We take a trip to the Dry Tortugas, 70 miles from Key West, one of the most popular offshore fishing spots in the Florida Keys. What makes this destination unique among the many top-notch Keys fishing spots is its backdrop: Dry Tortugas State Park. See how recreational fishing and this remote nature preserve coexist, and learn the rules/regulations that protect this pristine area.

The post Protect the Blue – Key West: Remote Control appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Islamorada is the quiet fishing village with a big nickname – the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. A great percentage of its residents are fishing captains and anglers. From sailfish to swordfish to bonefish, species are abound. How much is a Florida Keys bonefish worth? The answer: approximately $75,000 over its lifetime. But mishandling bones is a big issue, which is why the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, in partnership with organizations like the Lower Keys Guides Association, has launched the “Save the Slime” awareness campaign to reduce harm to bonefish during catch and release.

The post Protect the Blue – Islamorada: The Bones Brigade appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

I am a fan of gadgets. That probably makes me well-suited to the job of an electronics editor. I can spend hours tinkering with anything electronic. That’s why I was excited to have a look at Garmin’s new quatix 7 smartwatch.

When the original quatix debuted, it was a bit too big and bulky for my size-small wrist, but I was able to wear a Garmin Fenix 5s, which introduced me to the whole genre of wearable computers. I even received an Apple Watch as a gift not long ago, but was soon reaching for the Fenix. It simply does everything… and easily.

The new quatix 7, released in April, does even more. And, it features a slender profile and much lighter weight than its predecessors. I instantly felt at ease with its 47 mm display. The 7 comes in three models — Standard, Sapphire, and Solar (with a 52 mm display) — and offers loads of new options including new boating features. Here are just a few:

• MFD control (not just remote viewing), anchor drag alerts, integrated tide data. Compatible with:
GPSMAP 7×2/9×2/12×2 Plus
GPSMAP 10×2/12×2
GPSMAP 7×3/9×3/12×3
GPSMAP 7400/7600
GPSMAP 8400/8600
GHC 20 autopilot control
GNX Wind
GNT 10 transceiver

• New touchscreen display (in addition to traditional buttons)
• The Solar model features a built-in LED flashlight.
• Sapphire edition boasts an always-on AMOLED display for sharp clarity and brightness.
• Battery life ranges from up to 16 days for the Sapphire edition and up to 18 days for the Standard version to up to 90 days for the Solar model when it’s in battery-saver mode.
• Optional BlueChart g3 coastal or LakeVu g3 charts.
• GPS and 30-plus built-in sports apps for activities from running, walking, HIIT, cycling, and hiking to kayaking. It’s preloaded with SkiView maps and more than 42,000 golf courses from around the world.
• Enjoy 24/7 wrist-based HR, Pulse Ox, Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep score and more for health and wellness.
• Smart notifications, Garmin Pay contactless payments and Connect IQ app personalization.

Read Next: Wrist-Mounted Electronics That Can Help You Fish

The quatix 7, quatix 7 Sapphire and quatix 7X Solar range in price from $699.99 to $1,199.99.

The post Video: Unboxing the Garmin quatix 7 Smartwatch appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

What hull characteristics create the signature Regulator ride? How does Regulator feed consumer demand for cutting-edge technology? Join fishing and boating editors Chris Woodward and Randy Vance as they question Regulator’s David Clubbs, director of engineering, and Keith Ammons, vice president of sales and marketing, about the intricacies of this iconic center console boat brand. We’ll also explore the all-new Regulator 37 and some of the unique features that propel this boat into class-leading status.

For more information go to regulatormarine.com.

The post Sport Fishing Roundtable: Regulator appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Professional angler Brittany (@britt_fishing) Oskey, reminds everyone to take the pledge and avoid alcohol while boating. Whether you’re driving the boat or reeling in the catch of the day, always Ride Dry and Drive Dry.

The post Why Brittany Oskey Rides Dry and Drives Dry appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

When choosing a sound system for your boat, there are a lot of choices and considerations. Aside from the hostility of the wet, salty and foggy marine environment on electronics, your boating lifestyle plays a role as well. Since boaters tend to blast their music, to hear it over engine and wind noise, pure, good quality sound is key. That is where KICKER Marine Audio enters as an important player in your sound system choice.

Founded in 1973 by a musician who sought excellent bass for his own sound system, Steve Irby pioneered the mobile audio market and has long been known in the “12-volt” world as the leader in sound quality. The company’s marine division, KICKER Marine Audio, now heightens its reputation in the boating industry with its line of solid marine-grade components, including the KMFC and KMTC HLCD Horn-Loaded Tower Systems. The HLCD Systems serve the hot and growing segments like wake and surf boats and all those who love projecting sound.

KICKER Marine Audio’s HLCD systems provide the most sonically accurate reproduction available for the HLCD tower speaker category. Key to this sonic purity is the mechanical geometry of the horn itself, according to Phil White, Unit Director, Marine Audio Systems. The KMFC and KMTC horn features a constantly changing cross-section from the horn’s driver to its flare. KICKER Marine Audio’s superior horn geometry eliminates problematic standing waves and resonances found in other HLCD tower speakers that have “straight section with flare” horn design.

As the largest tower speaker currently available on the market, the KMFC11 and KMTC11 speakers also provide the greatest cone area on the market, further enhancing the sound quality and efficiency. Match it with a powerful KICKER Marine Audio KXMA1200.2 amplifier and your boat’s sound will out-play any other on the water!

KICKER Marine Audio offers two mounting options that simplify installation: The KMFC11 speaker and mounting system features “factory” or “flat” surfaces that work with OEM hard points and can bolt right to the tower’s factory tower speaker mounts. All wiring is hidden, as it is routed through the mounting, providing a marine grade connection system for ease of installation. The KMTC11 mounts easily to round tubes, which constitute the majority of boat towers on the market; it also features an even slicker plug-and-play connection system.

All KICKER Marine Audio’s can enclosures are tough, UV-treated and come in black and white to complement a boat’s color scheme. The white or black speaker grilles likewise are UV-treated, and have 7-color LED lights, upgradable to 20 colors and 19 lighting modes by adding the KMLC remote. KMFC11 and KMTC11 speakers have 1.4″ titanium horn drivers and meet or exceed ASTM, UV, salt/fog exposure standards.

When you want to “Kick” up your sound system, rely on the brand that delivers the finest quality acoustics and marine-grade components—KICKER Marine Audio.

kicker.com/kmfc-11-inch-coaxial-tower-system, MSRP: $1,379.95

kicker.com/kmtc-11-inch-4-ohm-coaxial-tower-system, MSRP: $1,579.95

Check out the latest marine electronics at bestmarineelectronics.com.

The post On My Dock: An Inside Look at KICKER’s Tower Speakers appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

In this first video launching an ongoing series, Sport Fishing editors Chris Woodward and Jim Hendricks talk with the folks at Sea Chaser and Carolina Skiff, makers of highly popular center-console inshore and offshore fishing boats. We asked and they answered: What does the current market mean for boat buyers? What key fishing options do pros want aboard their boats? What’s your favorite model? And, what’s next for Carolina Skiff?

This installment features Robert Sass, sales and marketing manager for Carolina Skiff LLC, and Capt. Don Dingman, host of Hook the Future TV, who runs a 30-foot Sea Chaser. For more on Carolina Skiff, visit carolinaskiff.com.

The post Sport Fishing Roundtable: Sea Chaser and Carolina Skiff Boats appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

In 2020, Americans bought a lot of boats including 82,000 personal watercraft, 13,000 wake boats and 143,000 freshwater fishing boats and pontoons. That means more boats and boaters on the water than ever before. And many of them are still learning the ropes. Make sure you’re prepared and take a boater education course. When you’re on the water, always wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket and get expert tips and advice on our Safety hub. We need safe boating, now more than ever.

The post Now More Than Ever appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

In just two short years, Caymas Boats has developed some of the most competitive saltwater fishing boats in the marketplace. That’s not surprising with Earl Bentz at the helm. He’s had key leadership positions at Hydrasports, started Javelin boats and later Triton boats, and done them all with a strong emphasis on power boat performance and hard core fishability. His experience has influenced dozens of boat brands and key outboard brands. That’s also not surprising considering Earl’s foundation in boat racing, engineering and design. Now, partnered Adam Adkisson, President, and son-in-law Todd Falk, VP of Sales and Marketing, plus a legacy team of Earl’s most trusted boat building experts bringing combined hundreds of years experience in design and manufacturing with top shelf materials and modern construction techniques, Caymas is poised to change the industry again. Watch the video to discover how.

The post Sport Fishing Roundtable: Caymas Boats appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Invincible is coming on strong with both center console deep V bottom and catamaran fishing boats. They tapped the experience of the top designers in their class using Michael Peters’ SVVT hull for their center consoles—they were the first to build on that platform—and Morelli and Melvin for their cats. Every boat is laser focused on serious fishing and wraps the angler in comfortable luxury.

For more on these boats, visit invincibleboats.com

The post Invincible Boats’ 2021 Lineup appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.