EventCalendar

Fishing Tournaments:

2023 LLGF REMAINING EVENTS, WITH OPTIONAL OR INCLUDED FISHING ARE:

May 19-21, 2023 Keys Fishing, Screamin’ Reels Tournament / Learning on the Water Islamorada, FL

Sept. 22-23, 2023 Guy Harvey Outpost Bass Seminar & Tournament Camp Mack, Lake Wales, FL

Oct. 13-15 Keys Saltwater Weekend Seminar and fishing Islamorada, FL

Nov. 17-19 St. Augustine Surf Fishing Academy

Virtual meetings with education TBA

In Progress:

Sept. or Nov. Tampa Area Bottom Fishing

Bimini Bahamas

Contact: Phone: (954) 475-9068; info@ladiesletsgofishing.com; www. ladiesletsgofishing.com, www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing.

2023 FLORIDA KEYS FISHING TOURNAMENTS: 2023 Florida Keys Fishing Tournaments Calendar - Long popular, these fishing events provide a chance for some friendly Florida Keys fishing competition to see who’s going to go home with the next big saltwater trophy. These exhilarating tournament fishing contests attract entrants the same way sailfish are drawn to ballyhoo. You can fish singly, in groups, or even team up with Key West fishing guides for the very popular Cuda Bowl held each year. Visit https://www.florida-keys-vacation.com/Florida-Keys-FishingTournaments.html

OLD SALT FISHING FOUNDATION – Old Salt Runs Great Fishing Tournaments. Old Salt got its start because of fishing tournaments. One tournament in particular, the Loop Tournament, in 1971. “Tournament” isn’t just our middle name, it’s our actual name; Operation Loop Development, Southern Anglers Loop Tournament… OLD SALT. We know saltwater fishing tournaments about as well as anyone. We run some of the best fishing tournaments in Florida, heck, maybe in the world. We offer competitive, seawall and sanctioned, tournaments for anglers who fish inshore, offshore, in a boat, in a kayak, on the beach, a seawall or a pier. Proceeds from Old Salt tournaments go to help fund our good works partners and fishing programs. Learn more about the Old Salt Fishing Foundation and the work we do. Check out the many tournament fishing opportunities Old Salt offers. https://oldsaltfishing.org/fishing-tournaments/ position to make a cast.

BASSONLINE.COM/FL/ - The ultimate Florida Fishing Experience. Explore your Bass Fishing Opportunities!

FLBASSTOURNAMENTS.COM - Your #1 source for Florida Bass Tournaments.

Regulations have returned to normal for reds and snook in Sarasota. Spotted Seatrout have changed in southwest Florida to a 3 fish per person, bag limit and a 6 fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15”-19” with one allowed per vessel over 19”. In my opinion it’s important to protect larger trout, which are usually female breeders. Full regulations and details for all species can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/ .

Snook will be spawning this month so use tackle heavy enough to catch and release them in a timely manner and handle them gently. Larger snook will mostly be females and should always be supported horizontally rather than hung vertically by the jaw. You’ll find them in passes and in the surf. They will also stage around docks and bridges close to passes. Casting CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms or DOA shrimp around docks and bridges close to passes should be effective. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, work well at night. One of the most fun ways to target snook is to walk the beach and cast CAL jigs, DOA Shrimp or flies to them in the surf.

Higher tides this month will mean that reds will spend more time feeding on shallow flats. Look for them along mangrove shorelines and around oyster bars when the tide is high and in potholes or along sandbars when the tide is low. When fishing shallow water for reds, be as quiet as possible. I prefer to use a push pole or wade. Reds are one of the most challenging species to catch on a fly. Since they can be very spooky, I often wade for them when fly fishing to keep a lower profile.

You’ll also find big trout in many of the same shallow areas that you find reds. They will be plentiful on deep grass flats. I prefer to cast CAL jigs and flies on sink tip fly lines for trout. A DOA Deadly Combo also works very well. Drifting and casting ahead of the drift is usually the most productive method. Look for flats that have a good mix of grass and sand and good tidal flow. You may find pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel on the same deep grass flats where trout are plentiful. They can be targeted in the same way as trout, but you may need to use wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader when toothy fish are around. You may also find Spanish and king mackerel, little tunny, cobia and tripletail in the coastal gulf. Keep your eyes open for surface activity such as diving birds, breaking fish or baitfish being forced out of the water which could indicate the presence of mackerel, blues or little tunny. Medium spinning tackle and 8 or 9-weight fly tackle should be heavy enough, although your tarpon spinning and fly tackle is not too heavy for cobia. Look for cobia either swimming on the surface or around navigational markers or buoys. I have also found cobia swimming with schools of tarpon before. Tripletail may be found around crab trap floats or buoys, where they can be targeted with a DOA shrimp or CAL jig on spinning tackle. When fly fishing for tripletail, a floating line on an 8 or 9-weight fly rod with a shrimp or baitfish fly pattern, like my Grassett Flats Minnow, should get the job done.

This is one of my favorite months of the year. If battling a big tarpon isn’t for you, you should have plenty to do on both shallow and deep grass flats or in the coastal gulf. I’ll be spending my time targeting tarpon in the coastal gulf unless conditions won’t allow it. There is something about casting a fly to a giant fish in shallow water! Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Southwest Florida Captain Rick Grassett Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. (941) 923-7799 snookfin@aol.com www.snookfin-addict.com

FLORIDA SALTWATER TOURNAMENTS www.anglerarmory.com/ florida-saltwater-tournaments/

Boat Events & Shows:

NEW SOFLO BOAT SHOW IS MAKING WAVES IN MIAMI - The SoFlo Boat Show is excited to announce its grand debut at the historic Miami Marine Stadium from May 19-21, 2023. This inaugural event will bring together a boating style of living and marine enthusiasts from around Florida and abroad for an unforgettable weekend of nautical excitement, shopping, networking, and entertainment.The SoFlo Boat Show is the ultimate destination for the boating way of life, offering an unparalleled showcase of the finest marine vessels, equipment, and accessories. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of boats, from cruisers to high-performance fishing boats, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Miami skyline. WHERE: Miami Marine Stadium, 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149. WHEN: Friday, May 19: 12 pm – 8 pm. Saturday, May 20: 10 am-8 pm. Sunday, May 21: 10 am – 7 pm. TICKETS: Visit www.SoFloBoatShow.com for options and to purchase tickets; they start at $29. Parking/Shuttles: Parking is available on-site at Virginia Key with a complimentary shuttle service. VIP parking is also available. Parking passes start at $10 and are available online. About SoFlo Boat Show: The SoFlo Boat Show is a lifestyle boat show event that brings together luxury and performance boat enthusiasts for a weekend of nautical excitement, entertainment, and networking. Set at the historic Miami Marine Stadium, the event features an impressive showcase of the finest marine vessels, equipment, and accessories, along with engaging seminars, live music, gourmet food, and familyfriendly activities. www.sofloboatshow.com

TAMPA BAY BOAT SHOW - FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS - JUNE 23-25

- Ahoy Mates! The largest boating event in the Tampa Bay area showcases area boat dealers and manufacturers, from yachts to cruisers, kayaks to standup paddleboards along with multiple vendors for the latest in boating and fishing supplies and accessories. This three-day sales event offers a great way to see and compare millions of dollars in boating inventory all in one location. You could be on the water by the end of the weekend! Main Floor will include: • New Boats • Docking and Safety Equipment • Outdoor and Fishing Supplies • Trailers • Area Lenders. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will feature Fishing and Boating Seminar Series. Tampa Bay Boat Show presented and produced by Tampa Bay Times. 727-893-8523. www. tampabay.com/expos/boat-show/

954-816-8187 754-777-2274 services@fjmarine.net