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Fishing license information

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published September 1, 2006

Before you head out on the water for a day of fishing, make sure you have your saltwater fishing license. If you need a license, here are some facts:

* Fishing licenses are sold at all county tax collectors' offices and at many bait and tackle shops. There are also two convenient ways to get them without leaving the house. Licenses may be purchased by telephone at 1-888-347-4356, or over the internet at www.marinefisheries.org. There is an additional fee for these services.

* Florida residents pay less for licenses than non-residents. You are considered a Florida resident if you have resided in the state for six continuous months prior to applying for a resident license and who claims Florida as their primary residence. Or if you are a member of the armed forces stationed in Florida.

* Florida residents may purchase a one-year license for $13.50. A five year license is $61.50. A one-year gold sportsman's license, which includes a hunting, saltwater and freshwater license as well as permits for archery, muzzleloading gun, turkey and Florida waterfowl, snook and crawfish, is $83.50.

One-year combination licenses for saltwater and freshwater fishing is $25.50 for residents, the addition of a hunting license is $35.50. There are also lifetime fishing licenses available. For children ages 0-4 years old, the cost is $126.50, for children ages 5-12 the cost is $226.50, for ages 13 and older the cost is $301.50. A lifetime sportsman license is $401.50 for children ages 0-4, $701.50 for children 5-12 and $1,001.50 for those 13 and older.

* For non-residents, a saltwater fishing license is $6.50 for three days, $16.50 for seven days and $31.50 for a year.

You do not need a fishing license if:

* You are under 16.

* You are a Florida resident fishing recreationally from land or a structure fixed to land like a pier, bridge, dock, floating dock or jetty.

* You are fishing from a for-hire vessel like a guide, party boat or charter that has a valid vessel license.

* You have a valid saltwater products license.

* You are a Florida resident 65 years or older and you possess either a Resident Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certificate or proof of age and residency.

* You are a Florida resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, who is not stationed in Florida, while on leave for 30 days or less upon submission of orders. This does not apply to family members.

* You have been accepted as a client for developmental services by the Department of Children and Family Services.

* You are a Florida resident certified as totally and permanately disabled, who possesses a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Place - Type  - Clearance

Sunshine Skyway Fixed 151 feet

Tierra Verde Bascule 25 feet

Pinellas Causeway Bascule 25 feet

Corey Causeway Bascule 23 feet

Treasure Island Causeway Bascule 8 feet

Johns Pass Bascule 26 feet

Welch Causeway Bascule 25 feet

Indian Rocks Bascule 25 feet

Belleair Bascule 21 feet

Clearwater Pass Fixed 4 feet

Clearwater Bascule 25 feet

Dunedin Bascule 24 feet

Source: West Coast Inland Navigation District

Below is a listing of some of the most comprehensive weather forecast sites available on the internet. They will be useful when planning your trips on the water or around town.

www.weather.com

www.freeweather.com

http://weathercenter.com

http://baynews9.com/site/weather.cfm

www.boatclix.com/weather/weather.html

www.concierge.com

http://www.saltwatertides.com/

[Last modified August 29, 2006, 13:17:23]