About Florida Saltwater Fishing
This page has information on saltwater fishing in Florida.
Table of Contents
- Florida Saltwater Fishing - Species, Fishing Hotspots and Techniques
- Florida Saltwater Fishing Links
- Florida Saltwater Fishing Books
- Florida Saltwater Fish
- Fishing DVDs
- Florida Saltwater Panfish and Baitfish
- Florida Saltwater Fish Lenses
- Seafood Articles
- New Marine Protected Areas
- Saltwater Fishing
- Sea Fish
- Game Fish of the Saltwater Flats and Shallows
- Tuna of the World
- Billfish of the World
- Florida Saltwater Fishing Feedback
Florida Saltwater Fishing - Species, Fishing Hotspots and Techniques
Florida showcases some of the best fishing in the USA. The region has a wide diversity of fishing habitat coupled with warm temperatures most of the year. Envirnoments include backwater marshes, millions of acres of flats, coral reefs and deep sea dropoffs.The variety of habitats give anglers opportunities to catch fish such as spotted seatrout, redfish, mullet, tarpon, sharks, black drum, snook, sheepshead, snappers, grouper, bonefish, pompano, permit, amberjacks, cero, king and Spanish mackerel, tuna, sailfish, mahi mahi, swordfish, wahoo and more.
Florida Saltwater Fishing Links
- Charter Boats and Guides
- Find your Florida fishing trip here. The site lists Florida fishing charters, fishing guides, boat tours, lodges, hunting adventures and more.
- Fresh Seafood
- This site has seafood news, events, articles, and quite a few recipes for Florida fish and other seafood.
- Commercial Fishing
- Learn about Florida commercial fishing here.
Florida Saltwater Fishing Books
Fish Florida Saltwater: Better Than Luck--The Foolproof Guide to Florida Saltwater Fishing by Boris Arnov
This book is a unique guide to tell you when, wher more...0 points
Good Luck and Tight Lines: A Sure-Fire Guide to Florida's Inshore Fishing by R.G. Schmidt
This book gets you into the action fast, no matter more...0 points
Fishing Florida's Flats: A Guide to Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, and Much More (Wild Florida) by JAN S. MAIZLER
Shallow ocean, or "flats," fishing is on more...0 points
Fishing the Flats (Salt Water Sportsman Library) by Mark Sosin, Lefty Kreh
There is nothing quite like the thrill of fishing more...0 points
Florida Saltwater Fish
Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi, also known as dorado or dolphin fish are fast growing, pelagic fish. They are among the most beautiful of all fish. Younger dolphin fish school together, orienting to sargasso weed or floating debri. Larger fish are loners or travel in small groups, usually roaming although they sometimes still lurk around floating structure. Male dolphin fish develop a blunt forehead and grow larger than the females.
Red snapper
Red snapper is one of the most sought after and highly prized saltwater fish caught around Florida. They range from North Carolina to the Florida Keys and throughout the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan in depths from 33 to 623 feet. The fish are long lived, sometimes reaches ages exceeding 50 Years. They may attain lengths of 36 inches or more and weigh up to 50 lbs. Red snapper is low in saturated fat and sodium and is a very good source of protein.
Red Drum - Redfish
Red drum, also known as redfish are common in Florida. Redfish inhabit shallow bays and esturaries, targeting crustaceans and baitfish. They are highly prized as a recreational fish. Some redfish anglers compete in national tournaments that are similar to freshwater bass fishing events.
Florida Pompano
Florida Pompano range from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico as well as in parts of South America. Florida Pompano are schooling fish that are often found in the surf. They average 1-2 lbs, are are highly regarded as a food fish. Florida pompano are said to bring the highest price per pound of any fish in the United States.
Swordfish
Swordfish are caught mostly at night, in the deeper areas of offshore canyons. On overnight trips, anglers typically set one or more lines at various depths. Nighttime swordfish rigs usually consist of a large circle or Southern tuna hook on a cable leader. Swordfish baits include whole squid, mackerel or other small fish. A glow stick is added to the leader a few feet above the bait. Inline weights may also be added on the line to control the depth of the bait.
Mahi Mahi, also known as dorado or dolphin fish are fast growing, pelagic fish. They are among the most beautiful of all fish. Younger dolphin fish school together, orienting to sargasso weed or floating debri. Larger fish are loners or travel in small groups, usually roaming although they sometimes still lurk around floating structure. Male dolphin fish develop a blunt forehead and grow larger than the females.
Red snapper
Red snapper is one of the most sought after and highly prized saltwater fish caught around Florida. They range from North Carolina to the Florida Keys and throughout the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan in depths from 33 to 623 feet. The fish are long lived, sometimes reaches ages exceeding 50 Years. They may attain lengths of 36 inches or more and weigh up to 50 lbs. Red snapper is low in saturated fat and sodium and is a very good source of protein.
Red Drum - Redfish
Red drum, also known as redfish are common in Florida. Redfish inhabit shallow bays and esturaries, targeting crustaceans and baitfish. They are highly prized as a recreational fish. Some redfish anglers compete in national tournaments that are similar to freshwater bass fishing events.
Florida Pompano
Florida Pompano range from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico as well as in parts of South America. Florida Pompano are schooling fish that are often found in the surf. They average 1-2 lbs, are are highly regarded as a food fish. Florida pompano are said to bring the highest price per pound of any fish in the United States.
Swordfish
Swordfish are caught mostly at night, in the deeper areas of offshore canyons. On overnight trips, anglers typically set one or more lines at various depths. Nighttime swordfish rigs usually consist of a large circle or Southern tuna hook on a cable leader. Swordfish baits include whole squid, mackerel or other small fish. A glow stick is added to the leader a few feet above the bait. Inline weights may also be added on the line to control the depth of the bait.
Fishing DVDs
FABULOUS FISHING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
All you need to know about fishing locations, tack more...0 points
THE ART OF SPEARFISHING
Filmed in South Florida and the Florida Keys, this more...0 points
Florida Saltwater Panfish and Baitfish
Spot
Spot are named and identified by the distinctive dark spot above the pectoral fin It is also known as lafayette, goody, or Norfolk spot. Spot are common from Cape Cod to Florida and through the Gulf of Mexico. The species is considered both a valuable commercial and recreational species throughout its range.
Spot rarely exceed 10 inches in length. The fish are highly sought after as a food fish by both commercial and recreational fishermen. These panfish are abundant in near-shore oceanic areas, coastal bays, and estuaries.
Pinfish
Pinfish, also known as sailor's choice, or pin perch is one of the most common inshore fish. It ranges from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico. Pinfish known to coastal anglers as a "bait stealer," but are sought after as a bait for other larger fish. Pinfish are abundant from Virginia south. They occur over a wide variety of bottom types but prefer vegetated bottoms. Pinfish can tolerate wide variations in temperature and salinity conditions. Pinfish reach lengths of about 15 inches, although most pinfish are 4-8 inches in length and are usually considered as baitfish.
Pigfish
Pigfish are colorful members of the grunt family. They are marked with a bluish upper and a silver lower body. Each scale has a blue center and bronze edge, which forms a series of yellow-brown stripes on the sides and sometimes exhibits orange bands on the snout and head. The full range of pigfish extends
from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico, although they are rare north of Virginia. Pigfish are caught by recreational anglers and considered to be a good quality food fish.
Pigfish have limited commercial importance, and most commercial landings come as pigfish are mixed with other grunt species. Pigfish are also used as live bait especially in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Pigfish reach lengths of about 18 inches, with a maximum weight of about 2 pounds. Pigfish are short lived and rarely exceed 3 years of age.
Spot are named and identified by the distinctive dark spot above the pectoral fin It is also known as lafayette, goody, or Norfolk spot. Spot are common from Cape Cod to Florida and through the Gulf of Mexico. The species is considered both a valuable commercial and recreational species throughout its range.
Spot rarely exceed 10 inches in length. The fish are highly sought after as a food fish by both commercial and recreational fishermen. These panfish are abundant in near-shore oceanic areas, coastal bays, and estuaries.
Pinfish
Pinfish, also known as sailor's choice, or pin perch is one of the most common inshore fish. It ranges from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico. Pinfish known to coastal anglers as a "bait stealer," but are sought after as a bait for other larger fish. Pinfish are abundant from Virginia south. They occur over a wide variety of bottom types but prefer vegetated bottoms. Pinfish can tolerate wide variations in temperature and salinity conditions. Pinfish reach lengths of about 15 inches, although most pinfish are 4-8 inches in length and are usually considered as baitfish.
Pigfish
Pigfish are colorful members of the grunt family. They are marked with a bluish upper and a silver lower body. Each scale has a blue center and bronze edge, which forms a series of yellow-brown stripes on the sides and sometimes exhibits orange bands on the snout and head. The full range of pigfish extends
from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico, although they are rare north of Virginia. Pigfish are caught by recreational anglers and considered to be a good quality food fish.
Pigfish have limited commercial importance, and most commercial landings come as pigfish are mixed with other grunt species. Pigfish are also used as live bait especially in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Pigfish reach lengths of about 18 inches, with a maximum weight of about 2 pounds. Pigfish are short lived and rarely exceed 3 years of age.
Florida Saltwater Fish Lenses
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Grouper
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This page introduces a family of saltwater fish known collectively as grouper. Several species of grouper live along the USA Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The term grouper includes a wide range of species. Among them are snowy grouper, nassau grouper, bl...
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Swordfish
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This page has information on swordfish as well as recreational and commercial fishing for these popular fish.
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Mahi Mahi
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This page is about Mahi Mahi, also known as dolphin fish or dorado.
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Florida Pompano
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The page features information on Florida pompano.
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Red Snapper
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This page has red snapper information, news, pictures, artwork and links.
Seafood Articles
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byNew Marine Protected Areas
NOAA has established eight separate marine protected areas encompassing a total of 529 square nautical miles in south Atlantic federal waters to shield deep-water fish species and their habitats from fishing.
All fishing for snappers, groupers, tilefishes, grunts, porgies, and sea basses is prohibited throughout the protected areas, which are located off the coast from North Carolina south to Florida.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council proposed the action to NOAA's Fisheries Service as part of a larger management plan to protect these South Atlantic fish populations.
"Marine protected areas are designed to provide long-term protection for our nation's natural resources," said Jim Balsiger, acting NOAA assistant administrator for NOAA's
Fisheries Service. "These areas of the South Atlantic were chosen because they feature known spawning grounds and nursery habitats for deep-water fish - especially for snappers
and groupers."
The new protected areas range in size from 21 to 150 square nautical miles. There is one area off North Carolina, three off South Carolina, one off Georgia, and three protected areas off Florida.
Commercial shark bottom longline gear is also prohibited in these areas because the deep-water fish species are likely to be caught incidentally with this gear. All other types
of legal fishing, such as trolling for tunas and marlins, are allowed because those gear types are not likely to incidentally catch the species warranting protection.
All fishing for snappers, groupers, tilefishes, grunts, porgies, and sea basses is prohibited throughout the protected areas, which are located off the coast from North Carolina south to Florida.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council proposed the action to NOAA's Fisheries Service as part of a larger management plan to protect these South Atlantic fish populations.
"Marine protected areas are designed to provide long-term protection for our nation's natural resources," said Jim Balsiger, acting NOAA assistant administrator for NOAA's
Fisheries Service. "These areas of the South Atlantic were chosen because they feature known spawning grounds and nursery habitats for deep-water fish - especially for snappers
and groupers."
The new protected areas range in size from 21 to 150 square nautical miles. There is one area off North Carolina, three off South Carolina, one off Georgia, and three protected areas off Florida.
Commercial shark bottom longline gear is also prohibited in these areas because the deep-water fish species are likely to be caught incidentally with this gear. All other types
of legal fishing, such as trolling for tunas and marlins, are allowed because those gear types are not likely to incidentally catch the species warranting protection.
Saltwater Fishing
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Pacific Northwest Saltwater Fishing
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This page discusses saltwater fishing in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. This includes recreational and commercial fishing in the states of Oregon, Washington and Alaska in the USA and B.C. Canada.
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Mid Atlantic Saltwater Fishing
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This page has information on saltwater fishing along the mid Atlantic coast of the USA. This includes bay, inshore and offshore fishing from New York to North Carolina.
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New England Saltwater Fishing
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This page has information about New England saltwater fishing.
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Gulf Coast Saltwater Fishing
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This page has information about saltwater fishing along the USA Gulf Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Saltwater Fishing
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This page has basic information on saltwater fishing. Recreational fishing is the most popular outdoor activity in the USA and much of that is done in saltwater. Saltwater fishing has many forms with something for nearly everyon...
Sea Fish
Game Fish of the Saltwater Flats and Shallows
Tuna of the World
Billfish of the World
Florida Saltwater Fishing Feedback
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- Susea Susea Aug 29, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
- Great lens. I live in the Florida Keys and held the world record for the largest Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), caught by a woman for many years. I do all my own rigging from spooling the reel to rigging the bait. I love fishing alone, which I was when I caught the world record fish weighing 68 pounds. It was a 58 minute fight, I didn't want him to pull the hook. You can read about this and many more of my Florida Keys adventures by going to my website at http://www.nthefloridakeys.com
by daybreak
I own and maintain several sites including Fresh Seafood, Nautical Art and Charter Boats and Guides (more)
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