There’s whimsically a largest place on the planet to go fishing than Florida. Yes, this is a big statement, but it’s moreover very true. Nowhere else will you find all the top game fish in one place. Fishing in Florida ways you have wangle to fantastic inshore, offshore, and deep water action, often in the same location.

Add to that trappy weather practically year-round, 1,350 miles of coastline (only surpassed by Alaska), and thousands of expert lease guides at your service, and you’ve got the fishing epicenter of the US. Here, no angling dream is too big and no yearing is out of reach.

If you’re here to learn well-nigh Florida’s immense fishing potential, you’re in the right place. We’ll imbricate everything you could possibly want to know – top catches, fishing seasons, the most productive techniques, top fishing spots, Florida licensing information, and so much more. Let’s get started!

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Best Catches in Florida

Fishing in Florida gives you easy wangle to some of the weightier game fish in the world, and choosing the weightier of the weightier is no small task. Florida’s official state fish are Largemouth Bass and Sailfish, but there are hundreds increasingly that you can vaccinate into. Here are the weightier catches the Sunshine State has to offer.

Best Freshwater Catches in Florida

While saltwater fishing takes the spotlight in Florida, that doesn’t midpoint the freshwater whoopee should be neglected. On the contrary, Florida has a lot to offer to freshwater anglers, expressly Bass chasers. Here are some of the most popular freshwater species you could reel in.

• Largemouth Bass: Easily the favorite freshwater catch, Largies are so popular in Florida that they’re unquestionably the freshwater state fish. You can target them in lakes, ponds, and channels all virtually Florida, and come out successful. Aside from Largemouth, there are a lot of Peacock Bass in these waters (though they’re technically not Bass), as well as some Striped, White, and Sunshine Bass.
• Crappie: You’ll whimsically find a tastier freshwater species than Crappie. Floridians know this well, which is why they love their “Speckled Perch.” You can target them year-round, but for the weightier bite, come in the winter months – that’s when they’re most active.
• Catfish: The rivers and lakes of Florida have their pearly share of Catfish, and you largest believe that freshwater fishermen get excited when the spring comes. That’s the weightier time to go without all the Catfish species, be it Blue, White, Channel, or Flathead. The Apalachicola, Escambia, and Choctawhatchee Rivers are famous for their Catfish populations.
• Clown Knife Fish: Go lake fishing in South Florida, and you might run into the most peculiar game fish you’ve seen – the Clown Knife Fish. Plane though they’re native to Southeast Asia, Clown Knife Fish have moreover made their home in South Florida, and this is the only place where you’ll find them. The weightier time to target them is towards the end of spring.
• Sunfish: The smallest of all the freshwater species, Sunfish are ever-present in Florida’s lakes. They make for unconfined eating, and there are many variegated species, including Spotted, Redear, and Redbreast Sunfish, withal with Bluegill and Warmouth. Whenever you hit the water, chances are, you could find a few on your line.

Best Inshore Catches in Florida

Let’s move now to saltwater, where you can enjoy some of the most exhilarating and productive fishing on the continent. Florida’s flats, beaches, and mangrove-covered shorelines make for the weightier playground of all inshore superstars. Whether you’re on the Atlantic or Gulf Coast, there’s no overstating just how good the whoopee is year-round. And these are the favorite species you could find on the end of your line.

• Redfish: We’re starting off with the one and only Redfish. There’s no inshore species increasingly minion than this. The reason for that is threefold – they grow big (upwards of 10 pounds), they’re merciless fighters, and they’re tasty. In summer and fall, inshore anglers from all over flock to Florida for the endangerment of landing a Bull Redfish. They’re the poster child of Florida’s productive fisheries.
• Snook: The warm weather and waters of Florida make for perfect conditions for Snook. These tropical fish come in all sizes, from just a few pounds to the yahoo you see in the photo above. Snook are most zippy in spring and summer when the water temperatures are to their liking. They’re like freight trains on light tackle and will fight you for every inch of your line.
• Tarpon: With the nickname “Silver King,” it’s not nonflexible to icon out who exactly rules Florida’s inshore realm. For voracious anglers, Tarpon fishing is as good as it gets. These massive fish often weigh triple digits and are the most uncanny acrobats and fighters. They stick to flats in spring and summer and withdraw to backwaters during the colder months.

• Spotted Seatrout: These toothy critters are among the most sought-after species in Florida, primarily considering of their delectable meat. They usually stay in the 5 lb ballpark, but there are Seatrout out there that are twice that size – aka Gator Trout. Moreover known as “Specks,” these guys make for a family-friendly reservation and are on the menu year-round, expressly in summer and fall.
• Flounder: Florida’s favorite flatty! These murky fish hibernate virtually underwater structure and they’re readily misogynist all year – but are most zippy in fall and winter. Your weightier bet to find Flounder is to tint your line virtually docks, inlets, and grass flats. They might be tricky to spot, but they’re fun to reel in and they’re very tasty, and usually weigh virtually 3–10 pounds.
• Mangrove Snapper: This inshore Snapper is one of the most wontedly unprotected fish all virtually Florida. They’re the smallest of their kind (around 5 pounds) and, as their name suggests, you’ll find them virtually mangrove shorelines and virtually underwater vegetation. If you’re going on an inshore fishing trip in Florida, there’s a good endangerment you’ll get a Mangrove at some point.

Inshore fishing in Florida is incredibly diverse, and these species are just the pick of the best. There’s a lot increasingly to target here: Spanish Mackerel, Black Drum, Jack Crevalle, Pompano, Sheepshead, Barracuda, Permit, Ladyfish, Bluefish, and many many increasingly are often in the cards.

Best Nearshore & Offshore Catches in Florida

Let’s move yonder from the shore and into deeper waters, overcrowded with fantastic game fish. Some of the weightier fishing in Florida happens right here, and the sheer number of species will have you reaching for your gear. Let us walk you through the weightier nearshore and offshore catches you can chase.

• Cobia: The wild child of the nearshore realm, Cobia leave no prisoners when hooked. They’re not nonflexible to find but, once hooked, they’ll not spare you nor your equipment. They can get stocky (20 pounds), expressly remoter out, so that’s an widow element that makes them such a wanted catch. The weightier time to target them is during colder months.
• King Mackerel: Moreover known as Kingfish, these warlike toothy pelagics are famous for their wild runs when hooked. You can find Kings in both nearshore and offshore waters, and they get worthier the remoter from shore they are. They can weigh up to 30 pounds, and you can find them in South Florida year-round.
• Sharks: One of the increasingly sought-after fish species that can be found both nearshore and offshore, there are 15 species to segregate from! Depending on your angling appetite, you can go small or big. Bonnethead, Blacktip, Nurse, Bull, Mako, Porbeagle, and Thrasher Sharks are among the most wontedly unprotected varieties.

• Mahi Mahi: If you’re going offshore fishing in spring and summer, chances are good you’ll ventilator the gorgeous Mahi Mahi. Increasingly present on the Atlantic Coast and South Florida, Mahi’s acrobatics and violent headshakes make it difficult to alimony them on the line. They usually weigh between 15–30 pounds and are among the most succulent fish around.
• Snappers: In all their glorious shapes and forms, Snappers are a staple reservation of the Sunshine State. The most famous are, of course, Red Snapper, but they have a very strict fishing season. You’ve moreover got plenty of Yellowtail, Lane, Mutton, Cubera, Vermillion, and Queen Snapper at your disposal, and all are very tasty.
• Groupers: These bottom-dwelling guys might not be the prettiest fish, but they’re definitely among the tastiest. There are 17 Grouper subspecies swimming virtually nearshore and offshore reefs, and most of them are on the to-catch list of passionate anglers. Black and Gag Grouper are first on that list, closely followed by Goliath, Scamp, Red, and Warsaw Grouper.

Best Deep Sea Catches in Florida

Deep sea fishing in Florida is spectacular. The weightier anglers from all virtually the world come to these waters in the hope of finding that trophy reservation that will be the crowning jewel of their career. And they’re right to do so! These are the fish that make deep sea fishing in Florida so good.

• Wahoo: As one of the fastest fish on the planet, Wahoo is unchangingly an exhilarating prey to chase. They move virtually a lot during the year, but you can unchangingly find them off the Atlantic Coast. You’ll find them in bluewater, at least 20 miles from land. As for their size, 10–25 pounds is their stereotype weight, but larger 30 lb specimens are the ones that will requite you a real run for your money.
• Amberjack: If you’d like to go throne to gills with a strong marrow feeder virtually deep offshore reefs, Amberjack is your guy. They’re one of the hardiest species to go without on a deep sea fishing trip, but they’ll reward you with the fight of a lifetime. They usually weigh virtually 30–40 pounds and are at their hungriest in the summer.
• Tuna: Some would oppose that there’s no largest game fish to target than the mighty Tuna. In Florida, you can go on a Tuna hunt, as long as you’re willing to travel 30–50 miles to get to them. Blackfin and Yellowfin Tuna are ones to squint out for, as well as Skipjack and Albacore. Spring and summer are the weightier time to get yourself some Tuna.

• Sailfish: We’re now in the domain of Billfish and, out of all of them, acrobatic Sailfish are the most minion in Florida. They stick to the Gulf Stream and are a prized reservation on the Atlantic Coast. Virtually South Florida, you can reservation them just a few miles from shore, but the remoter north you go, the farther they are from land. The weightier time to get one is during the winter months.
• Marlin: Plane though they’re far increasingly elusive than Sailfish, going without Undecorous and White Marlin is the pinnacle of saltwater fishing in Florida. A lot of professional guides focus on giant Undecorous Marlin, but both species can be unprotected in the Gulf Stream. You might have to travel far to find them, but having a 500 lb Marlin on the line is an wits like no other. Come in summer for the weightier action.
• Swordfish: The sneakiest of all Billfish, Swordfish require a lot of effort to be found, and plane increasingly to be caught. They spend their lives in waters at least 1,000 feet deep, where they can grow up to over 1,000 pounds. Swordfish are finicky and not easy to pinpoint, but your weightier bet is hitting the waters off the Atlantic Coast in early fall.

As you can see, there are a lot of fantastic fish to target and enjoy when fishing in Florida. If you’d like to know increasingly well-nigh how exactly you can reservation them and where, trammels out this in-depth vendible well-nigh all the most prized Florida game fish.

Florida Fishing Seasons

“What fish are in season in Florida?” is one of the most worldwide questions anglers ask when booking a trip. The wordplay is simple – there’s unchangingly something good to fish for, no matter when you come. With the warm waters of the Gulf in the west and the Gulf Stream near Florida’s Atlantic Coast in the east, the one thing you won’t lack is choice.

The unstipulated rule of thumb is that spring and summer are the most productive times of the year. This is when both inshore and offshore game fish come out to play and the zest is off the charts. However, there are species like Cobia, Sailfish, and Wahoo, which are at their weightier during winter. The weightier thing to do is to plan your trip equal to the seasonality of the fish you’d like to catch.

Fishing seasons in Florida can be tricky to navigate, and you can learn increasingly well-nigh them in this defended article. Take a squint at the table unelevated to trammels out the year-round seasonality for all the favorite fish in Florida. Then, you’ll have a clearer picture of when to typesetting your fishing adventure.

Best Fishing Spots in Florida

There’s nearly an infinite number of wondrous fishing spots in Florida and, while we can’t imbricate them all, there are some destinations that are iconic. There are still quite a lot of them, so we’ll sort them into regions to help you get a largest picture.

If you’d rather have a visual guide, here’s our video of the top 10 Florida fishing spots, perfect for anglers looking for quick and useful advice.

We’ve separated them into four categories: the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast, South Florida, and the Panhandle. Without remoter ado, these are some of the very weightier fishing spots in every corner of Florida!

Best Fishing Spots on Florida’s Atlantic Coast

Best Fishing Spots in Central Florida

Best Fishing Spots in South Florida

Best Fishing Spots on Florida’s Gulf Coast

Best Fishing Spots in the Florida Panhandle

Florida Fishing Techniques

Now that you know increasingly well-nigh all the many species you can target, as well as where to go to reservation them, it’s important to know how to do it. Just like there are many fish, there are moreover many approaches you can take to get them on your line. Here are some of the most popular and productive fishing techniques in the Sunshine State.

• Fly fishing: If you want to rencontre yourself and test your angling skills, you’ll love the spanking-new fly fishing opportunities in Florida. You can fish for Peacock and Largemouth Bass on rivers and lakes. Redfish, Tarpon, Snook, and plane smaller Sharks are misogynist if you’re fly fishing on Florida’s flats and marshes. Offshore, Bonito are the usual target, but some unflinching souls plane take on Billfish on the fly! These are the weightier destinations for a fly fishing trip.
• Deep sea fishing: Florida is weightier known for its immense deep sea fishing potential. If there’s just one way of fishing that you could try, it should be this. The whoopee is off the charts wherever you are – the main difference stuff how far you are from the bluewater and the Gulf Stream. The southern Atlantic Coast boasts the weightier Billfishing in the world, and it’s similar all withal the Panhandle. Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Swordfish, Bull Mahi Mahi, and massive Wahoo are all in the cards.
• Bowfishing: Maybe you’ve had your pearly share of traditional fishing and you’d like to try something new – something exciting. Bowfishing is a unconfined nomination for adventurers who don’t mind going out into the night with lighted boats, prowling the shallows in search of a unconfined catch. There are over a hundred bowfishing charters in Florida misogynist to you. Tilapia, Catfish, and Carp are the favorite freshwater catches, Flounder, Sheepshead, King Mackerel, and Barracuda are your go-to prey in saltwater.
• Spearfishing: Want to get tropical and personal with your catch? Spearfishing in Florida will not disappoint! Whether you’re an experienced diver or a first-timer, the reefs and well-spoken bluewaters all virtually the state make for perfect spearfishing grounds. The Keys are among the top spots for your spearo escapades, as well as Miami, Tampa Bay, Pensacola, and many more. Your prey could be anything from Groupers and Snappers to Cobia, Mahi Mahi, and King Mackerel.

Fishing Trips in Florida

Florida’s rich and diverse fishing scene is home to thousands of fishing guides. Finding someone to make your fishing dreams come true is unchangingly possible here. Whether you’re up for a quick inshore jaunt with the family or a multi-day trek hundreds of miles from land, there’s an experienced fishing guide in the Sunshine State to make it happen.

Inshore and nearshore excursions will alimony you tropical to land, and they can last anywhere from 3–8 hours. These are a good match for anglers just learning the ropes and for families. If you’ve got smaller kids, you’ll want to alimony it short and sweet, but still get some fish on the line. For that, inshore fishing is perfect and you can rent a private lease or hop on a party boat.

Offshore and deep sea fishing trips often midpoint the same thing – going remoter yonder from shore to target big game fish. These are longer expeditions (8 hours) that will put you on anything from Snapper to Swordfish. Chances are you’ll be in for a longer wend ride (an hour or more) surpassing you get to the fishing grounds. It’s a good idea to have some angling wits surpassing you go off into the deep waters, but it’s not a requirement.

There are moreover specialized fishing trips, where you’ll be targeting a specific species. Tarpon, Snapper, Sharks, and Billfish are only a few of the species virtually which lease captains organize their trips.

The weightier thing well-nigh hitting the water with a professional hairdo is that your skill level isn’t very important. Beginners and seasoned anglers unwrinkled will find a rencontre in Florida, be it in the form of a thrashy Redfish or an unstoppable Undecorous Marlin. Your guide will prepare the gear and the boat, all you have to do is prepare yourself for some of the weightier fishing whoopee you’ll overly enjoy.

Florida Fishing Regulations

Before you tint your line in some of the richest waters in the nation, let’s talk well-nigh fishing regulations. Floridians take good superintendency of their fisheries, as they should, so you need to make sure you’re fishing within the law. If you’re going out on your own, you’ll need either a freshwater or a saltwater Florida fishing license, depending on where you’re going.

Going out with a saltwater fishing charter? Then you’re all set, your license is included in the price of your trip. It’s variegated if you’re fishing with a freshwater guide – you’ll still need to buy your own fishing license. Here’s a quick video well-nigh the types of licenses available.

Yes, there are many superstitious fish you can ventilator when fishing in Florida, but there are moreover quite a few regulations to alimony in mind. The Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper season is the most predictable time of year, but it only lasts a few weeks. The good news is that, with a professional guide by your side, you don’t have to worry well-nigh it, they’ll alimony you in the loop.

Speaking of professional guides, the Sunshine State is probably one of the weightier places to be one. If you believe you’ve got what it takes to run your own fishing business, here’s how to wilt a guide in Florida. There’s quite a bit to be washed-up surpassing you start running trips, but on these fantastic waters, the opportunity is veritably worth the effort.

We don’t exaggerate when we say that, in Florida, the fishing whoopee as is as good as it gets. There are only a few destinations in the world that can be compared to these prolific waters. Whenever and wherever you come, you’re in for the most memorable angling wits of your life.

Fishing in Florida FAQs

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