March through July is prime fishing season in Florida. “A mixture of COVID-19 fears, boat ramp closures and confusing rules have many anglers obtaining a later start on fishing,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of Insurance Florida's largest independent boat insurance agency in Florida.
While much of the fishing season is lost on boating restrictions, there's still here we are at some exciting catches.
Before Heading Out
Make sure you have the proper license and it is updated. Also, social distancing is required for fishing according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC. Follow CDC-guidelines for social distancing and private safety. An organization size cannot exceed 10 people, even outside.
Verify that the location you are headed is open. Most beaches are open however, some remain closed yet others are open but have restrictions. Those going to a fish management area, FMA, can check the link that follows for that area's open/close status. To determine the status of the boat ramp, make use of the FWC's Florida Public Boat Ramp Finder. It's updated every 24-hours. If the boat ramp is not run by the FWC, call the managing entity.
What is biting?
- Bass fishing is keeping anglers busy around central Florida.
- Freshwater- Tarpon, Snook, Trout
- Saltwater- King mackerel and yellowtail
- Red snapper season begins in June, June 11 for private recreation vessels and June 1 for federally permitted for-hire operators.
Starting July 1, 2021, if you're fishing for popular reef fish, for example red snapper on a private recreational vessel anywhere in Florida, you have to obtain the State Reef Fish Angler designation. This includes anglers 65 and older.
