As a Florida native, I can attest to why Florida has long held its reputation as the fishing capital of the world. From saltwater to freshwater, from the rivers to the lakes, and from mangrove backwaters to cypress swamps, Floridaâs diversity of aquatic ecosystems gives anglers the opportunity to catch an array of beautiful native and non-native fish species. Anglers from around the world flock to the Sunshine State each year to experience the incredible fishing, and if you plan your trip around the right time of year and with the right fishing guides you could walk away with memories that will last a lifetime.
Before anything, one must decide what type of fishing would interest them since the options are so vast. If freshwater is your thing, Florida has one of the greatest selections of native and non-native fish species in the country. Central Florida is renowned for producing incredible numbers of truly monster largemouth bass, and with a lake like Okeechobee, itâs not hard to wonder why. Largemouth arenât the only native bass species either. River systems such as the Suwannee, Ochlocknee and Chipola are home to Suwannee and shoal bass. Although these species of black bass are smaller than largemouth bass, they are considered better battlers, and Florida is one of the very few places in the world where they can be found.
If one is willing to venture farther south, around the areas of Fort Lauderdale and Miami, they will find an area overrun with colorful and strange non-native fish. Fish like the butterfly peacock bass and the bullseye snakehead offer a unique fishing experience found nowhere else in the U.S. The bullseye snakehead, which came over from Asia, is well known for its aggressiveness when hitting a topwater frog and its long hard runs. And once one catches a brilliantly colored South American peacock bass, it is pretty fair to say they will want nothing more than to return and catch another one.
As a peninsula, the saltwater opportunities in Florida are endless. Whether youâre hunting trophy reds, monster snook, big billfish, or anything in between, chances are Florida has it. In the northeastern part of the state, areas around Jacksonville and St. Augustine have a reputation for good numbers of redfish and seatrout. The inlets around south Florida have gained the attention of anglers nationwide for trophy-sized snook. Of course one cannot forget the ultimate saltwater fishing experience, the Florida Keys! This chain of islands on the southernmost tip of Florida offers some of the finest inshore and offshore fishing in the world.
Before you make the trip to Florida, be sure to explore the options to see what excites you. Once youâve decided on the sort of fishing, then shop around for a good guide. Florida has no shortage of fishing charters, but a good one does more than just throw a rod in your hand. A good fishing charter should have many years of experience fishing a particular area and also be willing to teach instead of just telling you where to put your line. Be sure to look for reviews online to get a feel for what othersâ experiences were.
Also, check out the local bait-and-tackle companies such as Razor Baits, Native Outfitters or Crowder Rods, which offer gear manufactured by experienced Florida anglers. Whether you are targeting a trophy largemouth, an exotic from the Amazon, a big sailfish or a beautiful mahi-mahi, thereâs an angling adventure for everyone in the Sunshine State. I can promise there is a fish of a lifetime with your name on it.