Recommended base tackle
- Inshore rod/reel: 7'-7'6" Medium/Medium-Heavy spinning, 3000-4000 reel, 10-20 lb braid + 20-30 lb mono/fluoro leader.
- Terminal: 1/0-3/0 circles/J-hooks, split-shot & egg sinkers (1/4-1 oz), 20-30 lb leader, popping corks.
- Tools: Long-nose pliers, braid cutters, dehooker, measuring board.
Species cheat sheet: tackle & live bait
| Species | Tackle/Presentation | Best Live Bait (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Mangrove Snapper | Light leader, size 1-2 circle; tight to structure, chumming helps | Live shrimp, pilchards, small pinfish |
| Sheepshead | Small #2-1 hooks; slow, close to pilings/rocks | Fiddler crabs, shrimp, barnacles |
| Redfish | 2/0 circle, 20-30 lb leader; under a cork on flats or pitched to mangroves | Live shrimp, pinfish, mullet, mud minnows |
| Black Drum | Heavier leader; near bridges/rocky bottom | Blue crab chunks, shrimp |
| Grouper (inshore/nearshore) | MH rod, 30-40 lb leader, 3/0-5/0 circle; get fish away from structure fast | Pinfish, grunts, sardines |
| Snook | 30-40 lb leader around docks/jetties; fish moving water | Pilchards, pinfish, mullet; large shrimp |
| Tarpon | Heavy tackle (5000-8000 reel), 40-60 lb leader; set up on tides/migratory lanes | Crabs, mullet, threadfin, large pinfish |
| Shark (small coastal) | Wire or heavy mono; check local rules and areas | Fresh cut bait (mullet, ladyfish) |
Handle fish with wet hands, minimize air exposure, and release quickly when not keeping. Respect closed seasons and protected zones.
Where/when basics
- Moving water: Inlets, passes, creek mouths feed windows often align with tide changes.
- Low light: Dawn/dusk are prime for snook/redfish; night lights bridge the gap.
- Structure: Docks, mangroves, rock piles position your bait up-current to flow naturally into cover.
For regulations and protected species info, see Florida Saltwater Regulations and Florida Saltwater License.