The gorgeous state of Florida is situated on a peninsula located between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. Stretching to the north, it occupies a panhandle bordered by the Gulf of Mexico in the north and the northern Atlantic Ocean in the south. It is considered well supplied with waterways.
The history of the peninsula started with the settlement of Native Americans there as far back as 14,000 years ago. It was here that the first Europeans stepped foot on the continent in addition to the mainland United States. Florida has seen many waves of immigration and colonization, including French and Spanish settlement during the 16th century, and British in 18th century in addition to the arrival of new Native American tribes moving in from elsewhere in the south. Florida has seen multiple wars from colonial era to the Civil war. On March 3, 1845, Florida was admitted to the Union as the 27th U.S. state.
Mix the rich long history with the large amount of water bodies, and amazing weather Florida is great state for magnet fishing.
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Danger of Magnet Fishing in Florida
Florida is gator country, some of these massive alligators can be 15 feet in length and can weigh more than a 1000 pounds. Sometimes they are in deep murky waters, and it is hard to spot one. While it is extremely rare, we don’t want you to lose your leg looking for some scrap metal so be very careful when you are magnet fishing in water bodies in Florida.
Best Places to Magnet Fish in Florida
Florida has more than 50 rivers, 100s of lakes, the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, so you will never run out of bays, canals and other water bodies to magnet fish but check out spots where you have a lot of foot traffic across canals and walkway bridges.
Florida is also home to some of the most expensive homes anywhere in the US. The boat docks and marinas in and around these areas are fantastic spots to magnet fish.However, keep in mind you should always stay in public property.
Here are some great places to magnet fish in Florida:
Intercoastal waterway park in Merritt Island
This 8.5-acre community river park is a scenic gateway to Merritt Island. Featuring native plants and trees, paved pathways and winding boardwalks, the park is beautifully landscaped. The boardwalks have plenty of bikers, joggers, walkers and tourists. More people mean more stuff to find under water.
Best places near Tampa Bay Area
Largo, Florida is the third biggest city in Pinellas County, and it is filled with lots of ponds and lakes. Largo is also home to some of very affluent neighbor hoods in Florida. You can choose some docks or marinas in Largo.
Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail
The Courtney Campbell Trail provides pedestrian and bicycle access along the southern side of the Courtney Campbell Causeway, linking two communities, Tampa and Clearwater in western Florida. Along the trail are great views of water and the prizewinning Cypress Point Park, Skyway Park, and Ben T. Davis Beach. Numerous people take advantage of the water, boat sailing, views, and fishing opportunities along this 9.5-mile Tampa causeway every day. More than 50,000 automobiles cross it daily, and the recently opened Bayway Trail is a great recreational destination for walkers, bicyclists, runners, birdwatchers, and all others who wish to enjoy waterfront wildlife.
What this means to you as a magnet fisher is, you are bound to find so many treasures along this causeway. This is a great spot for folks in and around Tampa and Clearwater.
Hillsborough Bay
Hillsborough Bay is in Hillsborough County, Florida. Along with McKay Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, Old Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay, they comprise Tampa Bay in Florida. The Bay is also the entry point of freshwater into the other areas of Tampa Bay through the Hillsborough River. This river is the largest source of freshwater flow in the Bay, and it also houses a state park.
Hillsborough Bay is a prime fishing destination. The waters there are brimming with fish such as blue marlin, red snapper, flounder, tripletail, blackfin tuna, and many more, attracting many avid fishers.
Another significance was the Civil War battle called Battle of Fort Brooke took place in and around Hillsborough Bay so you may also have a significant Civil war items in the bay.
Best Places to Magnet Fish near St Augustine & Jacksonville
St Augustine is one of the oldest cities in United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers St Augustine was ceded to United States in 1819. This area around St Augustine & Jacksonville has several national monuments and rich history.
Some locations to magnet fish in St Augustine are around the
- Banks of the Matanzas River
- Bridge of Lions
- St Augustine Municipal Marina
Best Places to Magnet Fish near Miami
In Miami, the Miami River drains the Everglades and flows into the city of Miami, including Downtown. Its 5.5 miles (8.9 km) length flows from the terminus of the Miami Canal at the airport to Biscayne Bay and hence has many canals within the city. Because of the way the river cuts right through the city, it has so many foot bridges and vehicle bridges. Here are a few places in Miami where you can magnet fish.
Miami River Walk
The Miami Riverwalk is a pedestrian walkway in Downtown Miami, Florida. The riverwalk is a favorite for both Miami locals and tourists. It is commonly used for jogging, bicycling, and walking and hence sees a lot of foot traffic.
Collins Canal, Miami Beach, South Beach
Collins Canal is a beautiful waterway that is used mainly for recreational purposes.
Bridges across Miami Beach
- Broad Causeway Bridge near Indian Creek Lake
- John F Kennedy Causeway
- Julia Tuttle Causeway
- Bridges near Venetian Way
You will see many fishers along these bridges. If you choose one of these spots, please make sure you are in a safe location since these bridges will have vehicular traffic.
Miami Beach Marina
The Miami Beach Marina has 400 boat slips and provides easy beach access. It is situated just a short distance from the Art Deco District and South Beach. You will see some of the most expensive boats in this marina. People docking boats means people dropping stuff in the water.
There are literally 100s of locations in and around Miami where you can magnet fish. Miami is so unique in its geography you could even magnet fish right in the middle of downtown.
More Public Marina in Palm Beach, Naples, Hobe Sound, Key Largo and Miami Beach.
Areas like Palm Beach, Miami Beach, Naples, Hobe Sound, Key Largo have some of the poshest homes and richest Americans living. We are talking about homes worth several million dollars. The public marinas like the Town Marina in Palm Beach or Naples City Dock would be great spots for magnet fishing.
Ocala Florida
Ocala is a major city in central Florida. East of downtown, Fort King National Historic Park was an important Second Seminole War battle site. The 110-mile (180 km) long Ocklawaha River runs right through the city. This provides multiple locations in Ocala where you can try your luck by throwing you magnet.
Apalachicola River
The Apalachicola River is the largest river in Florida where its watershed drains a large area into the Gulf of Mexico and runs through Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Bristol.
There are numerous ancient sites located on the Apalachicola River's banks related to former and current banks. Scattered throughout estuaries and river swamps are clam and oyster shell middens, artifacts left by the early tribes of the area. Creek Indian settlements from Georgia and Alabama were established on the river in the early 1700s.
The river provides multiple spots along the way for magnet fishing. With such a rich history you never know what you may end up catching. Here are some locations along the Apalachicola River:
Trammell Bridge, Calhoun County, Florida
Don't forget to visit the old Trammell Bridge, build in 1938 located near Blountstown and near Bristol, in Calhoun County Florida. The bridge is 1.6 miles long and carries State Road 20 over the Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle. This is another spot where you can try throwing your magnet in and see what you catch.
Old Victory Bridge
Another historic bridge on the river. You will find the Old and New Victory Bridge spanning the Apalachicola River via US 90. The original Victory Bridge, completed in 1922 was replaced in 1996 by a high-level bridge slightly upstream that carries the same name.
This is another great spot for magnet fishing.
Conclusion
Florida is a magnet fishers dream come true. There are so many spots to fish in and around each major city here. Pick one of the spots mentioned above or do your own research and find a spot and have fun hunting for treasure my friends. Watch out for those big alligators though.
