How do I get started fishing in Florida?

Question

What license should I get, and where; anything I need to know before start fishing?
Thank you!

Answer 1

Depends a lot on where you are in this beautiful state, if you have the luxury of being either coastal or on the Indian River Lagoon or another of our estuaries, you don't even need to start with a fishing license, it isn't a requirement for fishing saltwater as long as you are on a dock bridge pier or other structure permanently affixed to shore or wade-fishing in no more than 4 feet of water.

Get a rig and get some shrimp, go to your closest salt water, put a shrimp on a hook, throw it out, and wait. There's all kinds of good fish around, within 2 miles of my house, I can go out and get (on a good day, of course, because well, I'm not one of those people who catches something decent every time I go out...) seatrout, redfish, mangrove snapper, snook, etc., etc. On a bad day at least I can usually say I got to unhook a catfish or a puffer, or feel bad for a 5 - 7 inch trout...

Pick up a booklet on fishing regulations (get them free at the tag agency) preferrably with a handy-dandy fish identification section (always nice to know what you're catching...) and have fun.

Good luck and happy fishing.

Edited to add....
Thanks, Exert, I may not be the best fisherperson around, but darn it, I know my rules. ;) at least in salt water....

Oh, line test.... I personally like 20 (just that wishful thinking that maybe I'll catch something I need it on...) but I'm using 6 lb test diameter powerpro right now.... fit a lot more line on your reel.... I won't vouch for any of the other claimed benefits, because I just got a new rig that needed line on it..... I went from maybe $20 worth of fishing equipment to nearly $300 in the course of a day... (Having a new job with a boss who fishes tournaments has it's advantages...)

Answer 2

you should start fishing in florida with a salt water license and start at a beach,this will most likely be the best way to start.Second you need to purchase a fishing rod that is around 8 feet long to insure a nice long cast off the beach.When getting a real pick one that suits your ability ,probably a spin cast would be a smart choice.Next you need to choose a line with duribility for starters I would recomend 15#lb berkley big game in a clear color.Next you need to buy some one ounce egg shaped weights , shrimp hooks and shrimp to make it easeir tell the person at the bait store you wuold like him or her to show you how to fish shrimp on a carolina rigg set up.they love to show people riggs.You are set now you will be able to catch whitting,flounder,bluefish,and maybe if your lucky a trophy trout,redfish,tarpon, good luck and remember if you plan on keeping your fish you will need to get a regulations or what is nice is a ruler with the regulations on it that you can purchase at the bait store.

Answer 3

You need a fishing license to legally catch certain fish of Florida.

For full information, go to the fish and wildlife commission site:

http://myfwc.com/fishingareas.html

Answer 4

First get a rod reel lures maybe a boat. and know when season starts size limit.. line size matters rod leangth matters the reel matters and a lot of other stuff...

Answer 5

Buy a fishing rod and baits.

Answer 6

Gimmenamenow in her post above has given you a great answer. Most likely the best answer you will get. Follow her lead!

Answer 7

get your licsense, get a rod or pole, get some bait, get permission if on private land, and enjoy...oh yea beer helps the relaxing process...

Answer 8

Depends what kind of fishing you want to do .. deepwater ..or what?