Gear up to catch fish on all kinds of waters aboard today's high-tech fishing kayaks. From simple "throw-and-go" paddle kayaks to advanced, electric-motor powered mini-battlewagons, there's a kayak for every angler and every budget.
Island Optics sunglasses great for dads: Noord (top left) $68; Duncan (top right) $64; Angler (bottom left) $68; and Bondi (bottom right) $68. Now through June 17, get 20 percent off and free sunglasses retainer on Island Optics sunglasses for Dad for Father’s Day. Use code DAD20. Click for more info Tortoise Shell Sunglasses
While the weather can be summer-like much of the year across the beautiful Sunshine State, summertime is officially here on the calendar as this is written.
In a state like ours, that means all kinds of fun on and around the water from one end of Florida peninsula to the other, from lazy days at an Emerald Coast beach to catching a giant tarpon way down south in the Florida Keys or perhaps casting a Norm Zeigler inspired Schminnow fly into the first trough as you search for a snook along the Sanibel Island beach. Or maybe even heading inland to a freshwater lake to catch a 10-lb. big bass or a mess of bluegills on a fly rod popping bug.
And don't forget about a long weekend spent camping, cooking out on the back deck, or even canoeing and kayaking down the Suwannee River as the sun is high, the weather is spectacular, and the kids are enjoying a respite from school for a few months.
Now that the annual run of summer fun is here, that also means that Father’s Day is coming up in a few days on Sunday, June 20, 2024. And if you’re still looking for a great gift idea to give to dear old pops on his big day in June, then check out our full blown Florida Sportsman Father's Day Gift Guide for 2024.
And if you’re on the look-out for something else that will really make dear old Daddio smile, take a look at the tremendous offerings from Florida sunglass maker, Island Optics, and especially its Angler Sunglass frames.
Why do sunglasses like these make such a great gift idea for Father's Day and the dad who taught you how to fish? Well, as most anglers know, you’re only as good on the water some days as your polarized sunglasses are. That’s especially true for sight fishing bass anglers in the spring across the South, as well as Florida saltwater anglers peering into the H2O for the tailing forms of tarpon, permit, bonefish, redfish and snook.
And if you’re a fly angler looking to do battle with a big carp tailing on a warm and sunny summertime flat or a huge lunker bass in the shallows, you’ll need to be able to see clearly there too.
If a new pair of shades is something that your angling dad might want as he targets his next trophy fish, check out the Angler polarized sunglasses from Island Optics. Engineered for open water, this is Island Optics most popular fishing frame with the crescent-shaped polycarbonate lenses blocking the sun's glare and sidelight.
Coming in several options—including a matte tortoise frame and green flash mirror, among others—these shades feature Island Optics innovative OX2 dual polarized lens technology that delivers a sharper view and more vibrant colors. With the addition of hydrophobic, oleophobic, and anti-reflective coatings, the Angler also brings increased optical clarity on and off the water. And since they also feature a lightweight TR-90 material and Gator Grip anti-slip technology thanks to the nose pads and temple tips, they'll stay in place no matter how hot and sweaty an angler might get.
Coming with a microfiber pouch, a free sunglass retainer, and stickers—we've all got a sticker farm on our super-coolers and YETI tumblers, right?—the best news yet is that these frames and the others from Island Optics are on sale. All you have to do to take advantage of the 20% off sale is go to the company's website, add your favorite frame to the cart, and apply the code DAD20 at checkout. This sale won't last forever and expires on June 17, 2024.
To learn more about Island Optics, there various sunglass options, as well as their prescription sunglasses and sun progressives, not to mention their blue light glasses, accessories and company story, visit the Boca Raton, Fla. based company's website.
We explore the design and features of the Bonafide RVR119 with Bonafide Head of Design Hans Nutz. This kayak is built to maneuver safely into untapped fishing waters on swift rivers. Includes footage of Bonafide pro-staffer Rus Snyders putting the RVR119 and other kayaks “through the paces” on a scenic Georgia river.
Check out this rigged-to-the gills example of Bonafide's popular PWR129 kayak. Designer Hans Nutz and Kayak Fishing Fun Editor Jeff Weakley discuss the many power and accessory options available to modern kayak anglers. Learn why the PWR129 might be the ideal next boat for you.
Trim out the new Bonafide SKF117 with the latest propulsion and tech features, or go minimalist. Either way, you'll benefit from stability, simplicity and portability. Learn about this unique kayak from Bonafide designer Hans Nutz, and see it in operation on the Florida flats.
Discover simple, fisherman-friendly upgrades to Hobie's awesome, lightweight Mirage Lynx. It's a 47-pound, pedal-drive kayak anyone can enjoy, and with a few mods, it becomes a serious multi-species fishing machine. From deck mats to accessory mounts, hull protectors to powered anchors, Mike Carney takes the popular Lynx to the next level.
Everything you need to know about the versatile, lightweight, go-anywhere inflatable kayak powered by Hobie's Mirage Drive GT pedal system. Veteran kayak fisherman Mike Carney demonstrates the iTrek 9 features and operation. Plus, he offers exclusive hints on customizing this unique craft, then takes us for a spin on a crisp autumn day.
Florida Sportsman Editor Jeff Weakley shares expert tips on setting up kayaks, tackle and safety equipment for inshore saltwater success. Special focus on the benefits of the new e-bike capabilities of the Old Town Sportsman BigWater 132 ePDL+
A stunning, cypress-fringed reservoir in Florida's capital city of Tallahassee is the setting for a fun day of bass fishing with friends. Plus, it's a great place to become acquainted with the ePDL drive introduced by the innovative Old Town Sportsman division.
This Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 was built to offer every single possible amenity that any dedicated bass angler would appreciate. Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen built this kayak to exact spec to catch bass on big reservoirs or small, nearly inaccessible lakes—and fish professional-level kayak tournaments. This video is the front-to-back walk-through about how everything was installed and why—hopefully to inspire you to build your dream kayak.
Thomas Allen shares some insight to mounting and applying forward-facing sonar to kayak fishing. He talks about a couple of cool and innovative mounting devices that make scanning simple, cable management and fishing application. This video offers solutions and concepts to take a sweet fishing rig to the limits with modern technology. Forward-facing sonar certainly belongs on a cutting-edge fishing kayak.
Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen spent the day fishing with the KFF crew and other friends at Southwind Plantation in Southwest Georgia—on a lake known for producing some real big bass. The lake is full of fish, and fun was had by the entire crew. In this video, Allen catches a few fish and shares some kayak fishing tips along the way that are worth considering the next time you intend to launch the kayak to go fishing.
Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen walks through his fully rigged-and-ready Old Town ePDL. This boat features Old Town's e-bike technology that offers the user pedal-assist and cruise control at five different speeds—calibrated for normal trolling applications. But that's not enough, Allen added a list of power and cool accessories to push this kayak to the limit. Here are all the details.
Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in building out Allen's Old Town ePDL. The duo spent a winter weekend together scheming up a plan to rig an already cutting-edge Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 by installing the kind of accessories a kayak bass tournament junky would truly appreciate.
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