All About Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish–Fall Big Bend Favorites

From:  The Saltwater Angler’s Guide to Florida’s Big Bend and Emerald Coast Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish You can either target Spanish mackerel and bluefish—or they can target you.  During the warmer months, finding these species is as easy as finding seagulls wheeling over bait schools in bays, off beaches, or in passes.  That’s seagulls–not pelicans.  …

Big Bend Waters Cool Down in September–And The Fishing is HOT!

I was pleasantly surprised last Saturday when Steinhatchee  Capt. Rick Davidson told me he’d been reading water temperatures in the 70s all day.  The day was cool and there were pods of bait everywhere, but I didn’t think that the temps had dropped that much in the past few weeks.  That’s a good sign, and …

Sea Tow Offers Storm Prep Tips for Boaters

Monitor the storm track via both local and national weather services, including NOAA Weather Radio and the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov. Store the boat’s important documents, including your marine insurance policy, in a secure place off the vessel. Remove all detachable items from your boat, such as canvas, sails, cushions, fishing …

Common Sharks of Florida–Read All About Them!

Sharks are not necessarily bad, but it’s good to know your limits when you encounter them on our Gulf waters.  Just in time for summer, Common Sharks of Florida, SGEF-203, offers illustrations and facts about the most common sharks encountered by beach goers and recreational anglers. Florida’s shark population is diverse and includes species that …

Come to Steinhatchee For Some Great Paddling–and Fishing!

We’ve come full circle.  Now, modern interpretations of eons-old paddle craft are the latest rage when it comes to fishing.  Many are as simple as rafts and others, like Hobie’s Master Angler 12, are fitted with modern conveniences like cozy seats, pedal or electric drives, depth sounders, and even live wells.   But no matter your …

Sea Tow Offers Hurricane Season Tips for Boaters

SOUTHOLD, N.Y., – The official forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season, issued on May 23, called for “an active or extremely active season” this year. For the six-month hurricane season, which begins on June 1, NOAA predicted 70 percent likelihood of 13-20 named storms (winds of …

Florida’s Apalachee Bay Maritime Heritage Paddling Trail System

Trail Overview Be transported to a different time and place as you paddle Apalachee Bay’s Ten Maritime Heritage Trails. Designed for enthusiasts of all levels, enjoy fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography as you explore one of Florida’s last great bays, its inlets, rivers, and springs. Apalachee is one of the healthiest and most productive bays …

Sweets and Treats in Natural North Florida!

There really is no place hotter in Florida than the North Florida region, particularly inland where the sea breezes have long since dissipated and there’s nothing to cool us off except the hope of an afternoon rain shower- and even then, it’s a trade-off between baking in the sun and steaming in the rain’s sticky, …