Florida Fishing Guides
Short, practical guides on fishing the tides, wind, and weather on the Florida coast — the stuff Salty Forecast is built to help with.
- Wednesday, October 7
Hurricane Isaias and Southwest Florida: What Happened and What It Meant
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, on the evening of October 9, 2026, and has since weakened to a post-tropical cyclone in the Tennessee Valley. Southwest Florida was never under a hurricane, tropical storm or storm surge watch or warning. What NHC and NWS Tampa Bay reported for Englewood, Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande, Venice and Fort Myers, with sources.
- Wednesday, October 7
Storm Surge on Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay, Explained
Why storm surge on the Charlotte Harbor coast depends on track, wind direction and our shallow Gulf more than category, with real numbers from Ian, Irma, Helene, Idalia and Milton.
- Wednesday, October 7
Hurricane Prep for Boat Owners on Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay
Haul, lift, slip or trailer: how to secure a boat for a hurricane on Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay, with real line sizes, drain plug rules, timelines and Florida law.
- Wednesday, October 7
Fishing After a Hurricane in Southwest Florida
What a hurricane does to Charlotte Harbor's water, where snook and redfish go, dirty-water tackle that works, and the safety and conservation calls to make before you go.
- Wednesday, October 7
Hurricane Isaias Recap: What Happened from Pensacola to Mobile and What It Meant for the Gulf Coast
Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, at about 8:30 PM CDT on October 9, 2026, with 105 mph winds, per NHC. The timeline, the warnings and when they came down, NHC's surge and rain forecasts next to what gauges and NWS reports recorded, and where to find recovery help.
- Wednesday, October 7
Hurricane Prep Checklist for the Gulf Coast: The Last 48 Hours
A timeline checklist for the Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Panhandle coast, with lessons from Hurricane Isaias: evacuation zones, water, meds, cash and fuel, shutters and garage doors, generator safety, and what to do once the wind arrives and after it leaves.
- Wednesday, October 7
Storm Surge on Mobile Bay, Pensacola Bay and the Mississippi Sound
Why Mobile Bay stacks surge toward its head, how Pensacola's back bays and the Mississippi Sound flood, why the right side of landfall decides it, and what Katrina, Ivan, Sally, Zeta, Nate and Georges actually did, from NHC's own reports.
- Wednesday, August 19
The Mullet Run: When It Starts and How to Fish It
Florida's mullet run turns the beaches into a feeding frenzy every fall. When it starts, which coast gets it worst, and how the first cold fronts drive it.
- Wednesday, August 19
Tarpon Fishing in Boca Grande Pass
How Boca Grande Pass actually fishes: hill tides and the crab flush, real tackle and hook specs, the jig ban, and the FWC rules you have to know.
- Wednesday, August 19
Snook Fishing the Englewood to Boca Grande Coast
Expert snook guide for Lemon Bay, Stump Pass, Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande: seasons, temperature limits, tackle, leader, and FWC rules.
- Wednesday, August 19
Redfish in Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay and Pine Island Sound
Redfish tactics for Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay and Pine Island Sound: tide, structure, tackle, rigging, and the FWC slot and bag rules that apply here.
- Wednesday, August 19
Offshore Bottom Fishing for Red Snapper: Englewood to Fort Myers
Red snapper and reef fish off Englewood, Boca Grande and Fort Myers: how far the run really is, reading sea state, rigs and leader, and descending devices.
- Wednesday, August 19
Fishing Regulations for the Charlotte Harbor Coast
Snook, redfish, tarpon and red snapper rules for Englewood to Boca Grande — season dates, slot limits, permits, and an FWC link on every number.
- Monday, July 6
Best Tides for Snook Fishing in Lemon Bay & Stump Pass
When to fish Lemon Bay and Stump Pass for snook — which tide stage turns the bite on, why moving water matters, and how to time it around Englewood Beach.
- Monday, July 6
Reading the Wind Before You Run to Boca Grande Pass
How wind direction decides whether Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor are fishable, and how to find protected water on a breezy day.
- Monday, July 6
When Is Tarpon Season in Boca Grande?
When tarpon show up in Boca Grande Pass, when the season peaks, and why the famous 'hill tides' of May and June make it the best tarpon fishing on earth.
- Monday, July 6
Winter Trout Fishing in Charlotte Harbor: Water Temp & the Cold-Front Bite
How cold fronts move the trout bite in Charlotte Harbor — where fish go when the water cools, and why midday can beat dawn in winter.
- Monday, July 6
Summer Thunderstorms on the Gulf Coast: Reading Radar Before You Run
Florida's summer storms build fast and hit hard. The daily pattern, why they're dangerous on the water, and how to read radar to stay ahead.