Belle Glade

Community rallies after fishing champion Jimmy McMillan is slain

Family members pleaded for information that would lead to the capture of the gunman who killed a fishing champion .

KAYAKING

Biscayne National Park has a hidden gem for kayakers in Jones Lagoon trail

A watery gem is hiding in plain sight in Biscayne National Park and waiting just for you if you’re an experienced kayaker.

Fishing report

Captain Mo Estevez of New Dawn Charters reported bonefishing has been good in the mornings on the Oceanside flats in South Biscayne Bay and on the west shorelines flats in the afternoon. Locals Seth Sanford and Steve Fill fished off of South Biscayne Bay with captain Alan Sherman of Get Em Sportfishing Charters and caught more than 60 fish that included red groupers to 24 inches, gag and black groupers, mangrove snappers to 17 inches, yellowtail snappers to 14 inches, mutton snappers, porgies, bar jacks and bluerunners that ate live pilchards and shrimp. Fishing aboard the charter boat Huntress out of Key Largo Fisheries Marina with captain Eric Scoble in 300 feet of water, Marc, Nicholas, Laetitia, Jean and Michele Tibi and Pascal and Anouk Ohayon from Miami and Paris landed over 30 dolphins, bonitos and blackfin tuna. Howie Scharlin, 9, of Miami, landed a 37.28 pound African pompano that may become a new world record in the International Game Fish Small Fry Division. The great catch was made aboard the Lisa L with captain Mike Puller of Miami. Also on board were Eric Kleinman and Scharlin, of Miami.

Outdoors notebook

Fisheries researchers at Nova Southeastern University need the angling public’s help to conduct a blackfin tuna tagging study. Scientists would like to accompany South Florida guides and anglers on tuna trips in order to implant some fish with tags. To volunteer, contact Jenny Fenton by email at jennfent@nova.edu.

Palm Beach County

Former bass fishing champ Jimmy McMillan shot dead in holdup

Palm Beach County’s first homicide victim of 2012 was a former bass fishing champion and a longtime merchant in Belle Glade.

FISHING

After-school program teaches fishing, life lessons

A former building contractor in Palm Beach County turns his passion for fishing into a program that teaches children fishing and boating skills — plus a lot more.

In My Opinion

Too much water — even for ducks

With foliage submerged, water fowl bypass popular hunting wetlands in east-central Florida.

Registration filling up for ING Marathon

The finish line is drawing nearer to register for the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.

Fishing report

BEST BET

Outdoors notebook

•  Fisheries researchers at Nova Southeastern University need the angling public’s help to conduct a blackfin tuna tagging study. Scientists would like to accompany South Florida guides and anglers on tuna trips in order to implant some fish with tags. If you would like to volunteer, contact Jenny Fenton by email at jennfent@nova.edu.

Fish research

For local researchers, this is not just a game of tag

Satellite tags implanted in billfish often detach early, but a wealth of key data was produced recently from successful ones.

In My Opinion

Seeking the Everglades trails less taken

Some visitors to Everglades National Park are content to stick to the marked hiking and paddling trails on the park map. But not Terry Helmers.

Outdoor Notes

•  Fisheries researchers at Nova Southeastern University need the angling public’s help to conduct a blackfin tuna tagging study. Scientists would like to accompany South Florida guides and anglers on tuna trips in order to implant some fish with tags. If you would like to volunteer, contact Jenny Fenton by email at jennfent@nova.edu.

Fishing notes

Captain Danny Lombardo from Reel Sharp Sportfishing Charters out of Islamorada reported the unusual late season migration of mahi mahi continues off of Islamorada with plenty of fish along the weedlines and current edges in 100 to 150 feet of water. The mahi mahi have been stealing many of the baits intended for sailfish that have been around in good numbers. Cooler water temperatures have a lot of nice-sized groupers, yellowtails, kingfish to 25 pounds and cero mackerel over reefs as shallow as 20 feet.

Fishing seminar

Top angling authorities to teach class in January

South Florida anglers who want to sharpen their fish-catching skills for everything from snook to sailfish will want to mark down Jan. 28, 2012, on their calendars.

Fishing

New device helps release bottom fish without harm

Just in time for the final week of holiday gift-giving: an award-winning, nonpuncturing device for releasing unwanted or undersized bottom fish without killing them.

South Floridan wins top spot at ISAF Sailing World Championships

Sunday marks the final day of racing in the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Perth, Australia, but one South Floridian already won the top spot and two others from the Sunshine State earned berths in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

FISHING

Cool, blustery weather doesn’t have to curtail fishing activity

Challenging weather conditions in late fall in South Florida can be overcome if you know where and how to fish in Biscayne Bay.

Fishing report

Captain Bob Fernicola of Backcountry/Ocean Charters out of Key Largo reported fishing the shallow patch reefs is producing considerable action from mangrove, mutton and yellowtail snappers plus lots of groupers, hogfish, porgies, Spanish and cero mackerel. All of the fish were eating shrimp and cut bait fished on the bottom and top on light spinning tackle.

Outdoors notebook

•  Fisheries researchers at Nova Southeastern University need the angling public’s help to conduct a blackfin tuna tagging study. Scientists would like to accompany South Florida guides and anglers on tuna trips in order to implant some fish with tags. If you would like to volunteer, contact Jenny Fenton by email at jennfent@nova.edu.