Bonefish study

Several factors suggested for bonefish decline

A study contended that many possibilities might share the blame for the decline of a sport fish that is vital to the Florida Keys economy.

Fishing

Hungry anglers take gourmet trip

Chef Anthony Hunt offers a combination of cooking and fishing.

Outdoors notebook

State and federal fisheries managers will hold four public workshops in South Florida in July and August to get your input on marine fish issues unique to this region. Members of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic fishery management councils will host the sessions, featuring topics such as whether to manage yellowtail and mutton snapper regionally or separately in state and federal waters. Meetings will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. July 29 at the IGFA Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach; July 30 at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center in Key Largo; July 31 at Key Colony Beach City Hall; and Aug. 1 at Harvey Government Center in Key West. For more information, email Marine@myFWC.com.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Meeting

Anglers split on plan to ban gear

Commissioners voted to move forward with a measure to ban a popular gear used to catch tarpon, drawing praise and condemnation.

Fishing report

Captain Jim Hobales of Caught Lookin Charters reported fishing out front of Flamingo has been red hot. In the channels snook, tarpon and sharks are eating chunks of ladyfish, live mullet and pinfish. On top of the flats where there are visible mullet muds, large groups of big redfish can be found. The reds are eating pinfish, chunks of ladyfish and weedless soft plastics. Sea trout are holding around First National Bank and Middle Ground.

Outdoors notebook

Maritime archeologist Joshua Marano will discuss the excavation of the Queen Anne’s Revenge — Blackbeard’s pirate ship — on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72 Ave., Miami. Admission is free. Call 786-735-9505.

Sunny Isles triathletes finish in first place

This past weekend concluded the first leg of the Mack Cycle Triathlon Trilogy and Duathlon Trilogy on Key Biscayne’s historic Virginia Key.

Open season lionfish may become permanent in Florida

A temporary state rule declaring open season on lionfish may become permanent as a measure to keep the invasive species from becoming permanent Florida residents.

Pompano Beach Saltwater Slam

Lighthouse Point’s White, crew reel in top honors in tournament

Matt White’s team aboard his O-Sea-D won $11,370 with four blackfin tuna and four kingfish weighing a total of 187.2 pounds.

Public Parks

Miami’s parks rank a low 38th among nation’s 50 large cities

Considering its population-to-acreage average, Miami needs to give more land to parks, according to the Trust for Public Land.

Tarpon rule on FWC’s docket

Fireworks are likely at this week’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting in Lakeland.

Fishing | Bluefin Tuna

Massive tuna might land Palm Beach fishermen in hot water

Four Palm Beach County men caught a bluefin tuna weighing more than 700 pounds off Boynton Beach earlier this week, but the fish may land them in hot water with federal and state law enforcement agencies.

In My Opinion

Snook season could reopen in Gulf, Keys, Everglades

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, meeting next week in Lakeland, is expected to decide whether to reopen the snook harvest season in the Gulf, Keys and Everglades National Park on Sept. 1 after a 3 1/2-year closure following a massive cold kill in January 2010.

Fishing report

Captain Alex Adler on the Kalex Charter boat out of Bud N Mary’s Marina reported dolphins from schoolies to fish over 30 pounds have been caught in the blue water. Blackfin tuna and amberjacks plus some huge sharks are being caught over the Humps. A few large kingfish have been landed and sailfish are still being caught and released along the outer reef line. On the bottom, plenty of yellowtail snappers are being caught along with some big mutton snappers and groupers.

television

Animal Planet’s ‘Sexy Spearfisher’ is a Miami-Dade paramedic

Disregard the double-entendre name of Animal Planet’s new, eight-part competition reality series premiering Sunday. Top Hooker might be about the world’s oldest profession, but it’s not what you think — despite the racy trailer featuring Melanie Housh of Key Largo saying “I’m gonna get the longest rod and reach out and touch it.”

Fishing

New trap may fight invasive lionfish

A trap developed by Frank Cooney Jr. — whose family owns Bimini Sands — to catch unwanted lionfish is attracting attention.

In My Opinion

Hooper sailing for the disabled

The crew on captain Graham Hooper’s 46-foot Bertram sportfishing yacht caught two blackfin tuna, two schoolie dolphin, and a couple bonitos during the Grove Slam! Tournament held a few weeks ago in Miami. They tended trolling lines, told jokes, gaffed fish, drank a couple beers and enjoyed themselves as much as the rest of the fleet did that day.

Outdoors notebook

Captain Jamie Owens from the party boat Atlantis out of Haulover Marina reported the catch of a 60-pound Warsaw grouper that was caught by angler Bravid Harris of Miami. Harris was using a butterflied bonito fished on the bottom in 300 feet of water offshore of Haulover Inlet. Captain Bobby Probst on the party boat Mucho K out of the same marina came back with three dolphins plus some big kingfish. Two of the dolphins were 20 pounders and the third was 38 pounds.

Ashworth celebrates Team USA berth with duathlon victory

Michael Ashworth finished first in the Memorial Day Duathlon on Sunday in Coconut Creek. It was Ashworth’s first event since qualifying for Team USA’s national roster.