Hi my name is Dan, I'm from northern WI, we're wintering in Florida for the first time this year. I have my fishing gear with and I'm wondering where I can go to fish from shore? We're in San Carlos Park, near Fort Myer's. I would like to catch fish that are good eaters. Yesterday we went for a boat ride with my sister and brother-in-law (their in a boat club) and when we returned to the dock there were some kids fishing from the dock, they were catching red snapper. They were nice enough to share their shrimp with me and we had a blast. Most of what we were catching were less than 12" long but it was fun just to catch and release. So now I'm thinking there's got to be places to fish from shore to catch a supper or two but I have no idea how to locate these places. That's why I joined Fishing Stage. Anyone out there that can give me some pointers? Thank you!
Dan
Sounds like you need a guide. I'm all the way over here in the Pacific but, from some of the YT videos I've seen, that a guide would work with you and be your answer! (btw, I hear they're NOT cheap but there are some good ones available, so good luck with that.) That's the best I can offer you.
Go to a local bait shop I stay at my condo in Daytona and fish from one of several piers and from shore at Ponce inlet. I'm sure there are many community piers (some require a fee) to fish from and usualy you will meet up with a great group of guys that will give you pointers as to what to use. First pointer don't buy a lot of stuff before you go there as things work differently in many areas. As an example I believe in gulp and I thought that gulp shrimp would be great at Ponce inlet so I bought $60.00 worth never even got a bite. Used them in Illinois for catfish. Go figure. Different things work differently in different places at least that's my experience. Make a few friends and have a good time there's nothing like the taste of fresh mangrove or small red snappers I like the 16-18 in mangroves best eating satwater fish I've ever had even better when you catch-em. Good luck
I lived in FL for 28 years. If you want to go cheap, stop at any bridge that crosses water that is wide enough that looks like it might hold fish. If it does there will be a pull off and a path down to the water indicating it's being fished. All ramp/boat docks you can generally fish at but it is usually busy. Go to any beached. Doesn't matter if there are people doing other things, sun bathing (crazy Northerns), beach walkers and such. Throw a line in. You should have some heavy line, at least 10lb. Should be able to hook some whitings which are good eating although you can catch a lot of different fish. If you hook a shark over 3 feet you will break your line. If you catch one under that, don't bring him closer than 5 feet and cut your line. Yes, they are good eating but without knowing how to handle them, don't be stupid. ALWAYS USE REGULAR HOOKS, NO STAINLESS STEEL!!! If you fish from a boat you need a license or fishing from anywhere you need a boat to get to such as an island on the Indiana River (which isn't really a river). Don't keep regular looking cat fish if it comes from saltwater, they taste bad. If the are sail cats (the have long thin pieces of membrane coming off there three front barbs), they are tasty. If you see one you will know what I am talking about. Hook size is always a challenge fishing saltwater because you don't know what you might hook unless you are targeting a particular fish. I fished with a man that was a commercial fisherman and he always fished with what I considered small hooks. After that I started doing the same because small fish could also be caught on the same rig. Caught some very big fish on a #6 good quality hook. That was about 10 years or so back and I was paying a bit over $1 a piece (no SS). Before that I was fishing on my boat and was using a very large hook and had to almost straightened out after it carriec my 19ft Wellscraft about 20 yards. That's about it without me being there. Good luck and have fun. Oh, if you are fishing saltwater and catch something real small, put your hook in front of the top fin and throw it back in. That might be fun!
Dan, I for got to mention Sand Fleas. I don't remember what time they are most plentiful but they are good bait and free. You simply wait for the ocean wave to wash up and when it starts to go back, did into the sand. You can buy racks for the purpose but I always used my hands. Anyway, generally if you hit some there will be a bunch. They look a bit like those bug I call rolly pollies. The small gray ones that roll up into a ball if you mess with them and an armadillo. Big ones are about the size of a small big toe. They aren't cute but don't bite. Stick a hook in them and you are good to go. Most fish will eat them.
These guys all have great advice one thing I didn't see mentioned is the need to use locally caught bait(shrimp etc.). Some tackle shops get bait shipped in or sell old frozen bait, these will get you only scares bites and the before mentioned regular looking cat fish. So try and find some place that has live or fresh local frozen bait..
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