Fishermen vs FWC (When Anglers Fight Back)
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Salt Strong Podcast
Imagine flying down to Florida for a fishing trip…
Only to find out you have to spend half your day at the DMV just to legally fish.
That’s exactly what started happening to thousands of anglers after major changes were quietly made to Florida’s non-resident fishing license system.
And the backlash came fast.
In this podcast, Capt. Dylan Hubbard joins Joe and Luke to break down what changed, why so many anglers were furious, and how public pressure may have forced a reversal before summer even begins.
Why Were Anglers Forced To Go To The DMV?
One of the biggest frustrations discussed in this podcast was the removal of convenient online access to Florida’s 3-day and 7-day non-resident fishing licenses.
Instead of quickly buying a short-term license online, many visiting anglers were suddenly told they had to:
- Visit a tax collector’s office
- Find a licensed dealer
- Or go to the DMV
For travelers visiting Florida on weekends or short vacations, this created major problems… especially when many offices were closed or difficult to access.
What Changed With Florida Fishing Licenses?
The actual licenses were never fully removed.
Instead, the convenience of buying them online disappeared.
That meant anglers could technically still buy short-term licenses… but only through limited physical locations.
This especially impacted:
- Freshwater guides
- Out-of-state tourists
- Families visiting Florida
The podcast dives into how this decision affected both fishing businesses and traveling anglers across the state.
Why Did Anglers Push Back So Hard?
The frustration wasn’t just about inconvenience.
Many anglers felt the changes happened:
- Without transparency
- Without public discussion
- Without a vote
- And without proper communication
Capt. Dylan Hubbard explains how thousands of anglers signed petitions, shared videos, contacted media outlets, and helped create enough public pressure to force action.
What Is FWRI And Why Does It Matter?
One important takeaway from this discussion is that the issue wasn’t anti-FWC.
Joe, Luke, and Dylan all praised the incredible work being done by Florida’s fisheries scientists and enforcement officers.
FWRI (Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) was specifically highlighted for:
- Fisheries research
- Fish tagging studies
- Population tracking
- Fisheries management science
- Education and public outreach
The podcast emphasizes that Florida’s fisheries science programs are among the best in the country… but funding conversations need to happen transparently.
Will Florida Fishing Licenses Be Fixed?
According to this conversation, the expectation is that online access to short-term non-resident fishing licenses will return by June 1st.
If that happens, anglers visiting Florida should once again be able to quickly purchase:
- 3-day licenses
- 7-day licenses
- Other short-term options online
For many anglers, that’s a huge win heading into summer.
Key Takeaways
- Florida anglers pushed back hard against recent license changes
- The issue mainly impacted non-resident short-term licenses
- Many visitors were forced to visit physical locations like the DMV
- Public pressure and petitions helped create fast movement
- FWRI scientists and FWC officers still received strong praise
- Online short-term licenses are expected to return by June 1st
Final Thoughts
This conversation is a reminder that anglers do have a voice when enough people speak up.
And while nobody wants to spend vacation time sitting at the DMV…
Thousands of anglers coming together may have helped fix the problem before summer fishing season kicks into full gear.
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I much appreciate Luke correctly focusing on the price/cost issue which is what set this episode in motion. FWC trying to raise more money for itself translated to inconvenience for non-residents but also pushed a higher processing cost to others. Just reshuffling costs to others and increasing it through manual processing is not a sensible solution. These low cost, non-resident short day licenses are likely not covering the actual costs of both administering the procurement process AND all of the various costs of FWC administration, enforcement and other staff functions. Currently, my understanding is that FL has roughly 145 million non-residents visiting per year relative to 23.5 million residents. Non-resident licenses issued per year range between 500,000-900,000 with resident licenses at 2-4 times that number. There is little public transparency with regards to granular data showing a breakdown of FWC licensing revenue/costs such as for fishing, hunting, and boating activity.
Dylan pointed out how this had little impact on the saltwater charter community since their blanket vessel license covers every angler onboard. My understanding is that a blanket vessel license for one head boat is under $1,000/yr. When one thinks about thousands fishing from one head boat each year relative to an individual license cost, that’s an area that the FWC should scrutinize if needing to raise money rather than solely focusing on individual recreational anglers. Had this not impacted the freshwater commercial fishing guides, I wonder if any recreational angler organization would have stepped forward to raise public awareness. Where is that voice, especially if commercial and recreational issues don’t align such as the recent ARS litigation pitting commercial against recreational interests?
Dylan talked about two high level FWC staffers making this decision. It’s hard to believe this decision didn’t reach Mr. Barreto or the FWC commissioners before it was implemented. If true, one should wonder what other dumb decisions have been made by these guys with no oversight by those above them. A sad commentary on FWC leadership, if true.
Well considering I don’t travel out of state to fish then this doesn’t apply to me but I have noticed some of the rules the fwc mandates that I believe make no sence at all like for instance the rediculous idea that obviously the fwc thinks that recreational anglers have more of an impact on Florida’s flounder stocks then the commercial giggers do otherwise why is there a closed season for us recreational anglers but not for the commercial giggers???!!! Very stupid no sence making law but I have already come to the conclusion that in todays weird no sence making world if it doesn’t make any sence at all your going to see it and have to deal with it because gone are the days when common sence ruled and people thought about others more and thing’s made more sence i have already noticed that everything my father taught me about life and how to use my common sence is the exact opposite of how things are seen and work out in todays world just about every day I fell like a rat in a mixed up confusing maze of a world that just doesn’t make sence anymore but thats life and there’s nothing I or anyone can do about it other then keep doing what I have always done and not follow the crowd and do my own thing that way when others get messed up that’s there own doing and not mine sorry just saying