Sports & Outdoors
Local snook season remains open through April 30
March 7, 2024
The recreational harvest of snook in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Southwest management regions opened March 1, and remains open through April 30.
This …
Red tide expert at Cape Haze
March 7, 2024
Join Lemon Bay Conservancy for a free talk featuring Dr. Larry Brand, a distinguished researcher and professor at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, as …
Friends of Tennis Committee report next volleys
March 7, 2024
BY CAM WATTS, NANCY LECKERLING, JON LECKERLING AND MARK HORAN
Since the last reporting in the February 2, 2024 Boca Beacon, the Friends of Tennis Committee, led by Cam Watts, Nancy and Jon Leck…
Love-ly net gain for tennis boosters in pickleball debate
March 7, 2024
After several weeks of meetings and planning, Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, on behalf of the county, met with several island tennis advocates, agreeing to keep the two tennis courts on Whee…
The Island Golfer: Cap patrol prevents sandbaggers from unfair advantage
March 1, 2024
BY SCOTT COTHERMAN
Hang around the first tee at any golf club and you will hear foursomes pair off for friendly games of wager. This includes the exchange of player handicaps which, thanks to a…
SW Florida Fishing: Trout Time …
February 29, 2024
BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN
Last week was a good one for big speckled trout in the backcountry. We also saw some nice redfish scattered around as well.
On these warmer days, we saw some big snook …
SW Florida Fishing: It’s time for a day on the water
February 29, 2024
BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR
Spring fishing is so great, I love it. Big snook, reds, trout, and suicidal pompano on the shallow grass on windy days all makes for a great day! We don’t normally see larg…
EcoWatch: Good and bad news for Florida’s ecosystem
February 29, 2024
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist and author
…
Placida Road owlets spring their nest
February 29, 2024
The family of owls nested in a giant street sign over Placida Road across from Lemon Bay High School have successfully raised their owlets, according to reports by Eva Furner, who has been watchin…
Cannonball jellyfish running in Gasparilla Pass
February 29, 2024
It was a beautiful sunny early afternoon after days of rain and cold, so I was extra excited to be out and playing around within the Gasparilla Sound on my friend’s boat. Captain Nelson Groome own…