Bradenton Times News Articles

The first annual West Coast Tarpon Challenge will be held in Bradenton on June 23-24, with all proceeds benefiting All Children’s Hospital. There is even a kayak division which will commence on Saturday, the 24th. Fishing has been on fire, with tarpon congregating off the beaches and snook and trout biting inshore. With a new moon on Tuesday, anglers are encouraged to get in on all the action in the upcoming week. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking boaters to report any mink sightings. This weekend, a summer boat show and nautical flea market will take place in Cape Coral. It's the best place to find bargains on boats, fishing supplies and other boating related equipment. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms all weekend, so boaters should take caution while out on the water. 

The Lee County Nautical Flea Market and BBQ Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the centrally located German America Club, 2101 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. Tarpon fishing should be good next week as we head towards a new moon. In a normal weather pattern of east wind in the morning with an afternoon sea breeze, there should be a push of tarpon in deeper water for the first couple hours of the day. When sunlight is good later in the day, you might find tarpon in shallow water or following deeper edges.

Get ready for the Fire Charity Fishing Tournament this weekend! Anglers should be sure to get those entry forms in by Friday or they will miss out. The committee is offering an optional Captain's meeting Friday, June 8 at noon for those who want to leave early. For those who make that meeting, you can leave directly following it. There will still be another one Friday evening for those who choose to leave later. Get the little ones involved by registering for the kid tournament -- $10 includes lunch! The kids event is limited to 75 participants, so sign your child up today! 

This weekend, bring the family out to Fire Charity Fishing Tournament June 8-10 at the Bradenton Yacht Club. It’s also the first time they are holding a kids fishing tournament --  $10 entry fee includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday! Anglers can help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission biologists aquire valuable information regarding red snapper and other reef fish just by filling out a survey card and with information and making a quick phone call. Next weekend a boat show and nautical fleamarket will be held in Cape Coral.  

It took three little girls to completely confirm the cause. Unlike the rest of the children attending the annual Fire Charity Fishing Tournament, these youngsters hid behind their guardian instead of congregating around the wheel barrels of fish as they were unloaded from the boats and prepared for weigh in. Slightly visible underneath strands of fine hair was a glimpse of why the withdrawn children shied away; they were marked with facial scars -- evidence that they had been badly burned.

The first license-free saltwater fishing Saturday is this week, June 2, so get out there! Anglers participating in next weekend's Fire Charity Fishing Tournament should be sure to get those entry forms in by June 1 or they will miss out on an opportunity for a 10 percent discount. Get the little ones involved by registering for the kid tournament -- $10 includes lunch! The kids event is limited to 75 participants, so sign your child up today! 

Red snapper season begins June 1 in the Gulf, but that also marks the close of Atlantic snook and Gulf amberjack season. The harvest of oysters is now allowed on the weekends in Apalachicola. It’s the last chance for anglers can register at a discounted rate for the Fire Charity Fishing Tournament June 8-10. It’s also the first time they are holding a kids fishing tournament -- $10 entry fee includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday!

The results are in from last weekend's Crosthwait Fishing Tournament. Team Jumbo Shrimp won the offshore division, Locomotive Breath took the inshore division, team Garrett Richard won the under 19 junior division and Evan Soudijin won the under 16 junior division. Are you wondering what to do for your dad for Father's Day? Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, is offering a free round-trip airfare from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to South Bimini, courtesy of the resort. Dad’s first drink at Mackey’s Sand Bar at the Bimini Sands Beach Club is on the house as well -- what a deal!

A giant 109 pound amberjack was caught at the Sam Crosthwait Memorial Fishing Tournament over the weekend. It's time to sign up for the fifth annual Fire Charity Tournament that will take place on June 8 through 10. The next weekend a nautical flea market will be held in Cape Coral.