Sports & Outdoors


The word from the wickets

March 30, 2023
The second Annual Gasparilla Mallet Club Tournaments are in the history books, and they were resounding successes, according to Skip Russo, one of the tournament’s directors. At least 24 people to…

The Big Red Bus is coming

March 16, 2023
Donating blood saves lives. We all intrinsically know this. Yet, according to the American Red Cross, less than 3 percent of age-eligible people donate blood annually. The Boca Grande Health Cl…

Kids Classic tournament handed over from Boca Grande Charities to Chamber of Commerce

February 9, 2023
When Capt. Sandy Melvin, Bill Klettke and Michael Vaughn founded the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic more than a decade ago, it was with one objective in mind – to create a fast-paced, action-packe…

Coral Creek golf update

January 26, 2023


After Ian’s cleanup on land, what do we do about our water? Around here, Mother Nature has most of it handled

January 26, 2023
It’s obvious that cleanup and rebuilding on the island are moving forward at a good pace, but what about the effects of the storm in local waters, and on fishing? According to local fishermen, the…

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…