Forgotten Coast Fun

A Problematic Invasive Species is Spreading in Apalachicola Bay

Admin — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 22:04:30 +0000

It looks unassuming, with its glossy rounded leaves and delicate purple flowers. However, the Pontederia crassipes — known as the common water hyacinth — is actually an invasive species.

Native to South America, the water hyacinth was brought to America in 1884. Though beautiful to behold, the water hyacinth is actually an invasive plant that has the potential to crowd out native plants and congests our local waterways, hindering both fishing and boating. According to the University of Florida website, a mat of water hyacinth can double in size in only 6 to 18 days.

The Apalachicola Riverkeepers have been working to control water haycinth in the area. You can learn more about their efforts here.

Summer Music Series at the Margaret Key Public Library in Apalachicola

Admin — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 21:34:35 +0000

The Margaret Key Public Library in Apalachicola is hosting an After Hours Summer Music Series on select Friday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm through July 29. The library is located at 8012th Street, Apalachicola, Florida. Call the library 850-653-8436 for more information or visit their website.

Remaining shows in the series include:

July 1 Solesse, trio, Singer-Songwriter

July 8 Clayton Mathis, Singer-Songrwriter

July 22 Papa Dean Newman, Singer-Songwriter

July 29 Flying Fish, duo, Singer-Songwriter, Robert E. Mason & Jeff Dutrow

The Driftwood Inn in Mexico Beach is Back!

Admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 04:05:21 +0000

Of the countless structures destroyed by Hurricane Michael in October 2018, the Driftwood Inn was one of the most heart-breaking. The charming inn had been serving visitors to Mexico Beach since 1975 with its laid back vibe and southern charm.

While the original building had two stories, the new version boasts three floors with 23 differently sized rooms. In addition, each room features artwork by the owners’ family and friends. The owner, Peggy Wood, has shared her father’s birdhouse collection with guests by placing them around the property.

For more information, visit their website at https://www.driftwoodinn.com/

Don’t Forget Your Florida Fishing License

Admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 00:20:37 +0000

There are some exemptions for who needs a fresh or salt water fishing license. For example, Florida residents 65 or older and children under 16 years of age do not need a license. If you are fishing on your homestead or the homestead of a spouse or child, you don’t need a license. That’s also true if you are a minor child fishing on the homestead of your parent. In addition, Florida residents who are totally and permanently disabled do not need to obtain a fishing license.

You can purchase a fishing license online at https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/ or by downloading the free Fish | Hunt FL mobile app in the App Store or Google Play. You can also by call toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356) to purchase a license.

Survivors Bait and Tackle on SGI Has a New Look Under New Ownership

Admin — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 21:59:06 +0000

Survivors Bait and Tackle on St. George Island opened up this spring under new ownership, and customers have been impressed with the changes so far. In addition to expanding its bait and tackle selection and adding camping accessories and beach gear, Survivors also rents golf carts.

Survivors Bait and Tackle is open 7 days a week, from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm. Located at 28 W Pine Avenue, St. George Island.

Scalloping Season on the Forgotten Coast

Admin — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 18:49:00 +0000

Late last year after working closely with the local community, the FWC set August 16 through September 24 for the 2020 Scalloping Season. According the the FWC, those particular dates were selected to allow the FWC to “balance stakeholder and community desires with the sustainability of the scallop populations.”

Bay scallops may only be harvested in state waters from the following zones:

St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County: Aug. 16-Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County. NOTE: The area marked with FWC buoys south of Black’s Island is a Bay Scallop Restoration Area and no scalloping or anchoring is allowed there.

Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks): July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County to Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County.

Direct transit of legally-harvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas.

Mullet Toss Returns to Blue Parrot on SGI June 11

Admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 21:05:03 +0000

Head to St. George Island on Saturday, June 11th for the 30th annual Blue Parrot Mullet Toss!

Registration begins at 10:00 AM
Competition begins at 11:00 AM

Men’s Division 18 & up- $200 prize
Women’s Division-$200 prize
Kids-14-16 yrs- Bicycle
Kids 11-13 yrs-fishing pole and tackle box
Kids 10 and under-fishing pole/tackle box

FREE STYLE DIVISION– Make a contraption to sling a fish over the record of 533 feet and you could win $1,000!

Free T-shirt with every entry!
$30- 18 years and older
$20-17 years and under

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Mullet Toss will be donated to Franklin’s Promise.

Don’t Miss the Stargazing When Visiting the Forgotten Coast

Admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 23:45:28 +0000

St. George Island

As a barrier island with a limited population, St. George Island is perfect for stargazing. Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park is tucked away at the east end of the island, far from the lights of a major city. Visitors have the rare opportunity to gaze upon a truly dark sky, with the best views of the night sky in the region. In fact, staff are working toward achieving designation as a Dark Sky Park with the International Dark Sky Association.

All Florida State Parks close at sunset; however, they offer several ways to gain after-hours access to the park to enjoy the dark skies:

Reserve a campsite in the family campground online or by calling Reserve America.
If you are a Florida State Parks Family Annual Pass holder interested in gaining access to the preserve after sunset, please visit the office during the regular office hours and sign up for an after-hours permit, which would grant you access to the park’s common day use areas after hours.

Please note that the entrance is closed daily 15 minutes after sunset; only registered campers or after-hours pass holders are allowed entry after dark.

Stargazers have the chance to see stars, planets and other celestial bodies in incomprehensible numbers and unforgettable brilliance. Jupiter and Saturn are both clearly visible in the night sky. You might be able to witness the International Space Station making its orbit around Earth, or witness the wispy white and purple glow of the Milky Way rising over the white sand dunes.

Dr. Julian G Bruce State Park Official Website

Cape San Blas

Cape San Blas is also an excellent place to view the night sky when on the Forgotten Coast. You can see a map of the Cape San Blas night sky here to see which planets and objects are visible and where to locate them.

The T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park on Cape San Blas sustained significant damage to the camping facilities during Hurricane Michael in 2018. The Category 5 winds carved a breach connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the Eagle Harbor. Though the road leading to the campground is gone now, a land bridge forms sometimes now when the tide is low. You can apply for an overnight recreational pass if you wish to spend a few hours stargazing after sunset.

Alligator Point

The exquisite stargazing, along with unsurpassed tranquility, are considered some of the best reasons to visit Alligator Point, Florida.

This pristine, rural beach community is located 45 minutes south of Tallahassee, and there are no crowds, no strip malls, and no movie theaters. In fact, it doesn’t even have a t-shirt shop. You will find miles of quiet beach, along with unparalleled opportunities for fishing, relaxing,and stargazing.

When Visiting the Forgotten Coast, Don’t Forget to Look Up

Admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 01:40:00 +0000

The Forgotten Coast is a paradise for birdwatchers. With its coastlines, forests, rivers, and bays, the Forgotten Coast is home, or at least a temporary home, to an incredible variety of birds, including bald eagles, osprey, falcons, warblers, herons, egrets, owls, cardinals, and so many more.

Winter is an excellent time for spotting many species of water birds, including ducks and loons and other water birds enjoy the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Coast.

Some of the best spots for birding on the Forgotten Coast include St. George Island State Park, Bald Point State Park, Old Carrabelle Beach, and the entire town of Apalachicola.

The Forgotten Coast is home to a wide variety of beautiful birds

Dueling Pianos at Paddy’s on June 18

Admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 19:11:51 +0000

Get ready for a night of musical fun and entertainment as Paddy’s on St. George Island hosts a night of Dueling Pianos on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 7:00 to 11:00 pm.