Best sportfishing destinations in Florida
Expert anglers around the world know all too well how receptive Florida is for sportfishing activities. Florida is home to some of the world’s wildest oceans, rivers, streams, and water bodies. Its reefs, flats, wrecks, mangroves, and deep water trenches also offer diverse fisheries and a remarkable marine ecosystem. From the Atlantic coast to the Gulf of Mexico, there is ample water and aquatic life for anglers to explore. But, what is the best location in Florida for sportfishing?
Truth is, it will be almost impossible to cover the whole of Florida during a sportfishing adventure. The waters are vast and complex and it may just be an exercise in futility if you don’t know where to fish at a certain time of the year. This guide will help you make sense of it and reveal the best sportfishing destinations in Florida.
- Florida Keys
There’s probably no fishing destination as exotic as Florida Keys. The thin stretch of Islands runs for about 100 miles. With deep blue waters and around its beautiful fishing towns like Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key West. With amazing flats, backcountry fishing, and several other options, Florida Keys offers great fishing expeditions all year round. Spring season offers the best of Bonefish sportfishing in Florida Keys, while you’ll catch a variety of Snook and Tarpon all year round.
There’ll also be some rod-bending action occasionally as you battle against some of the world’s strongest sea fighters, including Sailfish, Marlin, and Tuna. With a lot of opportunities across reefs, deep sea, and dry land fishing, as well as the breathtaking views throughout the adventure, you’re sure to have a swell time sportfishing in Florida Keys.
- Destin
There’s a reason Destin is called the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”. It is an appreciated fishing destination in Florida. Right in between the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay, there’s an exciting mix of both offshore and inshore fishing for expert anglers and beginners looking to go sportfishing in Florida. Whether it’s bottom or pelagic species like Big Grouper, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, Wahoo, Tuna, Billfish, and Snapper, you can explore the 100-fathom curve aboard a charter or navigate your way through the continental shelf’s magnificent edge. There’s something for everyone.
- Panama City Beach
This is one of the most popular fishing destinations in Florida and is a great place for families to vacation. You will find species such as Cobia, Redfish, Mangrove, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, and Snapper, among several others. The excitement that comes with pulling a big game fish onto a boat can’t be measured, especially when kids experience such moments. The beaches and family-style attractions, along with the abundance of big game species make Panama Beach City a preferred spot for a whole day’s fishing adventure.
- Miami
Miami’s offshore waters are a popular route for thousands of big-game fish species, such as Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish, and Mahi Mahi. This makes the city one of Florida’s best sportfishing destinations. The beautiful beaches and exciting nightlife, coupled with the city’s vibrancy, make Florida one of the most visited places, not just in the US, but also on earth. The city’s skyline can form the perfect background as you haunt down monstrous pelagic game fish along the renowned Sailfish Alley. Biscayne Bay is another exciting spot, allowing both daytime and night fishing for hungry Tarpon and other species.
- Tampa Bay
From sheepshead to Spotted seatrout, Jack Crevalle, Snook, and so on, Tampa Bay never runs out of sportfishing action. Even the Red and Black Drum fish can be found in abundance here, and no matter the time of year, you’ll always find something to battle. The Bay overlooks other exciting fishing towns like St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and St. Pete Beach, which welcomes visitors all year round for exciting fishing adventures, ranging from bottom fishing to fly fishing. And as you move away from the city’s bubbly life, you’ll find alligator-filled wild buoys and northern waterways, a snippet of the stark contrast between two extremes; life in the city and the wilderness.
- St. Augustine
St. Augustine is one of Americas oldest cities playing host to some of the best sportfishing in the state of Florida. Based on the season you could catch Red Fish, Sea Trout, Flounder Snook, Tarpon, Black Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, and Jack Cravelle. Make sure to get a reservation with one of the high rated St. Augustine Fishing Charters for your next fishing tirp.