Fish Species
Jefferson County in Natural North Florida–Short on Coastline, Long on Fishing!
If, on a fishing trip to the Jefferson County coastline, you think you’re the first human to ever see this shoreline, you’re wrong. This rugged 6-mile stretch of our Big Bend is now, for the most part, uninhabited and relatively unfished, due in part to the fact that it’s rocky and shallow. But now we …
Redfish Turn Red in Tannic Creeks After Big Rains
If you’ve ever wondered why redfish (red drum) are red, head to a Gulf-facing coastal creek just after a big rainstorm. On Florida’s Big Bend, big summer storms often bring multiple inches of rain. It usually backs up into the swamps and filters through the coastal swamps to the Gulf, bringing significant amounts of tannin …
Fishing Feature: Kayaking in Fishbone Creek
If you’re camping at Shired Island, staying at Horseshoe Beach or Cross City, or just making a day trip with your kayak to the Dixie County coast, don’t miss launching at the headwaters of Fishbone Creek and heading out to the bars in Horseshoe Cove. On higher tides, these backwaters flood well into the …
Scallop Information For A Successful 2016 Season on Florida’s Big Bend
Scalloping on Florida’s Big Bend Here are some links to “Scalloping Basics”, as well as information on lodging and marine facilities on our Natural North Florida Big Bend coast. Recommended Reading: Bay Scallops—The Gulf of Mexico’s Tastiest Treat www.saltwateranglersguide.com/?page_id=2215 Scalloping 101 www.saltwateranglersguide.com/?s=scalloping+101 Lodging Recommendations Seahorse Landing Condos, Cedar Key (seahorselanding.com) …
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 …
Off the Beaten Path: Scalloping in Horseshoe Beach, Dixie County
If you’re contemplating a trip to our Natural North Florida coast to snorkel for scallops this 2016 recreational harvest season, be aware that our main ports of St. Marks, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach are crowded. It was estimated that there were 1500 boats leaving the river on opening day and while there were likely less …
Natural North Florida’s Bay Scallop Season Opens 6/25/16…
…and it promises to be a banner year for scallopers at Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach and St. Marks! The official abundance survey for bay scallops was released on June 24, and the numbers for Dixie and Taylor counties (Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach) showed a near 300% increase since last year. Wakulla County’s numbers …
Fishing Feature: 2016 Bay Scallop Outlook on the Big Bend
On our Natural North Florida coast, in Levy, Dixie, Taylor, Jefferson and Wakulla counties, we always seem to have a healthy “crop” bay scallops during the annual summertime harvest, which lasts from June 25 to September 25. This is no doubt due to the fact that we have crystal clear salty water under which lies …
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 …
Thoughts Regarding Table Value of Smoothback Pufferfish
From Tommy Thompson, Natural North Florida Fishing Expert Since the spring of 2015, there’s been an “outbreak” of smoothback puffers along Florida’s Gulf Coast, from Tampa Bay to Pensacola. Likely a deepwater species, I’d never seen one until I caught 4 off Steinhatchee on Florida’s Big Bend last year. These are NOT the small porcupine …