The 1.6-acre Miami River site where Adler Group is planning a rental tower
1. Adler Group signs utilities deal for new Miami River apartments[The Next Miami]
2.South Florida construction craze brings new wave of lawsuits [Daily Business Review]
3. FPL plans to build service center office in Miami-Dade [SFBJ]
4. Landslide vote in House bodes well for easing limits on condo sales [Washington Post]
Sean Stewart-Muniz
Our Florida Reefs is attempting to stop you from fishing. They have proposed numerous marine protected areas that would prohibit recreational fishing by creating no-take zones from Stuart Inlet all the way to Key Biscayne. They also want to nominate the entire area as a National Marine Sanctuary.
That means massive NO FISHING ZONES all along the southeast Florida coast.
Proposed recommendations include:
1. Implementing a Marine Protected Area zoning framework.
2. Nominating the entire region as a National Marine Sanctuary.
3. Applying for United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site status for the entire Florida Reef Tract.
4. Establishing Coral Reef Gardens.
Make Your Voice Heard!
If you oppose the recommendations listed above, we invite you to visit our website by clicking here to sign an online petition. Its an easy way to make your voice heard on the issue. The deadline to submit public comment is March 1, so we ask you to please sign the petition today!
FPL's Turkey Point plant
An administrative judge found that the cooling canal system at Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point nuclear power plant is the primary cause of saltwater infiltration of the Biscayne Aquifer, the main source of water for South Florida.
Judge Bram D.E. Canter recommended that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rescind or revise its December 23, 2014, order approving a new plan for FPL to fix the cooling canals at its nuclear plant in southeastern Miami-Dade County.
Judge Canter also said in an order he issued that the DEP order fails to require Florida Power & Light to comply with standards for groundwater quality or to specify a deadline for compliance.
The judge determined the DEP measures have been ineffective so far, noting that FPL has caused excessive saltwater intrusion and sodium levels that violate state water regulations. The utility has unlined cooling canals at Turkey Point that allow hyper-saline water to seep into the Biscayne Aquifer.
In a prepared statement, FPL said it is taking action to upgrade conditions at Turkey Point: "FPL's actions have been successful by reducing salinity levels in the Cooling Canal System [CCS], significantly improving water quality and stabilizing operations at the site. In October 2015, FPL entered into a Consent Agreement with Miami Dade County that identifies additional actions FPL will undertake to address high chloride concentrations in the groundwater near the CCS."
The Biscayne Aquifer lies beneath about 4,000 square miles of southern Florida and serves as the main source of water for Miami-Dade and Broward counties and for southeastern Palm Beach County. [Palm Beach Post] -- Mike Seemuth
"Unborn Cities, No.18, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
From the New York website: Throughout China, there are hundreds of cities that have almost everything one needs for a modern, urban lifestyle: high-rise apartment complexes, developed waterfronts, skyscrapers, and even public art. Everything, that is, except one major factor: people. These mysterious -- and almost completely empty -- cities are a part of China's larger plan to move 250 million citizens currently living in rural areas into urban locations by 2026, and places like the Kangbashi District of Ordos are already prepped and ready to be occupied.
Photographer Kai Caemmerer became fascinated with these urban plans, and in 2015 he traveled to China to explore and document them. His series, "Unborn Cities," depicts a completely new type of urban development. "Unlike in the US, where cities often begin as small developments and grow in accordance to the local industries, these new Chinese cities are built to the point of near completion before introducing people," he told Business Insider.
See 12 eerie images from his series:
When Caemmerer found out about these empty cities, he was immediately fascinated. "As an architectural photographer, I found the notion of a contemporary ghost town to be appealing in a sort of unsettling way," he said.
"Unborn Cities, No.02, 2015," 44 x 55 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
"These new Chinese cities are built to the point of near completion before introducing people," Caemmerer said. "Because of this, there is an interim period between the final phases of development and when the areas become noticeably populated, during which many of the buildings stand empty."
"Unborn Cities, No.92, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
In 2015, Caemmerer photographed the Kangbashi District of Ordos, the Yujiapu Financial District near Tianjin, and the Meixi Lake development near the city of Changsha.
"Unborn Cities, No.18, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
"It was the uniform newness of these cities that originally piqued my interest," Caemmerer said.
"Unborn Cities, No.07, 2015," 44 x 55 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
"Oftentimes these 'new areas' are satellite cities located within the proximity of an older, more established city," he explained.
"Unborn Cities, No.15, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
Caemmerer would stay overnight at a neighboring, more populated city.
"Unborn Cities, No.01, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
He photographed twice a day -- before sunrise and just after sunset -- for 80 straight days.
"Unborn Cities, No.21, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
Luckily, Caemmerer didn't run into legal issues while photographing the cities, and in terms of safety, "These areas felt very secure," he said.
"Unborn Cities, No.89, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
Because of the newness of the places, Caemmerer described the cities as "surreal" and "uncanny."
"Unborn Cities, No.46, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
"Oftentimes, when you're in a city, you can locate yourself within the timeline of that city by identifying different eras of architecture or by interpreting the relative age of the structures and landscape around you. When visiting a city that has been built in just the past five or six years, these indicators of age are not yet visible," Caemmerer said.
"Unborn Cities, No.09, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
When Caemmerer did, on the rare occasion, run into people, they were usually intrigued by his archaic-looking, large-format film camera.
"Unborn Cities, No.33, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
These images are documenting a "complex moment in Chinese urbanization," Caemmerer said. "Many of these new cities are not expected to be complete or vibrant until 15 to 25 years after they begin construction. They are built for the distant future, and at present, we can only speculate on what form they will have taken when they reach this point in time."
"Unborn Cities, No.88, 2015," 55 x 70 inches. Pigment print. (credit: Kai Caemmerer)
An aerial view of Fisher Island, Miami's most expensive place to rent (Credit: CreativeCommons user Alexf)
1. Millionaire beats French lender for control of Fisher Island condo [Daily Business Review]
2. Historic Fort Lauderdale boatyard and marina up for sale [SFBJ]
3. Hurricane wooden roller coaster to be torn down for new development [Sun Sentinel]
4. How technology is making waves in property management [GlobeSt]
-- Sean Stewart-Muniz
The new hull design, with an integrated step, is the biggest feature that stands out on the Dorado 25. It's somewhat of a departure from the hull shape that the company is best known for, but they did keep true to their heritage with the low freeboard, flat transom and Porta Bracket-mounted outboard. The interior layout resembles the smaller 23-foot and larger 30-foot and includes a recessed forward casting deck that gives you the secure feeling of having a coaming pad to lean against while standing at the bow. Storage under the bow casting deck has a removable fiberglass compartment. Aft are twin in-deck fish boxes and a large live baitwell, center mounted on the transom. The lower sheer line also allows for a bow-mounted trolling motor. Blue water in length with the ability to access the backcountry.
Dorado Boats
720 Florida Ave
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
727-786-3800
www.doradocustomboats.com
Dorado 25 Specifications
LOA: 25 feet
Beam: 8 feet, 4 inches
Max HP: 400
Hull Weight: 3,500
MSRP: $89,700 w/ 300hp
A 2014 aerial photo of West Palm Beach (Credit: WPPilot)
1. Miami developer buying up West Palm Beach [Palm Beach Post]
2. Today's investors must work harder to flip homes [Sun Sentinel]
3. Developer proposes new Edgewater residential tower [The Next Miami]
4. Miami Herald sells Doral printing press building to pension fund [SFBJ]
-- Sean Stewart-Muniz
A rendering of Downtown Doral's retail portion and Armando Codina
Downtown Doral, the Codina Partners mixed-use project, has completed its first condominium tower and is building its second, as its restaurants and retail stores prepare to open soon.
The first condo building, 5252 Paseo, is 100 percent sold out, and 180 of 203 units have already closed, Codina Partners' Executive Chairman Armando Codina told The Real Deal. Prices for the units ranged from $300,000 to $800,000, with the average price per square foot at $375, he said. More than 40 percent of the units at the building were sold to Venezuelans.
The property was designed by Sieger Suarez Architects, with interiors by Adriana Hoyos. A recent tour of the building revealed such amenities as a fitness room, children's playroom and a huge pool deck with an infinity edge pool.
"It's quality that has never been seen in Doral. It's like the finer buildings on Brickell or in Miami Beach," Codina said of the tower at 5252 Northwest 52nd Street, which will hold a grand opening event Feb. 25.
Next, the development's retail and restaurants will launch. By the end of this month, Stellino's, an Italian restaurant, will open, Codina said, with other restaurants will open in March and April, including Bulla Gastrobar, Dragonfly, Pisco y Nazca, Freddo, Pasion del Cielo, Giardino's Gourmet Salad, Las Vegas Cuban and Huahua's Taqueria.
The restaurants and retail will line Main Street and Northwest 87th Avenue, as a centerpiece of the $1 billion project that includes a city hall, charter school, townhomes and eventually, eight condo towers. When completed, Downtown Doral will have a total of 70 retail stores and restaurants; more than 1 million square feet of commercial space; 400,000 square feet of Class A office space and 2,840 residential units.
The project is part of the transformation of Doral, which is booming with new construction. In addition to Downtown Doral, other projects include Shoma and the Related Group's mixed-use project CityPlace Doral and Sergio Pino's mixed-use development, Midtown Doral.
Codina said that more than 90 percent of the first phase of 80,000 square feet of retail space in Downtown Doral has been leased, which includes 40,000 square feet of restaurant space. Another 40,000 square feet of retail will be part of phase 2, which will soon start to sign leases. Construction on phase 2 is expected to begin May 1.
A "large supermarket" of 50,000 square feet is also planned, but has not yet signed a lease, Codina said.
Stores opening this spring as part of phase 1 include: Skyros, Marilyn Monroe Spas, Ballet Boutique, UPS Store, Elite Power Nutrition, Premium Wine & Spirits by Mega, GDB Fashions, Cattiva Boutique, AT&T, OXXO Care Cleaners and Casa Gio. Continental Bank and Fortune International Realty will also have space downtown.
As the next step, a second condo tower, 5300 Paseo, with 219 units, is now under construction, and is 75 percent sold, Codina said. It will be completed by the end of the year. Prices average $400 per square foot, he said.
A third condo tower will be announced "in the near future," Codina said.
Housing demand has increased in Doral, Robert Given, vice chairman of investment sales for CBRE recently told TRD. "The Doral submarket is a very dynamic market in this real estate cycle," he said.
"The product speaks for itself, the fact that the first phase of retail is fully leased, and the first building sold out completely and the second building sold over 75 percent," Codina told TRD. "I think we have established a market in Doral that has never been seen before... I think we are establishing a real core downtown."
Recent offshore fishing reports from the West Central region.
Wrestling with Aj's
Florida Sportsman member: ericf
A 6/0 Mustad Big Gun assist hook, crimped on with 125 pound mono on the spot got straightened out like a pencil. These dang fish have some brutal strength, it would be a struggle to bend that hook with two pairs of vice grips that way.
Click here for full forum report.
Grouper Hunting
Florida Sportsman member: Mako224
We cleared the Pass at 7AM and tried to locate bait. Nothing around the pass so off we went to 30 feet and caught pins, grunts and sardines. Then off we went to 100 plus feet.
Click here for full forum report.
Mangrove Mission
Florida Sportsman member: clarosa
We got the chum flowing and mangroves stated hitting the deck. Nothing crazy but steady, most in the 14 to 18 inch range, with a few around 21 inches. We worked and worked and got near our four man limit of forty with a lot of keeper throwback gags and even a 24 inch red grouper and 16 inch hogfish.
Click here for full forum report.
Middle Grounds Action
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
On the way out we troll for kings and bonito. Bonito are excellent bait. After a Chef Tammy meat balls and pasta dinner it's bunk time. We want to be ready for the many fights sure to come. First up, the hard to fool mangrove snapper.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Offshore
Florida Sportsman member: therobertbrooks
Ran about three miles to a wreck in 58 feet, although it's only about 45 feet on top of the wreck. Noticed some suspended fish showing, so when letting my pinfish down I stopped it midway, and within about three seconds my rod doubles over.
Click here for full forum report.
Anclote Offshore
Florida Sportsman member: BryanC
Went looking for gags with my buddies Chad and Conrad yesterday and we found them in 60 foot. We got our limit at the first stop, with one at 26 inches and the rest from 29.5 to 33. I even caught a 29 incher on an inshore rod later on while targeting mangos, but we already our six in the box so back it went.
Click here for full forum report.
Mangroves and More
Florida Sportsman member: clarosa
Slowly but surely the mango's started coming over the rail. Got a few in the 6 to 7 pound range but the bite was kinda slow. Every once in awhile the flatline I leave out for tuna would get nailed and ended up being AJ's just about every time, got a couple in the 25 to 30 pound range.
Click here for full forum report.
Middle Grounds Mayhem
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Last week's full moon Florida Fisherman's over night trip deep into the heart of our Gulf of Mexico returned Sunday morning with the entire boat completely limited out, two day limit 20 each, of Middle Ground's sized mangrove snapper.
Click here for full forum report.
Deep Dwellers
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
We fought stronger than predicted winds and monster currents. Regardless, this, like all deep-drop trips, resulted in huge trophy fish never to be forgotten.
Click here for full forum report.
Catching in the Gulf
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
That new outfit really worked out well for Dan. His 'in the money' jackpot winning snowy grouper hit the scales at a whopping 40 pounds. Not to be outdone, Dan's very good friend, Ed, is ever so proud of his 55 pound wahoo.
Click here for full forum report.
Awesome Day Offshore
Florida Sportsman member: clarosa
We got to our spot around 8:45 in 85 feet of water. Started to chum and then sent down a few big baits and immediately hooked up with a 30 inch gag. Not a minute later my buddy starts hollering and it's fighting a little different, it starts running out instead of down and we get it closer and it's a nice 45 pound cobia.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Grouper Success
Florida Sportsman member: Thumper363
I got my dad, buddy, and my oldest little boy out for a late day start. One of those days where you get started way later than expected and don't really have a plan. I decided to sip on some cold beer and spend time with the family and hit a couple gag spots, it paid off.
Click here for full forum report.
Fishing the Deep Water
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Forum member harbison shared a recent trip aboard the Florida Fisherman II, as they headed out to the deep water to chase big fish.
Click here for full forum report.
Catching off of Clearwater
Florida Sportsman member: Matt822
We headed west and watched the sun start to peek over the horizon as the anchor hit the bottom in 120 feet. The first stop produced a few mangos in the four pound range, three yellow tail and four gags in the 10 to 15 pound range. then the Aj's came to play after catching more then enough of them we boxed three for some smoked fish dip.
Click here for full forum report.
Mangrove Madness
Florida Sportsman member: Mako224
At 1:30 I chose to run out to 95 feet on some natural ledges. Once we dropped the hook and I allowed the Snapper Up chum to work the bite was on for the next three hours. We put 30 fish in the box with about 15 more thrown back, ranging from 2 two to eight pounds.
Click here for full forum report.
Fishing the Deep
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Today's gags are darker in color; they have not migrate to much deeper water. They stay very close to their rocky homes. They are not too happy with the idea of joining us for dinner.
Click here for full forum report.
Pulley Ridge Trip
Florida Sportsman member: _norm
As dawn began to break, the captain signaled for us to bring our lines up so we could make the 3-hour trek to the deeper water in the 550 foot depth. Everyone prepped their electric gear and returned to the bunks for some more rest.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Mixed Bag
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Forum member harbison and the whole crew aboard the Florida Fisherman II got into a mess of fish recently. Including big groupers, snappers, and more!
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Grouper
Florida Sportsman member: Double Action
We went 40 miles out and my first drop with 50 pound tackle was a break off. Stepped up to the 80 pound setup and got a 25 inch gag. Threw back a couple 22 inchers and then got a personal best red grouper at 29 inches.
Click here for full forum report.
Back on the Water
Florida Sportsman member: sagory
I haven't been fishing in several months and was itching to go. The reports have said mangrove snapper fishing has been good so the plan was to try for those. Jim, and Scott and I left my house around 6:30 and made a quick stop at the bait boat for a big scoop of whitebait.
Click here for full forum report.
Snapper on the Brain
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
One very good thing about Florida fishing is that there is always plenty of fish to fish for. When one season closes, another opens. Gags & amberjack are now closed; so what? We will be, 'Targeting snapper.' Red snapper, for head boats, is open until July 14.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Offshore
Florida Sportsman member: clarosa
I made a quick statement, after the bite slowed down "if we get a nice tuna now, we can just go in and forget the last two snapper". Not 5 mins later, the big freelined pinfish rod's baitrunner went zinging! After a 30 minute battle, a big blackfin is circling the boat ready for the gaff!
Click here for full forum report.
Targeting the Big Boys
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
After a great Chef Tammy dinner, it's bunk time. After all, we will be challenging the big boys for three days. OK! We are well rested and ready to go. So are the fish
Click here for full forum report.
Tuna, Snapper and More
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Tuesday, let's do it all over again. We are ready, I mean good and ready. The excitement level is off the chart. Our home for the next 39 hours, the Florida Fisherman ll, is loaded with enough food and drinks to supply a small army.
Click here for full forum report.
Running the Bay Boat Offshore
Florida Sportsman member: SouthshoreSlayer
After about 2 hours of snapper fishing the flat lines start getting cut off. We didn't have any wire or long shank hooks, we all rigged our big setups and the king bite was on for the next hour.
Click here for full forum report.
Full Moon Snapper and More
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Most consider mangrove snapper fishing to be at its very best during the full moon periods of the month. Last month the Florida Fisherman ll, out of Hubbard's Marina, fished three days after the full moon. We limited out on AJ's (two day limit) and the mangos were on fire.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Mixed Bag
Florida Sportsman member: sagory
We moved out to 115 feet and this is where we did the best. We weren't too far from a wreck so we decided to try for yellowtails. We saw someone was on it so we changed plans and ran 13 miles back in to try for hogfish on a ledge in just under 60 feet.
Click here for full forum report.
Hog Huntin'
Florida Sportsman member: slper
This was our second trip targeting hogfish and we found them. The great day started out a little cold and seas were 2 to 3, but it warmed up and calmed down. My wife, buddy Jimmie and I got our limit in under 4 hours.
Click here for full forum report.
Fish for All
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Better hit the sack; after all, we will be challenging the monsters of the deep for twenty five hours of actual fishing time. Captain Garett has advised us to get plenty of rest; we are going to need it. After mango time we are going to this wreck known to be the home of Mr. Amber jack and family.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Offshore
Florida Sportsman member: sagory
We caught a couple fish but it was pretty slow. We moved on and both the breeze and the bite picked up a little. We were able to anchor and started catching a mix of red grouper and snapper. Troy had the fish of the day with a 24 inch, 7 pound mangrove snapper.
Click here for full forum report.
Red Grouper Rampage
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Looks like all good things must come to an end. With well over 200 gray snapper and 30 large red grouper this will be a trip to be remembered. Let's go 'In search of red grouper' again ASAP.
Click here for full forum report.
Catch and Release Gags
Florida Sportsman member: OU-Pilot
Went out Sunday off Port Richey to some reef lines in 30 feet. The water was pretty nice all day. Temperature was 62 on the surface. We trolled some Rapala Mag 30?s and a stretch 25?s. Trolled about 2 hours from 3pm to 5pm on either side of high tide. Managed 5 gags with 2 double headers!
Click here for full forum report.
Finding the Honey Hole
Florida Sportsman member: freshfromthesalt
In 120 feet of water, these huge, alien fish, would slam your stoutest meat stick against the gunwale again and again using squid, sardines, live bait - it didn't matter. This would continue until your back gave out, fighting belt or not. Mixed in with these beasts were some amberjacks that you could not lift off the bottom and other fish, that, if you tried to, would break your terminal tackle somewhere in between hook and main line.
Click here for full forum report.
Starting the Year Right
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
The Florida Fisherman ll, Hubbard's Marina, is ready to challenge 2015 with the first ever 44 hour trip one hundred miles off beautiful Madeira Beach, Florida. We will be fishing a couple of days before the full moon; it just does not get any better than that.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Bottom Fishing
Florida Sportsman member: releasegear
We went out friday and saturday afternoon to 70 feet of water. It was non stop gag action with some amberjacks, scamp, and mangroves mixed in. All were caught on live bait. Spotted most of the bait in 50 to 60 feet.
Click here for full forum report.
Full Moon Mangrove Bite
Florida Sportsman member: Harbison
For the Florida Fisherman that means it's mangrove snapper time. The mangrove snapper is one of the best eating, most abundant, fish Florida has to offer. They can be found from very shallow bays to way off shore. We will be fishing 100 miles off beautiful Madeira Beach, Florida.
Click here for full forum report.
Trolling for Grouper
Florida Sportsman member: freshfromthesalt
Despite high wind and big seas we were able to get out to the trolling grounds for one last meat trip before the upcoming closure. As usual, gag grouper trolling ace, Justin Spigener, put us on the fish even in relatively rough conditions.
Click here for full forum report.
Grouper Grand Slam
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
That's it! The boat has completely limited out on grouper; and that's a two day limit of 8 each. We are still a very long ways from Madeira Beach, Florida. Let's feast on that Chef Tammy steak dinner, with all the trimmings, and hit our bunks. We are tired, I mean really tired; grouper wore out tired.
Click here for full forum report.
Clearwater Offshore Bite
Florida Sportsman member: releasegear
It was take the neighborhood kids fishing day! Headed out at 8:30 and tried to get bait. It was tough but managed to get a couple dozen runners, grunts and a few squirrel fish. We went out to 55 feet of water and set up. The AJ and gag action was non stop from 10:30 to 12:30, all caught on live bait.
Click here for full forum report.
Veterans Day Fun
Florida Sportsman member: OneLandOneSea
Headed out to 65 feet of water for some kings and grouper. Bite was slow but caught two nice 32 inch gags and broke off a bunch more. We lucked out with a nice 20 pound cobia on the bottom too.
Click here for full forum report.
Trolling for Grouper
Florida Sportsman member: freshfromthesalt
I hopped aboard the gag grouper catching machine, the Grumpy Grouper, and trolled up some of the fattest fish I have put on the deck this season. We caught fish from 27 to 35 inches and no shorts. Limited out and back to the dock by noon.
Click here for full forum report.
Fishing with an Old Friend
Florida Sportsman member: sagory
We left my dock around 7:30 and headed to 40 feet which is about 7 miles out. It started out slow but after some hopping around we found some fish willing to eat. We ended up with 4 gags and 5 red grouper which was a little surprising.
Click here for full forum report.
Fun for All
Florida Sportsman member: releasegear
Monday evening we went out 12 miles and anchored up. On the way there saw schools of cigars minnows and spanish sardines and loaded up 5 at a time. We were in 50 feet and the area was covered in small baits. We caught gags, cobia, barracuda, spinner sharks and Ajs.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Offshore Bite
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Whenever cold fronts move into the gulf the pressures starts to plummet, this causes the fish to go into a feeding frenzy because they know the coming storm will stir the water and prevent them from feeding easily. So the days leading up to a front are great fishing, but then the day the weather blows up the fishing stops.
Click here for full forum report.
Catching a Mountain of Fish
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Three P.M. friday afternoon, Madeira Beach is under a severe storm warning. As we board the Florida Fisherman ll at Hubbard's Marina, we can not help but wonder will this overnight trip produce, 'A Mountain of Fish,' or be a complete wash-out?
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Bottom Fishing
Florida Sportsman member: Jerseygirl
We ran south and hit some hard bottom spots that were very productive. The current was strong and the bite was on at most spots we hit. starting out with dead bait, then switching to live once the fish got chewing. We started out with a couple smallish red grouper and some medium sized scamps, then the bigger fish started to show.
Click here for full forum report.
Shallow Sailfish off St. Pete
Florida Sportsman member: Jcclark
About 15 seconds later our flat line starts singing and as soon as my friend grabs the rod the sail starts dancing on top of the water for about 15 yards. I broke off on my fish and jumped up and pulled the anchor. We chased it down and after a great fight we were able to boat the fish for a few pictures and get it back in the water to revive it.
Click here for full forum report.
West Central Offshore Variety
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Once again time for a 39 hour adventure that defies the imagination. Our weekend home away from home is Hubbard Marina's Florida Fisherman ll. We love to catch fish, however, what makes these extended trips really special is the chance to get to really know real sportsmen/women from all over the country.
Click here for full forum report.
Hook and Line Hogfish
Florida Sportsman member: spanishsardine
I got the chance to venture to my new fishing spot. I call it The Spanish Sardine Fishing hole. We managed to catch 3 hogfish in 2 hours. We also caught triggerfish, grunts, porgy's, gag grouper, red grouper, and mangrove snapper.
Click here for full forum report.
Making the Run for Red Snapper
Florida Sportsman member: anglingarchitect
Forum member anglingarchitect got out during this short red snapper season. Making a long run, but producing some really nice fish!
Click here for full forum report.
Monster from the Depths
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
The trophy fish takes Matt from the starboard bow to the stern, and across the stern to the port side. Finally, forty five minutes later, we see color, the color of a huge amber jack. Quick Will, the gaff. Kyle, get the other gaff; it's going to take both of us to bring this trophy of all trophies over the bow.
Click here for full forum report.
Mangrove Madness
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
The Middle Grounds, located roughly 100 miles north west of Madeira Beach, Florida, is a prehistoric coral-reef complex covering 461 square miles, and is home to 170 species of fish, including the hard to fool, hard to catch, mangrove snapper. Mango snapper are notorious bait thieves.
Click here for full forum report.
Middle Ground Mayhem in the Rain
Florida Sportsman member: harbison
Ms. Lisa Shouron, Tampa, refuses to let a little moisture rain on her day. Lisa, fishing out of spot number 10, shows that nice cobia who the boss really is, after all, Lisa is all woman!
Click here for full forum report.
Sharks and Snapper
Florida Sportsman member: jewfish7
The bite was on right away for mangos with a few other tasty fish coming over the rail.Best mang bite this year for me but most were around 15 inches,but quantity made up for quality.The two biggest snapper of the day got eaten bye sharks just under the boat.
Click here for full forum report.
Grouper on the Rocks
Florida Sportsman member: jewfish7
We did well for a few hours then the bite shut down, we tried moving around but was limited because we only had about 125 feet of anchor line. Towards the end of the day we drifted over the best shows and put a few more mangos in the box.
Click here for full forum report.
Taking Out The Kids
Florida Sportsman member: releasegear
We caught lots of short reds, a few keeper scamp and five good gags. the kids were reeling in a fish and about half way up it got blasted so I put out a mackerel we had sabiki'd up. Soon we had a shark on, a tiger shark. About 30 minute later another Tiger ate a red grouper right next to the boat.
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Grouper Limit Out Of Longboat Key
Florida Sportsman member: ericf
We came in closer to public numbers in 30 feet, and experienced the hottest grouper bite I have ever seen. Nonstop gags! Live blue runners, frozen sardines, regurgitated whatever from caught fish picked off the deck of the boat, nothing lasted more than 20 to 30 seconds. We limited out in about half an hour, and released a few fish after that. It was mayhem, totally crazy.
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First Foreign Kingfish
Florida Sportsman member: guifri
We are on vacation from Germany. Trolled around the crab buoys 1.5 Miles from the shore to catch some Macks. After a while put a white/red yozuri on the Second rod. It only lasted minutes until the drag was singing!
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100 Miles Off Madeira Beach
Florida Sportsman member: Harbison
Captain Mark Hubbard fires up the Florida's two huge Caterpillar diesels and punches in the numbers for 'One hundred miles off Madeira Beach.' We are on a mission, a mission to catch fish. Will the mangrove snapper be hungry? Join the party as we find out together.
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a Long Trip Equals a lot of Fish
Florida Sportsman member: TennesseeDave
I got one red snapper and one large amberjack, some mangos, beeliners, and such. Some people did well and some people didn't. The weather held out pretty good. At 1 a.m. on the way out it got bumpy for a little while but then softened back down so we could get some rest [...]
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Gags, Red Grouper & Rough Seas
Florida Sportsman member: flatsrunna
Pulled double duty today, had two 4 hr trips and again huge seas, but not as bad as the day before. We managed 6 reds and a batch of nice grunts before the current decided it wanted to move as fast as the breeze we were in. We got nice fish in 40 feet today. I love it when they are super close! We were in by 12 fish cleaned and headed to go get our next group.
2nd trip we got a good number of fish as the seas totally laid down in only an hr, loved it ! 28 knot cruise out and back and nice fish to boot !
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St. Pete Red Grouper
Florida Sportsman member: GASeminole
With the 10 knot West wind, the trip out was into 2 foot or less chop. Water was clean and flying fish started showing up around 50 feet. Schools of bonito were boiling every so often, saw a couple of king mackerel "sky" as well.
Stopped about 20 NM out, about 3/4 mile from a public number (found this spot while re-rigging/drifting one windy day and saw it on the sonar.) Anchored up and my wife and I caught 21 reds. Pulled anchor and drifted over area and caught 3 more. Released all but 7, the one pictured below was the biggest, and was my personal best grouper. All caught on live pins.
While we were out the winds died down and it was hard not to head farther west, but we had more than enough fish in the box and were happy to head home.
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Fort Drum Gag Grouper
Florida Sportsman member: glihon
Went out for some grouper Sunday from Ft D (finally my first trip since the season opened). No tidal movement and other issues in the morning made bait catching difficult at the small bridge. Wasted enough time so just headed out. Ran through a solid rain on the way but made it to the area we wanted to fish and the day turned beautiful. Weed pushed in from the west wind made the trolling difficult but we did get a nice 29-inch gag to the boat as well as 24-inch spanish. Started bottom dropping with the bait we did have and only found short rg. Tried ledges in 45 feet, 55 feet and a wreck in 40 feet.
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Shallow Water Grouper off Anclote
Florida Sportsman member: Juicebucket
Got the boat wet around 6:30 and headed out to the island for bait.
Whitebait was super thick and super tiny. After getting about 450 net wreckers and a couple dozen pins we headed back into the river to fuel up and ride. We hit the GPS and made the long 5 mile run to his first spot. When I think grouper fishing I think straight drops on 4/0 reels and falling to my knees to yank them off the bottom. This was a whole different ball game. The water was so shallow we had to anchor way off and cast to them just like if we were mangrove or dock fishing. Basically once you hook up you have to drag them across 50 feet of bottom that they can wedge themselves into rather than yank them vertically 10 feet until you're safe. I've never had a 24 inch gag fight harder then the ones we caught on this trip. Shallow water fish have a different gear, I swore everyone was 30 pounds during the fights and the bruises on my arms and hips are testament.
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Mixed Bag out of Bean Point
Florida Sportsman member: JEIBE
After casting off out of my place at 530am in palma sola we were met with beautifully calm seas out of bean point. We stopped at the 3 mile north and quickly filled up on cigars and pins. From there it was a nice 43 mile run out. We got 31kph at 2.1 mpg on the freshly re worked 250. We got to our spot in 147 feet and immediately were greeted with a Christmas tree on the foruno. It felt like 20 minutes and we had our boat limit of keeper snapper. they were loving the threads more than anything. We then moved to a barge in 80 feet and of course had the water walking with bonita, sharks and cudas. A captain in a contender came up and asked to share the wreck. He then unloaded hundreds of white bait in to the water and it was game on with monster cudas, mango snapper, sharks, golaiths, bonitas and some baby amberjacks.
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Rough Conditions and Worthy Catches
Florida Sportsman member: Jayzilla
After another 2 hours of getting the crap beat out of us we finally made it out deeper to the first spot. We made a couple of drifts and it produced a mixed bag of jacks, gags, and mangos. Anyone who has ever fished with me knows that I hate to anchor but with the stiff winds, big swells, and ripping current it was a must. We dropped the hook and it was perfect, 7 feet directly in front of the spot. The next two hours we proceed to fill a 150 quart cooler with big mangos. It would have been more snappers but we kept getting the occasional by catch or break off from big jacks or gags. Just before I decided to leave that spot I managed to catch a nice rusty belly on 30 pound snapper tackle. I actually broke the fish off earlier because when I got him up I saw two circle hooks buried in the corner of his mouth. Greedy grouper couldn't stop eating those 3 inch pinfish.
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Sarasota Mixed Bag
Florida Sportsman member: srqmynatt
We ran out to a spot in 135 feet between New Pass and Longboat pass, I had found these numbers back in April and new right away it was covered in snapper. I fished it once or twice in May just seeing what was there and found out the Mangos and ARS were stacked up 20 feet off the bottom. I brought the numbers with me and sure enough we marked a nice pile of fish so we set the anchor. We started with smaller gear and worked our way up to the red grouper. Had a nice mixed bag[...]
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Way Offshore - Grouper & Amberjack
Florida Sportsman member: Jerseygirl
We decided to hit some numbers past the 400 foot contour line. Definitely worth the run time, although next time need to budget for more line in the water time for further exploration. Spent most of the day running, but the fish were there. While we did come up empty trolling, deep dropping was interesting. Neil F. bagged a nice Yellow-Edge Grouper around 25 pounds and I managed a 50 plus pound AJ that hit on the bottom at 430 feet (not fun, especially when you are expecting another big deep-water Grouper). Looking forward to more time fishing this depth to better learn how to approach it.
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Longboat Pass Gags, Kings and More
Florida Sportsman member: rreed
We headed out of Longboat Pass at first light, with a few dozen shrimp and lots of old bait to cut up. The pinfish catching was slow, due to large blue runners tangling and breaking off sabikis. Wind and tide opposition made for slow going without getting soaked in small boat.
As we got out deeper the sun broke through the clouds and seas laid down for a nice day. We drifted for Red Grouper first, quickly putting keepers in the box around 90 feet. We saw some structure during drift and threw out marker. On second try we were on the spot. Given the last few trips RG success came quickly, we brought different setups and shrimp to try to diversify the catch. I brought a 4000 reel with 20 pound mono/ 20 foot 20 pound fluro sliding 3 ounce to 3/O hook, this caught all the mangos.
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St.Pete Offshore
Florida Sportsman member: 06powerstroke
Launched the boat out of Fort Desoto around 5:30 PM and cruised over to the Skyway to put a few live baits in the livewell, bait wasn't hard to find at all. Cruised out to the pipeline at sunset, tried a few different spots and picked up a few Mangos hear and there. On our way to the next spot watching the bottom machine found a sweet spot! It was loaded with Mangos! Made short work of filling our limit and caught my personal largest. Just before the sun was coming up we cruised out to 125 feet of water to try and find decent AJ's. Couldn't find them anchored so we started trolling. We were getting Bonita one after another which is fun to catch for me but then the rod bent over good and line was screaming off. We hooked into a decent Blackfin Tuna! This was my first tuna I have ever caught.
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Snapper and Blackfin Tuna Action
Florida Sportsman member: Navy_Fishing
