Hoping some people familiar with Florida could help out. We're considering moving to Florida and starting to research where to live. Primary consideration is fishing, but also quality of life.

I want pretty close proximity to some good bass tournament lakes, as well as close proximity to good saltwater fishing. I would likely try to get a small skiff, so I would want to fish backcountry/flats primarily. For both freshwater and salt, I really like sight fishing, so I'm looking for areas with clean water.

Would love suggestions, thanks.

I considered moving back when I retired, but the cost of living has gotten too high there. I'm soooo glad I chose south Texas instead. That said, if I moved back to Florida today it'd be the southwest corner. Close enough to the Keys for bonefish, permit, and tarpon, but in good redfish, snook, and tarpon country. I don't know what to tell you about bass tournament lakes; I moved from Florida to Texas in '72 and did very little bass fishing while I was there. I think the challenge in SW Florida would be finding a place to live that's affordable. When I was there I lived south of Miami. I primarily fished the upper Keys, but we put in a lot of time in the 'Glades, and in the 10K Islands area. A lot of great memories there.........

I have a great friend born and raised in Sarasota. Home insurance there is a massive hike over anything here in Texas.

Thanks for the info

Gotcha

If it's salt water mainly further south, but if you're mainly bass fishing I like the Orlando area for two reasons. It's central Florida and not prone to hurricane damage and there's good bass fishing dang near anywhere you go. And yea, homeowners insurance is gonna be costly in Florida.

Texas insurance rates for waterfront with Progressive on Lake Buchanan. $936,000.00 value policy was $6000.00 last year renews in Aug. for $8387.00 close to 25% increase. Almost as much as property taxes. Agent says most of her companies won't write high value water front properties.
Texas Farm Bureau would not write it last year. If Florida rates are even higher that would be a real concern. Legalized extortion is what that is in my opinion.

I looked hard at moving to the Keys after I retired. I really enjoy fishing there. Good offshore fishing and bay fishing. And you can always run back up into the state and freshwater fish. A good friend moved to Tampa to start a guide service and only made it 3 years because it was just to expensive. They also had a huge issue with insects, especially no-see-ums (sand flies). They can be horrible to deal with. I don’t want to discourage you, but look hard at an area before you pull the trigger. The Stuart or Fort Pierce is also an option.

Take a look at the Crystal River/Inverness area on the west side of Florida. My brother in law lives in Lecanto. It's very close to Crystal River, 20 minutes and you are at the salt. I have fished the crystal river area several time and have caught a variety of fish. There is ample sight fishing in the river area as it dumps into the gulf. Head east 30 minutes and you are in the middle of numerous fresh water lakes, some that have been featured on a few bass shows.

Thank ya'll for the suggestions

Would second the Stuart-Ft. Pierce suggestion. Lived just south of there at Jupiter for five years and really enjoyed the fishing variety. Okeechobee, Stick Marsh and Headwaters bass fishing not too far and the inshore/offshore salt is right next door. Neat thing about SE FL was the proximity to the Gulf Stream blue water for mahi, kingfish, sailfish and all kinds of bottom fish. Two saltwater fish I really enjoyed on bass tackle were snook and jack crevalle. Had snook up to 22 lbs and commonly caught 10 to 15 lb. jacks on topwater saltwater Spooks. Also would make a trip or two to the Keys each year for both inshore and offshore species.

As others mentioned FL is expensive and getting more so every year due to property value appreciation and weather related insurance coverage costs. Had four hurricanes in the five years I lived there and everywhere near the FL coasts are at risk any given year. The no-see-ums can be really bad, especially near the mangroves. If I ever went back it would be between the Jupiter to Ft. Pierce area. One positive thing I learned about S FL was if you were within 3 or 4 miles of the east coast there commonly was an ocean breeze that seemed to knock down the humidity feel compared to any place further inland. Actually don't think the summers were as hot as N TX!

Great suggestion, thanks!

Check out the Palatka area if you're looking for smaller town living not immediately on the coast that has great bass fishing. It's about half way between Orlando and Jacksonville and about 25 miles to the east coast. Been there several times for tournaments and always had a blast. One trip I stayed in a little town near there called Welaka and enjoyed that too. The locals were super friendly.

Spent several years in south FLA, Pembroke Pines area, and as far as the fishing goes, it's 20 min to the beach and saltwater, 20 min to the Everglades, and all the neighborhood lakes have quality bass and peacock bass as well. Canals and golf course ponds too. It's giraffe's P to live there, but the fishing is almost worth it to me.

You might consider the southern areas of Alabama if the costs of Florida are out of reach. There is access to both types of fishing you like and a much lower costs of living.