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Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis

March 7, 2017
Rusty Chinnis is The Sun’s Outdoors columnist.
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July 6, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Who will protect our children’s future?

Who will protect our children’s future?

Every time I hear a new angler say, “Wow, this place is paradise,” it takes me back to the early 80s when I met Capt. Scott Moore and began fishing Suncoast waters. I had much the same response so ma…
July 1, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Tarpon season winds down

Tarpon season winds down

For many anglers, the final days of June traditionally mark the beginning of the end of the tarpon fishing season. This is the time that big spawning pods break up into small groups and singles. Whil…
June 23, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Invest in catch and release

Invest in catch and release

The ethic of catch and release isn’t a new concept. Even in the early part of the 20th century, far-sighted anglers could see the potential for depleted fisheries. Over the last couple of decades, I…
June 16, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Jack crevalle - the ultimate underappreciated adversary

Jack crevalle – the ultimate underappreciated adversary

Jack crevalle are often underappreciated but are one of the toughest targets an angler will encounter. These tenacious juggernauts are not sought after by most anglers. The majority of jacks are cau…
June 9, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
The apex of angling: Part two

The apex of angling: Part two

Last week we discussed the basics of fly fishing for tarpon; now we want to discuss the all-important details. Once set up, the angler must be able to make a 40- to 50-foot cast to a location the si…
June 1, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
The apex of angling

The apex of angling

Tarpon, the premier gamefish that swim local waters in late spring and summer, can weigh over 200 pounds and average from 80-100 pounds. While most anglers pursue them on conventional tackle, a grow­…
May 28, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time on the Road: A Drift on the Chattahoochee

Reel Time on the Road: A Drift on the Chattahoochee

“Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” Norman Maclean, “A River Runs Through It” I have always had a fascination with rivers. As an angler more at home in saltwater, ri…
May 20, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time on the Road: Fishing The Soque

Reel Time on the Road: Fishing The Soque

The Soque River is a 30-mile-long tributary of the Chattahoochee River in northeastern Georgia whose watershed, headwaters and mouth lie entirely in Habersham County. The river has a vibrant heritag…
May 14, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
It’s tarpon time off Anna Maria Island

It’s tarpon time off Anna Maria Island

Tarpon are one of the premier gamefish that swim local waters and are a noble adversary on any tackle. The fish that frequent our beaches during the months of May through August can weigh over 200 po…
May 6, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Get involved this summer

With summer fast approaching, there’s time on the horizon when we have the freedom from school schedules, extracurricular activities and many of our daily routines and have the time to fish more and…
April 22, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Sister Keys cleanup celebrates 15 years

Sister Keys cleanup celebrates 15 years

Suncoast Waterkeeper teamed up with Sarasota Bay Watch this past weekend for the Annual Sister Keys Cleanup. The event, held yearly since 2010, was a collaboration of the two non-profit organization…
April 14, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Choose lines, leaders wisely

Choose lines, leaders wisely

It might not be the sexiest part of fishing, but lines and leaders are an integral part of a successful equa­tion. The choices of line are varied, including variations of monofilament, braid and fluo…
April 8, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Practice always key to fly casting mastery

Practice always key to fly casting mastery

I’ve mentioned in articles recently the importance of practice for anglers who want to learn and/or improve their fly casting. There are many sources of instruction on fly casting, and good techniqu…
April 1, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Saltwater fly fishing basics: Tackle

Saltwater fly fishing basics: Tackle

It’s one of the fastest growing segments of the angling industry, a test of the mettle of angler and tackle. Fly fishing dates back to very early times, but its popularity has skyrocketed in recent y…
March 25, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Get involved in keeping Sarasota Bay healthy

Get involved in keeping Sarasota Bay healthy

Spring is a great time to enjoy our coastal waters while work­ing to keep them healthy. Two upcoming events in April provide a terrific opportunity to do this vital work and meet others who share the…

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