How We Fish Florida

🎣🚨 **SAVE THIS POST — SNOOK SEASON IS OPEN!** 🚨🎣

Florida anglers, **September 1 = SNOOK SEASON!** 🐟🔥

Here’s what you need to know:

🌴 **WEST COAST**
Panhandle • Big Bend • Tampa Bay • Sarasota Bay
📅 Sept. 1 – Nov. 30
🎣 **1 fish per person/day**
📏 **28–33 inches**

🌊 **EAST COAST**
Southeast • Indian River Lagoon • Northeast
📅 Sept. 1 – Dec. 14
🎣 **1 fish per person/day**
📏 **28–32 inches**

⚠️ **IMPORTANT:** Snook regulations vary by management region, and boundaries matter!

📌 **SAVE THIS POST** before you hit the water!

At **How We Fish Florida**, we believe the best anglers know the rules, respect the resource and help protect Florida's fisheries. ❤️🐟

**Fish smart. Fish responsibly. Keep Florida Fishing!** 🎣🇺🇸

Snook Season is Open in Florida Snook Season is Here: What Anglers Need to Know

See why we believe the Yamaha CrossWave is #1 and why it belongs on every angler’s radar!

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I CAST 2026, We will bring you the Best of the Show! Starting Tomorrow!!

The Heat Wave of 2026

Florida's Gulf Is Heating Up: Record Ocean Temperatures Record Ocean Temperatures Are Triggering a Coral Crisis That Could Devastate the Fishing Capital of the World

Our Hero Does It Again!!

DeSantis Announces 2026 Red Snapper Season Gains A New Era for Florida’s Red Snapper Seasons

Get started fishing this license-free freshwater fishing weekend!

Mark your calendars for an opportunity to go freshwater fishing during the upcoming Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) license-free freshwater fishing weekend!

This spring's license-free fishing weekend is on April 4 and 5 and invites residents and visitors to explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer. Whether you like to fish from the shore or your boat, there is a place to go fishing for everyone.

If you have not been fishing before or need a refresher, get started fishing with these tips for a great time on the water.

Free Fishing Free Fishing

Extremely Rare Harbor Seal Spotted on Central Florida Sandbar

Visitors and anglers along Florida’s east coast recently witnessed something you almost never see in our waters — a harbor seal resting on a sandbar in the waters of Mosquito Lagoon near Ponce Inlet on Florida’s east coast.

For a region known for dolphins, manatees, redfish, and giant tarpon, the appearance of a seal quickly caught the attention of locals and marine scientists alike.

The animal, identified as a harbor seal, was seen relaxing on a sandbar before eventually slipping back into the lagoon. Harbor seals are normally found much farther north along the Atlantic coast, making this sighting in Central Florida extremely rare.

A Long Way From Home

Harbor seals typically inhabit colder waters ranging from the northeastern United States up through Canada. Seeing one this far south in Florida is highly unusual and has only happened a handful of times over the past several decades.

Researchers believe the seal may have traveled south following food sources or ocean currents. Occasionally younger seals wander far outside their normal range, especially during seasonal changes.

The sighting occurred within the larger Indian River Lagoon system, one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America and a place where anglers regularly encounter a wide variety of wildlife.

What To Do If You See It

Wildlife officials remind the public that seals are protected marine mammals. Anyone who spots the animal should give it plenty of space and avoid disturbing it.

If you encounter the seal:

Stay at least 100 yards away

Do not approach or touch the animal

Keep pets away

Report sightings to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Photographs taken from a safe distance can also help researchers track the animal’s movement and confirm its identity.

A Reminder of Florida’s Wild Waters

For anglers and outdoor enthusiasts who spend time exploring Florida’s lagoons and coastal waters, this sighting is a reminder that nature still has surprises waiting.

Most days you might see dolphins chasing bait or manatees cruising through the shallows. But every once in a while, the ocean sends us something completely unexpected — like a northern harbor seal taking a break on a Florida sandbar.

At How We Fish Florida, moments like this remind us why spending time on the water is so special. You never know what you might see next.

How We Fish Florida Blog
By Jim Reyes

A Historic Moment for Florida’s Forgotten Coast

After a five-year freeze, Apalachicola Bay has officially reopened for oyster harvesting — marking a powerful comeback for one of Florida’s most iconic waterways and the communities that depend on it.

At How We Fish Florida, we see this reopening as more than just a return to harvesting — it’s a reminder of what’s possible when science, conservation, and responsible management work together. The bay’s recovery brings renewed hope for local watermen, small businesses, and families whose livelihoods are deeply tied to these waters.

This moment also highlights the importance of protecting our marine ecosystems, educating future generations, and ensuring sustainable fishing practices so Apalachicola Bay can thrive for decades to come.

We’re proud to support stories like this — where conservation meets culture, and Florida’s waters get a second chance.

About 700 manatees huddle for warmth at Florida park on New Year's Day.

Happy Holidays!