ARTIFICIAL REEFS OF FLORIDA

Artificial reef development in Florida started in 1918, but the vast majority of reefs have been built since 1975. Approximately 500 separate deployments have been funded through the state's artificial reef program, now located in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWCC) Division of Marine Fisheries. Over $8.5 million has been distributed to local governments for reef construction efforts statewide.

The objective of artificial reef construction in Florida has primarily been to enhance recreational fishing and SCUBA diving. Artificial reefs have also been deployed specifically to provide juvenile fish habitat, to reduce user pressure on natural coral reefs and to provide protection for sub-adult fishes migrating offshore. A listing of Florida's artificial reefs is at www.state.fl.us.fwc/marine. For more information about artificial reefs in Florida, please contact the FWC artificial reef program staff at (850) 488-6058. In fresh waters the corresponding structures are, of course, much smaller and are typically referred to as fish attractors. Fish attractors in Florida are primarily constructed of hard wood brush, cinder blocks and small floats, which respectively anchor the structure and hold the limbs upright. However, some more durable structures are made of GeoWeb, a honeycomb-shaped plastic material used in the construction industry to stabilize soils. The latter are more durable and provide more long-lasting benefits but do not have the same attractive powers as do brush piles.

FWC attractors are marked by bright yellow buoys. To fish them anchor a casting distance away from the buoy, cast beyond the buoy and retrieve your lure remembering there are snags and plenty of fish below and around the buoy.

Five-Year Freshwater Fishing License Bonus Offer

But best of all, when you buy a five-year or lifetime license that includes freshwater fishing privileges during March or April 2000 you get a special FREE BONUS PACK. The pack will include free lures, hooks, magazines and promotional items valued at more than $30, plus hundreds of dollars worth of special offers and coupons. Great samples are provided by Culprit lures, Phantom lures, Xpert hooks, Carlson's fisherman's hand cleaner, along with free stuff from eAngler, Berkley, Zebco, the North American Fishing Club, and Central Florida Visitor's and Convention Bureau. Coupons and special offers include Champion boats, the International Game Fish Association, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Luhr-Jensen, Larsen Publishing, and Florida Sportsman.

As with all Florida fishing and hunting license revenues, 100 percent of the cost of the license (not handling fees) goes to fish and wildlife conservation. Moreover, how much of your Federal excise tax monies (which you pay on tackle and motor boat fuels) are returned to Florida for the Sportfish Restoration Program is determined by the number of licensed anglers. So each year you have a license, the FWC is able to reclaim an additional three to four dollars in federal taxes to improve our fishery resources.

The Division of Freshwater Fisheries uses these combined funds for all of the following activities:

• Aquatic habitat restoration,
• Building boat ramps, courtesy docks and fishing piers,
• Placing fish attractors,
• Stocking fish,
• Educating youth and other groups about angling and resource conservation, and
• Conducting research that is necessary to properly manage our freshwater aquatic resources for "optimum sustained use."

Florida Freshwater Fishing Destinations and Tips