Gary Rankel has just published a guide to kayak fishing in the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast: “Finding the Treasures of the Trails – Kayak Fishing Citrus County” (https://squareup.com/store/buendia-press).
The tragic deterioration of water quality and associated sport fisheries throughout much of Florida has prompted a mini migration of anglers to the Nature Coast looking to paddle their kayaks in the relatively pristine lakes, rivers and inshore area. Ditto for central Florida’s burgeoning “boomer” demographic seeking something more adventurous.
The book’s how-to section provides a comprehensive review of all things kayak fishing, including a few tips, tricks and techniques you may not have seen before. The where-to-paddle-and-fish section contains 27 color maps depicting launch sites, fishing routes and hotspots for targeting redfish, snook and seatrout in and around the Crystal, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka and Withlacoochee Rivers bordering the Gulf of Mexico, as well as largemouth bass and other freshwater species in the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes.
Anglers who’ve paddled around the marsh a time or two and think they know it all, as well as newbies to the sport, no matter where they dip their paddles, should find the book educational and enjoyable. So should manatee watchers, scallop snorkelers and other tourists to the Nature Coast looking to broaden their overall outdoor recreation experience.
Gary’s new book may be ordered online at https://squareup.com/store/buendia-press.
New kayak fishing book by Gary Rankel
Great news Gary!
I’m sure your book will become a must read for every angler in Citrus county, as well as in neighboring counties.
Yoav
Thanks for posting this, Yoav. This was my first foray into book writing, and it turned out to be much more of a challenge than I anticipated when I started out. It definitely ate into my time on the water this year. I’m hoping it will have been worth it.
I was pleased to showcase my Wavewalk 500 to the yak fishing community as a great alternative to fishing from traditional SOT and Sit-Inside kayaks. I call it my Sit-On-Top-Inside yak.
Gary,
Your book will help many people, for sure.
Yoav
I got my copy of the book today, and I immediately sat down to read it.
This book is both very well written and edited.
The graphics are excellent, and so are the photos.
The book format is smartly chosen, since it allows for carrying it out there.
I’m sure that with time, this book will become a household item in every home in Citrus County, as well as in adjacent areas.
Gary, you and your partners did a truly great job!
Yoav
Thanks much, Yoav……that means a lot coming from you. It was quite a challenge and definitely ate into my time in my Wavewalk, but think it will be worth it. Hope it helps a few folks find fish.
It will surely help people find fish, hook them, and release them – All the info is in the book 🙂
And here’s a link to an interview with Gary on the local TV station: https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2019/01/01/citrus-county-man-hopes-his-book-spreads-love-of-kayak-fishing#
Gary,
Congratulations on selling the entire first edition of your book – That was fast!
Make sure that the next edition is available before Father’s Day 🙂
Yoav
Thanks, Yoav…………the 2nd printing has arrived. Maybe we’ll even get a 3rd printing in the not too distant future.
Awesome! 😀
I can see your book becoming a standard household item in Citrus county and the neighboring counties.
Yoav
Hey everyone –
The Florida Outdoor Writers Association held their annual awards ceremony, and it awarded Gary second place for Outdoor Book of the Year (2019) published in Florida.
This is great, congratulations Gary!
BTW, the first edition of this book sold out pretty quickly.
Copies from the second edition are available for ordering.
Yoav