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Florida Fishing VacationsTo say that Floridians enjoy their fishing is quite an understatement. They can be seen fishing off old bridges, canal banks, piers and fishing fleets. They will even fish along route U.S. 41 that runs through the Everglades ... with one eye open for alligators! Anglers aged 16 and older require a fishing license for any kind of fishing, be it saltwater or freshwater. The licence fee is just a nominal amount and can be obtained throughout the state, mostly at bait and tackle shops. Florida has over 3 million acres of freshwater lakes and 12,000 miles (19,000 kms) of streams and rivers, as well as coastal and off-shore fishing. Little wonder Florida is the fishing capital of the world with numerous popular fishing destinations. There are approximately 250 species of freshwater fish throughout Florida with over 30 species available to anglers (pdf format) for both sport and food. The large mouth bass is common to most Florida freshwater locations and is a popular sport fish with anglers. Most Florida coastal cities and towns have marinas that provide harbors for fishing charter boats. |
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There is usually a choice of private charters for just your own party or the less expensive option of party boats that take larger groups. The party boats will usually provide the gear and bait and the fishing license. Depending on the location, charters will generally offer both backwater and off shore fishing.
Backwater fishing, aka backcountry and flats fishing, involves angling in the numerous saltwater estuaries, flats, mangrove stands and tidal creeks that occur along the Florida shoreline. Common to these waters are populations of some of Florida's most prized game fish, being snook, redfish, spotted sea rout, and tarpon. Fishing is usually done from small, flat bottom vessels suited to the variable depth waters. The best fishing action is usually in the warmer seasons. Backwater fishing involves light tackle that includes spin, casting and bottom fishing gear. Thousands of anglers visit Florida each year to try for the grand slam, being one individual fish from each of the four species in the one day.
Over 1.3 million freshwater sport anglers in Florida generate more than $1.8 billion in fishing revenue annually. Many of the freshwater anglers visit from out of state to fish the lakes, streams and rivers to be found throughout Florida. To maintain fish populations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission restocks more than 100 lakes and rivers with up to 4 million fish annually. Various varieties of the bass family are common throughout the freshwater fishing spots with the Florida large mouth bass being one of the more sought after trophy fish. Other popular freshwater catches are panfish, crappie, white bass, striped bass and catfish.
Most of the Florida coastline is home to sports fishing charters whether it be on the eastern Atlantic side, the Gulf of Mexico or the Florida Keys. Blue water catches include the elusive marlin and sailfish with king mackerel and other sporting fish often found inside reef lines. Angling on the Gulf of Mexico for snapper and grouper is year round. Other seasonal offshore catches are Spanish mackerel, cobia, kingfish, amberjack, tarpon, giant red fish, shark, barracuda, permit and mahi which all migrate through the Gulf of Mexico. The south west region of Florida is home to many of the Gulf Of Mexico charter operators. Located further north on the Panhandle, Destin is the home base for over 140 fishing charter operators. The Atlantic east coast offers charter opportunities extending from Miami to Amelia Island. Locations such as Daytona Beach, Port Canaveral and Sebastian Inlet offer plenty of off shore charter opportunities. Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce are two towns that thrive on what is considered to be the best sport fishing in the USA. Anglers from all over the world are drawn to the fabulous Florida Keys for its unsurpassed fishing. This is the home of Islamorada where serious sports fishermen go when they want the best there is. Known as the "Sportfishing Capital of the World", Islamorada has been the favored angling destination for politicians and assorted glitterati for decades. With the warm waters of the gulf stream just a few miles offshore, an abundance of boat rentals and fishing charters, coral reefs all along the Florida Keys chain, the shallow waters of the Florida Bay backcountry easily accessible, it's easy to see why Islamorada gained its reputation.
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