Southern Kingfish-Whiting Ya All

[Capt Sal]

Took the 16' boat to Cape Canaveral. We are strictly fishing inside in The Banana and Indian Rivers. Both of these are salt water and are Intracoastal. After a 30 min ride with no wake because of the Manatees we reached our destination on a large canal linking the two rivers together. Small jig head tipped with shrimp and it was game on. First bluefish then a few spotted sea trout. Then the ''Whiting'' took over. They call them whiting but we call them kingfish. Same thing we catch in the surf in the surf in New Jersey. Great eating and on an ultra light with six pound test we had a blast. We landed and released near 100, we didn't count. Blowfish also and all you want. The blues are small one to two pounds but fight like hell on the light rods. The launch ramps are free and beautiful. Floating docks and rest rooms as well as picinic tables. Florida does it right! Ten bucks in bait and a whopping two gallons of fuel! Champagne taste and a beer pocket book lol. Fluke are next at Sebastian Inlet. Limit is ten at 12''. I have landed some nice ones there up to four pounds and have seen them up to 8 lbs.

[rumster]

Sounds like fun. Enjoy!

[chrislars]

do you have to get a temporary out of state license when fishing there? when i have been on party boats or charters in florida i have had to fill out paperwork but the license fee is included in the fare

[bulletbob]

Hey capt Sal, I wonder if the flatties you are catching are Southern Flounder as opposed to our Summer Flounder?.. Fluke do go as far south as Florida, but they are nowhere near as common as the Southern Flounder.. They look pretty similar to fluke, but are just a bit smaller on average... no biggie, just wondering... bob

[bulletbob]

Never mind.. I researched it and found that Florida has 3 "fluke type" species.. The summer flounder, southern flounder. and Gulf Flounder, which looks like a Four spot with only 3 spots!..
They lump them all together in the size/bag limit, which isn't a bad idea...
In my research I discovered the Florida recs are screaming because the flounder numbers are dropping like a rock.. Same old same old.. The fish are bringing very big money, same as grouper, red snapper etc, and the commercials are decimating them.. Netters ,giggers, etc.. The locals are cashing in by spearing[gigging] them at night.. they say the inlets sometimes have hundreds of guys with lights on thier boats out there each and every night all year.They are calling for reduced bag limits of course.. Just for once I would like to see the commercials have to take the same number as the recs... In any case, it sounds like there is still some good fishing in the Florida tidal rivers... I would love to get a little place down there someday... bob

[Capt Sal]

do you have to get a temporary out of state license when fishing there? when i have been on party boats or charters in florida i have had to fill out paperwork but the license fee is included in the fare

When fishing from a ''for hire '' boat you do not need a salt water lic. All private boats,piers and surf you are required to have the lic.You can get it for a week or the season. Season lic. non res. $48 and they use the money wisely!:)

[Capt Sal]

I would love to get a little place down there someday... bob[/QUOTE]

I did at a price you not believe compared to New Jersey! Taxes are $650 a year lol The fluke I have caught are the same as NJ although they have sub species. The further South you go or on the West coast they are more prevalent. :cool:

[lingding]

Hey Cap- Great light tackle action- love it!!! its amazing how Florida authorities help set it all up for fun. Wish they would catch on up in the norh east.

[SaltLife1980]

Sounds like a great time!

[chrislars]

When fishing from a ''for hire '' boat you do not need a salt water lic. All private boats,piers and surf you are required to have the lic.You can get it for a week or the season. Season lic. non res. $48 and they use the money wisely!:)

Nice! Thanks for the info. My inlaws are in New Port Ritchie and I get down there at least once a year.

[Capt Sal]

Hey Cap- Great light tackle action- love it!!! its amazing how Florida authorities help set it all up for fun. Wish they would catch on up in the norh east.

You don't mind paying for a lic. here because it goes toward ramps,and keeping the commercials in check.I pay $250 every year for a NY charter permit and they do nothing for us!!!There are hundreds of free ramps and Florida is geared toward recreational fisherman and tourism.NJ could learn from Florida.

[NJ Dave]

Fishing as we speak on a FREE pier in florida. No license needed on this pier. Killing spanish macarel kingfish speck trout lady fish ect.
Plus the wife is sitting on a clean FREE beaches.
Yea Gov Christie listen up.