Water Cold? Fishing Slow? Here’s a List of Chores to Get Your Fishing and Boating Gear Ready For Spring

Make Your List—and Check It Twice No, I’m not Santa, but if you pay attention to this article, you may thank me. Everyone knows that this weekend’s the last one before spotted sea trout season closes on the Big Bend. And we all know that the fishing’s been unpredictable for the last month due to …

Winter Trout Tips from Keaton Beach Inshore Guide, Capt. Pat McGriff

Capt. Pat McGriff spoke at the January 2011 meeting of the Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club. Pat is a very successful inshore fishing guide, based out of Keaton Beach, on Florida’s Big Bend, in Taylor County. Here are a few of Pat’s suggestions for successful wintertime trout fishing: If you’re targeting big trout in water that’s …

Don’t Miss a Meal at Rachel’s Restaurant in Steinhatchee, FL

Rachel’s is open for breakfast (on weekends), lunch and dinner and has become a great hangout for folks wanting a homecooked meal in Steinhatchee.   I’ve listed it in the Fishing and Boating category because one of their specialties is ‘guest fish’–not that the fish are ‘guests’, but that they’ll happily cook your catch for lunch …

Gulf Seafood is the Perfect Choice For Big Bend Visitors!

Fresh Gulf seafood has had some bad press recently.  However, since the April 2010 Gulf oil spill, inspection routines have been perfected to such a point that Gulf seafood is probably better inspected than ever before.  If you’re headed out to our Gulf coast, particularly to St. Marks, Panacea, Steinhatchee, Horseshoe Beach, Suwannee or Cedar …

Wintertime Means Clear Inshore Waters on Florida’s Big Bend — Learn to Fish Them!

Take a look at my latest Florida Sportsman Big Bend Fishing4Cast.  There are some good tips on fishing the super-clear Gulf coast waters that we experience during the wintertime along Florida’s Big Bend. Also, if you’d like to read a few of my archived Big Bend Fishing4Casts, some of the 2008 columns are on my …

New Package, Discounted Rates Lure Visitors to Steinhatchee Landing Resort for Big Bend Fishing Adventure

WHO: Steinhatchee Landing Resort, a picturesque riverside retreat in North Central Florida, along with Captain Jim Henley and Saltwater Fish’n Charters WHAT: Unaffected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Steinhatchee Landing Resort is inviting anglers to enjoy a winter fishing getaway in Florida’s Big Bend area, home to a rich Gulf estuary and healthy fish …

Learn More About Fishing Steinhatchee’s Northwest Shoreline

The close-in coastline south of Steinhatchee often gets more than its fair share of attention by anglers, especially during the cool early-winter months.  There are, of course, a couple of good reasons.  First, the bottom is rockier there, providing shelter and warmth for the bait fish and crustaceans that are of interest to inshore species …

Holiday Gift Ideas for Fishermen

With ‘Black Friday’ and the holiday season just around the corner, I thought I’d mention a few gift items that are certain to please almost any fisherman. I’ve also included some information on price and sources. Cablz Sunglasses Holders–-These nice wire holders don’t get sweaty, smell bad, or snag on clothing. A great idea in …

Cedar Key, Florida–AKA ‘Clamalot’

Cedar Key’s reputation as a Gulf fishing destination is unparalleled.  This archipelago of small islands juts into the Gulf of Mexico about 60 miles west of Gainesville and provides fishermen excellent access to both inshore and offshore waters. In addition, Cedar Key has become one of the largest producers of clams in the U.S.  Clam …

Suwannee’s a Great Place for Fishing–and Eating!

Not only is Suwannee a great place to fish, but it’s also a great place to eat.  For breakfast, try Sarah’s and for lunch or dinner, go to Salt Creek Shellfish Company (352) 542-7072.  On a recent trip to Salt Creek, I had the soft-shell crab sandwich for lunch and a wonderful stuffed (with crab, …