Heading to Florida on vacation and planning a great fishing experience? Here we will talk about some of the things you would need to know before you cast your first line.
There are a lot of regulations on the books, but with the right preparation, you won’t need to worry about any of them. And for the first question you asked, “How many fishing rods per person in Florida?”, the answer is, “It depends”. We’ll show you why.
Where do I find the rules we need to follow when fishing in Florida?
The rules, laws, and regulations that cover fishing in Florida start from the federal, state, and the local level. And because of the sheer number of guidelines, it would be extremely difficult to learn them all before going to the state.
We found several ways that you can use to learn about the regulations in effect in the places you are going to be fishing in. First of is Florida’s own regulatory agency, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
This agency continues to publish excellent guides on the regulations you will need to follow when fishing in florida. Their website myfwc.com, features articles on almost any topic regarding fishing in the state. Most, if not all counties in the state also have their own website which share their own local set of regulations on fishing.
Rules change often, and quite quickly, so it is always best to check for new rules before every fishing trip. Take note that fishing regulations online are free, so there’s no reason to not get an updated copy.
Planning is Key
To properly enjoy fishing in Florida, you need to plan your trip ahead of time. And we are not just talking about getting to your destination. There are a lot of factors that can play into which rules will apply to your particular fishing trip. Some of them are:
Your chosen fishing area
Regulations are different between federal and state waters, as well as saltwater and freshwater. Knowing where you intend to fish will help reduce your confusion as to what rules will apply on your trip.
Boat or shore
If you’re going on a boat, the rules that you will need to follow will be significantly different to what an angler on the shore will need to follow.
Species of fish you intend to catch
There are special rules for many different species in Florida waters, allowed gear, and bag limits will change depending on the species
Bait
If you want to use live bait, be sure to check if that particular bait is allowed to be used in the area you will be fishing in.
Rod Limits
Going back to the question posted above, how many fishing rods can you have in Florida? It’s a tricky question to answer as it may vary from one factor to another.
For example, the FWC says that there’s no limit for the number of rods that you can use when taking freshwater fish. As for saltwater fishing, it’s best to check local laws for the allowed numbers. Check the allowed fishing gear as well as they prohibit certain items.
Conclusion
The wide variety of fishing areas and species you can catch is one of the greatest attractions of fishing in Florida. To truly enjoy the experience, however, make sure to know how many fishing rods per person in Florida is allowed first, like many other regulations in the state. It can be tricky but it’s a necessary hurdle to go through so you can guarantee yourself a great time.
