






We welcome in 2025 with open arms and loaded bait wells. A whole slate of fishing tournaments, regattas, boat shows and holiday boat parades are back better then ever.
On behalf of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, the Fishing Funds the Cure Sarasota Tournament, and it runs March 7th and 8th for a full day of in-shore fishing for redfish, trout, and snook. The weekend will kick off with a Luau on Friday evening and ends with an awards ceremony and dinner after the tournament on Saturday afternoon. All proceeds from this event support critical research needed to find a cure for childhood cancer.
The Annual Suncoast Boat Show returns to the luxurious waterfront April 25 - 27 marking 43 years of presenting an extraordinary selection of sportfishing, powerboats, and motor yachts. This premier boat show on the Gulf Coast of Florida takes place in water and on land at Marina Jack along 65,000 square feet of dock space.
Warriors on the Water, and Double Nickel Fishing Charters are presenting the Annual Dig Deep Tournament scheduled for June 14th, hosted in Sarasota, at Marina Jack. Billed as “Offshore Invasion Sarasota”, all proceeds benefit Warriors on the Water 501(c)(3) and help serve their mission of
facilitating and funding a positive outlet for veterans within nature and one of a kind charter fishing experiences.
The 2025 Sarasota Offshore Shootout is scheduled to run from Thursday July 10th to Saturday July 12th at the SaraBay Marina.
For the Holiday Season, private boats from dingys to corporate megayachts will be adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, celebrities, beauty queens, friends and family to watch and participate in the bounty of local Christmas boat parades and celebrations. From the Anna Maria Island Privateers, the Bradenton Beach Holiday Festival and Boat Parade, and the Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade, heading south you can enjoy the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights in downtown Sarasota, and the Venice Christmas Boat Parade.
So get your vessels ready for an awesome 2025. Be safe and have lots of fun cruising the local waterways, the offshore reefs, and our beautiful Gulf. Cheers!
April 2 - April 6
April 5 - June 8
April 9 - April 12
April 10 - August 24
April 17 - April 19
May 1 - June 8
Buds and Suds Saltwater Challenge April
NEFMA Mahi Mania
Viking Yachts Key West Challenge
2025 Sport Fishing Championship Season
2025 SFC Fort Lauderdale Billfish Open
South Carolina Blue Marlin Invitational
May 1 - September 30 Mongo Offshore Gulf Coast
May 1 - September 30 Mongo World Challenge
May 1 - September 30 Mongo Offshore East Coast
May 1 - November 30
MRMTC Monthly Tournaments
May 3, 2025 Reelin for Research
May 7 - May 10, 53rd Annual Bluewater Tournament
May 7 - July 19
South Carolina Governor’s Cup
May 7 - May 10 Charleston Billfish Invitational
May 8 - May 10
May 13 - May 18
May 16 - May 26
May 21 - May 24
May 21 - May 24
May 21 - May 24
2025 Armed Forces Shootout
2025 Orange Beach Billfish Classic
MRMTC Spring Striped Bass Tournament
2025 Elbow Reef Classic
57th Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament
2025 Walker’s Cay Invitational
• Dock Builder
• Boat Lif t Installation
• Seawall Installation
• Jet Ski Dock s
• Jet Ski Lif t Installation
• Seawall Repair s
• Pile Snap Jackets
• Dock Accessories
• Shoreline Stabilization
• Hurricane Preparedness
• Mariner VIP Ser vice Club
May 30 - May 31
June 5 - June 8
June 7 - July 12
June 7 - June 8
June 7 - June 15
June 14 - June 21
June 16 - June 22
June 19 - June 23
June 26 - July 14
July 4 - September 2
July 10 - July 13
July 16 - July 19
July 25 - July 28
MBG Southwest FL Owner’s Tournament
NEFMA Old City Elite Kingfish
Big Rock Triple Crown Series
28th Annual Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament
67th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament
Beach Haven Tuna Open
2025 Bluefin Open
School’s Out Tuna Tournament
MRMTC Jack Meyer Memorial Tournament
Stuart Sailfish Club Offshore Junior Angler Tournament
South Jersey Yacht Sales Offshore Showdown
2025 Edisto Invitational Billfish
2025 Cape May Marlin Tournament
July 28 - August 1 Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza
July 31 - August 10
August 11 - August 16
MRMTC Club Fluke Tournament
56th Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational
August 18 - August 23 The MidAtlantic
August 23 - August 31 45th Annual Offshore Open
Oct 30 - November 28
December 4 - Dec 8
MRMTC Artificial Reef Tournament
Buds and Suds Saltwater Challenge December
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
BKYC Sarasota Bay Cup
Bird Key Yacht Club
SBYA Board
Sarasota Sailing Squadron
Wednesday, May 14 - 17, 2025
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Saturday, Feburary 7, 2026
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Saturday, April 11, 2026
15th Annual Bone Island Regatta Race to Key West
SYC Invitational
Sarasota Yacht Club
Cherry Pie Regatta
Sarasota Sailing Squadron
Pot o' Gold Regatta
Sarasota Sailing Squadron
Sarasota Bay Cup
Bird Key Yacht Club
Established in 2019, Mariner Dock and Seawall was created with integrity and honesty for a new generation of marine construction. With over 25 years of combined experience, we have the skills and knowledge to execute quality workmanship and impeccable service for our many loyal customers. We stand by our commitment to each project and go the extra mile for every job; no matter how big or small.
Mariner repairs and builds docks and decks to the highest of standards. We use an array of dock construction materials including but not limited to marine grade timbers, composite decking and other custom requests. Our seawalls are built to withstand mother nature’s most brutal conditions and are reinforced with materials like Everlast panels vinyl, rip
rap, concrete panels and composite. The longevity of a new seawall will last a lifetime and provides customers with the reassurance that their property will remain protected against the elements. Another specialty we pride ourselves in are our boat lift installations. We work closely with a local manufacturer (DECO), who custom builds elevator lifts, beamless lifts, JetSk lifts and platforms. We also have the knowledge and the experience to install or repair any other lift, regardless of the manufacturer. We also offer a tri-annual VIP service to ensure your lift is being inspected and maintained year-round. The service includes but is not limited to lubricating all moving parts, re-wrapping cables, re-leveling the cradle and checking the overall condition and functionality of all working components. Customers who belong to our VIP club receive a 10% discount on parts, priority service and no overtime or emergency rates.
Over the years, we have developed a strong customer base and a great reputation within the community. We look forward to continuing to grow and prosper and become the #1 name for dock, seawall and boat lift construction in Southwest Florida!
Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see a stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please call Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at (941) 988-0212.
If you see a stranded or dead manatee anywhere in state waters or a stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle outside of Sarasota or Manatee counties, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1 (888) 404-FWCC (3922).
Please note that it is safe to eat shellfish that are commercially harvested and sold in fish markets, restaurants and other outlets. Florida has a well-established monitoring program for all commercial shellfish beds and these beds are closed when affected by Red Tide or other environmental conditions. Note: It is not advisable to harvest shellfish recreationally, unless you first check on the status of the location (open or closed) with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For recreational fishing: Fish that act as they would normally when hooked should be safe to eat as long as they are fileted first and the innards discarded.
For conditions throughout the Florida Gulf coast, with information about cell concentrations observed at specific locations and closed shellfish areas, please see the FWC web site and follow the link to “Red Tide Current Status.” The FWC Red Tide Status Line is now available for callers to hear a recording detailing Red Tide conditions throughout the state. FWC updates the recording each Friday by 5 p.m. after sampling efforts for the week have been completed and analyzed.
• Red Tide Status Line: (866) 300-9399 (toll-free inside Florida only); (727) 552-2448 (outside Florida).
• If you need immediate assistance regarding health related issues, please call the Marine and Freshwater Toxin hotline at 1 (888) 232-8635. It is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As you enjoy Southwest Florida’s beaches and coastal waters, please be vigilant for marine animals and follow the best practices below to avoid harming sea turtles, dolphins and manatees. These tips matter year ‘round — especially during the summer boating season, when sea turtles are swimming just offshore to mate and coming ashore to nest, and dolphins and manatees are also on the move for breeding and feeding. Sea turtles, dolphins and manatees are all protected by federal law.
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 388-4441
Open Every Day: 10am - 5pm
Modifying the types of hooks you use can significantly affect a fish’s chances for survival after it is released. When fishing with natural bait (dead or alive), IGFA strongly encourages the use of non-offset circle hooks. Extensive research on species from salmon to sailfish has demonstrated that circle hooks gut hook significantly fewer fish without sacrificing catch rates. Lures that have treble hooks should have the barbs bent down or removed to facilitate easier hook removal.
Interested in the science behind circle hooks? Read Circle hooks, 'J' hooks and drop-back time: a hook performance study of the south Florida recreational livebait fishery for sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus published in Fisheries Management and Ecology in 2007.
If you’re not going to photograph your fish or document it for record purposes, the best method is to not remove the fish from the water. In-water releases can be aided by the use of de-hooking devices that eliminate the need to boat the fish and keep hands safe distances away from the fish. If the fish has swallowed the hook, it is much better for the angler to cut the leader as close to the fish as possible, rather than trying to forcibly remove the hook.
If a fish needs to be removed from the water to remove the hook and/or document it for record purposes, anglers should use either their hands or knotless, rubberized landing net. Most small to moderately large sized fish can be landed by hand.
Body sculpting surgery can build upon your hard-won results of diet and exercise to further shape and tighten a specific area of your body, such as your waist, lower back, or inner thighs. Usually, the goal is to target isolated pockets of stubborn fat or excess skin that linger after weight loss. As explained by Dr. Alissa M. Shulman, a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Sovereign Plastic Surgery in Sarasota, Florida, body sculpting can help you “cross the finish line” after achieving a weight-loss goal.
As with any other type of surgery, to ensure the bestpossible outcome from body sculpting, it’s important to work with an experienced and trusted surgeon. You can turn with confidence to Dr. Shulman, who is both a widely respected plastic surgeon and gifted sculptor of the human form. Her unique talents truly set her apart from her peers, making her one of the most sought-after plastic surgeons in the Sarasota, FL, area.
Dr. Shulman takes a highly individualized approach to plastic surgery. Before recommending body contouring for you, she will first confirm that you are healthy enough for surgery and that you have no underlying medical conditions that could potentially complicate your procedure. In general, if you’ve maintained a stable body weight for more than 12 months, you may be a candidate for body sculpting surgery.
If body sculpting is appropriate for you and you decide to proceed, Dr. Shulman can develop a personalized treatment plan consisting of one or more types of cosmetic plastic surgery, such as liposuction, a tummy tuck, or a thigh lift. While each of these procedures can target a different area of your body, all types of body sculpting surgery are intended to address small amounts of fatty tissue and lax skin that have resulted from: A dramatic weight loss, Significant weight fluctuations, Pregnancy and childbirth, Age-related loss of skin elasticity and firmness.
Dr. Shulman will provide all of the information you need to make informed decisions about body sculpting and other cosmetic surgery procedures. As part of this process, she’ll get to know you in order to gain a full understanding of your surgical goals and expectations, and then explain in detail how surgery can (or cannot) be used to achieve them.
If you’d like to meet with Dr. Shulman to talk about body sculpting surgery, contact Sovereign Plastic Surgery to request an appointment at our office in Sarasota, FL. www.SovereignPS.com
Fat Grafting
Lipo
Thigh Lift
Tummy Tuck
Follow this dermatologist’s tips for a safer time in the sun
Southwest Florida’s warm gulf waters are paradise found for the discriminating boater and fisherman. But hours - even minutes, of exposure to the sun’s intense rays can do a lifetime of damage to our skin.
“We are here to enjoy the outdoors and all benefits of this beautiful area,” said Venice Avenue Dermatologist, Jeffrey R. Hunek, M.D. “So go ahead. Go out and boat, fish, swim, and enjoy the beachjust do so sensibly and with the proper protection.”
Dr. Hunek offers his sun protection guide for those on and off the water:
Clothing counts
• Clothing is your best protection. Choose lightweight sun protective clothing with a tight weave and a UPF rating of 50 or higher, and cover as much skin as possible. Long sleeves, gloves, neck gaters or buffs, are all great ways to shield your skin from the sun.
Pick a sunscreen, any sunscreen
• There are so many choices for sunscreen. Don’t overthink it. Find the one you like the best and use it every day - on all exposed skin. Choose and SPF of 30 or higher. Dr. Hunek says his favorite sunscreen is the one you will actually use.
• Lay it on thick and reapply. Make sure you use enough of it. At least a shot glass full of sunscreen each time you apply. A bottle should not last very long, especially when applying every hour or so.
• Apply to ALL exposed areas of skin. Don’t forget your feet!
Avoid peak sun hours
• Watch the UV index and avoid peak times, usually between 10 am and 2pm.
Throw some shade
• Or at least seek shade when you can. If you can’t find natural shade out on the open water, create it yourself. Consider installing a bimini top on your boat, it’s a great way to block the sun’s intense rays.
Don’t forget your shades
• Choose sunglasses with good coverage all around the eyes. When on correctly, they should prevent light from reaching the eyes from the frame’s corners. This helps to protect the delicate skin around the eyes, too.
Put a lid on it
• Carry your shade with you and wear a wide brimmed hat. The skin on your face will thank you.
Check yourself
• Skin cancer won’t check itself. Perform monthly self-skin exams. If you notice any changes….
Seek professional help
• Even if you don’t notice a change, it helps to get a second pair of (professional) eyes on your skin yearly. Make sure to schedule an annual exam with a dermatology provider.
Jeffrey R. Hunek, M.D., has practiced dermatology in Charlotte and Sarasota counties since 2005. His office is located in Venice at 897 E. Venice Ave., Suite A. He is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Hunek provides comprehensive dermatology care for adolescents and adults. While specializing in skin cancer detection and treatment, he also has an interest in medical dermatology, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, rosacea, skin infections, and autoimmune diseases. He utilizes dermoscopy when evaluating all patients to provide the most thorough evaluation. He is a member of the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and the Sarasota Dermatological Society. Dr. Hunek may be reached at 941/486-1404 or www.VeniceAveDerm.com
Embrace the transformative experience of the newly available MedBar IV Lounge at Reichbach Center. Replenish, rehydrate, and revitalize with IV infusion therapy, and enjoy quick recovery for a stronger you in our relaxing environment.
“In recent years, IV infusion therapy has surged in popularity, reflecting a growing interest in alternative medical solutions,” said Reichbach Center President and Founder Dr. Steven Reichbach. “This therapy offers a pathway to sustainable health and well-being by delving deeper into your body’s needs with specialized nutrition combined with preventive strategies and functional medicine.”
IV vitamin therapy helps patients:
• Fight allergies and the common cold
• Have more energy
• Combat the effects of dehydration
• Slow down aging
• Promote long-term health
Tailored Therapy Sessions
Natural Defense Drip: This elevated dose of vitamin C and other essential nutrients fortifies the immune system, aiding quick recovery from illnesses like the common cold or flu.
The Fountain of Youth Drip: Detoxify the body and experience improved skin, hair, and nails through a blend of glutathione, B vitamins, and vitamin C.
The Executive Drip: This infusion alleviates stress and aids in jet lag recovery while enhancing memory, focus, and alertness.
The Rise and Shine Drip: Following a long night out, replenish electrolytes,
Steven Reichbach, MD
rehydrate the body, and boost energy levels swiftly with this essential vitamin and mineral mix.
Anti-Aging IV Drip: Harness the power of glutathione, a regenerative antioxidant crucial in detoxifying the body and revitalizing the skin. Experience immediate skin benefits, often resulting in a more desirable complexion.
Embracing a tailored approach to wellness, MedBar IV Lounge’s IV infusion therapy stands as an innovative gateway to a better quality of life. By providing precise, targeted nutrients aligned with each patient’s needs, this therapy not only revitalizes but also empowers individuals on their path to an improved overall well-being.
To learn more about how you can treat yourself, please call Reichbach Center at (941) 213-4444.
FOUNDATION works worldwide to advance the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and economies. Considering the context of a planet with over seven billion human inhabitants, conservation strategies must be forward-looking and adaptive. By accounting for the roles of billfish within the marine environment as well as in relation to their interactions with humanity, TBF’s conservation campaigns maintain the flexibility to adapt to emergent threats as well as those which have historically confronted resource managers. TBF employs a multi-tiered, proactive suite of initiatives involving research— both biological and socioeconomic–education, and advocacy projects. As billfish and other highly migratory species are not confined to the territorial waters of any one nation, these strategies must also take into account the differences in culture and law inherent to the international arena. Empowered by an internationally diverse constituent network, The Billfish Foundation is uniquely equipped to do just this.
Established in 1990, The Billfish Foundation’s Tag and Release Program is the largest private billfish tagging database in the world and the cornerstone of TBF’s conservation and advocacy efforts. With more than 220,000 tag and release reports, TBF receives over 15,000 tag and release records annually from across the globe and provides vital information for billfish conservation. The success of TBF’s Tag and Release program is contributed to the dedicated anglers and captains around the globe that voluntarily tag, release, and report their billfish catches. The deployment of traditional tags and the data gathered from recaptured billfish provides valuable scientific data to further understand growth rates, migratory patterns, habitat utilization, and postrelease survival rates. Tag and release data also provides valuable information for stock assessments that are instrumental in a time when industrial longlines represent the largest source of marlin mortality. This valuable data, much of it impossible to measure without the use of traditional tagging, provides the groundwork for conservation minded policy, scientific advancement, and gives insight into the demographics and socio-economic benefits generated from billfishing.
As tagging provides The Billfish Foundation with substance for its conservation efforts, TBF recognizes those anglers and captains that tag and release the most billfish each year at an awards ceremony at the Miami International Boat Show. The annual International Tag & Release Competition recognizes members who tag and release the most billfish by species in each
of the world’s oceans. TBF award winners are the ‘who’s who of the billfishing world’ and are those that do not just catch and release a great number of fish, but embody and share a common conservation ethic. As captains and anglers on the water represent the first line in billfish conservation, recognition of their efforts provides a means to illustrate the direct link between catch and release fishing and marine conservation. To recognize the efforts of all of its members, TBF also provides release certificates for those that report billfish tags and releases.
AFTER THE FISH IS LEADERED: Bring the billfish alongside the boat. Idle the boat forward and maintain this position to allow the billfish to calm down and allow for easier tagging. Never attempt to tag a jumping or thrashing fish. This can be not only dangerous for the health of the billfish but for you too!
NEVER remove the fish from the water. This can result in fatal damage to the fish for two reasons. Excess rubbing and drying can result in the loss of the protective slime coat found on the surface of the fish. Without this protective covering, the fish becomes susceptible to bacterial infections and parasites. Additionally, the skeleton of a billfish is designed for the buoyant conditions of the ocean. Removing the fish from the water, even onto the gunnel, causes the skeleton to come under the full strain of gravity, which can damage the skeleton and internal organs.
It is vitally important that the tag be placed in the proper area: in the dorsal muscle well behind the head and gill plates, above the lateral line and away from all vital organs (see Figure 1). It is not necessary to use a great deal of force to insert the tag. A firm, well-aimed stroke is best. Place the applicator against the fish’s flank and push, inserting the tag until the stopper assembly is pressed against the fish. Improper tag placement or tagging too hard can result in serious injury or death to the fish. Speed tagging often results in injury.
For 2025, Florida’s saltwater fishing regulations include minimum size limits for several species, such as 10 inches for Vermilion Snapper, 12 inches for other snappers, a slot limit of 28-34 inches for Snook, and varying limits for Spotted Seatrout depending on the region
FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline ........................................... 888-404-FWCC (3922)
To report marine violations, boating accidents, and marine mammal injuries or strandings. Cell Phones ......................... *FWC or #FWC (depending upon your provider)
FWC Southwest Regional Office (Lakeland) ............................ 863-648-3200
FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (St. Petersburg) 727-896-8626 For information on Florida’s marine resources and marine research
FWC’s Marine Fish Kill Hotline ................................................. 800-636-0511
To report a fish kill or red tide event in your area
Rescue Station (24 hours) VHF Channel 16 Sector Office ............................................................................ 727-824-7534 National Response Center .................................................... 1-800-424-8802
To report oil spills and maritime emergencies
U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary
Seventh District, Flotilla 8-1, Anna Maria 941-779-4476
Seventh District, Division 8, Flotilla 2, Longboat Key............... 941-388-1033
Seventh District, Division 8, Flotilla 3, Manatee 941-753-9473
Seventh District, Division 8, Flotilla 4, Sarasota ....................... 941-366-5595
Seventh District, Division 8, Flotilla 5, Palmetto ..............................................
Seventh District, Division 8, Flotilla 6, Venice 941-488-1900
Seventh District, Division 8, Flotilla 7, Englewood ................... 941-473-4235
BoatU.S. Foundation 1-800-245-BOAT (2628) For information on boating skills and safety courses offered locally
NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Recorded forecast Tampa 813-645-2323
NOAA Weather Radio
Largo Marine 162.45 MHz
Tampa ......................................................................................... 162.550 MHz
Venice 162.4 MHz
For 24-hour weather and marine forecasts
Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve ..................................................... 941-575-5861
For more information about Florida’s protected coastal waters STATE PARKS
Oscar Scherer State Park 941-483-5956
For more information about about Florida’s natural and cultural lands National Estuary Program Sarasota Bay 941-955-8085
NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE
Southeast Regional Office (St. Petersburg) 727-824-5301
Sarasota .................................................................................... 941-729-2222
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this Web site, please e-mail us at Boating_Guides@MyFWC.com.
Florida’s coastal waters are home to thousands of marine species, and the majority of these species have no specific regulations with regard to bag limits, size limits, gear restrictions or closed seasons. These species are often referred to as “unregulated species,” although the name can be a bit misleading. State law provides that for any. marine species that does not have specific regulations, harvesting more than 100 pounds or two fish (whichever is. the greater amount) constitutes a commercial quantity and requires a commercial license. This means the recreational harvest limit for any unregulated species is 100 pounds or two organisms if the combined weight of the two organisms exceeds 100 pounds.
Must remain fn whole condition (removal of gills and guts allowed). Measured as total length. Total length is the straight line distance from the most forward part of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together while the fish is lying on its side.
•State regulations apply in federal waters.
Additional gear rules apply, please see: MyFWC.com
Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook (any hook with two or more points and a common shaft) fn conjunction with live or dead natural bait.
Fishing regulations change periodically. We do our best to keep up, sometimes pestering the fishery management agencies before they have their sites updated. For the most current regulations check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council).