Florida's Historic Coast Travel Planner 2017 | Page 26

ADVENTURES AWAIT ANGLERS

Reel Adventures

ADVENTURES AWAIT ANGLERS

A famous Florida angler named Ernest Hemingway once wrote : “ anyone can be a fisherman in May .” But on Florida ’ s Historic Coast , every month brings great fishing to be enjoyed by anyone with the desire to dip a line in the water .
Surf Fishing
Anglers who want to mix fishing with an inspiring dose of sunrise solitude or evening enchantment can do so anywhere along 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beach on Florida ’ s Historic Coast . The gentle swish of the surf accompanies fishermen casting beyond the breakers where , depending on the season , whiting , redfish , pompano , bluefish and maybe even a tarpon are searching for food , including the bait on the end of your line !
Pier and Bridge Fishing
No boat ? No problem . Florida ’ s Historic Coast has fishing piers located on waterways ranging from secluded creeks to the deep blue sea . Extending 687 feet into the Atlantic , the St . Johns County Ocean Pier is the area ’ s longest and is ideal for out-of-state fishermen because a Florida fishing license is not required – it ’ s included for the day with the $ 3 angler admission . Other popular piers are at Lighthouse Park , Vilano Beach , and along the St . Johns River at the Shands Bridge and Alpine Groves Park . Get close to the big ones at several bridges – try A1A ’ s Matanzas Inlet Bridge 12 miles south of St . Augustine and the May Street Bridge on the way to Vilano .
Go With the Pros
Get offshore or on the flats with professional guides like Sea Love or Drum Man Charters . They know all the hot spots and can get you there and back .
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Think you ’ re a pro and you brought your boat to prove it ? Check out page 72 for a list of all the ramps where you can launch your Historic Coast fishing adventure .