Directory of Florida Fishing Guides and Charters

• Snook: Tarpon Snook, Swordspine Snook, Fat Snook, Common Snook.
  The common snook cannot survive in waters below 60 F. The snook can be found in south central Florida in coastal waters inshore as well as nearshore. Florida’s state record is over 44 lbs!
  
• Sheepshead: Classified in the porgy family, these fish will typically weigh 8 pounds offshore. The inshore sheepshead will usually weigh 1 to 2 pounds. Florida’s state record is over 12 lbs.
  
• Ladyfish: The ladyfish is part of the tarpon family and typically weighs around 2 to 3 pounds. They are found inshore in bays and estuaries and have been known to enter freshwater.
  
• Spotted Sea Trout: These fish will usually live 8 to 10 years and get up to 4 lbs on the west coast. Spotted Sea Trout can be found both inshore and nearshore.
  
• Snapper: Blackfin Snapper, Cubera Snapper, Dog Snapper, Gray Snapper, Lane Snapper, Mahogany Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Queen Snapper, Red Snapper, Schoolmaster, Silk Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper.
  Cubera Snapper: The Cubera Snapper is the largest of the snappers reaching a common weight of 40 pounds. Florida’s state record is 116 lbs. Dark brown or gray in color this snapper can be found inshore, nearshore, and offshore.
  
• Tarpon: Florida’s state record for a tarpon is 243 pounds! A typical tarpon will weigh around 40 to 50 pounds and will primarily be found inshore.
  
  

Estimated Charter Boat Rates:
Clearwater Region: Average around $300-$500 a day
Tampa area: Average around $300-$500 a day lasting from four to eight hours
Bradenton/Sarasota: $400 for a full day
Charlotte Harbor area: $500 for a full day
Sanibel and Captiva Islands: ½ day $300 for up to 4 people.
Naples area: $350 for a full day
Everglades area: ½ day $200; full day $300

Directory of Florida Fishing Guides and Charters

The Hillsborough River which runs into metropolitan Tampa Bay area is surprisingly wild and offers freshwater fishing. As for the Southwest region, you will find hundreds of miles of drainage canals with many freshwater species. There is year round fishing for large-mouth bass and panfish. Lake Manatee State Recreation Area for the Bradenton area is another place you will find freshwater fishing. The Peace and the Myakka rivers that feed into the Charlotte Harbor provide excellent fishing for catfish, bream, and largemouth bass. Bass, crappie, blue gill, shellcrackers, catfish, and oscars are the main freshwater species for the Lee Island Coast. As for the Everglades, 600 species of fish reside in the world’s slowest moving river. It is strongly advised to hire a fishing .guide especially for this region because of its remoteness and maze of labyrinthine waters.

• Largemouth Bass: Designated as Florida’s freshwater fish, the largemouth bass is the largest of the sunfish family. They are generally a light green and brown color and are famous for its aggressive fighting. The world record for a largemouth bass is over 22 pounds, while Florida’s state record is over 20 pounds!
  
• Black Crappie: As a type of panfish, the black crappie are considered an exciting game fish. They are a silvery-green/yellow fish that are considered excellent eating. Florida’s state record is 3 lbs and 13.25 oz.
  Blue gill: The blue gill is also known as bream, blue bream, roach, copperhead, copperbelly, blue sunfish or sun perch. Generally they are a bronze and lavender color and reach up to 4 lbs.
  
• Shellcrackers: Redear sunfish got the nickname, shellcrackers, simply because of their cravings for snails. Also a type of panfish, the shellcrackers are a olive green to gold and while they are excellent game fish, they are typically harder to catch then most sunfish. Florida’s state record for the redear sunfish is 4 lbs 13 oz.
  
• Catfish: Yellowhead bullhead, brown bullhead, blue catfish, white catfish, flathead catfish, and channel catfish.
  Channel catfish: The channel catfish is considered one of the best eating freshwater fish. You will find this catfish in big rivers, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs throughout the Florida, except in the Keys. The biggest channel catfish caught in Florida is 45 pounds.
  
• Oscars: Are known to be a hard-fighting panfish. Florida’s state record is 2.34 pounds and was caught in Lake Okeechobee.
  
  Directory of Florida Fishing Guides and Charters
  

Average summer temperatures are around 85 F. Summer is a great time to be out on the water because of the high humidity and heat. Starting in June, the hurricane season begins and ends in November and afternoon
storms are typical during this time. Swimsuits are seen in the day, while cotton shorts and dresses are nice in the evening.

The region is easy to get around by car. US 19 runs along the coast north of Tampa Bay, while US 41 links the coastal communities south of Tampa. If you want to travel fast take I 75 which lies further inland.

Greyhound buses link the main towns while Amtrak trains run only as far as Tampa.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport: Taxi companies provide transportation to and from the airport

If you are traveling by car, highway 41 travels along the coastline in Bradenton and Sarasota. Highway 301 parallels 41 to the east through Bradenton. The two roads meet up in Sarasota. Interstate 75 also runs through the Bradenton/Sarasota region.

Lee Island Coast: Southwest Florida International Airport. Rental Cars are available at the airport as well as taxi services. Interstate 75 and Highway 41 run parallel to each other and both connect to Tampa and Miami.

Everglades: You can take Highway 41 or take exit 14A off Interstate 75. The transportation here is slightly different. Swamp buggies are modified Jeep-like vehicles built for 2 or more and airboats, which are fast noisy boats that zip across the water.