News
Many times kayak anglers set out before sunrise and stay after sunset to hit the bite just right. That means the added danger of being run down by boats in the dark. Guide Neil Taylor of Adventure Kayak Fishing says he never leaves shore without at least this gear to light up himself and his kayak:
Headlamp
Good hands-free way to light the way and see what you're doing when rigging up and tying knots. Cost: From $16 to $40.
Flashlights
MagLite LED is powerful enough to show the way, or good for signaling an oncoming boat's driver to your presence. Try to keep it in a dry place as much as possible. Cost: $35.
Lanyard light from Princeton Tec can hang from neck or sit in chest pocket of shirt for quick retrieval. Great for helping to see around the inside of your kayak. Cost: $15.
Clip-on light for the bill of your favorite fishing hat. Keeps you hands-free when fighting and landing that snook. Cost: $14 to $20.
MagLite Mini is a good backup light source. Cost: $12.
Reflective decals or bungees
Many kayak outfitters sell reflective tape or decals for the hulls and some even have bungee or rope with reflective qualities woven in. Cost: Varies.
Of course, with all this lighting equipment, don't forget to throw the proper size extra batteries in a dry bag.
360-degree light
Scotty's Sea Light is United States Coast Guard-approved and mounts to the kayak. Depending on conditions, it can be seen from as far as 2 miles away. Both waterproof and corrosion resistant, this light runs up to eight hours on two AA batteries. Because the light is removable, it can be attached to a life jacket as well. Cost: $40.
Outdoors poll
Last month: When I leave the state of Florida for an "outdoors" venture, I'm most likely to go …
Fishing 35 percent
Hunting 18 percent
Skiing/snow sports 15 percent
Hiking/backpacking/climbing 12 percent
Paddling/surfing 6 percent
Bird watching 5 percent
Camping 4 percent
Running/triathlon/fitness 3 percent
Boating/sailing 1 percent
Cycling 1 percent
80 total votes
New question: The mockingbird is Florida's state bird, but there's a movement to switch to the osprey. Which would you vote for?
Vote at outdoors.tampabay.com.
Number of the month
21.4 million Number of visitors to Florida's state parks during the 2008-09 fiscal year, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Park Service, a record, and an increase of about 700,000 people from the previous fiscal year. Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin led the way with more than 1.2 million visitors.
Hey, boaters, slow your roll
Rowers, elected officials and some local businesses will get together to stage a "canoe-in" at 10 a.m. Oct. 10 at Riverfront Park Marina in Tampa to promote safe boating speeds on the Hillsborough River. Participants are invited to canoe or kayak with the large group along the river. Of particular concern, especially to the many rowing teams that use the area, is the part of the river from the Cass Street to Columbus Street bridges.
Snook research tournament
The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium will host its 11th William R. Mote Memorial Snook Shindig, a tournament that helps anglers learn about research work while assisting researchers in collecting data on snook. Fish caught during the Oct. 16-17 tournament are checked for coded wire tags placed by Mote researchers. The tags on hatchery-reared snook help determine the fish's movements and development. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.mote.org/shindig.
People | "Big Mike" McGrath
Age: 51. Resides: Tampa
What I do: Pier captain at Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers state park for Destin-based Pier Associates. Supervises employees, does administrative work and helps anglers.
Born: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Past work: Ran bait-and-tackle shop in Brooklyn for 10 years.
Moved to Florida: 11 years ago.
Online: BigMikesForum.com has provided anglers with conditions and reports for more than year. "I get e-mails from all over the world. England. Japan. You meet a lot of nice people here and make a lot of friends."
Biggest catch he has seen: 10-foot bull shark but says there are Goliath grouper near 500 pounds. "There's some big boys down there."
Biggest personal catch: "I don't fish as much as I used to," he said. But his largest catch was a 125-pound tarpon.
Best part of job: "Helping somebody put a fish in a cooler."
Worst part of job: "There is no worst part. I don't have any problems out here."
Vacation spot: Jennings Resort near Haines City. "We rent a cottage a do a lot of bass fishing." Top catch: 8-pounder.
I hate it when … it rains.
I wish more people would … come out and have a good time.
trailmix
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