I am heading down to Key Largo the first week of February. I will be staying in a house on the water,and there are a couple of sea kayaks at my disposal. I was wondering if any of you Florida guys could tell me if there are any bowfishing opportunities at this time of year( seasons,species). A man can only sit by the pool for so long. Thanks, Glen
Good luck Glen, Have a great time.
Obviously this pasty white northern boy cant help you with what you were looking for lol.
First off you will need a fishing license, you can shoot Rays but the eagle ray and manta ray are protected. You can shoot sheepshead. and other trash fish. I would recommend you google bow fishing Florida you may be able to sort out what is legal. If you bowfish fresh water another license is required.
Forgot to mention you can find some info in the Fl.state freshwater fishing regs.
myfwc.com has all the info you need. you'll be in Monroe County so follow the state and federal regs there. bowfishing will likely be treated as spearfishing by a warden/legal standpoint so follow the regs that apply to spearing. there is fish activity this time of year, though a little more sluggish, you'll just need to get the fish to the surface. snappers, sheepshead, flounders, skates and rays, jacks, near docks/structure or out on the flats are your best bets. dock at night with some lighting and baited with some chum and tossed shrimp may yield results.
I'm pretty sure spearing fish is not legal in the Key Largo area, so bow fishing would likely be illegal too..
QuoteOriginally posted by glenbo:
I am heading down to Key Largo the first week of February. I will be staying in a house on the water,and there are a couple of sea kayaks at my disposal. I was wondering if any of you Florida guys could tell me if there are any bowfishing opportunities at this time of year( seasons,species). A man can only sit by the pool for so long. Thanks, Glen
If you are an angler you can catch fish right there by wading or kayaking with bass fishing tackle.
If I may help with tackle choices and a few lures that work, please feel free to message me.
You can have a lot of fun with very simple tackle you probably already own.