A Killer summer fishing season is underway

When Ed Killer is in the house, you know that all things fishing, boating and tournament related will be on top of the agenda.

In his return to Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (Ed first appeared February 27 of last year) the man behind the outdoors and fishing reporting for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers was definitely not at a loss for words. As promised, Ed gave us a great rundown of summer fishing tournament season - which, believe it or not, has already kicked off. Just in the month of May, the Treasure Coast is looking at 14 total tournaments!

Summer tournament season also means fishing tourism season for our area. Ed quotes some numbers that are pretty darn phenomenal, in terms of bringing in tourism dollars. Even though a specific tournament may only be a two or three-day affair, visiting anglers stay even longer than that, and….ca-ching (if you know what I mean).

Greg McCampbell, chairman of the Treasure Coast Builders Association's 24th Annual Memorial Weekend Fishing Tournament, was next in the guest seat. A veteran chairman of this event, Greg gave Gary and Robin the low-down on what changes are in store for this year, including a new venue that brings the tournament back to it roots. Where? Listen and learn!
Radio Man gave Ed another shot in the guest seat after the break. Known as an advocate for our oceans and coastal resources, Ed shared his thoughts on the recent oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. He also delved into his views on how continuing the discharges from Lake “O” impacts the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. There is no doubt that Ed is passionate about these issues. We could have gone on for another two hours.

At the top of the show, Radio Man queried History Lady about her recent international tourism experience with some gents from down under. Could it have been more than she expected…or wanted?
Download and listen to the show to find out…you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for listening, and be sure to check out Talkin' Tourism on Facebook!

Killer hits the airwaves to kick off summer tournament fishing season

The Harborage Yacht Club & Marina Reel Sassy
fishing team at last year's Frances Langford Memorial
Tournament, comprised of Heather Oblaczynski,
Dierdre Murray, Robin Hicks-Connors and
Desiree Mufson

It seems like just a couple of weeks ago we were getting ready for the 2009-2010 sailfish tournament season on the Treasure Coast.

But summer is just around the corner, and that means Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast is ready to hit the waters for this summer's inshore and offshore tournaments.

It sure feels like the summer season is kicking into gear earlier and earlier, especially with the number of tournaments added year-by-year. For decades, tournament fishing - and fishing in general - has been able to reel in both local and out-of-town fishermen who want to land some local catches. Martin County and the Treasure Coast are blessed with some of the most diverse fishing holes in this part of the country. With the Bahamas just a hop, skip, and a jump from most of the Treasure Coast and South Florida, the fishing crowd can't go wrong stopping by our area to try their luck.


On Friday, we'll get together with local fishing guru Ed Killer, whose headshot and byline are probably pretty familiar if you're a Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers subscriber. As the area's outdoors reporter, Ed is one of the best resources for the area's angler history and current fishing climate. Ed will hit on the key fishing happenings coming up, including the Frances Langford Memorial Inshore Tournament, the world-famous “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing” seminar this weekend, and a host of terrific tournaments hitting our shores in the next few months. Ed will shed some light on how the summer tournament scene shapes the area's marine and related tourism. And, per usual, no fishing topic is sacred when Ed's in the house.

Ever wonder how the fastest fish in the sea became know as a wahoo? Maybe Ed knows.

The man behind a 24-year Memorial Weekend staple, Greg McCampbell, will also stop by to talk about the Treasure Coast Builders Association's 2010 inshore and offshore tournament. Be sure to check it out what the chairman has assembled with his committee for the May 28-30 event at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina.

As always - well, most of the time - History Lady will be in the co-host seat with all of her regular segments, and Radio Man, a.k.a. Caribbean Cowboy, has your Bahamas update. Tune in Friday, 10 a.m. on WPSL AM 1590, or at http://www.wpsl.com/ and help Talkin' Tourism ring in the new fishing season!

Today's show was "Reel" interesting!

Here's a quick rundown on today's Talkin' Tourism.

Jeene Brown, lead sales associate for REMAX of Stuart, provided powerful information regarding why now is truly the time to buy in Martin County and more specifically in the Harborage Yacht Club and Marina community. How low are the prices?...is the community pet friendly?...what about those railroad tracks?... what makes Martin County so “special”…will Martin County rebound faster than our surrounding counties…do I have to have a boat to live there?...how sweet are the deals?

How much do celebrities and notables in Martin and Indian River Counties pay in property taxes…how does promoting tourism help the real estate industry? Listen to the show and you'll know the answers to these questions and more.

"Gone Fishin" is the theme of the second half of the show. Greg McCampbell, co-chair of the 2009 Treasure Coast Builders Association Annual Memorial Weekend Fishing Tournament, and Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Rose, organizer of the Frances Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament, share all you will need to know about these two exciting tournaments that kick-off the summer fishing season.

Co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, as usual shared some “historical tidbits” regarding the Jensen Beach Bridge, as well as great things to do, places to go and people to see.

Want to know if Talkin' Tourism co-host Robin accepts host Gary Guertin's challenge to be a team angler in the Talkin' Tourism on the Treasure Coast/Reel Sassy entry in the Frances Langford tournament? Listen to the show and you'll know. Download it HERE.

April 10: From 'Reel' Fishing Tournaments to Real Estate

This approaching Friday, April 10, Talkin' Tourism guests will discuss approaching summer fishing tournaments, which not only attract anglers regionally, but those from out-of-state. Next we'll explore why many of our visitors end up becoming residents.

Scheduled guests include Ron Rose, the executive director of the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, which produces the Frances Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament (slated May 1-2, 2009); Greg McCampbell from R.V. Johnson Insurance and co-chair of the Treasure Coast Builders Association (TCBA); and RE/Max of Stuart realtor Jeene Brown.

Tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM this Friday, April 10, at 10 a.m. to hear the show live from the Captain's Lounge of Harborage Yacht Club & Marina.