Shallowfish.com

About the site
Shallowfishâ„¢ offers quality gifts and information to anglers who pursue snook, redfish, striped bass, bonefish, permit, tarpon and other gamefish in shallow saltwater. Emphasis is on Florida, with a heavy dose of west coast hot spots and the Everglades. As Shallowfish grows, we’ll remain faithful to our original goal: to offer useful content and unique products to fellow anglers. We hope you enjoy your time here, and we encourage you to contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions.

Take care, and good fishing.

About me
When I was very young I moved with my family to Costa Rica–a renowned angling destination. It’s there that I first learned about shallow saltwater angling, though, as the son of a cattleman, my trips to the coast were few and far between. I can still recall the morning when I stood on dark volcanic sand and watched snook ushered into the green waters of the Pacific via a boiling inland river. I was spellbound. Upon returning to Florida, I spent a few years catching largemouth bass before beginning my pursuit of skinny-water gamefish in earnest. I’ve fished the coast of Southwest Florida - from Tampa to the Keys - for the better part of 30 years. (Wow, does that make me sound old). I’ve had the good fortune of living in a fishing mecca and enjoying the company of a number of accomplished anglers who share my passion for the sport. Several of them contribute to the contents of this site.

For the record, I don’t claim to be an authority. You can’t swing a dead cat nowadays without hitting an “expert”—or a “guide”, for that matter—so some titles don’t mean as much anymore (though there are certainly some bonafide “experts” and fantastic guides out there). I’ve just spent a lot of hours pursuing fish in the shallows, so I’ve learned a thing or two. And in my dwindling spare time, I like to trade notes with both novice and seasoned anglers. Of course, there’s no substitute for time on the water, but knowing what to try when you’re out there helps. That’s the simple philosophy behind Shallowfishâ„¢.

Stick around and enjoy yourself. And be sure to bookmark the site so you can check back often—we’ll be adding new products and information at a steady rate.

Shallowfishâ„¢ posting schedule
The Shallowfishâ„¢ blog/journal will feature revolving content in this basic sequence. I do my best to stick to the schedule, but I change my mind and defy structure, at times. Apologies in advance.

• Feature article (1st of each month)
• Tech tip/trick (5th of each month)
• Reader’s write (10th of each month)
• Fishing tip/trick (15th of each month)
• Cartoon (20th of each month)
• Journal entry (when I find time to fish)
• Tackle news (when I buy or learn about new gear)
• Miscellaneous entries (unscheduled ramblings)

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“So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems…and God saw that it was good.” — Genesis 1:21

Considering conservation
Back in July of 1995, the momentous Net Ban was passed, and it has made a huge difference in Florida’s fishery. Species which were depleted have now come back strong, including snook, redfish, pompano and sea trout. While the law was being contested, however, I struggled to take a side on the issue. I fundamentally believed–and still believe–in doing what it takes to protect natural wonders, and there was no doubt that gill nets were killing undue amounts of gamefish. But…I’m a native Floridian, and some of my friends were commercial fishermen–good, honest folks who worked hard and, for the most part, respected the environment which put food on their tables. It was tough to see them lose their livelihood, and a tradition which was, in many cases, generations old.

In the long run, I believe the net ban has done much more good than harm. What pains me now is the fact that some anglers have a cavalier or apathetic attitude toward the fish the ban protects. Too many are involved in this pastime (note that I do not call it a “sport”) for attention and notoriety. They fish not for the experience, but for the chance to catch a big fish they can throw in a cooler and take back to show off at the dock. This behavior is often crystallized in large tournaments which focus on numbers of fish caught, and which glorify fast boats, glitzy sponsors and a chest-thumping approach that makes the fish themselves a means to a questionable end. In my opinion, these folks have missed the point. Though such competition can be healthy and fun, angling, at it’s true heart, is about more than simply catching lots of fish. It’s an experience, a joy. And it should carry with it a healthy respect for the natural world. The best anglers I know are also the most protective of the fish they catch. Why? Because it’s almost impossible to pursue these tenacious, cunning creatures without developing a real affection for them.

If you’re just learning to fish shallow saltwater, take the time to educate yourself about some recent conservation history. And if you’re a seasoned vet, re-visit the essence of this passion. Not so long ago, several prominent game fish we’re so scarce their future was in grave doubt. Revised laws and a big catch-and-release movement have resulted in some inspiring success stories, but they are still a fragile resource. You have the power to make a difference. By following state laws. By reporting violations. By learning how to correctly revive tired fish. By using “fish friendly” lures. By getting involved with organizations that protect our natural resources. By always releasing larger fish that do the lion’s share of the breeding (and if that logic doesn’t compel, do so out of respect for a creature that has bested incredible odds — in the form of voracious dolphin, relentless sharks, cruel winters, countless anglers, red tide, and Lord knows what else — to grow past the average age at which most of their peers perish).

I won’t sit here and tell you that I never keep a fish. I do, on occasion. But I really govern myself. I can’t think of a more satisfying feeling than carefully reviving a fish after a good fight, and watching it swim off under its own power. If you don’t do so already, I urge you to get into the habit of catch-and-release angling. In the process, you’ll develop a more meaningful connection to this enduring passion.

If you’d like to get involved in efforts to protect game fish, check out the links under “conservation” in the right navigation bar on the Shallowfishâ„¢ blog.