Getting To Know Your New Boat

From The Fishing Wire: Every new boat requires an owner break-in period. Experiences from this new owner just may help you with yours. Dan Keating has owned several boats over the years and is an avid fisherman. When he decided to replace his aging center console with a new Yamaha-powered Contender® 32ST, he realized it …

Watch out for manatees migrating to warmer waters

Florida manatees are beginning their annual migration to warmer waters, which is their instinctual response to winter’s approach and surviving the cold. As these slow-moving aquatic mammals migrate along rivers, canals, bays and coastlines, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) cautions boaters to slow down and watch out for manatees. The average adult …

Sea Tow Offers Hurricane Season Tips for Boaters

SOUTHOLD, N.Y., – The official forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season, issued on May 23, called for “an active or extremely active season” this year. For the six-month hurricane season, which begins on June 1, NOAA predicted 70 percent likelihood of 13-20 named storms (winds of …

Kayak Steinhatchee in Taylor County, Florida

We’ve come full circle.  Now, modern interpretations of eons-old paddle craft are the latest rage when it comes to fishing.  Many are as simple as rafts and others, like Hobie’s Master Angler 12, are fitted with modern conveniences like cozy seats, pedal or electric drives, depth sounders, and even live wells.   But no matter your …

a WORD about WEATHER while on the WATER!

Don’t get me wrong, but Florida can have some nasty weather.  It can be bone-chilling cold in the winter months.  And it can be swelteringly (if that’s a word?) hot in summer.  However, summertime is the time of year that tropical depressions–and even tropical fronts–can bring lightning down on the heads of unwary and unsuspecting …

Boating Safety Checklist–Good Advice From U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Boaters Should Use a Checklist Before Getting Underway WASHINGTON- Keeping track of appointments or events has become more complex in a very over scheduled world. A list of reminders added to the calendar on the refrigerator or in the smartphone can help make sure nothing is forgotten. When it comes to leisure time a checklist …

Head Down Dixie County’s ‘Road to Nowhere’ For Some Excellent Paddling

Dixie County’s ‘Road to Nowhere’ is the southern extension of CR361 that runs from Casey’s Corner in Jena (just across the river from Steinhatchee) and dead ends about 12 miles south, inshore of the Pepperfish Keys.  If you’re traveling from the south, come to Jena via CR358 from US19/98 and bear left onto CR361 when …

Camping at Shell Mound State Park

With the cooler weather on its way, October is the perfect time for camping in Florida.  Shell Mound County Park in Suwannee County is a great place to camp out.  Aside from the fishing, boating, biking, and birdwatching, the park is right next to the Shell Mound Archaeology Site.  The shell mound is the largest prehistoric shell midden site …

Ochlockonee State Park, Panacea

This short video gives you a look at Ochlockonee River State Park, where camping, boating, swimming, fishing and hiking make for a full day outdoors. Bring exact change when you visit: The ranger station may not be staffed, and you’ll need $4 per carload (up to eight people) to drop in the honor box. Pedestrians …