There’s nothing like a day of fishing to enjoy the amazing Florida landscape. You get to soak in the sun, hang with your friends and family, and catch your dinner all at the same time. But once you’ve reeled in the big one... what do you do with it? We've rounded up the best places to cast a line, what to aim for, and where to bring your catch for a great meal! These are our favorite hook-and-cook experiences around your Club!
Why Hook and Cook?
One of the benefits of having a professional cook your catch instead of taking it home is knowledge. Every fish is different. Fat content, thickness, flakiness, and more are all considerations of the ways they should be cooked. The chefs at these restaurants are experts in the local seafood around their restaurant. They will be able to scale it, skin it, and de-bone it perfectly. They’ll also know the way to cook it to bring out the best flavor in the fish.
Where to Cast a Line?
When it comes to fishing in Florida, anglers have a diverse range of productive spots to explore. One of the most iconic and rewarding locations is fishing around bridges and structures, where fish congregate for shelter and food. Bridges like the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay are known hotspots. Another popular destination is the Gulf Stream, an ocean current that runs along Florida's eastern coast, bringing a variety of pelagic species close to shore.
Understanding tide patterns is crucial for successful fishing—many anglers target specific tides, like incoming or outgoing, to maximize their catch. Whether you prefer saltwater or freshwater fishing, Florida offers an abundance of opportunities to reel in the big ones!
Check out our guides for fishing in Tampa and Tierra Verde
Best Fish in Florida
There’s no such thing as the blues on Florida’s east coast, every season will deliver! The key to being successful when fishing is adapting to the changing conditions. Florida fish species have both local and seasonal migrations. Anglers that understand these migrations will have more success.
Mahi Mahi
Also known as dolphin or dorado, mahi-mahi is one of the best fish to eat in Florida because it's a very mild white fish with a lean firm texture that holds together very well when grilled or fried. It's also a very common catch. If you order fish tacos or a fish sandwich at a local Florida restaurant, the standard is most likely Mahi. Mahi-Mahi are usually caught trolling offshore with dead bait like rigged ballyhoo or bonita strips and are usually found in schools feeding on baitfish under floating debris or seaweed.
Snook
Snook is illegal to be commercially fished or sold, mainly due to its wide restaurant distribution in the early 1900s since it has delicious meat and it’s possible to catch from a dock. Because of this, they are extremely regulated tropical fish, which you should be aware of by visiting the FWC website. Once you have the proper permits and education, you may harvest a daily limit of one per day (during the season), and some restaurants will clean and cook your catch for you.
Swordfish
Swordfish is considered a premium entrée and is sold exclusively as thick steaks. Its thick white meat has a moderately high-fat content but a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Swordfishing is an artful form of fishing that involves extensive research and experience, so it is not a hobby to pick up overnight. Fishing for swordfish requires having a “Highly Migratory Species” (HMS) Permit issued by NOAA. For current regulations, visit the FWC Website.
Hogfish
Also known as hog snapper, hogfish has a mild flavor with sweet undertones, much like grouper. It’s a bit flakier than mahi-mahi, and one of the best-tasting cooked fish in Florida. Hogfish is found around natural and artificial reefs and are most commonly speared by divers, but it’s possible to catch them by hook & line too.
Wahoo
if you haven’t tried fresh wahoo ceviche, you haven’t lived! Wahoo, or ono, gets its name from the Hawaiian word which means “good to eat”, and for good reason. Its high-quality white flesh is a delicacy in South Florida, served as fresh sashimi or as a cooked meal. These highly desirable fish are usually caught high-speed trolling offshore with brightly colored lures and are considered an elusive species to target.
Cobia
Cobia is hard to find in a restaurant, so if you have the chance, try it! Its meat is a little firmer than snapper, grouper, mahi-mahi, and snook, and it has a fresh, clean, buttery flavor without the high oil content found in swordfish. Catching a cobia is relatively rare. There’s a small window at the beginning of fall when they migrate south for warmer waters, and during the first warm days of spring when the rise in water temperatures around shallow wrecks bring cobia closer to shore.
Hook and Cook Your Catch
It’s a time-honored Florida tradition: seaside restaurants that will Cook your catch after a long day on the water. For the avid fisherman, there’s nothing better than taking the proud catch you’ve worked hard for that day and turning it into a delicious meal right from the water.
Call ahead to let the location know you’d like to cook your catch at the following restaurants near your home Gulfstream Boat Club, then relax and enjoy!
East Coast
Deck 84 – 840 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483 – (561) 665-8484
Sailfish Marina Tiki Bar and Restaurant – 90 Lake Dr, West Palm Beach, FL 33404 – 561.844.1724
Frigates – 400 US-1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408 – (561) 855-7497
Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe - Inside PORT32 Marina Lighthouse Point
West Coast
Friendly Fisherman – 150 John’s Pass Boardwalk, Madeira Beach, 727-391-6025
Crabby’s on the Pass – Johns Pass Marina – 12754 Kingfish Dr, Treasure Island, FL 33706 – (727) 300-0191
Sea Critters Café in St. Pete Beach – 2007 Pass-a-Grille Way, 727-360-3706
Maritana Grille – Inside Don Cesar Hotel – 3400 Gulf Blvd., 727-360-1882
Enjoy the Catch with Gulfstream Boat Club
After a full day of fishing, reeling, and catching, there is nothing quite as satisfying as passing the day’s hooked fish to a professional chef to cook your catch while you sit back and relax. With your Gulfstream Boat Club Membership, we can be sure you always enjoy the best of boating—great days on the water, with no hidden fees, hassles, maintenance, or cleaning.
Reserve your boat, arrive at the dock, and enjoy!
Ready to experience effortless premier boating? Call today to learn about our membership options and get on the water! (888) 702-2256