Worldly Fishing Tips  

Fishing in Florida

Which line should I be using?

    Off the costal Atlantic waters of North Florida, about 90 feet in depth. You feel a nice hit, watching the rod tip bend over beginning to crank as hard as you can to get whatever it is off the sea floor. The last thing you want to think about, do you have the right line? When it comes to fishing or any other sport for that matter, it always comes down to technique and of course gear. So what fishing line is better for each situation? To help clarify the different fishing line out there, we can use either monofilament, fluorocarbon or braided lines. Each serves a different purpose based off the construction of the line.

Fluorocarbon is a from of monofilament with a different name and form of construction. During the chemical process used it gives the line the same refractive index as clear water. This gives the appearance it's invisible, it is also denser with less air bubbles through out it. This allows it to sink quicker, giving is great qualities for different baits.

Monofilament is a much more manageable line, it has a larger diameter and much lesser density than its counter part fluorocarbon. This allows the line to suspend on top of the water. Also it has an greater limit it can stretcher under tension. Using this with newer fisherman seems to be more beneficial, also it is great for leader line. This is a section attached  to the end of the line allowing for more stretch when the fish strikes the bait and runs with it.

Braided line is real thin in diameter, this is great for trolling allowing the line to cut through the water with ease. It is incredibly strong due to the braided fibers, but its stretch is limited. With that being said using a leader line is highly recommended. All have great aspects, but knowing the positives and negatives of each will help you get more fish in the cooler!

What techniques work the best.......

  If going offshore for the day, we decide if we are going to just bottom fish or try our luck trolling. Bottom fishing includes using live or cut bait and sinking to the bottom usually around 60-120 feet of water and waiting. Trolling includes going to depths around 120 feet and greater and running about 3-6 knots towing bait behind the boat.

  Bottom fishing we typically use live bait, but bring frozen squid with us. Using an egg sinker and around 3-5 feet of leader line on a swivel, we hook the bait and allow to drop to the bottom. But be careful to allow thte bait sink properly, slow down the ascent to the bottom so line doesn't wrap around itself.

 Trolling can be very exciting, using a rigged ballyhoo on either a green or purple jig with a strong leader line attached. Most can be purchased as a whole, the jig and leader line. Begin to slowly tow your bait behind the boat, setting your drag so when the fish strikes you can easily set the hook, and then hold on.
Doesn't matter if your going out for the shear pleasure of the water, or enjoying quality time with friends or family. Nobody likes coming home empty handed! Whether you like to eat your catch or want the thrill of the fight and release back into the water. The memories formed while catching these beautiful creatures make it more memorable. So how do you stop from coming home skunked?

  The first thing I like to do before hitting the water, is determining what kind of fish I'm targeting. If the option to do some intercostal fishing here in Florida, I first like to look at what the tide is doing. Then decide if we are going to fish the docks or just pole the flats for some redfish. If we want the ease of just drifting some bait past docks, I find that most size 1-2 kale hooks with a live shrimp works the best. Use the tide to your advantage and allow the current to take the bait right past the either a trout, redfish, or any other ambush fish waiting for an easy meal.

  When poling the flats trying to target either reds or flounder I primarily use a 1/2 to 1/4 oz. clear D.O.A. shrimp. We cast to the bank then jerk it toward the boat, allowing the bait to sink. If that doesn't seem to working and you need more action you can always switch to a topwater jig also called "walking the dog"

Here is a video on some great top water advise called

"Walking the Dog"

What species can you catch?

With a lot of different species in the sea, it is even more important to understand what is swimming out there. With certain regulations and laws in place its important to identify what you can keep. In the state of Florida all the laws are easily available at any bait shop or myfwc.com with a list of species with pictures, size, and bag limit you can legally keep.
Understanding what you can keep, is not important so you don't get in trouble. But there are reasoning behing it as well, for proper regulations allows spawning for more fish. Both federal and state governments ensure that we can enjoy the sport, and equal respect the ocean and its wildlife. By overfishing or not allowing juveniles to grow can have a negative effect on the oceanic ecosystem. So pay attention to certain seasons and requirements when fishing.

Video of local dead fish washing ashore

Meals....

waiting. Trolling includes going to depths around 120 feet and greater and running about 3-6 knots towing bait behind the boat.


  Bottom fishing we typically use live bait, but bring frozen squid with us. Using an egg sinker and around 3-5 feet of leader line on a swivel, we hook the bait and allow to drop to the bottom. But be careful to allow thte bait sink properly, slow down the ascent to the bottom so line doesn't wrap around itself.

 Trolling can be very exciting, using a rigged ballyhoo on either a green or purple jig with a strong leader line attached. Most can be purchased as a whole, the jig and leader line. Begin to slowly tow your bait behind the boat, setting your drag so when the fish strikes you can easily set the hook, and then hold on.

How can we prepare our catch? There area a multitude of different ways to prepare a meal with fish. Doesn't matter if looking for a more nutritional meal, or have a desire to eat "bad". We can pan sear, bake, broil, or deep fry. I enjoy a nice blackened fish pain seared. If in the mood for eating some fatty, greasy, high in calories with a refresher beverage I typically then go for a beer battered fried fish.


Here is a recipe from Chef Jon, located at allrecipescom

1/4 cup butter

  • 2 (8 ounce) whole trout, butterflied and deboned
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
    • Add all ingredients to list  


    Directions Print

    • Prep

      15 m

    • Cook

      10 m

    • Ready In

      25 m
    1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat until butter smells toasted and is golden brown, about 1 minute. Turn off heat.
    2. Line a baking sheet with a piece of aluminum foil. Place trout onto foil; open trout so skin sides are down. Drizzle each trout with about 1/2 teaspoon melted butter. Generously season with salt and black pepper.
    3. Move an oven rack to 5 or 6 inches below heat source and preheat oven's broiler on high heat.
    4. Broil trout until opaque and barely firm to the touch, 2 or 3 minutes. Remove from oven.
    5. Return pan of melted butter over high heat; stir in lemon juice and parsley. Bring butter sauce to a boil; whisk to combine. Serve trout on plates and drizzle with butter sauce.