In the last week or so I’ve seen some action on the fishing docks.

Last week I saw Capt. Jim Green on the New Florida Girl’s American Spirit come in with a nice catch of amberine, mingo and white snapper.

Yesterday was even better. The folks aboard the party boat Destin Princess had a load of mingo, and a few amberjack and scamp mixed in.

The biggest catch was aboard the Daybreak with Capt. Eric Thrasher. At first his group was telling those standing nearby that they hadn’t caught anything  — I knew that was a fish story - but that’s what fisherman do. A few seconds later deckhand Mick Parker started pulling the fish out of the box. They had several amberine, then he began lifting out some big amberjack — in the 20 to 35 pound range.

But then we got to hear about the one they had to let go - a 40-pound grouper. Capt. Thrasher said that was the first time he has ever had to let a grouper go and it hurt. Season doesn’t open until April 1 for grouper.

Come on down to the docks — things are starting to heat up.

Should see a cobia soon.

When do you think the first cobia will be caught? Comment and let me know.

It never fails, about the time baseball and softball season rolls around, the temperature takes a nose dive.

Living here on the Gulf Coast, folks wear shorts to the football games, a time when cool temperatures would be welcomed.

However, when it’s time for baseball, the temperature plummet.

Last week I took it as long as I could down on the ball field taking photos — until my hands were about frozen to my camera. However, when the fourth inning rolled around I used my press box priveleges and headed upstairs - away from the wind and cold. Much to my surprise, they had a little space heater up there which made it nice.

My hats go off to the fans (mostly family members) that come out and support those baseball and softball teams that have to play in 40 degree temps at night.

Looks like there’s another one on tap for tonight. Make room in the press box, because here I come.

I know this is nothing out of the ordinary. It’s a new year, well it’s a month-and-a-half into the new year and 32 days into my new weight loss program.

Like most folks I started the new year with plans to lose weight and just to try to feel healthier this year.

Goal: To quit driving through those fast-food places on the way to ball games — and to stay away from ball park food, like hot dogs, pizza, popcorn and nachos … which I love all of them. But they don’t show much love to my waistline.

Anyhow, the program I’m on is working great. I joined Metabolic and started eating on the program on Jan. 12 and after 32 days into the program, I’m down 13 pounds and eating great. When I say great, I get to eat things like bread pudding, cheesecake, chili, veggies and lots of fruit. I love fruit … I believe I could be a fruititarian.

I’ve still got a way to go to reach my goal. But so far I’m right on track.

So take this as encouragement. Hang in there …. all you who made that new year’s resolution to take off the pounds this year. So what if you just lose 1 or 2 pounds a week … that’s a good thing. Taking it off slowly and sensibly is the way to go.

See you on the way down.

You’ve just got to love the holiday basketball tournaments our area has to offer.

Freeport has the Hilton Sandestin Beach Blowout with 16 boys basketball teams and eight girls teams, while Fort Walton Beach has eight boys and six girls teams.

And the competition  — is unbelieveable.

Besides the competition, I always like to see who comes to the games.

At Fort Walton Beach, you can always count on seeing Dave Stuart and the Kelly’s sitting on the top row behind the time clock. And Aaron Brock is almost always keeper of the clock during the tournament.

Then there are the past players who like to come back and watch the “now” Vikings play. In the crowd last night, I saw Geoff Brower, Casey Craig and Brett Stuart. I also recognized Carrie Long.

Another good aspect of the holiday tournaments is the hospitality rooms they provide for coaches, officials, tournament workers and the press. One thing for sure,  during tournament time there’s no need to worry about catching a meal on the road — the food is always great.

Who ever made the chocolate pound cake in the hospitality room at Freeport - great job.

There is still a couple of days left to catch the action at both Freeport and Fort Walton Beach — both tournament wrap up New Year’s Eve.

In a matter of just a couple of months, I’ve been ripped off once again.

This time I was over at Pier Park on Panama City Beach shopping. And at the end of the day, when I went to load the shopping bags in the trunk - I noticed someone had ripped off my Alabama “A.”

After I stomped around in the parking lot in disbelief, I got in my car - minus my “A” - and headed home.

The nerve of some folks — All I have to say is I hope someone is enjoying it.

I couldn’t believe it.

I was out shopping the other day and I noticed that somebody had ripped the “A” right off my car. Of course I’m referring to the big red “A” that stands for the No. 1 team in the polls — Alabama.

I had already made three stops by the time I noticed that it had been hi-jacked. I was amazed that somebody would just walk by and lift it off my car.

Who would do such a thing — A jealous fan of some other team that’s not doing as well. Or even another Alabama fan - that needed another letter on their vehicle. Or it could have just been “meanness” coming out.

Anyhow — who ever has it — wear it well.

What an incredible night for the South Walton Seahawks - they earned their firste-ever playoff victory with a 34-27 win over the Bozeman Bucks - in frigid temperatures.

South Walton Coach David Barron was right when he called it a “physical war for 48 minutes.”

The Bucks got on the board first, then the Seahawks came flying back with two TD’s of their own in the last three minutes of the first half. Dennis Smith connected with Hunter Infinger in the left corner of the end zone for both TD. Infinger has some good hands - maybe that’s why he’s the shortstop on the baseball team.

In the third, Bozeman took the lead again20-13, but the Hawks answered. Destin’s David Bazylak and Bryant Adams picked up some yards on the ground, before Cody Adams completed a 21-yard pass to Infinger to get the Hawks down to the 28. Four plays later, Cody Adams found Infinger in his spot (the left corner) for a 21-yard strike. Bazylak kicked in the PAT for a 20-20 game.

The fourth quarter got interesting. South Walton took its first lead of the game after stopping the Bucks on a fourth down effort. Dennis Smith scored this one on a quarterback keeper up the middle for a 1-yard TD.

But the Bucks battled back with a 10-play drive to knot the score at 27-27.

South Walton on its next possession had a little help from the Bucks. Bazylak picked up 7 yards, then Bozeman was nailed for 15 yards on a late hit. As a matter of fact, Bozeman picked up four 15-yard unsportsmanlike calls in the last six minutes of play. Anyhow, the Seahawks marched it on down using up the clock and Bazylak scored on a 19-yard run, and then kicked in the PAT for a 34-27 lead.

Bozeman got the ball back with two minutes on the clock, but was intercepted by Dennis Smith — which pretty much wrapped it up for South Watlon — Way to go Hawks.

South Walton will play host to Florida High School next Friday night.

This Saturday, Alabama takes on Mississippi State - with that in mind here is some Alabama Crimson Tide trivia from RollTide.com

When was the last time a No.1 ranked Alabama team played at Bryant-Denny Stadium?

The last time a No. 1 ranked Alabama team played in Bryant-Denny Stadium was Oct. 25, 1980 when the Crimson Tide beat Southern Mississippi 42-7 on homecoming at the Capstone. The Crimson Tide rushed for 324 yards and got a pair of rushing touchdowns from quarterback Don Jacobs (25 and 13 yards) as UA won its school-record 28th straight game.

Alabama has played more games and owns more wins over Mississippi State than any other opponent.  How many times have these two SEC border rivals met and how many wins has the Tide amassed?

The Alabama-Mississippi State series dates back to Nov. 14, 1896 and the 2008 season marks the 102nd anniversary of the first meeting. The Crimson Tide won that game 20-0 in Tuscaloosa with three touchdowns (worth 5 points each), three extra points and one safety.  In all, UA and MSU will be meeting for the 93rd time this Saturday and the Tide has posted 71 series wins.

What Alabama quarterback has the most completions and passing yards in a game against Mississippi State?

In 1994, Alabama quarterback Jay Barker completed 26 passes for 324 yards in leading the Crimson Tide to its third straight SEC Western Division championship with a 29-24 win at Scott Field in Starkville.  Dennis Riddle scored on a 1-yard run in the final minute to secure the win.

What quarterback led the top-ranked Crimson Tide to victory over Mississippi State in 1979?

Stedman Shealy ran 20 times for 190 yards and one TD in the Tide’s 24-7 win over MSU on Nov. 3, 1979 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Shealy’s 7-yard TD run was part of a 17-point third quarter that lifted the Crimson Tide to its eighth win over the season.

What an incredible game last Saturday against the LSU Tigers.

I’m sure the folks that were at Tiger stadium were pumped - but I’m here to tell you, you can get pumped in the basement of Macy’s. Yes - I said Macy’s (As in Macy’s in New York).

I was on vacation last week and was walking the streets of New York while the game was on. Late in the day and game, we made a pit stop at Macy’s. There’s nothing harder to find than a bathroom in New York when you need one. Well Macy’s was nearby and the bathrooms were down stairs where  there just happened to be a “bar and grill.”  And the game to watch - even in the north - was the Bama vs. LSU game, and the bar was packed.

After taking care of personal needs - I stood in the doorway of the bar and watched the last two minutes of the game. It was tied at 21 when I tuned in and Bama had the ball and was on the move. It was great because it looked like we were in good shape for at least a field goal. But when the Tigers blocked the field goal, my heart sank.

However, when the Tide intercepted the Tiger pass in overtime - I felt confident it was in the bag. But I didn’t leave that doorway until the win was in the books.

When Bama scored, I stuck my head in the door and yelled “Roll Tide” and much too my surprise - somebody yelled back - Right on!!

It was great - that even in New York there are Bama Fans.

Roll Tide Roll.

Check out this video I found.

With the South Walton Seahawks sporting one of the best-ever football records (4-1) students are starting to show a little school pride.

Not only is there a bigger turnout for the games on Friday, but the cheerleaders are going a little above and beyond.

Every time the Seahawks score, the cheerleaders  hit the groud and do a pushup for every point. By the time, South Watlon put 38 points on the board Friday night, some of the cheerleaders were getting a little weary.

Way to go South Walton.