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Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis

March 7, 2017
Rusty Chinnis is The Sun’s Outdoors columnist.
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August 2, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Anatomy of a fishing rod

Every fishing rod, be it a spinning rod, a fly rod or a casting rod, is constructed in a similar way and has the same basic parts. Have you ever wondered why one rod is more expensive than another an…
July 26, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Waterkeepers hold HAB forum

Island residents might not be familiar with the term harmful algae blooms (HAB), but the bouts of lyngbya and red tide that have plagued the area are all too common. The National Oceanic and Atmosphe…
July 19, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time

Reel Time: Back to basics

Anglers today have a dizzying array of options when it comes to all things fishing. Super realistic lures, line that “disappears” in the water, “spot lock” trolling motors that hold boats in place, a…
July 12, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Sea trout

Reel Time: How to catch sea trout

Sea trout have always been a target of local anglers, mostly as a food source but rarely by fishermen seeking a trophy. Most would rather target redfish, snook and larger species like tarpon and king…
July 3, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: The smoking gun

Local anglers feared from the beginning that the release of over 215 million gallons of wastewater from the Piney Point debacle could have catastrophic effects on Tampa and Sarasota bays. The fact th…
June 28, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: A community that cares

Reel Time: A community that cares

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with fishing guides. These hard-working men and women make their living on the water and that’s where their unique skills create lifelo…
June 21, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Don’t let the sun ruin your fun

Florida is known as the “Sunshine State” and anglers, especially those who sight fish, depend on the sun to see their quarry. Local anglers who appreciate the promise and the power of the sun take ad…
June 14, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Seeing is believing

Reel Time: Seeing is believing

Polarized lenses are one of the angler’s best tools. They not only help fishermen avoid eye fatigue but also allow their vision to pierce the water’s surface. These lenses are so important that odds…
June 6, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: My witness statement

I’ve been a resident of the Suncoast for 40 years. For 35 years of those years, I ran a contracting business and have seen firsthand the effects of harmful algae blooms on the environment and the eco…
May 30, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Selby bioblitzes the Sister Keys

I’ve always been a big fan of Sarasota’s Selby Gardens and the work they do in the community and beyond. As a member, I stop by frequently to photograph the amazing collection of orchids they display…
May 24, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Catch and release

Reel Time: Catch and release

Catch and release used to be a relatively new concept in sport fishing, one that recognized that fish populations are vulnerable and not the endless resource that they were once thought to be. Now th…
May 17, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Make the wind your friend

Reel Time: Make the wind your friend

Whether stalking bonefish in the Bahamas, poling a flat in Florida for tailing redfish, wading into the Northeast surf for stripers, or casting for sea-run rainbows on the West Coast, anglers spend t…
May 10, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Online angling

It might seem like the digital world has been around forever but it wasn’t that long ago that information about fishing was only available in books and magazines, on fishing shows, or by going fishin…
May 3, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Angler’s action guide

I’ve written a lot lately about the critical issues facing our local waters and the need for anglers (everyone really) to get involved in efforts to protect them. What does it mean to get involved? H…
April 26, 2021
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Get ready and get involved

Reel Time: Get ready and get involved

Tarpon were the sirens that lured the first tourists to Florida, and their mystique is still in full sway today. While fly fishing for tarpon holds a mystique of its own, the vast majority of angl…