Florida has some of the world’s best and most extensive variety of fisheries, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Coast, all the way toward the Keys. The Sunshine State has it all: flats, mangroves, reefs, wrecks, deep water trenches – you name it! To help you decide where to fish next, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite Florida fishing destinations.
- Sarasota
Inshore fishing is the most popular activity in Sarasota, and for good reason. This area is ideal for sight casting and fly fishing because of its extensive network of flats, sand bars, and seagrass meadows. In quest of Redfish, Snook, Seatrout, and Tarpon, you may either wade in the shallows or pole your way through mangrove tunnels. With the Riviera Dunes Marina nearby too, you also have a great spot to dock your boat!
Stephen’s Point, Big Sarasota Pass, and Siesta Key are examples of great fishing locations just a short boat trip away. If you’re looking for some bottom fishing, travel to some of the area’s reefs, where you’ll find a variety of species ranging from Snapper and Grouper to Bluefish and Sheepshead. It’s no surprise that Sarasota made our list of the top fishing places in Florida.
- Tampa Bay
Inshore fishing in Tampa Bay is some of the greatest in Florida. There are a lot of Red and Black Drum, Snook, Jack Crevalle, Spotted Seatrout, Sheepshead, and other fish in this region. The nicest aspect is that there’s always something biting no matter what time of year you go fishing.
The communities of Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and St. Pete Beach, located across the bay from Riviera Dunes Marina, are home to some of the most popular fishing areas, offering everything from fly fishing to bottom fishing. You may also go offshore on the Florida Middle Grounds and catch Amberjack, Blackfin Tuna, Red Snapper, and Gag Grouper.
- Destin
Destin, Florida’s most popular fishing town and one of the top fishing places in the state, is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” Located between Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Destin offers the ideal combination of inshore and offshore fishing – and it’s fantastic! The 100-Fathom Curve, where the floor dips 600 feet below sea level, is easily accessible. You may also fish along the continental shelf’s edge for a variety of pelagic and bottom species. Big Grouper and Snapper species, as well as Amberjack, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, and Billfish, will be your objectives for the day.
The Destin Fishing Rodeo and the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic are two events worth attending if you’re a competitive angler. Hundreds of fisherman from all over the country go to Destin each year in the hopes of winning thousands of dollars in cash and everlasting bragging rights.