big bend
Fall Fishing on Natural North Florida’s Big Bend Flats
The term, ‘flats’, means lots of things to lots of different anglers. Bonefishers love to sight fish over stretches of shin-deep, pure white sand or marl. Tarpon enthusiasts often find their prey on ‘flats’ that are six to eight feet deep, and everyone knows that redfish prefer shallows where the rough, rocky bottom holds …
Two More Reasons Natural North Florida’s Big Bend Coastline is Pristine
There are two reasons that the Big Bend’s Gulf waters are so well-preserved, both thanks to the folks at the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station and the area’s friend and Sea Grant Agent, Dr. Savanna Barry. In recent months, Dr. Barry realized two of her goals that are of importance to anglers and …
There’s Still One More Week to Catch A Winning Redfish in the 2016 CCA STAR Tournament
See this redfish? It’s one of 8 I helped release in Taylor and Dixie Counties at the beginning of the 2016 CCA Star Tournament. And until yesterday (8/27) none of those 8 had been caught. However, last night one was caught by an angler near Pepperfish Keys in Dixie County. Great news, huh? Yes, that’s …
Redfish Turn Red in Tannic Creeks After Big Rains
If you’ve ever wondered why redfish (red drum) are red, head to a Gulf-facing coastal creek just after a big rainstorm. On Florida’s Big Bend, big summer storms often bring multiple inches of rain. It usually backs up into the swamps and filters through the coastal swamps to the Gulf, bringing significant amounts of tannin …
Our Seagrasses, And What They Mean To Big Bend Anglers (And Snorkelers!)
The largest natural preserve, our Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve is huge–almost a million square acres. And it’s a big part of the reason that our Gulf coastal fishery is so good. It stretches from Waccasass Bay in Levy County to St. Marks in Wakulla County and serves as a nursery for small bait fish, …
Fishing Feature: Paddle Boat Outfitters Guide
Natural North Florida’s coastline, often referred to as the “Big Bend”, is perfect for paddlers. Whether cruising, birding, scalloping or fishing, there are a number of outfitters in our area willing to point you to the nearest launch spot. Some of our best paddling is along the coast, but several of our rivers are worth …
Fishing Feature: Marina, Bait & Tackle Guide
The sign of a healthy fishery like the one we have in Natural North Florida is that we have lots of resources for anglers and boaters. And it’s not only hooks, sinkers and bait! All the shops and marinas listed below are staffed with anglers who are willing to direct you to the best (and …
Florida’s Big Bend Waters are Clean and Clear, July 2016
There’s been lots of news lately about the condition of Florida’s waters, both Gulf and Atlantic. Yes, in the southeast, where the St. Lucie River empties into the Indian River (at Stuart) and in the southwest, where the Caloosahatchee River empties into the Gulf of Mexico, there is green algae as a result of pumping …
Fin-Fishing Options To Bay Scalloping on the Natural North Florida Gulf Coast
There’s a common misconception that all fin fishing comes to a screeching halt when recreational scallop season opens June 25 on Florida’s Big Bend. Yes, sleepy fishing villages like Keaton Beach, Steinhatchee, Horseshoe Beach, and St. Marks come to life as multitudes of visitors pump much-needed dollars into the local economies. But while scalloping is …
Natural North Florida’s Weather is Perfect–But Summertime Can Be Tricky!
If you’re a visitor to our part of Florida, especially in Spring and Summer, it’s important to pay attention to the weather. While we don’t have big cold fronts colliding with warm air and producing gale force winds or tornadoes, we do have in interesting climate. Obviously, we’re close to both the Gulf of Mexico …