Outdoors

This year, I think I'll try to ...?

By TERRY TOMALIN, Outdoors Editor
Published January 4, 2008

Stop worrying about insurance rates and property taxes; you live in Florida, land of sun and fun. We have great weather and nonstop fun for nearly every type of outdoor enthusiast, from thrill-seeking kite surfers to laid-back bird watchers. A dozen ideas, broken down by month, to motivate you to try something new during the next year:

January

Have fat tire fun

Florida doesn't have mountains, but we do have trails for the off-road cyclist. Withlacoochee and Ocala are great, but you don't have to drive two hours to get your heart pumping. The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Park (Morris Bridge, Flatwoods and Trout Creek areas) has 15 miles of trails for riders of all levels, even challenging enough for veteran riders. Wear a helmet; it keeps spider webs out of your hair and protects your skull from tree limbs. Off-road bikers often get a bum rap from some who see them as hooligans tearing up trails and chasing wildlife. So be respectful and contact www.swampclub.org for information.

February

Catch a convict fish

You don't need a fishing guide to catch sheepshead. The striped sportfish, with its flaky, white meat, makes excellent table fare. Hooking them isn't complicated. Head to any pier, dock or seawall and catch all you want by following a few simple steps: Use a spinning rod (sheepshead are soft biters, so the lighter the rod, the better) and 2 feet of 30-pound-test leader. Scrape some barnacles or mussels off a seawall or piling and put the meat on a 1/0 circle hook. Drop it down with a size 0 splitshot and hang on.

Size limit: Must be minimum of 12 inches in length. Bag limit: 15 per person per day.

March

Pitch a tent

March is the best month for camping. Cool, but not too cold; the no-see-ums and mosquitoes still waiting to hatch. Florida has great county parks, and national and state forests. But you can't beat the state parks for variety and convenience when it comes to family camping. With more than 160 destinations to choose from, pitch your tent overlooking the beach at Bahia Honda in the Keys or on the bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River at Torreya State Park. Editor's pick: The cabins at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park near White Springs or island camping at Cayo Costa State Park on the gulf west of North Fort Myers. To learn more, go to www.dep.state.fl.us/parks.

April

Hit the water

Choose from the sheltered waters of the bay or the open water of the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa Bay has the best of both worlds.

Boaters have their pick of great destinations: Anclote Key, Three Rooker Bar, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, Shell Key and Egmont Key. Unlike those poor souls who live up north, we Floridians can boat year round. But before you head out, learn the "rules of the road." The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron both offer excellent boater safety courses. A little knowledge goes a long way on the water. Don't have a boat? Don't worry. Public ferries leave from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island and from Fort De Soto Park to Egmont Key.

May

Get some air

Wakeboarding has been hailed as one of the fastest growing water sports in America. If you want to learn, you've come to the right place. Florida is Wakeboard Central, USA. Twisting and turning behind a motorboat, wakeboarders try to complete acrobatic moves such as "air rallies," "fakie backside rolls" and "butter slides." But you don't have to be 10 feet in the air to get a feel for the sport. The wide boards and foot straps make it easier to learn than slalom skiing. Lake Tarpon and Lake Seminole are both home to hard-core wakeboarders. To get in on the action, contact Water-sports West in Largo and line up a lesson (www.watersportswest.com).

June

Go down under

Most Floridians don't realize that they live in the No. 1 scuba diving destination in the world. We have great shipwrecks and coral reefs, as well as some of the best spearfishing in the United States. So what are you waiting for? Learn to scuba dive and head south to the Keys in July for lobster season. Count on completing 20 to 30 hours of classroom time and five dives (one snorkel and four scuba) before you can dive on your own. But remember, scuba diving is like golf, a lifelong passion, and once you get started, it is hard to stop. Learn to dive right - don't take any shortcuts - you will be glad you did.

July

Pursuit of the purple-eyed beast

To stalk the elusive bay scallop (Argopecten irradians), you will need to strap on a mask, snorkel and pair of fins. You'll find these tasty bivalves hiding in the grass beds of the North Suncoast, but catching them is hard. Scallops can swim. These creatures simply squeeze their shells together and expel a jet of water that will rocket it across a grass bed. So be quick and be careful. These crustaceans have been known to pinch a finger or hand. The season opens July 1 and runs through Sept. 10 north of the Pasco-Hernando county line. Scallopers are limited to 2 gallons of whole bay scallops (in the shell) or 1 pint of scallop meat.

August

Get wet

When the air temperature and humidity hit triple digits, cool off in one of Florida's natural springs. Southwest of Gainesville, you will find the springs of the Ichetucknee, which pump 233-million gallons of crystal-clear water into a river of the same name. Right off the main parking lot at the north entrance to the state park you will find the head spring; the bluish hue makes it particularly appealing on a warm summer day. The average depth is 8 feet, but experienced snorkelers with strong legs and good lungs can drop down to 25 feet if they so desire. The numerous shallow areas make this an ideal place for families with small children. For information, go to www.floridastateparks.org.

September

The Spanish are coming

Spanish mackerel often are called an "everyman's fish" because they can be caught almost anywhere, from inshore grass flats to offshore sea buoys, by anglers of all skill levels. Every spring and fall these "Spannies" travel in big schools along the Suncoast. Anglers wanting to grab a piece of the action can check out the twin piers at Fort De Soto Park. The piers are free, family-friendly and open 24/7. The Gulf Pier is located near the fort; the Bay Pier is located closer to the park headquarters. Bait is available at the Gulf Pier bait shop. Go to www.pinellascounty.org for information. Size limit: Must be minimum of 12 inches to the fork. Bag limit: 15 per person per day.

October

Get crabby

Stone crab claws are tasty, but pricey. But you don't need to break the piggy bank to enjoy this Florida delicacy. If you grab a bucket and wade along a rocky shoreline, you can pick the critters out of their holes. They like to hide in rocky outcrops near sea grass beds. Go at low tide. Crab burrows are often marked by discarded shells. But be careful. That succulent crab claw was designed to crush clams and oysters, so imagine what it can do to an index finger. Claws must measure 23/4 inches. The season runs Oct. 15 to May 15. The bag limit is 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel.

November

A good paddling

Canoeing is a lot like playing tennis. Anybody can go out there and hit a ball, but keeping it within the lines takes practice. Locally, you can practice your paddling skills on the Hillsborough River, just a half-hour from downtown Tampa. With its origins in the Green Swamp, the Hillsborough twists and turns for about 55 miles before emptying into Tampa Bay. For a good day trip, start at Hillsborough River State Park and paddle downstream for about 11/2 hours. (If you start early in the morning - the park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at sunset - you stand a good chance of seeing otters near the Rapids Trail.) Turn around before you get too tired, because you will have to paddle back against the current. Another option is to rent a canoe at Canoe Escape on Fowler Avenue. Call (813) 986-2067, or visit www.canoeescape.com.

December

Take a hike

The drop in temperature means it is time to hit the woods. With more than 140,000 acres of wilderness to explore, Withlacoochee State Forest has hiking/backpacking trails for everybody from beginner to expert. The Richloam Tract, 10 miles north of Dade City, has several combinations of 5- to 10-mile loops. The Croom Tract, located east of Brooksville, has three loops that make good day hikes. And the Citrus Tract, southwest of Inverness, has a variety of walks ranging in lengths up to 40 miles. Pick a distance you feel comfortable with. Figure on a walking pace of 2 or 3 mph. Remember, hiking is supposed to be fun. Give yourself time to enjoy the scenery. To learn more about Withlacoochee, call (352) 754-6896.

[Last modified January 3, 2008, 21:13:13]