We decided to include West Palm Beach in our tour for its many opportunities for fishing and outdoor fun. We knew that kind of diversity often comes with increased development, traffic, and crowds, and we accepted that tradeoff. As we headed south from St. Augustine, we prepared for less of a settled-in feeling and more of a navigate-around-it mindset. West Palm Beach surprised us almost immediately.
Our campground was nearly 20 miles inland, tucked into a secluded, forested area where nights were quiet and charging our electric RV was the easiest it would be for the entire trip. The loudest sounds came from nature—well, unless you count the African lions roaring behind a high fence surprisingly close to our campsite. It didn’t feel anything like the urban, city fishing experience we had braced for. That disconnect revealed a very different side of West Palm Beach than we imagined.
Series Note
This article is part of a 30-day, 1,600-mile road trip exploring some of Florida’s most iconic destinations, Along the way, my wife and I lived full-time in a 24-foot, all-electric RV. We knew the trip sounded amazing, but we wondered what effect an electric vehicle might have on our adventure.Start the series here: Is My Fishing Lifestyle Ready for an All-Electric RV?
Why West Palm Beach Made Sense for Our Road Trip
As we intended to go all the way to Key West in our tour, West Palm Beach made sense geographically and it provided a chance to experience a different kind of Florida stop. It offered so much access to fishing, food, and outdoor experiences that most days could include all of the above if we wanted. And as it turned out, staying a bit inland gave us flexibility we hadn’t considered—allowing us to choose outings to the coast or quieter days closer to camp. That balance fit our lifestyle and the rhythm of this trip perfectly.
Fishing the West Palm Beach Area
There’s no shortage of fishing in the West Palm Beach area—both saltwater and freshwater. Lake Worth Lagoon, the intracoastal waterway that separates West Palm Beach from the long narrow strip of land that is Palm Beach, is loaded with classic inshore fishing for species like snook, redfish, pompano, crevalle jack, and even tarpon. While Lake Mangonia and Lake Osborne are freshwater gems loaded with largemouth bass, peacock bass and clown knifefish.
But, in my search for a fishing spot, I reconnected with an old friend. I’ve known Ernie DeBlasi for years, originally through his handmade lure company and we now stay connected mostly through social media. Ernie has always been a guy who wears a lot of different hats—a real modern renaissance man. He’s Executive Chef at Caffé Luna Rosa, a talented pottery maker with an Etsy store called Florida Pottery Shack, and, as it turns out, a great person to call when you want to fish near West Palm Beach…