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player ready...Snook closure: The snook season in waters along the Atlantic coast is closed Dec. 15-Jan. 31. Snook can be caught and released during the closed season.
Bass tournament: The Everglades Bassmasters of South Florida has its second annual One Largemouth Bass Tourney, Hangover Edition, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Jan. 1 on Lake Okeechobee out of Clewiston. Sign up starts at 7 a.m. at Mary Ann and Roland Martin’s Marina. Entry fee is $20 per angler for as many anglers as your boat can legally carry. Contact Tony Crowder at 954-254-9072 or [email protected].
Bass trail: The King of the Glades Open Team Bass Series begins Jan. 4 on Lake Okeechobee out of Clewiston. Entry fee is $75. In addition to prize money, the top team wins two T. Allen Rods with Lew’s reels. Call Mike Lendl at 954-393-5596.
Youth fishing: The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division’s 17th annual Jr. Bass Trail for ages 12-17 starts Jan. 18, with the first of four tournaments at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Tournaments are at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek Feb. 22 and March 22 and the trail ends April 26 at Quiet Waters. Kids fish from boats accompanied by a non-fishing adult 18 or older. Cost for the entire trail is $79.50. Contact Bob Newland at 954-357-8816 or [email protected].
ORV permits: Off-road vehicle permits for Big Cypress National Preserve will be available for purchase starting Dec. 19 at the Off-Road Vehicle Office, located at the Oasis Visitor Center. Permits are valid from the date of purchase through Jan. 31, 2016. A total of 2,000 permits are available. Cost is $100. Call 239-695-1205.
Lifetime licenses: Here’s a great holiday gift courtesy of Gov. Rick Scott, who signed an executive order to offer Lifetime Sportsman’s Licenses for Florida residents 21 and younger for $500 — half the current cost of $1,000 — through Dec. 31. The license covers saltwater and freshwater recreational fishing, hunting and permits for turkey, waterfowl, lobster and snook, among other species. The license is available at all Florida county tax collector offices, online at License.MyFWC.com and by calling 888-347-4356. Residency must be verified. For more information, visit myfwc.com/license/recreational/lifetime-licenses.