Along the north shoreline of the Guana River dam could be found the best crabbing in Northeast Florida. Intently looking, you will recognize some elaborate crabbing rigs comprised of running a horizontal main line from stake to stake. Tied multiple bait lines spaced evenly run the main line.

It’s easy to attract crabs, just put in a piece of fresh mullet, ladyfish or pogy to get them chewing. A chunk of chicken is another favorite bait of these crabs which is a lot more easier to produce.

Once all the baits are in place, a sharp eye will detect a slight disturbance of a bait line. The crabber simply wades out and slowly handlines in the crab while sliding a landing net under the shelled-creature.

In addition to the crabs, during the evenings in the summer, another crustacean is targeted: shrimp. Shrimpers lay their baits along the north shoreline of the dam and along the southeast and southwest edges of the lake. If you make runs up and down the stake line as you throw a castnet, this will produce some very large shrimp.

When viewed from a helicopter, you will immediately know that the appeal of Guana Lake is not limited to fishing. There is good waterfowl hunting here and seasonal opportunities to gather crabs and shrimp as well.

Guana is fortunately one of the few publicly accessible waterfowl hunting areas in Northeast Florida. September is marked here as an early teal and wood duck hunting season but the regular hunting season begins in November. Hunters are required to check in and out of the Six Mile Landing located off of A1A.  Do not bring your retriever as a hunting companion during the early duck season if you don’t want the surplus of lurking large alligators to feed on it. Wait for the cold weather. During this time, the alligators are less active.

Wildlife Biologist (from FWC) Justin Ellenberger said, “Greenwing teal are the most abundant species with bluewings a close second, behind that, ringnecks.” Ellenberger adds, “Guana Lake is similar to Merritt Island and T.M. Goodwin in that it is an impoundment, where it differs is in its size. Guana Lake is by far the smallest of the three.”

According to Ellenberger, Guana Lake is not managed primarily for waterfowl alone. “The management practices we use for the ducks are also good for the fish. One of the preferred types of vegetation is widgeon grass. In addition to it being an excellent food source for the ducks, it also serves as a nursery for shrimp and other marine life,” he said.

To enhance the growth of desirable plants and at the same time benefit the marine life, the FWC draws down the water level to expose the shorelines to the air and sun after the close of hunting season.  This practice becomes beneficial once the water level is raised with salt water from the Guana River during the early summer.

It is advisable to use boat even if you are hunting for two reasons: alligators and the soft mud.  Of the 2,200 acres, nearly half is good ducks’ habitat. This area is situated in the northern half of the lake. Hunters are allowed to do their thing every Saturday and Wednesday during the waterfowl season.

Ducks are not the only species visited by the hunters in Guana. Hogs and deer are also targeted during archery, muzzleloading and general gun seasons. Adding to these are six small game hunts that start in December.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) limits the maximum horsepower on Guana Lake at 10. This means no jet- or air-propelled watercraft are permitted. Nevertheless, it’s a great place for johnboats or paddle craft, such as canoes and kayaks. Many species of water birds inhabit the northern end of the lake and there is no better way to cruise smoothly than with a canoe or kayak. If you happen to paddle into the turf of a bull aligator, you may want to alter course since these have been known to stand their ground, especially during the breeding season.

It is easy to dichotomize kayakers in Guana: those who enjoy the scenic opportunities Guana provides and those who rig the kayaks for battle with Guana’s inshore lineup.

One thing Mike Kogan (creator of jaxkayakfishing.com) has developed in the shallow water found in Guana is using a stakeout pole. “You can quietly deploy the pole when you want to work an area or when you spot a fish moving through the shallows. Toss a topwater or a weedless twitchbait and get ready to get slammed,” Kogan explains.

A word of advice from Kogan with regards to the alligators: “Don’t put your fish on a stringer.” Other than respect for the alligators, Kogan finds Guana Lake very inviting to the paddling community, “since there are not any tides and for the most part, you can always find protection from the wind; Guana is made for what we love to do.”

Because of the relatively placid water and lack of strong tides, large vessels and such, Guana provides a first class experience for paddlers.

The open bay of Guana Lake is abundant with mullets, and they can sometimes appear as if they were trying to become flyingfish in an effort to escape the salt water lake.  Anytime in August, you can chance upon some great catch such as a nice black drum or an upper-slot red. Just allow Guana Lake to surprise you. Indeed a great area to fish plus a surrounding of spectacular view and great hiking site.  The main peninsula provides hiking and horseback riding trails that weave through coastal oak hammocks, palmetto flats and pine forest. Some lead to observation towers which provide great panoramic views of the marsh. During the winter, spotting bald eagles soaring above the treeline or perched on nests are just regular sightings in this environmentally blessed area, as the winged predator enjoys a mullet caught from the lake.

Officially known as Lake Ponte Vedra, Guana Lake is rare among Florida’s coastal waterways because it is not affected by tide. You will not find any oyster bars or water depth exceeding four feet. Most parts of the lake is less than two feet deep with a bountiful estuary producing a wide variety of forage for black drum, redfish, trout, and flounder.

Located within the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) including the Guana River Wildlife Management Area just south of Ponte Vedra Beach along Highway A1A, its scenic backdrop alone is worth the visit. For just a fee of $3 per vehicle (plus $3 if you have a trailer), you’ll get eight miles of beautiful, undisturbed dunes and coquina shell beach. There are three designated parking areas located along A1A with boardwalks over the dunes and the main entrance to the lake is on the south end of the preserve. On the beach, if you look closely through the coquina shells, you can find sharks’ teeth. There are no lifeguards or other amenities, so bring what you need and be self-sufficient. Unimproved boat ramps access both the Guana River and Guana Lake. You will find a newly constructed $6 million educational center and a renovated recreation area in the vicinity.

Six Mile Landing, as the name suggests, is a six-mile stretch from the damn and is the north end access of the preserve. You will find a concrete ramp here and parking area, but zero facility. During the late spring drawdown, this access is unusable due to the low water. It is advisable to read the informational signs at the ramp, which review specific regulations related to Guana.

To some visitors, their first Guana fishing experience could serve a bit confusing.  They probably would never have fished a lake in which they had heard tales of gator trout and giant reds. Normally, a lake is visited for its slab panfish and hawg bass, not the saltwater counterparts of inshore species. Navigating the small channel through the cattails and catching reds and trouts rather than bass would convince any visitor that it is more like a lagoon than a lake.

Down at the southern end of the lake is an earthen dam and water control structure. The water that flows into the lake comes from the Guana River and adjoining Intracoastal Waterway, which mainly could be attributed during the abnormally high tides such as spring and fall or when the FWC desires to raise the lake level. During these times, especially in the fall, schools of reds and flounder concentrate near this inflow of oxygenated, saline water. You’ll witness so much anglers fish from the north edge of the dam wading out into the lake. This could give you a great catch, but a word of caution: if you’re fishing from a boat, be careful not to get too close to the shorebound anglers. Many of them utilize surf rods that can cast a 2-ounce lead like a .30-06 round. Just imagine about the guy driving the ball cart at the driving range, that’s what it’s like.

Your fishing experience will always have its place in Guana where both live bait and artificial lures seem to work equally well. One of the best strategies is to slowly drift the open bays while working a bait beneath a Cajun Thunder or other float rig. Either a live shrimp hooked just under the horn or one of the plastic shrimp is a method well-tested on trout, while also picking up the occasional red or flounder. Sea Green is a color advisable for plastic shrimp, since the water is always murky with silt.  

If you want to try the topwater plug approach in a walk-the-dog action, do this during the warmer months at first light and you will get great strikes from reds and trout. You might even feel lucky and experience doing this approach on fingerling mullet moving out of the cover into the lake. At this magic hour, there are those who have experienced over 50 topwater strikes and landed half that many trout. Although 14 to 18 inches would be the average range of these fish, there are some that go over 26.

You may also try fishing a live or fresh dead shrimp on the bottom. Look for points and edges where depth varies from one to three feet. Setting both a bow and stern anchor will keep the boat stable. Cast multiple rods in several directions, stabilize them in rod holders, and let the baits lightly rest on the bottom. Schools of reds and drum slowly cruise these parts and when you get a bite on one rod, usually you’ll have another rod go down. On the business end, Jim Anderson (an experienced Guana Fisher) prefers a 1⁄8-ounce jighead with a 3/0 black nickel hook tied to an 18- to 24-inch length of 20-pound-test mono or fluorocarbon. A double uni-knot will secure it to the main line.

When fishing a shrimp on the bottom, remember that these fish thrives on scent. One good method that will bring you more bites is to pinch the fantail off at the first joint up; this releases more scent. Beginning at the pinched end, thread the hook into the shrimp, bringing the point out on the underside. You may also try a fresh chunk of mullet, ladyfish or crab. These are also good baits for drum and reds.

The most difficult thing about going to Guana is determining what to do first. If you enjoy the outdoors, you will not be disappointed with any of the opportunities, Guana provides them all.  At the end of the fishing day here, you would realize that you have just experienced a great day on a Florida paradise.

Terms

The following are some of the popular technical terms to get familiar with before going to Florida to fish:

• Deep sea fishing: You should get a good charter guide four your first time out there in the open, to assist you in ropes. It is advisable not to venture out on your own on your first time for this is farther out than offshore fishing, and usually  takes at least a half-day adventure.
• Flats fishing: If you have seasickness, then this is the type of fishing for you. It is also saltwater fishing but done inshore. So you will enjoy  much less rougher waters than offshore or deepfishing. You’ll find it amusingly easier to fish during rougher weather. Estuary areas are highly known for flats

• In shore fishing: This is the type of  fishing that is close to the shoreline. It can also include estuaries (areas where freshwaters and saltwaters mix).
• Off shore fishing: This is fishing further away from shore areas, usually by personal watercraft or hired charter.
• Pier fishing: Fishing in manmade structures onshore. It extends along the  shorelines, and over waters.
• Reef fishing: Fishing in the  natural reefs inshore along the coastal areas, as well as many man-made (or artificial) reefs. It has a wide variety of marine creatures including small and big fish.
• Surf fishing: A type of fishing inshore that is done at the beaches, piers, and bridges.
• Tides: The sea levels rises and lowers many times each day. The tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. This is one of the most common indicator. Storms can influence tide levels as well. To be able to read the tide indicators is a plus in inshore fishing.

• Wreck fishing: The Keys are known for wreck fishing. These are just a few of the many areas where old shipwrecks at the bottom of the waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula are mostly visited. It is helpful to note that the wrecks provide shelter for various saltwater sport fish like the corals do.

Fish Galore

Below is a list of  just a few of the many fish you’ll catch while fishing in Florida. You’ll discover more when you go fish yourself. These are just the most commonly caught:

Most Commonly Caught Fish in Florida’s Saltwater Regions

Florida Saltwater Fish

Most Commonly Caught Fish in Florida’s Fresh Water Regions

Florida Fresh Water Fish

The Regions

It is highly important what region you want to start your Florida Fishing experience. To help you in finding your hotels, the list below is a helpful list of the cities and beaches found in its regions.

    * Northeast: Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach,  Daytona Beach, Live Oak, Gainsville, Jacksonville, St Augustine, White Springs.

    * Northwest: Also popularly known as the Florida Panhandle,  it’s the upper northwest part as seen in the map. It got its popular reputation because it looks kind of like a pan’s handle. Some cities in this region are Apalachicola fishing /St Joe, St George Island, Cedar Key, Chiefland, Destin and Fort Walton Beach, Marianna, Mexico Beach,  Monticello, Perdido Key, Pensacola, Seaside, Tallahassee.

    * Central: Anna Maria Island, Cape Canaveral,  Clearwater,  Crystal River, Everglades, Indian Rocks Beach, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Ocala, Orlando, St Petersburg, Tampa, Treasure Island Cocoa Beach.

    * Southeast: Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach.

    * Southwest: Anna Marie Island, Arcadia, Cape Coral, Charlotte Harbor, Ft Myers Beach, Lake Placid, Punta Gorda, Sarasota.

        * South: Belle Glade, Everglades City, Ft Pompano Beach, Homestead, Lake Okeechobee, Lauderdale, Marco Island, Miami, Naples.

    * Florida Keys: Islamorada , Key Largo, Key West, Marathon.

Indeed, one of central Florida’s beautiful coastal regions is the Florida’s Space Coast. It is a haven of  the greteast places to stay: good food, best beaches with WIFI hotspots, and a ton of fishing information almost everywhere in the locality.  You will find lots ofthings to do here, even for the non-fishing visitors.

Introduction

The term Sport Fishing and the State of Florida are two inseparable concepts. Florida is the best fishing site, not only in the USA, but also in the whole world! From recreational, to luxury, to sport fishing, Florida provides them all. This is one place fishing enthusiasts would always be dreaming of going if they haven’t been there yet, and will always be longing to come back once they’ve been there!

Florida sport fishing is known for the famous Florida largemouth bass, with it are 33 more freshwater species.  It also prides itself of more than 120 saltwater species commonly caught in the Atlantic waters enclosing the Sunshine State. Did you know that fishing for largemouth bass (and other types of bass fishing) in Florida, ranks as some of the finest fresh water fishing in the United States?

The hundreds of miles of coastline, 12,000 miles of rivers and streams, dozens of great freshwater lakes, plus many rivers, piers, and beaches provide the greatest fishing enjoyment.

Now that this site has stirred the excitement in you, you would probably be asking now where you would want to go, what type of fish would you aim to catch, and where would you prefer to start.

I must admit that you have come to the best site there is in the net! This site will provide you answers to your basic questions. So if your fishing vacation in Florida is just around the bend, read on! To save money, carefully familiarize the pages of this website first.

The first tip this site can give you is: Know what you want to do.

It is crucial to consider first what kind of fishing you are planning to have in Florida. Are you bringing your own boat? Are you up to deep sea fishing?  We may recommend that you hire a quality charter. It is your best bet.

But if you are just looking to pursue some recreational fishing, fishing with a light tackle might be more to your liking.

For your benefit, a review of the different  types of fish you may expect to land in each area in the Sunshine State is made available here. Florida nearly gives no limit to fishing options. Explore different regions for sport fishing here, highlighting key cities, rivers, lakes, and beaches.

The thrill of seawater sports fishing is very inviting, as evidenced by the proliferation of sport fishing competitions in almost all states.  For the aspiring sport fisher, it is best to determine the different equipment and devices one needs and how much they cost before venturing out into this spectacular sport. 
The methods for sea water sports fishing are many and varied.  There is the popular fly fishing, big-game fishing, bass fishing, ice fishing and rock fishing, among many others.  However, they use similar basic equipment, collectively known as fishing tackle.  There are also sport fishing accessories, or gadgets used by the sport fisher. 
1. Rod - or sometimes called fishing pole (when made with the classic bamboo) , is a basic equipment used for angling or casting.  It is the counterpart of nets in commercial fishing (for profit).  The rod is where the fishing line is fitted.  For sport fishing, the rod is usually made of fiberglass or carbon fiber and etched with line guides.  Sizes range from 24 inches to as long as 20 feet, to vary the angles when casting.
2. Reel - a spool and axle device used in deploying and retrieving the fishing line, together with the fishing rod.  Modern reels are mounted on transoms and boat gunwales, especially in big-game fishing.
3. Hook -  The basic device for impaling the fish, either in the mouth or piercing into their body part.  The hook is connected to the fishing line and is often attached with a lure or bait. There are endless varieties of hooks available for fishing today, ranging from many sizes, designs, shapes and materials depending on the particular sport fishing one ventures into.  
4. Line - the cord that is attached to the fishing rod on one end, and the hook on the other end.  They are used in angling.  The materials for fishing lines range from nylon monofilament, copolymers to fluorocarbon, which is less visible to fishes because of its refractive property.  Line strengths and quality depend on the stands (single, double or multiple braids) that is appropriate in the kind of sport fishing one indulges in. 
5. Baits or Lures -  are the objects attached to the fishing hook to attract the fish.  Baits refer to the traditional prey like insects and worms while baits are modern, "artificial prey" devices that attract the fish's attention through its motions and colors, like artificial flies, jigs and spoon lures. 
6. Sport fisher gadgets and accessories – these are personal gears or add-ons used by the sports fisher to enhanced his chances of catching more fish faster and easier.  They include fishing holsters, suspenders and belts to keep little hooks, baits, sharpeners, pliers and other small tools within easy access; rainwear to continue with the game when it is raining; sunglasses and visors to protect against the sun; and waders and wading shoes when it is necessary to get into the water.  There are also electronic sport fishing gadgets like portable weather stations (GPS sensor, wind direction, barometric pressure, air temperature, humidity and compass) for updated weather condition and for safer sea navigation.
Equipments for seawater sport fishing varies in their make and quality, depending on the type of sport fishing one ventures in.  After enough experience in standard sport fishing life angling and fly fishing, one can move up to more challenging levels, like kayak fishing, where the sport fishers venture into more distant fishing grounds.  In this game, the equipment kayak is necessary to buy or to lease.  There is also the big-game fishing where one tries to catch larger species of fishes like sharks, big tuna and marlin.  High-powered electric boats are necessary for this game.

The main difference between saltwater and freshwater fish is obviously in the kind of their water habitat.  Saltwater fish thrive in the ocean and seas, where the salinity level (salt concentration) is about 3.5% (35 grams of saline per 1 kilogram of water).  Freshwater fish live in bodies of water with salinity level that is less than 0.05%, such as rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. 

The difference in the type of water habitat is primarily for survival.  Freshwater and saltwater fish have different physiological adaptations like absorption and excretion systems that dictate the kind of water environment where they can survive.  The appropriate salinity level enables them to keep the balance of ion content in their bodies which is necessary to survive.  

Saltwater fish like bluefish, clownfish, goby, butterfly fish and angelfish are equipped with body cells that are more dense than their habitat.  As such, they always lose water and need to replenish them by always drinking from their environment.  They have strong kidneys to enable them to filter out the salt from sea water.  About 57% of the total 21,000 fish species in the world are saltwater fishes. 

On the other hand, freshwater fish such as goldfish, guppies and pufferfish have body cells that are less dense than their habitat, so they are always infused with water.  Unlike saltwater fish, they don't have to drink constantly due to the readily available water in their system.  They flush out excess water through their gills and by urinating most of the time.  As such, they have a well-developed kidney system.  The scales of freshwater fish play an important role in blocking excess water going into their bodies, which explains why freshwater fish that have lost many of their scales soon die.  About 41% of all fish species in the world are freshwater fishes. 

Although there is no marked difference between a freshwater and saltwater fish in terms of physical look, the really skilled fisherman would often tell the difference by looking at the color.  Saltwater fishes are touted to be much brighter than their drab-colored freshwater counterparts.  This is again a survival mechanism, since saltwater fishes thrive in larger oceans and seas along with bigger fish predators.  This is specially necessary for saltwater fishes that live in coral reefs, where their colorful skin can blend in well with the reef.  Saltwater fishes also generally grow bigger in size than freshwater fishes.  Another difference is the scale, which is more pronounced on freshwater fishes than saltwater fishes.  

Only 2% of the total fish species in the world can transfer from freshwater to saltwater, and vice versa.  They are called anadromous fishes and include salmon, sailfin, trout, stickleback (three-spined), rays, puffies, monos, scats and eel.  These fishes can survive the change in water condition because they are equipped with an absorption and excretion system in their bodies.  The move must be gradual to give the fish time to adjust to the new living condition.  For the rest of the fish species, they will die when transfered from their natural fresh or saltwater habitat.