Granted big fancy boat shows are not particularly my personal ”bag” but this Tampa Bay Times Show looks as though it may have some promise. I’m sure this thing will have miles of overpriced fiberglass and a gaggle of gadgets that nobody needs, but admission is free, it’s indoors if we get some weather, and some of the workshops sound interesting. If there is a particular piece of gear you may be in the market for you may be able to find a “boat show pricing” deal, just know how much they are in the store before you go gobbling up that once in a lifetime “deal”. Hit the jump for more info…

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For the seasoned followers of our adventures in internet literacy you may remember a piece we did on Captain Mel Berman when we heard of his passing. We think highly of Captain Mel to say the least and may just have to re-run that old article to show a little respect.  I don’t believe there is a better way to celebrate the life of an extremely well-respected figure in our sport and industry than an all out fishing throwdown!! With 157 amateur only participants in its first year, this year promises to be quite the affair. Although we missed the bus on getting more involved with this year’s 2nd tournament we hope that we have a couple of readers out there tearing the Trout and Redfish to bits. Hats off to Captain Mel and those putting on this event.

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Recently a bright young name in the game called me in search of some information about setting up a combination of rod, reel, and starter tackle kit that would be suitable for the vast majority of inshore species here in West Central Florida. I looked at some of my rods and reels and the fish I have caught with them. I turned to the crates of lures and junk in my garage that I wished I had never used or spent a dime on, and finally I looked at the things I never go fishing without. This query from a young man (yes ladies it’s Ben Sharp) not only got me thinking of what he should start a comprehensive kit with, but what I would do if I woke up one day without a piece of fishing kit to my name. Read more..

As the most disconected person on the internet today I found this nearly four year old news story on UPI.com and decided to share:

CLEARWATER, Fla.,  June 9 (UPI) — A Florida fisherman said an 8-foot-long missile that became ensnared in his long line while fishing in the Gulf of Mexico was turned over to authorities.

Solomon Rodney, 37, said he assumed the missile was inactive or already exploded because of a hole in its side so it rode atop his boat for 10 days before he returned to shore and turned it over to  a bomb squad from MacDill Air Force Base, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported Tuesday.

Rodney said he was surprised to hear the missile was live. Read more..