Online Florida Saltwater Fishing Licenses
Florida is widely regarded as a saltwater fishing haven by anglers across the world. From the hundreds of miles of Atlantic coastline, through the coral reefs and backwater shallows of the Florida Keys, and up the thousand-plus miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, Florida offers the widest range of saltwater fishing adventures in the United States.
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Types of Licenses
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There are two main categories of Florida saltwater fishing licenses, those for Florida residents and those for nonresidents. For residents, there is a one-year shoreline-only license, a one-year comprehensive license that covers both shoreline and watercraft fishing and a five-year comprehensive license. Residents are also eligible to purchase a variety of combination licenses that offer comprehensive saltwater fishing privileges, along with freshwater and hunting rights. Nonresidents have three choices--a three-day, seven-day or one-year license that covers shoreline and watercraft fishing.
How to Buy
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Florida saltwater fishing licenses are available at all county tax collector offices as well as many third-party license agents such as fishing tackle shops. If you cannot locate a nearby tax collector office or license agent, you may also obtain a license over the phone by calling 888-347-4356. You can also purchase licenses online at MyFWC.com.
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License Costs
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The most basic Florida resident licenses cost $9 for the shoreline license, $17 for the one-year comprehensive license and $79 for the five-year license. The combination licenses start at $32.50 for a freshwater/saltwater license and range up to $100 for a one-year gold sportsman license. The nonresident licenses cost $17, $30 and $47 for the three-day, seven-day and one-year licenses, respectively.
Additional Permits
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There are certain species of saltwater fish that require permits in addition to a Florida Saltwater License because they are sensitive to overfishing. The extra money raised from these permits is used to fund conservation efforts around the state, which help ensure healthy fish stocks thrive into the future. These protected species are snook, tarpon and spiny-lobster. For snook and lobster, the permits cost $2 and $10 for one-year and five-year permits, respectively. A tarpon permit costs $51.50 and is available only at tax collector offices.
License Exemptions
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You do not need a Florida saltwater fishing license if you meet any of the following criteria:
1. A Florida resident fishing from land who is eligible for the food stamp, Medicaid, or any assistance services provided by the Department of Children and Family Services. Appropriate identification and proof of assistance status is required for this exemption.
2. A child under 16 years of age.
3. A Florida resident fishing exclusively for recreation, inside your county of residence with natural or live bait, using fishing poles that are not equipped with a fishing line retrieval devices.
4. If you fish from a chartered or party boat that has a valid vessel license or charter captain license.
5. A Florida resident 65 years old or older.
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References
- Photo Credit team fishing ii image by Mitchell Knapton from Fotolia.com
