Spearing Spots near Central Florida??

[Douglas Eaton]

Hi guys,

I need help planning where to spear-vacation in FL.
I'm vacationing to FL for two weeks in September. The first week is in Kissimmi (family stuff and Parks). The second week is TBD (somwhere with good spearfishing). Probably no more than 2 hours farther south, so as not to add too much time to the return drive. So the keys are out.
I'll be spearfishing from the shore.
Which is better, the Gulf side or Ocean side?
Anything good near Cocoa Beach, Jupiter, or other places? I'm happy with small to medium sized tasty fish.. Doesn't need to be a tuna.
Looks like I need a fishing license and a dive flag.
Would you recommend a 3mm wetsuit or just a rash guard?

I live in WV, so this is my yearly chance to taste salt water action.

Thanks!

 

[Douglas Eaton]

Clearwater is only 2 hrs West. Has anyone tried off the shore there?

 

[Frenzyfinder]

Also interested if anyone has experience shore fishing off Clearwater. I will be moving to St. Pete in the fall and will let you know if I hit a spot before Summer's end.


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[Douglas Eaton]

Also interested if anyone has experience shore fishing off Clearwater. I will be moving to St. Pete in the fall and will let you know if I hit a spot before Summer's end.

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That would be much appreciated

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

Douglas:

Im not super familiar with the areas, but since nobody responded to your question: there is very little shore diving in the Gulf. A better bet would be the East Coast, Vero Beach has some divable conditions, but it is unusual.. Furhter south in Palm Beach you will generally find clear water and some reefs within swimming distance and our customers tell us Ft. Lauderdale area has some good reefs within swimming distance too. Take a good dive flag and watch for boats!

Dive safe
Dano

 

[Douglas Eaton]

Douglas:

Im not super familiar with the areas, but since nobody responded to your question: there is very little shore diving in the Gulf. A better bet would be the East Coast, Vero Beach has some divable conditions, but it is unusual.. Furhter south in Palm Beach you will generally find clear water and some reefs within swimming distance and our customers tell us Ft. Lauderdale area has some good reefs within swimming distance too. Take a good dive flag and watch for boats!

Dive safe
Dano

Thanks, Dano. And thank you for the great Mako speargun.

You and your team get an A+ for communication, customer service, and value. The gun is built very sturdy, side by side next to my Rob Allen Tuna gun, the two are very comparable, but your pricepoint is much better. I'm counting the days until freshwater spear season opens here in WV.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

Wow Thanks for the positive feedback! Good luck with the gun!

 

[Morgan Storm]

I live just north of Jupiter, FL, and the water around here is pretty clear majority of the year. They're currently dumping Lake Okeechobee at the moment, so the water is pretty toxic, and the fish are inedible when they do this(The fresh water creates blue-green algae blooms).
If not, I'd say off of bath tub beach is an okay area. you can spear some sheepshead there and occasionally some snapper if they're not too spooky. It's also not that far of a swim off of the beach.

 

[Douglas Eaton]

I live just north of Jupiter, FL, and the water around here is pretty clear majority of the year. They're currently dumping Lake Okeechobee at the moment, so the water is pretty toxic, and the fish are inedible when they do this(The fresh water creates blue-green algae blooms).
If not, I'd say off of bath tub beach is an okay area. you can spear some sheepshead there and occasionally some snapper if they're not too spooky. It's also not that far of a swim off of the beach.

Thanks for the tips, Morgan. I just booked the third week in September at the Driftwood Hotel on Vero Beach. That's north of the lake, so hopefully the fish up there will be edible. I'll keep Jupiter (Jupiter Beach?) in mind for next year. It's always nice to have options. Best of luck to you.

Doug