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Get hooked on Florida fishing
With almost 1,200
miles of coastline, 12,000 miles of rivers and streams, almost 8,000
lakes and 2,100 marinas, Florida is paradise for fishing and boating
enthusiasts.
Whether you are lured
by the tranquility of freshwater lakes or the excitement of saltwater
pursuits, you'll find what you're looking for in Florida.
 Rivers, lakes and
freshwater canals maintain a constant flow of fish like bass, crappie,
blue gill and catfish.
Commonly used tackle
includes cane poles, plug casting reels, spinning reels and fly rods,
and baits range from live worms and shiners to plastic worms and crank
baits.
For seemingly never
ending freshwater fishing, take to Lake Okeechobee, where, at 730 square
miles, it is the second largest freshwater body completely within the
borders of the United States. Redear sunfish, giant catfish, crappie,
bass and snook are yours for the taking, and even some Oscar are hiding
in the marshy areas.
You can purchase a
fishing license at the county tax collector’s office, subagents such as
tackle shops, fish camps, hardware stores and sporting goods stores,
through the state’s new toll-free phone number (1-888-FISH-FLORIDA)* or
the state government website
MyFlorida.com.
 Angling
Florida's sea waters can be highly productive throughout the year
whether fishing from the beach, piers or bridges, or by boat in the
flats or far offshore.
Emerald waters in the
northern part of the state are perfect for catching blue marlin and
tuna, and in the deep waters you'll spy cobia, king mackerel and a few
different types of sharks. Oyster beds of the Gulf coast will net
kingfish and pompano, while further south, the dark blue ocean off the
coast of Sarasota south to Naples are home some of the largest Tarpon in
the hemisphere.
On the Atlantic Coast,
grouper, sheepshead, red snapper and flounder are common finds. Off the
coast of Jacksonville, great amberjacks more than five feet in length
and more than 170 pounds are known to make spectacular appearances.
Snook, red drum and barracuda are other sport fishing delights.
The warm tropical
waters of Southwest Florida and the Florida Keys host snapper, jewfish,
grouper, cobia, tripletail, bluegill and bass. In fact, the Florida Keys
are home to more than 225 species of game fish with plenty of dolphin,
permit and wahoo to go around.
Don't forget "inland"
saltwater fishing, either. The back bays and canals always yield a good
catch. Patrol along the mangroves and docks to hook snook, trout and
maybe even a tarpon in the winter months.
For current Saltwater
Fishing Regulations visit the
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Fisheries
site. |
