Rod weight becomes easier.

Fishing Rod Lengths
The length of the Fishing Rod is also an important factor to consider. Basic physics principles will tell you that a longer Fishing Rod allows you to cast at a greater distance. This also affects your ability to fight against a fish. For instance, a shorter, thicker Fishing Rod will be able to provide better advantage for "pumping" a powerful kind of fish from deeper water.


Knowing the basic features and various characteristics of Fishing Rods can help you determine which type of Fishing Rod you can use for your Fishing needs. For more information on your style and rod type, please drop us a line and we will bite back soon.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Finding Success through Fishing

Finding Success through Fishing
Shattering Chains for Rods
The Beginnings;

“We here with The Island Anglers, have an impassioned plea for young people to shatter the ‘contemporary slavery’ of chains, drugs, illegitimacy and ignorance. Helping yourself by helping others in participating in the in sport we all call fishing through mentoring.”

Sitting on the end of the pier, watching the sunset and in waiting for the lunar eclipse to happen later in this evening, I had a chance to recall a time awhile back when, like tonight, young people were scattered about in wait for a bite out on the boards at Sharky’s on the Pier. Memories are but what keep us alive and this memory is one I will never forget:

On a sucker bet, a number of the people were talking about how it was impossible to hold down a gallon of milk for one hour if drank within 30 minutes. Joe explained that the body’s lactose intolerance to such a large quantity of milk in a short period would not be able to hold down the content... A sound disgusting does not it. After much serious debate Chris went to the store a purchased a gallon of milk while some one else ordered pizza delivery.
Know matter what our age, you put a bunch of guys together and you get a bunch of kids having fun! Michael Riccio , age 15, took that bet along with eating two pizza's because he was hungry and 45 minutes into the game, green and all, Mike was chumming the waters below the pier for bait. From that infamous day on, Michael has never been called by his real name; he has been dubbed The ‘Milkman’.

Mike the "Milkman' was born in upstate New York, a short distance from the Mohawk River, Crane Pond, or the Adirondacks where he did a wide variety of freshwater fishing. In Mikes own words,” I have spent more than 2500 hours on the Venice municipal fishing pier. I have walked more than 500 miles on its weathered planks, and during this time, I have observed countless people casting lines over its carved ledger boards. Because I possess the scrutinizing eyes of a curious angler and a sociable disposition, I have been able to gain keen insight as to why people fish. Due to my acute observations, I have discovered three very distinct facets of the general fishing population. I have come to the conclusion that there are those who fish for subsistence, or perhaps less dramatically, sustenance; those who fish because they genuinely enjoy it; and also, those who fish for the novelette."
Milkman started fishing with us, The Island Anglers before we were an official club along with his father. I sold him his first open conventional fishing reel, A Mitchell, manufactured for catching large predator freshwater fish found like in the Great Lakes at deep depths and helped him land his first shark. The Mitchell is a great reel to start with before wasting ones money on a true saltwater legend like an EverolUSA, only to find your not really into big game fishing or sharks. The Mitchell will last a good period if equipped right and kept oiled and cleaned. Once you have been bitten by that sport called Shark Angling, you will never go back and catching them on equipment like and Everol is comparing an Volkswagen to a Porsche; both of the same breed but one is much more fine tuned, costly and guaranteed for a lifetime, EverolUSA is a name you can trust for ever, truly an innovative machine matched only to its self.
Mike has helped countless others down the path of finding themselves through fishing or as we call it "Fishing for Success". Building self-esteem, helping others, learning about out marine surroundings and teaching leadership, The Milkman, Michael Riccio, is respected by all. As time fleeted by, children with their Mickey Mouse rods & reels upgraded to open faced spinning reels and the Milkman was there to guide them along. From spinning reels to conventional reels, these younger members formed a bond of teaching others, of any age, all they could of the sport they have learned to love. Milkman does not get to spend as much time with us as we or he would like anymore because he is now attending the University of Miami working on a degree.

Rocky Cicogna was one of Milkman's understudies. At age 12 he had mastered the art of catching and releasing no less than three sharks in the 200 pound class range, that's between six and eight feet long. To all here in The Island Anglers, he is "Rocky".
Born in 'The Bronx', New York, he lives in Osprey, just north of the pier here in Venice, Florida and attended Laurel-Nokomis Middle School playing the drums on the line in the Marching Band and holds good grades too. He was proud of that! So are to all of us who know him.
Rocky says he started with a Zebco 202, not a Mickey Mouse Rod, and progressed to a Garcia Millionaire. He uses to go fishing with his dad at the shore. Now he fishes here on the pier with a Penn International and is equal to all regardless of age. "It's all about fish! Not girls, or games or me, just about the fish," 'Rocky' said. "Fishing brings people together. It gives them a common bond where everybody is the same and we all win." The Rock puts his money where his mouth is too. At one time, The Pier Anglers Association, another fishing club here in Venice, sponsored a Family Fishing Tournament which a number of Island Anglers members were volunteers. Rocky was an official in taking measurements and helping in identification of the caught fish. An event that took up most of his Saturday morning. Not an activity you will find many adults doing on their day off but when asked of the Rock he said, "Why not? It's fun!"
When Rocky grows up he hopes to go to college like Milkman but he wants to be an engineer. He wants to be remembered by building great things. Rocky is building great things right now. Trust, friendships, loyalty and the wiliness to give; something we all could learn from.
Where there is fire there is smoke. Where there was Rocky, there was Josh and Dennis. The Three Musketeers! All for one and one for all and no fish is too small. Oh boy.
Josh Zgrabik, age 15, moved here from Avon Lake Ohio. He was a member of the state Skeet &Trap Team and says it is one of the reasons he has kept to the straight and narrow. “Know matter what the sport; stick with it, something good will comes of it." Josh attends Venice High School and wants a career in the marine industry as a Charter Captain, like his Dad, when he graduates. Josh too has landed large sharks but is skillful in handling Cobia as well. Josh does well in school and saves his hard-earned monies for some of the best equipment one can buy. Impressive and not because of the cost but of the sacrifice in a love for a sport. Josh would give you the shirt off his back and is there to help all on the pier with his knowledge.
Finally yet importantly is Dennis Cavallo. Moved down from New York City, Dennis attends High School at a Military Academy in Sarasota. Dennis is in competition with all and is out to catch the largest fish, outcast anyone, and is willing to prove it. His knowledge of the sport of shark fishing is vast for his age of 16 years old. He, like Josh and Rocky, is everywhere on the pier if someone is in need of advice or is in need of help in rigging of there equipment. Need a hook, run out of bait or your just plain thirsty, "one hand washes the other out here", Dennis replied, "It's just good Carmen!" "I want to work a family business when I get older", said Dennis, "like maybe a seafood restaurant."
These three guys come all from different lifestyles and all with a common bond, fishing. Rich or poor, fat or thin we all except each other as we are and grow with the ability to learn from our teachers. Who are your teachers I asked, to which Milkman replied "We Are." A couple of years have passed now and all, at times still run into one another out here on the boards, with each growing older and different avenues have they ventured down but all have a single conveyance which stills bonds them like brothers; fishing.

A common bond, that brings us all together is becoming individuals in an event and participating with an idea; catching fish. People are the same the world over. We may speak a different language, dress a bit differently, and have ever-changing political views, but when it comes to fishing and enjoying the outdoors together, all our differences seem to fade. Just think what the world would look like if everyone just took the time to step back and smell the roses, putting your differences aside and becoming a member of the human race. Fishing is not just in catching the fish. It is a time to chat, listen and form bonds. Its a team, where individuals play the parts of helping each other out and if you catch fish, "that's gravy!" Our group, 'The Island Anglers', was established to introduce adults, children, and youth in need or at risk, physically or mentally challenged person and socially isolated individuals to the sport of fishing and the outdoors. We here at, The Island Anglers', wish not only to give positive mentoring but to foster a total understanding of the sport of fishing by teaching responsible stewardship and enjoyment of our environment and surroundings. We here at theislandanglers.com are committed to forming a Memorandum of Understanding and creating a Unique Partnership that will generate new outdoor recreational opportunities for all citizens with or without physical disabilities. So the next time your here in Venice, Florida, come on down to our City Pier and join in some fun for a day you will always remember!
By Gary A. Anderson

‘Positive Mentoring through Fishing!’

“FISH ON!”

KING MACKEREL BITE IS ON, OFF SUN COAST!





KINGFISH...Huh?

(Pinch me, it is February still, right?)

Gary Anderson

Singing the song “Oh Canada!” comes to mind when I think of Travis or the guy with the magic flip-flops as he casts out a chunk of Jack on his Penn 950 Spinning outfit, with one-hundred pound Power-Pro, sets his rod down next to mine and wham! Bam! “FISH ON!” Jew time with a 350 pound, guessing, Goliath Grouper…

On another note I hear the word King aloud and believe it or not, they either never left or it is an early arrival but the Kings are in. Reports of sizable King Mackerel, in forty feet of water and plenty taken off the beaches in the school size of small to barely keepers are abundant and the bite is on using Black Salties to hardware. If you are looking for Black Salties, contact me and I will hook you up, one way or another!
Inshore there is a lot of redfish, great snook action, and some nice speckled trout all being caught this week, along with dancing ladies and Goliath Groupers at around 350 plus pounds out at the Venice, Florida pier at dusk. Black Powder, Inshore Florida jerkbaits, Chugbugs, and Exude Darts are producing nice fish this week. Lemon Bay is producing the best bite right now. Red on White ‘Black Powder’ jerks and dark Chug bugs are the best baits in hardware for the Sun Coast, over the past week. There are still some pompano around in Stump Pass and at Little Gasparilla Pass, though they are hard to find elsewhere and believe me, we have been on the prowl. Silly Willy Jigs have been the best bet for the pompano with the most productive bite on the high tides. The Head bite has been sporadic, this week, with small schools on the flats. Water temperatures have been averaging in the mid sixties, and not cold enough to get a heavy feed on.
Throughout the Sarasota, Little Sarasota bay and the Alley along with the skinnies of the ditch, the speckled trout bite has been on fire. Live bait or artificials are working equally well. Snooking has also come back to life around areas with tidal action and structure. Redfish, around dock structure, and in the skinnies of low tide are a best bet. The bait of choice has been fresh-cut ladyfish for the redfish with an occasional snook taking the bait as well. Blackburn continues to hold a school of enormous jack crevalles with the sheepshead bite finally turning on with the colder nights this past week. Anglers are reporting nice catches on most outings. Sand Fleas with a small cork are working best while fished drifting along the rocks with a number one Eagle Claw Circle Snelled rig. The South Jetty has been reporting the best catches this week. Snook have been all over the place and seem to be on the bite at the high end of the tides, which have been during the night this past week. Dock lights are HOT at night.

Offshore the water has been like a lake, between passing low pressures, however not many anglers going out. The Federal grouper closure, which took effect recently, is keeping most offshore anglers from going out at all. Those that are out are finding the bite in the shallows between 40-50 feet for gag grouper. Silver trout are still biting around the Venice City Pier along with Spanish mackerel up to about a half-mile off the beaches. Amberjack, those yard dogs, are in 80-90 feet of water around the wrecks in the 40-60 pound range. Jumping into the 70-100 range of water depth, the red grouper bite, is awesome, with many a Cobia coming in from the wrecks. When angling for Cobia, inshore to offshore, usually one uses Pinfish and Bluerunners as a good bait but if you can get them on the way out, try a Lizardfish and hang-on!
Angling up out around New Pass has produced a number of Hogfish in the fifteen inch range, according to reports as well, Spanish mackerel to 24 inches, triggerfish and whitebone porgies. Triggers, Porgies and Grunts along with keeper Flounder on shrimp off the bottom on the sides of the pass along with many undersized grouper and at least one keeper reported from my neighbor.

“FISH ON!”

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Everol Reels Featured on Gary Anderson's "Inshore Florida"

From Inshore Florida to Offshore Wherever,

It is all about Angling,

Be it fish in the box, to a World Class record;

Dependability, Reliability and Guaranteed in Performance, EverolUSA is a name of trusted value since 1958!



What Are You Fishing With?






Everol Waterproof Series:



Model Weight Gear Ratio Line Capacity



EV612WP 1.65 lb 4.5:1 20#/300yds

EV1220WP 1.65 lb 4.5:1 20#/450yds

EV30WP 3.08 lb 4:1 30#/700yds

EV50WP 3.75 lb 4:1 50#/800yds

EV50WPW 3.97 lb 4:1 50#/1100yds





Inshore Florida and Everol Reels



(One without the other is like a rod without the reel)



About Everol





All reels feature uni-body construction! Check out the new 2.5/0 and 4/0 TS as well as our new 6-12 Waterproof! Call 941-426-6118 or contact us here for more information.

Everol is an Italian company that has been building exquisite, finely machined lever drag reels since 1958 when the company started building reels that were up to the task of battling the giant Bluefin tuna of the Mediterranean. Everol's reels are built with only the best, most anti-corrosive materials to withstand the rigors of big-game fishing and the insidious saltwater environment, but what really sets Everol apart from its competition is the unique and unrivaled Everol drag system; Everol has incorporated this system into their reels since 1958 and it has yet to be duplicated.

As a big billfish, tuna, Wahoo, dolphin or other gamester peels line off a reel the laws of physics dictate that even without touching the drag lever the drag has increased due to the progressive reduction in the diameter of line on the spool. With other offshore reels, once line is in the water, it is anyone's best guess as to what the effective drag setting has become due to this phenomenon(regardless of whether an accurate initial drag setting was taken on a scale). Everol's system gives anglers a clear picture of what the effective drag has become allowing anglers to purposefully adjust their drag rather than fumbling with it haphazardly.

Everol's system works as follows: There are three scales on the side of the reel, which correspond to the amount of line on the spool as indicated by notches on the spool itself. The outermost, largest number represents a full spool, the middle, medium sized number a half spool, and the innermost, smallest number an almost empty spool. As an example, a 6/0 Everol set with 14lbs of initial drag would have an increased drag setting equal to 21lbs when half spooled. The benefits inherent in this system are evident but become even more pronounced when fishing light line or when possible records are at stake. As for the drag mechanism itself, Everol incorporates a silky smooth, forced air-cooled, multi-disc stainless and carbon fiber drag system in the reels.

For those who have grown accustomed to a pre-set drag, Everol has introduced the stellar Waterproof Series. These reels feature an internally sealed disc drag, which protects the double-sided drag washers from the corrosive saltwater environment. These reels are very lightweight yet strong, and, like the Special Series, they too are available in either right or left hand retrieve.

Everol is truly a legendary name in sportfishing and will continue to be for many years to come. Everol reels definitely deliver the kind of value and performance that is demanded by those who ply the offshore waters in search of big game fish. Whether you are a dealer or an interested individual, we welcome you to contact us. Thank you for visiting Inshore Florida’s Everol page and good luck on your next fishing adventure.

Inshore-Offshore Everol

USA; A Name You Can Trust!






Everol Two Speed Reels

Model Weight Gear Ratio Line Capacity



EV2.5/0 3.5 LB 3:1/6:1 20#/700yds
EV4/0 3.64 LB 3:1/6:1 30#/650yds

EV6/0 4 LB 3:1/6:1 50#/650yds

EV6/0W 4.25 LB 3:1/6:1 50#/1100yds

EV9/0 6.615 LB 3:1/6:1 80#/700yds

EV9/0W 7.277 LB 3:1/6:1 80#/900yds

EV12/0 8.159 LB 3:1/6:1 130#/700yds

EV14/0 10 LB 3:1/6:1 130#/1000yds

EV18/0 ******** 3:1/6:1 130#/1500yds



EVCS Canyon Special New in February 08

The Power of a 9/0 shrunk into a 4/0 TWO SPEED!



EVCS Canyon Special Two Speed

The Everol Drag System



In years gone by, one of the cardinal rules of fishing was to set your drag and then dare not adjust it once a fish was hooked. Given the variability in the drags of the day, this was probably some good advice to heed. The drags of modern reels are more precise, but most still leave the crucial drag setting variable very much up in the air. Everol is the only company whose reels are designed around a simple system, which allows these finely machined, high precision offshore reels to eliminate most of the guesswork and greatly simplify the drag setting process.

To get an accurate drag setting in pounds on other offshore reels, the drag must be physically tested, preferably on a precise scale such as a Chatillon. To get an accurate initial drag setting in pounds on an Everol, all that needs to be done is to move the lever drag to the setting desired as indicated by the outermost number on the dial on the side of the reel with its three concentric graduated scales(see picture).

If this were the end of the story, this system would not offer that much benefit to anglers, but the ingenuity and usefulness of Everol's system extends much further. As a big billfish, tuna, Wahoo or dolphin peels line off a reel the laws of physics dictate that even without touching the drag lever the drag has increased due to the progressive reduction in the diameter of line on the spool. With other offshore reels, it is anyone's best guess as to what the effective drag setting has become due to this phenomenon. Everol's system gives anglers a much clearer idea of what the effective drag has become. This, in turn, allows anglers to purposefully adjust their drag so as to closer maintain the initially decided upon drag setting, rather than haphazardly fiddle with the drag in a futile attempt to do so.

The system works as follows: There are three scales on the side of the reel, which correspond to the amount of line on the spool. The outermost, largest number represents a full spool, the middle, medium-sized number represents a half spool, and the innermost, smallest number represents an almost empty spool. As an example, a 6/0 Everol set with 10lbs initial drag would have an increased drag setting equal to 15lbs when half the spool was spooled. The benefits inherent in this system are evident, but become even more pronounced when fishing light line or when possible records are at stake.

As for the drag mechanism itself, Everol incorporates a silky smooth, forced air-cooled, multidisc drag system (click on small thumbnail above for a closer look). This system works much like a motorcycle clutch, floating on oversized springs and actuated by a large race plate. This drag configuration results in unparallel smoothness and allows the washers to wear evenly. The long lasting carbon fiber drag material sandwiched in-between the stainless plates enables the drag to last for season after season.

Everol has been building top-quality, low maintenance fishing reels since the late 50's, and our reels are built with only the best-anodized and stainless materials to be able to withstand the rigors of big-game fishing and of the insidious salt-water environment. Everol's unique features, quality craftsmanship, and attractive pricing truly do make them the best value available in offshore reels today -bar none.



Don’t Be Like The Rest,

Hook It Up With The Best

EVEROLUSA











Everol Special Series Single Speed Reels



Model Special Series Single Speed Reels

Model Weight Ratio Line Capacity



EV2.5/0S 2.75 LB 3.7:1 20#/700yds,

EV4/0S 2.97 LB 3.7:1 30#/650yds

EV6/0S 3.75 LB 2.9:1 50#/650yds,

EV6/0WS 3.96 LB 2.9:1 50#/1100yds,

EV7.5/0S 5.95 LB 2.9:1 70#/850yds,

EV9/0S 6.17 LB 2.9:1 80#/700yds,

EV9/0WS 6.83 LB 2:1 80#/900yds,

EV12/0S 7.72 LB 2:1 130#/700yds

EV14/0S 9.48 LB 2:1 130#/1000yds

, EV18/0S ****** **** 10#/1500yds







18/0


In addition, EverolUSA Are not Just About Reels,

Check out Their

Roller Guides and Downriggers too!









EVEROL ROLLER GUIDES $400.00






Easily, the finest roller guides available today. These guides are extremely lightweight yet feature ball bearings throughout (there are 14 ball bearings used in the set--4 for the stripper and 2 each on all the other guides). All rollers are completely recessed in the frames, eliminating the possibility of line getting between the roller and frame. If you are looking for the ultimate guides for 80 or 130lb tackle, these are the guides for you!



EVEROL NAUTILUS DOWNRIGGERS

$450.00 without Rod Holder $470.00 with Rod Holder





The Everol Nautilus Downrigger is simple yet functional. Built with only the most anti-corrosive components, the Nautilus is built to withstand the insidious saltwater environment. The Nautilus can swivel 360 degrees and stop at will, and its ingenious clutch system can be controlled effortlessly with one hand (by simply winding counterclockwise, the ball or Z-Wing can be gradually slowed down until the desired depth is reached--as measured on the meter counter).

The Nautilus can be mounted on a permanent fixing plate either where desired or ordered with a gimbaled mount for use in any standard rod holder. The use of the rod holder mounting is perfect for those who only use their downrigger occasionally or for those who do not want to drill holes in their boat for a permanent fixing plate. The Nautilus comes standard with a stainless rod holder, so use of the rod holder mounted Nautilus does not mean that you will lose use of one of your boat’s rod holders.

Feature List:

- 360 degree rotation, can be stopped at any point

- 28” boom (long boom model available soon)

- built with only the best, anti-corrosive components

- easy, one-hand operation

- available with a fixed mounting plate or a gimbaled rod holder mounting



From Inshore Florida to Offshore Wherever,

It is all about Angling,

Be it fish in the box, to a World Class record;

Dependability, Reliability and Guaranteed in Performance, EverolUSA is a name of trusted value since 1958! Need more information about EverolUSA: Gary Anderson’s Inshore Florida at 1-941-426-6118 0r Keith Wichmann at 1- 251-648-3210, CEO EverolUSA.






GO FLY A KITE!



Constructed for Wind Conditions up to 25mph




The Carbon Fiber Spars allow this kite to be flown
in wind conditions up to 15 MPH.

Each Kite Comes with one Extra Spar!



*Charter Captains Special!



$59.95


For more information on how you can purchase a
Kahula Kite for Your Retail Sales Shop, Charter Captain or Recreational Angler:

GO FLY A KITE



Inshore Florida is a Kahula Kite Dealer
Contact Us For More Information

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Inshore Florida and Everol Reels












Inshore Florida and Everol Reels

(One without the other is like a rod without the reel)


About Everol


All reels feature uni-body construction! Check out the new 2.5/0 and 4/0 TS as well as our new 6-12 Waterproof! Call 941-426-6118 or contact us here for more information.

Everol is an Italian company that has been building exquisite, finely machined lever drag reels since 1958 when the company started building reels that were up to the task of battling the giant Bluefin tuna of the Mediterranean. Everol's reels are built with only the best, most anti-corrosive materials to withstand the rigors of big-game fishing and the insidious saltwater environment, but what really sets Everol apart from its competition is the unique and unrivaled Everol drag system; Everol has incorporated this system into their reels since 1958 and it has yet to be duplicated.

As a big billfish, tuna, Wahoo, dolphin or other gamester peels line off a reel the laws of physics dictate that even without touching the drag lever the drag has increased due to the progressive reduction in the diameter of line on the spool. With other offshore reels, once line is in the water, it is anyone's best guess as to what the effective drag setting has become due to this phenomenon(regardless of whether an accurate initial drag setting was taken on a scale). Everol's system gives anglers a clear picture of what the effective drag has become allowing anglers to purposefully adjust their drag rather than fumbling with it haphazardly.

Everol's system works as follows: There are three scales on the side of the reel, which correspond to the amount of line on the spool as indicated by notches on the spool itself. The outermost, largest number represents a full spool, the middle, medium sized number a half spool, and the innermost, smallest number an almost empty spool. As an example, a 6/0 Everol set with 14lbs of initial drag would have an increased drag setting equal to 21lbs when half spooled. The benefits inherent in this system are evident but become even more pronounced when fishing light line or when possible records are at stake. As for the drag mechanism itself, Everol incorporates a silky smooth, forced air-cooled, multi-disc stainless and carbon fiber drag system in the reels.

For those who have grown accustomed to a pre-set drag, Everol has introduced the stellar Waterproof Series. These reels feature an internally sealed disc drag, which protects the double-sided drag washers from the corrosive saltwater environment. These reels are very lightweight yet strong, and, like the Special Series, they too are available in either right or left hand retrieve.

Everol is truly a legendary name in sportfishing and will continue to be for many years to come. Everol reels definitely deliver the kind of value and performance that is demanded by those who ply the offshore waters in search of big game fish. Whether you are a dealer or an interested individual, we welcome you to contact us. Thank you for visiting Inshore Florida’s Everol page and good luck on your next fishing adventure.


The Everol Drag System

In years gone by, one of the cardinal rules of fishing was to set your drag and then dare not adjust it once a fish was hooked. Given the variability in the drags of the day, this was probably some good advice to heed. The drags of modern reels are more precise, but most still leave the crucial drag setting variable very much up in the air. Everol is the only company whose reels are designed around a simple system, which allows these finely machined, high precision offshore reels to eliminate most of the guesswork and greatly simplify the drag setting process.

To get an accurate drag setting in pounds on other offshore reels, the drag must be physically tested, preferably on a precise scale such as a Chatillon. To get an accurate initial drag setting in pounds on an Everol, all that needs to be done is to move the lever drag to the setting desired as indicated by the outermost number on the dial on the side of the reel with its three concentric graduated scales(see picture).

If this were the end of the story, this system would not offer that much benefit to anglers, but the ingenuity and usefulness of Everol's system extends much further. As a big billfish, tuna, Wahoo or dolphin peels line off a reel the laws of physics dictate that even without touching the drag lever the drag has increased due to the progressive reduction in the diameter of line on the spool. With other offshore reels, it is anyone's best guess as to what the effective drag setting has become due to this phenomenon. Everol's system gives anglers a much clearer idea of what the effective drag has become. This, in turn, allows anglers to purposefully adjust their drag so as to closer maintain the initially decided upon drag setting, rather than haphazardly fiddle with the drag in a futile attempt to do so.

The system works as follows: There are three scales on the side of the reel, which correspond to the amount of line on the spool. The outermost, largest number represents a full spool, the middle, medium-sized number represents a half spool, and the innermost, smallest number represents an almost empty spool. As an example, a 6/0 Everol set with 10lbs initial drag would have an increased drag setting equal to 15lbs when half the spool was spooled. The benefits inherent in this system are evident, but become even more pronounced when fishing light line or when possible records are at stake.

As for the drag mechanism itself, Everol incorporates a silky smooth, forced air-cooled, multidisc drag system (click on small thumbnail above for a closer look). This system works much like a motorcycle clutch, floating on oversized springs and actuated by a large race plate. This drag configuration results in unparallel smoothness and allows the washers to wear evenly. The long lasting carbon fiber drag material sandwiched in-between the stainless plates enables the drag to last for season after season.

Everol has been building top-quality, low maintenance fishing reels since the late 50's, and our reels are built with only the best-anodized and stainless materials to be able to withstand the rigors of big-game fishing and of the insidious salt-water environment. Everol's unique features, quality craftsmanship, and attractive pricing truly do make them the best value available in offshore reels today -bar none.




In addition, We Are not Just About Reels, Check out our
Roller Guides and Downriggers too!





EVEROL ROLLER GUIDES $400.00


Easily, the finest roller guides available today. These guides are extremely lightweight yet feature ball bearings throughout (there are 14 ball bearings used in the set--4 for the stripper and 2 each on all the other guides). All rollers are completely recessed in the frames, eliminating the possibility of line getting between the roller and frame. If you are looking for the ultimate guides for 80 or 130lb tackle, these are the guides for you!

EVEROL NAUTILUS DOWNRIGGERS
$450.00 without Rod Holder $470.00 with Rod Holder



The Everol Nautilus Downrigger is simple yet functional. Built with only the most anti-corrosive components, the Nautilus is built to withstand the insidious saltwater environment. The Nautilus can swivel 360 degrees and stop at will, and its ingenious clutch system can be controlled effortlessly with one hand (by simply winding counterclockwise, the ball or Z-Wing can be gradually slowed down until the desired depth is reached--as measured on the meter counter).

The Nautilus can be mounted on a permanent fixing plate either where desired or ordered with a gimbaled mount for use in any standard rod holder. The use of the rod holder mounting is perfect for those who only use their downrigger occasionally or for those who do not want to drill holes in their boat for a permanent fixing plate. The Nautilus comes standard with a stainless rod holder, so use of the rod holder mounted Nautilus does not mean that you will lose use of one of your boat’s rod holders.

Feature List:

- 360 degree rotation, can be stopped at any point

- 28” boom (long boom model available soon)

- built with only the best, anti-corrosive components

- easy, one-hand operation

- available with a fixed mounting plate or a gimbaled rod holder mounting

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

FREE EVEROLUSA REEL GIVE AWAY:

CHECK OUT THE
Everol Booth at The Shows, Come Check It Out!


Mobile Boat Show (FEB21-24), Louisiana Sportsmen's Show (MAR 6-9)

Just letting you all know that EVEROL fishing reels, which recently moved to Mobile from Miami, will be at the Mobile Boat Show (FEB21-24) and also at the Louisiana Sportsmen's Show (MAR 6-9). They will have a large booth and plenty of reels to see, touch and buy if you are so inclined. In any case, please stop by the booth, shake Keith Wichmann’s hand and introduce yourself. Oh by the way, for those that are coming to the Mobile Boat Show, Keith Wichmann is giving away a FREE Reel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so stop by the booth and register to win.
Keith Wichmann
EverolUSA, President






EVEROLUSA FACTS:

Everol built its first big-game reel in 1958 to target the Mediterranean's Bluefin tuna off Italy. The manufacturer devised a simple yet effective drag system that uses physics to take the guesswork out of drag settings. As a fish pulls line off a reel, the diameter of line on the spool gets progressively smaller, causing the drag to increase. Everol places three sets of numbers under the lever drag that correspond to the amount of line on the spool as indicated by notches on the spool itself. The outermost, largest number represents the pounds of drag at full spool; the middle number equals the pressure at medium spool and the smallest number, the drag at an almost empty spool. For example, a 6/0 Everol set with 14 pounds of initial drag would have 21 pounds of drag when half-spooled.


Everol offers a complete lineup of one- and two-speed offshore reels made from anticorrosive materials in a unibody construction. The drag systems feature stainless and carbon fiber discs for superior power and a large surface area. The company is known for building some truly huge reels and now has the biggest boy out on the block with the 18/0. Designed for 200- to 300-pound test and capable of 100 pounds of drag, this reel will offer more line capacity than the company's 14/0, previously the largest reel in production. Everol currently offers nine sizes of one-speed lever-drag reels from 2.5/0 to 14/0. There are eight two-speed reels, including a 2.5/0, 4/0, 6/0, 6/0-wide, 9/0, 9/0-wide, 12/0 and 14/0.


For more information, visit Inshore Florida or drop us a line inshoreflorida@gmail.com and we will bite back or contact Mr. Keith Wichmann at:
EverolUSA@yahoo.com

Friday, February 1, 2008

SAIL KITE FISHING

Sail kite fishing is simply enough, setting out a sail attached to a line of hooks running between the sail and the shoreline. Many Fishermen have been very successful at this method of fishing. Here are my simple tips on Sail line fishing, I will try to keep it very simple and set you up with the basic information to get you started in this sport. Be sure to read and follow the State regulations listed below, or find the regulations for your state before attempting to Sail Line fish, if you are planning on multiple set ups (hooks) as this method could be construed as trot lining. Otherwise using two rods, one for the sail kite and the other as the baited rig, your just trolley fishing but on a grander scale. Now you can choose wither to troll out your baits and wait or run them out, drop them off and retrieve in the sail kite for another run off the beach with a different rod, though it is possible to attach more than one rod to a sail kite using different release clips, the odds of entanglement do increase.
Simple rules to follow:
1) Make sure the wind is blowing towards the water, If not your sail wont go out!
2) Try and set up your sail line where there is Very Little Boat Traffic.
3) Bait your hooks with live, cut or artificial baits.
4) Use "Tacking" to adjust for wind direction.
TACKING:
Tacking is an adjustment, as a sailboat does to move against the wind, through adjusting the clip to your line to the chain on the rig so it sails off at an angle to the wind. If the wind is blowing straight out and you want your sail line to go to the left, simply clip your line a bit to the left of the centerline. To make it go right you clip to the right of the centerline. This also works if the wind is blowing out at an angle if the wind is blowing over your left shoulder as you face the water; simply clip on your line to the left of the centerline of the chain until it seems to be going out straight.
You can build a simple sail rig out of PVC PIPES and a few connectors you can buy at just about any hardware store. The sail can be made of anything, but your best bet for this is Rip stop Nylon (Kite Material) which you can get at a cloth store. I hope that you know a tailor who can sew it for you. If not, maybe the cloth store could recommend someone or you could get it done at a laundry/cleaners that does alterations or just do it yourself with staples and duct tape, no one said it had to be pretty. Here are some simple ideas for getting you started in building Sail Kite Rig. The pieces are actually all white, I color coded them so you could tell where each piece goes.




NO WIND? NO PROBLEM!
Here is a nice tip for using your sail line in an area where there is Current instead of wind, Use all the same methods as above except you would have the sail line rig upside down with the sail under water catching current instead of wind.

Yaking the Inshore on the Inshore, in Florida; Brackish Waters.

By Gary A. Anderson
When the wind whips up I love the brackish waters from Snook Haven to the canals of Ft. Myers and down through the vast stretches of the Glades and across Alligator Alley for that is where one can find an abundance of super fish! Yaking the brackish waters of our canals, streams and rivers will pit you up against some hefty critters on the rod, fly and gators in your eye. Caution should be taken when angling these waters in late winter to early spring for gators are on the prowl for a mate. They can be extremely aggressive and that yak your in only is of a different color, get my drift? Stay away or make noise when approaching basking reptiles. Otherwise, happy hunting for the first fishes on our list The Tiger Fish and a Super Fish it is too.
SUPER Tiger FISH!
Super Mayan cichlid that is! The Mayan cichlid (pronounced sick-lid) is a small fish, about five to ten inches in length, with dark vertical stripes and a blue spot at the base of its tail. The Mayan cichlid is an “exotic” fish from Central America that was discovered in Everglades National Park fourteen years ago. It is not known who brought it to Florida, but since its arrival this fish has spread rapidly throughout most of the Everglades, from the saltwater estuaries of Florida Bay to as far north as canals in Palm Beach County and west through-out Ft. Myers.
Adult and juvenile C. urophthalmus have a yellow to olive-brown body, with five to seven distinct vertical bars and a prominent dark ocellus at the base of the caudal fin. Otherwise known to local as the Orange Tiger Fish. Spawning in south Florida occurs April to June, meaning they are on their way to the beds pretty soon and go on a binge before the spawn, seek and find for being an exotic fish there is no limit and they a tasty too. Put that together with a 3-weight fly rod and a kayak and you have one heck of a showdown. The IGFA World record is one at 15 inches long and 2.6 pounds in weight. That is shark size to the Bream and Sunfish who share the same habitat. Found in the canals or mangroves as far north as Ft. Meyers to the Glades, these fish offer thrill and excitement to old and young alike. Windy days make the bays, inshore and offshore rough sometimes so it is nice to sometimes stay in side and fish for locals. Tiger fish are found in both salt and fresh water but prefer that of brackish and they sport a good; white, flaky meat with mild flavor; no bag or size limits. Easily caught on worms, insects, and dead or live shrimp, dry fly, and wet fly, poppers, under a cane and on beetle spins with light spinning tackle. Since they are considered a freshwater fish, even in saltwater, you will need a freshwater fishing license and too, if you’re boating you must have a license. So, to be on the safe side, it is best just to pick-up a combo-license anyway covering all the bases when you too are stopped.
(Ictalurus punctatus)
CHANNEL CATFISH
Common Names - spotted cat, blue channel cat, river catfish
Description - Channel catfish closely resemble blue catfish. Both have deeply forked tails. However, channels have a rounded anal fin with 24-29 rays and scattered black spots along their back and sides. They have a small, narrow head. The back is blue-gray with light blue to silvery-gray sides and a white belly. Larger channels lose the black spots and also take on a blue-black coloration on the back with shades to white on the belly making my mouth water and drool as I write. This could be why many a guy calls me Cat Man Do! Hmmm…
Fresh to brackish water, the Channel cat normally feed on the bottom; channels also will feed at the surface and at mid-depth. Major foods are aquatic insects, crayfish, mollusks, crustaceans and fishes. Small channels consume invertebrates, but larger ones may eat fish and chicken livers to hearts free lined with a current or under a Cajun cork with a number one wide gap Eagle Claw snelled circle hook. I can smell the grease heating now. These incredible fish will take almost any lure thrown at them too but prefer baits that slowly drift or lay on the bottom for an easy ambush.
Average weight is between two to five pounds but areas I fish they exceed thirty, with the state at 44.50 pounds. Most channels are caught by bottom fishing with baits such as dried chicken blood, chicken livers or gizzards, and night crawlers. They prefer dead or prepared stink baits to live bait, but at times will take live minnows and lures such as spinners and jigs. Strong fighters with good endurance, they are frequently caught on trotlines. Since channel catfish can also be taken by commercial fishermen, except where stocked by the Commission, they are not legally classified as sport fish. By bush hook, setline or trotline baited with cut bait or other substance; but not including live game fish or any part of any game fish; bush hooks, setlines or trotlines (limited to 25 hooks total) are permitted for taking non-game fish for personal use only. Trotlines, bush hooks or set lines are permitted statewide except in these areas of the State of Florida and if more than 25 hooks are on the line a Commercial License must be in possession there of.
(Ameiurus catus)
White Catfish
The White Catfish too lives with the Channels and are of the same eating habits or you eating them, delicacies to the pallet. The sides are blue-gray to blue-black and may be mottled. The tail is moderately forked, and the anal fin is shorter and rounder than that of channel or blue catfish. Whites have only 19-22 anal fin rays. The chin barbells are white or yellow. They have a blunt, more-rounded head, and they lack black spots on their body. In Florida, they are found statewide in rivers and streams and in slightly brackish coastal waters. Seldom exceeding four pounds in weight, the state record is just over 18 pounds.
(Ameiurus natalis)
Yellow Bullhead
The yellow bullhead closely resembles the brown bullhead with a squat body and a round or squaretail. It is yellow-olive to slate black above and lighter, often yellow to yellow-olive, on its sides with little to no mottling. The belly may be white, cream or yellow. The chin barbells are yellow to buff or pale pink; the upper barbells, which are light to dark-brown, help distinguish this species from brown bullheads. The anal fin has a straight margin with 23 to 27 rays. Another tasty critter though smallest of all our area catfish weighing in on an average of about two to three pounds and a record in Florida of… everybody eats them and nobody has turned one in for a record, the books are open on this one.
(Lepisosteus osseus)
The Gar or Garfish
Found throughout the state, they are olive-brown or deep green along the back and upper sides, with silver-white bellies. There are a few irregular, large dark spots on the body. The young display scattered spots over both sides, the upper and lower jaws and on their ventral fins. The longnose is generally distinguished from other gars by its longer, more slender body, and especially by its longer, narrower snout. The snout is twice the length of the rest of the head.
Gars are sporty fighters; however, they are not fished for to a great extent. They can be taken with minnows and artificial lures or during daylight by spearing (although not by spear gun) and snagging them with treble hooks. They are popular with bow-fishermen and anglers using frayed nylon cord as a lure snag, which entangles the gars teeth.

Although the flesh of longnose gars is edible, it is not popular. However, the Seminole Indians reportedly prefer gars over other fish. They roast them completely in the coals of open fires. The roe is poisonous to humans, animals and birds and the State record is that of 41 pounds.

And then of course catching one of these babies in a kayak is quite a rush, if not completely insane, the Florida Alligator Gar, Atractosteus spatula, a monster compared to its cousins coming in at a state record of just over 123 pounds. The largest I ever caught with my wife ‘Cat’ and friend David came in at 179 pounds in Rockport, Texas, where the record there is still unbroken since 1951with a whopper at a hundred pounds more 279 pounds and over eight feet long.

So from little Tigers to whopping Gars, there are lots to catch out there in those brackish waters of the in shore’s inshore and I failed to mention the other Florida has 3 million acres of freshwater lakes and 12,000 miles of streams and rivers. From those waters over 250 different species of freshwater fishes have been collected. This includes several rather rare native fishes and 73 species of non-native fishes (fish that come from outside of the United States and would not have been found in Florida if it were not for man's intervention). And that is just the tip of our berg for there are a number of saltwater fish that are caught up here in the freshwater/brackish end of the ditch too. From Bull Sharks to Sturgeon, Redfish to Snook so what are you waiting for, pick up that license and go get em!
“FISH ON!”
And Don’t Forget the
Inshore Florida Fishing Report
Where you too can get that big one!