5 No Risk Things You Can Do to Help Ensure a Bright Future for Fishing

Charters around Homosassa and Crystal River want anglers to understand how to enjoy the majestic Nature Coast responsibly


When you first visit Florida’s Nature Coast region around Homosassa, you may be thinking how it’s such an unspoiled and seemingly endless wilderness of fish, turtles, birds, seagrass and coastal wetlands. It’s easy to forget how this area and other places along the Gulf coast are still vulnerable to a variety of risks.

If you’re fishing for redfish, snook, tarpon, snapper or a variety of other fish species that live in these waters, you have an additional responsibility to ensuring the resource is available for future visitors, and generations, to enjoy.

Fortunately, this responsibility is easy and doesn’t require a big commitment or much extra effort on your part. It mainly requires you to be respectful of the place you’re visiting and fishing and mindful of your actions.

Below are a few items fishing charters, local residents and fellow anglers want visitors to keep in mind when fishing the inshore areas around Homosassa.

Redfish in Louisiana – An Overview

Learn more about one of the most popular sportfish for anglers and fishing charters in south Louisiana


Officially known as the Red Drum, or Sciaenops ocellatus, the redfish goes by several other names, including channel bass, spottail, red bass, or simply “reds.” They are one of the most widespread inshore and nearshore species living in Louisiana’s coastal waters and along the Gulf of Mexico coast.

This common species is called a red “drum” because of a drumming sound they make during their spawning season or when they’re taken out of the water. The sound is caused by muscles rubbing against an inflated air bladder.

Redfish are also one of the most popular fish for anglers and fishing charters across coastal Louisiana. Besides their exhilarating fight and impressive strength, the redfish also makes for a great meal at the end of a long day of fishing.

If you’re interested in seeing and catching a few real redfish in south Louisiana, there are many fishing charters across the region who can guide you to the right place and coach you on the right bait and tactics for landing one of these exciting fish.

Melbourne Nature Tours Provide Close Glimpse of Ecosystem unlike Any Other

Spanning 40 percent of Florida’s east coast, the Indian River Lagoon boasts one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems just outside Orlando


The word “lagoon” is a mysterious phrase evoking images of wild jungles, endless schools of fish, and protection from the open ocean. When most people think of Florida though, they’re surprised to learn this type of place exists on the doorstep of the Orlando theme parks and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Fishing the Tampa Bay Flats through the Seasons

If you’re from a colder climate, you may be snickering about there being seasons in Tampa Bay. While temperatures certainly don’t change like they do in places like Chicago or Buffalo, there is a turning of seasons in Tampa Bay that affects fishing in the flats.

Artificial Reefs and Sunken Vessels Offer Prime Fishing Opportunities off Cape Canaveral

The waters off Cape Canaveral along Florida’s east-central coast contain a plethora of opportunities for bottom fishing. The Gulf Stream, which is a current of warm water, parallels the coast from south Florida before turning slightly to the northeast near the Space Coast region. This change creates calmer currents that contain 3 large ridges paralleling the coast.

Besides these ridges where species like grouper and kingfish like to hang out, the Oculina Bank is a natural reef system boasting an abundant amount of fish, coral and other marine life.

However, these natural ridges and reefs are not the only places anglers can find king fish, tuna, grouper, snapper and other species that prefer the deep waters of the open ocean.

Literally thousands of artificial reefs and sunken vessels lie off the coast of Florida and provide habitat to deep sea fish and other marine life. Since the majority of waters off Florida have a sandy bottom, artificial reefs and shipwrecks are an integral part of maintaining a healthy fish population for commercial and recreational anglers.

We invite you to continue reading for a brief rundown of artificial reefs and shipwrecks that provide prime fishing spots off Cape Canaveral

7 Tips for Having an Amazing Fly Fishing Trip in Bradenton

You may be thinking that fly fishing is only for mountain streams and not the sunny waters around Bradenton, Terra Ceia Bay and Tampa Bay. Fly fishing though is an increasingly popular way to get close to saltwater trout, redfish and other species found in the flats.

In one way, fly fishing isn’t much different than traditional spinning reels – it’s just another way to get your bait to the fish. However, fly fishing gets you closer to the fish feeding along mangroves and grassy flats. While you can cast a spinner reel much farther, fly fishing allows you to spot fish beforehand rather than randomly casting your bait.

Fly fishing though can be quite technical, and not every angler is successful. The best fly fishermen always prepare.

Continue reading for 7 tips on how to make a fly fishing trip in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island a success.

8 Species you’re NOT Allowed to Keep on a Port Canaveral Fishing Charter

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) establishes and enforces size and catch limits for a variety of fish species inhabiting the waters off Port Canaveral and within the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem. Some species have strict bag limits and can only be legally caught during certain times of the year.