Winter Haven Fishing Charters & Guides

Winter Haven Fishing Charters

The city of Winter Haven should really be called “Lake Haven”. It’s known for the nearby Chain of Lakes, and it seems like there’s a lake around every corner. When driving here, sometimes it takes a little longer to get somewhere simply because you have to drive around the lakes. Located in Central Florida, Winter Haven also likes to get into the theme park action. It hosts Legoland, a fantastic place to visit for families with kids. If you’re up for seeing Mickey Mouse, it’s just about a half-hour drive to Walt Disney World. The hotels in Winter Haven are typically better price than those in Orlando, so it makes a great homebase for your Florida vacation. Another great reason to make Winter Haven your homebase: it’s halfway in between Tampa and Orlando. So, like we mentioned, head east to see Mickey… or you can drive about an hour in the opposite direction towards the west coast of Florida and check out the Gulf of Mexico. When staying in Winter Haven, you can fish the local freshwater lakes one day, and then head to the Gulf the next day for a completely different kind of fishing experience. It really does offer the best of both worlds!

Winter Haven Freshwater Fishing

Even though Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes is famous for water skiing and boating, anglers do make their claim in the early hours when the boaters haven’t quite reached the waters. The Chain of Lakes is actually two chains: a northern section and a southern section. The northern section is so large it covers three different cities (Winter Haven, Lake Hamilton, and Lake Alfred) and consists of ten lakes. The southern chain resides entirely within Winter Haven city limits and has 16 lakes, including Lake Eloise, a top producing largemouth bass fishery. There are several boat ramps and fishing piers to allow for recreational fishing throughout both chains. You can also see a few bass fishing tournaments hosted on the Chain of Lakes throughout the year. Largemouth Bass get most of the attention for those fishing in Winter Haven. Anglers will drift fish live shiners as bait near the shoreline vegetation. Bass like to hide out near structures such as underwater root systems and grassbeds. Baitfish such as shiners (or shad) will certainly bring the lunkers to the line; or try soft plastic lures in bright colors. Other species caught in Winter Haven lakes include bluegill (bream), sunfish, black crappie (specks), gar, and even catfish. Catfish are typically found in the deeper holes of the lake; your Winter Haven fishing guide should know exactly where to take you. There are a total of 554 freshwater lakes in Polk County where Winter Haven is located. And let’s just say that quantity does not lessen the quality of fishing in this area. Pick the lake of your choice, and a local guide is certain to get you on the action.

Winter Haven, Close to the Coast

You’re in luck if saltwater fishing is more your style. As we mentioned earlier, the Gulf of Mexico is just a short drive away from Winter Haven. You won’t have long to drive to get a taste of nearshore, inshore, or offshore fishing. Take Interstate-4 to Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Clearwater and you’ll be fishing in no time. Your captain may fish within 9 miles of the shore, considered nearshore fishing, or one of the many canals and bays that are in the area, known as inshore fishing. Some favorite fish in these waters include tarpon, redfish, and even grouper (depending on the area and season). During the spring and summer months, fish the mouth of Tampa Bay for a giant-sized tarpon. For a real challenge, consider fly fishing for the silver king. Tarpon have hard mouths so setting the hook is the first challenge. The next hard part is reeling them in. As soon as you have the hook set, free spool your line, you’ll want to have plenty as tarpon are known to swim away fast. Some reels have even been known to smoke from the drag of a tarpon run. You’ll want at least 200 yards of line ready for your trip. If you can land the tarpon, take a quick picture then safely release it back to the water; if it’s over 40 inches, leave the fish in the water per Florida regulations. If your Gulf of Mexico charter takes you farther than 9 miles from the shore, it’s considered offshore fishing. Here you’ll find pelagic fish such as mahi mahi (or dolphin), wahoo, marlin, and more! You can also bottom fish for snapper, grouper, and more.

Book A Winter Haven Fishing Charter

Your Winter Haven visit won’t be complete without a day or two on the water. Book your fishing trip today with a local guide and get ready for an incredible experience!