florida
Big Bend Waters Cool Down in September–And The Fishing is HOT!
I was pleasantly surprised last Saturday when Steinhatchee Capt. Rick Davidson told me he’d been reading water temperatures in the 70s all day. The day was cool and there were pods of bait everywhere, but I didn’t think that the temps had dropped that much in the past few weeks. That’s a good sign, and …
Common Sharks of Florida–Read All About Them!
Sharks are not necessarily bad, but it’s good to know your limits when you encounter them on our Gulf waters. Just in time for summer, Common Sharks of Florida, SGEF-203, offers illustrations and facts about the most common sharks encountered by beach goers and recreational anglers. Florida’s shark population is diverse and includes species that …
Fish Shired Island, near Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County, Florida
I always thought Horseshoe Beach was an out-of-the-way and rather desolate spot to begin a fishing trip—until I discovered Shired Island. Located about 5 miles south of Horseshoe Beach at the southern end of Horseshoe Cove, mile-long Shired Island is likely an ancient kitchen midden composed of discarded shells. Prehistoric Americans no doubt found plenty …
Fish The Wild, Wild Waters of Central Taylor County, Florida
The Taylor County Gulf shoreline is hardly “civilized”, but if you compare the area between Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach to that north of Keaton Beach, you’ll find a vast difference. Heading northwest from Keaton Beach, you’ll see a few homes and settlements at places like Dekle Beach and Adams Beach, but from there on, it’s …
Understanding Recreational Bag Limits–Tips from Florida FWC
Fishing can sometimes be famine, but on the days when it is feast, it’s important to know your bag limit, aka the number of fish you can keep and take home for dinner. These limits are a useful tool in helping protect many of our recreationally important species. There are several types of bag limits …
Boaters and Fishermen–Need Up-To-The-Minute Weather and Wind Data? GIve the GCOOS Site a Try!
The folks at the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System in St. Petersburg have released a valuable tool for recreational boaters. The GCOOS Map site will give you current weather information as well as buoy data for the entire Gulf of Mexico, including sites along the Nature Coast. Take a look!
Lochloosa Harbor–An “Old Florida” Fish Camp and RV Park
Lochloosa Harbor Fish Camp and RV Park 15008 SE Hwy. 301 Hawthorne, FL 32640 (352) 481-2114 (352) 481-4822 lochloosaharbor@aol.com If you’re looking for some great freshwater angling action, good food and nice folks, head from Gainesville to the eastern boundary of Alachua County and Lochloosa Harbor. This is one of the few “real” fish camps …
Kayak Steinhatchee in Taylor County, Florida
We’ve come full circle. Now, modern interpretations of eons-old paddle craft are the latest rage when it comes to fishing. Many are as simple as rafts and others, like Hobie’s Master Angler 12, are fitted with modern conveniences like cozy seats, pedal or electric drives, depth sounders, and even live wells. But no matter your …
Looking for Some Great Inshore Fall Fishing Action? Give Cedar Key at Try!
“Cedar Key” isn’t just one island, but the name given to the archipelago of the Cedar Keys, on the westernmost edge of Florida’s Levy County. What makes the fishing so good at Cedar Key, particularly in the windy fall months, is that there’s always somewhere to get out of the way of the weather. The …
Don’t Have A Fishing Boat Or A Kayak? Rent One!
Not everyone’s lucky (or unlucky!) enough to own their own fishing boat or kayak. However, renting is an option at several ports in Natural North Florida. Whether you fish, scallop or just want to go for a boat ride, renting may be right for you. It’s always nice to return to the dock and simply …