The United States of America loves fishing and football, but the truth is, some areas have it better than others.
There are some states where pigskin fans who love to fish get the best of both worlds, so let’s take a look at the top states for football and angling.
5. Alabama
When you have the Iron Bowl, (Alabama vs Auburn) you don’t need an NFL team to be one of the best football states in the country. The pigskin-crazed fans of Alabama not only enjoy the single fiercest rivalry in sports, (sorry Yankees-Red Sox and Michigan-Ohio State, but you don’t come close) but Roll Tide and War Eagle have some of the best bass fishing in the country too. Lake Guntersville, Lake Eufala, and Pinewck Lake are all world-class bass lakes. Add in coastal access to the Gulf of Mexico, and you have the complete package for fishing to go along with their intense football.
4. Michigan
With two Big Ten programs (Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans) and an NFL squad (Detroit Lions), the state of Michigan has a lot of big-time football to watch. It also has some of the best fishing in the country, and the Upper Peninsula is a must-visit destination for any angler. With access to four out of the five Great Lakes, there is a wide variety of fishing for any angler. While the Spartans have been the top team lately, the Michigan Wolverines are one of the best college programs of all time, launching the Wolverine State into this list.
3. Texas
If this competition was just football, you’d probably have to give the trophy to Texas. With two NFL teams, an embarrassing bounty of major-conference college teams, and a population that treats football like a religion, Texas is the top state for the gridiron. It’s also one of the best fishing states, especially in east Texas, where the land is dotted with highly active reservoirs and lakes. Add in over 600 miles of shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico, and Texas surprises outsiders as one of the best fishing states in the country.
2. California
Three NFL teams call California home, and all of them have passionate fan bases. Two of them, the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders have a legendary histories, and even the Chargers have been to a Super Bowl. At the collegiate level, California shines with USC, UCLA, Standford, and the Cal Golden Bears. Californians can go from the Rose Bowl, the oldest bowl game in history, to the Pacific Ocean, where they can enjoy world-class offshore fishing. The interior of California boasts some of the top bass lakes in the country, making this an excellent state for angling football fans.
1. Florida
Three NFL teams should be enough for Florida’s football fans, but they also get three of the most elite collegiate team in the game. The Florida Seminoles, Florida Gators, and Miami Hurricanes can all brag about national titles, undefeated seasons, and dozens of players in the NFL. Every college program in the country is scouting out the high school football players in Florida, but its hard to convince them to leave a state that is loaded with gorgeous scenery; scenery that includes excellent fishing. From coastal fishing near Panama City to bass fishing in central Florida to enjoying the paradise of the Florida Keys, this state has all the fishing you could ask for, making it our #1 state for football and fishing.
Performance Fishing Apparel for any State
No matter which state you call home, you can get the performance fishing apparel you need from Huk. You’ll find light, comfortable fishing shirts that will protect you from the sun, so visit our store today!
