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Top 25 Game Fish Introduction
Saltwater Species
Fresh Water Species More Florida Fishing |
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Florida has a legacy of great fishing and the state is laced with hundreds of lakes, rivers, streams and miles of freshwater canals. They provide some of the best bass and panfish action you'll find anywhere. Saltwater enthusiasts have thousands of miles of coastline and the blue waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to angle for over 70 species of fish. The Sunshine State is a land where your next cast could become the fishing adventure of a lifetime.
Some anglers, it seems, always catch more fish than others. They usually know more about the fish they're after and have experimented with a wider range of lures, baits, and techniques. Good anglers keep notes on when, where, and how they catch fish, and try to learn as much as they can about the behavior of each species. To give you a start, use the list above to guide you through some basic information and tips on how to catch 25 of the most sought-after species in Florida.
So you caught a big fish. One for the record books? The Game and Fresh Water Commission (GFC) maintains the official state record list for freshwater fish. If you've hooked one for the list, contact the closest regional GFC office. To be recognized as a record, the fish must be caught by a legal sport-fishing method, must be identified by a GFC biologist, and must be weighed on a certified scale. You should have little trouble getting a local bait and tackle shop to help you track down a certified scale and a biologist. If your fish doesn't break the record but is a big fish, it may qualify for the GFC's "Big Catch" program. Anglers who catch a fish that exceeds the qualifying weight established by the GFC are eligible to receive a full color "Big Catch" citation. Special recognition is also noted on the citation if you release the fish after catching it. To be eligible for a citation, the angler must have a valid freshwater fishing license or be legally exempt from having one. The fish must be weighed at a public scale with a witness present. The angler then fills out an application and sends it to the GFC for approval. A complete list of the record fish and qualifying weights for the "Big Catch" program is in the annual regulations summary published by the GFC. The state record program for saltwater fish is administered by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). This organization also maintains world records for the most popular fresh- and saltwater gamefish. The state keeps records for more than 70 species of saltwater fish in two categories: conventional and fly fishing. To register a state record fish, contact the Office of Fisheries Management at the Department of Environmental Protection or the IGFA to request an application. The state uses the IGFA rules to determine if you have a record fish. Only fish caught in state waters, within three nautical miles of the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean or nine nautical miles of the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico are eligible for a state record. The fish must be weighed on an accurate scale, and the application completed and mailed to the IGFA for verification.
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