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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Another miss on fly permit quest

There once was a fisherman in Key West who either admitted or bragged -- not sure which one -- he had to spend $100,000 before catching his first permit on fly rod on the flats.

South Florida fishing report

Captain Dean Panos from the charter boat Double D out of North Miami reported hot daytime swordfishing in 1,600 feet of water off of Miami.

Many dead fish are seen in Snake Bight

For the second time in 1 1/2 months, a major fish kill has been reported in Florida Bay.

Kendall's Dr. Lloyd Wruble, an avid angler, reported seeing thousands of dead ladyfish, mullet, pinfish, and catfish in the Jimmy's Lake area on the eastern end of Snake Bight on Monday.

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Grouper, snapper closures among topics covered at meeting

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tackled some issues important to South Floridians -- hunting seasons; grouper and snapper closures; shark rules; and management plans for Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne National Park -- at its meeting last week at Howey-in-the-Hills. Here's an overview:

Key to catching kingfish in summer: Deep is best

You want some quick, fresh fish for dinner tonight, but you don't have time to hunt far and wide for dolphin. Your best bet just might be kingfish -- yes, even in the scorching heat of summer.

South Florida fishing report

Henry Caimotto from the Snook Nook in Jensen Beach reported that the high tide during the day and night is producing hot snook action on live large mullet for those who like catch-and-release snook fishing because the fish are either too big or too small to keep.

Pursuing tasty scallops is worth the trip

STEINHATCHEE -- Sick of getting sliced up by the horns of combative lobsters? Or chasing false reports of lines of crustaceans marching out in the open sand? I am, so last week I opted for what I call ``lobster redux'' -- the low-key but gratifying pursuit of the docile bay scallop.

Outdoors notebook

Grouper and snapper closures, revamped hunting seasons, and general and fisheries management plans for Biscayne National Park are on the agenda of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting Wednesday through Friday at Howey-in-the-Hills in north central Florida.