Sports & Outdoors
Boca Grande Sea Turtle Nesting Season: 10-21-26
October 22, 2026
Weekly turtle reports
State Park Turtle Numbers
Cayo Costa: 531 Loggerhead, 25 Green, 2 Leatherback, 20,879 hatchlings
Gasparilla: 32 Loggerhead, 489 hatchlings
Don Pedro: 233 Loggerhe…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Will Waterhouse
October 22, 2026
From first catch to captain
Will Waterhouse knew he wanted to fish for a living when he was only eight years old living in Westchester County, New York.
“My family started coming here in like…
Whidden’s Centennial: Like the good ole days
October 22, 2026
Saturday evening was wet, but the Whidden’s 100 anniversary fish fry was great.
It was wonderful to see locals of all ages gathered to celebrate Whidden’s Marina’s century celebration. The Boca G…
Student Leadership Academy Cross Country Meet
October 22, 2026
Sofia Shank (above), Will Cross and Cole Lindsey (right) attended the Student Leadership Academy Cross Country Meet at Suncoast Community School in Sarasota.
Photos submitted
SW Florida Fishing: Snook and reds …
October 22, 2026
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE
The back country fishing this last week has been lights out with lots of really nice sized snook, redfish and trout chasing bait on the flats!
Along with the snook, re…
Boca Grande Sea Turtle Nesting Season: 10-14-26
October 15, 2026
Weekly turtle reports
State Park Turtle Numbers
Cayo Costa: 531 Loggerhead, 25 Green, 2 Leatherback, 20,879 hatchlings
Gasparilla: 32 Loggerhead, 489 hatchlings
Don Pedro: 233 Loggerhe…
Reconstruction of Placida pier at old railroad trestle
October 15, 2026
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection published submitted plans for the rebuilding of the Placida Fishing Pier. The pier is a long-awaited reconstruction after recen…
Palm Island ferry at Charlotte meeting
October 15, 2026
Above, the parking areas where no parking signs went up in September around the Palm Island Transit ferry area of Placida Road. Charlotte graphic
A representative from Palm Island Transit Inc. ca…
Storm wave action gives island surfers Atlantic ride
October 15, 2026
The 1st Street area of Gasparilla Island is a formidable surfing spot after storms, whether hurricane or just high winds. On Saturday, there were many out there to catch the remnant waves of Isaias…
Banyan restoration begins; new trees 8,000 lbs.
October 15, 2026
GICIA and Lee County partner to restore historic Banyan Street
BY THE GICIA
In partnership with Lee County, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association is moving forward wit…











