A good case can be made that Florida's recreational fishery is the state's second largest industry--right up there behind tourism.
Consider this: A late-1970s study made by the University of Florida indicated that 3-1/2 million residents go fishing two or more times per year.
In 1980, Florida's Division of Tourism released figures showing that of seven million visitors to the state that year, 18 million went fishing one or more times while here.
In all, the University study concluded that recreational fishing annually contributes $5 billion to the state's economy.
On any fall weekend, except during a hurricane, there'll be many more anglers wetting lines in the Gulf of Mexico or off the Atlantic coast than will be in the grandstands at every high school, college, and professional football game throughout the state combined.
And, what can they expect to catch?
Aside from bass, bream, catfish, chain pickerel, and speckled perch in our freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers, more people will be trying for saltwater trout than any other specie.
Caught year-round, these trout (no relation to freshwater trout caught up north and out west) are usually found on grass flats and will bite on both live bait (shrimp, sardine minnows, etc.) and such artificial lures as topwater plugs, diving crank baits, and bottom-bumping jigs. They'll also hit a fly-rodder's streamer or popping bug.
Best tides for trout include the last hour of an incoming and the first 90 minutes of an outgoing. While most will weigh between one and three pounds, there might be a few scaling between five and 10.
Redfish, known in Yankeeland as channel bass, usually weigh in the neighborhood of two to three pounds. However, there are enough pulse-quickening 10- to 15-pounders around to keep an angler on the edge of his or her boat seat. And, though a bit rare, a few reds tipping the scales at between 25 and 50 pounds are caught each year in Florida waters.
Live shrimp, spoons, Reel Magics, and artificial jigs fished near oyster bars on a falling tide, or in a deep channel--particularly during the cooler months of the year--will usually produce strikes if any reds are around.
Few fish have the capability of producing more pure angling excitement than a snook. While a few of these linesiders do scale on the plus side of 30 pounds, most caught in the Sunshine State will go between five and 15 pounds.
At times, a snook will hit just about any kind of live or artificial bait within reach, while at other times, it is likely to turn up its nose at the most choice of offerings. Generally, the best time to fish for snook in bays and rivers, along our mangrove shorelines, or in our passes is on a dropping tide.
The tarpon--often called the "poor man's game fish"--is king in tropical and subtropical waters. It's active in the spring, summer, and early fall months throughout the state and year around in Biscayne Bay and Keys waters.
Every year, tarpon tournaments attracting hundreds of anglers are held in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Boca Grande in which numerous fish weighing more than 100 pounds each are caught and released. Each tournament will boast of two of three entries weighing more than 150 pounds and, in May of 1973, a fish weighing 218 pounds was landed off Davis Island, within rock-throwing distance of downtown Tampa, by St. Petersburg school teacher Rick Wotring that was recognized as a world record catch by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) in the 80-pound test line category.
In shallow water it's not unusual to get from six to a dozen leaps from this powerful foe as it battles furiously to throw your hook. In deeper waters, such as those found in Boca Grande Pass, they will generally jump two or three times before going deep to slug it out.
Tarpon are caught from bridges, piers, small boats, and frequently by waders. Not the least bit picky in its eating habits, it will inhale dead baits on the bottom, live baits (pinfish, grunts, etc.), and just about any lure in a well-stocked tackle box ranging from a topwater Zara Spook to a bottom-bouncing Cotee Liv' Eye Action Jig. The bulk of this feeding action will take place soon after the beginnings of an outgoing tide.
Spanish mackerel and kingfish are prime angler targets on both Florida coasts.
Spanish mackerel often go on feeding frenzies, striking just about any live bait or artificial lure it sees, while kingfish, found in offshore waters ranging from 30- to 120-foot depths, are hard fighters that will also hit a wide variety of live baits and artificials.
The number one target of offshore bottom anglers is the grouper, a bruiser found around rock piles, reefs, and wrecks in anywhere from 35 to 150 feet of water.
Although not a spectacular battler, grouper will average between eight and 20 pounds each and are excellent main courses on any dinner table.
Those lucky enough to find an offshore wreck are likely to meet up with an amberjack, one of the most powerful and explosive fish that swims. These fish grow to 50 pounds or more and will leave even veteran fishermen with a bad case of the shakes.
Although billfish (sailfish, blue and white marlin) are plentiful in offshore Gulf waters due west of Clearwater and St. Petersburg, it often requires a large boat and a run of 100 miles or more to reach them. On Florida's east coast, the trio is a staple.
Chamber of Commerce folks don't like people to talk or write about sharks. However, there are plenty around in bays and offshore waters, resulting in increased angler attention for those who have discovered that on a rod and reel, the predator is an excellent game fish. In addition, more and more people are discovering that shark meat is a viable menu choice.
In one three-day shark fishing tournament held in the summer of 1983, seven monsters weighing between 800 and 1,100 pounds were brought into port and placed on the scales.
Actually, our brief outline of fishing possibilities only skims the tip of the fin. Along both Florida coasts, anglers will find dozens of other species ready, willing, and able to put a bend in a rod including silver trout by the "blue-zillions," whiting, pompano, sheepshead, drum to 50 pounds, and more-- ladyfish, jack crevalle, flounder, bluefish, and cobia to name a few.
Off the beaches--in deeper water--there's bonito, barracuda, dolphin, jewfish scaling more than 500 pounds, permit, tuna, red snapper, scamp, dolphin, and red grouper.
We'd suggest that if you have a hankering to challenge one or more of these game fish that you release all fish not destined for the dinner table so the next generation can enjoy the same fun and excitement.
Copyright (c) 1997 Herb Allen. All rights reserved.
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