I love to read, I always have, and hopefully always will. I’ve written about different fishing books before such as in posts like, “Seven Outdoor Books for Florida Fishermen” and “Three Books for Fishermen”, some great books, definitely check them out. Here are five more fishing books to add to the list.
1. “The Longest Silence” | Tom McGuane
A collection of the famed outdoor writer’s 40 exquisitely detailed essays that take you on a journey from silently stalking bonefish in Mexico, to stunning vistas floating rivers in Colorado, to tanging with Florida’s mighty silver king. It speaks to anglers on a deeply personal level.
2. “Tales of a Hooker and Her Madam” | Captain Skip Smith
John and Deborah Dunnaway are the ultimate power couple, they traveled the world in their famous mothership operation, the Madam & the Hooker, in pursuit of big game sport fishing and adventure. In doing so, the Dunaways helped to pioneer many new fisheries and have had a resonating influence on sport fishing worldwide.
Many records would follow, as well as a slew of top-notch captains and mates. In his lifetime, Jerry caught an unbelievable 203 Atlantic blue marlin, 36 Pacific blue marlin, 96 black marlin, 10 swordfish, as well as untold numbers of sailfish, white marlin and striped marlin. He was the first man to have IGFA records for Atlantic blue marlin on 2 kg (4 lb) and 4 kg (8 lb) lines.
At a time when female anglers were often still relegated to the sidelines, Deborah Maddux Dunaway racked up an unprecedented 23 IGFA billfish records- more than any angler in history. To this day, she is still the only angler to have held IGFA records for all nine species of billfish. In 1993, she became the only person to hold current records in all nine species at the same time – a Billfish Royal Slam, a feat that former IGFA President and fellow Hall of Famer Mike Leech ranks as “the most incredible fishing accomplishment of all time.” Between them, Deborah and Jerry Dunaway amassed an amazing 49 IGFA world records- ten of which still stand today.
Captain Skip Smith is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in sportfishing history, throughout the Dunnaway’s grand adventures, Captain Skip Smith was at the help. In “Tales of a Hooker and Her Madam”, Skip Smith tells their story as well as many other great stories.
3. “Bud n’ Mary’s Marina: Islamorada, Florida” | Patrick Mansell
My favorite place in the world is, Bud n’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida. There is simply no place like Islamorada, moreover, there’s nowhere like Bud n’ Mary’s. This is the story of Bud n’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida Keys.
For more than a century sportsmen and women have been coming to the Keys to enjoy the beautiful weather and world class fishing. Bud n’ Mary’s Marina is at the center of the universe for Keys marinas. Many world record catches have been made out of Bud n’ Mary’s, and the roster of guides, captains, anglers, and celebrities operating out of that marina is a Who’s Who of sport fishing. Called the “Sportsfishing Capitol of the World,” the action out of Bud n’ Mary’s is unmatched anywhere in the world.
Unique to this marina are the options for different kinds of fishing. Enthusiasts can fish the back waters for world record snook, tarpon, bonefish and permit, or run offshore to target mahi mahi, tuna, reef fish, wahoo, mackerel, marlin, or swordfish. This book tells of great men and women and great accomplishments by some of the best fishers in the world. It is a must read for anyone interested in the challenges of saltwater sport fishing.
4. “Fly-Fishing for Redfish & Fly-Fishing for Bonefish” | Chico Fernández
Chico Fernandez was born in Havana, Cuba in 1939 to a family of fishermen, but left Cuba for South Florida in 1959. He joined the Miami Rod & Reel Club and made fast friends with fellow young fly anglers Norman Duncan, John Emery and Flip Pallot. Fly fishing had not yet become popular in the area, the three friends had endless waters to explore and frequently stalked fish along the Tamiami Trail. While fishing with his buddies, Chico experimented with flies, lines, rods and reels, and helped develop many of the saltwater fly fishing techniques we use today.
Chico is an absolute legend and IGFA Hall of Famer. If you want to learn the nuances of catching these two sought after fish, read these books!
5. “The Everglades: River of Grass” | Marjory Stoneman Douglas
The Everglades: River of Grass (1947) by Marjory Stoneman Douglas is a seminal work that explores the ecological significance and history of the Everglades, a vast wetland ecosystem in Florida. Through the book, Douglas emphasizes the Everglades as a unique and fragile environment, highlighting its role as a “river of grass” that flows through the landscape in a slow, meandering way.
In the book, Douglas presents the Everglades not just as a swamp, but as a dynamic system vital to the region’s ecology, supporting a wide range of plant and animal species. Douglas also delves into the history of the region, describing how the Everglades were shaped by natural forces and inhabited by Native American tribes, and how European settlers’ activities have led to the ecological challenges the region faces.
In Sum
These five books are great gifts for yourself or the angler in your life. Give them a read or get them as gifts – good reads one and all!
Until next time, tight lines!
