FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—OCTOBER 6, 2010—Guy Harvey announced today he is teaming with fellow artist, conservationist and fly fishing personality, Vaughn Cochran, to launch Black Fly Bimini, a Guy Harvey …
Use Guy Harvey Outpost’s New Fishing App for a Chance to Win a Guy Harvey Florida Fishing License
1 Sep 20158:53 PM
Be sure to set a reminder on your phone (or circle your calendar) for Sept. 5. On that Saturday, you do not need to buy a fishing license in order to wet a line in any saltwater body in Florida. You can fish from shore, on a boat, on a pier or a jetty in the ocean, Gulf, bays and canals license-free for that one day.
Here are several good reasons to take advantage: you can teach a kid to fish or introduce a non-angling friend to the sport at no extra cost, or –best of all– you have a chance to win prizes, courtesy of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts.
Anyone who logs a catch of ANY fish on the Guy Harvey iGHOFISH app –(a free download on Iphone and Google Play)–will be automatically entered in a sweepstakes to win a one-year I DO! Guy Harvey saltwater/freshwater fishing/hunting combo license and a $50 Guy Harvey merchandise gift card. Also in this special, one-day tournament, your catch information will be instantly shared with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission through the IAngler program, which helps fisheries managers and scientists conserve and protect Florida’s saltwater fish stocks.
The license-free day applies to all saltwater recreational species such as crabs, lobsters, and scallops. But all bag and size limits and seasons still apply, so make sure you check out the regulations before harvesting.
If you don’t have a license and want to fish the rest of the year, you can purchase one online at myfwc.com/license/ or at any county tax collector’s office and some retail outlets.
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![](mailto:?subject=Use Guy Harvey Outpost’s New Fishing App for a Chance to Win a Guy Harvey Florida Fishing License&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/flfishinglicense.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2875 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/flfishinglicense.jpeg?w=300" alt="FLFishingLicense" width="300" height="200" /></a>Be sure to set a reminder on your phone (or circle your calendar) for Sept. 5. On that Saturday, you do not need to buy a fishing license in order to wet a line in any saltwater body in Florida. You can fish from shore, on a boat, on a pier or a jetty in the ocean, Gulf, bays and canals license-free for that one day.
Here are several good reasons to take advantage: you can teach a kid to fish or introduce a non-angling friend to the sport at no extra cost, or --best of all-- you have a chance to win prizes, courtesy of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts.
Anyone who logs a catch of ANY fish on the Guy Harvey iGHOFISH app --(a free download on Iphone and Google Play)--will be automatically entered in a sweepstakes to win a one-year I DO! Guy Harvey saltwater/freshwater fishing/hunting combo license and a $50 Guy Harvey merchandise gift card. Also in this special, one-day tournament, your catch information will be instantly shared with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission through the IAngler program, which helps fisheries managers and scientists conserve and protect Florida's saltwater fish stocks.
The license-free day applies to all saltwater recreational species such as crabs, lobsters, and scallops. But all bag and size limits and seasons still apply, so make sure you check out the regulations before harvesting.
If you don't have a license and want to fish the rest of the year, you can purchase one online at myfwc.com/license/ or at any county tax collector's office and some retail outlets. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/use-guy-harvey-outposts-new-fish-app-for-a-chance-to-win-a-guy-harvey-florida-fishing-license/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey and Vaughn Cochran Team to Create Black Fly Bimini at the Bimini Big Game Club&body=FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—OCTOBER 6, 2010—<a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> announced today he is teaming with fellow artist, conservationist and fly fishing personality, <a title="Vaughn Cochran's web site" href="http://www.vaughncochranart.com/artgallery/" target="_blank">Vaughn Cochran</a>, to launch Black Fly Bimini, a Guy Harvey Outpost Outfitter operation.
Black Fly Bimini will operate out of the newly reopened <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biminibiggameclub.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina</a>.
In making the announcement, Harvey commented “this legendary Club overlooks flats abundant with bonefish and permit. Vaughn has the skills and passion to help us promote Bimini’s remarkable back-country fishery for its great fishing and mesmerizing natural beauty.” Commenting on the varied fishing opportunities his Bimini Outpost has to offer, and their spirited competition as renown offshore and back country anglers, Harvey is quick to add, “looking at Vaughn is a bit like looking in the mirror, so I’m sure glad he keeps his fishing to skinny water!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/vaughn20cochran20with20bonefish.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-140" title="Vaughn Cochran with Bonefish" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/vaughn20cochran20with20bonefish.jpeg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="263" /></a>
Black Fly Bimini will organize all of the Big Game Club’s backcountry fishing programs, with on-site staff, operations and merchandising support. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Cochran and his fly fishing wife, Jean, oversee Black Fly Inc., a collection of enterprises featuring fly fishing merchandise, art and travel. The couple has recently opened Black Fly Bonefish Club, their newest lodge, located on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas.
“Hands down any day, for a pure adrenaline rush, the Grey Ghosts of Bimini can hold their own against the Man in the Blue Suit”, Cochran notes, referring to the Blue Marlin that is synonymous with Bimini’s reputation among off-shore anglers. “Now with the help of the island’s legendary bonefishing guides, we’re going to revitalize awareness of the great bonefishing that Bimini offers.”
In addition to featuring Guy Harvey sportswear and gifts, the <a title="The Outfitter Shop at the Bimini Big Game Club" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/the-outfitter-shop.htm" target="_blank">Outfitter shop</a> at the Bimini Big Game Club will feature Black Fly merchandise and fly fishing supplies, including assorted flies developed by Cochran especially for conditions on the Bimini flats.
About Vaughn Cochran
A Florida native, Cochran grew up in the art community of St. Augustine and earned art degrees in ceramics and painting at the internationally known and respected Art and Printmaking Department of the University of South Florida. Becoming one of the most respected fly fishing guides in the Florida Keys, Cochran later managed some of the legendary fishing lodges of the Caribbean and Central America, including Parismina Tarpon Rancho in Costa Rica and Turneffe Island Lodge in Belize. Along the way, he nurtured his artistic calling, and today his works are found in numerous private and corporate collections, including a recent one-man exhibition at the IGFA’s main gallery.
"Although I still enjoy painting the traditional fishing and seascape scenes that I'm known for, my newest work is in the pop style from earlier in my painting career. I started with pop art fish and have moved on to other images and icons of the fishing industry, he said." These paintings are now available as prints as are many of his more traditional scenes of the flats he fished on a regular basis.
With his quick wit and entertaining laid back style, Cochran is a frequent host and guest of various fly-fishing TV shows including the popular “Spanish Fly” with fishing pal, Jose Wejebe.
What started out as Vaughn Cochran's marine art gallery years ago has turned into one of the most unique destination fly shops in the U.S., Black Fly Outfitter, a full service technical fly shop specializing in saltwater flies, custom fly kits, fly rods, fly reels and clothing for tropical fly fishing destinations around the world.
The company’s sumi-style Black Fly logo adorns a complete line of fly fishing merchandise, gear and gifts. Original paintings, fine art prints, ceramic tiles and art pottery, Black Fly merchandise and additional T-shirts are available at www.vaughncochranart.com.
About Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina
Founded as a dinner club in 1936 in Alice Town, the island’s cultural hub, by Nassau entrepreneur and bon-vivant, Neville Stuart, the Big Game Club has over the last 74 years hosted world-class fishermen, major tournaments, international celebrities and tens of thousands guests looking to bask in the unique “Islands in the Stream” mantra made famous by author Ernest Hemingway who fished and lived in Bimini in the mid 1930s.
Today, the Big Game Club’s Outpost concept is designed to take the resort beyond that of a “fishing lodge (though admittedly a majority of visitors will be there for the world class fishing) to create an eco-destination attracting both fishing and diving enthusiasts while focusing on adventure travel, sustainable tourism and marine conservation.
The Big Game Club, which is located on the main navigation channel in Bimini Bay, currently features a 51-room resort and a 75-slip marina capable of accommodating boats up to 145 linear feet. By Spring 2011, a full service fuel dock will be operational.
There are Phase II plans that will include a Guy Harvey Theater, guest lecture series and interactive sessions with Dr. Harvey and the Guy Harvey Research Institute at NOVA Southeastern Oceanographic Center and day trips to the Bimini Biological Field Station’s world-famous shark lab. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-and-vaughn-cochran-team-to-create-black-fly-bimini-at-the-bimini-big-game-club/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Extreme Kayak Fishing’s Summer Slam Results in a Heavy-Weight Bout&body= Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament's "Summer Slam" produced some terrific fishing for its 108 kayak anglers. Even with a 6am launch there was a party like atmosphere with rock 'n' roll piped through the PA system. When "Sailfish On!" came over the VHF 45 minutes later the trash talk evaporated. Joe Kraatz got on the board 30 minutes later releasing a nice sailfish.<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sail-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2182 " src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sail-2.jpg?w=660" alt="Joe Kraatz's Sailfish. Photo credit: Jorge Bustamonte" width="660" height="440" /></a>With the ice broken, the bite was on. For the next two hours the pick up boats had their work cut out for them picking up kingfish to be iced down. Things quieted down for a bit as lines out started to loom on the western horizon. "Massive Wahoo... I could see stripes.." came from John Moody's VHF. Those near by report they did not need a radio to hear Moody's excitement." With anticipation still high, the word "Cobia" spread over the air-waves. John SIms would be the first angler to land a cobia during any <a href="http://www.extremekayakfishingtournament.org/">Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament </a>if he could boat the beast. Sims triumphant fight and paddle to shore for the 2pm weigh in took a toll on the angler as he needed help getting the Cobia to the scales.<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dsc02100-21-copy.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2188 size-large" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dsc02100-21-copy.jpg?w=660" alt="Top Five Winners. Photo Courtesy of Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments" width="660" height="411" /></a>Top Five Winners. Photo Courtesy of Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments First Place: Jack Daughtry of Maryland, two Kingfish, 51.7 poundsSecond Place: Joe Kraatz, two Kingfish, 47.8 poundsThird Place: John Sims, Cobia, 46.3 poundsFourth Place: Carl Torrensson, two Kingfish, 44.4 poundsFifth Place: Justin Moody, Wahoo, 36.7 poundsKingfish Calcutta Winner: Jon Cunningham, 32.4 poundsTop Junior Angler: Hunter Irvine, Kingfish, 11.9 poundsTop Billfish Angler: Joe Kraatz, SailfishWreck the Weight: Rob Rodriguez, AmberjackTrash Can Slam: John McKroid, Barracuda, 25 poundsTop Pelagic Angler: Justin Moody, Wahoo. Necklace courtesy of <a href="http://www.guyharveyjewelry.com/">Guy Harvey Jewelry</a>For more information on Guy Harvey Outpost and our 10 great resorts check out our website at <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/">http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/extreme-kayak-fishings-summer-slam-results-in-a-heavy-weight-bout/){kind=link}
 these late winter reds are somewhat persnickety and a little spooky by nature. So picking the right artificial lure to get a positive reaction (we call that a bite) is very difficult. But during these warm up periods with rising temps the redfish typically get a bit reckless. That's when an experienced angler can take advantage of what I call the perfect scenario .
So what lure is ideal for this situation? Well the truth is several offerings will get the job done including spoons, jigs, plugs and even flies. Because when redfish are actively hunting and devouring food... all lures are in play. But still I have a few favorites that allow for accurate casting in spite of windy conditions like the BTB Jig (root beer) with a split tail trailer. Or the Mirrolure Catch Jr (finger mullet look) with single inline hooks, which plays well in cloudy or windy scenarios. And lastly the trusty Aqua Dream Spoons (black color) it gets the call for many anglers including me. Remember spoons are great choices if the clarity of the water is somewhat turbid (dirty/stained). But again if the redfish are fired up, any lure could be the answer... even top water plugs!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/alure-image-for-redfish-red-hot-blog.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5007" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/alure-image-for-redfish-red-hot-blog-263x300.jpeg" alt="" width="263" height="300" /></a>
Additionally, don't use a long heavy leaders. Shorter leaders in the 20" to 24" lengths are adequate. Too much leader destroys the action on light weight plugs or pulls the jig down into the grass... creating a fouling issue. And unless your fishing an area inundated with lots of Oyster a 20lb. leader weight should do just fine in most cases.
Also consider, a small skiff or kayak is a huge advantage when targeting these low water redfish. The ability to be ahead of the grazing reds will allow you dozens of shots in comparison to the larger heavier boats more reliant on trolling motors getting to the feed zone a little later. I know it's more work to push pole or paddle into the skinny water (shallow) but that extra 45 minutes to an hour of fishing when the water is low, really pays off.
Here's what you really need to know and that is to focus your efforts on the warming trends later this month and the low incoming tides of course. It may be freezing in some parts of the U.S. this time of year but the light tackle action on redfish in Florida is "red hot"! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/redfish-in-florida-is-red-hot/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=World’s Largest Spear Fishing Tournament to be Held in St. Petersburg&body=By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist
scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com
As many as 400 spear fishers from throughout Florida and the U.S. will gather in St. Petersburg Aug. 19-21 for the St. Pete Open-- the world's largest underwater hunting contest and one of the beach's biggest parties of the year.
Spearos will compete on scuba gear or simply dive down holding their breath using pole spear, Hawaiian sling, or spear gun to try to bag the biggest fish in each of seven categories. At stake are some $50,000 worth of prizes and trophies to be awarded at a huge public weigh-in party at the Magnuson Marina Cove Hotel & Resort.
"It's one day of intensive, bust-your-bottom spear fishing. Dive, dive, dive!" said Charlie Barnes, president of the St. Petersburg Underwater Club, which is putting on the contest for the 51st year. "We love the competition. We love the camaraderie and it's the biggest party in town."
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b-e1471009118288.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4188" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b-e1471009118288.jpg" alt="22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b" width="599" height="400" /></a>
Divers will fan out in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean hunting for mongo specimens in the categories of grouper; snapper; pelagic; hogfish; cobia/barracuda; lobster (hand-caught only; no spears); and sheepshead. New this year is a prize sub-category for lionfish. The tournament has no boundaries; however competitors must be in the weigh-in line by 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 20. Late comers will be disqualified.
Barnes, a veteran spear fisher himself, said the best strategy is to shoot fish in each of the categories, since only one fish per category can be entered. He said it's common for contestants to run 50 miles offshore to their hot spots, diving as deep as 200 feet in the hunt for big fish. Competitors must abide by all state and local fisheries laws, such as bag and size limits and closed seasons.
Entry fee is $100 per diver. Less than 300 slots remain open, so go <a href="http://www.StPeteUnderwaterClub.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> to register now!
For great deals from Guy Harvey Outpost, including the 'Suite Summer Saver Deal' at Guy Harvey Outpost in St. Pete Beach, visit our <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/specials/" target="_blank">SPECIALS PAGE</a> now!
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling, camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/worlds-largest-spear-fishing-tournament-to-be-held-on-st-pete-beach/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Red Hot Reds in Shallow St. Augustine&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sta.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2981 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sta.jpg?w=300" alt="StA" width="300" height="225" /></a>By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer
[St. Augustine, FL--] We were not fishing the prime tide in the spartina marsh lining the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway north of St. Augustine, but apparently that didn't matter to the hungry redfish.
Past the flood stage, water was slowly draining out of the grass flats. But there were still plenty of small black crabs clinging to the emergent greenery, prompting the reds to tail and slurp enthusiastically.
"See him? His whole back's out of the water," captain James Dumas pointed to a dark hump on the surface. "He's almost in range."
Standing on the bow of Dumas' skiff, I saw the hump submerge and pop up again with a small splash.
"He just ate a mullet!" Dumas exclaimed.
I made a short cast with the 8-wt fly rod, aiming a few feet in front of where I believed the red's nose was pointed. But the breeze overcame the fly line and the leggy, purple-and-black crab pattern landed behind the fish.
I quickly stripped the line back in and made another cast to the obediently stationary fish, but that, too, was errant.
The third cast proved the charm, with the fly planted correctly in front of the target.
"Start bumping it," Dumas directed. "Now he'll eat it."
Dumas was right: I moved the fly a bit and the red chomped on it decisively.
After a brief tussle in the grass, I brought the fish up to the gunwales to be photographed and released.
"They'll keep giving you shots till you hit the fish or you stomp on the boat," he said.
Now it was Vaughn Cochran's turn on the bow and he quickly caught and released a slightly larger red on fly.
What fun! Cochran and I were fishing the late October full moon which pulls king tides into the shallows, greatly expanding the habitat of redfish bulking up on crabs for winter. Had our schedules permitted arriving an hour earlier-- before the tide started draining out--we likely would have hooked even more fish. And nobody knows their habits like Dumas, operator of <a href="http://www.drummancharters.com" target="_blank">Drumman Charters</a>.
"When it gets cold, they get shallower," Dumas said. "They get in big schools on the flats. They get in the creeks too. The best creeks are the ones that empty into basins."
The guide said he typically switches to small shrimp patterns and Clousers in wintertime when waters become clearer. Non-fly fishers can use live shrimp or cast artificials like D.O.A.'s or Z-man Shrimpz.
And redfish aren't the only targets in the cool season. Fly anglers get shots at flounder by bumping Clousers in pot holes while live baiters toss mullet or minnows. For sea trout, the ubiquitous Cajun Thunder-- a rattling float to which you can attach a live bait or a soft-plastic shrimp lure-- is probably the best choice. For fly anglers, poppers are tops.
One of the most popular local spots for shore and wade fishing is the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve located just off A-1-A about halfway between St. Augustine and Jacksonville Beach. When the dam between the Guana River and Lake Ponte Vedra is open, anglers enjoy good catches of flounder, redfish and other species on foot using finger mullet, crabs and other live baits.
The St. Augustine area has plenty more to offer besides shallow-water fishing. Check out this blog later for more on bottom fishing; dining, and unique attractions on Florida's First Coast.
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/red-hot-reds-in-shallow-st-augustine/){kind=link}
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