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Florida's Fishing Legends and Pioneers

Name: Florida's Fishing Legends and Pioneers
Author: Doug Kelly
ISBN: 9780813081397

by Doug Kelly

Published by: University Press of Florida

Series: Wild Florida

This book chronicles the exploits of the most influential men and women from Florida’s fishing history. Chosen for their contributions to the techniques, equipment, and strategies of fishing—and often radiating colorful personalities—these “hall of fame” legends and pioneers have helped preserve the Sunshine State as a top fishing destination.

352 Pages6.00 × 9.00

Paperback
9780813081397
Published: August 26, 2025

$26.95

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EPUB
9780813059037
Published: April 10, 2011

(Ebook delivery via Leaf eReader app.)

$14.99

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Description
Authors
Praise
Table of Contents

Inside knowledge from Florida’s fishing greats, showing how the sport has developed in the state over more than a century

As one of the most lauded fishing destinations in the United States, boasting world records on varieties of fish, Florida has proven irresistible to the world’s top anglers for more than 100 years.

Florida’s Fishing Legends and Pioneers systematically chronicles the exploits of the most influential men and women of the sport throughout the state. Chosen by Doug Kelly for their contributions to the techniques, equipment, and strategies of fishing and often radiating colorful personalities—these “hall of fame” legends and pioneers have helped preserve the Sunshine State as a top fishing destination that currently draws nearly five million anglers to its bountiful waters each year.

Interviews with such angling luminaries as Lefty Kreh, Stu Apte, Mark Sosin, Joan Salvato Wulff, Roland Martin, Guy Harvey, Al Pflueger Jr., and a number of other renowned figures are found throughout the book. Organized chronologically, this intelligent and captivating book provides readers a greater and more accurate perspective on how recreational fishing in Florida evolved over more than a century. It also features rare historical information and photographs from past decades.

Florida’s Fishing Legends and Pioneers is for everyone, from novice to expert, who loves fishing!

Doug Kelly is the author of several books, including Sunshine State Mafia: A History of Florida’s Mobsters, Hit Men, and Wise Guys, the editor for several major magazines, and an accomplished travel writer.

“For a historical, in-depth look at numerous men and women who helped develop Florida into one of the world’s foremost fishing destinations, Kelly’s book fits the bill.”—Miami Herald
“When it comes to sportfishing, Florida has a long and rich history. Kelly chronicles the colorful characters who contributed to Florida’s 100-years-plus recreational fishing boom.”—Visit Florida
“Provides entertaining stories and interviews about the eclectic personalities.”—Sport Fishing
“Fascinating. . . . An irresistible page-turner for everyone interested in the development of our sport.”—Florida Sportsman Magazine
“A beautifully written, interesting and captivating work, most worthy of the attention of dabblers and aficionados alike.”—Angling Trade
“An entertaining as well as informative read.”—Society of American Travel Writers
“A tribute to some of the most outstanding fishing personalities of our time. If you have a passion for fishing Florida’s waters, you will love this book.”—Carlene Fredericka Brennen, champion angler and coeditor of Randy Wayne White’s Ultimate Tarpon Book
“The famous characters of Florida fishing live again in these pages. Kelly’s is the best kind of writing about angling—the kind that you want to take your time to enjoy, that at the same time compels you to go out fishing immediately.”—David Conway, author of Fishing Key West and the Lower Keys

Foreword

Introduction

1. Jesse Linzy, 1872–1955: Ponce Inlet

2. Charlie Thompson, 1873–1946: Miami

3. Ted Smallwood, 1879–1951: Chokoloskee

4. Tommy Gifford, 1896–1970: Miami

5. Webster “Doc” and Helen Robinson, 1896–1966 and 1900–1989: Key West

6. Ernest Hemingway, 1899–1961: Key West

7. Philip Wylie, 1902–1971: Miami

8. Bill Fagen, 1904–1975: Miami

9. Bill Smith, 1909–1996: Key Largo

10. John Rybovich, 1913–1993: West Palm Beach

11. Jimmie Albright, 1915–1998: Islamorada

12. Harold LeMaster, 1915–1986: Largo

13. Tony Tarracino, 1916–2008: Key West

14. Ted Williams, 1918–2002: Islamorada

15. Gene Turner, 1918–2010: St. Petersburg

16. Curt Gowdy, 1919–2006: Palm Beach

17. Duncan MacRae, 1922–2006: Homosassa

18. Bernard “Lefty” Kreh, b. 1925: Miami

19. Bill Curtis, b. 1925: Miami

20. Joan Salvato Wulff, b. 1926: Miami

21. Vic Dunaway, b. 1928: Dunnellon

22. Stu Apte, b. 1930: Islamorada

23. Billy Pate, b. 1930: Islamorada

24. Jim Wilson, b. 1931: Panama City

25. Mark Sosin, b. 1933: Boca Raton

26. Karl Wickstrom, b. 1935: Stuart

27. Bob Stearns, b. 1935: Miami

28. Sam Griffin, b. 1937: Lake Okeechobee

29. Al Pflueger Jr., b. 1937: Miami

30. Roland Martin, b. 1940: Lake Okeechobee

31. Ralph Delph, b. 1940: Key West

32. Marsha Bierman, b. 1943: Coral Springs

33. Brian Lowman, b. 1948: Navarre

34. Guy Harvey, b. 1955: Ft. Lauderdale

35. Shaw Grigsby, b. 1956: Gainesville

36. More Fishing Legends and Pioneers

Acknowledgments

Bibliography

Index

Books

Authors

Journals

On The Site

Books

Authors

Journals

On The Site

Florida's Fishing Legends and Pioneers

Florida's Fishing Legends and Pioneers

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