If you are the adventurous type, why not try fishing along the Paradise Coast? With its semi-tropical climate, there is no other place in the world more perfect for fishing a wide variety of species. Dozens of species migrate all year round, all waiting for that bait of yours. So, if you are up for something a little bit more adventurous, then you can fish along the coasts or along the mangroves or you may even go deep fishing and conquer your way in numerous shipwrecks and artificial coral reefs that are found all around the coast; even the rivers, piers and water canals are not exempted. Isn’t that a great thing or what?
Now, this begs the question, ‘where and in what manner will you do your fishing?’ And you have just found yourself in great luck, my friend, because the Paradise Coast has answers for both of these things. Firstly, you can go for coastal fishing. If you like to fish but prefer the calm sea waves and maybe catch the beautiful Paradise Coast sunset we have written so much about, then coastal fishing is for you. This is also perfect when you want to bring the kids along. But if you want something different you may bring a kayak with you and wade through the quiet backcountry along the old mangroves and rivers. Next we have the deep sea fishing. Finally, if you’re one of the big boys who like to catch big fish, an advanced level fisher who knows what he’s doing, then southwest Florida is a great place for you. The coast’s warm waters provide good and tasty catch and lots of action all year round.
We now go to the kinds of fishes that frequent the area year round. Amberjack, Blackdrum and Grouper are to be found in January and February. While the Barracudas make an appearance by March, the Amberjack are more rare. An interesting shift happens in April where the Goliath grouper, Cobia, Jack Crevalle, King Mackerel, Spotted Seatrout all make for an excellent catch. Come May, the Redfishes swarm the waters. All types of Snappers appear in June but we will see less of the King Mackerel. July is a also a good time to fish as the Barracuda, the Permit and the Tarpon will be in season but there will be a significant decline in other species such as the Snappers and the Mackerel. Not much change happens by August, but the Permit will make less appearances. By September, we’ll see the return of the Redfish and Cobia. In October, most of the sightings will be rare, save for the Barracuda, Cobia, King Mackerel, Black Drum and Redfish which will be seen more frequently. Interestingly, the Barracuda will become rare by November while the Snapper and the Gag Grouper will become common. And finally, we’ll see much less of the Snappers, Permits and Tarpons by the last month of the year.
There you have it, a basic rundown of fishing in the Paradise Coast and also a rough list of the types of species that roam around its crystal clear waters. So, get your charter boats or kayaks ready and make sure you got your license approved and follow fishing regulations and you’ll have a splendid time here in the seas and rivers of the Paradise Coast.
