Fishing

Signs of spring – balmy weather, blooming flowers and nesting birds – are occurring. Warmer temperatures also mean alligators are more active and visible. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends taking precautions when in and around the water: While serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in...

By Cali Hlavac Crystal LaFosse had a vision of starting a fishing club through all her work in the fishing industry, and 2022 was the year she brought that dream to life: The Emerald Coast Big Game Fishing Club was born. As the Founder and Director of the Emerald Coast Big...

Okaloosa County’s Coastal Resource Team with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism recently initiated and assisted a team of researchers in identifying and tagging devil rays in the Gulf of Mexico. While installing three miles of sand fencing on Okaloosa Island in 2021, members of the Coastal Resource team noticed a number...

By Cali Hlavac, Silver Shade Studios Each year at this time, we offer options for fishing in this season that don’t necessarily require a boat. In our lucky little fishing village, it may seem that a boat is necessary to catch certain kinds of fish, or a multitude of fish....

The Gulfarium’s C.A.R.E. Center successfully released three rehabilitated sea turtles Jan. 11 at Topsail Hill State Park. Grace, an adult female Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, weighs 70 pounds. She was found entangled in a buoy line on July 23. Stranding coordinator Tabitha Siegfried paired up with Fort Walton Beach Parasailing...

Flounder Recreational Harvest Reopened The recreational harvest of flounder in all Florida state and federal waters reopened Dec. 1. The minimum size limit for flounder is 14 inches total length and the daily recreational bag limit is five fish per person. Learn more about flounder regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking...

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has retained Atkins Global to conduct a study in Florida to better understand the impacts of long-term stored vessels. Feedback from residents, business owners, visitors and others who use and enjoy Florida’s waters is a crucial part of the research. The intent...

Go Slow, Look Out Below This time of year, it’s important for boaters to go slow and lookout below to watch for manatees as they travel to warmer water sites around the state. Manatees depend on water generally warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit to survive the winter. So, in the fall...

By Cali Hlavac, To Do in Destin This time of year, we usually notice different species of fish migrate into our Gulf waters – specifically Flounder and Sheepshead. Cooler weather means the fish will school up in one area, making them easier to catch once you track them down. “Flounder and...

A new “Aqua Alert” system has been developed after a kayaker disappeared last year in the Gulf. It will notify Emergency Responders and Okaloosa County residents of missing or endangered boaters or kayakers and aid in the search. It was launched as the result of a collaborative effort between the...