SportFishing and Charters Forum - licenses and permits.

I have most of my life been a fresh water fisherman. That is changing with my move to Florida. I have therefore been reading a lot of material and going to online forums, while my boat is being restored. Eventually I will be able to decipher all the various acronyms used for boats, orgs, and just plain vernacular jargon.

Now then, I am of the age where Florida will no longer issue me a fishing license. Resident or any other kind. ( I feel illegal when fishing because of that.) My defense would be senility if I actually am illegally fishing. But, then as an example, I read about special permits, such as the special florida lobster season which requires, from what I read a permit that needs to be attached to a Salt Water Fishing license. Now then being excluded from step one, it makes all else a little difficult.

I know the easiest solution would be more fishing and less reading. but knowing the vast knowledge base that congregates here, what other solutions are available?

Thank you
Jerry

If you fish for any pelagics (dolphin, wahoo, sharks, sailfish, marlin) you will also be required to carry a Federal HMS permit in Federal waters.

" I am of the age where Florida will no longer issue me a fishing license." ?????

If you fish for any pelagics (dolphin, wahoo, sharks, sailfish, marlin) you will also be required to carry a Federal HMS permit in Federal waters.


Not true. Only for certain tuna, sharks, swordfish and billfish.


Q: Do I need a recreational permit to fish for or land tunas, sharks, swordfish, and/or bilfish?
A: Yes, vessel owners/operators who recreationally fish for or retain regulated Atlantic tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack), sharks, swordfish, and billfish in Atlantic Federal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, must obtain an HMS Angling category permit or a HMS Charter/Headboat permit. However, General category vessels may fish recreationally for HMS so long as they are participating in a registered recreational HMS tournament and fishing under tournament rules. Vessels fishing exclusively in state waters are required to obtain the HMS Angling permit if they wish to keep their regulated tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, and albacore). Vessel owners/operators should check their state regulations regarding the retention of sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish in state waters.

Okay! So I found this online and perhaps my mistake was trying to get my license at walmart.

A fishing license is required to attempt to take fish. If you cast your line, catch nothing, catch and release, or catch and keep and you are not a member of one the groups listed below; you need a license. A saltwater fishing license is also required to attemt to take any native or nonnative marine organisms, such as crabs, lobsters, and marine plants.[/I}

[IYou do not need a recreational hunting, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing license or a *Florida waterfowl, migratory bird, deer, turkey, snook, spiny lobster, archery season, crossbow season, muzzleloading season permit or management area permit if...]

You are a Florida resident age 65 or older possessing proof of age and residency or possessing a Resident Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certificate. Residents age 65 or older may obtain, at no cost, complimentary hunting and fishing certificates from county tax collectors' offices.

I will try to find my county tax assessors office and try again

If you are 65 or older you do not need a fishing license. Enjoy.

I have most of my life been a fresh water fisherman. That is changing with my move to Florida.

where in florida are you moving to?

Miami Beach, Already here. will be using Haulover Inlet mostly.

Yes I know I am over 65, and do not need a fishing license, but what about all the other permits and junk.

It's just my paranoia about bureaucrats. I can't embrace the idea that they are going to let me wander around freely, without some type of official permits for other activities.