Florida Fishing
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Fishing in Florida is a way of life. With more then 30,000 lakes, 12,000 miles of streams and rivers, 700 species of fish, and 800 miles of sandy beaches, opportunities to fish both inland and along the coast are endless. Despite the fact that the highest point in Florida is 345 feet and the majority of the land lies at less then 100 ft above sea level, the land displays extraordinary diversity. Everything from surreal white beaches in the Panhandle to 40 miles of a wide slow moving river in the Everglades. Erosion to the bed of limestone,which lies underneath the topsoil , has carved out the thousands of lakes, caves and springs for which Florida is renowned for.
In Florida, there are several different fishing methods used to catch both saltwater and freshwater fish.
DeepSea or Openwater fishing: Charters and party boats will take you offshore to fish for numerous saltwater species.
Backwater fishing or flat fishing: This type of fishing is used in order to access bays, estuaries, mangrove areas, oyster bars, and intercoastal waters near shore. Fly fishing is prime for backwater fishing areas. Species caught are tarpon, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, ladyfish, nurse sharks, sea trout, snook, and red fish. Backwater fishing charters are numerous throughout the coastal regions. They are generally cheaper then openwater fishing, running $200-$300 per half day for six people.
Surf fishing: This can be done from most any beach. An anglers best success would be surf fishing between islands or at the end of islands.
Spear fishing Many fishing guide services offer this type of fishing with the highest concentration in the southern region of Florida.
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Florida Charter Fishing
Florida offers world class deep sea fishing. Every year big game fishing tournaments are held for trophy sized grouper, amberjack, snapper, mackerel, cobia, sailfish, wahoo, tuna, and marlin.
Deep sea fishing boats can be charted at many seaside resorts. If you are serious about catching fish, hire a fishing guide. Organized fishing trips prove to be the best way to minimize cost and catch fish for the eager angler. Fishing guides and charter captains know the best time to fish for certain species and the methods used to catch these fish. When planning a charter trip be up front with what you want but remember to be reasonable: No one can guarantee you will catch fish.
Questions to ask when looking for a charter captain:
• Inquire into the experience of the captain, i.e., how long have they been working in the area, how long have they been a captain, what other areas have they fished?
• What type of licenses and affiliations do they hold? Are they CPR certified?
• What type of gear do they supply and what do you need to bring for yourself?
• If this is an all day trip, do you bring your own lunch? The basic level of any guide service should include fishing gear, refreshments, and some help on processing your fish.
• What type of boat will you be on?
• Find out if the package includes room/board and fishing licenses.
• Costs for a charter will range anywhere from $100 a day to $5,000 a week. When choosing between charters, find out why one is more expensive then the other.
It is important to keep in mind that just because a charter is cheaper doesn’t mean that the service is of lesser quality or that they offer less. For example, the lower cost charters in Homer, Alaska stay out of the deep, rougher waters where there are really big fish, instead they take you into hidden quiet bays closer to home. Often times these fishing trips are more exciting because they use lighter tackle, letting the angler feel more of the fight.
Directory of Florida Fishing Guides and Charters
Florida Freshwater Fishing
With over 3 million acres of freshwater, Florida provides a variety of freshwater fishing. Bass, panfish/bream, catfish, crappie, sunfish, gar, and pickerel are just a few of the fish to be caught.
Bass: Largemouth bass, black bass, white bass, sunshine bass, striped bass, butterfly peacock bass.
Panfish: Bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, redbreast, spotted sunfish, flier, warmouth
Catfish: Channel catfish, white catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, brown bullhead, and yellow bullhead.
Pickerels: Chain pickerel and redfin pickerel
Gar: Florida gar, longnose gar, spotted gar, alligator gar
Oscar
Common Carp
Tilapia
Bowfin
American Shad
Fishing guides are available anywhere, especially along the larger rivers. In rural parts of the state, fish camps offer simple accommodations and basic supplies for the avid fishermen; however, they operate mainly in the summer time.
Directory of Fishing Guides and Charters
Climate
Florida has two different types of weather: hot, humid and wet summers and warm, mostly dry winters.
Late afternoons or early evenings in April through September bring about spectacular weather. Electrical storms and huge torrential rain pours are common. Sometimes these storms will last for only a few minutes but if you are caught in one of these storms, seek shelter immediately. Between June and November be aware of the risk for hurricanes with the month of September as the highest risk.
Average annual temperature for Florida is 80 F (27 C) with January as the coolest month and July/August as the hottest month.
Average annual rainfall is 40-45 inches per year.
Transportation
By car you can take several different major routes. Interstate 95 runs down the eastern coast, while Interstate 10 enters Florida just west of Pensacola on the Gulf Coast. Interstate 75 runs south along the length of the Gulf Coast. Highway 98, 19, and 41 hug the coastline and there are numerous small roads exploring the countryside at a slower pace.
The Greyhound Ameri-pass is a cheap way of travel. This pass incorporates Greyhound with several private bus companies throughout Florida.
Air and sea travel are other modes of popular transportation. Remember the air fares will be cheapest at the off times of the year. (Peak seasons will be all holidays, especially those in the summer time.)
