Surf fishing in Central Florida

One of the (numerous) things that makes Central Florida unique is the opportunity to experience both fresh water and salt water fishing – maybe even in the same day if you get started early enough!  If you’re headed to the Orlando area with someone who loves to fish, check out these local fishing spots.

Lake Toho – Trophy Bass Fishing

Lake Tohopekaliga – or Lake Toho, as it’s more commonly called – is located just a short drive south of Disney World and is best known for it’s world class bass fishing.  The official lake record boasts a 16 lbs, 10 oz bass, giving new credibility to “it was thiiiiis big”.  And while you’re out waiting for The Big One, you can also enjoy many of the same plants and animals found in the Florida Everglades.  Local fishing guides charge about $250 for a four hour guided trip on Lake Toho, but be sure to ask if the price quoted includes a Florida fishing license!

Mosquito Lagoon – “Like paddling across the Milky Way”

Mosquito Lagoon is about 45 minutes northeast of Orlando and runs along the east-central coastline near Ponce Inlet.  First, the fishing.  Yes, you can catch fish here.  In fact, local fishing guides brag that Mosquito Lagoon is the “Redfish Capital of the World”. For those who understand the lingo, sight fishing, fly fishing, live bait and lure fishing are all done here.

But the real excitement is the neon water.

Mosquito Lagoon is home to microscopic plankton called dinoflagellates that glow in the dark when moved or touched. You can actually see your fishing line moving in the water with a green glow. One reporter described the experience of kayaking in Mosquito Lagoon as being “like paddling across the Milky Way”.

Canaveral National Seashore – Salt water fishing without leaving the beach

When most people think of salt water fishing, they imagine charter boats taking them miles offshore for deep sea fishing.  While that is available in the Central Florida area, it can be expensive.  Another option is to enjoy surf fishing in Canaveral National Seashore, a national park located along the coast between Daytona Beach and Melbourne.  For just $3 (and the cost of a fishing license and tackle), the whole family can enjoy fishing on the beach – even, let’s say, people who would rather lay on the sand than actually fish.

What will you catch?  From experience, I can tell you there is a ton of whiting fish to be caught in the relatively shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  Supposedly you can also catch pompano and “really, really big” bluefish.

At least, that’s what they tell me about the one that got away.

Photo by Britt Reints