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!
Watch out for manatees migrating to warmer waters
Florida manatees are beginning their annual migration to warmer waters, which is their instinctual response to winter’s approach and surviving the cold. As these slow-moving aquatic mammals migrate along rivers, canals, bays and coastlines, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) cautions boaters to slow down and watch out for manatees. The average adult …
Expect Great Fall Fishing Action at Cedar Key’s Seahorse Reef
Seahorse Reef, a ridge of shallow bottom that lies due south of the town of Cedar Key in Levy County, is no secret to Big Bend fishermen. The “reef” is often overlooked as the ride from the downtown boat ramp in Cedar Key can be a rough one on windy fall days. However, weather fronts …
Poor Man’s Tarpon–Catch A Big Bend Ladyfish!
Fishing’s not always about eating and with the recent cool weather, the Big Bend has been overrun with hordes of fish that are fun to catch—and not necessarily good to eat. Of course, I’m referring to ladyfish—also known as “poor man’s tarpon”. These boys and girls have been fattening up all summer, gorging on white …
Buckeye Reef Off Taylor County Expanded — Sponsored By The Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club
The Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club donated funds to increase the size of the Buckeye Reef. You can find a video of the reef here: https://youtu.be/uuxIgKwYWr0. As you can see from the video, shortly after the culverts were put in place, there were amberjack and grouper present, with schools of baitfish. The GPS coordinates for the …
Headed South? Be Sure To Stop at Captain’s Cove Outfitters in Inglis for Tackle, Bait, and Ice!
Captain’s Cove Outfitters, located just off US19/98 on SR40 in Inglis (in southern Levy County) is the perfect stopping place for anglers headed to Yankeetown, Lake Rousseau or points south. They have an extensive tackle selection, live bait (pinfish and shrimp), fresh bait (mullet) and frozen bait. They also have a big 24-hour self-service ice …
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 …
Four Basic First Aid Skills–On The Water Safety!
From: Miller’s Boating Center Do you feel prepared to handle an emergency out on the water? Would you know how to react if the unexpected were to arise? We don’t like to think about what can go wrong when enjoying a fun day out on the water. But you still need to be prepared in …
Boating With Your Dog–Some Helpful Hints
From Millers Boating Center: Tips for Safe Boating with Your Dog Want to take your furry friend boating? I mean why not. You love to boat so of course you want to bring your dog along. Before bringing them along, make sure to follow our safety tips to ensure your pet’s adventure is a safe …
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 …