florida
“Mainline”: The Back Roads of Dixie County, Florida
Originally cleared years ago as logging roads in rural Dixie County, the Dixie Mainline and the Bowlegs Mainline are still a functional, albeit sometimes rough, set of roads. Now they shortcut the long travel between Steinhatchee and Horseshoe Beach and Horseshoe Beach and Suwannee. And they cross some beautiful backwaters and forests. For many years, …
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 …
Sizzlin’ Summertime Fishing at Cedar Key
The town of Cedar Key has two distinct personalities. One, it’s a fun place to visit, walk the streets, sight-see, shop in small galleries and eat at better-than-average restaurants. Second, and certainly more important to fishermen, it’s a great place to do some excellent inshore and offshore fishing, especially during the hot summer months when …
Take a Relaxing Fishing Vacation in Suwannee
If you’re a fisherman, pack your bags. Pack your rods and reels. Get the boat out of the garage and head out Hwy349 from US19/98 to the end of the road, and the town of Suwannee, Florida! There are places to eat in Suwannee. There are rental condos and homes (Suwannee Vacation Rentals). There is …
Take a Houseboat Trip on Florida’s Mighty Suwannee River
One of Natural North Florida’s truly great adventures begins at Gateway Marina in the village of Suwannee, at the mouth of the mighty Suwannee River. The river begins some 260 miles north, in the Okeefenokee Swamp of south Georgia, and is navigable about 70 miles from its southern end, at the Gulf of Mexico. Gateway’s …
Fishing Feature: Offshore Fishing and the Mandatory Gulf Reef Fish Survey
From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: ” All Gulf Reef Fish Anglers are required to sign up for the Gulf Reef Fish Survey. By signing up to participate in the Gulf Reef Fish Survey, you are improving recreational data for several reef fish species such as red snapper and gag. The process is easy, no-cost and will …
Pit Stop: Burger & Fries at Grave’s Drive-In, Perry
In my travels through Taylor County and Perry, I’d often seen roadside benches advertising Grave’s Drive-In, claiming they served the best hamburgers in the area. But, almost always, as I headed north on Jefferson Street from US27, I was detoured by my craving for Johnson’s Bakery donuts, and then, sated, I’d head either west on …