But it definitely is. So it must be something more.

What’s missing? There’s fish, boating, the beach, the sun.

Wait a minute. The sun?

Fishing from the Jersey surf was great for me today, great to be outdoors, certainly the sun. But almost every inch of skin was covered, right down to the hands covered with neoprene gloves.

Okay, maybe my nose and cheeks caught a tan while poking out from the hood of the parka.

But that’s it! Sun beating down, tropical climates.

That’s the desire: The Sunshine State.

Time to book a trip to Florida.

The fish in Jersey are about to depart, but down there, fish are about to arrive. They’ve got a place to stay, but I better reserve mine.

Florida’s a huge state with lots of fishing options. Here’s a rundown of some of the winter fishing from north to south.

TAMPA/CLEARWATER/TARPON SPRINGS

Absolute Flats Fishing
Capt. Rich Knox
727-376-8809 or 800-890-9373
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Waters: Rich estuary of rivers and backwaters. Flats in the Gulf of Mexico along the mainland and barrier islands from Clearwater to Hudson near Tampa.

Fish: Speckled sea trout and redfish from the rivers and backwaters to the Gulf of Mexico along the mainland and barrier islands. Fight juvenile tarpon from 10 to 70 pounds and snook up the rivers and canals. Reel up permit and pompano in the Gulf. Bag groupers and bottom fish along the Gulfs’s reefs. Tackle cobia, king mackerel and Spanish mackerel in the open water. Also giant tarpon fishing from Boca Grande in May and June, guaranteed to catch.

Methods: Light-tackle casting with artificials. Live bait fishing and chumming with pilchards. Also fly fishing for anything from tarpon to trout.

Boats: 19-foot Silver King flats boat and 24-foot Privateer.

JUPITER

Showtime Sportfishing Charters
Capt. Tony Matarese
561-743-6942
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Waters: Near-shore ocean off Jupiter near West Palm Beach.

Fish: Score sailfish and mahi mahi. Do battle with cobia, bonito (little tunny), king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and wahoo. Hunt down sharks.

Methods: Running for sailfish and mahi only 3 ½ miles off the coast, either trolling ballyhoos or livelining blue runners or goggleyes. Pitching live bait to cobia along the beaches. Mostly trolling for the other species, but casting too. Sharking with live bonito or slabs of bonito.

Boat: 41-foot Hatteras.

MIAMI/FORT LAUDERDALE/BOCA RATON

Just Add Water
Capt. Ron Mallet
954-423-8700
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Waters: Ocean mostly close to shore from Miami to Boca Raton. But also the harbor and canals.

Fish: Take a shot at sailfish, mahi mahi, king mackerel, bonito (little tunny), Spanish mackerel, wahoo, whatever's best that day. Sometimes cobia and blackfin tuna. Sharks and other species too. Drop down lines at the reefs for a large variety of fish, including snappers, pompano, jacks, triggerfish, sheepshead and porgies. Rather stay in calm waters? No problem. Fish the harbor for fast action with barracudas, jack crevalles or sometimes small tarpon, snook and other exotics. Also an option when the ocean’s rough.

Methods: Targeting sailfish, mahi mahi, king mackerel and such only 1 to 2 miles off the coast in 100 to 200 feet, mostly with live pilchards and ballyhoos. Also mostly live bait fishing for the other species, including in the harbor.

Boat: 25-foot Robalo and 46-foot Post.

ISLAMORADA, FLORIDA KEYS

Captain Easy
Capt. Bruce Anderson
305-451-9578 or 305-360-2120
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Waters: Straits of Florida to the Gulf of Mexico surrounding the Florida Keys.

Fish: Come to the Keys for sailfish, king mackerel, mahi mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo, whatever's running. Reef and wreck fishing for snappers, groupers and other bottom huggers. Cobia, sharks and more.

Methods: Enjoy a quick trip 3 to 5 miles from shore for sailfish, from sight fishing with pitched baits to fishing a spread of live baits. Set up a chum slick for snappers, groupers and other bottom fish at the reefs and wrecks from close to shore to 7 miles off. Mahi mahi fishing is best in summer farther offshore, but sometimes the dolpin are mixed in close to shore in winter. King mackerel and wahoo also show up. In late winter, toss live grunts or other bait to cobia in the shallows, searching for manta rays that the lemonfish follow. Blackfin tuna gather at the humps 12 to 18 miles offshore, best in spring, but sometimes in winter. After a day of other action, add evening shark fishing a hop and skip from the dock.

Boat: 34-foot Crusader Sportfisherman.

Pretty Work Charters
From Over Under Adventures
Capt. John Oughton
Captain: 305-481-6527
Over Under Adventures:
866-OUA-TUNA
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Waters: Straits of Florida to the Gulf of Mexico surrounding the Florida Keys.

Fish: Pick a fight with sailfish in winter. But also king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel, mahi mahi, wahoo, swordfish, blackfin tuna and other blue-water bruisers. Hit the reefs for snappers, groupers and more. Also cobia, permit.

Methods: Brief zip to waters 5 miles from shore or closer for sailfishing, mostly livelining ballyhoos or kite fishing with goggleyes or big pilchards. Drop the anchor at reefs for lots of snappers and groupers up to 4 miles out. Swordfishing day and night, sometimes “like feeding candy to a baby,” John said. Mahi fishing’s best in summer farther offshore, but sometimes mahi are hooked in winter closer to land. Blackfin tuna fishing peaks in spring through summer at the humps 12 to 25 miles offshore, but sometimes the bite turns on in winter. Cobia begin to chase live baits pitched in the shallows to rays and sharks that they follow in March, and permit begin to grab live crabs on the wrecks during the same month.  

Boats: 46-Foot Whitaker. Also offering 50-foot vessel accommodating up to 15 passengers.