Lone angler waiting for supper.
Slightly south of Tallahassee, Fla., one enters a natural world where little has changed for a century. This forgotten part of Florida extends southward through the Big Bend to Cedar Key. Huge condos or perfectly manicured golf courses don’t command the horizon in this Panhandle paradise. The land that we call the Nature Coast is still dominated by small fishing villages that have survived the passing of time from the fruits of the Gulf of America and the abundance of its marshes, trees and wildlife.
Though some commercial fishing is still done, seafood harvesting laws tend to favor sport fishing. Therefore, the unbelievable revival of spotted sea trout, redfish, flounder and sheepshead has made this part of Florida a Mecca for anglers with rod and reels. Also, the fertile, spring-fed, saltwater flats of the Wakulla, St. Marks, Steinhatchee, Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers have made the Nature Coast one of the most popular scalloping areas in the world.
Fishing from the beach along the Nature Coast.
The quiet calm camouflages the mind boggling possibilities that are available in this rustic community. If you don’t mind some exercise, guided kayak trips into the saltwater flats can be scenic and educational. The trips will have you grabbing for cameras constantly.
One of the highlights of any visit to this section of Florida’s Panhandle is the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge that was established in 1931 for a wintering habitat to migratory birds. It encompasses 68,000 acres between Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties along the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. The refuge includes coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven North Florida rivers and provides a home for a diverse community of plant and animal life. The refuge has strong ties to a rich cultural past, and includes the famous St. Marks Lighthouse, which was built in 1832 and is still in use today.
Steinhatchee Falls
Though not one of the wonders of the world, after leaving Wakulla County, stop by Steinhatchee Falls so that you can say that you’ve seen it. Any kind of sudden drop in elevation in Florida is noteworthy, but this one was made famous when Andrew Jackson rested here during one of his Indian campaigns.
Redfish, sea trout and scallops are the main reasons visitors come to the sleepy little town of Steinhatchee. Summer scalloping in the nearby flats is among the best known. The sheer numbers of scallops in Steinhatchee can be amazing!
Any visit to the Nature Coast of Florida would be incomplete without spending a couple of days between the historic town of Yankeetown and the natural beauty of the Withlacoochee River. Yankeetown still has that Old Florida look with magnificent oak trees decorated with long veils of Spanish moss that shade the winding lanes leading to the Withlacoochee River. The best way to see both the river and the surrounding area is by boat. Both fresh and saltwater fishing is excellent in this area, but the 30-minute ride down the river to the Gulf is absolutely breathtaking! Anyone who likes birding or has an interest in ospreys and eagles will simply go nuts taking pictures of birds and nesting areas!
A Night Heron.
Morning beach walkers on the Nature Coast.
Eagles in a tree,
The Nature Coast offers something for everyone who loves and appreciates nature and the outdoors, and the diverse fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities are great. Regardless of the reasons for coming to this Gulf Coast paradise, the trip is guaranteed to be memorable!
Photos: by Bill Vanderford
