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 …

Looking for Some Great Inshore Fall Fishing Action? Give Cedar Key at Try!

“Cedar Key” isn’t just one island, but the name given to the archipelago of the Cedar Keys, on the westernmost edge of Florida’s Levy County. What makes the fishing so good at Cedar Key, particularly in the windy fall months, is that there’s always somewhere to get out of the way of the weather.  The …

Don’t have a boat? Give Cedar Key’s fishing pier a try!

You may not catch a grouper or a king mackerel from the pier, but its location on the south end of town and its proximity to some deeper water makes it productive–and fun–for the boat-less angler.  It’s free, has bathrooms and is close to town and parking.  You’ll likely catch inshore species like ladyfish, black …

How do successful anglers find bait and the predators that prey upon it?

Anglers of all skill levels sometimes have trouble spotting bait, a critical element in the “fish-catching” equation.  Here’s a hint of what to look for on Florida’s Big Bend: Calm, still waters like we often have on fall days, make it easy to spot jumping or schooling mullet. And when it’s calm, even small schools …

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 …

Looking for a Red Snapper Charter from Steinhatchee? Contact Big Bend Charters!

If you don’t have a passel of fishing partners, Capt. Brian Smith of Big Bend Charters in Steinhatchee has just the deal for you.  Brian occasionally has extra fishing spots aboard his comfortable 32-foot, twin-Suziki-powered catamaran and makes special prices to individual anglers in order to fill that space. An upcoming ‘deal’ is on Friday, …

Springtime Fish Species Showing Up At Cedar Key–En Masse!

According to local Cedar Key guide, Capt. Jimbo Keith, Spanish mackerel, cobia and tarpon are making an early appearance at Cedar Key.  Jimbo fishes from Cedar Key’s downtown boat basin, but many of the areas he’s finding fish can easily be accessed from Suwannee, Shell Mound, or the public boat ramp up the Waccasassa River.  …

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 …