At the start of football season two ‘bonus opportunities’ for seafood harvesting have long drawn families to the water.  Out of certain ports on Florida’s west coast scallops are the draw.  Near the east coast the top target for seafood … Continue reading → The post St. John’s Shrimp Running appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

Like most kids Jaxson Capella went back to school on Thursday August 8 following summer vacation.  For Jaxson it was the first day of 8th grade.  That evening no doubt pondering events of the day the 14-year-old Keystone Heights student … Continue reading → The post A Bass to Remember – and Red Snapper Extended appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box....

On-the-water pursuits not involving alcohol and sand bars are pretty slim during the breathless part of summer we call the Dog Days. However two North Florida seafood-collecting pastimes —- scalloping and shrimping —- arrive right along with the dog.  Things … Continue reading → The post Summertime Change-ups Produce appeared first on Gary's Tackl...

Among the subgroups of anglers offshore fishers are unique.  They invest megabucks into vessels and equipment capable of plowing through rough seas and hauling in the heavyweights that reside only in the greater depths. It has long been commonly stated … Continue reading → The post Anglers Enjoy Impressive Offshore Sampler appeared first on Gary's...

It was a rough opening week for deep-water enthusiasts to take their anxiously-awaited trips for red snapper at the start of the 2023 season.  Sloppy seas forced even the most determined anglers to sit tight and wait for calmer days.  … Continue reading → The post Offshore Anglers Zero in on Red Snapper appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

A remarkably rainy June is sure to improve fishing on our lakes.  And some of these waters were producing just fine when things were dry. Especially Orange — the famous pool that has received a great deal of attention from … Continue reading → The post Rainy Spell Sure to Help Lakes appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

Walt Daniels stopped by the shop Friday to pick up supplies.  The young angler has as much passion for bass fishing as anyone I’ve known and has enjoyed a lot of catching success.  An interesting trend — primarily among young … Continue reading → The post Tiny Fly and Giant Lure Both Score appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

Tales of good catches are coming in pretty steadily now from both fresh and saltwaters.  Not surprisingly many of the best stories are coming from the Gulf of Mexico. Jim Fleming has been a consistently successful angler for years and … Continue reading → The post Catches Strong as Summer appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

University of Florida Professor John Maze enjoyed a special trip to Cedar Key on Monday.  Along with him were five former students who had just graduated.  This would likely be their last outing together.  Ben Spears Boris Stoyanov Cole Wyatt … Continue reading → The post Gulf Catches Makes Great Memories appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

The 18th Annual Shands Fishing for Kids Tournament drew 73 boats to the choppy Steinhatchee flats Saturday.  Despite gusty winds the much-anticipated fishing fundraiser was a success generating more than $27K to benefit UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.  And although … Continue reading → The post Wind Fails to Halt Good Catches appeared first...

We’re well into the spring season now and the overall fishing picture is as pleasing as the pesky persistent wind has allowed it to be. It’s also the pinnacle of fishing tournament season. Not everybody likes them but everybody seems … Continue reading → The post Fine Springtime Fishing appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

As expected area freshwater fishing remains solid into the spring season.  Cane pole and light tackle fans have indicated that bluegill have replaced speckled perch as the fastest-biting panfish and some folks have already located big beds of fat bream. … Continue reading → The post Good Catches Fresh and Salt appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

It seems like these days something is constantly shooting at Florida’s saltwater anglers. If it’s not tiny bag limits and restrictive open seasons it’s Mother Nature taking her swings. Red Tide outbreaks have played havoc with stocks of beloved fish … Continue reading → The post Weekly Menace Approaching appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

The most prime for catching big speckled perch in shallow water has arrived on our nearest lakes. The crappie spawn locally is expected to peak at the second or third full moon of the calendar year. Often that’s the February … Continue reading → The post Salt Waters Beginning to Stir appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

It was last like this about twelve years ago. Orange Lake was on fire and bass anglers came from all over to take their shots at once-in-a-lifetime largemouths. For some of course ‘the fish of a lifetime’ might be a … Continue reading → The post Girls Vanquish Orange Giants appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

The first real bass tournament of the year attracted quite a crowd to Orange Lake and Marjorie Rawlings Park.  All of seventy four teams launched at the Marjorie Rawlings boat ramp early on Saturday despite dark and wet conditions.  Orange … Continue reading → The post Summer Tournaments Limited on Orange / Lochloosa appeared first on Gary's Tackl...

Inshore action is good again along the gulf coast following the Christmas freeze that shook things up for a little while.  Redfish and trout are generally said to be in good supply throughout our part of the Big Bend.  It … Continue reading → The post The Second Bookend appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

It has always been expected that a strong push of cold air lasting for several nights running will bring about major change in our fishing. The “Christmas Freeze of 2022” certainly should have qualified. Many (myself included) feared the worst … Continue reading → The post Gulf Snook Mostly Survive the Cold appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

Among freshwater anglers speckled perch and bass lovers alike perk up around the holidays when catches of both often improve. Up ‘til now though this season has been a little different as temperatures stubbornly remaining a bit too high to … Continue reading → The post Anglers Welcome Colder Temps appeared first on Gary's Tackle Box.

A few weeks of seemingly sub-par fishing finally started to improve noticeably around the Thanksgiving holiday. Heading up several good inshore gulf reports were Charlie McCallister and Joe Yarborough. The well-experienced Gainesville anglers fished out of Crystal River on Saturday. … Continue reading → The post Lake Title on the Line appeared fir...