This is it, y'all: Ed Killer's final fishing report for TCPalm

Editor's note: TCPalm will suspend Ed Killer's fishing report after he begins his new job at Florida Sportsman.

Well, the time has finally come for me to bid farewell.

For the last 30 years, several fishing industry colleagues and I have been proud to bring you this fishing report. Unfortunately, this fishing report comes to a close — at least for now.

I know you will continue to fish and experience the wonderful activity all around us, including trophy catches, records, tournament winners and just plain cool fish. You live and fish in one of the most amazing areas of the world for sport fishing, so enjoy every second of it.

Until our paths — and our lines — cross again, release what you don't keep for the table, care for every living creature you catch and make the most of your time on the water.

Florida fishing regulations and fishing season opening and closing dates:

• Gag grouper: Recreational harvest in Atlantic waters closes June 15. Harvest will remain closed for gag grouper until May 1, 2025.
• Snook: Harvest closed June 1-August 31.
• Other grouper: Harvest opens May 1 in Atlantic waters. Includes red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind and rock hind. Harvest closes Jan. 1, 2025.
• Red snapper: Season dates have been announced by NOAA National Marine Fisheries — July 12. Check here for info.
• Greater amberjack: Harvest opened May 1.
• Red porgy: Harvest open May 1. Closes June 30.
• Snowy grouper: Harvest open May 1. Closes June 30.
• Blueline tilefish: Harvest open May 1. Closes July 18.
• Hogfish: Harvest open May 1. Closes Nov. 1.
• Alligator: Application dates for hunt season (Aug. 15-Nov. 1) limited entry permits begin May 3. More info here: MyFWC.com/license/limited-entry/apply
• Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake is strictly catch-and-release.
• Golden tilefish: Harvest closed March 1 in Atlantic waters. Season re-opens Jan. 1, 2025. Harvest closed based on annual catch limit set by NOAA.
• Lobster: Harvest closed March 31. Sport season (mini-season) will be July 24-25, 2024. Just added: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced July 14 will be an added day to lobster mini-season. The Governor did not say what the bag limit will be that day.
• Spotted seatrout: Harvest opened Jan. 1. Harvest closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
• Cobia: Bag limit: Two fish per vessel. Size limit: 36 inches fork length. No closed season.
• Redfish: Harvest of redfish has been banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon since Sept. 1, 2022. FWC will reevaluate in the future.
• Dolphin: Bag limit is 5 fish per day per angler. Vessel limit is 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit. Regulations in state waters began May 1, 2022.
• Flounder: Harvest opened Dec. 1, 2023. Harvest closed Oct. 15-Nov. 30.

For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Tight Lines

Three local fishing legends made their last casts in recent weeks. The lives of all three will be celebrated Sunday, June 23.

Dennis Hanisak of Vero Beach, distinguished marine scientist, devoted educator, leading authority on Indian River Lagoon seagrass ecosystems and beloved husband, dad and grandpa, passed away on May 7, 2024, He was 73. A celebration of life will take place from noon until 3 p.m. at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, 5600 U.S. 1, Fort Pierce. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Semester By the Sea program.

Thomas Turowksi of Melbourne Beach, longtime manager at Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle at Sebastian Inlet State Park, passed away on May 26, 2024. He was 69. There will be a surfers paddle out followed by a champagne toast at 9 a.m. at Sebastian Inlet North Jetty. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Turowski family arrangements.

David Redington of Stuart, longtime owner of Redington Rods and then South Fork Rod Company, passed away on June 4, 2024. He was 61. A celebration of life will take place at 3 p.m. at River Palm Cottages, 2325 N.E. Indian River Dr., Jensen Beach. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the WWII 16th armored division reenactment group.

Indian River County

Offshore: Capt. Terry Wildey of Big Easy charters out of Capt Hiram's Resort in Sebastian said kingfish, triggerfish, snapper and occasional cobia can be caught in 70-90 feet of water off Sebastian Inlet and on Bethel Shoal.

Inshore: Capt. Glyn Austin of Going Coastal charters in Sebastian said jacks, tarpon, bonito and sharks can be caught just outside the inlet and inside the inlet on live bait during the outgoing tides.

Freshwater: Capt. Nate Shellen of Okeechobeebassfishing.com said Headwaters Lake is going to be a great place to fish when the SJRWMD finishes working on the boat ramp project there. The project was delayed until June 24 because of weather.

St. Lucie County

Offshore: Capt. Tris Colket of Last Mango charters out of Fort Pierce City Marina said there have been plenty of opportunities to troll for dolphin, wahoo, blackfin tuna and sailfish. Greater amberjack can be caught along the reefs and wrecks along with kingfish and barracuda.

Inshore: Capt. Mark Dravo of Y-B Normal charters in Fort Pierce has been catching tarpon, redfish, trout and snook around the mangrove islands north of North Causeway. Use live pilchards or sardines to hook these trophies during the beginning of the falling tide.

Surf: Capt. Paul Sperco of Capt. Paul's Surf Charters has been catching whiting from the beaches of Hutchinson Island when the sargassum seaweed allows. Cast 30-40 yards to the zone where the fish are biting.

Martin County

Offshore: Capt. Nick Cremasco of DayMaker charters out of Sailfish Marina is steering anglers to catches of sailfish in 80-120 feet of water and kingfish and snapper on the Six Mile Reef on live bait.

Inshore: Capt. Bob Bushholz of Catch 22 charters out of the marina previously known as Four Fish Marina in Jensen Beach has been steering clients to catches of snook, drum, croaker, pompano and tripletail in the lagoon.

Lake Okeechobee

Bass fishing has been holding up nicely on the lake for anglers fishing with wild shiners. Fish can be caught on spinnerbaits, worms and shaky head jigs in deeper water.

Ed Killer wrote about fishing for TCPalm for 30 years. This is his final report. Thank you for your stories and photos.