Bill Howard
About the Author:
Bill has lived in Apollo Beach Florida, located on the south shore of Tampa Bay since 1972. An aspiring photographer and writer, he has had several of his pictures published in several local fishing publications and was selected to write for an Australian Kayak Fishing Journal called “Blade”. As a member of the Yakangler.com Pro Staff, Bill routinely writes product reviews, fishing reports as well as short stories.
He is also on the Pro Staff for Hurricane Kayaks, Fins Braid, Slayer Inc, Tailin Toads and Mustang Survival. Active in the local tournament scene, Bill has won several Catch, Photo and Release tournaments as well as organize tournaments, demonstration days and seminars covering topics ranging from fishing the flats to safety on the water.
In 2008 he completed a 129 mile, 17 day trip around Tampa Bay. The event called “Paddle Around the Bay” raised nearly $4000 dollars for the American Heart Association. He also volunteered his time and served on the Hillsborough County Sea Grass Task Force. Charged with developing plans to protect the fragile sea grass in Tampa Bay, the committee made recommendations directly to the county commissioners that when put into place will greatly improve the health of the sea grass in the bay.
Bill also served as President of the Central Florida Kayak Anglers, one of the first kayak fishing clubs in the state. He also volunteered his time in starting a local chapter of Hero’s on the Water. This group is tasked with taking injured and recovering veterans out fishing in kayaks.
My Sponsors
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KayakHurricane Phoenix 14
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ClothingTailin Toads
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LureSlayer Inc.
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OtherFins Fishing Line
The Dangers of Discarded Fishing Line
WARNING: SOME OF THESE PICTURES ARE GRAHPIC AND MAY BE DISTURBING
A few weeks ago, I was fishing the south shore of Tampa Bay with my good friends Rik Llewellyn and Greg Becker. We were fishing opposite sides of a small mangrove island. I had just lost a pretty big snook which had taken my Heddon “Super Spook® Jr.” when Rik comes paddling around the far side right across where I had just lost this snook. As I yelled at him not to go across he just waved me off, saying “No, Bill - you need to get over here. We have a rescue mission to perform.”
Fast vs. Stable – Finding the Balance
I was poring over some old photos of my “Paddle Around the Bay” trip back in 2008, and it seemed everyone had a fast kayak back then. Where did they all go?
“Seeing Spots”
Saturday, March 16 saw thirty eight anglers show up to compete in the fourth tournament of the Paddle-Fishing.com Challenge Series, “Seeing Spots in Upper Tampa Bay”. These tournaments have always been designed to take anglers out of their comfort zone and this one was no different. The tournament director for this event, Chris “ChrisR” Ravelo, called on “Nut’s Hookers” to supply two bucktail jigs, one each in brown and white, for each angler.
A YakAngler Triple-Play
When I heard that fellow writer Gregg Crisp, aka “Hammerhead” would be in town, I was stoked to set something up and show him my home waters. The “Imperialist Revisionist” (aka Greg Becker) would also be joining us with his son Robert, so I knew between the four of us someone would be able to find a few fish. Little did I know what the day would bring.
Post Boondoggle Redfish Bonanza
Boondoggle 2013 at KARS Park, on Merritt Island, FL has come and gone. The weather was against us all weekend: rain all day Thursday, high winds Friday, cold winds Friday night, more wind on Saturday, bitter cold and even more wind Saturday night. But I can honestly say I had a great time. At my first Boondoggle, I met many people I have conversed with on the internet, so it was good to finally put faces to names.
BOONDOGGLE 2013: KARS Park, Merritt Island, FL
Another Kayak Fishing Boondoggle has come and gone, and this one will certainly go down in the record books as a huge success. Sponsored by Yakangler.com and Kayak Fishing Radio, the event saw more than three hundred attendees descend upon KARS Park, located on Merritt Island on Florida’s Space Coast.
Fog, Beavers, Big Lizards and more Redfish
January has ended and February is here; before I know it I will be at the Boondoggle over in Merritt Island. I’m really looking forward to meeting so many of you from the YakAngler Nation, and getting some down time. After the last year and all of my medical issues, it will be great just fish and relax with folks that enjoy the same thing I do.
Tarpon Key
Location: Flats
Latitude: 27.65436875327123
Longitude: -82.67767127427828
The Clam Bar
Location: Flats
Latitude: 27.65715791040092
Longitude: -82.67523046407473
Miguel Bay
Location: Flats
Latitude: 27.583209333848227
Longitude: -82.61365767392885
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Recent Fishing Reports
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Peacocks Close to Home
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