While it is the frosen tundra back home in Canada, everyone received there fear share of the South Florida Sun today!
Trevor Matthews a successful film producer from Canada always takes time to visit South Florida during the holidays with family and freinds. As part of there yearly adventure we get to entertain them on the water and at the same time let them work on there tans.
Trevor this year brought additional freinds with him, one from as far away as California. While there was none that could touch the distance of travel that it took his brother which came from England where he runs the families 5 star resort that is hosting the rider cup in 2010.
As you can see by the picture above, there was fun and laughter all day. A total of 7 people, they took out 3 of our finest boats for an adventure in the Everglades for the Florida largemouth bass. As ussal the Everglades did not disapoint anyone, while the over all size of the bass were down in size the numbers were not.
The three boats catching a total of 106 largemouth bass in just 4 short hours and we ended the trip with an exciting alligator feeding that was fantastic to say the least.
While there only here for a few more days, New Years in South Florida would not be the same with out them!
Okay, while the Everglades is not actually on fire…the large-mouth bass in the Everglades are in every sense of the word biting like they are.
I had out the Leung family all the way from Pasadena, Ca. It was Raymond, Monica and there daughter Melissa all here for a family wedding, Christmas, New Years and fun family time. One of the things on there list was to better understand the Everglades, it’s history, it’s future and what’s being done to help the vast ecosystem.
I really enjoyed the task at hand, being a big part of the conservation efforts here in South Florida it was my pleasure to answer all of there questions. We did also bass fish for several hours catching over 30 fish and taking plenty of pictures. Raymond had an amazing camera, it stopped birds in there track at full speed. A zoom len that was capable of almost anything you could imagine.
We had a great time, discovering over 25 different birds. Having an up close and personal conversation with a Florida alligator. We had discussions that exposed the flaws in life, as we see it of coarse. As well as the perfections that are commonly overlooked, these are not only things that the Everglades seems to stand for but more importantly make you think about!
Today I had the pleasure of taking out repeat customers from Wellington, Fl. Gene Holland and his nephew Eric from Colorado. Gene really wanted Eric to catch a couple of Florida peacocks today, I said, “I will do my best, the water temperatures dropping in the winter months it slows the fishing down sometimes.
On this day, the winter winds could not keep us from catching peacock bass today. By the end of day we had 20 peacock bass and 5 really nice large mouth bass. While the weather continues to change as winter is here, go fishing…there are no bad days and remember the fishing still have to eat!
Looking forward to seeing Gene again in February.
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To learn more about Florida Peacock bass fishing, visit Bass Fishing Blog
Ask any 10-year-old and they will assure you that Walt Disney World is the capital of Florida. For most families with kids or teens, this attraction is the No. 1 priority when visiting Florida. But it will take more than a weekend (or even a week) to cover Disney’s 47-square-mile kingdom. To make the most of your time, Disney has a free DVD vacation planner to help you map out the perfect trip.
“Most people don’t realize that Disney World is more than just the Magic Kingdom, says Dave Herbst, Walt Disney media spokesperson. “We actually have four theme parks the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom two water parks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Downtown West End, Marketplace and Pleasure Island.
If you do plan to spend the majority of your vacation at Disney World, you will save time and money by staying at one of the 25 onsite hotels, which range in price and style from affordable to luxurious. Staying onsite offers several advantages: customized ticket packages, meal plans, hassle-free transportation between hotels and parks, and extended hours at the parks.
For a unique vacation experience, try Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge. This luxury accommodation is surrounded by a 33-acre savannah with more than 30 species of African wildlife that can be viewed from your private balcony.
Some of the fun educational activities offered at the Lodge include animal tracking and safaris, African crafts and games, and folktales told nightly around the outdoor Arusha Rock fire pit. At Bomo Flavors of Africa, a family-friendly buffet offering breakfast and dinner, happy vacationers can experience cuisine from 50 African countries. Adults will enjoy the AAA Four-Diamond Jiko, The Cooking Place, which boasts the worlds largest selection of South African wines, as well as excellent multicultural cuisine.
Although Orlando is known for its great theme parks Disney, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Sea World and Cypress Gardens (Orlandos very first theme park) the area offers a wealth of other fun and educational opportunities. Downtown Orlando is home to the Orlando Science Center with multiple floors of hands-on exhibits for kids, giant-screen films and the largest refractor telescope in Florida. And if you happen to be in town during basketball season, get tickets to see the NBAs Orlando Magic.
Interested in Biblical history? Orlando has a very unique theme park that will take you back in time 2,000 years. The Holy Land Experience explores the ancient city of Jerusalem through biblical exhibits, models and performances.
While Orlando boasts 52 million square feet of retail shopping and nine world-class malls, for kid-friendly shopping that will earn you a parent-of-the-year award, visit the 4,400-square-foot, free-standing LEGO Imagination Center and the largest Disney character store on earth, both located at Downtown Disney. Grab lunch at Bahama Breeze Island Grill and enjoy a tropical setting with an outstanding menu of fresh Caribbean-inspired dishes for adults and kids. Since you are in Florida, be sure to order their famous Rebeccas Key Lime Pie.
Several of Floridas state parks (161 in total) are within easy driving distance of Orlando and offer a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Blue Spring State Park, with the largest spring on St. Johns River, is a designated Manatee Refuge and winter home (mid-November to March) for a growing number of West Indian Manatees. Bring a picnic lunch and cool off in the 72-degree spring where you can swim, snorkel or scuba dive. Cabins are also available for overnight stays.
You don’t have to go all the way to the Everglades to experience Floridas wetlands and wildlife. Several locations in and around Orlando offer airboat rides as well as full and half-day fishing trips. Orlando is one of the most popular places in the world to go bass fishing, the home of the BASS Masters Classic and just got to visit place for any fishermen in the family is fun for the whole family.
Heres a wave of grown-up-style fun redefining the Orlando experience,” says Amy Scott, relations representative for the Orlando Visitors Bureau. “From trendy restaurants and couture shopping to brand-name luxury hotels and spas and a growing cultural arts scene, adults have a variety of sophisticated new experiences to indulge in.”
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one of those luxury hotel resorts that aims to be for adults what Disney World is for children. This 1,500-acre resort includes an equestrian center, racquet club, fitness center, lake, pitch and putt golf course, and a one-half-acre pool with several waterfalls and a swim-through grotto and bar. With 45 acres of natural Florida terrain, including a nature area and Audubon Walk with elevated boardwalk, you will find it hard to believe you are almost next door to Disneys Downtown area. While at the resort, dont miss the superb seven-course wine-pairing dinner at La Coquina Chefs Table a perfect spot for a romantic celebration.
Want an adult vacation that will allow you to bring your extended family? The Ginn Reunion Resort, located just six miles south of Disney World, is the perfect spot to satisfy everyones vacation itineraries. Accommodations include a choice of condominiums, villas and multi-family homes. The resort is within easy reach of the theme parks, yet miles away from the hustle and bustle. Guests enjoy three signature golf courses, a fitness center, tennis courts, a rooftop pool and lounge, a full-service spa and excellent food at Forte, a contemporary chophouse. Relax or play at the resort or spend the day away.
If your’e still a kid at heart and would like to enjoy some of the theme parks at a more leisurely pace, visit Epcot in the evening and take the 1.3-mile walk around the 11 countries in World Showcase. Stop for dinner in Germany to enjoy folk dancing and an oompah band, belly dancers in Morocco, or singing waiters in Italy. Be sure to stay for the IllumiNations nightly outdoor show of fireworks, music and laser lights.
Another option is Disneys Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios, both of which offer sights and activities for those who would rather skip the zero-gravity thrill rides. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, stop in the Brown Derby Restaurant to view sketches of famous Hollywood stars and sample their famous Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake.
If you enjoy the nightclub scene, both Universal City Walk and Downtown Disneys Pleasure Island offer a variety of musical and comedy clubs. Two shows you wont want to miss are the famous Cirque du Soleil, La Nouba, with its mesmerizing acrobatics and stunning costumes (Disneys West End), and the Blue Man Group offering a unique evening of music, comedy and multimedia theatrics (Universal Studios).
Enjoy a traveling Broadway show or Orlandos own ballet, opera or Philharmonic orchestra at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in downtown Orlando. The downtown area is also home to several museums, including the Orlando Museum of Art the Mennello Museum of American Art and the Orange County Regional History Center, a Smithsonian affiliate. Dont miss the Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical park featuring the largest documented collection of camellias in the nation.
Take a day to get off the beaten path with a trip to the quaint, brick-lined town of Winter Park. Stroll down Park Avenue with its upscale boutiques and restaurants, and be sure to sample the famous chocolate popcorn at Peterbrook Chocolatier. Have lunch at Caf de France, a favorite with locals who appreciate its authentic French food and excellent service.
After lunch, visit The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which is home to the worlds most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including an elaborate chapel interior. End your relaxing day with a scenic one-hour boat tour on Lake Osceola.
Whether you plan to ride every theme park ride, explore the cultured side of the city or simply cocoon yourself at a luxury resort or enjoy a day of bass fishing on of the lakes, Orlando has it all!
Today we had the pleasure of going after a new exotic fish called the Snake-head.
We started the day searching around, as the day went on we found the type of cover the snakeheads where holding in. By by the end of day we caught over 15 snake heads all on topwater. Let me tell you, if you are looking for a strong fighting fish you may want to try fishing for the snakehead. They jump straight out of water and are always trying to shake your hook.
Fishing for the snake head is a blast!
If you are visiting South or Central Florida for work or vacation and want to experience the best bass fishing that there is to offer then please give us a call. We can be reached at (888) 629-BASS or email me…
Today I had the pleasure of Bass fishing in the Florida Everglades and taking out Scott and Richard Garrison from Scottsdale, AZ. Richard now lives in California.
They met me early morning to head out for a day of fishing in the Everglades. We got out on the water and started to throw top water baits. We caught a few on top-water, but that bite wasn’t really good do to the water temp being in the low 60’s. We then changed to plastic and started catching fish consistently throughout the day.
If you are visiting South or Central Florida for work or vacation and want to experience the best bass fishing that there is to offer then please give us a call. We can be reached at (888) 629-BASS or email me…
Today I had the pleasure of fishing with repeat customers of mine Jim Cain from Cahokia, TN. They have been fishing with me for the last four years and it’s always great to see them. We went out to seek the mighty peacock bass today, so we headed to the Miami area due to the resent cold fronts. It always good to move further south for the warmer water.
Fishing today was good, but you had to work hard to catch them…it’s called fishing to most of us, in most case it makes the reward of catching them that much better. James and Jamie caught peacock bass, a tarpon, a snook and a big jack. All of these were caught on one fishing trip today!
Thank you for the good time guys, looking forward to seeing you again…
If you are visiting South or Central Florida for work or vacation and want to experience the best bass fishing that there is to offer then please give us a call. We can be reached at (888) 629-BASS or email me…
What a great time we had today with Dave & June Thurber of Turns Falls, MA.
Dave & June are repeat customer for several years now and while they got to enjoy fishing with Capt Mark Shepard for a few days, I wanted to take the time to thank them for there years of loyality with a specail guided fishing trip by myself.
I know this couple from talking with them on the phone for years, but the experince of getting to know them would only begin to start while we were on the water together. Dave & June wanted to catch a few peacock bass and see the depth of the Everglades at the same time.
I picked them up early, as we headed to the Miami area in search of the hard fighting peacock bass. The ride and traffic while going there provided us with ample time to catch up of all kinds of things. Once we arrived it only took a few hours and we had all of the peacock bass they wanted to catch. By 11:30am we were on our way to the heart of the Everglades where I was hoping to educate them on the thing that were going on out here and catch a few bass. As the “fishing gods” could only provide, we rode though all kinds of wildlife to get to our fishing spot. As we stopped, I picked up a fishing rod to make a cast. Only wanting to provide an example of where to cast and how to retrive, I caught the first fish. That cast would set the example for the rest of our day, as both of them caught fish until we decided to say, that’s enough!
I really enjoyed the time with the Thurber family, not only did we catch fish, have a lot of fun, but I feel like I made frinedship for a lifetime.
The honor was truely mine, I hope to get out with you on your next trip to Florida!
If you are visiting South Florida for work or vacation and want to experience the best fishing that there is to offer then please give us a call. We can be reached @ (888) 629-BASS or by email.
The area in and around Orlando in the state of Florida is one of the most popular areas in the United States of America. Orlando has a population of almost 2 million people if the metropolitan area of Orlando. It is Florida’s sixth largest city, surprisingly but is the largest inland city in the state. Orlando is probably most known for Disney World, Sea World, Universal and it’s resorts. Also popular is one of the city’s oldest activities, a little thing called “Bass Fishing”.
Bass Fishing in Orlando is big business!
Bass fishing in Orlando is incredibly thrilling and sometimes life changing. Many anglers that have fished with BassOnline from all over world in search of that trophy bass almost always end up coming to Orlando because of the weather, the great amounts of trophy bass, and the wondrous scenery and great places to drop off the kids while hitting the lake looking for that bass to tip the scales.
Peak season for bass fishing in Orlando is around the start of the calendar year. Fishing reports of catching bass that weigh over 10 pounds in some of these incredible Orlando lakes like, Lake Toho is common! It is also a great season for catching large amounts of largemouth bass. The spawning for the bass in Orlando will also happen as this season kicks off which makes fishing a whole lot of fun!
A lot of people decide to use “bass fishing guides” when fishing in hope that they will be put on the best bass of there lives and be directed on techniquies while fishing lakes in Orlando. Bass Online Outfotters generally help people catch more fish than they would alone; sometimes up to two or three times as many fish are caught with other bass guides! Most of our bass fishing guides are somewhat legendary for how much they assist the customers in discovering huge bodies of bass filled waters and people hire these legends of the lakes all year long.
Most customer traveling to Orlando that go bass fishing, say it is one of the best things they have ever done. It changed there entire outlook on bass fishing, bringing home there largest bass ever caught in Orlando remains a dream no longer. Of course, that could be a dream or reality for some, but one thing is for certain: Orlando serves up some of the best fishing in Florida and the United States.
Thanks to Capt Todd Kersey for contributing this article to our Florida bass fishing blog:
Deer and coyote leave their tracks in the soft sand of what passes in Florida for hilly terrain.
Florida panthers have been known to do the same.
Thanks to a recent $38 million purchase of an interest in this mosaic of native Florida habitats and human-altered pastures, ditches and roads known as Hatchineha Ranch by The Nature Conservancy, panthers and other wide-ranging wildlife will continue to enjoy a nearly unbroken corridor between the Everglades and Central Florida and perhaps beyond.
The sale, announced just before Thanksgiving, stops plans to turn this 5,134-acre ranch at Polk County’s distant eastern boundary into a city-sized housing development.
That project, called Hatchineha Lakes, was headed for a public hearing in February before the County Commission.
That hearing won’t be necessary now, though county planners are still waiting for a letter formally asking that the project be withdrawn.
Keith Fountain, director of protection for the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, said the preservation of Hatchineha Ranch has been a high priority because of its location in the regional landscape.
“This is one of the last high biodiversity landscapes in Central Florida,” he said.
But to understand the importance of the deal, you have to zoom out far enough to see how this piece fits in the regional landscape.
a piece of the puzzle
The purchase not only completes a nearly continuous corridor of conservation lands around 6,665-acre Lake Hatchineha along the Polk-Osceola line, but it fills a gap in a wildlife corridor that reaches from the outskirts of Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee and into the Everglades.
Think of a regional wildlife corridor as something akin to an interstate highway for everything from Florida panthers and black bears to migrating warblers and waterfowl.
Think of any barrier, such a new network of roads and fences that accompany new development, as something like having the road closed between two interchanges with no easy way to re-enter.
The importance of the corridor was described in a 2002 report prepared for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The report said this area was an important link between the Avon Park Air Force Range and the Green Swamp, which was depicted as part of a more comprehensive statewide corridor system stretching all the way to the Florida Panhandle.
“Habitat within this linkage might also help support panther re-establishment in South-Central Florida in the future,” the report concluded.
years in the making
The Nature Conservancy’s success caps years of preservation efforts.
Once called Imagination Farms, the property topped the list of tracts Polk County sought to protect when the county’s environmentally sensitive lands referendum passed in 1994.
The Polk County’s Environmental Lands Program and the South Florida Water Management District unsuccessfully pursued its acquisition for years.
Fountain said the recently announced deal came as a result of a number of opportune circumstances.
For one thing, the state’s Florida Forever fund is temporarily tapped out because of the state budget crisis, so very little land is being purchased by state officials.
That means landowners interested in selling large tracts for conservation are turning to private groups such as the conservancy.
“There are more opportunities than we’ve ever seen before, but we’re only taking the cream of the crop,” he said.
There was another aspect that aided this deal, which is the cooperation of the owners, Hatchineha Ranch LLC of West Palm Beach.
“I can’t underestimate that this would not have been possible without the landowner’s cooperation,” he said.
Ernie Cox, one of the representatives for Hatchineha Ranch involved in the concept, agreed it was “a pretty creative deal.”
The deal worked this way: Hatchineha Ranch donated 1,130 acres to The Nature Conservancy, and the conservancy purchased a partial interest in the remaining 4,004 acres.
“I’m very excited to have been a part of it,” Cox sad.
rare habitat
He said the restoration of the site’s diverse habitat that includes scrub, flat woods, oak hammocks and extensive - 2,160 acres - wetlands.
Hatchineha Ranch contains an unusual habitat called cutthroat seeps that will be part of the master plan.
Cutthroat seeps are areas where groundwater seeps to the surface, characterized by the presence of cutthroat grass, a type of grass found only in a few scattered locations in Central and South Florida.
“This has the most immense area of cutthroat I’ve ever seen,” the conservancy’s Fountain said.
In fact, in some sections of the property, the cutthroat grass covers the ground everywhere you look.
At this point, there’s no timetable for the restoration, but work of this type typically takes years to plan and implement.
While the restoration is under way, the land will remain in private ownership.
Fountain said someday it is likely to be purchased by the government and become either an addition to the adjacent 8,250-acre Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek State Park or to land managed by the South Florida Water Management District.
[ Tom Palmer can be reached at tom.palmer@theledger.com or 863-802-7535. Read more views on the environment at environment.theledger.com.]
