Author: Guest Columnist

Sea Turtle Association offers nest adoption to promote protection

BY ARLENE HALLBGSTA SECRETARY For a limited time, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association is offering a unique way to mark a special occasion while also helping local sea turtles nesting on Gasparilla...

SW Florida Fishing: It’s all tarpon – all the time…

BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN We are in the heart of tarpon season and you can get out there and catch a tarpon just about any way you like to fish for them. If you’ve never caught a tarpon, now is the...

Sea Turtle Report: Reminder that no Gulf sea can fill in your big dig

BY ARLENE HALLBGSTA SECRETARY With summer vacations finally here, this seems to be the prime time of year to create elaborate, towering sandcastles perhaps surrounded by a deep, wide moat that...

SW Florida Fishing: All areas ready to fish

BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE As the wind has started to lay down a bit, lots of tarpon are being caught on the beaches, in the passes, everywhere. The ‘World Richest’ Tarpon Tournament was held this...

Sea Turtle Report: Volunteer catches live nesting, egg laying

BY ARLENE HALLBGSTA SECRETARY Timing was everything for BGSTA Turtle Patroller Tammy Rigney. She was running a little late getting onto the beach for her morning patrol, but it paid off for her...

SW Florida Fishing: Tarpon, anglers and tourneys

BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Tarpon season continues in full swing. There are thousands of tarpon around right now and you can catch one just about any way you want. The traditional pass fishing has been...

Quarantine history from the late Capt. Robert Johnson

BY CAPT. ROBERT JOHNSON Editor’s Note: The late Capt. Johnson wrote a history of The Boca Grande Quarantine Station during the COVID-19 outbreak for the Beacon. We are reprinting the May 2020 story. The...

SW Florida Fishing: Snook in the backcountry, tarpon in the pass

BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE Tarpon season is here! It is May and the tarpon have shown up big time in Boca Grande pass! If you are looking to catch a tarpon call your local guide and get out in that...

Guest Essay: Celebrating Community Progress, Masterplan update and community meeting set for Friday, May 17

BY FRIENDS OF BOCA GRANDE The Master plan to transform the Boca Grande Community Center Campus is being designed to benefit the entire community, offering state-of-the-art facilities, and versatile...

Hooks are baited, lets go fishin’

BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Tarpon season is now in full swing – with lots of fish throughout the area. Late afternoon and early evening Pass trips have been most productive. Despite some continued heavy...