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Old 01-26-2011, 02:40 PM
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
19,362 posts, read 27,588,925 times
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We are spending the winter in Cape Coral in a home that is on the Canal. We are pretty inexperienced fisherman, but brought our rods and reels.

Are we allowed to fish in the canals? If so, do we need a license? Fresh or salt water? Suggestions as to bait, line, and what we might catch (and is it edible)?

Other suggestions for fishing areas or tours that we might enjoy are appreciated.

Thanks!
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Old 01-26-2011, 06:21 PM
 
Location: Englewood, FL
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Can't comment about what you may catch since I'm not familiar with that area, but yes, a fishing license is required in the state of Florida. You probably won't get caught in your back yard, but the $$ collected from fishing and hunting licenses is used toward conservation so is always a nice "donation".
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Old 01-26-2011, 07:42 PM
 
68 posts, read 202,787 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Edgewater Homes View Post
Can't comment about what you may catch since I'm not familiar with that area, but yes, a fishing license is required in the state of Florida. You probably won't get caught in your back yard, but the $$ collected from fishing and hunting licenses is used toward conservation so is always a nice "donation".
Thank you for that information. We spotted a nice fishing spot recently and there were quite a few Lady Fish jumping so I'm thinking of taking up the sport again. If anyone else has more info about this I would appreciate it.
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Old 01-26-2011, 08:22 PM
 
Location: Florida Space Coast
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They were probably mullet if they were jumping. I will assume you are on a saltwater canal if you were told there were ladyfish there.

As far as fishing best bet is to catch and release only. There are many species that are closed season. There are also fish that have size limits and bag limits. To make things even more confusing they have some which are called slot fish which means they have to be between a certain size

I don't usually have a lot of luck fishing when the water temps are cold as they are now. My best advice is to get some live shrimp from a bait shop and go to either the causway of sanibel island or one of their beaches. Bring two rods . Put a large shrimp on a circle hook. Put a bobber/cork about 5 feet above the bait and cast it out and let it sit.

Take 2nd rod , break shrimp in half or thirds, hide the point of the hook with the piece of shrimp, no cork on this application. Instead of casting out, cast paralell with the shore maybe about 5 to 8 feet out. Let the shrimp hit bottom and keep your line tight. I usually give it a couple reels let sit for a 5 count and repeat.

The types of fish you're likely to catch with the outward cast line are spotted trout and spanish mackeral

Paralel cast you are looking for whiting, sheepshead, snapper, redfish, black drum.

Both methods will also catch sharks and catfish. You have to update us with your fish stories.
For chartered trips i'd recomend capt kirk santier his company is called west coast fishing charters
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Old 01-27-2011, 07:38 AM
 
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I spent last February in a condo on a canal off Charlotte Harbor. I was new to saltwater fishing, but I talked to several other fishermen on the canal and they gave me tips to get started. I also went to a local tackle store and they helped me with the tackle I needed. We were useing two methods, and caught mainly trout, a few redfish. You never really know what you might catch.
On one rod I used a DOA shrimp soft plastic, cast it out and worked it back. I also used frozen shrimp, cast it out to the bottom and worked it back. I had better luck with the shrimp. I probably would have done even better with fresh shrimp.
Getting ready to leave tomorrow for the same condo. Can't wait to start fishing.
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