Nuts & Bolts Fall Fish 'N Fest 2017

 REGISTRATION:

If you have already signed up, that's great!  Hopefully you downloaded and emailed your Registration Form in.   If not, please do that now.   This lets us know how many people are coming, where you'll be staying (so we can keep track of the room blocks), and whether you will be fishing with a charter captain or bringing your own boat.  You are also required to pay for charter fishing and evening banquets via our payment portals so we have an accurate head count for the caterers and charter guides.  Once you've filled out the form, email it to Cefus@NutsAndBoltsFishing.com 

Your banquet fees include admission to both nighttime events, a ticket in the drawing for a Free Ride to the Spring 2018 Fish 'N Fest. 

 ACCOMMODATIONS OPTIONS:

We have arranged room blocks with a couple great places for your stay in Steinhatchee.

Our off-the-water HQ for the event is the Pelican Pointe Inn.  It's adjacent to Fiddler's Restaurant (where our nighttime events will be held), and it's right on the river.   Pelican Pointe has boat docks available for overnight guests.   They offer single unit rooms and suites with 2 bedrooms.   Call them during normal business hours at (352) 498-7427.

Another option includes the Sea Hag Shacks at Sea Hag Marina.  You'll be staying just a few short steps from the marina docks.  Sea Hag Marina offers transient slip space, bait, fuel, ice, tackle and more. And they also have rental boats if you want to venture out on your own.  Call them at 352 498-3008 to book a Sea Hag Shack or slip space.

There are several other options in Steinhatchee, like Steinhatchee Landing Resort...just up the river...with fully furnished rental residences.  The Steinhatchee River Inn is a couple blocks from the marina and offers suites with kitchenettes.  Take the bridge across the river and you'll find Good Times Marina & Motel with both motel rooms and small efficiency cabins.  They have transient slip space, bait, fuel, ice, etc.  

NOTE: The fall season is quite popular in Steinhatchee.  We have a limited number of rooms in our blocks, so book your accommodations now.

FALL FISHING IN STEINHATCHEE

The fall fishing is "Spec"-tacular in Steinhatchee.  Mondo speckled trout, redfish, jacks, and more roam the pristine flats.  This is skinny water fishing at its finest.  And if you don't own a boat...that's OK.  As we have done in the past, we have made arrangements with local charter guides for folks who do not have a boat, or elect not to bring their own boat. 

For those who do bring your own boat, we have engaged Steinhatchee's finest charter guides to take you on salty adventures you'll really enjoy.  And, they will be at the Welcome Banquet on Thursday night to provide their insight on where to go and what to use for fishing in the area.

Sea Hag Marina is our on-the-water HQ for the event.  They have transient slip space, bait, ice, fuel, tackle, snacks...and yes...cold beer.  We'll gather here each morning to board the charter boats, and have the weigh-in's each afternoon from 3pm to 5pm at the Sea Hag fish cleaning station.  To reserve slip space, call them at 352 498-3008.

INSHORE FISHING:  Fall is the time to be fishing Steinhatchee!  There are literally miles and miles of gin-clear water and grass flats...perfect habitat for big seatrout, redfish, flounder and more.  Our select group of local captains offer comfortable bay boats that can accommodate four anglers per boat and they will have everything you need for the day.  All you have to do is bring what you want to eat and be prepared for a fun day on the water.    Charter rates are based on 4 people per inshore boat, with a per person charge of $160. which includes boat, guide, tackle, fuel, bait and ice.  If you want a boat to yourself, or want to fish with specific buddies, that's fine, but you will pay the entire day rate for the boat.

OFFSHORE FISHING: Fall is also a great time of year to venture offshore.  Grouper will be in season, along with all the 'other' snapper species.  Of course, there's lots of other fun fish to catch as well, including king mackerel, cobia, bonita, barracuda and more.  We have a limited number of offshore slots available for Friday.  Once there are gone, they're gone.  There are no slots for Saturday, so we are opening up a Sunday option for folks who want to go fish the deep blue water.  (Sunday doesn't count toward the Kahuna Award).  The shopping cart knows how many slots are left for Friday and Sunday, so if it doesn't let you purchase it (or says Sold Out), then you'll know you waited too long to sign up.

Fishing fees are non-refundable, unless the captain cancels the trip due to weather.   We WILL fish in the rain (not a thunderstorm), or if it is windy or chilly.  The captain will make the call regarding "Go" or "No-Go"

Friday and Saturday mornings, we will gather at Sea Hag Marina at 7:30am to film the opening for a Nuts & Bolts of Fishing TV epidose.  The charter boats will depart at 8:00am and have you back to the docks around 3pm.  Weigh-in for the Kahuna Awards will be at the dock from 3pm - 5pm. on Friday and Saturday.   If you are bringing your own boat, there are no specific 'lines-in' or 'lines-out' times, since this isn't a tournament.   If you want to weigh a fish, you'll need to be there at the appointed times though.

You do not have to kill the fish to enter it for a Kahuna Award.  To qualify, the fish must be a legal, in-season game fish.   For inshore species, this includes seatrout, redfish, flounder, jacks, mackerel, cobia, tripletail, etc.  For offshore species, this includes, grouper, snapper, amberjack, cobia, barracuda, bonita, etc.  We do not count sharks or stingrays.  Winning fish in each category will be by weight.  In the event of a tie, length will be the determining factor.  If you choose to release the fish, get a picture, an accurate weight and length before releasing.