ARTIFICIAL REEFS

Artificial reef a novel way to create life after life

An artificial reef off of Key Biscayne acts as a final resting place for loved ones, and a source of new corals and other marine life.

Outdoors notebook

South Florida anglers are encouraged to attend a public meeting Nov. 10 in Key Largo on proposals to shut down snapper and grouper fishing in South Atlantic federal waters indefinitely between Charleston, S.C., and Cape Canaveral.

ING Miami events secure deal with new sponsors

Nissan has reached an agreement with US Road Sports & Entertainment of Florida to become the official vehicle of the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon. Nissan also will be the title sponsor of the Health and Fitness Expo that serves as a prelude to the Marathon.

FWC to consider overhaul of black bass management

TARPON SPRINGS -- Nearly 50 years ago, Florida's unofficial, state-record largemouth bass was a 19.6-pounder caught by Riley Witt using a live eel for bait on the south end of Lake Tarpon in Tarpon Springs.

Upcoming outdoors events

A top prize of $5,000 will be awarded in the Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic on Friday and Saturday in Islamorada. Eligible species are wahoo, dolphin, and kingfish. A ``weekend warrior'' division targets snapper and grouper. Entry fee is $400 per boat. Call 305-667-0399 or visit www.maddogclassic.com.

South Florida fishing report

IslamoradaSportfishing.com reported that Spanish mackerel are in the Gulf waters, along with tripletail and a few cobias.

Indian Creek Regatta draws top club teams

The Miami Beach Rowing Club opened the fall season by hosting the 17th annual Head of the Indian Creek Regatta on Sunday at the Ronald W. Shane Center in Miami Beach.

Peacock bass worth the quest

As co-host of the Saturday morning radio program The Weekly Fisherman on WQAM 560, Eric Brandon is expected to have a working knowledge of South Florida's salt and freshwater fisheries. But Brandon, who also works as an evening disc jockey on KISS Country, doesn't have a lot of time to go fishing.

South Florida fishing report

Captain Jeff Lugutki of Anglers Addiction Guide Service out of Naples reported that schools of small baitfish and mullet are flowing down the beaches from Naples south to Shark River. Big tarpon, schools of snook, redfish and large jack crevalles are having a field day on the baitfish schools.

Upcoming outdoors events

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold a public workshop on possible options for rule changes affecting bonefish. The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the IGFA Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach. For more information, visit www.myFWC.com/RULESANDREGS/MarineFisheries_Workshops.htm.

Mutton-yellow jack show is a hit

Anchored near a grassy cut dotted with coral heads in south Biscayne Bay, I couldn't believe my eyes. Every time captain Jay Jawitz tossed out a handful of small pilchards, a boil erupted on the smooth surface, followed by the somersault of a large, pink tail.

South Florida fishing report

Tom Greene from Custom Rod and Reel in Light House Point reported that swordfishing slowed over the weekend, but schools of mullet are sliding down the coast and schools of oversized snook are feasting on the mullet schools.

Upcoming outdoors events

Captain Bouncer Smith will conduct a seminar from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Dusky Sport Center in Dania Beach. The topic is ``How to fill your boat with fish in October and November: mutton snapper, yellowtail, swordfish, mackerel.'' Admission is $10, redeemable for store merchandise. For more information, visit dusky.com.

U.S. COAST GUARD RESCUE DRILLS

Coast Guard training is rigorous for surviving at sea

A U.S. Coast guard rescue team recently trained as many as 300 colleagues from the Opa-locka air station on open-ocean survival methods.

Outdoors notebook

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is expected to hold a round of public meetings in November on proposals aimed at ending overfishing for red snapper and other snapper-grouper species. Meeting last week in Charleston, S.C., commissioners discussed closing large areas of federal waters extending from South Carolina to north-central Florida to all snapper-grouper fishing. No times or dates have been announced for the hearings, but they will be posted at www.safmc.net.

Goliath grouper harvest is discussed

About 90 feet deep on an artificial reef called the Zion off Jupiter, a group of scuba divers confronted a stunning sight: as many as 70 goliath groupers -- some nearly as large as Mini Coopers -- hovering amid a cloud of shimmering sardines.

South Florida fishing report

Henry Caimotto from the Snook Nook Bait and Tackle in Jensen Beach reported plenty of bait along the beaches, Spanish mackerel in the inlets, kingfish in 50 feet of water, lots of blackfin tuna around Push Button Hill in 150 to 350 feet of water and sailfish and schoolie dolphins along the edge.

Upcoming outdoors events

Big Cypress National Preserve will hold an open house at the welcome center at 33050 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. A short version of a new hour-long documentary, Big Cypress Swamp, The Western Everglades will be shown. For more information, call 239-695-1107 or www.nps.gov/bicy.

COLLEGE SAILING

Canes team is no longer under the radar

UM's Sailing Canes have gone from a club team in 2004 to one of the top 25 teams in the nation in preseason rankings.

BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK

Increased law enforcement is stressed at workshops

More law enforcement was favored over no-fishing zones by those who spoke at workshops held by Biscayne National Park officials on the alternatives for managing fisheries resources.