Fishing

Bay City anglers land leviathan grouper

David Adlerstein, Florida Freedom Newspapers

APALACHICOLA, FL - It coulda been a world record. It woulda been among the biggest groupers ever landed. And it certainly shoulda been weighed. Four men fishing out of Bay City Lodge the morning of June 25 landed a leviathan-size Warsaw group... Full story

Officials hopeful for July Fourth city pier opening

Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH - Panama City Beach resident Lorri Holland looks forward to walking out over the water on the new city pier, hoping to see some dolphins. "I think if they can have it open by the Fourth, that will be amazing," she said. City offic... Full story

4th Children's fishing tournament

MEXICO BEACH, FL - July 4 begins with 5k walk/fun run at 7 a.m. Children's fishing tournament 9-10:30 a.m. and fireworks finish the day. For more details visit online at www.mexicobeachcdc.com or call (850) 648-8196... Full story

Red hot catches

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - The temperature wasn't the only thing hot this - the catches that were coming in on the docks were red hot. As soon as the boats would come in, unload and clean the fish - somebody was waiting to go back out. In a matter of a couple of... Full story

Shellfish harvesting reopens in parts of bay

PANAMA CITY, FL - The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reopened North Bay Eastern (No. 1022) at sunrise Saturday for the harvest of oysters, clams and mussels, according to a news release.     The area had been c... Full story

Billfish changes bring more boats

Brad Milner, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - It would be naïve to think any event, no matter its stature and tradition, is immune to controversy.     Change is inevitable in maintaining a balance and in securing the future. Bay Point Invitational Bill... Full story

State knots fishing license loophole

Saltwater licences now required for shore fishing

David Angier, Florida Freedom Newspapers

NORTHWEST FLORIDA - Twenty years ago, when the first saltwater fishing license was imposed in Florida, the legislature exempted state residents who fished from shore or a structure attached to shore. That exemption was done away with this year. Ever... Full story

License to lure

NOAA urging Florida, other states to require fishing licenses for shoreline fishermen

Tom McLaughlin, Florida Freedom Newspapers

The NOAA is poised to act as "sort of the hammer" to push Florida and several other states to help it create a national registry of recreational saltwater fishermen, said Forbes Darby, the federal agency's recreational fishing coordinator.  &nbs... Full story

Fathers Fish This Month

CARRABELLE, FL - Father's Day Weekend, June 19-21, will bring the fishing festivities of the 21st Annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic (BBSC) to Carrabelle and other weigh-in spots along the North Florida Coast. The Carrabelle-based tournament, he... Full story

Dolphin feeding a serious problem

Jon Miltimore, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH - The issue of illegal dolphin feeding is once again rearing its head as summer boating season approaches. Advocates of the marine mammal say the problem is growing worse and the Panama City area has grown notorious for not enforcin... Full story

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