Sunday, March 6, 2011

Bass Time!!

Fishing news from FWC.

Thursday, March 03, 2011
Media contact: Bob Wattendorf

The prespawn period for Florida largemouth bass can produce some of the most exciting fishing of the year, and 2011 has certainly started out exciting. Since bass tune into environmental triggers such as day length, lunar cycle and especially, water temperature, timing of the actual spawn can vary. Generally, once water temperatures rise above 58 degrees, the bedding process begins and may continue until temperatures are in the mid- to upper-70s.
A couple of days before full or new moons in late February, March or early April are often premier spawning times for Florida bass. Remember, triggering water temperatures vary significantly based on depth, sun exposure and currents.
Individual anglers, guides and tournaments statewide are reporting incredible catches.

Monday, February 14, 2011


FWC certifies Stuart woman's tilapia as state record

 
(Click on photo for larger image.)
Pamela Henry with state-record blue tilapia
Pam Henry was fishing off her dock on the St. Lucie River in Martin County when she caught this state- and world-record blue tilapia.
(Photo courtesy of Pam Henry)
 
News Release
February 14, 2011
Contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459;
Bob Wattendorf, 850-528-1060
It's official. Pamela Henry of Stuart broke state and world records when she reeled in a 9.6-pound blue tilapia last August. The fish measured 24 inches long. A taxidermist is mounting the record-breaking fish.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently certified the fish as the largest caught recreationally in state waters. Additionally, the International Game Fish Association issued the all-tackle world record for the species to Henry.
Henry was fishing off her dock last August in the south fork of the St. Lucie River in Martin County when she caught the big fish. She was using a bread ball and was fishing at night.
"I've been fishing my whole life, so it was always my mission to catch a record blue tilapia," said Henry. "I had researched the minimum weight, so I knew what I was looking for."
Blue tilapia are abundant throughout central and southern Florida. They feed primarily on plankton and small organisms living in or on the bottom. As a result, blue tilapia are not known for their angling quality. However, some urban anglers catch them in ponds, using bread balls, small pieces of hot dogs, dog food or live worms. They are rarely caught on artificial lures.
Blue tilapia generally have white, flaky meat with a mild flavor and are considered excellent eating. Farm-raised tilapia are often sold in grocery stores.
The FWC encourages catching and eating most exotic fish, including blue tilapia. Because they are nonnative, there is no size or bag limit.
"Our goal is to ensure quality fishing throughout Florida both now and in the future," said Tom Champeau, director of the FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. "Ms. Henry's support and participation in the FWC's Big Catch Angler recognition program will help us maintain Florida's reputation as the Fishing Capital of the World."

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Gun show

Next Lauderdale gun show is this month the 26th and 27th.  bring cash and don't miss it.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Game day food from the Wild Chef!!

Football Food: Behold, the Scheweiger Dog
by Colin Kearns
I’m taking a somewhat liberal interpretation of the “wild” in Wild Chef with today’s edition of Football Food. None of the ingredients shown in this photograph is either wild game or fish. (That’s not to say you couldn’t use game. Venison sausage, for instance, would be awesome here.) But the Schweiger Dog is a wild treat. It’s also wildly delicious, which is why I’m sharing it with you.

In case you couldn’t already tell by its name, the Schweiger Dog is a hot dog that features Braunschweiger (a.k.a. liverwurst, or the poor man’s pâté). I understand Braunschweiger is an acquired taste—but it’s one that my oldest brother, Brian, and I acquired from our mother. We’ve been eating and loving the stuff since we were kids. But that’s not the case for everyone. My fiancée, for one, looked on last night as I added a heavy dose of Braunschweiger to the dog and commented, with an equally heavy dose of sarcasm: “Mmm. Spreadable meat.” Oh well. More for me.
But if you are a Braunschweiger fan, my brother is the person you can thank for dreaming up the Schweiger Dog. It’s a snack that he and his friends perfected several years ago. It’s no wonder he would go on to become the talented professional chef that he is today.
Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t offer a bit of warning, so here it is: This dog is not healthy. I mean, my God, just look at the ingredients. Even the onions—the one vegetable in the recipe—are cooked in bacon grease. But like I said, the Schweiger Dog is a treat—and one that should not be enjoyed more than twice annually. I had my first of the year last night, and I’ll have my second on Sunday during the game. Then, I’m finished for the year. At least, that’s what I’ll tell myself for now.
Ingredients:
- 1 package thick sliced bacon (get the good stuff)
- 1 yellow onion, sliced thin
- 1 package hot dogs (again, get the good stuff like Sabretts or Hebrew National), or venison sausages
- 1 tube braunschweiger
- 1 8 oz. container of Kaukauna sharp cheddar spread
- Hoagie rolls
Directions:
1. Cook bacon until crisp, reserving the grease. Add onions to bacon grease and cook over low heat until well caramelized. Remove onions and again reserved the bacon grease.
2. Split hot dogs in half and add to pan of bacon grease and cook over low heat until heated through. Toast the buns.
3. Assemble the Schweiger Dog: Generously spread Braunschweiger on botton half of hoagie roll. Place hot dog on top of Braunschweiger. Add two slices of bacon per hoagie and onions, and finish with a generous smear of cheese.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Seafood

Key Largo seafood festival is this Saturday and Sunday Jan 30th and 31st  DON'T MISS IT!!!


Check times and admission

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Gun show this weekend

SunCoast Gun show this Saturday and Sunday 9-5pm.  War Memorial auditorium cash only to get in.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Top News for Turkey

Hunitng news From myfwc.com- The FWC passed a new rule that limits the methods of take allowed during spring turkey hunts on WMAs, beginning with this coming spring turkey season (2011).  The new rule restricts firearms to shotguns and muzzleloading shotguns only, using shot no larger than No. 2.  All legal bows and crossbows can also be used.  But all rifles, pistols, buckshot and slugs are now prohibited during spring turkey hunts on WMAs.  The exception is on Joe Budd, Raiford and Santa Fe Swamp, muzzleloading rifles will still be allowed, because spring turkey hunting on these areas is restricted to primitive guns only.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Blue crab trap area closure set to end

News Release from myfwc.com
January 14, 2011
Contact: Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554
The harvest of blue crabs from traps in all waters of Franklin County west to the Florida-Alabama border will reopen on Jan. 15. The use of traps to capture blue crabs was prohibited for a 10-day period in this area so that lost and abandoned traps that remained in coastal and inland waters could be identified and removed.
Three regional, 10-day blue crab trap closures take place in designated areas in Florida in odd-numbered years, and three other closures occur in even-numbered years. One of these closures begins on Jan. 16 in all waters of the St. Johns River system.
More information regarding the FWC's trap-retrieval program, blue crab trap closure dates, regulations, and how you can participate in cleanup events is available online at MyFWC.com/Rules (click on "Fishing - Saltwater"). You can also contact FWC's trap retrieval coordinator Kyle Miller at 850-487-0554.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Yellow bullhead from Crystal River is new state record

News Release from myfwc.com

January 11, 2011
Contact: Karen Parker, 386-758-0525
A yellow bullhead caught in the Crystal River on Dec. 17 is the new state record for that species, a type of catfish, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists.
Tom Flynn of Homosassa was fishing with minnows he had caught at a boat ramp when he hooked into the catfish. The new state record yellow bullhead weighed 5 pounds, .75 ounces and was 20 inches in length.
"Actually, I was fishing for mangrove snapper," Flynn said. "However, I started catching catfish and decided to keep them. I caught seven and took them home."
Flynn tried to convince his wife the fish were good eating.
"She's not really a big fan of catfish," Flynn said. "But she went online to check them out and discovered that the state record was 2.91 pounds. I knew I had bigger fish than that."
Sure enough, when Flynn checked his catch, he had two fish that weighed more than the standing state record.
Eric Thomas, an FWC freshwater fish biologist from the Ocala regional office, verified the new record yellow bullhead.
Yellow bullhead are similar in appearance to the more common brown bullhead, with a nearly square tail, but the chin barbels (whiskers) are pale yellow or pink, unlike the somewhat larger brown bullhead (state record: 5 pounds, 12 ounces) that has darker pigmented chin barbels.
The previous record was a 2.91-pound yellow bullhead. Michael Pace caught it in the Withlacoochee River in Levy County on March 7, 2007.
For a fish to become an official state record, an FWC biologist must verify the species and weigh it on a certified scale. However, the FWC also recognizes anglers who catch a memorable-size fish with a Big Catch certificate. These are issued for 33 different species of freshwater fishes and are subject to less stringent guidelines to allow an angler to be recognized if the fish's weight or length exceed minimum standards (see MyFWC.com/Fishing or the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary).
For a Big Catch certificate, an adult needs to catch a yellow bullhead that exceeds either 14 inches in total length or 1.5 pounds (youth standards are 10 inches and 1 pound).
The world record for this species is a 6-pound, 6-ounce yellow bullhead that John Irvin caught in Bates County, Mo., on May 27, 2006.
"I can't believe what good eating these fish are," Flynn said. "I think I'm going to keep going for them and see if I can catch the new world's record."

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Involve the kids in the outdoors

Programs From the FWC

Pioneers - "Wildlife and Conservation" - for ages 9 to 11
Pioneers learn about wild things and wild places in the country's southern-most national forest. This basic program teaches wildlife concepts such as predator/prey relationships and habitat protection through fun hands-on activities to inspire ethical and environmentally responsible behavior. Campers participate in hikes, outdoor educational games, natural arts and crafts and other biologically based activities with a conservation theme. Campers are introduced to other outdoor activities such as orienteering, basic survival skills, emergency field first aid, canoeing, swimming and fishing. Pioneers are further exposed to the fundamentals of archery and firearms safety with shooting sports activities. For Info

Bill Dance bloopers

Smoked Salmon dip from the Wild Chef

Recipe: Smoked Salmon Dip
by David Draper
Win friends and influence people on New Year’s Eve with this smoked salmon dip. It’s easy to make, which is good, as you'll want to whip up a big batch because it doesn’t last long. Be sure to save some to spread on a bagel when you finally roll out of bed on New Year’s Day.

I’m assuming you have some smoked salmon lying around, or, if not, have befriended a salmon fisherman who does. If not and you want to learn how to smoke a salmon, there’s a good tutorial over at Salmon University. As a last resort, you can also pick up a package of smoked salmon at most good grocery stores, but do me a favor, make a New Year’s Resolution to catch a salmon before this time next year.
- Once you’ve procured your smoked salmon, shred it in a bowl using two forks. You could use a food processor, but then you’d have to clean it and you’ve got better things to do with your time, like spiking the punch.
- Dice up some green onions and add them to the salmon, along with some capers if you’re into that sort of thing.
- Next, put a big scoop of sour cream in the bowl, followed by a squirt of lemon juice.
- Mix all this together, adding more sour cream until you get the consistency you prefer. Certain folks like it chunky; I like mine creamy.
- If you’re feeling a bit frisky, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. Some recipes call for a dash of salt, but I find the saltiness from the smoking process is enough.
A great smoked salmon dip is as simple as that and the great thing is, it’s infinitely variable depending on your tastes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with Tabasco, Worcestershire, mustard, celery (seed or diced) or whatever you like.
And the best thing to spread it on? Saltine crackers. It's that simple.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Get your permits soon!!

News Release from the FWC
May 7, 2010
Contact: Tony Young, 850-488-7867
There will be an increase in the cost of some of Florida's hunting and saltwater fishing permits, beginning July 1.  If sportsmen act now, however, they can beat the price increase.
On July 1, 2010, the cost of a turkey permit will go up from $5 to $10 for Florida residents and from $100 to $125 for nonresidents.  In addition, Florida waterfowl permits will increase as well, from $3 to $5.
The cost of two saltwater fishing permits also will go up July 1.  The snook permit will increase from $2 to $10, and lobster permits will increase from $2 to $5.
Until July 1, though, sportsmen can buy all of these permits at the current prices, and all permits are valid for one year after the date of purchase.
There also is a new deer permit that will be required whenever hunting deer in Florida, beginning during the upcoming 2010-2011 hunting season.  The permit will cost $5 and will not be available for purchase until July 1.
Those with a Sportsman's License, Gold Sportsman's License, 64 or Older Sportsman's License, Military Gold Sportsman's License, Lifetime Hunting License or Lifetime Sportsman's License will not need to purchase the new deer permit because it has already been included in each of these licenses, even if they were purchased before July 1.
However, the deer permit is not included with a hunting license, combination hunting/freshwater fishing license, combination hunting/freshwater/saltwater license or a five-year hunting license.  Anyone hunting deer with either of these licenses must also buy the $5 deer permit to hunt deer legally.
All permits and related licenses can be purchased at county tax collectors' offices, retail outlets that sell fishing and hunting supplies, online at https://www1.fl.wildlifelicense.com/start.php or by calling toll-free 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356).

Monday, January 3, 2011

Next Gun Show dates

January 22nd & 23rd
War Memorial AuditoriumPH. (954) 828-5380
http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/wma/index.htm
HOURS: Sat 9am - 5pm | Sun. 10am - 5pm
ADMISSION:
Adults $8.00
KidsFree
(12 & under)
All person under 18
years of age must be
accompanied by an adult.

Note: We do not accept credit cards, we only take cash. An ATM is available on premises.

800 N.E. 8th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304

Saturday, January 1, 2011

South Florida spotted seatrout season opens Jan. 1


News Release From the FWC
December 28, 2010
Contact: Wendy Dial, 850-488-9477
         
          The recreational harvest season for spotted seatrout will open in southern Florida on Jan. 1.  Spotted seatrout harvest has been closed since Nov. 1 in this part of the state to help maintain an abundant fishery.
The reopened areas include Atlantic coast waters south of the Flagler-Volusia county line and Gulf coast waters south of a line running due west from the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway, which is 1.17 miles south of the Pinellas-Pasco county line.
The maximum daily bag limit for spotted seatrout in these areas is four fish per person.  In all other Florida waters north and west of these areas, the daily limit is five spotted seatrout per person.
The statewide slot limit for spotted seatrout is 15-20 inches total length, and anglers may keep one spotted seatrout larger than 20 inches as part of the daily bag limit.
Spotted seatrout may not be harvested by any multiple hooks with live or dead natural bait, and snagging or snatch-hooking spotted seatrout is not allowed.  Spotted seatrout may be taken only with hook-and-line gear and cast nets and must be landed in whole condition.
The harvest of spotted seatrout will close during the month of February in northeast and northwest Florida waters.