Spearfishing in Florida can be an amazing experience! As it’s one of the most beautiful places in America, if not the world.
With its diverse marine life, it’s no wonder that spearfishing in Florida has become increasingly popular over the years.
No matter if you’re new to spearfishing or a seasoned pro, Florida has everything you need.
Let’s explore the aquatic environment of the Sunshine State and what makes it so special for spearfishing.
The Different Types of Spearfishing in Florida
Florida spearfishing is a sport for the adventurous. Spearfishing can be done from a boat, off the beach, and even underwater.
There are three types of spearfishing in Florida:
- Shallow water spearfishing,
- Freedive spearfishing,
- Scuba dive spearfishing.
Shallow water spearfishing is when you wade out into the water, usually no more than waist deep, with your fins on and use them to maneuver yourself through the water while looking for fish with your speargun.
One advantage to shallow water spearfishing is that it’s relatively easy and safe since the water is shallow. It’s also much less strenuous than freediving or scuba diving since you don’t need any heavy equipment like tanks or weights that will make it difficult for you to swim around easily.
One disadvantage though is that there aren’t many species of fish in shallower waters so some people might find it a little bit boring.
Freedive spearfishing is when you submerge under the water completely without air and then look for fish by swimming along the ocean floor until you see one. You then aim your speargun at them before firing at them once they’re within range.
Freediving spearfishing is similar to scuba diving. However, instead of wearing a tank and regulator, divers carry compressed air down with them in their buoyancy vest, allowing them to stay submerged longer before returning back up top for another tankful of air.
Scuba dive spearfishing is the most popular way to do this because it provides greater depths and larger varieties of fish than freediving or shallow water spearfishing.
Check out our list of 10 safety tips before spearfishing in California!
Where to Go Spearfishing in Florida? Best Spearfishing Spots in Florida
Florida has many amazing places to go spearfishing, so it can be difficult to decide where you want to start. However, I have put together this guide to help make that decision a little easier.
Let’s take a look at 4 of the best spots for spearfishing in Florida.
The Keys
You can’t go wrong with the Keys, the jewel in the sunshine state of Florida! The Gulf of Mexico is on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, so these islands are perfect for spearfishing!
In addition, the Keys are at the southernmost point of the United States, so you get tropical weather year-round. It’s a great combo – especially if you’re gonna spend a lot of time beneath the waves!
There’s a world beneath the Reefs with bright Snappers, glowing Hogfish, and tasty Groupers around the Keys. Interested in diving?
Take a boat ride from Key West, the area’s best departure point, and it will take you 10-20 miles offshore.
A great place to start your fishing adventure is the Florida Strait. It is home to big tuna, some of the most beautiful Mahi Mahi, and other hard-hitting fish.
The Panhandle
The Panhandle is well known to anglers throughout the world as the home of Destin, the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” Spearfishing is also quite impressive in the Panhandle.
This coastline offers spearfishers a great opportunity to explore the many reefs within it because of its excellent location along the Gulf of Mexico.
Known also as the Emerald Coast, this area has great inshore waters and a lot of reefs to check out.
The best way to catch Snappers, Groupers, Triggerfish, and many more delicious creatures is to take a spearfishing charter out of Pensacola, Panama City, Destin, and anywhere nearby.
The East Coast
Florida’s East Coast has a lot to offer in terms of angling, spearfishing, and all kinds of water sports. Some of the best places for angling can be found along the Gold Coast, the Space Coast, and the Bay of Biscayne.
There are lots of fishing opportunities out of Daytona or Port Orange, including exploring the shallows of the Intracoastal Waterway and reefs near the shore.
The shallow bays around Miami stay warm all year round, as well as the ocean. As a result, you will be able to catch a variety of fish, including Cobia, Wahoo, Tuna varieties, and Mahi Mahi.
The Suncoast
It’s a great place to hunt for fish! But, if you want diversity, go straight to the Suncoast. There’s a big range of fish off of Florida’s west coast! You can hunt the bays or the Gulf for famous fish.
Inshore, you can get Flounder, Sheepshead, and Snappers. On the reefs, you’ll find Cobia, Kingfish, and Amberjack.
Spearfishing trips in Florida are especially popular in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, but Naples also has lots going on. You’ll find plenty of guides waiting to take you out to fish-filled waters at any of these locations.
What Gear You Need? Spearfishing Gear Florida
The gear you need will depend on what you’re doing and where. For example, if you’re spearfishing in the Florida Keys, then you’ll need a boat and have to plan ahead of time to avoid being surrounded by coral reefs that are off-limits.
In contrast, when spearfishing in Sarasota County, the only gear you need is a mask, snorkel, and fins.
But here’s the checklist for your equipment for the rest of Florida:
- Wetsuit
- Speargun or Pole Spear
- Mask & Snorkel,
- Fins
- Weights
- Gloves
- Spearfishing Knife
- Floats, Reels & Flags
What can you Spearfish in Florida?
(The Different Types of Fish You Can Catch)
Florida is a land of warm waters, and you can find a variety of fish here. Some of the most common are: red snapper, Grouper, amberjack, Spanish mackerel, kingfish, cobia, barracuda, and yellowtail snapper. You may also be able to find tuna and dolphin fish depending on where you are in the state.
Most of these fishes will congregate near the surface at night so it’s best to go spearfishing when it’s dark out.
All forms of spearing in state waters are prohibited for these species:
All prohibited species
- Billfish (all species)
- Bonefish
- Crab (blue, stone)
- Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus)
- Goliath grouper
- Manta ray
- Nassau grouper
- Permit
- Pompano (Florida and Africa)
- Red drum
- Sharks (all species including dogfish)
- Snook
- Spotted eagle ray
- Spotted seatrout
- Sturgeon
- Tarpon
- Tripletail
- Weakfish
- Marine life species (listed on Marine Life Regulations)
Target species you can catch:
- Grouper
- Red Snapper
- Almaco Jack
- Mangrove Snapper
- Lionfish
- Wahoo and Mahi Mahi
- Cobia and Amberjack
It appears that Goliath and Nassau Varieties of Grouper are the only two types of Grouper that can not be speared.
So, if you are fishing with a charter, the captain can guide you to make sure you are choosing fish that are legally available.
How much does it cost to go spearfishing in Florida?
Before we dive into spearfishing gear, you’ll want to calculate what it’s going to cost to go spearfishing in Florida.
There are three main costs that you’ll need to account for:
- Your license and permit,
- Your fishing boat rental or charter fee,
- And your spearfishing equipment (such as a speargun).
Licenses and permits:
To get started with spearfishing, there are two licenses you can purchase depending on how often you plan on going spearfishing.
A basic one-day recreational saltwater fishing license will cost about $7 for adults and $4 for children between the ages of 13-17.
You can also buy a one-year recreational saltwater fishing license which is good from January 1st to December 31st of the same year, which will cost around $14 for adults and $8 for children between the ages of 13-17.
The average price for a half-day of spearfishing in Florida is $878. The average price for a full-day of spearfishing in Florida is $1,319.
There are a large variety of prices for spearfishing in Florida, which can range anywhere between $700 and $1,500.
Florida Spearfishing Seasons
Florida is full of great places to fish, both saltwater and freshwater.
Knowing the best times to go fishing here can make a big difference to your experience. Here are some of the best times and seasons to go fishing in Florida.
If you are looking to fish in the state of Florida, it is normally best to go fishing from April to September.
Whereas you should go fishing from spring to November if you are looking to fish in freshwater. In Florida, each species of gamefish will have its own high season.
Spearfishing Charters Florida
Are you looking for the best fishing charter experience in Florida? Then, come see what Spearfishing Charters has to offer!
Anglers have given great reviews to these Florida-based charters and will give you a great time. The captains are friendly and knowledgeable.
Read reviews, learn more, see photos, and book the charter on Fishing Booker by clicking on the links below.
- Chasin’ Tail Fishing Charters (Sarasota, FL)
- Leisure Life Charters (St. Petersburg, FL)
- La Costa Charters (Treasure Island, FL)
- Reel Easy Charters (Key West, FL)
- Smokin’ Hooks Charters (Naples, FL)
- Fish Key West – The Coolcast (Key West, FL)
- Easy Does It Charters (Key West, FL)
- East Pass Inshore Charters (Destin, FL)
- Deep Color Fishing (St. Petersburg, FL)
Spearfishing Classes Florida
The best time to spearfish is during the summer months when fish are active and plentiful. However, Spearfishers should always follow the rules and regulations set forth by their state or country.
You should also have a license, and proper accessories which can often be obtained online or through a local sporting goods store.
Spear fishing gear can be bought at your local sporting goods store, but you may want to consider making your own gear or purchasing from an online source that specializes in spearfishing equipment.
Rules for Spearfishing in Florida
Florida Spearfishing Tools That Are Illegal?
There are 2 tools which are prohibited to use when spearfishing in Florida.
- Powerheads
- Rebreather
A powerhead is another name for a long stick with a bullet (.22, .357, .45, 12-gauge, etc.) on the end that can be pulled back when you point it at something dangerous.
You can only use bangsticks for personal protection in Florida waters, and never to harvest anything.
Using a rebreather, divers can remove carbon dioxide from the exhaled breath, allowing them to rebreathe oxygen that they have expelled and not used.
The purpose of the tool is to allow divers to stay underwater without bubbles, which gives them an unfair advantage when spearfishing.
Therefore, it is illegal to use this tool during spearfishing. There is no restriction on the use of rebreathers when collecting lionfish, an invasive species.
In Florida, is spearfishing legal on both the freshwater side as well as the saltwater side?
Freshwater spearfishing in Florida is illegal. In freshwater, you cannot spearfish for saltwater fish, and you cannot spearfish for freshwater fish in freshwater, either.
Possessing a speargun in a freshwater setting is also illegal. The only legal freshwater spearfishing is in saltwater.
Is it illegal to harvest certain fish while spearfishing?
Yes, there are certain fish species which are illegal to spear.
What Fish Are Legal to Spearfish?
Despite what you might think, there are still some that you can spearfish for legally.
Aside from Amberjacks and Lesser Amberjacks, there’s also Banded Rudderfish, Black Seabass, Cobia, Hogfish, Groupers except Nassaus and Goliaths, Mahi Mahi (dolphin fish), Snapper, Ladyfish, Catfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Kingfish, Mackerel, Barracuda, Red Porgy, Tilefish, Flounder, Sheephead, Crevalle Jack, Black Drum, Bluefish, Lionfish, Blue Runner, Black Drum.
In what areas is spearfishing illegal in Florida?
The following rules apply to spearfishing – not bowhunting or gigging. Take a look at them and plan your trip accordingly.
You can’t spearfish:
- It is against the law to fish within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, a commercial fish pier, or any portion of a bridge that enables public fishing to be carried out.
- Except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends further than 1,500 yards from the shoreline, not within 100 feet of a jetty above the surface of the sea.
- Between Long Key and Dade County in Monroe County.
- The possession of spearfishing equipment in these areas is prohibited unless it is unloaded and properly stored at the time of entry into the body of water, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Regional Environmental Protection, Recreation, and Parks Department.
- If you are a resident of Volusia County, you can only harvest fish by spearing in inland waters of Volusia County, with the exception of flounder and sheepshead, and only by using a barbed spear with 3-4 prongs.
Spearfishing Grouper Florida:
Unless you’re catching Nassau or Goliath groupers, you can spearfish groupers in Florida..
Spear alligators
For hunting alligators, you need a special license, and you can use a spear, bow, or gig. On private land, you can use a handgun during daylight hours.
Pythons Spearing
It’s legal to kill pythons and other invasive reptiles year-round on private property. In Florida, though, you can kill them on 25 public lands.
Spear Lobster
It’s illegal to spear lobsters and use tools that crush or penetrate their shells.
Precautions
- Like guns on dry land, keep your spear pointed in a safe and right direction at all times when spearfishing. You’re swimming around with spears or spearguns that could be faulty or you might have an accident.
- Use good quality gear, not cheap stuff from a bargain store. Don’t point it at people or fish you don’t want to spear. Be sure your equipment is in top shape before you go hunting.
- People who spearfish need to get the bleeding fish out of the water as soon as possible after shooting them.
FAQs
Is Florida good for spearfishing?
For many spearfishers, Florida is a dream destination. It’s warm water teems with fish species—from groupers and snappers to jacks, tarpon and even sharks—and it has more than 3,000 miles of coastline.
Is scuba spearfishing legal in Florida?
Yes, it is. Just like other forms of recreational fishing, spearfishing is permitted year-round with a valid fishing license.
You must stay 150 feet away from any occupied structure, and you can’t use a spear gun or harpoon to hunt fish (though you can use them to hunt sharks).
In addition, there are several protected species that you can’t target (see below for details).
Do you need a license for spearfishing in Florida?
Yes. If you’re fishing from a private boat, you’ll need a state fishing license (these are non-resident and non-transferable).
Fishing licenses for recreational boaters are issued by FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or National Oceanic) and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), depending on your fishing waters.
Can you spearfish off the beach in Florida?
Sure can. In fact, you’ll find that some of Florida’s best spearfishing is right offshore. Fishing for marine and freshwater species in freshwater is prohibited.
The possession of spear guns in and near freshwater is also prohibited.
Bottom Line
The world of spearfishing has been around for centuries. Spearfishing is not only a hobby, but it also provides people with food, income, and exercise.
There are many rules and regulations to follow when spearfishing in Florida. It’s important to know the laws before you go out on your next adventure!
When spearfishing in Florida, it’s essential to have a permit that can be obtained through the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
To take an animal from saltwater or freshwater, you must have a fishing license unless you’re exempt from this rule based on certain circumstances, such as if you’re under 16 years old or over 65 years old. Depending on the season, some fish may require both a fishing license and a hunting license.
Make sure you follow the rules whether you’re spearfishing in Hawaii, Florida, or California.
FAQs
What is the best time of year for spearfishing in Florida?
The best time of year for spearfishing in Florida depends on the species you are targeting. Generally, the spring and fall seasons offer the best conditions for spearfishing due to the clear water and warmer temperatures.
What are the best locations for spearfishing in Florida?
Some of the best locations for spearfishing in Florida include the Keys, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic coast. These areas offer a variety of fish species and clear water conditions, making them ideal for spearfishing.
Is a spearfishing license required in Florida?
Yes, a spearfishing license is required in Florida. You can obtain a license through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
What species of fish can I catch while spearfishing in Florida?
While spearfishing in Florida, you may catch a variety of species including snapper, grouper, amberjack, and hogfish.
What equipment do I need for spearfishing in Florida?
To go spearfishing in Florida, you will need a speargun, a wetsuit, a dive mask, fins, and a weight belt. You may also want to consider purchasing a dive knife, dive light, and a float line.
How deep can I dive while spearfishing in Florida?
The maximum depth you can dive while spearfishing in Florida is dependent on your level of training and the conditions of the dive. It is recommended to stay within your limits and dive within the limits of your training and comfort level.
What are the laws and regulations for spearfishing in Florida?
There are several laws and regulations for spearfishing in Florida, including size and bag limits, closed seasons, and specific regulations for certain species. Read these regulations before going spearfishing.
What are the best techniques for spearfishing in Florida?
Some of the best techniques for spearfishing in Florida include stalking, diving, and hunting from the surface. It is important to consider the species you are targeting and the conditions of the dive when selecting a technique.
Is there a minimum size limit for the fish I can catch while spearfishing in Florida?
Yes, there is a minimum size limit for many species of fish caught while spearfishing in Florida. Know the size limits to ensure you are following the regulations.
What is the best way to handle a fish after it has been caught while spearfishing in Florida?
After catching a fish while spearfishing in Florida, it is important to handle the fish carefully and humanely. This includes using a de-hooker to remove the spear, avoiding squeezing the fish too tightly, and releasing the fish back into the water as quickly as possible.
