2017 Bay Scalloping On Florida’s Nature Coast–An Abundance of Tasty Bivalves!

It’s July, and Natural North Florida’s 2017 recreational bay scallop harvest is off to a roaring start.  The harvest began on June 16 for the waters from Suwannee (in Dixie County) to the Fenholloway River (in Taylor County) and ends on September 10.  The remainder of Taylor County, all of Levy County, Jefferson and Wakulla …

“Loopers” Welcome at Steinhatchee’s Sea Hag Marina

I’ve had to explain the term “Looper” to lots of folks lately.  And when I do, they’re often amazed at the feat these travelers accomplish.  Here’s concise definition (Albeit from Wikipedia, sometimes an unreliable source!) that often cite: “The Great Loop is the continuous waterway that encompasses the eastern portion of North America including the …

Explore Cedar Key–Cedar Key Boat Rentals & Island Tours

Cedar Key is the town–the Cedar Keys is the place. This group of small islands, joined by causeways, forms a peninsula about 25 miles from US19/98 in southern Levy County. Historically, Cedar Key was a shipping center for fish, timber and wood products, including pencils made from local cedar trees.   Jutting well into to the …

Wakulla County Presents Must-Visit Communities That Are Off The Beaten Path.

Unspoiled by over-commercialized attractions and devoid of a hectic atmosphere, Wakulla County presents must-visit communities that are off the beaten path. Sopchoppy is a cozy-old Florida community on the southwest edge of Wakulla County that reminds visitors of Mayberry and easier times. The GF&A railroad referred to fondly as the “Gopher, Frog & Alligator” ran …

Snook Becoming A More Popular Fish Species Near Cedar Key, Florida

“Common Snook” are a sub-species of the general snook population and are found all over the state of Florida–except where it’s too cold!  And, historically, on Florida’s Gulf Coast they’ve not ranged much farther north than Tarpon Springs, in Pinellas County.  However, since 2007, waters and winters have warmed, and both the snook and the …

2016 Cedar Key Seafood Festival, October 15 and 16

The town of Cedar Key, located in western Levy County, juts into the Gulf of Mexico and has been a long-standing source of excellent seafood.  And, since the 1990’s, it’s been the epicenter of commercial clam aquaculture, recognized nation-wide.  This year, Hurricane Hermine pushed as much as 9 feet of storm surge water onto shore, …

Fishing The Big Bend Marsh–The Closer You Get, The More Reds You’ll Catch!

In the fall, high tides flood, pushing water well into the creeks and marshes all along Levy, Dixie, Taylor, Jefferson and Wakulla Counties, on Florida’s Big Bend.  We don’t have many mangroves, but we do have lots of spartina grass which offers comfort to redfish, or red drum. When the reds get back in the …

Warmer Water and Air Temperatures Drive Snook North Into Florida’s Nature Coast

Snook are one of Florida’s most popular gamefish Traditionally, in years past, West Florida’s snook population remained south of our Natural North Florida waters.  That was largely due to cold winters, which either run snook into warm residential canals on the upper suncoast, or kill them outright.  However, winters over the last ten or twelve …

Jefferson County in Natural North Florida–Short on Coastline, Long on Fishing!

If, on a fishing trip to the Jefferson County coastline, you think you’re the first human to ever see this shoreline, you’re wrong. This rugged 6-mile stretch of our Big Bend is now, for the most part, uninhabited and relatively unfished, due in part to the fact that it’s rocky and shallow. But now we …

There’s Still One More Week to Catch A Winning Redfish in the 2016 CCA STAR Tournament

See this redfish?  It’s one of 8 I helped release in Taylor and Dixie Counties at the beginning of the 2016 CCA Star Tournament.  And until yesterday (8/27) none of those 8 had been caught.  However, last night one was caught by an angler near Pepperfish Keys in Dixie County.  Great news, huh?  Yes, that’s …