Top 5 Best Shore Fishing In Florida

Top 5 Best Shore Fishing In Florida

So, I just arrived from my shore fishing trip which was the saddest by far because I didn't catch anything. Dang! With so much time and effort wasted, I finally decided to do some research, and then suddenly, a light-bulb moment came to me. Aha! Why not round up the top five (5) best shore fishing spots in Florida? Clearly, there are a plethora of options in all of Florida's 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline but Islamorada, Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, Boca Grande, West Bay, and Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park are the best shore fishing spots that should be on your list as well.

1. Islamorada in The Florida Keys

Islamorada in the Florida Keys is on top of my list of the best shore fishing spots in Florida because it offers a diverse fishing opportunity that's unparalleled to any other fishing spot in the entire state or even in the entire world. In fact, it is dubbed as the "Sportfishing Capital of the World" and more fishing records have been set in Islamorada than anywhere else on the planet. Wow! Speaking of wow, I can't wait to visit this amazing place to finally have a shore fishing trip that I can describe as, "A Sensational Success."

By now, I'm sure that you're just as excited as I am about planning your trip in Islamorada but to give you a heads up, it may seem a world away especially if you're from the northern part of the state. Islamorada is located in the Coral Cay Archipelago which is off the southern coast of Florida. If you look at google maps, you will see that it is actually at the tip of Florida which, by the way, works at its advantage, to say the least.

Islamorada is conveniently located in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico which means that you have a greater chance to catch a really large fish in this phenomenal fishing spot. Once in Islamorada, just head west to the iconic 525-foot fishing bridge on the beach and prepare to catch a Tarpon, Amberjack, Yellowtail snapper, Grouper, Barracuda, Dolphin, Shark, Sailfish, and more. Wahoo!

And the best part is, you don't have to wait for a certain time or season to go fishing because Islamorada is certainly a year-round fishing destination. Whether you visit in winter, spring, summer, or fall, you can always expect to have a great fishing time with much bigger chances to catch a trophy on this stunning purple island!

2. Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier in Destin-Fort Walton Beach

I'm sure everyone agrees that most of the time, we struggle to find the balance between family and fishing when we're on a fishing trip. Not all fishing spots have a lot to offer when it comes to other leisure activities for the whole family. This is the reason why Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier is at number two (2) on my list.

The island is packed with multiple parks and beaches, boardwalks, amusement parks, casinos, and a lot more. If you're planning to bring your wife and kids, they can easily move down the beach which is only a walking distance from Okaloosa Island Pier. It is where your family can swim or take a leisurely walk from Blue Dolphin Beachwalk all the way to Emerald Promenade Beachwalk.

The next time you plan your next fishing trip after your first visit to Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, it's not just you who will be filled with excitement but your whole family as well. That's for sure!

And if you haven't known already, Okaloosa Island is a top-tier fishing destination located in between the cities of Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Since it serves as a barrier between Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, you can expect to get a bite without having the need to cast your rod as far out as possible. It only means you'll get better chances of winning on this pier with only just a little effort. Sweet!

Okaloosa Island Pier is home to a lot of fish species including Tarpon, Red drum, Spanish mackerel, Common remora, Blowfish, Sharks, rare Sailfish, and other exotic species. Without a doubt, you don't have to travel the world to pull out an exotic species or catch a trophy because, in Okaloosa Island, it is an absolute possibility.

3. Boca Grande in Southwest Florida

If you are a Tarpon fish lover, then fishing in Boca Grande is a dream come true for you. It is a Tarpon fish heaven that you'll crave to visit and that you should visit at least once wherever you're from in the world. Oh, how I miss the adrenaline rush whenever I pull out a powerful Tarpon that seems to perform aerial acrobatics every time. For some reason, Tarpons seem to be very attracted to the waters of Boca Grande and Boca Grande Pass in general. This is just great news for us Tarpon lovers, hey! And aside from Tarpon, there are also other hard-fighting and rod-bending species in Boca Grande which include Redfish, Snook, and Cobia. So, pick up your rod and prepare to fight!

If you're not familiar with Boca Grande's location, you can open your google maps and you'll see that it is situated in Gasparilla Island which is shared by Charlotte and Lee counties. If you're coming from Orlando, you can ride a bus from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Boca Grande. You will then be traveling through Sarasota Cattlemen Transfer Center, Sarasota, and Port Charlotte and will be reaching Boca Grande in approximately five (5) hours.

4. West Bay near Panama City Beach

If you're like me and you want to enjoy an almost unimaginable level of peace and quiet, then West Bay in Bay County is the perfect fishing spot for you. West Bay is a large body of water located just 6.2 miles from Panama City Beach. It is an excellent fishing spot with a serene rural vibe that can automatically make you feel at ease.

Unlike any other fishing spot, West Bay is not very crowded which means that there's less competition and more chances for you to pull up the best fish species that reside in the bay. It's also a great place where you can bring your family and friends along for that serene fishing vacay. If you feel that there is a need for you to cultivate deeper connections with your friends or family, then this is a wonderful opportunity to achieve that connection.

Well, it is no secret that Panama City Beach offers one of the best fishing spots in the state of Florida which means that anglers crowd this beautiful fishing location. If you want to escape the crowd, just travel a few miles from Panama City Beach and enjoy a spot where you can breathe and relax.

West Bay is home to an excellent variety of fish species including Sea trout, Bluegill, Catfish, Red drum, flounder, and more. Although it is situated in a rural area, there are still a lot of outfitters in West Bay that can help you if you need any fishing equipment. Yup! No worries, you'll be just fine.

5. Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in Tampa Bay

Do you know what I love about this place? It's the fact that it's open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. That means unlimited fishing for everybody! On top of that, it is only in Sunshine Skyway Fishing State Park where you can fish in the longest fishing pier in the world because there's only one, obviously. Bam!

Cheers to all the fishing enthusiasts and anglers living in the Tampa Bay Area! Isn't it absolutely amazing to be in close proximity to the longest fishing pier in the world that offers unlimited fishing? Holy cow! Now, I'm thinking about changing my zip codes but I digress.

Anyway, I've learned that this fishing pier stretches to a total of over 4 miles that are shared by both the city of St. Petersburg and Palmetto in almost equal proportion. So, if you stride in the middle of the pier, it means that you happen to be in two places at one time, right?

If you want to know how to get to the longest fishing pier in the world, just get on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and follow the signs that will lead you to the pier. Don't worry, you won't get lost and it's very easy to ask for direction because everybody knows the place that you're going to. So, prepare your comfortable shoes, folding chair, and sunscreen to catch some Snook, Tarpon, Grouper, Spanish mackerel, Cobia, Sheepshead, Black sea bass, or Pompano in Sunshine Skyway Fishing State Park in Tampa Bay.

Conclusion:

Whether you're fishing on a pier, bridge, or beach, you will definitely have a great time fishing from the shore. After all, you don't always need a boat to catch that trophy or rare fish species that can make your fishing trip an absolute success. No boat? No problem! With our top five (5) best shore fishing spots in this beautiful Sunshine State, you will surely come home triumphant with loads of stories to tell!