27 replies to this topic

[oldschool61]

I am moving to Florida in a week. No more winter. So, job hunting, join a church, volunteer work, fishing, beaches, saltwater fishing, a little snake hunting, not in that order. I'd like to live on the SE Atlantic coast, but may not be able to afford it. I don't know anything about the Tampa-to-Ft. Myers area. Between Kissimmee and the Everglades the cost of living looks more affordable for me and full of bass fishing choices.

My question is, which lakes are more shorebound friendly? I'd like to live closer to where I play and commute to work, the opposite of the way it's been the first half of my life. Not to stereotype but the pics I've seen make it look like if you don't have a boat you fish a heavily-used public pier or you take your chances with swamp, trespassing on someone's backyard, or alligators!

Any advice on best lakes to fish from shore? Thanks in advance

Chris

[Bassn Blvd]

If you were moving here for strictly fishing, then I wouls say Lake Okeechobee. I guess it would all depend on what type of work you do, income bracket, kids/no kids though.

[FishinDaddy]

There are many public parks that offer excellent fishing from the shore all throughout central Florida.  Between Polk county and the cities of Lakeland, Auburndale and Winter haven you have access to over 100 public fishing areas.  Having a boat is always better but I think the Lakeland area gives you the best shore fishing opportunities.

[JohnnyBigger]

depends on what kind of fishing interests you the most....freshwater then i would say kissimmee area or leesburg if you wanna fish salt then Tampa or st pete is the place to go with a few good lakes mixed in

[SirSnookalot]

I can only comment on the area I live, Delray Beach in Palm Beach County, it is a tough fishing area from shore, a boat improves the experience. I'm here because of gr. children, I can think of other Florida locations I'd rather be, but you have to go where the $$ is.
I feel more of a threat from snakes than gators, I fish 100% shore for freshwater.  One of the reasons I focus on saltwater fishing, both venues have lots of private areas with no access, I prefer not to trespass. I do no bass fishing what so ever from May thru October, I hate those annoying gnats, but I do SW fish every morning year round.  I will give you one of my home made Cuda tubes.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

I would say CENTRAL, FL. There are a BIZZILION lakes, rock pits, rivers, canals, golf courses (lol) etc. to fish. MOST holding fish over 10lbs!!!! You can make day trips to just about anywhere from there. Also if you want to do some saltwater fishing your about an hour or so from both coasts. Just my .02cents.

[piscicidal]

If I was shorebound and mostly concerned with bass fishing, I would look at the Haines City/Cypress Gardens area in Central Florida.  I was there recently with my family (legoland) and was shocked at the number of lakes in that area- most of which seem to have shore access.  Central Florida is much more conducive to double digit bass than South Florida.

[GLADES]

If you have a boat, I would have to sat the Fort Lauderdale area. We are 1.25 -1.5 hour drive to Clewiston, and have the Everglades, specifically Holiday Park 15-30 minutes west. During the spring and summer, either place is red hot. Five fish bags between 30-35 lbs are fairly common when Holiday Park is red hot, plus the fish are confined in the canals, which makes pretty easy fishing. Lake O has been great since the major drought a few years ago.
Canal Fishing is limited to the flood control canals, and some limited dock fishing at holiday park, some residential canals and lakes, and the canals off tamiami trail. Google earth is a great way to find canals with access.
There is peacock bass fishing in Miami canals too. Can't do that in central Florida.
Regarding Salt Water, the east coast of South Florida is great, plus the keys are only 2 hours away.

[Helluva_Engineer]

I may have posted this before, but this is one of the dangers of fishing freshwater from shore in South Georgia and Florida. This snake actually tried to take the worm I was fishing near that log. It was hiding right along the backside of the log from where you can see my footprint. If it hadn't struck the lure, it was withing striking range of me and I never would've seen it underneath the log. This is not the first encounter I've had with cottonmouths fishing the shoreline.

Therefore I recommend saltwater from the beach...

[South FLA]

I would say Titiusville area, a central location to all but the Keys, but you have some great Redfish, Sea Trout, Snook a bit further south, Bass just west of it between Stick Marsh and St. John's river basin. Titusville area is also known for some great shrimping and pompano and whiting fishing from the beach.

[Daniel My Brother]

Helluva,
I'm studying that picture and I don't see the snake. I feel like I'm playing Where's Waldo. Help me locate it.
DMB

[SirSnookalot]

Took me a while to see it too, I think this is it.

Attached Files

•  snake1.jpg   146.73K   39 downloads

[jeremyt]

Look just up from the tip of the log, right off the bank you can see the head out of the water and the body just underneath. I am at work right now, or I would edit the photo just like SirSnook did.

[South FLA]

here is the snake

Attached Files

•  snake1.jpg   84.12K   36 downloads

[Helluva_Engineer]

haha, sorry for the trouble guys. Kind of goes to prove the point, though. watch where you're stepping bank fishing down here.