What saltwater fish are now in season
Fishing in Florida’s Saltwater
Florida is known for its beaches and for the atmosphere that draws visitors and residences alike to its waters. And while the beaches are worth note, many people seek out Florida for one reason, saltwater fishing. The saltwater season runs year-round (with exceptions to some species), but that does not mean that every fish is catchable 12 months out of the year. Here is a quick guide to what saltwater fish are now in season.
What type of fish are you fishing for?
While there are several types of fish, they can be broken down into the Snapper, the Grouper, the Reef Fish, Pelagics, Coastal Species, Crustaceans and Mollusks, and Sharks. Of course, each of these groups consists around four to six species within the category. When you go deep sea fishing, take note of the type of fish that you wish to catch. Most of the angler boats on the market for a saltwater range between the 25’ and the 40’ range. For those who wish to have the storage as well as maximize the most current fishing additives, a larger CC or a custom luxury fishing boat (such as the HydraSport) is advised.
What is missing from the water
Saltwater fish which will be missing from Florida until April and may include the Bluefish Tuna, the Blue marlin, Broadbill Swordfish, and Tarpon. While you may find some sporadically, they really do not start to come to the Florida Saltwater until early June through August.
Blackfin Tuna and Oceanic Bonito may be found, but these will be in lower numbers compared to other fish species.
The best fish now in season
Most fish are catchable in some form or fashion. Barracudas, Dolphin, Permit, Grouper, Snapper, Shark, and White marlin are not as popular as the Mackerel, Wahoo, Alison Tuna, Bonefish, or Amberjack, currently. However, these fish will have an excellent catch rate in April.
Prime fishing is in April and then starts to decline, especially in the Bahama region of Florida steadily from there. The only fish which are in abundance year-round would be the Bonefish, Grouper, Snapper, Shark, and Wahoo.
Watch the regulated waters
If you look at a map of Florida, you will see that nearly all the border has a level of protection on some of the fish species. It is your responsibility as an angler to know the regulations and the stipulations regarding what fish you can catch in what region of the state. For details, it is recommended that you look at the Florida Wildlife and Conservation website.
Regarding the regulated waters, most of the higher stipulations on fishing are on the Gulf side of the state where the manatees are more prominent. Additionally, you will find motor regulations when you start to get closer to freshwater inlets.
In abundance, but prohibited
The following species are illegal to harvest, possess, land, purchase sell or exchange. They are the Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), Nassau Grouper, Sawfish, Atlantic Angel Shark, Basking Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, Bigeye Sixgill Shark, Bigeye Thresher Shark, Bignose Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Sharpnose Shark, Dusky Shark, Galapagos Shark, Lemon Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Narrowtooth Shark, Night Shark, Silky Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Sandbar Shark, Sevengill Shark, Sixgill Shark, Smalltail Shark, Spiny Dogfish, Whale Shark, White Shark, Tiger Shark, Scalloped and Smooth Hammerhead Shark, Manta Ray, Devil Ray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Longbill Spearfish, Mediterranean Spearfish, Sturgeon, Queen Conch, Calico Scallop, Stony, Hard, Black and Fire Corals, Sea Fans, Bahama Starfish, and Longspine Urchin. Harvest of live rock in state waters is prohibited. Pufferfish harvest is prohibited in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.
Finding your fishing boat
Depending upon the type of fishing, you may want to have an outboard or an inboard motor. Most fishermen/women will need an offshore fishing boat. Should you require a boat, Vessel Vendor is a great place to find one. Our site specializes in pre-owned boats from boat enthusiasts. Our selection of boats ranges from the bay boat to skiffs to walkarounds and large fishing yachts.
In addition to selling pre-owned vessels, our site also has an abundance of resources to help you find the best boat for your boating needs, your personality, and your budget. Such pages include boat reviews, manufacturer summaries, location pages, and help topics (such as this one).
Do you have a boat to list? Great. Get your listing on Vessel Vendor’s site while the season is in its prime. All you must do is use our listing platform which will guide you through the process. And as we are only interested in boats and yacht-related content, once you post your listing, you can be assured that only those who are interested in boating will see your article, giving you a higher probability of a sale.
Should you have any questions about what fish are in season, purchasing or selling a fishing boat, or if you are interested in more information about Vessel Vendor, please contact us through the appropriate form on our website.
