Fishing Radar - May 17

‘Secrets of the Bay’ is a mini-series which runs intermittently throughout the regular Average Angler seasons. Each episode highlights historical elements of specific places, towns and landmarks around Tampa Bay.

To see clips from these episodes and learn more about the secrets AA discovered, click here.

Watch the Bay News 9 In-Depth interview here

Upcoming episodes:

St. Pete Pier will air date TBD

Ballast Point air date TBD

The Bass Federation in partnership with FLW and The Osceola County Department of Tourism announced it will host the 2013 Student Angler Federation Florida High School Fishing State Championship on  Sunday, March 10. The event will be held in Osceola County on Lake Toho in Kissimmee launching out of Big Toho Marina.

TBF Website

Press Release

Fishing can help a child build confidence and independence while teaching them to respect and preserve our marine resources. The Florida Gulf Coast Center for Fishing Foundation, Inc., a non profit organization, founded in May 2011 is dedicated to teaching elementary, middle and high school students life’s lessons through angling.

Learn more here 

Fishing club scorecard

Reel Tips from the Average Angler to help you with everything fishing!

As we chronicle the Average Angler's quest to complete the elusive Florida Bass Slam, we would also like to see your best bass catches. Send us pictures of you and your best catches and we'll showcase them right here!

Send us your best bass catch!

AA's bass logbook

Viewer bass log

Glen Pla offers an entertaining, humorous and informative look at Florida fishing for enthusiasts of all ages. You can catch Average Angler Adventures weekdays at 6 p.m. with new episodes airing every Thursday. It's great family fun that only Bright House Sports Network provides!

Email us your pics for the Bait Bucket

• D.O.A. Airhead

• Weedless bass worm

Ed Perry Shows Glen Pla an easy way to clean flounder.

• Cleaning a flounder

Expert fish cutter Shawn Beresford deminstrates how to clean a Sheepshead.

• Cleaning a sheepshead

Captain Wade Osborne demonstrates how to throw a cast net using the triple-load technique.

• Triple-load

Captain Scott lum talks with AA about fishing for tripletail.

• Tips for tripletail

Glen Pla, the Average Angler, discusses the best trout lures with Jon Brooks and Captains Jimmy Huddleston and Brian Epperson.

• Trout lures

• Redfish baits

The Average Angler Classics span 10 years of exciting Florida fishing and ol’ fashioned family fun!

Over that period of time, Glen Pla and crew have conquered the wilds of the state’s interiors to fish lakes and rivers as well as brave the wide expanse of the Gulf.

The extensive AA log of shows is diverse and quite unpredictable, From AA‘s sickness for spotted fish in “Spotted Fever” to using chicken wire shark cages in “Shark Island”, the over 200 episodes have brought colorful stories, high seas adventure and unique Florida history to the aqua-tube!

Sample clips from the AA Classics:

• Shark Island
• Spotted Fever
• Countin' Sheep
• Fishin' for Gold
• Ties that Bind
• Road Trip: Ozello
• Bear of a Day
• Blast Off
• Catchin' Bones
• Just Kidding Around

Tell us your favorite AA episode from the past 10 years:

• Show List

Check here for updates and information on upcoming fishing tournaments and events throughout Florida.

May 2013

May 1-4: Winner’s Circle Charities Invitational Hosted by Mike Schmidt and HMY Yachts, Bimini Bay Resort, Bimini. Call (561) 575-3962; visit winnerscirclecharities.org

May 2-4: The Grove Slam, Coconut Grove. For more info, see www.groveslam.com; contact Tony@oceanpromotions.com; or call (305) 461 2700

May 2-4: Annual Casting for a Cause Tournament, Florida City. Call (305) 230-0264; www.castingforacause.com

May 2-5: Bull & Cow Dolphin Tournament, Marathon. Call Nancy at (305) 289-0199, ex. 104; www.marathonoffshoretournament.com.

May 3-4: Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic. Call Mike Kogan at (904) 382-5007; www.jaxkayakfishing.com.

May 3-4, Lee Building Industry Association’s 6th Annual Bricks & Sticks Inshore Benefit, Tarpon Point Marina, Cape Coral. Visit www.bia.net for more info or call 239-936-5525.

May 3-4: Ding Darling & Doc Ford Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island. In support of Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. For info call Birgie Vertesch (239) 292-0566; director@dingdarlingsociety.org.

May 3-4: Lee Building Industry Association’s Annual Bricks & Sticks Inshore Benefit, Tarpon Point Marina, Cape Coral. Visit www.bia.net or call (239) 936-5525.

May 3-5: Gene Doyle Backcountry Release Fishing Tournament, Naples. Call (239) 261-4313; www.genedoyle.org.

May 4: Optimist Club Saltwater Tournament, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach & Econfina. Call (352) 498-3008; www.seahag.com

May 4: Halifax Sport Fishing Club Special Needs Tournament, Port Orange. For more info, contact Randy Beardsley, director (386) 804-0352; rscbeards@yahoo.com; www.hsfc.com

May 5-10: Bahamas Billfish Championship, Cape Eleuthera, Bahamas. See www.bahamasbillfish.com.

May 7-10: Gibraltar Bank Keymorada Invitational, Hawks Cay. Call Mitchell Widom at (305) 375-6127; mwidom@bilzin.com.

May 9-12: Pompano Beach Saltwater Shootout, Pompano Beach. Call Jamie Bunn at (954) 725-4010; www.saltwatershootout.com.

May 10-11: 2013 7th Annual Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament to benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys. www.mothersdaydolphintournament.com. Marathon, Florida Keys. Contact Christine Todd Young. 305-743-9828.

May 11: Bossman Boats Redfish Tournament Series, New Smyrna Beach. See www.bossmanboats.com or call Melissa (888) 458-8864.

May 10: Pasco-Hernando Community College Catch and Release Tournament, New Port Richey. Call (727) 816-3410; www.phcc.edu/gofish

May 10-11: Battle of the Yacht Clubs Offshore Tournament, Halifax River Yacht Club. The only requirement for entry is that one member of either club must be on each vessel. Contact Mike McQuarrie (386) 843-3266; MikeMcQuarrie@aol.com; or visit www.battleoftheyachtclubs.com

May 10-11: St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Fishing Frenzy, Fort Pierce. Out of St. Lucie and Fort Pierce Inlets. Contact Terissa at (772) 340 1333 ext. 316

May 12: Big Bend Redfish Club Tournament, Steinhatchee. For info call Sea Hag Marina at (352) 498-3008; www.seahag.com

May 12: Mother of All Fishing Tournaments, Sebastian. Catch and Release for Trout, Redfish and Snook. Email gfwcfish@hotmail.com; www.gfwcsebastainjrs.org

May 18 & 25: Competition Tackle 2-Day Dolphin Dash, Fort Lauderdale. For more info call Barbara Ferguson at Competition Tackle at (954) 581-4476; competitiontack@bellsouth.net; competitiontackle.com; www.hbts.org

May 13-18: Faro-Blanco Invitational Tarpon, Marathon. See faroblancotarpon.com

May 15-18: The Custom Shootout, Abaco Beach Resort, The Bahamas. See www.customshootout.com

May 16-July 28: Suncoast Tarpon Roundup, Egmont Key. For info, call (727) 822-1300; www.suncoasttarponroundup.org

May 17-18: Florida Sportsman Southeast Bash & Tournament, Stuart.  Call Jim Serra 772 285 3320  Click Here for Details

May 15-18: Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo, Pompano Beach. Call John Good at (954) 942-4513; www.pompanofishingrodeo.com.

May 17-19: The Original Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament, Sugarloaf KOA Marina. Catch a dolphin over 50 pounds and win $20,000. For more info contact The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, (800) 872-3722;  www.lowerkeyschamber.com

May 16-18: Fins Weekend, Miami. The Miami Dolphins Fins Weekend of fishing, games and social events. Contact Jason Jenkins at (954) 452-7174; JJenkins@dolphins.com

May 17: Antigua Barbuda Sportfishing Tournament, Antiqua. www.antiguabarbudasportfishing.com

May 17-18: Saltwater Classic, Fort Myers. Call Terry Adkins at (800) 546-4622; www.bluewaterpromo.com.

May 18: Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament, Pompano Beach Pier. Call Maria B. Hector (954) 661-0175; mariabreier@yahoo.com; www.extremekayakfishing.com.

May 18: Annual Palm Beach Chapter FNGLA Fishing Tournament, Riviera Beach Marina. Info (561) 835-0661; PBFNGLA.com

May 18: Central Florida Offshore Anglers Fishing Tournament, Cape Canaveral. At Blue Points Marina. Ladies and Junior Divisions. For more info and rules go to www.cfoatournament.com

May 18: Frances Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament (SKA), Jensen Beach. See www.langfordska.com

May 18: Blue Water Open Dolphin Mania Fishing Tournament, Fort Pierce. Held at the City Marina. Proceeds benefit local charities for the prevention of child abuse. Contact the Exchange Club of Indian River Foundation; bluewateropen@gmail.com.

May 18-23: Sarasota Tarpon Tournament, Sarasota. With weekly winners competing June 23 for a one day fish-off. DNA samples collected. All to benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. For info contact Mason Tush (941) 356-8470 or Jeffri Durrance (941) 915-2933.

May 19-22: Outback Golden Fly Invitational Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada. Betsy Bullard @ fishnfever@bellsouth.net

May 21-25: Invitational Bluewater Tournament, St. Augustine. Contact Chris Combs, (904) 859-8383; www.nefma.com.

May 22-26: Bahamas Billfish Championship, Harbour Island. For more information, see www.bahamasbillfish.com.

May 22-25: Boat Harbour Round Up – LEG 1, Abaco Beach Resort, The Bahamas. See www.abacobeachresort.com

May 24-25: Treasure Coast Builders Association Fishing Tournament, Stuart. Inshore and Offshore. Weigh-in at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina. Call (772) 464-8222 or www.treasurecoastba.com for registration info.

May 24-26: Florida Keys Dolphin Championship, Key Largo to Key West. Keys-wide tournament with registration and weigh-in at five Keys locations. See www.fkdc.co; www.floridakeysdolphinchampionship.com; or call Jim Sharpe (305) 395-8712.

May 26:  Wildwood Athletic Club Tournament, Steinhatchee. For info, (352) 498-3008; www.seahag.com

May 26: Old Nicks Speckle Trout Shootout, Choctawhatchee Bay. Contact Trey Nick, (850) 830-6161.

May 29: Yamaha Dolphin Masters Invitational, Key West. Call John Stuempfig at (305) 304-7674; wave.whacker@hotmail.com.

May 30-June 2: 2012 Billfish Invitational, Bimini Big Game Club. For more info, please contact Capt. Ned Stone at (954) 205 9595 or by email at nstone@guyharveyoutpost.com. Visit www.biggameclubbimini.com.