gulf of mexico
Redfish Turn Red in Tannic Creeks After Big Rains
If you’ve ever wondered why redfish (red drum) are red, head to a Gulf-facing coastal creek just after a big rainstorm. On Florida’s Big Bend, big summer storms often bring multiple inches of rain. It usually backs up into the swamps and filters through the coastal swamps to the Gulf, bringing significant amounts of tannin …
Fishing Feature: Kayaking in Fishbone Creek
If you’re camping at Shired Island, staying at Horseshoe Beach or Cross City, or just making a day trip with your kayak to the Dixie County coast, don’t miss launching at the headwaters of Fishbone Creek and heading out to the bars in Horseshoe Cove. On higher tides, these backwaters flood well into the …
Get Your Seafood Dinner “Fresh From The Shrimp Boat Restaurant” in Horseshoe Beach
As one of the locals told me, “It don’t get no fresher”. And despite the grammar, when you know your seafood was recently swimming in local waters, that’s all that counts. The Shrimp Boat isn’t hard to find. It’s on Main Street (the MAIN street!!) just across from the boat ramp. There’s plenty of parking …
Headed West To Horseshoe Beach? Don’t Miss Lily Creek Store on Hwy 351
Located about halfway between Cross City and Horseshoe Beach, Fl, Lily Creek General Store and Cafe is a “must stop” if you think you’ll need any supplies for your vacation or fishing trip. While there are some supplies available at the Horseshoe Beach Marina, you might consider stopping and browsing at Lily Creek Store before …
“More Than The Usual” at Horseshoe Beach Marina in Dixie County
Horseshoe Beach Marina USED to be pretty typical for a place that’s off the beaten path, on a stretch of Florida’s Gulf coastline that’s known for having lots of fish, but not much more. Before it’s purchase by Dennis Buckley, the marina rarely had gas, and the operator was torn between his (very good) guiding …
Get Lost (Or Not!) At Dixie County Florida’s Shired Island
Dixie County has a few “roads to nowhere”, but Hwy 357 actually goes “somewhere”. It runs from about the mid-point of Hwy 351 between Cross City and Horseshoe Beach to Shired Island. Shired Island is bounded by Shired Creek and Johnson Creek and connected to “land” by a short bridge over Shired Creek. Once you …
Florida’s Big Bend Waters are Clean and Clear, July 2016
There’s been lots of news lately about the condition of Florida’s waters, both Gulf and Atlantic. Yes, in the southeast, where the St. Lucie River empties into the Indian River (at Stuart) and in the southwest, where the Caloosahatchee River empties into the Gulf of Mexico, there is green algae as a result of pumping …
Take a Relaxing Fishing Vacation in Suwannee
If you’re a fisherman, pack your bags. Pack your rods and reels. Get the boat out of the garage and head out Hwy349 from US19/98 to the end of the road, and the town of Suwannee, Florida! There are places to eat in Suwannee. There are rental condos and homes (Suwannee Vacation Rentals). There is …
Off the Beaten Path: Scalloping in Horseshoe Beach, Dixie County
If you’re contemplating a trip to our Natural North Florida coast to snorkel for scallops this 2016 recreational harvest season, be aware that our main ports of St. Marks, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach are crowded. It was estimated that there were 1500 boats leaving the river on opening day and while there were likely less …
It’s June 2016—Things To Know About Catching Grouper on Florida’s Gulf Coast
At its Feb. 10 meeting at the Florida Public Safety Institute near Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved changes to the gag and black grouper minimum size limit and the gag grouper recreational season in Gulf state waters. The approvals include: Read more: http://www.floridasportsman.com/2016/02/12/fwc-approves-grouper-bag-limit-season-changes/#ixzz4AROF8k6Z Setting a 24-inch total length minimum size …