Cooler Weather = Hot Fishing on Florida’s Big Bend Gulf Coast

There’s something about cool weather fishing on Florida’s Nature Coast. Gulf of Mexico waters cool rapidly as cold fronts hit the coast on an almost-regular 3 day cycle. Air temperatures vary from the high 30’s to the 80’s as the Holiday season approaches, and water temperatures soon follow. In many cases, the Gulf water temperatures …

Scallop Seminar 2019–Jump The Gun on the Big Bend’s Recreational Scallop Season!

The 2019 recreational bay scallop season begins June 15 for Dixie and most of Taylor counties.  If you’re headed to the coast and are interested in knowing a) how to scallop, b) the rules that apply to the harvest and c) where to find scallops this season, be sure to head over to the Steinhatchee …

Florida’s 2019 Recreational Scallop Season, at Steinhatchee, Opens June 15th….Reserve Your Lodging at Sea Hag Marina 1/1/19~

  Scallop Season dates in Steinhatchee are June 15th-Sept. 10th! We will open our reservation calendars for Scallop Season 2019 on January 1st, 2019! (352) 498-3008 www.seahag.com

Steinhatchee Springs WMA—Explorers and Photographers Welcome

Florida’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are a varied collection of public and private lands, managed and overseen by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  Many include tracts of private homes and leased hunting lands, but all allow some access by the public.  The Steinhatchee Springs WMA is a narrow, 20,000+ acre parcel stretching …

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 …

Fishing News: Redfish daily bag limit in Big Bend to change to 1 fish per person

On May 1, 2016, the individual bag limit for redfish (red drum) will drop from 2 fish to 1 fish on Florida’s Big Bend (Pasco County to the Alabama line).  The FWC’s Northwest Zone is affected, as shown on the map below: Red drum, also called redfish, channel bass, spottail, red bass or reds, are …

Day Trip Idea: “Plinking” For Free at Lake City’s Osceola Gun and Archery Range

  Located near downtown Lake City, the Lewis D. Whitacre shooting range is a free and open to the public.  It offers covered 25, 50 and 200 yard target ranges for rifles and pistols, as well as an archery range with a high stand.  The range is open during daylight hours, but may be closed …

Gov. Scott and FWC Announce Saltwater and Freshwater License-Free Fishing Days

Governor Scott and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Floridians and visitors will be able to fish without a saltwater recreational fishing license on June 7 and 8 and freshwater recreational fishing license on June 14 and 15. Governor Scott said, “Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World, and fishing is an …

Heading to Cedar Key, FL With Your Boat? Don’t Forget The Backwaters Near The #4 Channel

Anglers and boaters headed to Cedar Key are sometimes put off by the crowds at the downtown boat basin.  Yes, they’re closer to the Gulf of Mexico, and there’s an inside and an outside ramp.  If you use the inside ramp, you’ll be in the shallow boat basin and if your boat has a T-top …

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 …