The Sunshine State has enough fishing to keep you going all season. As one of the premier spots for fishing in the entire world, Florida has no shortage of rivers, lakes, and inlets for you to cast into. If you’re making the trek to the southeast, you might even find that you’ve got too many choices between all the best places to fish in Florida.

Well, that’s what we’re here today to help you with. In this post, we’re going to talk about the best places to fish in Florida. We’ll go over five breathtaking destinations and tell you why you should spend your time there.

Of course, there’s an abundance of great fishing here, so you can’t go wrong. Allow us to point you in the right direction so your next fishing trip can be one to remember.

1. Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in Florida. At a whopping 730 square miles, you could get lost on this thing for days without scratching the surface. It also happens to be one of the best lakes for bass fishing in the state, and likely the entire country.

The lake itself is calm and serene, perfect for taking a boat out on. Or, if you’re more inclined to stay onshore, you’ve also got some of the best shoreline fishing in Florida available to you. Our recommendation is to partake in a healthy mixture of on and offshore bass fishing.

There are several lakeside resorts and campsites all around, so you can really make a weekend of it. If you need to charter a boat, there are options that suit any price range. Okeechobee is a regular feature of major bass fishing tournaments, so you won’t be short on amenities here.

2. Destin

You can’t make a list of Florida’s best fishing spots without including Destin. As its name implies, Destin is the primo destination for red snapper, kingfish, amberjack, and cobia in the world. The 1,000s of visiting anglers per year have turned this coastal fishing town into something to behold and the home of the Destin Fishing Rodeo.

Perfectly situated beside both the Gulf of Mexico and the East Pass, Destin is great for both offshore and inshore fishing. Along the offshore seabed, there are 400 different waypoints with artificial reefs that will give you an amazing yield. The further out you go, the more varied your potential catches will be.

Inshore, you’ve got some really great spots for kayak and surf fishing. You don’t have to head deep into the Gulf to find redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, and seasonal fish like Spanish mackerel and pompano.

Destin is one of the best spots for well-rounded anglers that want a little bit of everything.

3. Marco Island

For a truly breathtaking backdrop, a visit to Marco Island off of Florida’s southwest coast is going to be in order. You’ll see schools of redfish, speckled trout, and ladyfish out on the wave-laden waters of the Gulf. There’s great deep-sea fishing, where you might haul in tuna, mahi-mahi, or wahoo.

The island is full of affordable charters to take you out on the water and once you’re tired out from the deep-sea stuff, head inland to do some light tackle and fly fishing.

Marco Island has a lot of perks, the main one being that there’s no hustle and bustle like you’d find in Key West or Destin. It’s just you, the scenery, and the fish.

4. Tampa

Let’s leave south Florida for a moment and head up to Tampa. The northern part of Florida doesn’t always get as much pop as the south, especially when it comes to world-class fishing, but in fact, Tampa has just that. It’s a popular spot among anglers that are looking for some great inshore fishing.

You’ll find loads of redfish, black drum, and spotted seatrout along the coastline, but that’s just the beginning. The waters around Tampa are rife with fly fishing opportunities and tarpon that literally jump out of the water.

Inland fishing is what most anglers go towards in Tampa, but if you’re around for multiple days, it’s worth exploring offshore as well. You’ll find an array of fish (king mackerel, mahi-mahi, snapper) if you spend enough time out on the water.

Something great about Tampa is that it’s also one of America’s up-and-coming cities. You’ll find loads of great restaurants, bars, shows, and sporting events happening year-round, so there’ll never be a dull moment.

5. Stuart

Stuart is actually known as the “sailfish capital of the world”, but it’s also teeming with snook. Not only is this a great place to catch a wide variety of fish, but it’s also a picturesque destination that offers a lot in the way of nature and walking trails. 

Since it’s located so close to the gulf stream (only 10 miles), you can take a charter for a full or half-day and encounter some big-time fish. If you go out far enough, you’ll find wahoo, sailfish, and mahi-mahi, in abundance. A full-day excursion might get you up close and personal with some blue marlin, yellow tuna, and billfish.

There are lots of options for inland fishing as well. Of course, you could take a trip to “sailfish alley”, where you might land 10 sailfish in a single outing (with a good charter). Other spots, like the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie, and Sewall Point, will have lots of bonefish, tarpon, snook, trout, and flounder, among others.

Just A Few Of The Best Places To Fish In Florida

These are just a few of the best places to fish in Florida to get you started. As soon as you dig in a little further, you’ll find dozens more that sound just as enticing.

What’s for sure is that you can’t go wrong with any of these as your next fishing destination. All of them are fruitful, beautiful, and have a huge variety of fish, great charters, and even better scenery. Florida really is one of the best places in the world to be an angler.

Gulf Stream Boat Club has one of the fastest-growing fleets of fishing boats in South Florida. Register with us today and start planning your next fishing trip.

Have you ever partied on a boat? Ready to throw your own boat bash?

If you answered yes, here are some amazing tips on how to throw the perfect party.

The club parties can become ordinary after a few visits because the scenes are the same, the dance, waitresses, and procedures. Doing something different once in a while can be thrilling and may even provide a better experience and a longer-lasting memory.

The difference in the scenery while partying on a boat can be captivating and exotic for those who love the music as well as the ocean.

For the best experience, follow these tips below.

1. Generate Your Guest List

The first thing on your list should be planning. You need to decide how many people will be invited. This will help to choose the size of the boat, the number of drinks and snacks to provide, and the arrangements for transporting your guests.

Having an idea of the number of persons that will be attending will help you to arrange the space accordingly. Also, it is important to book the boat in advance especially if it is summer because boats get booked quickly during this time.

2. Select a Date and Time.

Schedule an appropriate and convenient date and time for everyone. You don’t want guests missing out because they can’t make the date that you arranged. Ensure that all guests are comfortable and have set aside that day in their calendar for your event.

3. Choose the right type of boat for your party.

GBC offers a big variety of boats to choose from. Bare in mind, not all boats are made equal and their use may vary based on many factors.

1. Pontoon: Our personal favorite for boating parties. With aluminum tubes supporting the flat broad platform and because of their shallow drafts this boat is extremely steady.
2. Center Console: Their helm is on a console (you guessed right) at the center of the boat. Great for anglers allowing walk around while fishing.
3. Dual Console: These boats come with 2 consoles and 2 windshields with a space in between them to access different places of the boat.
4. Deck Boat: Great for activities that include swimming and water sports. They have plenty of seating making it the favorite among many families.
5. Deck with Cabin: In need of some privacy? a small cabin area for seating and or storage is available with these boats.

As part of our fleet we offer a 24-foot pontoon boat rental docked at our Hypoluxo Fl, 33462 location. It accommodates up to 12 passengers and you are not required to use a captain.

Call us at 561.865.7797 to reserve.

4. Select a Theme for Your Party

You should decide on a theme for the party to make it more interesting. For example a Christmas party theme, beach theme or a winter theme. This will allow your guest to be dressed accordingly to match with the decorations you may have for the interior of the boat.

Having a theme will give your party that edge, make it memorable, and have it looking spotless. Using the right decorations will bring your party to life and will have your guests talking about it.

5. Other Different Activities

Give your guests options for boat party activities. Be flexible instead of having ordinary proceedings and strict itinerary. Incorporate a lot of games and different activities so that everyone can participate. This will make them more interactive which could leave them talking about the party even when it has ended.

Incorporating dance sessions is totally possible in a steady pontoon boat and is a good way of getting everyone on the happy mood. It is however, not your only option. Try offering fishing, tubing, snorkeling and floater options.

6. First Impression While Partying on a boat

Ask yourself, how does this look, how does this feel? If you don’t get excited when you think of the answers then maybe you want to do something a little different that will leave a lasting impression. First impression is essential and you want to ensure that your entire guests are amazed once they are at the party.

Create an environment that is comfortable yet full of excitement and entertainment. You want to make it super easy for your guest to have access to the party and you can do this by using signs informing them of how to get in.

7. Provide Great Food and Music

One of the most important elements of a party is the refreshments. Your guest wants to know that they have food and drinks in their hands while they party. Snacks can include chips, sandwiches, or even candy, as long as it is nearby and accessible.

Having great music is a good way to keep the vibe going and keep the guest entertained. No one wants to listen to sad and boring songs, play something that will have them partying all day under the sun, for example some hit songs.

8. Remember the Names of Your Guests.

Although this seems trivial, never forget the names of your guests. For example, a guest shows up at your party, and a couple of weeks later, you meet them in public. Remembering who that person was could help to build a relationship with them.

Doing so will encourage them to attend more of your parties in the future. One way of remembering their names is to repeat it to them when they tell you what it is or even try to rhyme it with something.

9. Be The Best Host

As the host, you are the life of the party; all eyes will be on you. Ensure that you maintain a positive vibe as your guest will feed off your energy. Do small introductions for guests who are unfamiliar with other guests, shake the hands of those you know and don’t know and those who you know as well.

Be open and affectionate to everyone that is in your space, and if needs be, ensure that you attend to their needs as the party will be a representation of you. Remember to be alert and never stop the fun.

10. Give your Guests Treats

Who doesn’t love a free gift? If it is within your budget, it would be great if your guests can be treated with goodie bags. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive, but something to say thanks for coming to this party and I hope you will remember all the fun you had.

Another way of treating your guests is to turn some activities into competitions. If your boat has an outdoor space, you can use that to accommodate your games and get everyone to participate for a reward at the end.

A Final Point to Note

Figure out what kind of event it will be. While partying on a boat, you want to ensure that the setting is absolutely perfect. For example, it could be a birthday party or even a private party.

With all this in mind, go ahead and start your planning!

There are over 11.85 million registered recreational boats in the United States. With that amount of boats in the water, there must be some fun that you don’t know about when it comes to boat activities. 

If you are a first-time boater, a boating enthusiast, or a prospective boater, there’s a lot of boat activities for you to try in the water with your family. 

Check out this list of top family-friendly boating adventures this season. 

Tubing

Driving the boat is half the fun when you turn it up to top speed. The other half can be enjoyed with an inflatable tube tied to the back of the boat. 

Your kids will love the thrill of soaring over the ocean’s waves as you make daring doughnuts. It can also be enjoyed by the adults, just make sure someone responsible is behind the wheel. 

Boat Sleepover 

If you have ever been camping then you know the peaceful feeling of sleeping under the stars. Take camping to the next level by sleeping on your boat. 

Whether you have a cabin or just a deck, you can unfold your sleeping bags, when the weather permits, to sleep under the stars. Or pitch a tent to shield yourself from the chill of the night or a raining evening. 

Be sure to put down your anchor so you don’t drift out to sea. 

Raft Picnicking

Boating fun can also mean staying in one spot. Find a shaded area under a tree or a sandbar to have a picnic with the family. 

You can use a raft to have a picnic or as transportation to your shaded paradise.

Bring a cooler for soft drinks or juice and nonperishable snacks that are easy to assemble.  Add some board games or a ball to toss around for some fun after you eat. 

Fishing and Crabbing

If this is your first time out on the water and you want to catch some dinner then you can use a boat guide. 

Taking a charter boat for deep-sea fishing is perfect for older kids.

If you have smaller children then you might want to rent your own boat to go fishing. This will give you a more flexible schedule and room for the little ones to run around.

Either way, you can hire a guide to help you with baiting, navigating, catching, and maybe even filleting your dinner. 

Crabbing is another fun way to introduce children to the water. You can give kids a string with some bait wrapped around the end. When your child sees a crab on the line tell them to call you. Then scoop the crab up with a net. 

Be sure to follow the fishing regulations about what to keep and what to let go. You will also need a fishing license for everyone who will be participating. 

Scuba Diving or Snorkeling

The surface of the water is just one part to be explored. Take your boating fun under the surface by diving into it. 

To scuba dive, you will need to be certified and at least 12 years old. So this activity will work for older children.

You will also need gear like masks, flippers, oxygen tanks, and wet suits. So, unless you are investing in a new hobby, registering for a scuba excursion is the most economical option. 

Snorkeling requires a mask, flippers, and a life vest. It also does not require certification. Younger children can also participate. 

You will see less of the ocean by snorkeling rather than scuba diving, but it is cheaper and safer. Plus, you can do this activity from your own vessel. 

Learn to Sail

Before you buy your own boat you might want to learn boating skills like sailing. Register for a group class with your family.

You will learn basic boating terminology that will apply to any type of boat. Tying knots and navigation skills will also be included in your training. 

Sailing is an excellent way to appreciate the water as you rely on the current and the wind. It’s the natural way to learn boating essentials that could be helpful if you are left in a difficult situation while on the water. 

Constellation Gazing and Navigation

Before GPS systems and even compasses, sailors and voyagers used the night sky to find their way through the depths of the sea. 

Learning the constellations to navigate is a fun and useful skill to teach your children. They can use their knowledge while camping if they ever get lost or impress their friends with astronomical trivia. 

Being out on the boat at night creates the perfect environment for stargazing as well. Light pollution doesn’t obstruct the natural splendor of the stars so you will see more of the sky than you ever have before.  

Firework Display

As a first-time boat owner, you can take your boat out for a test drive to see fireworks during the holidays like the Fourth of July. 

You are usually close to the shore so you won’t have to drive far out into the ocean. You will also have plenty of neighbors in case you need assistance or want to make some friends. 

Staying Safe with Boat Activities

No matter what type of boat activities you choose to enjoy on the water it is important to stay safe. Remember to always use life vests and teach your children the safety guidelines. 

Visit our blog on boating safety before you venture out onto the water.