We are now living in the modern age of electronics and computers. Technology is part of the fishing culture. No longer do we just grab a pole and sink a line down at the o’ fishing hole. We’re too sophisticated to use a good sturdy tree branch or cane pole with a ball of string, a bent wire or a safety pin for a hook. Worms, katydids or grasshoppers for bait are growing obsolete. Feathers from chickens roaming the yard used to make some fine fishing flies, but today a handmade fly can cost a bundle.

Net making was a art. In fact children learned from their parents how to mend nets before they were even tall enough to cast one. Today’s nets are machine made and cost a pretty penny. Net mending is fast becoming a lost art.

SOS is no longer part of the sea. It has been replaced by cell phones and marine radar detection systems.

Today you can literally catch the wind in the palm of your hand by using a skywatch windmeter. It is a compact self-contained wind speed instrument that you can wear around your neck or slip into your pocket. Just push a button and it will measure the velocity of the wind up to 99 knots.

In this new electronic age you don’t have to drill holes in your boat to install a speedometer with a 12 volt battery. You can use a speedwatch which has been created for motorboats and sailboats that monitors performance by reading water speed as well as recording it. There is a convenient reset switch for the log functions. It also makes an affordable backup unit on larger boats plus it is portable. Perfect to take from one boat to another.

Mangrove snappers are in the channels. They may be small but they are mighty. They’ll give you a good fight before you boat them. Absolutely delicious pan fried!

Redfish are everywhere but the hottest spot for catches seems to be Simmons Park.

Black drum and sheepshead are being caught from the piers. If you like pier fishing, try your luck.

Anglers have been surprised by the amount of flounder that have taken the bait, fought the fight and lost. They make a great meal!

Tarpon are sailing through the air around the channels and the Sunshine Skyway.

Snook are still playing hide and seek, but a few lucky fishermen have managed to outwit them.

Ladyfish are doing acrobatic jumps, but anglers are boating them, too.

Had great response to last week’s recipes. Yes, I promise to print more at a later time.