Outdoors notebook

To our readers

This page is a regular weekly feature focusing on Florida outdoors adventures and upcoming events. If you would like to add to this listing, email scocking@MiamiHerald.com.

• South Floridians from Palm Beach County through the Keys who have recreational and commercial blue crab traps in the water must remove them before Wednesday. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is implementing a 10-day trap closure to allow for identification and retrieval of lost and abandoned traps. Crabbers may put their traps back in the water starting July 20. During the closure, trappers may use dip nets and fold-up traps; standard traps may continue only if they are attached to a dock or private property. For more information, go to MyFwc.com.

• Commercial and recreational red snapper harvest seasons will not open in July in federal or state waters of the South Atlantic. NOAA Fisheries is reviewing a proposed rule to determine if and when a limited harvest season might open this year and how many fish can be caught. The agency says it will give 30 days’ notice in advance of a possible harvest season opening. For more information, visit safmc.net.

• Spearfishers are invited to compete in the Art Pinder King of Sling Spearfishing Tournament on July 13 at Shake-A-Leg Miami in Coconut Grove. For more information, email mdobal@bellsouth.net or call 305-812-8631.

• Volunteers are invited to “bring your own boat” for a Biscayne Bay Trap Clean-up from 8 a.m. to noon July 13. Meet at Black Point Marina shrimpers’ row, 24775 SW 87 Ave., Miami. For information, call Lisa Krimsky at 305-421-4017.

• Attend the Keys’ annual underwater music festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13 at Looe Key, about six miles south of Big Pine Key, staged by WWUS 104.1. The theme is “Salute to the Rolling Stone Crabs” in honor of the band’s 50-year career and the Keys’ local seafood delicacy. For more information, visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

• Some $10,000 in prize money will be awarded in the Islamorada Dolphin Tournament, held July 12-14 out of Smuggler’s Cove. Entry fee is $150 per angler or $650 per boat before June 22; $175 per angler and $700 per boat after June 22. For information, call 305-852-2102 or email ditournaments@aol.com.

• The Bimini Sands Resort & Marina will host a Lionfish Bash on July 12-14. Entry fee is $200 per boat for up to four hunters. Cash prizes will be awarded. Email info@woodyfoundation.org or call 305-586-3107.

• Flat’s fishing’s “Holy Grail” — permit on fly rod — will be the focus of the 13th annual Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament, held July 14-17 in Key West. The angler releasing the greatest total inches of length of permit will win an original bronze trophy. Entry fee is $1,200 per angler. Visit www.delbrown.com or call 305-360-6969.

or call Phil at 754-245-6062.

Read more Outdoors stories from the Miami Herald

South Florida Fishing Report

Captain Mark Schmidt of Sundancer Charters out of Murrays Marina in Key West reported permits, barracudas and sharks have been plentiful on the shallow flats around Key West. Tarpon have been active in the mornings. Bottom fishing the rock piles on the Oceanside and Gulf side has produced quality catches of mutton, mangrove and yellowtail snappers plus large red groupers. A lot of dolphin are biting offshore, with most fish on the small size, but some larger dolphin are also being caught. Nighttime mangrove snapper fishing has been excellent on the offshore reefs. 1373516056
South Florida Outdoor Notebook

Commercial and recreational red snapper harvest seasons will not open in July in federal or state waters of the South Atlantic. NOAA Fisheries is currently reviewing a proposed rule to determine if and when a limited harvest season might open this year and how many fish can be caught. The agency said it will give 30 days’ notice in advance of a possible harvest season opening. For more information, visit safmc.net. 1373516056
Fisheating Creek

Paddling down Fisheating Creek is an adventure worth taking

I probably should have waited until the weather cooled to paddle and camp along south-central Florida’s Fisheating Creek. But when I saw that water levels measured by the USGS gauge near U.S. 27 in Palmdale were running around 5 feet last month, I just had to go right then.

Get the Miami Herald's Sports News
VIA EMAIL

Join the
Discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere on the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

The Miami Herald uses Facebook's commenting system. You need to log in with a Facebook account in order to comment. If you have questions about commenting with your Facebook account, click here.

Have a news tip? You can send it anonymously. Click here to send us your tip - or - consider joining the Public Insight Network and become a source for The Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.