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

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

FWC probes possible grouper blooper

David Adlerstein, Florida Freedom Newspapers

ST. GEORGE ISLAND, FL — Florida wildlife officials are looking into whether there is something fishy about a record-sized grouper caught late last month off St. George Island.     Was it a permissible warsaw grouper, worthy... Full story

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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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.... Full story

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