Outdoors notebook

NOAA Fisheries has published a new rule that prohibits recreational anglers from selling snapper and grouper caught in federal waters of the South Atlantic, effective Dec. 16. The rule also prohibits charter and headboats from selling snapper and grouper caught by their customers in either federal or state waters. A similar measure has been in effect in the Gulf of Mexico since 1996. 1258869246

Bonefish preservation discussed

LUCAYA, GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND -- A little more than two years ago, University of Miami bonefish researcher Mike Larkin escorted a small group of avid anglers on a tagging expedition to the bone-studded flats of Grand Bahama Island.

Upcoming outdoors events

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold ``Becoming an Outdoors Woman,'' Friday-Sunday at the Everglades Youth Camp at J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County. Registration fee is $175; reservations are required. Call 561-625-5122 or visit myFWC.com/BOW.

South Florida fishing report

Captain Jimbo Thomas on the newly refurbished Thomas Flyer out of Bayside Marina reported a hot bite from sailfish outside of Government Cut.

Lambert crew in early lead

Jimmy Lambert's family boat Reel Tight took the opening-day lead Tuesday in the 2009 Sailfish Cup with eight sails released.

Lambert, of Hillsboro Beach, said his six-member crew didn't score their first release until after 1 p.m., when they found themselves with six sails hooked up at the same time.

Stanch, Meyer capture Key West boat race

A two-man team of veteran racers made it two in a row in Sunday's final of the Key West World Championship powerboat races.

Driver Johnny Stanch of Westmont, N.J., and throttleman Peter Meyer of Port Washington, N.Y., repeated as world champions in the Superboat Vee Unlimited class aboard Seminole Hard Rock. The team led wall-to-wall in its six-boat fleet in the three-race series that opened Wednesday.

FISHING

Keys anglers' ire raised about proposed closures

Keys anglers are angered about a planned closure of snapper-grouper fishing in South Atlantic federal waters.

Outdoors notebook

Recreational anglers have a strong voice at this week's annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas in Recife, Brazil. But whether U.S. commissioner Ellen Peel, executive director of the Fort Lauderdale-based Billfish Foundation, can help persuade the group's 48-member nations to adopt strong conservation measures before adjournment Sunday is doubtful.

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

Guides OK with pole-and-troll plan to help sea grass beds on Florida Bay

Shallow-water fishing guides are OK with a pole-and-troll zone plan to protect sea grass beds, but fine-tuning was suggested.

FWC officers' task: keeping track hunters in line

Just past a cloudy, windy dawn in the Everglades last Saturday, Lt. Dave Bingham parked his shiny, new, silver airboat between two wax myrtles in an attempt to conceal it.

South Florida fishing report

Before the stormy weather settled in, captain Charlie Conner of FishTales Charters out of Port St. Lucie reported finding hungry pompano under schools of ladyfish and jack crevalles in the river.

Another bridge run scheduled

Two years ago, friends Candy Basilius and Gen Gibson were training for the Miami Marathon when they came up with the idea to create a long-distance race for Key Largo.

HOT RODS AND REELS FISHING TOURNAMENT

Fishing tournament lures NASCAR drivers

For NASCAR fans who love to fish -- has Darrell Gwynn got a deal for you!

For the eighth year in a row, the paralyzed former race-car driver plans to raise money for his foundation to cure paralysis by holding the Hot Rods and Reels Fishing Tournament on the infield lake at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 21.

OUTDOORS

Tough episode for wildlife wrangler Puig

Wildlife wrangler Manny Puig was bitten by a Western diamondback rattlesnake during the taping of the TV show `Savage Wild.'

FISHING

Warmer weather disrupts mullet run

Unseasonably warm weather disrupted what one South Florida fisherman calls `happy-bait' season.

Pinellas County offers model for protecting marine habitat

ST. PETERSBURG -- In his 13-year career as a light-tackle fishing guide in Tampa Bay, captain Rob Gorta has caught and released redfish up to 42 inches. The 38-year-old former U.S. Coast Guardsman has appeared on several popular outdoors TV shows, helping famous hosts such as Mark Sosin, Shaw Grigsby and Byron Velvick to big catches.

The IGFA has begun a new session of the ``School of Sportfishing'' through Dec. 15. Instructors include captains Ron Hamlin, Tony DiGiulian, Karl Anderson, Josh Brown and Bouncer Smith on topics such as billfishing, wahoo, marine electronics and more. All classes are held Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fee is $100 for IGFA members; $150 for nonmembers. Reservations are required. E-mail jmackin@igfa.org or call 954-924-4340. To register online, go to igfa.org/sosform.asp.

BEST BET

Captain Dave Kostyo of Knot Nancy Fishing Charters out of TNT Marina in Keystone reported mullet were migrating through Haulover Inlet and large tarpon were exploding on the helpless mullet, and along the beaches there was sporadic action on Spanish mackerel, offshore a few kingfish on the reef and dolphins migrating south on the edge. . . . Captain Ryan McBride of Conched Out Fishing Charters out of Fort Lauderdale says sailfish have been his main target from Palm Beach south to Fort Lauderdale. McBride reported the sailfish have been chasing ballyhoo schools and small bonitos and tunas, and his clients have averaged three to six bites from sailfish per four-hour charter.

FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

Yacht offers big cut in fuel consumption

A 78-foot motor yacht, one of the many watercrafts on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, is said to cut fuel consumption by 40 percent.