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Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis

March 7, 2017
Rusty Chinnis is The Sun’s Outdoors columnist.
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February 26, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Anatomy of a fishing rod

Reel Time: Anatomy of a Fishing Rod

All fishing rods, whether a spinning rod, a fly rod or a casting rod, share the basic components – blank, guides, reel seats and handles. So why is one rod more expensive than another? A rod’s bla…
February 17, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Harbingers of spring

The signs of spring are in the air, even though the official start of the season is a month away. I heard the first whippoorwill this past week and bait is starting to school in Sarasota Bay, welcome…
February 11, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Become a citizen scientist

On Feb. 7, Suncoast Waterkeeper Founder Justin Bloom, Board Member Richard Moore and I took Professor John Bowden and three of his research students into Tampa Bay to help them collect samples for an…
February 4, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Fishing for fun

When we introduce children to fishing, we should make the experience uncomplicated and as much fun as possible. Creating unrealistic expectations can discourage young anglers and be the difference be…
January 28, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

In praise of guides

My first experience fishing with a guide was when I moved to the Suncoast and met Bobby Lee, a neighbor and avid angler. Lee had been chartering for Capt. Scott Moore and would invite me to join him…
January 21, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Fly casting fundamentals explained

I’ve heard anglers say, “It’s just like riding a bike.” That’s true in the sense that it’s a learning experience that has to be practiced to be mastered. When we learned to ride a bike we often forge…
January 14, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis

Fly casting for beginners

Fly casting and fly fishing are lifelong learning experiences that you can participate in whether you’re 9 or 90. They will introduce you to a whole new way of approaching fishing and a cadre of enth…
January 8, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Winter sight fishing

Winter sight fishing

Sight fishing is my favorite way to target fish since I like to see the whites of their eyes. Last week I was reminded of how rewarding this method can be. While fishing Sarasota Bay with my friend…
January 1, 2025
By Rusty Chinnis
Using a Power-Pole

Using a Power-Pole

I have a confession to make. When I first saw a boat with the novel (at the time) Power-Pole, I remember thinking, “That will never get off the ground.” Boy, was I wrong. Not only are these mechanica…
December 24, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
New Year’s resolution: Vote water

New Years Resolution: Vote Water

I’ve reported frequently about concerns for our coastal waters in Manatee County and beyond. Loss of seagrass, lyngbya blooms, sewage releases, more frequent and stronger hurricanes and hundred-year…
December 17, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
Marine debris cleanup successful

Marine debris cleanup successful

On Dec. 14, Suncoast Waterkeeper, Suncoast Aqua Ventures, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, the Organized Fishermen of Florida and Sarasota Bay W…
December 2, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Marine debris cleanup effort planned

The effects of the 2024 hurricane season have been all too apparent to Anna Maria Island residents since the passing of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in a two-week period in late September and early O…
November 28, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis
November 24, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Successful trip planning

Planning any fishing trip can be a challenge given the peculiarities of weather and the idiosyncrasies of fish. Add a few thousand miles, a different language and an exotic species or two and some se…
November 21, 2024
By Rusty Chinnis

Fall and winter wading

Many anglers think that wade fishing is a warm water activity, but fall and winter wading can produce some fantastic results and gives you many advantages over anglers fishing from a boat. Getting in…