Outdoor Academy

It’s amazing the degree to which the stories of fish landed and fish lost affect us as human beings. Each time we leave the dock, we unveil the next chapters of our own fishing anthologies — forging memories in company of fellow anglers or in complete solitude. While some of these stories embody life’s most carefree moments, Monte Burke’s Lords of the Fly tells a fisherman’s tale of much higher stakes. Burke’s writing transports the reader to the storied flats of Homosassa, Florida, during an era of fierce competition among world-class fishermen in the hunt for angling history. We sat down with Monte to dive deeper into his life, writing, and research in covering the race to catch record-breaking tarpon on a fly rod.

While bonefish and permit are widely touted as world-class targets for those on the hunt for tailing fish, a different species reigns king for anglers in the shallow estuaries and salt marshes of the North Florida Lowcountry. Redfish — also known as red drum, or spot tail — frequent these intracoastal habitats from the Mid Atlantic all the way to South Texas. Redfish thrive among the intricate tidal latticework of mud-banked creeks, snaking through dense clusters of spartina and other marsh grasses in search of fiddler crabs, mud minnows, and other unwary crustaceans seeking refuge within the dense intertidal vegetation.

The Florida Keys is renowned for its deep-sea angling opportunities. From marlin and sailfish to tuna and mahi mahi, deep-sea fishing the Florida Keys provides unbelievable adventures on the water. With easy access to the offshore waters of both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, this tropical paradise boasts world-class angling. Whether you're a life-long angler or a beginner looking to get on the water for the first time, the Florida Keys offer charters and guides to ensure an unforgettable deep-sea fishing excursion.

Proper maintenance of fishing gear is essential for extending the lifespan of your equipment, saving money, and catching more fish. Well-maintained gear performs better, ensuring your tackle doesn't miss a beat on the water.

Time to grab your vise and follow along as Capt. Conner Bryant walks us through how to tie the “Marsh Creature.” This simple black and purple fly only requires a handful of basic tying materials, and is easy to crank out in batches. This is one of Conner’s top summer redfish patterns in the South Carolina lowcountry, but it looks fishy enough to fool reds from Pamlico to Port Aransas.

When choosing the best bait for tarpon fishing, it is important to choose a bait that will trigger a bite by mimicking the movements of their natural prey. Using effective flies can enhance your chances of success while tarpon fishing. The benefits of using effective flies include attracting the tarpon and, eventually, getting the tarpon to strike. The following article is a guide for the best baits, lures and flies to use while tarpon fishing. Along with information on the characteristics, techniques and considerations for selecting the most effective options, this guide will help anglers enhance their chances of landing one of the most exciting species of fish in Florida.

In saltwater fly fishing — when stronger fish, larger flies, and more extreme conditions are at play — it is critical to have a well constructed leader for success on the water. A leader is the connection between your fly line, the fly, and ultimately the fish. Understanding how to put together a well built leader helps anglers improve their chances of success on the water.

Key West is home to a multitude of fish species due to its unique location where the Florida Atlantic and Gulf waters converge. The intersection of these two waterways create a rich marine ecosystem and excellent fishing opportunities for anglers. Whether you are a first time fisherman or a well seasoned angler, Key West boasts an abundance of fishing opportunities in its surrounding waters.

Planning a fishing trip to Islamorada in the Florida Keys? This guide has any angler or fishing family covered with some non-fishing related activities and attractions to make your trip unforgettable. Explore the natural beauty of Anne's Beach or Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park. Enjoy vibrant events, indulge in culinary delights, and savor unique brews and wines. Take day trips to Key Largo, visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, or embark on a seaplane charter to Dry Tortugas National Park. Make lasting memories with the best best things to do in Islamorada!

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the five most prestigious tarpon fly fishing tournaments held in the Florida Keys, renowned for its exceptionally diverse fisheries. Tarpon, also known as "the Silver King" are a powerful gamefish revered for their acrobatic leaps and incredible strength. These tarpon fishing tournaments have made the Florida Keys a celebrated hub for top anglers and fishing guides from around the globe. Each tournament offers unique experiences for anglers seeking a thrilling tarpon fishing adventures amidst top-tier competition.