cedar key
Greater Amberjack–Natural North Florida’s “Reef Donkeys”
Amberjack are found throughout Florida’s offshore marine environment. The species is very strongly associated with wrecks and artificial reefs in waters that exceed 60 feet in depth. Amberjack swim in schools and feed on baitfish, squid and crabs. Anglers typically use 50 to 100 pound tackle, but lighter tackle can also be used in many …
Take Advantage of Natural North Florida’s Warm Winter Waters–Go Wade-Fishing!
It may be cold where you live, but we’re having a nice, comfortable winter here in Natural North Florida. Christmas and New Year’s saw daytime temperatures approaching 80-degrees F and Gulf of Mexico water temperatures in the mid-60’s. That’s “cool” for us, but it’s perfect for species like black drum and redfish. These cousins (redfish …
Want To Paddle Natural North Florida? Kayak and Canoes Available for Rent!
There are hundreds of paddlecraft (kayak and canoe) launches along our Natural North Florida waters, inland and coastal. And there are a number of outfitters willing to help you learn local waters. Fishing is an option, but there’s also some excellent touring along some of the most uninhabited rivers and coastline in the southeastern U.S. …
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 …
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 …
Investigate the Inside of Cedar Key’s Islands and Find Seatrout and Redfish
All too often anglers spend lots of time circling the islands near Cedar Key, failing to realize that on higher tides that there’s enough water inside the islands to float small boats and paddlecraft. Two examples are Atsena Otie Key and Snake Key, located due south of the boat basin at the end of SR24. …
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 …
Wade Fishing in Natural North Florida
I’m fortunate to have fished much of Florida’s shallow shoreline, and have noticed one big difference between our Big Bend and the rest of the state’s west and north Gulf coast—a decided scarcity of wading spots that are accessible to those without boats. The advantage that non-Big Benders have is barrier islands and their beaches. …
Florida’s Big Bend is Famous For Sheepshead
If you’re looking for sheepshead, the Big Bend is the place to be. Cold winter waters drive the spawning rituals of these tasty fish and the big females gather over reefs, rockpiles and other structures off the Levy, Dixie and Taylor county coastlines. The best bait for these great-tasting fish is either live shrimp or …
Don’t Have a Boat? Try Shoreline Fishing.
Grab your rod & reel and head outdoors for some shoreline fishing! All you need as a Florida resident is a shoreline fishing license before fishing from the shore or a pier, bridge or jetty attached to the shore. If you are a member of a group that is exempted from the license requirements or …