The “Theme Park Capital of the World”, Orlando is well-known for many things. Orlando has many excellent opportunities for angling, aside from Universal and Disney World. You can fish at Lake Kissimmee and Indian River as well as Mosquito Lagoon. But there is a secret that few people know about. You can enjoy all that Orlando has to offer by taking your angling adventures just an hour further.
If they have the right information, any angler can reach the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Gulf Stream. This guide will discuss the best deep-sea fishing guide harrisburg pa. We will also discuss the most common fish species and the best techniques used by local fishermen to catch fish.
Where can you go deep-sea fishing in Orlando?
Florida is known as the “Fishing Capital of the World” because of its fishing industry. You will be met with tempting targets almost everywhere you go. And Orlando is no exception.
The central Florida region is home to millions of tourists each year. This includes fishermen of all ages and all skill levels. There are many lakes, rivers, and lagoons in Orlando, as we have already mentioned. The fishing opportunities are not limited to these areas. For saltwater lovers and big game hunters, there are many offshore wrecks, coral reefs, and rock platforms to explore. Only an hour’s drive from the Gulf Stream is all it takes to reach this destination.
This section will discuss the top spots near Orlando for deep-sea fishing adventures.
Port Canaveral (Cape Canaveral).
Distance from Orlando – 54 miles
View of Port Canaveral in Cape Canaveral Florida.
Cape Canaveral can be described as a city in Brevard County. Port Canaveral, on the other hand, is a seaport located in the northern portion of the city. Port Canaveral is one of the busiest ports in the country. It is easy to access various reefs, ledges, and other attractions.
The best thing about deep-sea fishing is the fact that you can reel in large fish up to 20 miles away from the coast. When we say big, we mean it: Mahi Mahi and Blackfin Tuna, Sailfish, and Wahoo are all available. You can also hunt Snapper, Grouper, Sharks, and Grouper. You have a better chance of finding larger Tuna and Marlin if you travel 60, 100, and even 130 miles. This side of the stream is home to Blue Marlin and White Marlin.
Cocoa Beach
Distance from Orlando: 60 mi
On a clear day, a pier in Cocoa Beach, Florida. People are walking along the beach towards the pier.
Cocoa Beach is only a few miles from Port Canaveral where most charter boats dock. It’s an ideal spot to launch your deep-sea fishing trip in Orlando, as it has easy access to the Atlantic Ocean.
These spots are close together so you will end up sharing the bluewater fishing areas with charter boats from Port Canaveral. Shorter trips are available for Mahi Mahi or Sailfish within 20 miles of the coast. Longer charters are ideal for Marlin excursions 60+ miles off the coast.
Deep sea fishing allows you to catch big game species like Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin, and Tuna. You can catch some of the best fish in season, or a trophy to show off. In Cocoa Beach, you can do both.
Daytona Beach
Distance from Orlando – 56 miles
Aerial view of Daytona Beach, Florida from above
Daytona Beach is another great location for anglers looking to do deep-sea fishing close to Orlando. It is also close to Orlando and offers easy access to the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Gulf Stream.
Cocoa Beach’s deep-sea fishing menu isn’t too different from its neighbor. Begin with Snapper, then move on to Mahi Mahi or Sailfish. Then you can go to the bluewater for Swordfish or Marlin. You can fish anywhere from 10 to 50 miles offshore. You can go further, but it is possible to book a full-day trip.
What can you catch deep sea fishing in Orlando?
You can catch everything from Snapper and Grouper to Marlin and Tuna. Deep sea fishing targets can vary depending on where you are located. It doesn’t matter from where you launch; it is important to consider seasonality, technique, and distance from shore.
This section will discuss our top catches in any order. Let’s begin with Florida’s favorite…
Snapper
Picture of a smiling male angler in a black hoodie holding a large red snapper caught in Port Canaveral.
Snappers, which can be found in both deep and shallow water, are among the most sought-after catches of the year. You can find everything from Yellowtail Snapper to Mangrove Snapper near Orlando.
Snapper fishing can be done all year round in the area. However, you may want to check for the current season. A Federal waters trip is recommended for deep-sea fishing. This is where the big fish are found.
The regulations for snappers vary depending on the species. Lane Snapper, for example, must measure at least eight inches. Remember that the aggregate Snapper bag limit is 10 Snappers.
Mangrove Snapper should measure at least 10 inches long, just like Yellowtails. If you decide to keep your catch, ensure it is not more than 10 Yellowtails and five Mangroves per angler. Mutton Snapper is subject to the same rules, but it must not exceed the aggregate bag limit.
Red Snapper can be kept in Federal waters whenever the season permits.
Grouper
Two male anglers holding fresh Grouper caught and wearing sunglasses while fishing on Cape Canaveral in Florida.
It’s hard to imagine anyone not wanting to explore the depths of the Continental Shelf, with Snowy and Yellowedge Grouper as potential deep-dropping rewards. You can also book a bottom fishing trip with Red Grouper, Scamp, and Gag.
You can usually find groupers fishing for snappers and vice versa. They are also reef species and enjoy playing with anglers, chowing down on the bait, and diving into reefs and rocks when they get hooked.
Regulations and recreational harvesting vary depending on what type of Grouper you are after. First, remember the 4 Grouper aggregate limit. You may be able to fill the quota with four Snowies or Scamps if you are lucky. You can also split it between Red Grouper and Gag in Federal waters, depending on the season.
Tuna
A photo of two smiling anglers fishing in Cape Canaveral. One of them is holding a fresh-caught Tuna.
The good news is that both Yellowfin Tuna and Blackfin Tuna can be found in the Gulf Stream’s backside. If you know where to search. Because they are difficult to find, many anglers mistakenly compare the Blackfin to Wahoo.
Everything is possible with the right technique and a competent captain. If there are Shrimp boats anchored in the rocks, your crew may take you to them. You might also troll or bottom fish for Tuna if there are none. Heading a little further away is the key ingredient.
Blackfin Tuna is allowed up to two fish per person, but there’s no minimum size. The maximum number of fish you can keep on your charter boat is 10. Although you can have up to three Yellowfin Tunas, there is a limit of 27 inches.
Billfish
Two anglers are shown in this picture, one with sunglasses, gloves, and a hat and the other with sunglasses. They both hold a freshly caught Sailfish from Cape Canaveral.
It might seem that Billfish can only be spotted deep-sea fishing in Orlando. You’re in luck! Sailfish can be caught right at the shore. These beautiful fish can be found within 20 miles of Mahi Mahi on a shorter trip.
But it’s not all about Sailfish. Blue and White Marlin can be found in the Gulf Stream’s backside. The Continental Shelf’s depths offer the perfect conditions for a deep-dropping trip for Swordfish.
These Billfish species also have bag limits. Although you can keep one fish per person in this case, many anglers discourage it. When targeting Marlin, Sailfish, and Swordfish, catch-and-release is a popular practice.
Mahi Mahi
Picture of smiling anglers holding fresh caught Mahi Mahi in a fishing boat powered with Yamaha engines, Cape Canaveral Florida
The Mahi Mahi is now a top-rated deep-sea fishing catch near Orlando. It’s one of the most sought-after game fish species on the Space Coast. It is a hardy fighter and delicious meat. Some even say that Mahi Mahi fishing is the ultimate deep-sea fishing experience. You can even mix them with Sailfish, making it an unforgettable angling experience.
Mahi can be caught in offshore waters. However, your captain may take you to areas where there is floating debris, schools of bait, or temperature changes. Anglers keep Mahi Mahi instead of Billfish. There is a maximum bag limit of 10 fish per person.
Shark
Picture showing an adult angler with a freshly caught Shark, and two younger anglers in red T-shirts standing on a fishing vessel in Cape Canaveral.
Ask anyone in Orlando about the best time to catch Sharks, and they’ll tell you that it’s any month. Professional fishermen and their families can use these toothy creatures to trot and bottom fish. However, this depends on the species.
Which Sharks are available? Spinner, Sharpnose and Blacktip, Lemon, and Nurse are just a few of the options. Bonnet, Blacknose, and Thresher are also available. Some species can be caught on half-day charters, while others require a full day.
Sharks, just like Billfish are usually released into the water after you have taken a photo. There is a limit of two bags per boat for some species that are available for harvest.
The article was written by a professional charter captain at Salty Knots Fishing Charters with 15+ years of experience in the Gulf of Mexico. Salty Knots Fishing Charters is a local fishing charter service based out of St. Pete Beach, Florida. “We know what it takes to catch a giant trophy fish!”
