Florida Fishing in the Sport Fishing Capital of the World

Florida fishing in the Florida Keys is unlike any you will encounter anywhere else on earth.  With warm ocean currents and the migratory patterns of so many large game fish, your chances for catching a trophy fish or the fish of a lifetime are great. Of course, because of the size limits and restrictions on some of these fish, you will want to have a good photographer along to preserve the moment, just in case.  Contact me, I may be affordably available.

This is especially true when planning a fishing charter or deep-sea fishing trip.  The chances of you catching a monster fish are overwhelmingly in your favor.  Local fishing guides and charters make Florida fishing some of the most successful fishing trips you may ever experience because they know where the fish are and just importantly what they are biting on.  In fact, it isn't unusual to be on one charter fishing boat and hear the captains of other boats on the radio, signaling areas where fish are being caught.

If you love fishing, no experience compares to fishing in the Florida Keys.  On my last fishing trip out of Key West we got into a school of Dolphin (Florida version of mahi-mahi, not Flipper) and the four of us caught 25 of these delicious beauties in under an hour.

Islamorada Key prides itself on being the Sport Fishing Capital of the World with many of the fishing charters operating out of its docks.  Mahi Mahi, barracuda, grouper and shark are a few of the more common catches.  Sailfish and swordfish are reported offshore as well.  Certain times of year, redfish are found throughout Florida, especially on the flats.  Florida fishing offers a wide variety of opportunities for catching trophy fish, some you can eat, but some you will have to throw back.

Okay, not all catches produce huge fish, but most are fun.

In Key West, there are several chances to go snorkeling, and fishing on the same expedition.  This is a fishing trip you won't want to miss, beginning with snorkeling around a nearby coral reef where you will see an exciting array of marine life, including reef sharks, Florida lobsters, and colorful fish.  The next segment, you move out to deeper waters further off shore to begin fishing for your bait, using shrimp to catch baitfish like yellow snapper, which you use to fish for large game fish, such as shark, barracuda, and other large breeds of fish.

For Florida fishing tips, you might want to check fishing reports for the time of year you are going since migratory patterns change and can affect what baitfish you will catch and what kind of game fish you will encounter.  In general, the fishing charters are more affordable if you go down towards Key West, versus the middle keys.  In fact, at certain times of the year, you can find some fishing charters available at Key West at half the prices of those at Islamorada Key.

Just remember that you will want to consider a photographer for these expeditions, since some fish must be released, depending on the type of fish you catch and Florida size limits.  Then your “keepers” need to be cleaned immediately, so the best way to preserve your Florida fishing memories might be digitally.  No matter in the Florida Keys you decide to fish, you will have good fishing stories to tell, whether fishing for redfish in the flats or fishing for sharks on a night time shark fishing charter be sure to capture the moment.

Other Great Fishing Spots

Now it may be that you prefer your Florida fishing trip to be in an area north of the Keys.  Check out Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge along Florida’s Space Coast for both fresh water and salt water species.  Billed as the “Redfish Capital of the World”, Mosquito Lagoon, a 21,000 acre portion of the refuge is mostly shallow water flats with depths less than 3 feet.

Lake Okeechobee located a short distance west of Jupiter or West Palm Beach, Florida is the second largest freshwater lake in the United States.  Approximately 37 miles long and 30 miles wide, totaling over 730 square miles with water depths averaging only about 10 feet is a fisherman’s paradise.  The lake record for bass currently stands at 15 pounds 5 ounces, with comman catches weighing in at 7 to 10 pounds.

Florida Crappie, commonly refered to as speckled perch are the most saught after pan fish on Lake Okeechobee.  They are plentiful with a daily bag limit of 25 per person and a two day possession limit.

Remember, that old saying “the worst day of fishing is better than the best day of working” applies every day of the year in Florida whether you are a salt water or fresh water fisherman.  Fishing is popular and available throughout the Sunshine State.  So what are you waiting for?  Get your gear, your family and friends and go Florida fishing.




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