fishing
Free Fishing Weekends In Florida, June 2015
Governor Rick Scott announced four license-free fishing days in June for Florida residents and visitors. The license-free fishing weekends are: Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, saltwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived. Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, freshwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived. Governor Scott said, “This summer, we’re excited to make …
2015 Scallop Season Solutions (For Hook and Liners)!
Natural North Florida’s recreational scallop season isn’t necessarily a bad thing for fishermen. However, if you fish from Keaton Beach, St. Marks, Panacea, Econfina, Horseshoe Beach or Steinhatchee it can be aggravating. Those of you wishing to use launching ramps at these locations will probably find large, untrained crowds and those of you needing a …
Don’t Overlook This Species: Ladyfish Are “Elops” of Fun! May 2015
Elops saurus, the ladyfish, is one of the great species of Gulf game fish. They offer lots of fun but not much table value. Many consider them junk fish, but serious anglers and guides find them game with light tackle or fly rods. Bait pods are now showing up in near shore big Bend waters, …
Down The Less-Beaten Path Through The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
There’s nothing quite like the United States’ National Wildlife Refuge system, and Natural North Florida has three of the best– St. Marks, Lower Suwannee and Cedar Key. All are interesting and worth the trip, but The St. Marks Preserve, located in Wakulla County, in the middle of the Big Bend, is especially interesting to visitors …
Anglers–Be On The Lookout! Cobia Are Swimming Along Florida’s Nature Coast
Our Big Bend channel markers provide good cover for predators. Proof comes in the springtime when visitors to our coastline question the appearance of boats circling almost every marker at Cedar Key, Suwannee and Steinhatchee . Spring is “cobia time” and lots of anglers are on the lookout for ling, crab-eaters, or lemon fish–as …
Bay Scallop Season To Begin on Florida’s Nature Coast, June 27, 2015
The 2015 bay scallop season opens June 27th. Ports along Florida’s Nature Coast from the Pasco/Hernando county line north to the Mexico Beach Canal are expecting a record “crop” and are prepared for a very busy couple of months. This year’s season begins on June 27 and ends on September 24, giving everyone plenty …
Don’t Discount The Table Appeal of Those Pesky Black Sea Bass!
Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) can be pests, but they can also be fine table fare, if they’re in the legal size-limit slot (and if you catch as many keepers as you need for your crew!). When you find black sea bass, usually hovering over nearcshore rocky reefs all over Florida’s Big Bend off …
Red grouper Bag Limit Changes to 2 on May 7, 2015 in Florida’s Gulf State and Federal Waters
The red grouper recreational bag limit will change from four to two fish per person in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters, excluding Monroe County, on May 7, 2015 This change was approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at its November 2014 meeting. The Commission hopes that this change will …
Kick Off Your Spring Fishing at Keaton Beach, on Florida’s Big Bend
I’m not April foolin’ when I say that when the grass flats start to ‘green up’ near Keaton Beach, the fishing there is hard to beat. It’s no secret that warm weather brings new life, especially in the form of spotted sea trout, to waters everywhere along our Big Bend. Unfortunately, that warmth can …
Rigging Rods and Reels For Big Bend Flats Trout Fishing Action!
Rigging for trout fishing on our Natural North Florida grass flats needn’t be hard or complicated. I do recommend light rods and reels for the “main event” of seatrout catching. 2500 to 4000 class spinning outfits are just fine, and I’m a real believer in using braided polypropylene lines like PowerPro or SpiderWire. You don’t …