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Sports & Outdoors

Tennis Classic begins January 21:

January 6, 2023
Sign up now! The Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic is about to begin on a court near you … are you signed up yet? The tournament, sponsored by the Boca Beacon’s publisher, Dusty Hopkins (wh…

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FISHING

December 29, 2022
Boca Beacon backpages p26Download

Major cold front brings exciting fishing to the back country

December 22, 2022
BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Our first major cold front of the season blasted through this week and spoiled the offshore gulf fishing with some strong winds. Things will pick back up as soon as winds …

Anyone remember Leon?

December 2, 2022
If you have been coming to Gasparilla Island for a few years or more and you love golf, perhaps this name will ring a bell with you: Leon Oliver. Oliver is a Gasparilla Inn & Club course…

Will and Brecken take GIFT tournament for 2022

November 24, 2022
By Capt. Sandy Melvin The young gun team of Capt. Will Waterhouse and Capt. Brecken Stinnett caught two redfish for a total overall length of 45 3/4 inches to win the 27th annual Gasparilla Isl…

Pigskin Pick’em: Week 12

November 23, 2022
Boca Beacon backpages p27Download

Sign up now for the 27th annual GIFT Tournament

November 10, 2022
The 27th annual G.I.F.T (Gasparilla Island Fly-fishing Tournament), presented by Gasparilla Outfitters to benefit the Boca Grande Historical Society, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 22, so if you’re…

More manatee protection, reef devastation and red tide numbers

November 4, 2022
It is possible there will soon be another layer of protection for local manatees, as the Lee Board of County Commissioners voted this week to adopt a year-round manatee protection zone ordinance f…

Fishing after the storm with Capt. Sandy Melvin

October 13, 2022
BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Typically September and October are our rainy months around the Island.  The rainwater enters the Peace and Myakka River water basins and comes down into Charlotte Harb…

The new pro on the court at The Inn is ready to fill some big shoes

September 23, 2022
A new set of sneakers will be pounding the courts of The Gasparilla Inn Tennis Club this season, as the new pro. His name is John Cappabianca. Florida born Cappabianca will be replacing Mark Ho…