First Real Florida Coast Trip

465 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by slosh, 17 d ago

beantowngators

Discussion Starter · 26 d ago

Heading to West Palm Beach July 15-23. Have been here for golf and relaxing but never have fished. We always go to the outer banks for drum and cobia.

It looks like snook is not in season during this time. does that mean you can catch them, just have to release them?

looking for any help or advise for fishing during this time down here. Dont have a boat so will stick with piers and surf fishing. Pretty stoked as it looks to be a bunch of different species that dont come up as far as North Carolina and Virginia.

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John Smith_inFL

· #2 · 26 d ago

beantowngators said:
Heading to West Palm Beach July 15-23.
It looks like snook is not in season during this time. does that mean you can catch them, just have to release them?

The snook are not considered a "catch and release". It depends on Mr. GreenJeans and how his day is going. He may consider it "harrassment" of a game fish. (personally, I would not target a non-season game fish just for sport). Just let them enjoy their "time off" so they can relax and reproduce in peace.
As for fishing in July - Impossible to predict anything that far in advance. Really depends on the storms and potential hurricanes this summer. PLUS - the sargassum seaweed is making landfall on our East Coast and will only get worse with the onshore winds and tides.

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beantowngators

Discussion Starter · #3 · 26 d ago

John Smith_inFL said:
The snook are not considered a "catch and release". It depends on Mr. GreenJeans and how his day is going. He may consider it "harrassment" of a game fish. (personally, I would not target a non-season game fish just for sport). Just let them enjoy their "time off" so they can relax and reproduce in peace.
As for fishing in July - Impossible to predict anything that far in advance. Really depends on the storms and potential hurricanes this summer. PLUS - the sargassum seaweed is making landfall on our East Coast and will only get worse with the onshore winds and tides.
View attachment 70611

sounds logical on not targeting them. Pray no hurricanes for anyone at anytime. I have read about the seaweed getting bad down there. i guess if all else fails, golf will be plan A.

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Grumpy11

· #4 · 26 d ago

Plenty of pier and inlet and beaches to fish. Guides can find you some fish most of the time. I'm temporally sidelined by a broken hip, so can't be much help personally, otherwise I'd be on the east coast fishing. Nothing beats relaxing on the shore fishing, regardless. Watch Larry Finch's YouTube.

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uflytyer

· #5 · 24 d ago

Look up the Saltwater regulations on https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ there is a $10.00 permit to take Snook now.

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John Smith_inFL

· #6 · 24 d ago

Snook permits have been in place for many years. (and, very strongly enforced if you don't have one)
One of the winters a few years ago really hurt the snook population and is just now making a substantial recovery.

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beantowngators

Discussion Starter · #7 · 20 d ago

While doing some reading, if I can't or don't have the necessary equipment for saltwater fishing, I have found that fresh water fishing in Florida is a world away compared to North Carolina and Virginia. I'm only about 30 minutes from lake ida and Osborne. Peacock bass and knife fish?? That is crazy compared to up here. Also some miyan cichlids. Does anyone have any recommendations on a set up rod and line for fishing for them? I know it's a saltwater site mainly so any info would be on appreciated!

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Grumpy11

· #8 · 20 d ago

I do a little bass fishing near here. I use a 7' bait caster with 50lb braid. The bass can reach 10 lbs but usually less. The heavy braid is to pull them out of heavy grass. Lot of good guides on Okeechobee for about $300.

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pcbtightlines

· #9 · 20 d ago

John Smith_inFL said:
The snook are not considered a "catch and release". It depends on Mr. GreenJeans and how his day is going. He may consider it "harrassment" of a game fish. (personally, I would not target a non-season game fish just for sport). Just let them enjoy their "time off" so they can relax and reproduce in peace.
As for fishing in July - Impossible to predict anything that far in advance. Really depends on the storms and potential hurricanes this summer. PLUS - the sargassum seaweed is making landfall on our East Coast and will only get worse with the onshore winds and tides.
View attachment 70611

Do the local municipalities clean the sea weed off the beaches periodically?

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John Smith_inFL

· #10 · 19 d ago

The seaweed flotilla is on the news at least daily as it affects the tourist population ($$.$$) - so each muncipality and volunteers handle it differently. And now, the turtle nesting season is beginning and that takes precedence over tourists. Rumor has it that this may last all the way through December. But, nobody knows anything for sure. It is "Mother Nature" at work - nobody can predict her.

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beantowngators

Discussion Starter · #11 · 19 d ago

Grumpy11 said:
I do a little bass fishing near here. I use a 7' bait caster with 50lb braid. The bass can reach 10 lbs but usually less. The heavy braid is to pull them out of heavy grass. Lot of good guides on Okeechobee for about $300.

Dang I was thinking like 25 pound braid with 40 pound mono shock leader?

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slosh

· #12 · 17 d ago

beantowngators said:
Dang I was thinking like 25 pound braid with 40 pound mono shock leader?

Straight 50 braid for dragging bass out of the muck. Use a pretty beefy casting reel and a heavy action rod. Not casting far so no need for a shock leader. Braid doesn't stretch so it does a good job of cutting through live vegetation.

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