“Mainline”: The Back Roads of Dixie County, Florida

Originally cleared years ago as logging roads in rural Dixie County, the Dixie Mainline and the Bowlegs Mainline are still a functional, albeit sometimes rough, set of roads. Now they shortcut  the long travel between Steinhatchee and Horseshoe Beach and Horseshoe Beach and Suwannee.  And they cross some beautiful backwaters and forests. For many years, …

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 …

Natural North Florida’s Bay Scallop Season Opens 6/25/16…

…and it promises to be a banner year for scallopers at Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach and St. Marks! The official abundance survey for bay scallops was released on June 24, and the numbers for Dixie and Taylor counties (Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach) showed a near 300% increase since last year.  Wakulla County’s numbers …

Paddle Natural North Florida’s Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is proud to announce the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail was awarded designation as a National Recreation Trail during National Trails Day June 4th, 2005. The Big Bend Paddling Trail was one of 37 trails in 23 states to receive this award. National Recreation Trail designation is an honor …

Can You Catch Fish In Natural North Florida? You Betcha!

Our spring fed rivers, coastal creeks and rivers, as well as the inshore and offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide some of the best fishing in the world.  Here are a few photos to prove our point.  Explore our many coastal communities–Yankeetown, Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach, St. Marks and …

Warmer Winter Afternoons Make For Great Fishing in Dixie County’s Horseshoe Cove

Sometimes the best fishing is where it’s hard to go.  That’s especially true of Horseshoe Cove, south of the Horseshoe Beach community in Dixie County.  And when the day starts out cold and warms through the early afternoon, it’s worth a trip to Horseshoe Cove! Whether you’re launching your boat at Horseshoe Beach (there are …

Florida’s 2015 Recreational Scallop Season to Close 9/24, But Don’t Despair!

In early June, the “buzz” along Florida’s Nature Coast is all about recreational scalloping.  The season usually opens the last Saturday in June, and folks at our Big Bend ports gear up for a busy season.  This year’s season was no exception, and limits of bay scallops just kept coming in, almost to the end …

Where’s The Beach?—at Horseshoe Beach!

If you’re heading to Horseshoe Beach, forget about swimming and sunbathing along sandy shores. But if you’ve got fall fishing on your mind, you’re heading in the right direction. This small fishing village is located at the dead end of CR351, about 25 miles southwest of Cross City and US19/98, on a small peninsula jutting …

2015 Bay Scallop Reports, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach

The second week of Florida’s 2015 recreational bay scallop season proved much more productive than the first.  There were no steady sea breezes keeping the water dirty and the travel to the scallop grounds rough.  And the mid-day low tides made it easier for kids and beginner-swimmers to search the grass for the tasty bivalves. …

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, …