Florida

[sabretooth]

Hi all, has enyone got any points on fishing in florida.
cheers
dave:help: :help:

[Dan-arneil]

Im going to florida at xmas(daytona) and i will be fishing and apprently prawn is the bait to use

[PanamaJack]

Hi Sabretooth
In fairness it's akin to asking the question - 'How long is a piece of string?'.

I've done quite a lot of fishing in Florida over the past 25 years or so and will willingly advise, but first some basic questions.

Which month are you planning to go? In general terms, where - the 'Keys, Everglades, Gulf Coast or Atlantic above Miami? Any idea of the type of fishing - offshore trolling, bottom fishing on a large party boat, light tackle or fly fishing in either shallow or 'Bluewater', or fishing off bridges. Now here I've presumed saltwater, but there's also excellent freshwater fishing for Largemouth Bass or loads of exotics that the locals 'tip' into the canals.

Then do you intend to use guides or self-guide?
Kindest regards
Dave

[sabretooth]

Hi Panamajack, going in april to kissimee. as to the type of fishing, not sure whats there.
cheers
dave

[PanamaJack]

Hi Sabretooth
That whole area around Kissimee/Orlando is full of lakes where the key target species, beloved of Americans, is the Largemouth Bass. There're aggressive fish, usually found around cover and run up to, in that area, around 14lbs - although a double is always a notable fish.

Whilst you can hire boats on many of the lakes and waterways, here's one such operator - http://www.airboatrentals.com/ - I'd suggest that, at least for one day, you use a guide to xeperience the fishing and techniques used. I've never freshwater fished there, but here's one such guide - http://www.cflfishing.com/index.htm. He charges 300$US for a full day, or 200 for a half day. But as you'll find the custom is always to tip for good service, and the 'going' rate tends to be nearer to 15% than 10.

As well you're just over 30 minutes from the coastal area around Cape Canaveral, well worth a visit in its own right, and there the primary fishing in the waterways and lagoons would be for something they call Redfish, or Red Drum. In April you should be able to target the really big fish, 30 and 40 pounders, in 2' of water. Most of it would be sight casting to tailing fish with artificials or bait light spin gear, although if you feel comfortable then try fly gear.

All of the boats will have quality gear on board, so there's no need to take your own unless you want to self-guide. Then, if you self guide, you'd need a fishing licence for fresh or salt.

As well as the Redfish they also target Snook, Sea Trout (not the ones you might be familiar with, but they're spotted) Jack Crevalle and a range of other species. Also in April you'd expect to find Tarpon around - now they really are a sporting fish! You'll never see LSDs in the same light again.

The key areas they fish are the Indian River, Mosquito Lagoon (on my list of places to try) and Banana River. Guided rates, on a powerful 18' skiff, work out to 400$US for a full day, 300 for a half. Although I have found one guide, Tom Carver, prepared to take individuals as part of a group. From memory he charges just under 200$US for a full day, but I suspect, and it would be worth checking, that he may take up to 3 anglers at a time.

Any rate here's Tom's web site - http://www.flataddicted.com/. Another couple you may also wish to look at are - http://www.irl-fishing.com/index.html and http://www.spottedtail.com/. You will find there're many more guides and they're likely to have details of their operations in hotel foyers or the local Tourist Board's offices.

Any number of guides, including 'spotted tail' will also run offshore from places like Sebastian. And, in April, you'd be likely to encounter things like Tripletail, Cobia, Tarpon, Spanish and King Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Blacktip sharks, and Little Tunny and several others. If you want details of further operations just key something like - 'Fishing, Sebastian, Florida' into one of the search engines.

Very, very occasionally there might be a run of Sailfish at that time of year offshore. But in terms of Blue Marlin you'd probably need to get a boat to run out to the Bahamas, and that would be a multi day trip.

I'm sure there would be opportunities to shore fish around the inlets or bridges over the IC Waterway but I've no experience of that whatsoever.

Hope that's been of some use.
Dave

[PanamaJack]

Just a couple of further thoughts.

Going all that way I suspect you might want to visit a tackle store. One of the biggest chains, and their stores are unbelievably large, is BassPro - http://www.basspro.com. The closest one to Kissimee is on International Drive in Orlando. Most of their stores also have restaurants attached - the Islamorado Fish Factory.

In that earlier post I mentioned about the Americans passion for Largemouth Bass. There's a comprehensive web site devoted to their pursuit, which includes reports on the lakes around Kissimee - http://www.probass.net/fishrpt/florida.php.

Finally just a word of warning. Whilst its years since I've driven in Central Florida it's possible that the local police cars, some certainly are on the 'Keys, are now fitted with forward facing radars. So beware about speeding, especially towards the end of the month, when individual officers are looking to achieve their targets for tickets issued.
Dave

[sabretooth]

PanamaJack
wow what can i say. what a detailed and helpfull reply. it will take me a while to digest that lot.
My sister in law is used to driving out there as she lived and worked over there for three years.
many thanks indeed
dave:) :) :) :)

[PanamaJack]

Hi Sabretooth
I recall that Dan-arneil in this post referred to using shrimp off Daytona Beach. Evidentially there are some purpose built fishing piers along that coastline, as well as opportunities for surf casting although I suspect that they'd tend to use slightly light tackle than our beach fishing gear. Picked up this reference to fishing for Pompano, a smallish species of Jack - http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=418157.

There are a range of localised US magazines, some with reasonable on line articles on techniques, but all with appropriate forums that you may find of use in gaining further knowledge:

http://www.floridasportsman.com/
http://www.shallowwaterangler.com/
http://www.southfloridasportfishing.com/
http://www.sportfishingmag.com/

Then, although some of the postings can be a tad inane, you should also be able to pick up some help on this one's forums - http://www.boldwater.com/.

And there're some very good articles on techniques for Largemouth Bass on this one - http://www.trophybassonly.com/.

That should, at least, give you a start
Dave
PS I'm planning to go to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in March with a group of friends where the target quarries will be Sailfish and Roosterfish, hopefully on the fly. But I must admit having found out a little about Mosquito Lagoon (near where you're going) again I have a hankering to spend a couple of days fishing for those big Red Drum. It seems a shame to go that far and miss out on the opportunity!

[TeamBigBobberz]

As an avid redfisherman, I HIGHLY recommend you follow Panama Jack's suggestions and try to hook a couple! April is a wonderful time to wet a line here! There is no telling what you might reel in.

Another magazine that you might check out is www.gaffmag.net - fun and fishing, you'll see!

There are quite a few fishing piers along the coast, one of the best being the new Jacksonville Beach Pier. They are catching deep water fish like king mackerels, (kingfish) right off the pier...50 pounds plus!!!

There was some mention of pompano...Mmmmmm, yummy! They make a spring run from the south to the north. One of the best eating fish around and found right in the surf! Well, the trough just beyond the surf,

Enjoy Florida!

[Fisher_Nick]

i read somewhere you can catch snook aswell of the piers.

these are a barbel like fish up around 20lbs, not sure about their time of year.

[dean_gifford]

Trina loved your site, combines 2 of my most loved activitys ... large breasted women and fishing. if there was a part about food in there it would be perfect ;)

Dam PanamaJack you are a wealth of knowlage!

[PanamaJack]

Dean's comments say it all!

Last year, whilst in Ascension Island (South Atlantic), we had a 'larger than life' French video photographer - Gerard Aulong - on board Harmattan with us. He was making a video featuring the Bait 'n' Switch technique for Blue Marlin for the skipper, Matthias. And we did catch a few for the camera.

Anyway Gerard a superb fisherman as well and really does sense the shots, the point at which the fish is going to jump. But he's also a likeable rogue and has made a number of other videos featuring a young lady called Candace Meyer. She's caught several world-record sized Marlin and Tuna, which feature on these videos and can best be described as a very enthusiastic and vocal fisherperson. It's at those points I have to say that Gerard appears to loose focus on the fish and, shall we say, focuses instead on some rather expensive cosmetic surgery in true Gallic style!

There used to be video clips on a French fishing web site, PecheXtreme – http://thomas.rajaton.com/ - but unfortunately the video server seems to have been overloaded of late! I wonder why? Just to give you a flavour though there are some ‘thumbnails’ on Gerard’s home page - http://www.gerard-aulong.com/.

[TeamBigBobberz]

Thank you Dean! I appreciate you looking!

As far as catching snook in Florida, they are many places especially south of Mosquito Lagoon this time of year. One of my favorite areas is Sarasota. There is a Captain there by the name of DC Bienvenue who is a VERY good kayak charter Captain. We fished at night and it was wonderful! I think he has regular boats as well...not sure. Fun fish to catch...strange season though.

Good luck!

[Dan-arneil]

Parmajack i have a question for you..iam going in xmas..can't wait
was wondering if you know of any tackleshops in daytona where i can buy, well everything really. i know i would have to go to wallmart to buy my licsence and i imagine they would only have things like hooks, weights etc in.

Thanks
Dan

[PanamaJack]

Hi Dan
You should be able to buy the licence (non-resident's) at any tackle store. However it's also possible to purchase it on line before you go. Here's a link that should prove of use - http://askit.myfwc.com/cgi-bin/myfwc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=920&p_created=1028703600&p_sid=4dUBXMXh&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfc m93X2NudD0yOTImcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N 2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfc GFnZT0y&p_li=&p_topview=1.

Just to note those for others reading this note the licence is a state licence and some states, like Massachusetts for instance, don't impose the need for a recreational licence. It's worth checking before you go.

Anyway Dan enjoy your trip and please post a note of how it goes.

Wishing you the Compliments of the Season
Dave

[Dan-arneil]

Hi
jack do you know of any tackleshops in daytona where i can get all kinds of fishing gear from?

thanks
Dan

[PanamaJack]

Sorry Dan, I've never fished in that part of Florida. Here's a link to local tackle stores though - http://www.outdoor-links.com/stores/d.htm. If you're planning to take the family for an away day to Disney, it's about 50 miles, there's a tackle store in Orlando well worth browsing. It's part of the BassPro chain, and the likelihood is that you've never been in a tackle store quite so big. The range of tackle is extensive and prices are cheap. The url to pick up directions is http://www.basspro.com.
Dave

[WarEagle]

Hey Bobberz... good to see you over here. I of course run across you from time to time at Global Fisher.

Hope sales were brisk for the Christmas Season.

I am headed to St. Pete Beach 1-26-06 for a little fishing and golf. The folks have lived there for about 6 years. They love it. And I love the chance to head down there and wade a bit.

http://www.tristatefishing.org/images/stories/brian%20grouper%20close.jpg

WAR

[PanamaJack]

Hi Sabretooth et al
Just happened across this article reviewing the major Largemouth Bass fisheries in Central Florida that might be of some use - http://www.probass.net/protips//george4.php.
Dave

[warriorgunner]

ive fished st.petes on 85ft boat out of the marina . joint with restaruant were we ate the catch awsome.!!!

[warriorgunner]

Hi
jack do you know of any tackleshops in daytona where i can get all kinds of fishing gear from?

thanks
Dan
walmart in daytona area stocks plenty of good fishing gear!!