Outdoors news and notes

REgulations

Stone Crabbers smack lips over coming season

Some local seafood restaurants will get a little tastier Wednesday with the opening of stone crab season. The season remains open all winter and spring, and closes May 15, 2009. The regulations for stone crab trappers are 1 gallon of crab claws per harvester or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less. It is illegal to take female crabs with eggs. For details on measuring crab claws, visit www.myfwc.com and follow the links under fishing to saltwater regulations.

Check it out

How fast are you out on the water?

The 2008 Treasure Island Classic canoe and kayak race will be held Oct. 25 and 26 at the Island Inn on Gulf Boulevard. The outrigger race starts at 10 a.m. on Oct. 25. The registration cost is $25. A race for single or doubles canoes, kayaks, surf skis and outriggers starts at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26. Registration cost for that event is $5. For information, call (727) 641-8012.

Tournaments

Events for all types of anglers

• The Billy's Stonecrab Spanish mackerel tournament is Saturday off Tierra Verde. Fishing begins at daybreak with the weigh in from 3-4 p.m. at the restaurant. Cost is $50 per boat. For information, call (727) 542-3900.

• The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will hold its Hook-A-Cure tournament Oct. 25 at Home Port Marina in Palm Harbor. The tournament is photo catch-and-release and targets redfish, trout and snook. The entry fee is $100 per angler, and prizes will be awarded in both guided and unguided divisions. For information, call (813) 249-2111.

Boating

Learn safe way to have fun on water

Boca Ciega Sail and Power Squadron will host an eight-hour BoatSmart safe boating course spread over Nov. 1 and 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 126 Ave. East in Treasure Island. There is a $40 refundable deposit for class materials. Contact Chet Hughes at (727) 397-8999 about reservations.

Interact

List of five

What are your favorite outdoors pursuits in Florida? Send your list (and a one- or two-sentence explanation of each) to rkenda@sptimes.com and put "List of five" in the subject field.

Ask the experts

Got a question pertaining to one of Florida's great outdoors pursuits? E-mail it to rkenda@sptimes.com and put "Q&A" in the subject field. We'll try to find an expert to provide an answer.

On the Web

Visit Times Outdoors Editor Terry Tomalin's blog, The Wild Side, at blogs. tampabay.com/outdoors.

Send us your news

Have sailing news? To submit information, go to community.tampabay.com and click on the "Submit info here" link. Or reach Terry Tomalin at (727) 893-8808 or e-mail him at tomalin@sptimes.com.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer