Okaloosa Island: Beach or Sound?

Today was a grey, dreary day so I decided to brighten my spirits by running UP this morning. I took advantage of some of condo steps on the island and ran up them so that I was able to see how lucky I am to have such wonderful views available to me every day.

As I was standing at the top of the Islander this was my view of the beach on one side...

and this was my view of the sound on the other side...

Having such easy access to the sound and the beach truly makes Okaloosa Island unique and special. In case you don't know, there are 7 beach access sites on Santa Rosa Boulevard alone!

Here is a link to Okaloosa County beach accesses if you would like more information.

What is your favorite side of Okaloosa Island...the sound or the beach?

Squid Fishing

Cool, calm evening on the island and looking for something to do between January and April?  Head over to the Okaloosa Island pier with your favorite fishing rod and a few dollars to purchase a squid rig for jigging.  Yes, I said squid.  Every winter here on the island the squid come to the lights on the pier to feed after dark.

I went out recently to see squid fishing in action. Upon approach I would have thought the pier was deserted.

I followed this guy out to where the action was...

Brian Higgins was fishing and advised that fishermen can jig the squid rig up and down off the bottom.  When the squid attack the lures they get hooked.

The pier takes on an entirely different mood on a cold, winter night.

In addition to watching people reel in squid, it was fun to just take in the textures and sounds of the pier.

Below you will see a squid that Brian caught. It is fascinating to watch them change colors before your eyes...from red to green to clear.

The squid are easy to clean and fantastic table fare.  Simply cut into pieces, toss in a little flour along with your favorite seasonings, and throw them in the fryer.

If you are thinking this rig is made with a straw...you are right. Brian had especially good luck with glow in the dark tubing the night I was on the pier.

The pier attendant was making these squid rigs when I arrived at the pier. 

If this sounds fun, head on out to the Okaloosa Island Pier to enjoy fishing or just to watch.

Jet Blading on Okaloosa Island

Yesterday afternoon we were enjoying a warm (finally) day at Marler Park when we saw some action on the water. Two men were jet blading, and it was so much fun to watch. I'm pretty sure the kids around thought these guys were super heroes flying through the air.

Believe it or not they said it is rather easy to do. The guy in the photo (Ben) came and talked to us and answered questions.

 

If you want to give it a try contact  Power Up Watersports. The rates were quite reasonable.

Garden Street Fabrics

Downtown Fort Walton Beach has a great, new shop - Garden Street Fabrics. It's a treat to peruse their beautiful fabrics, pillows, furniture, and accessories.

In the window below you can see some of the beaded pillows that they had created just for their store.

Garden Street Fabrics offers full design service that compliments your lifestyle and interests. Their motto is "we collaborate not dictate."

Even better, their design fees are waived when you use their fabrics, furniture, accessories, and lighting.

They have an amazing selection of fabric.

The bolts you see below...I want them all! I am particularly drooling over the lush, turquoise fabric.

Jill Doughty (below) is friendly and easy to talk to, so stop by and see her at the new downtown Fort Walton Beach location.

Even if you don't need design services, they have the best smelling candles that make great gifts. If only you could scratch and smell the image below.

Garden Street Fabrics is located at 148 Miracle Strip Parkway, and you can reach them at 850.362.7277. They also have a facebook page which you can find here.

Mardi Gras Parade

Since Mardi Gras was this week I thought I would post a little throwback to our own little Mardi Gras kick-off on the island. We are the first to get the party started in this area!

A local tradition for 12 years, the Mardi Gras parade on Okaloosa Island (sponsored by Abita Brewing Company) is a family friendly event held in January each year. The parade kicks off at 1:00 p.m.

Below are a few photos from a pre-parade celebration at our home on the island.

We love that our parade is a family-friendly event.

 
People line up all along Santa Rosa Boulevard to catch beads and throws tossed by participants on the floats and by costumed walkers.

For more information about the Okaloosa Island Mardi Gras parade contact the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Island Fashion

It comes as no surprise that Okaloosa Island is the perfect place for a fashion photo shoot.

A well known south Georgia clothing boutique was in town over the weekend to shoot their "By the Sea" collection.

Here are a few shots with the models (all local) that reflect life on Okaloosa Island.

If you can't resist these cute clothes you will soon be able to find the online at Ally B Boutique.

You can also find their facebook page here.

Fishing on Okaloosa Island: Bait Fish

While walking down the beach recently, Brian Higgins noticed a large dark school of bait fish that was abnormally close to the shore. Brian lives on the island and fishes frequently.

 Not sure of what the bait fish were, he stopped to talk to a man who had been fishing on the beach for several hours that morning.  The man stated that  someone had told him that they were probably finger sized mullet. These birds were quite interested in the bait fish.

Well, as anyone who fishes in the gulf knows, finger sized mullet are one of the best baits around for everything from sea trout to redfish and even large flounder. Brian quickly ran across the street to his house, changed clothes, and grabbed a bucket and throw net to hopefully scoop up some prized bait fish to use later.

 One throw from his 5 foot cast net landed nearly a full 6 gallon bucket full of bait. However, much to his surprise, the net was full of Gulf Menhaden and not mullet.

Brian offered up some of the live Menhaden to the beach fisherman and released the rest back into the ocean.  Menhaden are prized for their oil, but on this day, they were released since they do not freeze very well to use for bait at a later time.

What is your favorite fish to catch?