Cocoa Beach, Florida, is home to white sandy beaches, the Kennedy Space Center, lots of great surfing and for the avid angler, deep-sea fishing right on the Atlantic Ocean. Going out on the vast Atlantic Ocean offers lots to do on your day at sea. Cruise ships come and go, manatees and dolphins play in the wake of the boat and rockets burst into the atmosphere from a few miles away.
Gear and Licenses
Make sure the guide you choose is able to provide the necessary equipment and licenses for your trip. A guide is better prepared to know what special stamps or license you need for the types of fish you will be going after, and also what types of fishing equipment, bait and lures work best for those types of fish. Most guides will allow anglers to bring their own equipment and bait, but unless you have a lot of experience with deep-sea fishing and own the heavy-duty equipment you are better off with theirs.
The Boats
Off-shore boats needed for deep-sea fishing are big and expensive. You need a boat capable of getting across the Gulf stream safely because that is where the tuna, mahi mahi and wahoo are found most often.
There are a variety of charter boats to choose from like a 28-foot long Bluewater center console, to the 33-foot tournament-rigged Topaz cruiser with a full bathroom, shower, kitchen, air conditioner and fridge. Charter boats have heads, or toilet facilities, and most have galleys, or kitchen areas, for your convenience and comfort. For example, Cocoa Beach's Sportfishing and group charter boats like "Miss Cape Canaveral" are as big as 100 feet, and have these conveniences aboard.
Seasons
Even in the open ocean, there are seasons for different species of fish. Guide and fishing tours only go out for specific fish when they are most prolific bettering their chances of catching as much as possible. If you have a particular fish you want to target, make sure to go during those seasons. For amberjack and crevelle Jack plan on fishing in the springtime. For red snapper, dolphin fish and grouper the best time to go is summer. Some fish are easy to find and catch year round. King mackerel, wahoo, marlin--both white and blue--sailfish, yellowfin tuna and barracuda are year-round species.
Extras
Many Cocoa Beach fishing charters also rent or charter boats for individuals and groups to experience the space launches from the water. Whale and dolphin watching, and water-sport tours are also available upon request.
Cleaning the Catch
Some charters like "Fired Up," "Cocoa Beach Sportfishing" and others will clean your catch for you. If you are interested in keeping your catch, make sure the charter has the ability to preserve your fish for the duration of the trip. If you prefer conservation, look for a charter that practices catch and release.
What to Bring
Wear layers of clothes to add or remove as needed. A hat and sunglasses are necessities on the water, and carry sun block. Check in advance to see if the charter you choose provides food and drinks. If not, consider bringing your own. Long hours in the sun and wind will make you thirsty and hungry. Your charter company should provide life jackets and all equipment needed for your safety.
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