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!
Kate’s Fish Camp–Alachua County’s Newnans Lake Is Not Just For Fishin’
Whether you want to go fishing, cycling, canoeing, or camping, Kate’s Fish Camp is the place to be for outdoor fun for the whole family. Kate’s Fish Camp is conveniently located on State Road 20 near Prairie Creek, Newnan’s Lake, and the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail so it is the perfect place for camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing …
Deal’s Oyster House in Perry, Florida–A “Must Stop” For Great Seafood!
Don’t drive too fast on US98 west of Perry or you might miss Deal’s Oyster House. This unassuming white building is home to some of the best seafood in the region and as they tell you “The finest people in the world come through that door”. Of course, oysters (raw or fried) top the menu …
Put on a Sweater–and Paddle the Big Bend Saltwater Trail!
The weather’s cooling down, so it’s time to head to the coast and do some paddling. Sea kayakers have long known of the multi-day expedition possibilities along Florida’s Big Bend Gulf Coast. The area boasts one of the longest and wildest publicly-owned coastal wetlands in the United States, and a striking array of bird …
It’s Fall–And Those Big, Tasty Redfish Are Plentiful on Florida’s Big Bend!
Fall means that our Gulf waters are beginning to cool off, and the redfish are getting frisky and into a spawning mood. However, the big “bull” and “spawner” reds are over-slot and wouldn’t be great to eat anyway. Reds in the 18-27-inch slot are much better at the table. If you want to eat a …
Steinhatchee River Designated Florida’s 50th State Paddling Trail
With the addition of the Steinhatchee River, Florida now has 50 state paddling trails. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways & Trails designated the Steinhatchee River during the Taylor County Commission meeting on Sept. 16. The Florida Paddling Trails Association also presented signs designating the communities of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee as …
Paddle Natural North Florida’s Springs and Spring-Fed Rivers
With our abundant springs, spring runs and spring-fed rivers, the Natural North Florida region is the perfect place to spend a lazy day paddling. In the southern regions, there are several springs that feed the mighty Suwannee River. County parks at Otter Springs and Hart Springs attract paddlers to their quiet waters. The State Parks …
Big Grass Island–A Landmark For Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach Anglers
Taylor County’s Big Grass Island lies “slap dang” in the middle of the stretch of Gulf shoreline between Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach. And while the low island serves as a navigational landmark, it’s the shallow water near it that attracts the interest of inshore anglers. From a geographic and geologic perspective, Big Grass Island was …
Waccasassa Bay–Levy County’s Best Backwater! Redfish Await!
According to Dunnellon resident Buzz Phillips, who’s been fishing Waccasassa Bay his entire lifetime, the fishing’s not as good there as it was twenty or thirty years ago. That may be true, but the unspoiled waters reached by leaving the Waccasassa River are hard to beat when many other Big Bend ports are crowded with …
Want to Fish at Steinhatchee, But Don’t Have A Boat? Hire a Professional Fishing Guide!
Owning and operating a fishing boat can be a complicated (and expensive) venture, especially if you don’t use it much. Gas goes bad, trailer bearings and tires wear out if not used, and outboard motors gum up if not run frequently. If you’re only planning to fish a couple of times a year, hiring a …
Kayak (and fish!) Cedar Key’s Backwaters
I admit it. I’m guilty of telling anglers heading to Cedar Key to avoid these Big Bend backwaters. Of course, many of them are taking powerboats with them, and likely appreciate my advice after they see the structure there. While Cedar Key is the name of the town that actually sits on Cedar Key and …