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Outdoors

Environment, Fishing, Outdoors

Reel Time: Remembering Captain Zach

Mar 18, 2026 – Rusty Chinnis
February 11, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Manatee County Beach Patrol named Beach Patrol of the Year

Manatee County Beach Patrol has been named 2025 Beach Patrol of the Year by the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association.
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February 10, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: Think like a fish

Fishermen are forever trying to divine the secrets of fish behavior in an attempt to fool them into taking our submissions of fur and feather, lures in a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors or live off…
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February 6, 2026
By SUN contributor

February fishing presents weather challenges

Trout and redfish should be good shallow water options this month. You may also find trout along with blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano and flounder on deep grass flats.
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February 4, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

The Cruise Port: A Cautionary Tale

By now, most of you are probably aware of the proposed cruise port that would be adjacent to Rattlesnake Key and the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. This port, as it is envisioned, would handle the n…
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January 29, 2026
By Leslie Lake

“It Takes a Village” initiative connects Cortez’s working waterfront, Sarasota Bay

The Cortez Village Historical Society, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and the Florida Maritime Museum are launching the “It Takes a Village” initiative on Saturday, Jan. 31.
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January 28, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Friends of the Pelicans founder outlines hazards to brown pelicans

HOLMES BEACH – More than 70 people attended a Jan. 22 presentation by Friends of the Pelicans Inc. founder Jeanette Edwards. The presentation was given at the Island Branch Library and those who a…
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January 28, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: The Secret

Rusty Chinnis explores “the secret” to fly casting.
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January 21, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Reel Time: The Price of Inattention

I first wrote an article with a similar title more than four and a half years ago, but I thought it was appropriate to revisit that topic given the constant challenges facing anglers and the waters t…
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January 13, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis
Reel Time: Why Mullet Jump

Reel Time: Why Mullet Jump

While I was sitting by the bay the other day a mullet jumped right in front of me. That’s not unusual if you spend anytime near the water, and it elicited memories of stories I’ve heard over the year…
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January 6, 2026
By Leslie Lake
Mullet fishermen reporting a good season

Mullet fishermen reporting a good season

CORTEZ – Fish house employees and fishermen are calling this mullet season one of the best in recent memory as Cortez fish houses are filling up with mullet brought in by private fishermen.  Two of…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting