Big Bend Charters

05/29/2026

RED SNAPPER TRIP! OPEN BOAT! $350 per person, 3 spots left. FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2026 7:00-5:30pm. Deadman Bay Marina Call 877-852-FISH!

INCLUDES: Bait, Tackle, License, Ice for fish, fuel and FUN. Does NOT INCLUDE tip for the mate or fish cleaning!

@topfansSteinhatchee Travel GuideSteinhatchee.comSteinhatchee Travel GuideSteinhatchee Fishing

05/22/2026

Coffee with the Captain
Reading the Audience

Comedians read their audience. If they are going to have a long career in laughs, it is a must have skill. Before the show, they have looked into the generalities of where they are to perform. Is it a party place, such as, spring break? Is it known for conservative values? Is the predicted audience going to be predominately a certain ethnicity? And, so forth. The comedian will adjust the performance to best suit the crowd.
That skill doesn't solely apply to comedians. Politicians will say anything to the point of switching their natural voice to the colloquial in order to garner votes. Others who often speak before the public, frequently groom the spiel to appease people. Certain preachers (very few) will water down Bible verses so not to offend the congregation.
Reading an audience is vital to be successful.
In the past, people have came in and misread us, the audience. Look closely and you'll notice some floundering white elephants in our community.
They say they love the “pristine old Florida” here at the convergence of Dixie and Taylor counties on the Steinhatchee River. Yet, they strive to change what the confess to love for profit. If you really love something, let it be free. Historically, people often kill what they love.
“I want my money back out of it.” So said a fool and his money long before I heard it repeated last evening on the steps of Dixie county courthouse. Then he added, paraphrased, 'even if I have to build condos.' What happened to blending with nature? That was a self admitted lie. He is thinking only about his profit. The eloquent words describing the benefits this development will have for our community and audaciously NATURE are empty AI generations. We, the audience, are going through the initial obligatory insincere fawning period. That will be quickly followed by the 'we were forced to change our plans' period. Rolling along full circle until ending up just the way they originally planned.
The floods are coming again. Many flood events happen unnamed.
In the meantime, hoards of no-see-um's, mosquitoes and biting flies can be very persuasive. They don't read the audience. They consume it. RE-read the last two sentences. We're the audience.
Where is the EPA when they're needed?

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05/19/2026

The Shots Never Taken

“Captain, you remember that big fish I caught trolling?” It had been awhile since he'd been fishing with me. There had been many fish pass under the hull in the meantime and a lot of folks onboard.
I tried to fake it. I spoke of a common fish caught trolling. “Yea, that big gag grouper!” I was so far off base there was no recovery. “You're mate stripped out a bonita. He tossed the carcass overboard while we trolled. There was a huge hit; it flattened the rod. I reeled in the bonita for the second time!
Sometimes, the action is so overwhelming no one cares to stop and take a photo or video. Everyone onboard is busy dealing with their issue at hand. No one is going to say, “Let's stop to take a group photo”, at that time.
It's wonderful when fishing is so active there is no time to take a photo. On a positive note, the lack of a photo allows the story to further develop over time.

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05/17/2026

Big Bend Charters!
877-852-3474

05/16/2026

This is what Brian calls a "draper AJ", because it drapes over the ends of the cooler! It's Fun to fish for these monsters!

05/15/2026

Booking scallop charters this year! Big boat! Lots of room for everyone! Easy on and off!
Spend an easy day on the water with Big Bend Big Bend Charters

Check out Big Bend Charters’s video.

05/14/2026

Coffee with the Captain’s Wife: Part 2
(Grab your coffee — this is all I am going to say about that.)

First, I do appreciate the apology, and honestly, I was surprised to receive one. I didn’t ask for a personal apology or really an apology at all.

However, since the original post wasn’t articulated in a way that sounded like someone simply chasing a dream of going fishing, on a boat, with an experienced captain AND actually catching fish… my knee-jerk reaction became personal.

But what truly drove me over the edge was that it felt like an attack on our industry, our town, and our way of life.

The original offense was suggesting that established captains somehow don’t know how to run their businesses “cost-effectively” enough to allow people on their boats. I don’t need to ride that pony again — if you missed Coffee with the Captain’s Wife Part 1, go catch up. (I avoided Roman numerals in case somebody mistook it for World War Eleven.) Which, honestly, may happen if somebody says “cost-effective charter” one more time. 🤯

Another bee in my bonnet was the rude response to Ms. Redmon, a sweet lady who simply suggested renting a boat. Don’t be rude to anybody… but especially DO NOT BE RUDE TO MS. REDMON! JS!

And while we’re here… when asking for recommendations on a public forum, I personally think if you don’t have something significant to add, maybe just scroll on by. Or at least make a general “thanks for the suggestions” post. Believe me, I could write an entire novel about people not responding to texts, emails, or questions when someone is genuinely communicating with you… but I’ll save that rant for more Dew and Pop Rocks.

I sincerely try to answer everybody. If I don’t, it’s because I forgot, sent the response to the wrong person, phone died, got distracted looking for answers, or forgot to hit send. OR… against my very nature… you may have dissed me so long and so hard that I will take my cue from your lack of responses. Which honestly hurts my heart ... but then you probably don't even notice.

Sometimes folks really need to remember my granny’s advice: “It is better to remain silent and let people think you are ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Although… I may be removing some doubt myself right now. LOL

But the final straw — the thing that unleashed Hurricane Ms. Gina — was the suggestion that if a “cost-effective” charter couldn’t be found here, business would go outside our town.
Now THAT raised my ire.

Because in a small town, that feels aimed at all of us. Our captains. Our businesses. Our people. Our home.

And yes, I said OUR.

Because this village survives by sticking together. Some days we struggle. Some days we feud like the Hatfields and McCoys. But let a hurricane hit and we’ll stand shoulder to shoulder in muck up to our backsides helping each other put Steinhatchee back together like Humpty Dumpty’s crew. Then we’ll go right back to fussing at each other. 😂

But DON’T talk bad about our town.

So yes — apology accepted. Water under the Steinhatchee bridge. Letting all ill feelings sink deep into the Gulf of America! That tide is not rolling back in.

We ain’t perfect, but it’s home. It’s family.

Now go build your business, live, love, and thrive the Steinhatchee way. If there is a need, call. If there is a want... Well, listen to Pappy's advice on that one. ✋🤚

Love covers a multitude of sins. — 1 Peter 4:8

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