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Sports & Outdoors


May 23, 2024
The state of Florida has a robust program for derelict boats. During recent hurricanes, there were hundreds of boats in area waters, many abandoned. There were some, including a sailboat on the…

May 20, 2024
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 b…

May 20, 2024
“As crude a weapon as the cave man’s club, the chemical barrage has been hurled against the fabric of life – a fabric on the one hand delicate and destructible, on the other miraculously tough and…

May 20, 2024
BY CAPT. VAN HUBBARD Editor’s Note: Van Hubbard’s column Hook, Line and Sinker appeared in the Beacon beginning in 1988. We are delighted to welcome him back. I’m returning to the Boca Beaco…

May 20, 2024
The 2024 sea turtle nesting season for Gasparilla Island runs through October 31. Here are some sea turtle season “Do’s and Don’ts” provided by the Florida Park Service. Pets are not permitted …

May 17, 2024
The 2024 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament is set for Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23.  This year, the Grande Tradition honorees at the Captain’s Party are Merritt ‘Babe’ Darna and the l…

May 17, 2024
Last Wednesday evening, May 8, Boca Grande Outfitters hosted a fly tying social above the store. As someone who has never fly fished, let alone tied a fly, I was the obvious choice to go repre…

May 17, 2024
The annual Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament hosted by the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce was held on Saturday, May 11. The first place team on Outcast with Capt. Jesse Craddock caught four tarpo…

May 9, 2024
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 th…

May 9, 2024
“Mothers are the gardeners of the wind-blown wildflowers. They water them with happy tears. Happy with them for many years even as the hours ring with sweet, sad melodies sighing through their bow…