Florida fishing charters have built up a serious reputation among anglers from around the world. Known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” Florida is nothing less than an angler’s paradise. Choose between the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, or the state’s endless freshwater fisheries. Wherever you go, you’ll find gamefish galore and enough tasty table fish to feed an army. Florida, quite simply, has it all.
Regardless of what you’re after and how you plan to do it, Florida will deliver. From Catfish to Swordfish, all types of marine critters can be targeted in various parts of the state. Redfish tends to top the target lists in the Gulf, Sailfish is the king of the state’s Atlantic coast, while Red Snapper reigns supreme nearshore. As you can see, trophies await all around!
There’s so much going on in Florida, it’s impossible to cover it all. You can, however, get a great taste of what fishing here is all about in a variety of ways. From short inshore excursions with the kids, to multi-day adventures offshore, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. It’s all going to come down to what you’re looking to accomplish and which target you want to pursue!
Florida’s angling hubs are located in multiple cities across the state. Once again, it’d be hard to say which one to visit first since it’s all going to depend on the experience you’re looking for. Some of the more popular destinations are certainly Destin, Tampa, Miami, Florida Keys, and Lake Okeechobee. They all have unique offerings and finding out more about them could help you narrow down your search.
Rules & Regulations
You don’t need to buy a license on a Florida saltwater fishing charter, although you will need to pick one up for freshwater fishing. Many species have strict closed seasons which can change year on year so get informed on these before wetting a line.
Amberjack
Barracuda (Great)
Bass (Peacock)
Black Drum
Bonefish
Bonito
Cobia
Crappie
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Flounder
Grouper (Gag)
Grouper (Goliath)
Hogfish
Jack Crevalle
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Marlin (Blue)
Permit
Redfish
Sailfish
Scallop
Shark (Blacktip)
Shark (Bonnethead)
Sheepshead
Snakehead
Snapper (Mangrove)
Snapper (Red)
Snook
Spanish Mackerel
Spotted Seatrout
Tarpon
Tilapia
Tuna (Blackfin)
Tuna (Yellowfin)
Wahoo
