FL fishing

Question
looking to expand my species fishing skill. I was thinking of going to Florida and maybe do some redfishing but I have a bass boat that wont handle salt water. My question is what fresh water lakes do you recommend in Florida that would produce something different for me. I currently fish for Musky,Pike,Smallies and Largemouth in the north woods.
Thx

Answer
Mike. I am certain that I answered this question before but it must have gotten lost in the net.
First let me say that when I first moved to Panama City, Florida all I had was a 14' aluminum deep V boat with a 25hp motor.  Here in this area there are many places that boat was fine in salt water. Just watch the weather because the bay is not just a large lake. There are several things that must be watched. But with a little careful watching you can fish for inshore salt water fish quite well with this boat.  I have caught many sea trout, a few redfish (red drum or Channel bass) along with some flounder and even one big red snapper.  
Now as to bass fishing yes Florida has many lakes (some 30,000 of them) but most are not easily accessible as they are on private land.  However there are many others that are still good fishing even though they are fished hard.  Of course Lake Okeechobee stands out on any map and it is a good lake to fish but not an easy one.  This lake is actually just a low place filled with water.
It is mostly shallow about 4-5 feet with a few places reaching  14-15 feet.  There are landings around the lake but I would suggest hiring a guide the first time on this lake. In the center of the state there are many good lakes.  Around Ocala and Kissemee are two lakes Toho.  These have been good for big bass. Some guides will promise a ten pound bass or you don't pay but this usually involves fishing using a 8- 10 inch live shiner and a bobber waiting for a bite.  If you enjoy this it is likely the best way to catch a ten pound bass.  I prefer using artificial baits but then I have fished this area for nearly 42 years and a 9 pound bass is still my largest. I have caught a lot of 7 and 8 pound bass though. Look on most any map of Florida and you will find many lakes all of which are pretty good at times.  Of course a bass is a bass is a bass so you know they will not bite all the time.  I use about the same tackle here that I use when I go to Wisconsin each fall. (Isn't that something, you come to Florida and I go to Wisconsin to fish for muskie, smallmouth and maybe a walleye or a pike.)  I love Florida and Georgia but I also love the north woods Wisconsin near Prisque Isle and Minnesota near Bimidji.  We used to go to Minnesota every summer when I lived in Iowa and Illinois. (near Decatur)
Back to you here.  The west coast of Florida or the south coast of the Panhandle has some excellent protected water with redfish and sea troutl.  The East Coast also has barrier islands with the St. John's river between them and shore. The inter-coastal waterway is often good for both fresh and salt water fishing in different places.  Actually there are so many places to fish down here it is a matter of choice.  Find a motel near a lake that has public access and put your boat in and go fishing.  Big plastic worms are still good in many of these lakes as are jerk baits, frog baits, surface baits, crank baits in some places but many lakes are mostly shallow with lots of weeds. A Johnson silver minnow with a pork frog (not plastic) will often work well in the weeds. Don't forget big spinnerbaits either. As for salt water fish.  Sea trout and redfish will hit lures like the mirror lures well and also jigs are good for both.  Of course live bait will often work better on reds at times.  Sea trout like a noisy top water lure like a floating mirrorlure.
Flounder will hit a jig as will pompano in the serf and both of these fish are excellent table fare.
I guess I might go on being more specific but I don't think that would be much more productive so I will finish by saying good luck on your Florida fishing.  Oh don't ignore the many rivers such as the Apalachicola, St. Marks, Econfna, Swanee, and many others. Near the mouth of many of these rivers you can find both fresh and salt water fish often together in the same brackish water.   I hope this has given you something that you can use.  Good luck.  Oh by the way My lake here in Georgia on the Florida border near the Alabama border is a good lake for bass. I had to get that in.

Jack L. Gaither          (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia.