Florida Marine Fisheries Seeks Angler Input, Steinhatchee, July 20, 2015

Do you have ideas about how Florida’s marine fisheries should be managed? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants to hear from you. Whether you are a seafood aficionado who wants priority placed on getting fish to the dinner plate, a recreational fisher who prefers to catch and release or a commercial fisher …

2015 Bay Scallop Reports, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach

The second week of Florida’s 2015 recreational bay scallop season proved much more productive than the first.  There were no steady sea breezes keeping the water dirty and the travel to the scallop grounds rough.  And the mid-day low tides made it easier for kids and beginner-swimmers to search the grass for the tasty bivalves. …

Be Safe on the Water This Summer

By: Bill Mahan, Florida Sea Grant Agent – UF IFAS Extension Bay County It’s that time of the year when our beaches and waters fill up with folks who want to enjoy their time soaking up some rays and playing in the water! However, the water can be a dangerous place, so be alert to …

2015 Scallop Harvest Tops Predictions on Florida’s Natural North Florida Gulf Coast!

Photos are worth thousands of words! Yep, this is the year folks on Florida’s Natural North Florida Gulf coastline have been waiting for.  Opening day of recreational bay scallop season at Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach and St. Marks have exceeded everyone’s expectations.  It’s busy, the water’s clear, and the scallops are easy to harvest.  

Bay Scallop Abundance Survey Results, June 21, 2015

The “Bay Scallop Abundance Survey” results from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is always wildly-anticipated by folks hoping to catch their limit of these tasty bivalves during the summer harvest.  The 2015 season begins on June 27 and ends on September 25.  There’s plenty of information about the “how-to” of gathering your own …

Catch Fish, Not Birds, When Fishing Natural North Florida’s Coastal Waters

Birds that become entangled in fishing line almost always die a slow, agonizing and painful death. To avoid hooking or tangling sea birds, use the following techniques: Cast away from birds, especially if you’re fishing with topwater lures or baits If dock fishing, let the current take you line towards the fish rather than casting …

World Sea Turtle Day Celebration, Gainesville, FL–June 20, 2015

World Sea Turtle Day Celebration Jun 20th 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Florida Museum – 3215 Hull Road, SW 34th Street and Hull Road Gainesville, FL 32611       GET DIRECTIONS Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day with the Sea Turtle Conservancy! Children and families are invited to tour the Museum’s sea turtle exhibit with …

Marine Fisheries Management Workshop, Steinhatchee, July 16, 2015

Steinhatchee – Steinhatchee Community Center, 1013 Riverside Drive Do you have ideas about how Florida’s marine fisheries should be managed? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants to hear from you. Whether you are a seafood aficionado who wants priority placed on getting fish to the dinner plate or a recreational fisher who prefers …

Free Fishing Weekends In Florida, June 2015

Governor Rick Scott announced four license-free fishing days in June for Florida residents and visitors. The license-free fishing weekends are: Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, saltwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived. Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, freshwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived. Governor Scott said, “This summer, we’re excited to make …

Gulf Anglers–Don’t Forget To Register For CCA-Florida’s 2015 STAR Tournament!

Just a reminder for everyone to register for the CCA STAR Tournament. The Tournament runs until Labor Day 2015 and still has some fabulous prizes, valued at about $500,000. That’s a bunch of money and with more than 120 tagged redfish distributed along the Gulf coast, everyone has a chance to win. And there are …