Does It Make Sense To Purchase A Lifetime Florida Fishing License? [VIDEO]
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Product Reviews
$3,552.50 to go fishing and hunting in Florida!
That’s a lot of coin for a fishing license…
You are probably wondering where in the heck that big number came from… and I don’t blame you.
That $3,552.50 represents how much I would have to spend on Florida licenses for the rest of my life (assuming I live to 65 and that I continue to pay my license fees up to age 65) to have access to all freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and hunting options (permits) in Florida for the rest of my life.
And that assumes that the FWC doesn’t raise prices on fishing and hunting licenses in my lifetime (which has about a zero percent chance of happening)!
If there is just a 1% average inflation rate over my life (also assuming the FWC doesn’t raise the current age of 65 where you no longer have to legally purchase a fishing license), the cost goes up to $4,740.83 over my life to have these same fishing and hunting licenses.
Let me show you the numbers behind why a lifetime Florida Fishing License may or may not make sense for you.
Important Notes:
- I was in no way paid, encouraged, or compensated by the FWC or any other entity for making this video and blog post
- I have placed screenshots from the video of the following cost analysis in regards to buying a Florida Lifetime Fishing License at different ages:
- 4-year-old angler analysis
- 10-year-old angler analysis
- 35-year-old angler analysis
- 50-year-old-angler analysis
- Keep in mind that anglers under age 16, and anglers above 65 currently do not have to pay for a fishing or hunting license (however, a few of the permits are still required over age 65)
- All of the lifetime fishing license prices are correct as of Feb 24, 2016 and were found on the FWC website here
- All of the annual fishing license prices and permit prices are correct as of Feb 24, 2016 and were found on this page from the FWC website
- In order to keep it simple (as there are numerous variations of lifetime licenses, annual licenses, permits, and hybrid combo licenses), I compared the price of a lifetime license vs the annual cost to get everything that comes with the lifetime license.
- For instance, the lifetime saltwater fishing license comparison showed the cost of the lifetime license vs the annual saltwater fishing license, plus the snook permit, plus the spiny lobster permit.
- I realized after all of my recording and editing that I left the wrong titles on a few of the excel pages, so please disregard (however, all of the numbers and analysis is still correct as the labels did not affect them)
- I will be doing a similar video to analyze the 5 year Florida fishing license and some other 1-year hybrid license options as well, so make sure to subscribe to the Salt Strong newsletter to get all updates and new fishing tips here.
Lifetime Florida Fishing License [Analysis]
Florida Fishing License Excel Screenshots
As you saw in the video, I break down the numbers for multiple age brackets.
I focus on the Florida Lifetime Sportsman Package because it is such a great deal (as the numbers show). And even if you only go hunting once every couple of years, it still makes sense (if you can afford it of course).
4-Year-Old Florida Fishing License Analysis
10-Year-Old Florida Fishing License Analysis
35-Year-Old Florida Fishing License Analysis
50-Year-Old Florida Fishing License Analysis
Note: If you would like a copy of my excel spreadsheet above, send an email to fish@saltstrong.com and request the “Fishing License Spreadsheet” in the email subject line.
How To Purchase A Florida Fishing License
There are multiple ways to buy a Florida fishing license (this goes for saltwater, freshwater, and hunting licenses), from retail stores like Walmart, to buying your fishing license online, to simply picking up the phone and placing an order.
Here is the page from the FWC website that explains all of the rules and ways to buy your fishing license online.
Click here to go directly to the FWC site where you can look your license up, renew, update, etc.
The FWC also made a really cool app (just search FWC in the app store) that allows you to always have your fishing and/or hunting license on you (so you don’t have to carry around your card).
For any of you wondering where the money goes when you purchase a fishing license, the revenue goes to things like public boat ramps, public marinas, artificial reefs, fishing clinics, hiring FWC employees, etc.
Note: When purchasing your fishing license online, note that the FWC did not take Amex the last time I checked so have your Visa, Discover, or Mastercard ready.
Conclusion
All in all, buying a lifetime Florida fishing license makes complete sense for pretty much any age.
It is certainly a NO-BRAINER for any kid, and from the numbers I calculated it is a No-Brainer for pretty much any age until you start getting past 60.
At age 60, it makes sense to buy the 5-year Florida fishing license.
At age 61-64, it makes more sense to get the 1-year license package.
Once you get to 65 years and older, the current FWC rules are that you don’t need most of the licenses covered above (with the exception of some of the permits). Of course, the rules can change down the road, and “seniors” are always encouraged to support fishing by continuing to buy a license if they can afford to.
As I mentioned in the video, I encourage any of you with kids to save up enough money to buy them a lifetime fishing license. It will be something that neither of you regret down the road… it helps support fishing, and it saves you and your child a ton of money over the years.
Finally, my brother and I have found that a certain amount of extra respect (and less harassment) comes your way when you flash your Lifetime Card to the marine patrol when getting pulled over for a routine check…
And if you see any issues with my numbers above, I am not a mathematician, so I gladly welcome any corrections.
Fish On and Support Fishing!
Pa-POW!
P.S. – If you think your angler friends or fishing networks would like to see this, please Tag them or Share this with them. Thank you.
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Hey great article as I have been comparing these for years and cannot make the lifetime make sense. (lived in Florida all my life and been fishing since I was a kid). There are a few errors in your assessment that may cause one to consider.
What about lost opportunity cost / what the money could earn? Using a modest 5% growth rate, your $300 would grow to $687 in year 17 or over $2000 in 40 years.
Bottom Line: if FWC truly “inflated” the costs each year, buying a lifetime makes sense. The Govt has a history of being VERY SLOW on adjusting fixed fees up with inflation. I remember when FL had no license fee required for FL residents and when it was like $100 for the lifetime.
I wish I bought that one for sure. I do think the lifetime is worth it but not because it saves money. It actually may cost more money with you consider the TVM in your pocket, the earnings potential invested, and the fact FWC does not add inflation annually. However, “one” ticket because you forgot to renew last month, makes the lifetime will worth it!! Plus it is a PIA to go back every year and renew so for $300….the convenience factor makes it worth doing.
Hope this helps…Happy Fishing!
PS: Meant to make name Grouper Man not Groper Man 🙂
Just made the dive and got my lifetime today. That’s been one of the top things on my birthday and Christmas lists as a kid, but now that I could shell out the cash for it myself absolutely. Saves me the hassle of having to go back and renew it.
I am doing the same research and it looks like buying lifetime salt, fresh, and hunt licenses individually saves the license holder just north of $90 and still includes all the same permits snook, WMA, ect. Did you come across the same result?
I made a mistake on the fee for the lifetime Hunting license. The gold sportsman is the way to go. Sorry for the confusion.