2024
season
2024
season
Celebrating
24
YEARS OF NATIONAL TELEVISION
FISHING EXCELLENCE
2024 EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS:
Tune in to Discovery Channel and hook up with George!
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 1
OF REEFS & WRECKS, Key West, Florida Keys!
OF REEFS & WRECKS, Key West, Florida Keys!
George and Ben Sharpe take the MARC VI, a Mercury-powered Mako 334, to the middle ground wrecks west of Key West in search of permit; and find them they do! After releasing their share of permit from a school of well over 400 fish, they head into Hawk’s Channel for muttons. This is a classic episode highlighting the how-tos of locating and scoring two of the Florida Keys most popular game fish. George and team based out of Key West’s Opal Key Resort & Marina. The MARC VI docked at Beach Weekend Marina on Stock Island.
DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
JANUARY 7, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
APRIL 7, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 2
HOLD THE ICE, Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota!
HOLD THE ICE, Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota!
Departing from the norm, this World of Saltwater Fishing episode finds George and Harry Vernon III experiencing ice-fishing for their first time. With Rapala’s Dan Quinn leading the way, they drill holes through Minnesota’s frozen Mille Lacs Lake in search of walleye and perch. A surprise “catch” highlights this adventure. Can pair of lifelong South Florida saltwater anglers adapt to fishing and overnighting on a frozen lake? You’ll have to watch this episode to find out! Nitti’s Hunters Point Resort hosted George and team.
DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
JANUARY 14, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
APRIL 14, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 3
BLUE MARLIN COVE REVISITED, West End, Grand Bahamas!
BLUE MARLIN COVE REVISITED, West End, Grand Bahamas!

George and Carl Grassi take the MARC VI, a Mercury-powered Mako 334, on a 91-mile crossing from North Miami’s Haulover Inlet to Blue Marlin Cove on West End, Grand Bahama Island. Rigged for a variety of fishing opportunities, George and Carl venture into Northwest Providence Channel to live-bait for yellowfins. The following day, they go on the troll out front of Blue Marlin Cove and experience a very odd happening. And, these guys can’t visit the Bahamas without getting in some bottom fishing. This episode showcases the area’s fishing options and how to take full advantage of them.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
JANUARY 21, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
APRIL 21, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 4
SALTY FRIENDS, Cudjoe, Florida Keys!
SALTY FRIENDS, Cudjoe, Florida Keys!

George trailers his MARC VI, a Mercury-powered Mako 334, down to Cudjoe, to fish with Diego Toiran and Debbie Hanson. A noted outdoors writer from Ft. Myers, Debbie experiences the fishing on the Gulf wrecks and Atlantic reefs - lower Florida Keys style. Permit, mutton snapper, yellowtails and big kingfish highlight this fun and informative outing. Parmer’s Resort is an ideal place to stay when fishing in the Cudjoe area.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
JANUARY 28, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
APRIL 28, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 5
THE GREAT COBIA CHASE, Seaford, Virginia!
THE GREAT COBIA CHASE, Seaford, Virginia!

The cobia migration through Chesapeake Bay is a huge event for regional saltwater anglers. And when it comes to sight-casting for them, Zack Hoffman is among the very best. George joins up with Zack in Seaford, Virginia, for a day of pitching live baits to cruising cobia. Riding high in the tower, the team scours the Bay for cruising cobia. Once spotted, precise boat positioning and casting are a must. Upon hooking up, a second and even a third rod must stand ready for followers. If you seek the subtleties for successfully sight casting to cobia, don’t miss this episode. The Bay Tree Manor hosted George and team.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
FEBRUARY 4, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
MAY 5, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 6
PUT ME IN, COACH! Key Largo, Florida Keys!
PUT ME IN, COACH! Key Largo, Florida Keys!

George teams up with legendary NFL coach Jimmy Johnson for a day of chasing mahi off the upper Florida Keys. Aboard George’s MARC VI, the team go in search of working birds, weeds and debris. The Bird Mode on the boat’s Simrad radar pays off, as George and Jimmy catch them on the troll and by casting to schooling fish. Jimmy Johnson’s Fisherman’s Cove hosted George and team, complete with nightly dining at Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill restaurant. This is an educational and fun-filled episode not to be missed!

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
FEBRUARY 11, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
MAY 12, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 7
BY DAY AND BY NIGHT, Miami, Florida!
BY DAY AND BY NIGHT, Miami, Florida!

George breaks in his new Mako 214 center console by fishing the waters he grew up in – Miami’s North Biscayne Bay. Joining him is Abie Raymond, who also grew up fishing this system. Timing the tides, they fish the Haulover Inlet bridge, various canals leading into the ICW, and grass flats. After scoring a variety of species during the day, they opt for a night of snook fishing. This episode showcases the varied and often exceptional fishing in north Biscayne Bay, including the best tactics. George’s Mako 214 is powered by a Mercury 250 hp, V8, ProXS outboard.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
FEBRUARY 18, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
MAY 19, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 8
THE TRIP WINNER – Islamorada, Florida Keys!
THE TRIP WINNER – Islamorada, Florida Keys!

The Florida Keys hosted a “Fish with George” national video contest, where participants had 60-seconds to pitch why they should co-star on one of his TV episodes from Islamorada. The video by Samantha Dominis, from Bradenton, Florida, bested over 900 other entries. Aboard the MARC VI, a Mercury-powered Mako 334, George takes Samantha to the 409 Hump, for blackfins. After limiting out, they head farther offshore, find a large weedline, and dispatch trolling baits. The mahi action is fast and intense; the perfect scenario for the trip winner and this exciting episode. Pines & Palms Resort hosted the team, whereas Ziggie & Mad Dog’s treated Samantha, George and the production team to dinner.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
FEBRUARY 25, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
MAY 26, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 9
PICKING ON THE PATCHES, Key Largo, Florida Keys!
PICKING ON THE PATCHES, Key Largo, Florida Keys!

Beginning in November and holding through March, the shallow patch reefs of the Florida Keys come alive with a variety of game fish. Aboard his Mercury-powered Mako 214, George teams up with Chris Hanson on a solid mutton snapper bite in depths between 11 and 22 feet. The ensuing action showcases how fast and productive winter patch reef fishing can be. The best structures, rigs, and subtleties involved in keeping the rods bending are vividly covered within this episode. George and team stayed at Ocean Point Suites with Snook’s Bayside preparing their muttons and mackerel for a celebratory dinner.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
MARCH 3, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
JUNE 2, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 10
TOP WATER TRANQUILITY, New Bern, North Carolina!
TOP WATER TRANQUILITY, New Bern, North Carolina!

During the winter, striped bass migrate up into the reaches of the Neuse and Trent Rivers by New Bern, establishing impressive ultra-light tackle and lure fishing opportunities. George trailers up his Mercury-powered Mako 214 and teams up with long-time pal and guide Gary Dubiel. The environment here is stunningly beautiful and rich with wildlife. Even though striped bass are their main goals, there’s no telling what might intercept a bait in these fertile, brackish waters!

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
MARCH 10, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
JUNE 9, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 11
SEA NOTES, Cudjoe, Florida Keys!
SEA NOTES, Cudjoe, Florida Keys!

Howard Livingston is a Florida Keys legend and national recording star with his Mile Marker 24 Band. He loves, lives and sings about the island lifestyle. He and George set forth to chase mahi off the lower Florida Keys aboard George’s MARC VI. Their stories on music and fishing are periodically interrupted by diving birds and mahi. If a successful mahi venture wasn’t already enough, Howard surprises George by retrieving a guitar from the console and singing a song at sea! Back at the dock, Howard uses his 1952 outboard motor blender to make a batch of Papa’s Pilar rum-a-ritas! The production team was treated to dinner at South of the Seven. Parmer’s Resort is an ideal place to stay when visiting the lower Florida Keys.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
MARCH 17, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
JUNE 16, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 12
THE WEATHER WHIZ, Hawks Cay, Florida Keys!
THE WEATHER WHIZ, Hawks Cay, Florida Keys!

Anglers are always seeking positive marine forecasts from the weather experts. In this episode, George does one better and takes Amanda Holly, a Meteorologist with WFLA News Channel 8 in Tampa, fishing off Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys. Amanda is an avid angler who loves fishing the Atlantic side reefs and offshore waters whenever she can. Therefore, George live-baits for offshore pelagics and also goes on the hook for bottom-fish. This episode highlights some of the best ways to catch winter-run fish in the Florida Keys. Hawk’s Cay also hosts Amanda and George at their new Pilar Rum Bar and for dinner at Angler and Ale. And, being in season, Keys Fisheries hosts the team for freshly-caught stone crabs.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
MARCH 24, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
JUNE 23, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.
2024 SEASON - EPISODE 13
A WINTRY MIX, Key West, Florida Keys!
A SPANISH MACKEREL TRADITION

A lesser-known Florida Keys fishery that offers fast action and fine eating is the winter migration of Spanish mackerel through Florida Bay. When water temps dip into the low 70's, large schools of these overly aggressive speedsters have been providing exceptional light tackle fun for decades. In this episode, George and Captain Jim Willcox head into the Islamorada backcountry aboard George's Mako 214 to cash in on the run. As fast as this fishing can be, there are specific tricks to keep the bite going, or stoke it back up. Launching his Mako 214 at Safe Harbor Angler House and docking at World Wide Sportsman made for a convenient run into the back country. George and team stayed at Ocean Pointe Suites Key Largo.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
MARCH 31, SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
JUNE 30, SUNDAY, 6:30 A.M.