Florida’s 2017 Stone Crab Season Now Open–At Full Steam!

Florida’s 2017 stone crab season opened on October 15 and runs until May 15, 2018.  This year’s crop is excellent and there should be no shortages of these delicious crab claws throughout the winter months. Stone crabs are the perfect appetizer or main course.  You’ll find them served cold or hot, with any number of …

Our Seagrasses, And What They Mean To Big Bend Anglers (And Snorkelers!)

The largest natural preserve, our Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve is huge–almost a million square acres.  And it’s a big part of the reason that our Gulf coastal fishery is so good.  It stretches from Waccasass Bay in Levy County to St. Marks in Wakulla County and serves as a nursery for small bait fish, …

Fishing Feature: Offshore Fishing and the Mandatory Gulf Reef Fish Survey

From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: ” All Gulf Reef Fish Anglers are required to sign up for the Gulf Reef Fish Survey. By signing up to participate in the Gulf Reef Fish Survey, you are improving recreational data for several reef fish species such as red snapper and gag. The process is easy, no-cost and will …

14th Annual Steinhatchee Community Fishing Tournament, March 14, 2015

This is a huge event, and with temperatures moving steadily higher this week, you can expect to see lots of fish (and to have lots of competition!).  In addition to over $3600 in prizes, there’s a raffle that includes donations from local businesses.  The weigh-in is at 4:30PM at the Community Center.  Entry fees ($30 …

Gulf Red Grouper 4-Fish Bag Limit Effective 1/1/15

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved changing the Gulf red grouper daily bag limit from 4-fish to 2-fish within the 4-grouper aggregate bag limit at the November 2014 meeting. This change is pending until similar regulations take place in Gulf federal waters and is not expected to occur until sometime in Spring 2015. …