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Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis

March 7, 2017
Rusty Chinnis is The Sun’s Outdoors columnist.
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January 13, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Why Mullet Jump

Reel Time: Why Mullet Jump

While I was sitting by the bay the other day a mullet jumped right in front of me. That’s not unusual if you spend anytime near the water, and it elicited memories of stories I’ve heard over the year…
January 5, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: A New Winter Strategy

Reel Time: A New Winter Strategy

Winter can have a chilling effect on local anglers and limit their quarry, but those who know how to mine the riches of any season turn their attention to the species that actually thrives in cold wa…
December 30, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Resolutions that bear fruit

Resolutions that bear fruit

New Year’s resolutions are an annual ritual that goes back over 4,000 years. The earli­est known resolutions come from the ancient Babylonians. During their Akitu New Year festival (held in March), p…
December 22, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Rebuilding oyster habitat

On Dec. 20, Oyster River Ecology (ORE) board member Rob Brown and I participated in an ORE rag pot installation in the upper Manatee River near Redfish Point. The volunteer event, a partnership with…
December 16, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: We protect what we love

Several years ago, I remember watching a tribute to the late John Lewis, the Black American politician and civil-rights leader. Lewis encouraged people to speak up and act when they see wrongs that n…
December 9, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Double digits

Fly anglers generally don’t need to catch a lot of fish to consider a trip satisfying. Permit legend Del Brown said it best when I interviewed him in the Florida Keys. He told me never to let the num…
December 2, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Winter fishing- slow and low

When winter arrives with cold winds and plunging water temperatures, it’s time to change your angling strategies. While winter fishing can be challenging, there are opportunities for some excellent a…
November 18, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Fall is in the air

Fall is in the air. Most of our windows and doors are open and we’ve turned off the A/C, the time change has turned the lights on earlier and made the afternoon light fade all too soon. The changes u…
November 11, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Partners grants good for bay

Sarasota Bay Partners grants are competitive awards for projects in the Sarasota Bay watershed that promote habitat and water quality restoration, environmental education, community involvement and s…
November 4, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
seagrass

Reel Time: The importance of seagrass

The seagrass beds that carpet Sarasota Bay harbor a tremendous array of life, a critical and diverse ecosystem that is out of sight to most except on lunar low tides. Seagrasses are actually underwa…
November 4, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
October 27, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
The promise of philanthropy

The promise of philanthropy

Philanthropy in Sarasota and Manatee counties is a well-organized network of foundations and active donors with a strong focus on community resilience, enhancing nonprofits’ capacity to grow and resp…
October 21, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Join water warriors for an inspiring brunch

Join water warriors for an inspiring brunch

Suncoast Waterkeeper’s (SCWK) annual fundraising event, Brunch for The Bay, is coming to the Sarasota Yacht Club on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to support SCWK’s…
October 14, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Rules change regarding derelict vessels

Rules change regarding derelict vessels

“Derelict” boats in local waters have been a problem that I’ve been questioned about over the years. Being on the water myself for almost four decades, it’s been disheartening to see the numbers of…
October 6, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Volunteers clean up Egmont Key

Volunteers clean up Egmont Key

Egmont Key, located just north of Anna Maria at the mouth of Tampa Bay, has a rich and diverse history. For centuries, it was a landmark for native peoples and Spanish explorers on Florida’s Gulf coa…

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