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Welcome to the Florida Guides Association
Below is the latest news related to the Florida Guides Association and other topics related to fishing and boating in the state of Florida. Check back here often to stay up-to-date with the latest. You can support us and our mission to protect the Florida fisheries by becoming a member.
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07 May 2012
Posted in
News
The Florida Guides Association was on hand at the May
meeting of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to honor two
employees for their efforts related to the conservation and wise use of
Florida’s fisheries resource. 
Capt. Pat Kelly, Florida Guides Association president, addressed the commission and presented FWC Officer Randy Hart with the “Trained Eyes Coastwatchers” Officer of the Year award.
Officer Hart was described as a dedicated, proactive officer of FWC according to his supervisor Ed Prouty. “His desire to protect Florida’s fish and wildlife is outstanding.”
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30 April 2012
Posted in
News
An outdoor writer’s convention in Huntsville Alabama led this old salt to think more about the freshwater fishing of his youth. I have to admit to being a die hard saltwater angler since moving to Florida, but visiting the beautiful area surrounding Huntsville brought back memories of crappie, bream and bass from my Kansas upbringing.
Having left the seasonal color change of fall long behind since moving to Florida the hillsides outside Huntsville were a welcome site. The leaves were just beginning to turn showing that the promise of fall and the beauty of nature were close at hand.
I was interested in the fishing around Huntsville and found there were many possibilities. Visiting with other attendees at the conference and a few locals led me to identify Lake Guntersville as a prime fishing location for visitors and locals alike.
Highway 431 that took us to Huntsville meandered through the mountains of the Appalachian range and the town of Guntersville about 40 miles south of Huntsville. I later learned that the town is described as a peninsula city. The charming town sits on the banks of Lake Guntersville. It seems that when the Tennessee Valley Authority created the Guntersville Dam it almost surrounded the town with water.
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22 April 2012
Posted in
News
Fishing fever for many anglers begins at an early age. The bug was probably caught from a dad, mom, uncle, neighbor, or friend. In the end its not as important were it came from as the fact that it came. In today’s world of video games and smart phones it’s more common to see couch-potato kids starring at a screen with little knowledge or awareness of the great outdoors that awaits them if only they had an introduction.
Fis
hing is a great way to make that introduction. Taking
kids fishing will introduce them to a fun activity while teaching them the
importance of conservation of the resource. Hopefully it will launch them into
a lifetime of outdoor activity. Keep in mind that it is important for them to
catch fish, but it is just as important to give them the tools to make their
infatuation with fishing last for many years to come.
Capt. Chris Myers, a professional fishing guide puts it like this, “While doing something that results in success for them is important, fishing with kids is a good time to teach them proper habits that will help them catch more fish throughout their life.”
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20 April 2012
Posted in
News
Boat ramps provide an opportunity for boaters to come in
close proximity and ethical behavior is desirable to keep everyone from
overheating in the Florida sun. Many of Florida’s public ramps consist of only
a couple of ramps for launching and first come first serve is the law of the
land
.
Respectful boaters should do all they can to keep congestion to a minimum around these limited facilities. Use common sense to avoid “ramp rage” and conflict with other boaters. It’s not just fishermen trying to get on and off the water, it’s also all the recreational boaters who use the same facilities.
Good manners at the dock require you to prepare your boat for launching in a staging area away from the actual ramp. This procedure should include loading your gear and tackle, attaching your dock lines, turning on your battery switch, finding your ignition key, and removing all tie downs from the boat to the trailer except for the hook on the bow. When you back down to the ramp the only thing you should need to do is unhook the bow and proceed to launch the boat.
