Mellow Wanderer

Tag: fishing

  • A Fisherman’s Graphic Warning Video: Florida Everglades Are Shark Hunting Grounds. Stay Out Of The Water!

    A Fisherman’s Graphic Warning Video: Florida Everglades Are Shark Hunting Grounds. Stay Out Of The Water!

    Hey folks, let me tell you about this wild video I stumbled upon from June 2023. (Watch the video above). It’s probably one of the craziest PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) I’ve ever seen, especially if you’re thinking about heading out on a fishing trip in Florida and you’ve never been on one before. The video wasn’t even meant to be a warning, but man, it packs a punch. The message? Keep your arms and legs inside the boat. Although the individual involved in the attack survived, he endured a harrowing shark bite on his hand, necessitating immediate medical attention and surgery. His eventual recovery is indeed remarkable.

    close up shot of a silver fish underwater
    Tarpon Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

    Let’s talk tarpon. Those big, elusive fish are every angler’s dream of reeling in. Well, turns out they’re like a gourmet meal for those always-on-the-hunt bull sharks, especially when tarpon are out in full force during peak season. Those sharks don’t mess around – they’ll snatch up a tarpon quicker than you can say “fish on!”

    Leopard shark underwater close up

    Shark attacks are relatively rare on Florida beaches. But if you’re out on the water, especially in places like the Everglades where tarpon are plentiful, you better stay alert. Signs are plastered everywhere reminding people to keep their hands and feet inside the boat. Did you see how fast that shark went for the guy’s hand? Terrifying. Moral of the story: stay safe, keep inside the boat. You don’t wanna end up as shark bait!

  • See The Natural Beauty Of This Popular Waterfront Florida Village

    See The Natural Beauty Of This Popular Waterfront Florida Village

  • Step Back In Time At Cedar Key

    Step Back In Time At Cedar Key

    (CEDAR KEY, FL) Just west of Gainesville and north of Tampa on Florida’s West Coast is a sleepy fishing village jutting into the fertile salt marches, breeding grounds for the rich supply of shellfish, mainly oysters and clams.  A bowl of homemade chowder is practically part of the daily diet here. Wander down Cedar Key’s 2nd Street and witness a living history lesson. Little has changed, or so it seems, from the days of early settlers. From City Hall and the public library to the Island Hotel and the public beachfront park, practically everything has historic value or is registered as a historic landmark. Life passes quietly here from one generation to the next. Locals brag you can walk the town in little more than an hour, even less in a golf cart; There are more of those than cars, trucks, and mini-vans. You won’t find swanky condos or waterfront McMansions here. Tourists prefer the rustic feel of the place. They’re more likely to get a fresher catch by dropping a line from the fishing pier than wait in line at a local eatery. A sliver of beach is all you’ll get in Cedar Key and it borders a public park, where there is a playground and basketball court. Hardly secluded or quiet. It has a town square feel, probably much the same as the early 1800’s. Walk along the waterfront and you’ll find boat captains offering fishing excursions, sightseeing tours, sunset sailing and kayaking. Dock Street is a small tourist strip of waterfront bars, restaurants and kitschy souvenir shops. The Dock Street Fishing Pier is one of the largest in Florida and has public restrooms.

    Press Play To View A Tour of Cedar Ker

    Cedar Key has fewer than a thousand year round residents. Historians estimate the first human inhabitants date back to 500 BC in an area known as Shell Mound. Cedar Key is also vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes, and has experienced significant damage in its long history. The Florida State Archives has a large collection of historic photos.

    Slideshow Of Historic Cedar Key

    (Photos From The Florida State Archive)

  • Gone Fishing: Amazing Video Of Life At Work

    Gone Fishing: Amazing Video Of Life At Work

    (Mellow Wanderer) Discover amazing sights like the video above: The hatching of Steelhead at the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery in Washington state.

    Consider a getaway to a fish hatchery. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a list of hatcheries in the country that are open to the public for visits and tours.

    NFHS2_finalSee real science in action and learn about various fish species. Great for a day trip with the kids.  fish 1fish 2fish 3Federal hatcheries promote themselves as community centers and are eager to educate people in the life cycles of fish. Best of all, it’s FREE!

    Photos Courtesy: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service