Sports & Leisure

Captain Neal Torley on High Premium, along with Frank Vining, got an unexpected bonus when this blue marlin dumped one of their reels. (photo submitted)

Captain Neal Torley on High Premium, along with Frank Vining, got an unexpected bonus when this blue marlin dumped one of their reels. (photo submitted)

Fishing has been great

It’s been another week of hot fishing on the First Coast. Even with a slight cool down, we’re still having an unseasonably warm February, and the fishing has been great both inshore and offshore.

JAXUSL taps Mauricio Ruiz for dual business and technical role

JAXUSL, the United Soccer League (USL) franchise group bringing men’s and women’s professional soccer to Northeast Florida, recently announced that Mauricio Ruiz, former veteran head coach of Jacksonville University’s men’s soccer program, has joined the professional soccer organization in a...
Seafood and county fair dishes will be offered at the festival. (photo submitted)

Seafood and county fair dishes will be offered at the festival. (photo submitted)

St. Augustine Seafood Festival set for March

The St. Augustine Lions Club has announced the 40th Annual St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival will be held at Francis Field March 25 and 26. The festival is the primary fundraising event for the St.
A sea bass caught this week fishing with Capt. Richard Bloom of NE Florida Fishing Charters. (photo submitted)

A sea bass caught this week fishing with Capt. Richard Bloom of NE Florida Fishing Charters. (photo submitted)

Mild winter weather has fish active inshore

The windy weekend theme looks to continue this weekend, with the forecast calling for 15 to 20 knots, with higher gusts possible Friday through Sunday. This will once again keep the offshore boats inside unless you really want to take a beating getting out deep.
The 2023 winning Underwood Cup professional team. Tournament sponsor Clayton Bromberg of Underwood Jewelers holds the Underwood Cup with Captain Tim Peterson seated to his right. (photo submitted)

The 2023 winning Underwood Cup professional team. Tournament sponsor Clayton Bromberg of Underwood Jewelers holds the Underwood Cup with Captain Tim Peterson seated to his right. (photo submitted)

Northern Chapter Professionals win Underwood Cup

The professional team from the Northern Chapter of the North Florida PGA recently won the 32nd Underwood Cup matches at San Jose Country Club. After claiming the cup only once in the previous 12 cup matches (2016) against their amateur counterparts, the professionals were overdue.
photo submitted

photo submitted

Deadline nearing for Florida Fish Art Contest

The deadline is fast approaching for this year’s Art of Conservation Florida Fish Art Contest, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This contest is open to youth in grades kindergarten through 12th grade from across the state. The deadline to enter is Feb. 28.
Capt. Matt Chipperfield with his catch. (photo submitted)

Capt. Matt Chipperfield with his catch. (photo submitted)

Go when you can this time of year

The hot weather has translated to a hot bite this week. Water temperatures inshore spiked back up to the mid-60s by Wednesday and are hovering around 62 to 63F in the inlet. The fish seem to be enjoying this warm winter as much as we are, with great reports both inshore and offshore.
photo submitted

photo submitted

Fishing

Brian Putnam of Atlantic Beach caught this 16-pound mutton snapper Jan. 2 aboard the Celtic Explorer.