Fishing in Florida

Inshore Fishing in Florida

In the back country, the flats and near the beaches you can fish for a wide range of exiting fish species. Depending on the season you can catch tarpon, permi, redfish, snook or black drum for example.

Wreck & Reef Fishing

If you're ready to go a little further, fish species such as red snapper, amberjack and grouper can be targeted over the wrecks and the reefs off the Florida coasts.

Offshore fishing in Florida

Florida fishing is also known for it's offshore and big game fishing. The IGFA headquarters are located in Miami. Trolling offshore, there's all kinds of pelagic fish including wahoo, dorado, swordfish, marlin, sailfish and tuna.

Some great Florida Fishing Destinations

You may decide on Jacksonville at the mouth of the St. Johns River, facing the Atlantic. Jacksonville offers both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Many people who go to Jacksonville take a charter, and there are several to choose from. If you are in a group of holiday fishermen this is a good way to find a perfect fishing spot.

St. Augustine will give you the opportunity for some inshore fishing for trout and flounder, it is only an hour's drive from Jacksonville making a good day out. Being on the water is a great way to hone your skills as an angler and enjoy the fishing opportunities. More information on fishing in St Augustine.

Sarasota is known for its inshore fishing and this is because it has sand bars, seagrass meadows, and flats making it good for fly fishing. If you have a flats boat on you can pole across the mangroves in search of some Seatrout or Redfish for example.

Naples is located on the Paradise Coast. This is a great place to take the family and this is a spot where you can all go pole fishing. There are mangroves where you should be able to catch some spotted seatrout. There are also inland canals where you can catch Tarpon, Snook, and Permit, as well as many others. If you have the time to go out to sea and offshore you will find Mahi Mahi, Dolphin, Wahoo, and Black Fin Tuna, a tempting proposition for all skilled fishermen.

If you are wreck and reef fishing, Red Snapper, Barracuda or Grouper may be found. When you go offshore into the Gulf Stream at times the area is teeming with fish, and here you will see Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Sailfish, Blackfin Tuna, and Sharks.

Freshwater Fishing will bring you some Black Bass. 

Fishing in Clearwater
Fishing in Miami

To find the best months for fishing in Florida, take a look at the fishing Calender. Depending on what you are looking for it varies, Cobia, November to April. Mutton Snapper and Blue Marlin, March Blue Gill and Bass in April. Blue Marlin, May Yellowtail, and Bass when they move into shallow water to spawn. April, May

Not all saltwater fish are around all year and the quietest months for most seem to be November, December and January, but Florida is the right place to catch something every month of the year.

If you are in Tampa Bay Florida, take the children to Weedon Island Preserve, and spend the day in nature. What can You do at Weedon Island Preserve? Go to the visitors center for information. Arrange to go on a guided hike, this way you will get the best information. Attend a workshop at the center. Learn the history of the indigenous population.

Visit the Natural History Center to see an exhibit called 'Connecting People and Place'. This encourages visitors to reconnect with the environment.

Kayak in the mangroves, and go birdwatching along the boardwalk.

Have a picnic. Miami Wherever you are in Florida there are things to do, and if you are in Miami. Visit South Beach for a swim. Go cycling and or Visit some amazing restaurants in Miami. And... don't forget to go shopping.

Although anglers need a fishing license for their Florida fishing trips, licenses are covered if you go fishing with a licensed fishing charter.

Florida Fishing License

The State of Florida gives residents, tourists and seasoned anglers a variety of fishing licenses to choose from, ranging from short-term to annual ones.

You can get a Florida fishing license through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website. You can also buy one from authorized resellers or at local tackle shop in Florida.

Visitors can Fish Without a License in Florida

No saltwater Florida fishing license is required if you are a non-resident who fishes from a vessel whose operator has a fishing license. This means that if you go fishing with a fishing charter in Florida, no fishing license is required.

Bag Limits

In order to protect the local fish stocks, the State of Florida has strict rules on bag limits. For each species there are minimum sizes and daily recreation bag limits. Check the rules before you drop a line in the water in Florida.

Apply for a Fishing License online through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Follow the links to learn more, this includes bag limits. Once you reach 16 years of age, you must have a fishing license, and an ID to prove where you live as you require proof of residency.