2017 Bay Scalloping On Florida’s Nature Coast–An Abundance of Tasty Bivalves!

It’s July, and Natural North Florida’s 2017 recreational bay scallop harvest is off to a roaring start.  The harvest began on June 16 for the waters from Suwannee (in Dixie County) to the Fenholloway River (in Taylor County) and ends on September 10.  The remainder of Taylor County, all of Levy County, Jefferson and Wakulla …

New “User-Friendly” Dates Announced For Big Bend 2017 Recreational Bay Scallop Season

In recent years, Florida’s Recreational Bay Scallop harvest rules were fairly simple.  You could “catch” your limit of these tasty morsels from the Pasco/Hernando County line to the Mexico Beach Canal from July 1 until September 24th.  Some places were better than others with regards to the size and number of scallops available.  But now, …

It’s June 2016—Things To Know About Catching Grouper on Florida’s Gulf Coast

At its Feb. 10 meeting at the Florida Public Safety Institute near Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved changes to the gag and black grouper minimum size limit and the gag grouper recreational season in Gulf state waters. The approvals include: Read more: http://www.floridasportsman.com/2016/02/12/fwc-approves-grouper-bag-limit-season-changes/#ixzz4AROF8k6Z Setting a 24-inch total length minimum size …

A Beginner’s Guide to Bay Scallop Season: Catching, Cleaning & Cooking Fresh Gulf Scallops

Scalloping is the Natural North Florida’s alternative to South Florida’s lobster season.  It’s a combination of complete madness at boat ramps and marinas, motels filled to capacity, family fun, and some of the best eating around. Here is our comprehensive guide to scalloping in Natural North Florida to prepare you for the upcoming season. Read …

Going Fishing or Hunting in Natural North Florida? Don’t Forget Your License!

If you’re heading out to fish (or hunt) in our Natural North Florida region, you’ll likely need a license.  That’s especially true if you’re not a Florida resident.  Florida’s rules can be complicated, so here’s a quick look at the basics, thanks to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Who needs a recreational …

Red grouper Bag Limit Changes to 2 on May 7, 2015 in Florida’s Gulf State and Federal Waters

The red grouper recreational bag limit will change from four to two fish per person in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters, excluding Monroe County, on May 7, 2015 This change was approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at its November 2014 meeting. The Commission hopes that this change will …

Gulf Red Grouper 4-Fish Bag Limit Effective 1/1/15

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved changing the Gulf red grouper daily bag limit from 4-fish to 2-fish within the 4-grouper aggregate bag limit at the November 2014 meeting. This change is pending until similar regulations take place in Gulf federal waters and is not expected to occur until sometime in Spring 2015. …

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 …

Seatrout Anglers! Don’t Fergit Yer Measurin’ Stick!

There are millions (probably billions!) of seatrout in our local rivers and creeks right now.  But while some are of the “keeper” variety, many are small.  And ever since the late Capt. Paul Cronk had his photo published in the Gainesville Sun with President Carter and what seemed to be a short trout,  Capt. Rick …