Whether you’re a Florida native or visiting for a quick trip, you may have fishing on your mind.
The waters of Florida offer a variety of fish species to catch year-round. In the summer, five types of fish stand out as an angler’s preferred target.
Get your fishing gear out of your Safeguard Self Storage unit and be ready to reel in some big ones!
Gars
Gars are one of the easiest fish to recognize in Florida. These fish have long bodies and flat-shaped heads. One species, the alligator gar, can reach up to ten feet in length.
While fishing in the Florida Panhandle, you may encounter these fish. They primarily can be found in stagnant or slow-moving water such as swamps or canals.
Minnows and artificial lures are a good bait to use for this fish. These fish may put up a fight while being reeled in, so using a longer fishing rig will help keep you out of the way from their thrashing and sharp teeth.
Alligator gar are a protected species in Florida, so you cannot possess one without a special license.
Tarpons
If you are looking for a unique challenge, the tarpon may be the solution. They prefer to breed in a saltwater environment but can survive in a freshwater one as well.
Not only are these fish less common, but they also are large in size and feisty in spirit. They can grow up to seven feet in length.
Unless you have a special license, tarpon are catch and release. To catch these incredible fish, bait such as shrimp, small fish, or some artificial lures can be successful. Tarpons can be found in the Florida Keys, the Everglades, and Tampa Bay to start.
Largemouth Bass
Florida’s official freshwater fish is the largemouth bass. People come from all over the world to fish for these guys.
If you plan to catch one in Florida, you may look in large lakes, rivers, or even swamps and ponds.
Some fishermen recommend a fluke lure to catch largemouth bass, while others swear by live shriners.
Florida law has no minimum length limit for catching largemouth bass.
Snook
The common snook fish is a fish that is active in the summer in Florida.
There are four species of snook and they usually weigh between five and 10 pounds.
Snook are highly sought-after fish around inshore Florida. Their maneuvers to escape after being hooked make them challenging fish to catch.
Snook can be lured onto your reel by an artificial crab or shrimp. Typically snook can be found in lagoons or mangroves, tending to seek out warmer water and not straying much farther north than the St. Augustine area.
The guidelines for catch and release of snook change frequently, so make sure to check before your fishing trip.
Catfish
Another easily recognizable fish is the catfish due to their whisker-like barbells.
There are a few species of catfish present throughout Florida, but the best spots to fish for them may be the Choctawhatchee River, the Yellow River, Orange county, and Lake Okeechobee.
Catfish typically won’t pass up any type of bait being offered, though they are partial to bait with strong odors.
This type of fish makes for a common dinner meal and are easy to catch, making them a favorite species for fishermen.
Store Your Fishing Gear at Safeguard Self Storage
Once you’ve caught all your fish and are done for the summer season, find one of Safeguard Self Storage’s easily accessible Florida storage facilities to store your fishing and camping gear.
Contact us today to learn about the storage units near you!