Florida Fishing

[DanS]

I'm planing for a Florida trip in March and was wondering if any FM'ers out there had advice or tips for saltwater fishing the west coast down into the Keys? Its our first trip to Florida and our first attempt at saltwater fishing so any info would be helpful. Thanks.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

I would look into flats fishing. I did it there last year and it was a blast. I also fished deep-sea and not as fun mostly because it was too rough that day.

One place you can call for guide info is black fin resort

For flats I can highly recommend Capt Billy.

He's an old timer and highly sought after so his schedule is usually pretty full. If he can't help you I'm sure he will recommend someone. It's very expensive but what the heck. I caught 2 bone fish and one baracuda. Had a shot at permit but no takers. Also saw and took a swipe at hooking a tarpon but they were not readily available the day I was there due to cooler water temps. Saw tons of water wildlife.

[pikehunter]

Hey guys, similar question, different theme.

I'm going to be in Orlando in April and would like to spend a day chasing some of those big Florida freshwater bass. Anyone ever hired a freshwater guide down there?

[Norsky]

I'll be down there on April 4th. Hopefully I'll be doing a day or two of fishing, but mostly we'll be in the parks. Lake Toho isn't very far from Orlando and there are many guides around. Check at the Bass Pro Shops store just south of Orlando in Kissimee. I am trying to get a trip lined up out of Titusville over by NASA to fish for redfish.

[MJCatfish]

We went to the Keys (Marathon) end of March early April 2003 and fished with Mike Biffel from Big Dawg Sportfishing. Mike will take you into the Gulf or out to the ocean side and get you into whatever you want. This is a guy who fishes on his days off in addition to fishing many days with clients. We caught grouper, snapper, permit, tarpon (9 tarpon in one day!), sharks kingfish, amberjack, rays, jack crevalle, barracuda, cobia, and a few more I don't recall. We had a trip of a lifetime and Mike made every bit of it exciting. If you do a search and go to his HSOforum, scroll down and find John and Elaine's 9 day tarpon trip. John and Elaine are friends of ours and we were with them on that day. It was absolutely incredible. The best thing about it is that most of the angling is hands on jigging; something similar to jigging for walleyes. The gear is a bit heavier, but so are the fish. You are truly fishing and not just dragging bait or lures around in rod holders waiting for something to happen.

Here is a picture of my wife and I with a double, including a 30 + pound permit. What a rush! Do a search for Big Dawg Sportfishing and check out the site!

I'm dying to go back!!

Good Luck,

MJ

[bassman186]

DanS;

I as well will be down in Florida that same time of year, this will be the 4th year in a row that I go down there at that time of the year.

What I have found to work is fishing along the beach with bottom rigs. Useing shrimp for bait. Catching Shark, Pompano, Sail Cats, and others.

Also have found fishing under a few bridges to be good for sheepshead, redfish and others.

If I had more of an idea of where your staying I could give you specific details on where to good.

~Matt Jung

[DanS]

Thanks for all the replies! MJCatfish awesome fish! Is walleye fishing ever the same after a trip like that? I'll have to see how the budget is looking for a guided trip. I'll check out that web site as soon as I sign off here.I have a family of 4 going and there is so much to do (and spend $ on). We plan on doing a lot of snorkling, the everglades, possibly Disney.

Matt, we plan on working our way down the west coast to around Marco then heading over to the keys for a few days. That would be great if you had some tips for shore fishing. What type of gear do you normally use? I was thinking of setting up some heavier spinning rigs with 20# fireline. You can actually catch shark shore fishing? That would be my boys dream come true. Thanks again. Dan

[MJCatfish]

It was almost like I had to get therapy or hyptnotized to get me out of saltwater mode and back into freshwater mode. I still love to fish for walleyes and all other species, believe or not.

MJ

[MJCatfish]

By the way, Dan. I see you are from Grand Rapids. The John and Elaine I talked about earlier are the Johnsons from Grand Rapids. John has Johnson Lock and Key I believe is the name. Know them? They live out on Prairie Lake.

MJ

[DanS]

MJCatfish,

I don't think so although there are some Johnson kids that ski jump with my kids at Mt Itasca. Prairie Lake is near Mt Itasca so there could be a connection. Thats an interesting user name. If you got it from fishing catfish I could swap some stories. I grew up pulling channel cats from the St Croix and Snake Rivers near Pine City.

[Brian Jones]

I'm leaving for Orlando this Friday the 25th and staying until the 8th of March. If anyone will be there around then and would be interested in sharing a trip with my father and I lets talk. Never been down there so not sure what to expect. Any other tips would also be great, thanks guys!

[Mike W]

Sounds like I will be sharing a plane with you. I am leaveing mid morning for Orlando on friday also. Planning on fishing until the 3rd. We are heading out of Ponce inlet. Have 2 trips reserved with the Critter Fleet. Sounds like the Grouper and snapper are bitting pretty good with lots of sharks to keep you active. This is my first trip down there so am not sure what to expect. The is a good fishing forum out of florida called florida sportsman. Check out the east central forum and you should find some good info. Daily info just like on this site.

Orlando is over a hour north of Ponce inlet. If we could find a good captian I would be willing to look at sharing a trip some where. I am going to post on there local web site tonight looking for help in that area and maybe offer a trip swap for any of the locals that finds his way up here.

Should be a good trip.

[Brian Jones]

Mike,

I have a long three days of work down in the Andover area (not far from you)and then I will be departing by car Friday evening. Making a stop or two on the way to Orlando but planning on getting to the resort on Sunday. Keep me posted if you find anything out. Would be great if something would work out...kinda a short notice type trip from the folks...but I'll take it!

[Ranger sport]

Pikehunter, I was down in Orlando a couple years ago and hired a guide on lake Toho. This is a very good bass lake. We caught about 15 bass the largest was 6lbs. We were using the largest shiners we could find. If you want more info let me know!