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 …
Alligator Hunting–Another “On the Water” Opportunity
While the “deer and the antelope” roam much of North America, it’s the American alligator that appeals to hunters and fishermen during the late summer and early fall months in Natural North Florida. Yes, we do have abundant deer, wild pigs and Osceola turkeys, but the chase for alligators is what stirs the spirit of …
Suwannee River Sturgeon Safety–Don’t Get Hit By a Jumping Fish!
Yes, the Suwannee River is a great place to boat and fish, but during the summer months, the sturgeon are jumping. So take it easy and heed this advice from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: It’s an ugly fish with a face only another sturgeon could love. It’s the prehistoric-looking, sucker-mouthed, scute-covered Gulf …
Try Kayak Fishing in the Wakulla Backwaters
Last weekend I left my flats skiff behind in Steinhatchee and joined a couple of other outdoor writers in Wakulla County for a kayak-fishing adventure. Of course, over the years, I’ve made numerous trips out of St. Marks, Panacea and Spring Creek, but never had much chance to fish the shallow, close-in flats and inshore …
Apalachee Bay Maritime Heritage Paddling Trail System
If you’re a paddler, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to visit historic Wakulla County and explore the coastline. Be transported to a different time and place as you paddle Apalachee Bay’s Ten Maritime Heritage Trails. Designed for enthusiasts of all levels, enjoy fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography as you explore one of Florida’s …
Looking For Seafood In Your Area? Use the Gulf Coast Seafood Finder APP!
Looking for Gulf Seafood in your area? Check out the Gulf Coast Seafood Finder mobile APP developed by the Gulf Coast Seafood Marketing Coalition. From their website…“The Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition (Coalition) was formed by The Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc. as a result of a grant from the Gulf States Marine Fisheries …