At the
Gulf Shore YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL ART, ENTERTAINMENT & FUN
Manatees or Bears Who’s in Your Neighborhood?
FRESHWATER FISHING Largemouth BASS
Redfish Magic
Anclote Key
More than just kayaking
Selby Gardens
Sarasota’s Living Museum
FLORIDA FRESH Blueberry Farms
SPRING 2024
y e K e t o l c n A Pasco County’s
T h e Nor t h er n most Bar r ie r Isla nd off t h e G ulf Coast
Anclote Key Preserve State Park is a wonderful
advised to come prepared with flares, first aid
spot for avid kayakers and bird watchers to visit.
kits, and personal flotation devices. They are
Since there isn’t much else on the island, it is
also advised to create a float plan to leave with
important to come prepared!
someone who is not taking the trip to the island
Anclote Key Preserve State Park is one of the northernmost barrier islands. It is located in Tarpon Springs, Pasco County. The park is well known as a sanctuary for endangered and rare species. Boasting gorgeous scenery, the island also boasts the Anclote Key Lighthouse. While tours usually aren’t given, it offers an excellent photographic opportunity.
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just in case an emergency occurs. Since the island is only three miles long and a mere one quarter of a mile wide, it can easily be explored by kayak.
Beachcombing Anclote Key Preserve State Park boasts a clean, white sand beach on the gulf side. Not only can beachcombers discover quite a few interesting
Boating
seashells on the beach, but if they are lucky,
Boating is the primary activity for visitors to the
they can also see a sand dollar or two. On the
Anclote Key Preserve State Park. All boaters are
south side of the island, beachcombers might be
At the Gulf Shore
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Redfish Magic
Spring is a great time to fish in the gulf especially if the water temperatures warm up, like it typically does in spring. Usually this will spark the bait to show up in numbers on the flats and where there is bait, predator fish are not too far behind. With that being said, you will still have your wintertime fish around like sheepshead and trout that can still be caught, but snook and redfish will come alive with redfish taking center stage. If we have the normal weather patterns that we usually get in March, the schools of redfish will move onto the flats and work the mangrove tree lines and oyster bars. Shrimp, scaled sardines, pinfish, finger mullet and cut bait such as the previously mentioned along with ladyfish, threadfin herring and any other bait fish that is oily that produces scent in the water. If you are into the artificial style of fishing nothing beats seeing
Wintertime fish are still around like sheepshead and trout which are still active. But snook and redfish will come alive with redfish taking center stage.
a redfish get its head half out of the water to inhale a top-water lure. One of my favorites is the MirrOlure’s Pro Dog in the finger mullet skin series CS85MR or for a
16 At the Gulf Shore
smaller top water presentation the
Fishing the Gulf Shore St. Petersburg
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22 At the Gulf Shore
is knowing what home decor pieces to buy in the first place. Not all of the items recommended below are needed (or everyone’s cup of tea), but they are a good foundation and can give you a place to start: f Mirrors (place them where they can reflect light to make the space feel bigger) f Baskets (to hold blankets, foliage, etc.) f An attractive lamp (lighting is a huge décor factor) f Wall hangings or paintings (no, you aren’t required to create a whole gallery wall, just choose a couple that you like) f Plants/greenery (avoid real ones if you’re not a good plant parent) f Vintage/antique odds and ends (find these at yard sales, thrift shops, etc. for low prices) 5. Soften it up! Any room with windows or seating should have a few fabric items. Curtains, blankets, or cushions are easy to change out with the seasons and can change the feel of a room quickly. These should be functional as well as pretty, but hey, a fluffy throw blanket that nobody is allowed to unfold is fine too. Whatever you choose, you must
Rugs add that special touch to any room 23
A Hard Look at
the Gulf Shore
Neighbors
26 At the Gulf Shore
Did you know that in the Gulf, Florida manatees can be found from coastal Louisiana and can be sighted as far west as Texas? We have manatees literally in our backyards here along the Gulf Shore of Florida and we need to stay educated to keep the area safe for them.
Manatees
Many of our waterways are filled with manatees. These large, aquatic mammals are native to Florida. They are usually 9-10 feet long and can weigh around 1,000 pounds. Sometimes, they can mature to over 13 feet long and weigh more than 3,500 pounds! Because they have wrinkled-looking skin, it continually flakes off which causes algae to grow on its tails and backs. Since manatees are herbivores, it’s important that they have access to their food sources to survive. Development along the Nature Coast and other nearby areas are showing some significant changes for the manatee that haven’t occurred before. Residents have had a few unstable and even dead manatees wash up along the banks of their riverfront homes. Most of them have occurred in the Mudd River in Hernando County and the FWC has investigated these incidents. FWC claims that the deaths were from a sudden
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f DO NOT: Make any sudden or abrupt movements f Run - running can trigger a chase instinct and bears can sprint up to 35 mph f Play dead - black bears eat things that play dead or are dead f Climb a tree - black bears can climb 100 feet up a tree in 30 seconds
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a pledge that we should all follow. Take a minute to think about it. What would happen if there was no wildlife? As a responsible wildlife watcher, I pledge to: Keep my hands to myself. Report wildlife that seems sick or abandoned.
f If a black bear attacks you:
Keep my pets home or on a leash. Lend a hand with trash removal.
Catch the wave and jump on board with At the Gulf Shore magazine!
Scan below to subscribe and support local business!
Keep snacks to yourself. Lead by example. References: 1. https://myfwc.com/ 2. https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/wildlife-viewing/ pledge.html
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publishes only four times a year. Our goal is to provide local businesses an avenue to get their business noticed through this publication. We are a digital publication and a printed publication.
Hang back and enjoy the view.
f Approach or surprise a bear, especially one that may be injured f Fight back aggressively. People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using rocks, sticks, or even their bare hands!
At the Gulf Shore magazine
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FRESH WATER
Bass Fishing
Largemouth bass are one of the most popular game
sensational sport here in the Sunshine State. Hundreds
fish in North America. What differentiates this fish
of lakes produce huge quantities of bass. Because of
from other black bass is the upper jaw that extends
this accomplishment, Florida has earned the title of one
beyond the rear edge of the eye, and the first and
of the best places for bass fishing. The state record for a
second dorsal fins are separated by a dip deep. These
Largemouth Bass is 17.27 lbs.*
bass are abundant in the many lakes and waterways
In Lake Tarpon, you will find some of the largest bass
here inside the Gulf Shore area. Bass fishing is a
in the region. Located about 10 miles west of Tampa,
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