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Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis

March 7, 2017
Rusty Chinnis is The Sun’s Outdoors columnist.
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September 15, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Proposed federal rule change threatens fishing

The Clean Water Act that makes it possible for organizations like Suncoast Waterkeeper to threaten legal action is under threat.
September 8, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

The Under the Sea Lagoon Experience

Anglers who fish the waters surrounding the Suncoast experience a magical world even if they never get their faces wet. The gin-clear waters they scout are a window into an enchanting realm where tar…
September 1, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

The Sportsman Swap is back

The Manatee Fish and Game Association is bringing back its popular Sportsman Swap on Saturday, Sept. 19.
August 25, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Suncoast Fly Fishers hosting ladies fly fishing tournament

Suncoast Fly Fishers will host its Third Annual Ladies Fly Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 12.
August 18, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Beat the summer heat

The summer heat of August and September is always a challenge for local anglers. This year’s frequent heat domes have made fishing even more difficult.
August 11, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Monitoring Anna Maria Sound’s seagrass loss

As I reported in a story earlier this year, I was alerted by Capt. Scott Moore and his son, Capt. Justin Moore, last year about a large loss of seagrass in Anna Maria Sound. I, like Scott and Just…
August 3, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Mangroves: Critical habitats under threat

Friday, Aug. 7, is the deadline to submit public comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding a proposed shoreline wall at the Aqua/Sea Spray development along El Conquistador Parkway.
July 28, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Organize your fishing gear

Tarpon season is “officially” over, the heat is intense, winds have been blowing hard from the west and the fishing has been less than spectacular. What’s a die-hard angler to do? How about organizin…
July 21, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Voting and the future of fishing

There’s a direct link between how politicans vote and how their votes reveal whose interests are served.
July 14, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

The politics of fishing

Political decisions made now will impact anglers in the future.
July 6, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Dog days of summer arrive early

This is an article that I would have written in mid-August when the “dog days” of summer normally set in. This season has been marked by two “anomalies”: a drought for the whole season and unusually…
June 30, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Anatomy of a healthy Florida stormwater pond

In last week’s column, we discussed the importance of managing stormwater and its effect on water quality and fishing in coastal waters.  In our watershed, we manage stormwater runoff with po…
June 22, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Stormwater management benefits local fisheries 

Every angler who fishes the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island, including Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and the Gulf, depends on clean, healthy water to support the fish they pursue. 
June 15, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Courtesy: It’s only common sense

It’s that time of the year again when schools of tarpon conduct their annual migration and mating ritual off Anna Maria Island beaches.
June 10, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Game-changing trolling motors

Power-Pole has incorporated the operation of the Power-Pole and the Move PV trolling motor, allowing anglers to control and anchor their boats with one rechargeable controller.