Spearfishing is one the most popular activities among Gulf Coast divers. Expect to be blown away by the colors and how these diverse creatures share the same living space. While hook-and-line fishing in the Florida Keys is popular for its goal of ‘filling the fishbox,’ our attitude is geared towards enjoying a beautiful dive on the reef while having the opportunity to select the dinner menu for the evening.

Did you know it is not legal to go spearfishing in Key Largo, Florida Keys on our reef system? (as stipulated by the Florida Fishing and Wildlife Conservation Commission). Captain T.J. Shea doesn’t believe a word of it. Me and a few of my dive buddies are planning to go to the FL keys to spearfish in early october. If you are caught catching these fish with spears, be prepared for the consequences: Anglers who adhere to the rules and regulations set out by the Florida Fishing and Wildlife Conservation Commission are not likely to ever spear anyone accidentally. Know where it is legal to go spearfishing. All charter boats carry fishing and lobstering licenses that cover all passengers onboard. Florida Living Magazine is your online source for retiring, living and traveling to Florida and the Florida Keys. Under Florida law, spearfishing “means the catching or taking of a fish through the instrumentality of a hand or mechanically propelled single or multi-pronged spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operating by a person swimming at or below the surface of the water.”. Possession of spears and spear guns is prohibited in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park and Florida state parks. Scuba opens up another area beyond the reef while eliminating the near shore coral heads. document.write('<\/a>'); Your local spearfishing club or retail shop can also point you in the right direction. February 20, 2015 //-->\n Freedivers tackle a variety of gamefish near shore as well as offshore while holding their breath for several minutes at a time. These are excellent places for hogfish, especially along the line where the coral meets the sand or grassy areas.

Divers are more likely to find big fish here and on the patch reefs than at the near shore coral heads. Visibility is too low, there are no structures or reefs, the charters aren’t as experienced as those in South Florida. The Patch Reefs are in Hawks channel between the Keys and the reef. The best technique here is to quietly slip under the surface and slowly swim close to the bottom as you circle the coral. Your email address will not be published. hook-and-line fishing in the Florida Keys. From a boat they’ll appear as darker patches, similar to a cloud shadow. Unfortunately they’re becoming common. Those that do not comply will ruin the sport for everybody else; do not be among them. The northern Gulf of Mexico is home to an abundance of game species such as snapper, grouper, amberjack, flounder, triggerfish, wahoo, tuna, and cobia. What are in season in July what species, You can take lionfish with no restrictions at any time. Spearfishing without a proper license is a criminal offense and can get you into a lot of trouble.

They are small groups of coral in shallow water, about ten feet deep. Following are regulations that, if violated, could lead to fines or even jail: Remember to abide by regulations regarding fish-size limits. The places to go spearfishing in the Florida Keys on the Atlantic side can be divided into three basic areas. Consult your license agent for purchasing and exemptions to licensing requirements or visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website. . In fact, you are not allowed to possess any spear equipment near a body of fresh water.

So what are the rules and regulations regarding spearfishing in Florida? Recreational harvesters are required to possess a valid Florida saltwater fishing license. on Wednesday, 28 August 2013. The reef is best for photography, but when spearfishing in the Florida Keys, the murky patch reefs will usually provide you with more to eat.

Visibility is often far from ideal and the coral isn’t that great. A personal license is not required. Underwater sportsmen owe a lot to their forefathers who opened the door to the deep blue. Under Florida law, spearfishing “means the catching or taking of a fish through the instrumentality of a hand or mechanically propelled single or multi-pronged spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operating by a person swimming at or below the surface of the water.”, It “means the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing its body.

This email address is being protected from spambots. We strongly believe it is better to only capture fish on images taken by our cameras. They are the future of the sport and ensure it will be allowed in the future. Spearing fish is strictly illegal within 100yrds of any public place. This includes public beaches, commercial and recreational fishing piers or anywhere where public fishing and swimming is allowed; such as certain areas of bridges. If any part of a jetty lies above sea level, you are banned from spearfishing within 100yrds of it.

The crew at Hawks Cay are happy to educate anyone interested in participating in the underwater hunt, using a variety of equipment and techniques, with the main focus being on safety and protecting our natural habitats. In U.S or any other country where spearfishing is legal, all you need is a license to get started.

© 2020 Hawks Cay Resort. Objects underwater appear 34 percent larger than they actually are. Spearfishing has virtually no damage to the environment or non-target species. Even in areas of Florida where spearfishing is permitted… Certain factors like conservation efforts and other regulations are considered before deciding on its legality.

Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), Sand Key Lighthouse Reef- Snorkeling Key West, REVIEW: Honukini Swimwear- Handmade Bikinis Made in Florida, http://www.myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/, REVIEW: Florida Salt Scrubs – All Natural Coconut Based Sunscreen, Salt Scrubs, and Lip Balm, How to Choose a Wedding Dress for the Beach, How to clean seashells, sea urchins and coral, Bougainvillea- Growing in your Florida yard. But there are legal spots with big eating fish and few divers. The technique for spearfishing is more closely related to game hunting than hook-and-line fishing. This article only refers to spearfishing without tanks. It is a fragile living animal. Contact an attorney if you have a legal issue. In Monroe County, spearfishing is highly regulated as a means of resource protection. That is if you can see the bottom. Florida’s underwater hunting has a long and rich tradition. 524 0 obj <> endobj
| “The Gulf gets a bad rep on diving,” he says. The minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed on a buoy or float towed by the diver is 12 inches by 12 inches. Spearfishing is an alternative to rod-and-reel fishing for recreational anglers. They get bold and will go after a speared fish or your goodie bag. 61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Duck Key, FL 33050 So what are the rules and regulations regarding spearfishing in Florida? It remains popular today as a recreational pastime or sport. Most divers spearfishing in the Keys free dive. You need to swim underwater to get close to a fish without spooking it - if you are going to have any chance of catching it with a spear.

Even if it is legal are there places close to shore where good catches can be taken. Armed with pole spears and homemade copper goggles, these early Florida spearfishermen stalked their prey without the benefit of SCUBA tanks. Check before you anchor and dive in. When it comes to harvesting or selling fish that have been caught by spearing; anglers need to comply with the same rules that other anglers follow regarding bag limits, size limits, closed seasons and all Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations. I’m thinking we may need a guide in order to stay out of trouble. Noah Do not touch, hold on to, stand on, break or otherwise harm coral. There are also a set of regulations you’ll need to follow, including the fish you’re allowed or not allowed to spear. Big grouper live on the reef. Spearfishing around the bridges is not included as between the currents and the boats, it’s too dangerous.
Noah sails competitvely and enjoys travelling, photography, and cooking. The sport gained prominence after World War II as manufactured spear guns became available on the market. The water is too shallow to stay on the surface until you spot a target fish.

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