Florida Fishing Regulations

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservative's regulations are upheld in the waters considered part of the state. According to state regulations, fishermen are limited to no more than 100 pounds of fish or two fish per person per day, whichever is greater. Some fish have specific bag limits so it is best to check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservative's regulations page found in the resources section. Fishermen are advised to check the regulations regularly as they change periodically.
  
  

Florida Fishing Licenses

• To go saltwater fishing in Florida, one must have a saltwater fishing license if he or she is able-bodied and older than 16 years. Prices as of May 2010 for saltwater fishing licenses for Florida residents are $17 for a year or $79 for a five-year license. An annual saltwater/freshwater fishing combo license for residents is $32.50. A lifetime saltwater fishing license for residents, which includes snook and crawfish permits, costs $126.50 for persons four years or younger, $226.50 for 5- to 12-year-olds, and $301.50 for persons 13 years or older. Additionally, fishermen need permits for catching snook, lobster and tarpon. These costs $2, $2 and $51, respectively, for residents and non-residents. Only residents may purchase five-year permits for these for $10 each. Non-residents must pay $17 for a three-day saltwater fishing license, $30 for a seven-day license and $47 for an annual license.
  
  

Gulf-Side Fishing

• The gulf side of the state, particularly the southwest, is known for its backwater or backcountry saltwater fishing. This is fishing done in the extensive network of bays, mangrove islands and tidal creeks. Anglers can also fish along the shoreline that is home to numerous oyster bars and seagrass beds. In these waters, fishermen can find snook, redfish, spotted sea trout and tarpon. Catching one of each specie in one day is known as a grand slam. Most of the waters in this area are protected by the state of Florida, resulting in better water quality and marine life system.
  
  

Atlantic-Side Fishing

• The Atlantic side offers deep sea fishing opportunity as well as fishing from shore. As with the gulf side, anglers can find redfish, tarpon and spotted sea trout in this side of the state. The juvenile tarpon can be found inshore, but the big version of this fish needs to be caught in deeper waters. Tarpon is one of the ultimate game fish and there are many charter ships that sail out of Port Canaveral to go after this fish.
  
  Redfish or red drum is another premium game fish that are caught in 1 to 2 feet of water. They are quick and can get quite large so catching them can be a challenge. Sea trout are plentiful throughout Florida and are very popular with the locals. Whilst around all year, the big ones are more prevalent in the winter and spring.
  
  

Other Florida Saltwater Fish

• Other saltwater fish anglers look for in Florida waters include the black drum, king mackerel, cobia, Jack Crevalle, barracuda, mahi-mahi and bottom fish. King mackerel can be caught in the open ocean with mackerel or big-game fishing gear. These fish can swim 40 miles an hour, have razor sharp teeth and are great battlers in the open ocean. Cobias are also known for their fight. Also called "brown clowns," these fish show up boatside to grab bait and battle it out with the fisherman. Other fish caught further offshore include the mahi-mahi and the bottom fish. The bottom fish, as the name implies, requires traditional deep-sea fishing equipment.
  
  Jack Crevalle are found near the shore and are often mistaken for amberjack. This fish is fast and strong and turns up during summer months. Another summertime fish is the barracuda. This large fish can weigh more than 30 pounds and has a very toothy mouth.
  
  Black drums are also shallow-water fish that are cousins of the redfish. Both can be found year-round.