Enjoy Fishing in Florida!

Florida has incredible opportunities for fishing in both freshwater and saltwater. That's why it is one of the favorite pastimes of residents and tourists alike. Barnacle Billy's Additive loves the boating and fishing in Florida and we are excited to share some information about Florida's fishing with you. Read on to learn more about licensing, specialty fishing, and how to keep fish safe.

Fishing Licenses in Florida

In Florida, there are actually at least two major kinds of fishing licenses in Florida. These two types are Freshwater and Saltwater Licenses. It is recommended that you have both. There are some areas where freshwater and saltwater are combined, so it's best to not risk it by accidentally snagging a fish that doesn't fit your license. 

If you are a resident of Florida, between 16 and 65, you need a license. For non-residents, you will need a license if you are over 16. Another important note for people considering whether or not they need a license is that you need one even if you are simple assisting someone else with their fishing. 

To get your fishing license, you can visit a retailer like Walmart, bait and tackle shops, or a tax collector's office. You can also get them online or by calling 1-888-347-4356 (or FISH-FLORIDA).

Where to Fish

Florida has a vast number of excellent places to fish, each with their own unique benefits. Below are some of the more popular places and why they are considered great fishing spots! 

• Islamorada - Loved for its diversity of species
• Key West - Diverse fishing location, one of the more popular Keys
• Key Largo - Great for Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon, Snook, and Shark
• Naples - Great for deep sea fishing, including Sailfish and Mahi Mahi
• Key Biscayne - Deep sea fishing off the coast of Miami
• Clewiston - Freshwater fishing on Lake Okeechobee for huge largemouth bass
• Panama City - Great for Snapper, Redfish, and Grouper
• Destin - Gorgeous spot great for Gulf REd Snapper

How to Protect Catch-And-Release Fish

Many fish do not survive being caught, even if they are released. There are a few ways that you can help to preserve the sea life of Florida so fishing can continue to be a popular, wonderful activity.

Use a Circle Hook

Circle hooks have a special design that is more likely to hook a fish in its mouth instead of deep in its stomach. This helps reduce the possibility of causing irreparable harm to the fish. 

Reviving a Fish

Sometimes the stress and effort from getting caught is too much for a fish. To help revive them if they don't swim away right away, try to get water flowing through their mouth and gills. You can slowly move them with the boat or you can move the fish in a figure eight pattern.

Tips for Shark Fishing

One of the great and unique things about fishing in Florida is that you can fish for sharks! While that may sound terrifying to some, it is actually a fun and invigorating sport that is perfectly safe when done properly.

Some of the kinds of sharks you can harvest in Florida include the following: 

Group 1 sharks (12 species), no minimum size limit  

• Atlantic Sharpnose
• Blacknose
• Blacktip
• Bonnethead
• Finetooth
• Smooth dogfish and Florida smoothounds

Group 2 sharks (7 species), 54 inch minimum size limit 

• Bull
• Nurse
• Spinner
• Blue
• Oceanic whitetip
• Porbeagle
• Thresher (common)

Group 3 shark (1 species), 83 inch minimum size limit 

• Shortfin mako (effective Jan. 1, 2020)

Before you go fishing for any kind of shark, it is important to know what you are doing to stay safe and protect the population of the sharks. To make sure you're doing this, take a shore-based shark fishing course like the Shark-Smart Fishing course that can be found here. You will also need a shore-based shark fishing permit. 

Marine Activities in Florida

Florida is an incredible place to live and visit. One of the best parts about Florida is the ocean surrounding almost every side. As you are fishing and boating on the gorgeous waters of Florida, remember to keep your boat protected and clean with Barnacle Billy's Additive. This additive is 100% biodegradable and can help prevent barnacles from attaching to and growing on the bottom of your boat. Get yours here today!

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