Goliath Grouper, Boca Grande, Florida
Florida Fishing
Florida is a vast fishery with numerous freshwater and saltwater options. Many parts of Florida offer lots of activities for non-fishing people (Disneyworld, Epcott, Miami nightlife, etc) so it can be a good destination for family trips. However, many Florida fisheries receive a substantial amount of fishing pressure so the fish can be wary and fishing can sometimes be tough. Many Florida guides, especially those in South Florida, are some of the most skilled fishermen I have ever met because they have to be in order to give their clients a real shot at a good catch.
There are many, many fisheries in Florida that I have not tried and it would be impossible to discuss them all so I will focus on three that I really like: Boca Grande area Goliath Grouper, Miami/Everglades Bass fishing, and reef fishing in the Dry Tortugas off of Key West.
Boca Grande Goliath Grouper
This fishery might be unique in all the world. Goliath Grouper are an enormous fish that are found relatively near to shore. They get up to 800lbs and because they are protected in Florida they are now relatively abundant. Not many people have gear heavy enough to handle these beasts, but if you do they are pretty easy to hook. They all get released due to their protected status and they don't seem to get any smarter with time, so this fishery appears to be able to survive the fishing pressure. If you do go after these monsters, I recommend going with a guide who specializes in them. If you try to do it on your own, make sure you have gear that is heavy enough to handle them. There are enough of them swimming around with mouths full of broken off hooks. See my Goliath Grouper page for information on how to catch them. This guy can put you on them: Another Keeper Charters
Miami/Everglades Bass Fishing
There is some very good Largemouth Bass fishing to be had in the Everglades near Miami. Many guides specialize in this, but this guy is pretty good: Captain Shane Procell
There are a host of other exotic species in the Miami area canals, but every few years there is a big cold front that puts the populations down. However, they seem to bounce back. The most exciting fish to catch in the Miami area canals and waterways is the Peacock Bass. There are also Snakeheads, Midas Cichlids, Jaguar Cichlids, and a whole host of others. Captain Shane above targets all of these as well. Hai Truong is a good guide down here for the exotics: Hai Truong
If you want to catch the rare and exotic Clown Knifefish, try these guys: www.swamptosea.com
Dry Tortugas Islands
The Dry Tortugas are a group of small islands several miles west of Key West. The area is off the beaten path and offers some great fishing for most saltwater species found in Florida including Snapper, Grouper, Barracuda, Kingfish, Sharks, and a host of others. Because of the distance this is probably at least an overnight trip from Key West. These guys specialize in these trips and are very good: Majestic Seas
Click here for the Species Guides to learn how to catch these fish or click on a pic below to enlarge:
Florida is a vast fishery with numerous freshwater and saltwater options. Many parts of Florida offer lots of activities for non-fishing people (Disneyworld, Epcott, Miami nightlife, etc) so it can be a good destination for family trips. However, many Florida fisheries receive a substantial amount of fishing pressure so the fish can be wary and fishing can sometimes be tough. Many Florida guides, especially those in South Florida, are some of the most skilled fishermen I have ever met because they have to be in order to give their clients a real shot at a good catch.
There are many, many fisheries in Florida that I have not tried and it would be impossible to discuss them all so I will focus on three that I really like: Boca Grande area Goliath Grouper, Miami/Everglades Bass fishing, and reef fishing in the Dry Tortugas off of Key West.
Boca Grande Goliath Grouper
This fishery might be unique in all the world. Goliath Grouper are an enormous fish that are found relatively near to shore. They get up to 800lbs and because they are protected in Florida they are now relatively abundant. Not many people have gear heavy enough to handle these beasts, but if you do they are pretty easy to hook. They all get released due to their protected status and they don't seem to get any smarter with time, so this fishery appears to be able to survive the fishing pressure. If you do go after these monsters, I recommend going with a guide who specializes in them. If you try to do it on your own, make sure you have gear that is heavy enough to handle them. There are enough of them swimming around with mouths full of broken off hooks. See my Goliath Grouper page for information on how to catch them. This guy can put you on them: Another Keeper Charters
Miami/Everglades Bass Fishing
There is some very good Largemouth Bass fishing to be had in the Everglades near Miami. Many guides specialize in this, but this guy is pretty good: Captain Shane Procell
There are a host of other exotic species in the Miami area canals, but every few years there is a big cold front that puts the populations down. However, they seem to bounce back. The most exciting fish to catch in the Miami area canals and waterways is the Peacock Bass. There are also Snakeheads, Midas Cichlids, Jaguar Cichlids, and a whole host of others. Captain Shane above targets all of these as well. Hai Truong is a good guide down here for the exotics: Hai Truong
If you want to catch the rare and exotic Clown Knifefish, try these guys: www.swamptosea.com
Dry Tortugas Islands
The Dry Tortugas are a group of small islands several miles west of Key West. The area is off the beaten path and offers some great fishing for most saltwater species found in Florida including Snapper, Grouper, Barracuda, Kingfish, Sharks, and a host of others. Because of the distance this is probably at least an overnight trip from Key West. These guys specialize in these trips and are very good: Majestic Seas
Click here for the Species Guides to learn how to catch these fish or click on a pic below to enlarge:
