Fishing and Boating
Our Fishing and Boating expert, Capt. Tommy Thompson, will tell you where the best fishing spots are, what’s biting, and tips on making your fishing and boating trips an exciting adventure!
Florida’s Big Bend Coastal Creeks Offer Excellent Wintertime Fishing–Just Don’t Get Stranded By The Tide!
Fishermen are lucky. When wintertime arrives in Florida, all that’s usually necessary is a light coat to keep away the cold. However, cold-blooded fish species like seatrout, redfish (red drum), black drum and sheepshead, are not so lucky. They’re cold-blooded, and as water temperatures fall into the 50s, they seek the warmth of deep creeks, …
Meet The VNNF Crew at Tampa Outdoors Expo & Boat Show Feb. 27-March 1, 2015
We’ll be there! On Saturday, Capt. Tommy Thompson will be selling autographed copies of his books, “The Saltwater Anglers Guide to Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida” and “The Saltwater Anglers Guide to Florida’s Big Bend & Emerald Coast” for a paltry $20 at our booth, #303. You’ll also have a chance to get your very …
It Takes Patience To Catch Big Spotted Seatrout on Florida’s Big Bend
Spotted seatrout over 20-inches are considered to be trophy or “gator” trout. And these big, wily critters are not easy to catch, even on our Big Bend coastline where there’s probably less pressure on game fish than in any other area in Florida. Of course, you can catch plenty of “keeper” fish, mostly in the …
Coming Soon to Florida’s Gulf Waters: CCA Florida’s 2015 STAR Tournament
If you snooze, you just might lose (a truck or a boat/trailer/motor)! While the CCA Florida STAR Tournament‘s start is a few months away, it’s time to start thinking about participating. Mark your calendars and be sure to get out on the water as much as you can during the tournament, get the Smartphone APP, …
Wintertime Bass Are Biting in North Florida’s Santa Fe River
From Tommy Thompson, Fishing and Boating blogger and Regional Editor, Florida Sportsman Magazine: We have some terrific lakes (Rousseau, Orange, Newnans, Santa Fe) and some “fishy” rivers. Some, like the Suwannee, Withlacoochee, Waccasassa, and Steinhatchee meet the Gulf and saltwater anglers are often surprised with largemouth catches all the way to the mouth. Another, …
Manatees Headed to Warmer Water with Cooling Temperatures in Florida
From: The Fishing Wire The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages boaters to help protect migrating manatees by looking out and slowing down for these aquatic mammals that often rest or congregate underwater and can be difficult to see. “During Manatee Awareness Month, the FWC encourages the public to celebrate manatees by learning …
News Flash! Big Bend Inshore Fish Celebrate The New Year 2015
After somewhat of a “fish drought” in late 2014, Big Bend fishing for spotted seatrout and redfish has picked up significantly since New Year’s Day 2015. I’m not sure exactly why, possibly due to some sunny days and cooler water temperatures, but there seem to be plenty of fish being caught from Yankeetown to Panacea, …
Sailing South? Transient Sailors Welcome at Steinhatchee, FL
If you’re sailing (or motoring) south towards Florida’s southwest coast there’s a big gap (about 130 nautical miles!) between the end of the southbound Intracoastal Waterway at Carrabelle and Tarpon Springs, where it assumes it’s marked route. That being the case, it’s always nice to find safe haven and anchorage, especially if the weather starts …
Gulf Red Grouper 4-Fish Bag Limit Effective 1/1/15
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved changing the Gulf red grouper daily bag limit from 4-fish to 2-fish within the 4-grouper aggregate bag limit at the November 2014 meeting. This change is pending until similar regulations take place in Gulf federal waters and is not expected to occur until sometime in Spring 2015. …
Greater Amberjack–Natural North Florida’s “Reef Donkeys”
Amberjack are found throughout Florida’s offshore marine environment. The species is very strongly associated with wrecks and artificial reefs in waters that exceed 60 feet in depth. Amberjack swim in schools and feed on baitfish, squid and crabs. Anglers typically use 50 to 100 pound tackle, but lighter tackle can also be used in many …