Florida Bass Fishing Forum
Smallmouth, Largemouth, We're All About Bass!

Where is the best place to go deep sea fishing in Florida?

Planning a vacation where to go where to go I know the guys want to go deep sea fishing so I'll plan the trip around that. We went last year to some deep sea fishing place in Panama paid $800 for a full day and no one caught anything it was awful and they would not refund our money!

Public Comments

1. well lets see...there is NO deep sea fishing IN FL...OFF the coast is a different story...how about YOU find one yourself...since you've been to FL and obviously KNOW how to plan a trip...YOU research your own trip. (don't blame the people who own the boats for YOU not being able to catch a fish...did you ever think it might be YOUR fault...)

2. The Keys. I caught a 45 lb. King Mackerel there in February of this year. I'm still waiting for the taxidermist to ship it home.

3. I had good luck in the gulf and off Amelia Island on the Atlantic side. I had good luck in Clearwater and in the Keys.
I have heard people say they have had a bad day in all those places also.....luck of the draw .Kinda like the weather, if you book a month in advance, it may raain on you.
Just pick a place you want to visit for reasons other than fishing and when you go , if you get lucky, it will be icing on the cake.

4. Well, they took you out and burned their gasoline, isn't that worth something? Very few places will refund your money for no fish (especially in this economy and with how much gas those big motors burn), and no matter where you go, there's always the possibility of getting skunked, it's all part of fishing.

On top of places already mentioned, there are several deep sea outfits out of Port Canaveral, and I believe there's some operating either out of Daytona Beach or New Smyrna Beach (going out of Ponce Inlet) or out of Sebastian or Vero Beach / Ft. Pierce going out Sebastian Inlet.

I personally haven't been out on the blue water successfully since I was about 11, so I can't really recommend anyone, but I will suggest that you stay away from the party boats... I've been on a few and have never had any luck other than broken lines... They always seem to be busy gaffing someone else's fish when I get a hookup.

Edit:

Oh yeah, gotta agree with Whiplash, a TON of good inland fishing... why spend whatever it costs for an offshore trip when you can cut your costs down to a few hundred dollars, catch some trophy reds or tarpon or seatrout without going any deeper than maybe 15 feet or so (tops) and STILL come home with a good meal. Just remember to mention to your captain that you do want to take home some eaters...

It's just that there's different stuff to target when you get out in that bluewater......

5. i agree the Keys or the West coast around Ft Meyers. Go for the Tarpon. I had a bad experience deep sea fishing in Mexico, luckily it was a free trip. I prefer what they call inland fishing. you charter a small boat 2 or 3 people and you fish on lighter gear closer to shore. I went a few years ago and caught 40 pound Redfish. A lot more fun than trolling for barracuda in 95 degree weather.

6. The Keys is your best bet for all around fishing. There are plenty of private charter boats and group party boats avavailable from Key Largo to Key West. Plenty of Tarpon and bonefish in the bays, and you can name it out past the reefs.

7. Depends on what time of the year and what you want to catch, I live in Ft. lauderdale and there are many boats here but if it's a vacation thing I would definitely go down to IslaMorada Key and fish down there. Mile marker 83.

8. Well the popular answer seems to be the Keys. I'm going to agree, the reason is because it's versatile you can grouper fish 1 mile off land in 30 ft of water, dolphin fish 5 miles from land in 200ft of water or go a little further and get some big boys. It's a beautiful area w/ plenty of charter choices. Other choices include Tampa bay area, New Symrna beach, Jacksonville and just about any other coastal city. You will find deeper water quicker on the Atl. side but there are some beautiful places that get overlooked on the west coast of Fl.