Fish Species
$100 Reward For Tagged Seatrout–Thanks to UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key
The Conservation Fund awarded the University of Florida a grant for $19,500 to fund a tagging study on spotted sea trout in Cedar Key and Steinhatchee. The project is determining tagging mortality rates and fishing mortality to assist with stock assessment and management.To date about 150 fish have been tagged with $100.00 reward tags and …
Spring is Cobia Time on Florida’s Big Bend!
Our Big Bend channel markers provide good cover for predators. Proof comes in the springtime when visitors to our coastline question the appearance of boats circling almost every marker alongside the Barge Canal south of Yankeetown and either of the major channels at Cedar Key. Spring is “cobia time” and lots of anglers are on …
25th Annual Perry Optimist Saltwater Fishing Tournament, Taylor County, FL—May 7, 2016
The Optimist Club of Perry’s 25th Annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament promises to be special! Anglers can fish from 7AM in the Gulf waters out of Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach and Econfina. There’s a $50 per angler entry fee, but the prizes to be won are huge. Largest seatrout, $3000 2nd Largest seatrout, $1000 3rd Largest seatrout, …
CCA-Florida’s STAR Tournament Begins May 28, 2016
Everyone needs a new truck, boat and trailer, or valuable outdoor-related prizes. And kids need scholarship money! The 2016 CCA-Florida STAR Tournament begins on May 28 and ends on September 5. Tagged, slot-sized redfish are being released all along Florida’s coastline, and winning is a simple matter of becoming a CCA Member and entering the …
A Beginner’s Guide to Bay Scallop Season: Catching, Cleaning & Cooking Fresh Gulf Scallops
Scalloping is the Natural North Florida’s alternative to South Florida’s lobster season. It’s a combination of complete madness at boat ramps and marinas, motels filled to capacity, family fun, and some of the best eating around. Here is our comprehensive guide to scalloping in Natural North Florida to prepare you for the upcoming season. Read …
Fishing News: Redfish daily bag limit in Big Bend to change to 1 fish per person
On May 1, 2016, the individual bag limit for redfish (red drum) will drop from 2 fish to 1 fish on Florida’s Big Bend (Pasco County to the Alabama line). The FWC’s Northwest Zone is affected, as shown on the map below: Red drum, also called redfish, channel bass, spottail, red bass or reds, are …
Sheepshead Providing Great Fishing Action and Eating on Florida’s Big Bend, Spring 2016
First, they’re officially sheepShead, but many Floridians call them sheephead, with out the “S”. and what’s more, sheepshead, found all along Florida’s Gulf coast, are notorious bait stealers. During most of the year, these small-mouthed fish inhabit coastal oyster and rock bars, docks and rock jetties searching for their favorite prey—crustaceans, including small crabs, …
The Mackerel Are Coming! The Mackerel Are Coming!
Word is that the pods of bait fish that both Spanish and king mackerel love and follow are now north of Tampa Bay and heading towards our Big Bend/Natural North Florida waters. That means, that by the middle of March, the “bite” should be hot and heavy at places like Seahorse Reef at …
2016 Trout Madness at Steinhatchee’s Sea Hag Marina Ends 3/31
There’s just one more month to enter and win the Sea Hag Marina’s February/March Trout Madness Contest! Just catch a big trout, have it weighed and photographed back at the marina by an employee, and be eligible to win a $100 Sea Hag Gift Certificate. There’s no entry fee, and you can enter once a …
Trolling For Trout–A Favorite Big Bend Wintertime Fishing Technique
Many of the Gulf-facing creeks along our Big Bend coastline are as wide and deep as our smaller rivers. Three good examples are Barnett and Dan May creeks, in Levy County near Suwannee, and Dallus Creek, in Taylor County. And slow-trolling lures, especially MirrOlures, is a time-tested method used by local anglers to catch fat …