Saltwater Fishing in Florida??

[reubenray]

During our month+ long trip to Florida we will be wanting to do some shoreline fishing. Due to our past working schedule we gave up all our fishing gear many years ago. So now we will need to get some gear plus saltwater fishing licenses ($47 each). I need some ideas on what minimum equipment we will need to fish at our stops. We will be at the Keys (Bahia Honda & Pennekamp), St. George Island and Ft. Pickens. Are these locations OK for doing some shoreline fishing.

Any suggestions on what gear to get is greatly appreciated? We don't need the expensive stuff, but I do not want the (Zebco) stuff either. Also will we be able to get the licenses at Walmarts?

[yankeeflyer]

Yes you can get your license at Walmart.Fishing in the Keys is great off the bridges with light tackle.if you decide to take one of the many charter boats for 1/2 day or full day you will not need a license.Enjoy!!

[Tom3205]

Fort Pickens has a "free pier", no license needed. Good casting/spinning reel, and a lot of bait.[shrimp] is all you need there.

[JohnJoanW]

Get some new penny color Gulp shrimp and appropriate sized jig heads and gear that you would use for bass fishing. Ten pound braid and 20 pound fluorocarbon leader should handle anything you catch. Remember that many saltwater fish have teeth, so don't lip'em.

[PanJH]

Heading south, towards key West) from Bahia Honda go about 3 miles and you'll see a parking area and old bridge on the right. That's Spanish Harbor Channel ... good bridge fishing from there. Also, if you go onto Big Pine Key and head out to No Name Key, fishing from the bridge there is good and very little traffic to bother you. For bridge fishing, shrimp and cut bait work fine.
Yep, get you licenses at Wally World. You might want to stop at a garage sale or two and pick up some used equipment for a good price.