TAMPA — The Tampa Boat Show takes place Sept. 5-7 at Tampa Convention Center,
333 South Franklin St. Show hours are Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and
 Sunday, 10 a.m. 6 p.m.

The United States Power Squadrons has made it easy to receive a Boating Certificate, necessary in many states. Course completion will qualify most boaters for substantial discounts on their boating insurance—that more than pays for the course!

ST. PETERSBURG — The newly expanded St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail’s new “super show” merger makes it the Gulf Coast’s largest boat show and a powerhouse in the Southeast.

By Capt. Ric Liles, Fishing Columnist

If it wasn't a written article, I would ask do you want the good news or the bad news first. I guess I'll just have to make that decision for you guys.

The good news is I got my camera fixed and my wife has cooled down a little regarding my new friend Mercy. No, I'm not having an affair -- just a new hunting dog. Turns out the batteries were just dead on the camera. The bad news is the inclement weather kept me off the water for the better part of the week. I did get a few days in and did very well but my time on the water came before the storm.

TAMPA -- The eastern portions of the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers will be closed. They were built in 1954 and can no longer be safely maintained. State agencies believe that this is the best decision to protect the community’s safety while allowing for continued recreational enjoyment.