After spending the last 4 years living in West Palm Beach South Florida, I have been fortunate to experience some spectacular fishing, as well as crossing paths with some very passionate and highly skilled guides and captains. These individuals have a lifetime of experience and wealth of knowledge in all manners of species and locations. With this in mind, I have decided to put together the ultimate hosted Florida fishing experience in south Florida. These packages and day’s include a combination of fishing with myself and different guides, targeting your desired species and bucket list fish. With multiple accommodation options and all internal travel organised, all you have to do is simply get here. Single guided days are absolutely available for the local or traveling angler. Florida has so much to offer, whether going deep into the everglades chasing tarpon, snook, redfish and peacock bass, or targeting some of the most iconic saltwater species like sailfish, Dolphin fish (dorado), sharks and tuna, this state has it all.
The price of a days fishing is dependant on how many hours of fishing, captain, location, and the size of the boat and crew.
Prices for a full 8 hour saltwater day can range from $800-$1200, this is for 2 people with some boats allowing up to 4 people.
Fresh water prices for a full 8 hour trip are set around $750 for 2 people, some boats charging a little extra for a third person.
Accommodation varies in price depending on individual rooms in hotels, or full properties for parties of 2 or more. All accommodation will be selected due to personal preferences and locality to fishing. Prices can range from $200 for individual hotel rooms, to around $400 a night for full properties.
Please contact me direct for package pricing and full availability.
Florida offers the travelling and local fisherman a huge diversity of species including some of the most iconic on the planet. It is hosts multiple habitats, from the wild and untouched everglades, to the beautiful blue coastal waters that are inhabited by over 1000 different species of fish. In total, Florida is comprised of more than 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, so no matter where you are there is always a fishable piece of water close by.
The majority of fish can be caught year round in certain areas, but there are times of the year where the numbers are greater and the catches more prolific. This is due to spawning times, water temperatures and migration. But no matter when you go, there are always multiple options. Fly fishing and lure fishing is very popular with most species, but live baiting and trolling have their place depending on the species of target.
Target Species
Offshore
Sailfish/Dolphin/Kingfish/Wahoo/Blackfin/Bonito
Even though sailfish can be caught all year round, the peak months run from December through to early April. The best of the fishing coincides with cold fronts when wind comes from the north, this can lead to rough seas so fishing is often subject to conditions in winter. Dolphin fish (Mahi-mahi), like sail fish, can be caught all year round. In the winter time they are very far and few between, with larger individuals being caught further offshore. With the warmer water in spring comes the fish. April see’s larger numbers of fish showing up, with the peak of the fishing being May to September. The weed lines and patches that appear can be incredible fun, with their own mini ecosystem beneath them. These weed lines attract all manner of species, and the Dolphin fishing can be spectacular. Kingfish (King Mackerel) like a certain temperature of water which means that they migrate north and south as the conditions change. They can be caught most months but March through May, and September through November are seen as the better times to target these fish. They can ofter be caught closer to shore when the temperatures drop. Blackfin tuna peak months are April to June with the fish being caught in water up to 200 ft of water. The bonito and little tunny fishing in the summer months is pretty epic, with huge schools everywhere and fish up to 20lb, they are epic fun on fly rods and light tackle.
Inshore and brackish water
Snook/Jack crevalle/Red fish/Tarpon/Bone fish/permit/blue fish
The inshore saltwater fishing is a personal favourite, wether its fishing the intercostal, venturing deep into the everglades, or searching the vast shore line for trophy fish, it is so exciting. Snook and Jacks can be caught all year round, with the best of the snook fishing being in the slightly warmer moths of March through to November. Both species will happily take a fly or lure, with the most dramatic and exciting action being top water fishing. Blue fish migrate south to Florida during late Autumn and leave in the spring. These fish are ferocious feeders, acrobatic, and strong. Top water fishing can be absolutely explosive with poppers and stick baits, and during cold fronts fishing jigs and deep diving lures/flys will get the job done. One species that Florida is famous for is tarpon. Even though these fish can be caught all year round, the time of the year will absolutely dictate how you fish for them. The winter time the fishing consists of night time, wether it be under the bridges of Miami, or the dock lights of west palm beach. When the water warms, and the main migration starts, the everglades, keys, and vast shorelines are the places to cast a fly or lure. Live baiting can be absolutely deadly for these fish, but it comes down to how the angler would like to target them. Bone fish and permit can be caught in the palm beach area, but keys and everglades are a more reliable and productive area for those wanting to fly fish. The ultimate location for both species has to be the Bahamas, and especially the Abacos. This spectacular place is an absolute paradise for fly fishing and also visually it is stunning. Both species can be caught all year round here, with February to June being a prime time for numbers. I have access to a beautiful 3 bed villa in Treasure Kay, very close to the beach with the fishing close.
Freshwater
Peacock bass/largemouth Bass/sunshine bass/clown Knife fish/Snakehead/cichlid
Florida is world renowned for its bass fishing, with the record largemouth weighing in at over 17lb. Largemouth can be caught all year round with pre/post span (Jan – May) being very productive. Top water action can be hard to beat, with explosive takes when fishing through surface vegetation. Peacock bass might not be a native species but they have gained a huge following and give anglers another stunning and very hard fight fish to target. They can be caught all year round but they do like the warmer temperatures so early spring through to Autumn is a great time to target them. Clown knife fish and snake head are 2 more spectacular and exotic species that are more active in the warmer months, with April – September being productive.
Please contact me for full details and prices on individual days and packages.
