Manatees Headed to Warmer Water with Cooling Temperatures in Florida

From:  The Fishing Wire The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages boaters to help protect migrating manatees by looking out and slowing down for these aquatic mammals that often rest or congregate underwater and can be difficult to see. “During Manatee Awareness Month, the FWC encourages the public to celebrate manatees by learning …

Lucky’s Market Opens it’s 8th U.S. Location in Gainesville, 1/7/15

  It’s not often that a grocery store becomes a travel destination, but the new Lucky’s Market in Gainesville has it’s sights set on becoming just that.  Located at 1459 NW 23rd Avenue in the Verde Plaza (and the almost 20-year empty Pic ‘N Save space), Lucky’s is a welcome addition to Natural North Florida’s …

News Flash! Big Bend Inshore Fish Celebrate The New Year 2015

After somewhat of a “fish drought” in late 2014, Big Bend fishing for spotted seatrout and redfish has picked up significantly since New Year’s Day 2015.  I’m not sure exactly why, possibly due to some sunny days and cooler water temperatures, but there seem to be plenty of fish being caught from Yankeetown to Panacea, …

Sailing South? Transient Sailors Welcome at Steinhatchee, FL

If you’re sailing (or motoring) south towards  Florida’s southwest coast there’s a big gap (about 130 nautical miles!) between the end of the southbound Intracoastal Waterway at Carrabelle and Tarpon Springs, where it assumes it’s marked route.  That being the case, it’s always nice to find safe haven and anchorage, especially if the weather starts …

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 …

Consider Renting A Boat at Steinhatchee, Florida

  If you don’t fish, boat or even scallop more than ten or so days a year at Steinhatchee, on our Natural North Florida Gulf Coast, it might pay you to consider renting a boat rather than owning one.  First, there’s the cost of owning and maintaining a boat–and likely a trailer.  It’s common knowledge …

Pretend You’re Elvis–On Levy County’s “Follow That Dream” Parkway

The sleepy little town of Yankeetown was re-awakened in 1961 when Elvis Presley arrived to film segments of the movie, “Follow That Dream”.  Yankeetown is located on the Levy County, FL coast, just west of Inglis and US19/98.  It’s a quick trip on Hwy 40 through Inglis and into the heart of Yankeetown, where several …

Experience Satchel’s Pizza–Now A Gainesville, FL Landmark!

Satchel’s Pizza has become a Gainesville, FL landmark.  No, there’s no “historic” marker, but the place is pretty “hysterical”.  I think of the place as Gainesville’s (and possibly all of North Florida’s) “South of the Border”, with the exception that it has great food to go along with the interesting scenery. Located at 1800 NE …

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 …