When comparing the best fishing destinations globally, Florida ranks as one of the world’s most ideal destinations. There is no other place where people can battle in the Gulf Stream with billfish, be on the reefs grappling with groupers, and play on the flats blitzing with bonefish on the same day.
The Florida Keys have unparalleled quality and quantity of game fish because of the fertile ecosystem, favorable geology, and great geography. However, only a few visitors enjoyed the bounties of its fishing waters because of limited transportation.
However, things changed when Henry Flagler, a visionary industrialist, created a railroad that connected the mainland of Florida to the subtropical islands that stretch from Key West to Key Largo.
The initial news on the great fishing opportunities of Keys was able to spread out when a famous author named Zane Grey became one of the Long Key Fishing Club’s regular members. By 1938, Flagler’s railroad became an Overseas Highway of Florida Keys.
Since more and more people traveled all over Keys in the 20th century, many of the visitors were able to experience many gamesters like tuna, sailfish, snapper, grouper, tarpon, and bonefish. As the industry flourished, marinas, tackle stores, and fishing clubs blossomed. Some young men earned a living with their motorized boats guiding the people to productive fishing areas.
Key Largo, around 50 kilometers long, is the largest of the keys. It became famous for its vital lime plantation that people used to create key lime pies. Marathon is the main town of the middle keys that mainly became the center of resort development. The dolphin research center and the Florida Keys’ Museum of Natural History are nearby. On Bahia, Honda Key is the Bahia Honda State Park, which features an extensive beach recreation facility and tropical palms.
The Best Things You Can Do In The Florida Keys
If you want to go to Florida, make sure to check out its southernmost coast, which is the Florida Keys. That place is home to America’s best food and music where people can relax and have fun. You can both do so much and so little, and whatever you prefer, it is now the best travel destination for many Americans.
In case you are unfamiliar with this area and you’re looking for exciting things to do, here are our recommendations:
Snorkel Sail Excursion
Enjoy the discovery of appealing and alluring sea animals that you never knew existed as you go through an excursion in the Great Coral Reef! Allow yourself to go through the sand and the water with Rum so you can try doing new things as you jump into the deep blue ocean!
Ride on the Conch Tour Train in Key West
With this 90-minute train tour, you can go from Ernest Hemingway’s home to the Station Depot and Truval Village up to the Key West’s Southernmost Point. Have a relaxing and rewarding experience on the train so you can see the beautiful sights you wouldn’t want to miss. Get a professional driver who can teach you about the Keys’ rich history so you can learn and become a part of the country’s most incredible tours!
Go on a Sunset Sailing Cruise while Sipping Champagne on a Schooner
Start your evening in the Key West on an amorous schooner as you drink and watch the sunset. Have yourself treated to a magical and luxurious night of relaxation with a fantastic view. Here, you can see a dolphin bow in the water in front of you, which is an experience people wouldn’t want to miss!
Discover the Home and Museum of Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway, a famous American novelist, has lived in Key West for more than a decade. Here, he was able to write favorite literature about the country’s history. His home is surrounded by stunning gardens that have welcomed so many guests worldwide. It has a rich history with a beauty that is as elegant as walking in and reading a book that you may never know what you will find!
Catch Fish By Booking a Fishing Charter
Even if you may be experienced or professional in fishing, the Historic Bassmaster Charter Boat Row can provide the best boat size for everyone! It can take you out into the big blue sea where you can throw a line and enjoy fishing in a relaxed and luxurious way. Get into a fishing excursion so you can catch a barracuda, yellow snapper, or a shark!
FISH SPECIES
GROUPER FISH
BLACK GROUPER
Similar to red groupers, black groupers like living in various environments. Frequently, they are more intelligent compared to the red grouper. They primarily reside near a structure that can protect them, so it would be best to take your hook and bait into holes even if they try to break you off. Often, you can find black groupers in deeper depths, so you would need more skills in angling if you want to get them. Aside from that, they have a range that is more prominent than the red grouper. If you’re going to keep the black grouper, it needs to be 24,” and you are only able to hold 1 for every angler. Out of all the edible groupers, the black grouper is the one that can provide the best fight. They can be powerful in taking your bait to rip off the line, whatever size of the reel you use. There may also be times when they eat the smaller fish that your line has.
GOLIATH GROUPER
The most potent and enormous groupers are the Goliath groupers. Since people don’t expect them, they usually break people off. They love living on gigantic bottom structures such as coral heads and shipwrecks. Goliath groupers can eat anything, including small sharks. They love getting the fish that you are reeling in the other groupers. It is not allowed to pull out or harvest Goliat groupers as strictly hard fighting sport fish. Since they eat anything in front of them, it would be best to fish for them by dropping down a huge bait such as a jack or blue runner. Let it stay at the bottom, as this is where the goliath grouper lurks. It can make your line bounce in an instant that the rod will bend over slowly. By this time, you need to work hard to have him reeled away from the structure he wants to get inside. Otherwise, it will just snap you off. The giant Goliath groupers may not be easy to get, but you can catch the smaller ones you can find in the mangroves as it can be easier to bring them inside the boat.
RED GROUPER
You can catch red groupers any time of the year in various water depths. You can catch some in the backcountry’s channels by accident as you fish for jacks or tarpons. Red groupers can live in any environment from wrecks and reefs, sand, hard bottom, coral, and grass bottom. You can commonly catch red groupers as you jig off the bottom or fish in the reefs. They have sizes that range from ten to thirty inches, and they can eat any bait. You can mainly catch them on cut threadfins or live pinfish. It would be great to bring a red grouper back for dinner, especially if they have a lot of meat. Whenever it is grouper season, every person can keep three red groupers with a minimum size limit of 20 inches. The Grouper season often closes from January to April.
Fishing Seasonality Calendar
| Fish | Season | Best |
|---|---|---|
| Cobia | November – April | January – March |
| Mutton Snapper | Year Round | March – May |
| Blue Marlin | March – October | April – May |
| Yellowtail | Year Round | April – June |
| Wahoo | Year Round | April-May,Oct,December |
| Dolphin | April-September | May-June |
| Tarpon | Year Round | June – October |
| Grouper | Jan 1 – May 31 | November – March |
| Kingfish | September-April | December – March |
| Sailfish | Year Round | December- March |
| Tuna | Year Round | December – February |
Why visit Florida Key West?
Is it worth visiting Key West?
Yes! Key West is a great destination that can provide you with many political and literary history, an old town atmosphere, fantastic nightlife, and exceptional water sports that can suit anyone!
Why is Key West famous?
Key West is famous because of its well-known Lime Pie, incredible sunsets, Ernest Hemingway, picturesque homes with a pastel hue, Caribbean connections, and buccaneering history. Key West can never run out of famous draws. Aside from that, it has an off-beat and eclectic vibe that allows it to become so entertaining and welcoming.
Why should I visit Key West?
One of the best things about Key West is how it suits a whole range of traveler types – groups of mates, couples, families, retirees. With plenty of museums, marine parks, water sports, and cultural attractions, it’s a top destination for those seeking a holiday experience that ticks a tonne of boxes.
Is Key West expensive to visit?
While it certainly isn’t the cheapest of destinations, it’s perfectly possible to enjoy visiting Key West within a budget with planning. Consider traveling off-season (September and November are most affordable), take advantage of happy hour offers at the Seaport bars and restaurants, and research smaller guest houses and B&Bs. For great value, Caribbean charm, and delicious cinnamon breakfast rolls, we recommend the Angelina Guest House tucked in the backstreets of Bahama Village.
Sources:
https://fla-keys.com/news/article/9116/
https://www.britannica.com/place/Florida-Keys
Florida Keys Bucket List: 25 Awesome Things in the Florida Keys
https://limetreebayresort.com/amenities-activities/fishing-calendar/
Key West Fish Species
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