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Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis

March 7, 2017
Rusty Chinnis is The Sun’s Outdoors columnist.
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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…
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…
September 28, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Fishing and other lessons

Fishing and other lessons

Lately it seems I’m constantly reminded how our experiences growing up mold us into the kind of people we become. The lack of respect for the environment that sustains us emphasizes just how importan…
September 22, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
An anniversary of resilience

An anniversary of resilience

When Hurricane Helene struck the Anna Maria Island com­munities on Sept. 26, 2024, it brought with it a storm surge and level of destruction that the area hasn’t witnessed since 1921 when the Tampa B…
September 16, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
It’s for the birds

It’s for the birds

I was reminded this past week that it’s a good time to remind anglers about the importance and protection of seabirds. Knowledgeable anglers know that these birds are valuable, but some beginning ang…
September 8, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Manatee County joins SB 180 lawsuit

Manatee County joins SB 180 lawsuit

If you don’t know about Senate Bill 180 and its implications to anglers who fish Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Sound, let me explain. The bill prohibits counties and municipalities (including Manatee C…
September 1, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: The Great Egmont Key Cleanup

Reel Time: The Great Egmont Key Cleanup

Suncoast Aqua Ventures’ (SAV) work can be summed up in three words: “Dive. Preserve. Serve.” But this group of divers does so much more. Their work in cleaning up our coastal islands, shorelines and…
August 25, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Opportunity meets preparedness

Opportunity meets preparedness

Whether you’re fishing for reds, snook and trout in Sarasota Bay or Anna Maria Sound, stalking bonefish in the Bahamas, stripers in the Northeast, or casting to rising trout on a mountain stream in M…