About Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral is a fantastic fishing spot known as the World’s Redfish capital. Cape Canaveral lies east of Merritt Island and is separated from it by the Banana River. The city of Cape Canaveral lies south of the Port Canaveral District and is about an hour from Disney. Other features of this area include the Indian River Lagoon, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Canaveral National Seashore.
The region near Port Canaveral and its neighbors, Cocoa Beach, Sebastian Inlet, and Titusville, provides exceptional year-round fishing opportunities for experienced and beginner anglers. The coastal waters of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and all areas from Melbourne to Daytona are a short trip away and are filled with fish such as Tarpon, Kings, Bull Reds, sharks, and more.
This Central Florida destination is full of various fishing charters that will appeal to any angler. Visitors can explore the Banana River or Indian River Lagoon’s shallow mangrove flats on inshore fishing charters or travel to the deeper parts of the Atlantic for large fish on a deep-sea fishing charter. Port Canaveral is also only an hour from some of the best trophy largemouth fishing in the state.
Cape Canaveral Saltwater Fishing
Inshore Fishing
The rich waterways throughout Florida’s Space Coast are home to some of the world’s finest inshore fishing for popular sport fish, including redfish, snook, speckled sea trout, and tarpon. Other popular species caught on an inshore fishing charter include Flounder, Sheepshead, and mangrove snapper. Inshore fishing charters are perfect for fly fishing, light tackle, and live bait techniques.
The world’s redfish capital consists of the Banana River Lagoon, Mosquito Lagoon, and the Indian River Lagoon.
Inshore fishing in Cape Canaveral is all about staying within 9 miles of the shoreline. Enjoy a half, super-half, or full-day trip in the coastal waters of Central Florida with land always in sight.
These inshore estuaries make for the perfect inshore fishery for anglers of all levels of experience and ages. Fishing is excellent in these waters throughout the year.
The calm waters of the Space Coast are home to fantastic fish living throughout the beautiful mangroves. They are abundant in aquatic life, such as herons, stingrays, dolphins, and manatees, thriving in their natural habitat.
Deep-sea Fishing
Anglers of all skill levels can experience bottom fishing or deep water fishing on a Central Florida deep sea fishing charter. Cape Canaveral offshore fishing is done on larger fishing boats over 9 miles from the shoreline. In these areas, the water is hundreds to thousands of feet deep. Deep-sea fishing charters often take place between 20 and 30 miles out in the open ocean.
Cape Canaveral deep-sea fishing charters involve catching some of Florida’s most prominent game fish species, such as Wahoo, Marlin, Grouper, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Red Snapper, Cobia, Kingfish, sharks, and Amberjack. Deep-sea fishing charters can involve either bottom fishing or trolling, depending on the time of year, the targeted species, and the duration of the trip.
Visitors can experience the hard pull of fish species like grouper, snapper, amberjack, and sharks. They can also enjoy the speedy kingfish, barracuda, or wahoo of the Central Florida Coast or feel the acrobatic jumps of Sailfish, giant tarpon, and mahi-mahi. You also have the opportunity to experience a deep-sea fishing charter in the Gulf Stream, hunting for Tuna, Blue Marlin, and White Marlin, or explore the continental shelf for swordfish, tilefish, and large grouper.
When it comes to offshore fishing, consider time restraints. Deep-sea fishing charters average about 8-12 hours, with the option of reef fishing for shorter trips. A deep-sea fishing charter with an experienced local captain is an exhilarating adventure.
Freshwater Fishing
A freshwater fishing charter in Central Florida is the perfect family-friendly adventure, suitable for everyone. Cape Canaveral is an hour from Orlando, which has some of the country’s best bass fishing. Cape Canaveral fishing trips can lead you on an outdoor adventure for trophy largemouth bass. Close to Port Canaveral, you have four leading freshwater lakes and rivers that produce fantastic fishing trips all year long.
The St. Johns River is an excellent fishery to catching largemouth bass or exploring. Take an adventure out of Astor, Florida, where you will meet your Captain at Castaways on the River, where you can stay the night and truly get to enjoy what North Florida has to offer. Along this great river, you can also fish Lake Monroe. This lake is known for catching trophy largemouth bass.
Just a short drive away in Kissimmee, Florida, anglers can experience Lake Toho. A legendary lake in Central Florida near Orlando is known for its incredible trophy bass fishing.
Another legendary largemouth bass fishery near Cape Canaveral is The Stick Marsh. Many people come to Florida every year to experience this incredible, breathtaking lake on a fishing trip of a lifetime.
Cape Canaveral Fishing Seasons
Winter Fishing Charters
December is the kingfish run. Pompano and black drum are near the coastal beaches of Port Canaveral.
January is a productive month for fishing charters targeting Kings, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, and Blackfin Tuna in the deep sea. Black drum and Sheepshead are abundant on Port Canaveral inshore fishing charters.
February calls for bites from King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, and some Cobia on deep-sea fishing charters. Inshore charters target redfish, trout, and Black drum.
Spring Fishing Charters
March is good for bluefish and Mahi Mahi along the offshore beaches. March is an excellent time for inshore fishing charters, offering an abundance of snook, trout, redfish, Sheepshead, and drum.
April is a good time for snook fishing in the mangrove islands or near docks, and for sea trout fishing in the evening. This is a good time for kingfish, closer to shore or further out, mahi-mahi, and amberjack on deep-sea fishing charters.
May is full of nearshore action with tarpon, Spanish mackerel, bonito, jack crevalle, and kingfish off the beaches—deep-sea fishing charters and targeting blackfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi.
Summer Fishing Charters
June is an ideal time for deep-sea fishing, and it is known as Sportfishing Tournament Month in Cape Canaveral.
July is an excellent time for tarpon and kingfish fishing along the beaches. Mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, and more are biting for inshore trips. Sailfish, kingfish, and wahoo are best during July deep-sea fishing charters.
August is ideal for early morning fishing for Redfish, Trout, Snook, and Tarpon that thrive inshore. Kingfish, Wahoo, Mahi, and Cobia are common on August deep-sea fishing charters.
Fall Fishing Charters
September is the time for bull reds in the North Indian River and large trout and black drum. Cobia are biting near the Port Canaveral beaches. Kingfish and amberjack are most abundant offshore.
October is excellent for wahoo, Sailfish, Mahi, and kingfish offshore. The bull reds are providing spawning action for inshore fishing charters.
November is best for bull reds on light tackle.
Local Cape Canaveral Fishing Guides
Meet the team of Cape Canaveral Fishing Guides. We know the best spots, baits, and techniques to give you the most fantastic fishing experience in the Cape Canaveral area.
Area things to do
The area around Cape Canaveral is renowned for its cutting-edge technology, space travel, and some of the country’s oldest history. Some popular attractions include the lighthouse, Manatee Sanctuary Park, tropical ice cream, and the Banana River Aquatic Preserve. Space-related attractions include Kennedy Space Center, the Air Force Space and Missile History Center, and the Exploration Tower.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is approximately 15 minutes from Port Canaveral and features scenic beaches and numerous activities to enjoy. The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach is a historic 1960s pier featuring a variety of shops and restaurants. Cocoa Beach perfectly captures the vibe of a Florida beach town. Other popular attractions in Cocoa Beach include the Florida Surf Museum, Historic Cocoa Beach Village, and Lori Wilson Park.
Fishing Piers and Parks
The Banana River Park, Rodney S Ketcham Park, Jetty Park, Cherie Down Park, Freddie Patrick Park, and Cape Canaveral Fishing Pier are all top locations for fishermen and their families. These spots offer unique wildlife and sightseeing opportunities along with trails, surfing, and other amenities.
We also have great deals available in the following cities that match your search criteria.
