Let’s Go Fishing! - See Dealer Cost

Fishing is one of the best activities any outdoor enthusiast can pursue - hands down. Alone or with family, it promises an experience that is more than likely to be memorable, if not excellent. You don’t have to be a Bass Master to get with it, but there is so much expertise and information out there that it helpful to hone it into one easy point of reference.

Offshore fishing is a year-round activity in Florida and the southern Gulf states, where you can find redfish, sheepshead, mullet, sea bass, flounder grouper, larger fish like tuna and tarpon, and in deeper waters, marlin or sailfish. 

For non-professional anglers (that is ‘fishermen’ to the rest of us), there are professional guides and other resources to get us started on our own and hold reasonable expectations for a good catch. If a trip to the Southeast or Gulf of Mexico isn’t possible, there are numerous seasons to guide your calendar by. Whatever you do, make sure you get out there and try it out. You won’t be sorry.

Here is a cheat sheet for species and seasons in regions across the US:

Michigan
    • Northern Pike: April
    • Walleye: April 
    • Salmon and Trout: April 
    • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: May or June 

Alabama
    • Crappie: February 
    • Largemouth Bass: February 
    • Bluefish: March
    • Flounder: April 
    • Bluegill: May

Texas
    • Largemouth Bass: March
    • Crappie: March 
    • Channel Catfish: April 
    • Flounder: March 
    • Speckled Trout: February 

Florida
    • Largemouth Bass: February
    • Barracuda: March 
    • Bluegill: March 
    • Mackerel: October 
    • Grouper: November 

California
    • Sturgeon: January 
    • Halibut: April 
    • Trout: April 
    • Tuna: May 
    • Chinook Salmon: May 

New York
    • Trout: April 
    • Striped Bass: April 
    • Muskellunge: May 
    • Northern Pike: May 
    • Hickory Shad August 

Louisiana
    • Tuna: January 
    • Trout: April 
    • Amberjack: May 
    • Red Snapper: July 
    • Speckled Trout: October 

Cobia is abundant in warm water and is typically found between the Gulf of Mexico and North Carolina. Around wintertime it migrates to Florida waters, where the catch makes for a delightful day on the water.

According to Take Me Fishing, the best times to fish “are always early in the morning from 6:am am to 9:00am, late morning to afternoon from 9:00am to 1:00pm or afternoon to dusk from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Fish are much harder to find in hot days or too cold days”.

“Because warm water sinks in very cold freshwater, fish in these water bodies often gather in groups near the bottom. Some species, like koi and gobies, may burrow into soft sediments and go dormant like frogs and other amphibians, but most fish simply school in the deepest pools and take a winter rest.”

You’ll need to get a fishing license in most places. Be sure to consult with each state on the appropriate licensing requirements. Take Me Fishing provides a handy resource for getting a fishing license in each state.

Here are a few online calendars to consult statewide regions, and Florida, saltwater and freshwater game seasons:

Florida Seasons
Florida Freshwater Seasons
Farmer’s Almanac Calendar
Fishbrain Map