Fishing in Florida
Florida is the undisputed fishing capital of the world. From trophy largemouth bass on Okeechobee to tarpon in the Keys, redfish in the Everglades, and offshore big game in the Gulf Stream, Florida has it all. The state offers year-round fishing in the most diverse waters in America.
Tournament Scene
Florida hosts more fishing tournaments than any other state — freshwater bass, inshore redfish/trout, and offshore big game.
Local Tips
Okeechobee is the bass capital. Mosquito Lagoon for redfish sight-fishing. Keys for tarpon and permit. Destin for offshore.
Major Trails
Local Circuits
Public Access
Excellent access statewide. Extensive public ramps and shore fishing.
Species in Florida
What you can target and when
Largemouth Bass
excellentBest Waters
Lake Okeechobee · Lake Toho · Rodman Reservoir
Peacock Bass
goodBest Waters
Miami urban canals · Snapper Creek Canal · Tamiami Canal
Redfish (Red Drum)
excellentBest Waters
Mosquito Lagoon · Indian River · Tampa Bay
Snook
excellentBest Waters
Fort Myers · Naples · Everglades
Tarpon
excellentBest Waters
Boca Grande Pass · Florida Keys · Homosassa
Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout)
excellentBest Waters
Indian River Lagoon · Tampa Bay · Mosquito Lagoon
Top Waters in Florida
Lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal fisheries
Boca Grande Pass
The tarpon capital of the world during the spring migration.
Top Species
Best: Spring/Summer
Florida Keys
World-famous flats fishing for the Grand Slam: tarpon, bonefish, and permit.
Top Species
Best: Spring/Summer
Lake Okeechobee
The bass capital of America. 730 square miles of legendary fishing.
Top Species
Best: Winter/Spring
Mosquito Lagoon
The sight-fishing capital for redfish. Crystal-clear flats with tailing reds.
Top Species
Best: Fall/Spring
Classic Tampa Pike Quest
Frontier Panama City Crappie Bash
Warrior Apalachicola Bass Showtime
Victory Stuart Walleye Challenge
Memorial Apalachicola Catfish Throwdown
Vanguard Cocoa Beach Bluegill Blitz
Fishing Licenses & Regulations
Resident License
Annual Resident Freshwater: $17. Saltwater: $17. Combination: $32.50.
Non-Resident License
Annual Non-Resident: $47. 7-Day: $30. 3-Day: $17.
Short-Term License
3-Day and 7-Day licenses available.
Youth & Senior
Free for residents under 16 and over 65.
Boat Registration
Required for all vessels.
Tournament Permit
FWC permits required for organized tournaments.
Regulations Overview
5 bass daily limit. Complex saltwater regulations by species and region. Slot limits on many species.
America's Largest Fishing Tournament Directory
JOIN REELTOURNAMENTS.COM
Start free and upgrade anytime. Access 2,000+ tournaments across all 50 states.
Free Member
$0/forever
- Browse 2,000+ tournaments nationwide
- Search by state, species & category
- View tournament details & registration
- Access species guide & state directory
- Submit your own tournaments
Pro Member
$9.95/month
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Priority email alerts for new tournaments
- Advanced search filters & saved searches
- Exclusive tournament deals & early access
- Detailed angler stats & leaderboard insights
- Ad-free browsing experience
- Priority customer support