Story

Monster mako reeled in

It took 2 hours to bring in the 740-pound shark

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL — When the bait goes in the water, you never know what’s going to bite. Sunday evening, it was a mako shark. A big one. The crew aboard the Sunrise with Capt. Kelly Windes landed a 740-pound mako Sunday evening while... Full story

Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo

DESTIN, FL - Fishin' Chix is holding their Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo for lady anglers, with or without experience. Pre-tournament events include a Big Kahuna's Kick Off Party on July 26, a Captain's Meeting at Harbor Docks on July 30,... Full story

Sharks at the rodeo?

Crowds and protesters expected

Tina Harbuck and William Hatfield, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN. FL — Nothing draws a crowd like a shark on the docks.     And that’s what the 61st annual Destin Fishing Rodeo is hoping for this year with Shark Saturdays.     “It’s a legal fish to... Full story

Season closes today

Destin boat captains face slow fall because of new state, federal fishing calendars

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL — It was good while it lasted.     Today, however, is the last day to keep a red snapper.     “It’s been as good as it ever gets,” captain Tommy Browning said earlier this week after... Full story

Fly fishing seminars

DESTIN, FL - The Orvis Company in Grand Boulevard offers free fly fishing casting technique seminars each Sunday at 10 a.m. Store manager Jason Siler works with participates to demonstrate casting techniques, test rods, and swap tips with other... Full story

Eighty-pound kid hooks his weight in shark

Jennifer Rich, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - In a couple of weeks, 11-year-old Misha Shtapov is going to have a gleaming new pair of shark jaws on the shelf in his bedroom after a trip out of Destin on the Hired Gun with Capt. Bill Waitzman.     The 80-pound boy... Full story

A new fee to fish

Tom McLaughlin, Florida Freedom Newspapers

GULF COAST, FL - Florida’s landlubber anglers soon must pay for the privilege of wetting a line. Come Aug. 1, state residents who fish from the shore or from bridges, docks and piers will be required to ante up $9 for a shoreline fishing... Full story

A $17,315 fish: Destin captain does it again with monster swordfish

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - It was a “lifetimer” of a fish. That’s how Destin Capt. Tommy Braden described the immense swordfish he and his crew hauled in aboard Keith Howard’s Moveable Feast to take top honors in the Destin Swordfish... Full story

Anglers catch 442-lb 'monster swordfish' in Destin waters

Mona Moore, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - Tommy Braden tried something new at the Destin Swordfish Shootout. The yacht captain took advantage of the new tournament’s rules that allowed fishing lines to hit the water Friday at noon. By the time Braden, his mate and the... Full story

Summer is prime time for mackerel

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - If you're looking to catch a king mackerel, now is the time. "It usually starts in June and is good through September," Matt McLeod told the more than 50 people gathered at Hooters for the Emerald Coast Saltwater Seminar Series.... Full story

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