It Takes Patience To Catch Big Spotted Seatrout on Florida’s Big Bend

Spotted seatrout over 20-inches are considered to be trophy or “gator” trout. And these big, wily critters are not easy to catch, even on our Big Bend coastline where there’s probably less pressure on game fish than in any other area in Florida.  Of course, you can catch plenty of “keeper” fish, mostly in the …

Drive Florida’s Dixie Mainline–Hardly A Road To Nowhere!

If you’re driving from the Dixie County Big Bend coastal community of Suwannee to Horseshoe Beach (or vice-versa), you have two options.  The first involves traveling at least a 20-mile trip back to US19/98, heading to either Cross City or Old Town and then another 20-plus miles to your destination.  The other is a simple, …

Gainesville’s gigantic gators at Paynes Prairie

Looking for enormous alligators? You’ll find them in the home of the Gators, Gainesville, along the La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.

Visit Trenton, A Florida Town That’s All About Quilts and Murals!

Trenton, FL, the county seat of Gilchrist County, is just west of Gainesville and is home to an excellent quilting museum and has taken the art of quilting a step further by painting quilt designs on the exterior walls of some of the historic downtown buildings.

Re-Live Florida’s “Cracker” History in Perry, FL

  Florida’s Forest Capital State Museum and Cracker Homestead, located in Perry, is part of Florida’s State Park system.  Located on US19 (Byron Butler Parkway) just south of town, this 1864 home and furnishings will give visitors a taste of Florida’s past.  Open 9AM to Noon, Monday through Thursday, this place is worth a visit. …

Paddle Natural North Florida’s Springs and Spring-Fed Rivers

With our abundant springs, spring runs and spring-fed rivers, the Natural North Florida region is the perfect place to spend a lazy day paddling. In the southern regions, there are several springs that feed the mighty Suwannee River.  County parks at Otter Springs and Hart Springs attract paddlers to their quiet waters.  The State Parks …

Try Kayak Fishing in the Wakulla Backwaters

Last weekend I left my flats skiff behind in Steinhatchee and joined a couple of other outdoor writers in Wakulla County for a kayak-fishing adventure. Of course, over the years, I’ve made numerous trips out of St. Marks, Panacea and Spring Creek, but never had much chance to fish the shallow, close-in flats and inshore …

Splash Into Summertime in Natural North Florida!

by Tamara Herchel Memorial Day is approaching, and if you’re like me you’ve been planning your waterfront escape for weeks. I’ve broken in my new flippy-flops (they’re Rainbows, and they’re pink, and I love them. Just sayin’.)  My favorite tote is spilling over with towels, sunscreen and sunglasses; I’ve inflated the tires on my daughter’s …

Try Yankeetown For An “Old Florida” Fishing Experience

As winter comes to an end at Yankeetown and southern Levy County, game fish move from the confines and protection of the Withlacoochee River and it’s feeder creeks into the bays.  There, they await the first appearance of bait fish and pause to enjoy the warmth of the dark bottom of Waccasassa and Withlacoochee Bays.  …

Fish The Wild, Wild Waters of Central Taylor County, Florida

The Taylor County Gulf shoreline is hardly “civilized”, but if you compare the area between Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach to that north of Keaton Beach, you’ll find a vast difference.  Heading northwest from Keaton Beach,  you’ll see a few homes and settlements at places like Dekle Beach and Adams Beach, but from there on, it’s …