Florida fishing spots? Florida Tackle shops?

[Kyle S]

Down in Florida for the upcoming week and would love to reel in a fish or two! Anyone got any advice on some decent places to do some bank fishing? I'm near the Terra Ceia bay area. Any spots y'all can recommend to get a line wet? 

I'd also enjoy checking out some tackle shops while I'm here. Any advice on a few shops that carry some decent freshwater gear relatively close to me?

Thanks Fellas!

[Scott F]

Here’s a tackle store worth checking out. Bonita Springs near Naples.

 

[Don51]

Fishing is tough down here right now. We are experiencing very high heat with no relief in sight. Water temp. is way up and the fish are pretty lethargic. Algae blooms are also quite common. Go out early at sunrise as the bite is generally over by 9 a.m.

[heyitskirby]

On 8/12/2023 at 3:09 PM, Kyle S said:

Down in Florida for the upcoming week and would love to reel in a fish or two! Anyone got any advice on some decent places to do some bank fishing? I'm near the Terra Ceia bay area. Any spots y'all can recommend to get a line wet? 

I'd also enjoy checking out some tackle shops while I'm here. Any advice on a few shops that carry some decent freshwater gear relatively close to me?

Thanks Fellas!

 

As was mentioned above, it's hot down here right now.  Like hot enough even the FloGrowners are complaining.

 

Probably not what you are looking for, but I would suggest checking out the Skyway Bridge Pier if you want to get some fishing in.  Bottom fishing may be productive and there is a tackle shop on the pier.

[Basskid21]

As you can tell, my pb is 2-3 pounds. I fish at a lake with 6 pounders, how do I know??? My friend caught one. The thing is, the lake that Im fishing in has 6 pounders but not many. Do yall know any spots that can guarantee catch me a 5+ pound fish near southeast Florida?

[Capt Steve]

I thought Terra Ceia was near Tampa Bay not SE Florida. Nevertheless I can’t imagine anyone having a place that guarantees a bass of any size unless it’s a private stocked pond. Even then they’re still fish so no guarantees. 
I’m not trying to discourage you because I surely understand what you’re trying to do. But as others have mentioned, it’s been very hot here in Florida with water temperatures around 90°. Yes, you can still catch a few fish but it’s been tough lately.

Florida has some big fish in its waters but big fish are not easy to come by on most of the public lakes. The fishing pressure on these lakes is enormous.

if you can somehow gain access to private ponds or small lakes, you’ll be much better off. Some of Florida’s best fishing was in orange grove ponds. However, they were private and tough to get access to. Unfortunately, most of the orange groves have been replaced by houses these days.  
I’m sorry I’m not able to offer any more help to you. Good luck anyway.

 

[Capt Steve]

I’m sorry. I just realized these posts were from two different people. 

[Don51]

14 hours ago, Basskid21 said:

As you can tell, my pb is 2-3 pounds. I fish at a lake with 6 pounders, how do I know??? My friend caught one. The thing is, the lake that Im fishing in has 6 pounders but not many. Do yall know any spots that can guarantee catch me a 5+ pound fish near southeast Florida?

Not guaranteed, but best chances will be Okeechobee and Fellsmere in that area.

[Kyle S]

Thanks for all of the responses fellas! I ended up not doing any fishing as my interest is in freshwater and there wasn't really any public spots near where I was. I'll certainly be back to Florida and will hopefully convince my wife that we need to go visit the Okeechobee beaches instead of Terra ceia lol?

[Zcoker]

On 8/20/2023 at 6:57 PM, Kyle S said:

I'll certainly be back to Florida and will hopefully convince my wife that we need to go visit the Okeechobee beaches instead of Terra ceia lol?

 

You're not gonna find any nice beaches on lake Okeechobee lol Your wife might be very disappointed! Better off staying on the east coast near Vero beach, which is a hop skip jump to some of the best bass fishing in Florida. Places like Headwaters Lake, Kenansville, Lake Blue Cypress, Fort Drum, Three forks, all within the Vero area. The whole area out there is loaded with canals, lakes, conservation areas, marshlands, which can all be fished by boat, yak or bank. 

[Captain Phil]

46 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

 

You're not gonna find any nice beaches on lake Okeechobee lol Your wife might be very disappointed!

 

You can't even see Lake Okeechobee from any highway that I know of.  It has a 30 foot dike around most of it.   If you want beaches, go to the coast. 

[Mike L]

There are a few open sandy spots on the North and East side of The Lake where you can reach the water including a few on the Kissimmee River which feeds into it, but my advice is don’t do it!!

Drive 45min and go to the coast as @Captain Phil suggested. 
 

There isn’t a fresh water “beach” in the entire state that I would want my family swimming in. 
There are probably a few in a state park or a campground somewhere that someone may tell you about, but I’m including those also. 
 

The Lake and the options @Zcoker and @Don51 gave you are the best options for fishing up that way. 
 

 

 

Mike

[heyitskirby]

On 8/20/2023 at 6:57 PM, Kyle S said:

Thanks for all of the responses fellas! I ended up not doing any fishing as my interest is in freshwater and there wasn't really any public spots near where I was. I'll certainly be back to Florida and will hopefully convince my wife that we need to go visit the Okeechobee beaches instead of Terra ceia lol?

 

Man, the one thing I will say is, you are missing out.  If you come back down here during a better time of year our inshore/flats/light tackle salt fishing can't be beat.  

 

I understand you love bass fishing, but you will change your mind about salt after you hook your first red or snook.  Do as the locals do, there is a reason we don't do a lot of bass fishing in the Tampa Bay area.  (Not to mention you can bass fish at home, try vacation fishing).

 

 

[Alex from GA]

We used to have a house in Palmetto and I went to Terra Ceia often weather permitting.  I was in a 14' boat.  The inshore fishing was usually good all winter.  Snook, redfish, trout, whiting, sheepshead and jacks mostly.  All I used were artificials except for sheepshead.  Just like bass fishing but the saltwater fish fight harder and taste better.  Discount Tackle in Bradenton is the best tackle store close by.