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!
Anticipate and Don’t Underestimate Tropical Weather Systems
All tropical weather system are not hurricanes. And it doesn’t take a hurricane to cause damage, mostly by tides, flooding and wind. Tropical depressions are the first things that are noted on the National Hurricane Center website. They can turn into tropical storms and grow into hurricanes, but most don’t. The worst months for tropical …
a WORD about WEATHER while on the WATER!
Don’t get me wrong, but Florida can have some nasty weather. It can be bone-chilling cold in the winter months. And it can be swelteringly (if that’s a word?) hot in summer. However, summertime is the time of year that tropical depressions–and even tropical fronts–can bring lightning down on the heads of unwary and unsuspecting …
Boating Safety Checklist–Good Advice From U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Boaters Should Use a Checklist Before Getting Underway WASHINGTON- Keeping track of appointments or events has become more complex in a very over scheduled world. A list of reminders added to the calendar on the refrigerator or in the smartphone can help make sure nothing is forgotten. When it comes to leisure time a checklist …
Anglers Count! Try the new iAngler App from angleraction.org
Snook are a popular game fish in Florida, but rarely do they roam as far north as the waters we in Original Florida call home. However, this year there have been a great number of snook catches in Cedar Key and Suwannee than ever before, likely due to our warm winters over the past few …
Helpful Hints For Big Bend Scallopers!
If you’re new to harvesting bay scallops, here are a few things that will make your life easier: Try to be on the scallop “grounds” as the tide is falling and try to do your snorkeling at low water. Look for white sand patches in the 3 to 5-foot depths, and search their edges for …
Need tips on saltwater fishing? How about figuring out saltwater regulations?
Need tips on saltwater fishing? How about figuring out saltwater regulations? Check out our new FWC Marine Fisheries column “Gone Coastal” online at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater.” Need to renew your fishing license? Click HERE
Consider a Fishing Vacation at Horseshoe, Florida’s Last Frontier
If you’re looking for a laid-back, peaceful vacation spot, consider Horseshoe Beach, on Florida’s Big Bend. Located between Steinhatchee and the town of Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach considers itself “Florida’s Last Frontier”. But don’t worry about the lack of something to do–especially if you fish! The waters near Horseshoe Beach are uncrowded and the fish are …
Black Crappie
Appearance: A deep body with nearly symmetrical dorsal and anal fins and a speckled pattern on the body and fins identify the black crappie. Habitat: Unlike most other panfish, crappie spend much of their time offshore feeding on small fish in lakes or in large slow-moving clear water rivers. Behavior: They nest in colonies from …
Blue Gill
Appearance: Bluegill have the deep-bodied look of “bream,” with a long dorsal fin and slightly forked tail. A dark ear covering and a blotch at the dorsal fin’s back bottom edge set them apart. Habitat: Bluegill are common throughout Florida but are best known in lakes and ponds. Behavior: Bluegill eat mostly insects and their …
Brown Bullhead
They are primarily bottom feeders, feeding mostly at night. Highly sensitive barbels enable them to smell a wide variety of food such as insects, plant material, carrion, small fish, snails, crayfish, worms and leeches.