Light Tackle Fishing in Key West
The Florida Keys stretch some 100 miles out into the ocean and have oceans on all sides and fish galore. Keys such as Islamorada have built an enviable reputation for world-class fishing but for many years now Key West has held the reputation of being simply the best sport fishing location in North America simply for the huge selection of species swimming around the island. Fishing in the Florida Keys attracts fishermen from all over the world and for very good reasons.
With inshore fishing for tarpon and sharks, reef fishing for snapper and grouper plus offshore fishing for sailfish, dolphin, kingfish, wahoo and countless other species, it’s a fisherman’s paradise. With such a variety of species and with water on all sides you’ll be hard pressed to find an excuse for a bad day’s fishing whatever the weather conditions.
Although there are a number of offshore boats working out of Key West, our primary interest is light tackle fishing. If you are not a regular saltwater angler you will be wondering what I’m talking about, so we’ll begin with a simple explanation. The offshore boats tend to be bigger with a greater degree of luxury such as a large air conditioned lounge and full bathrooms. They motor around the ocean towing a number of lures behind the boat and when a fish is hooked the designated fisher sits in the fighting chair to bring the fish to the boat. A light tackle boat is quite a bit smaller, being somewhere around 26 – 30 ft long, with no accomodation and an open deck. Typically powered by a pair of powerful outboard motors, they roar around at impressive speeds which allows them to reach fishing spots many miles from the harbor at Key West. Each person on the boat is armed with a rod and reel, and when a bite is detected it is the angler’s job to hook and reel in the fish unaided. The offshore captains will normally fish in water at least 200 feet deep whereas the light tackle boats are much more versatile fishing anything between 20 ft deep for sharks around the harbor to two or three hundred feet deep offshore whilst searching for sailfish.
Now don’t get the wrong idea about light tackle fishing, it’s equally suited to expert or beginner. All of the captains are very helpful and they’ll all do their best to make sure that you have a great day’s fishing, and maybe a fish or two to have prepared at one of the local seafood restaurants. All of the boats have an excellent selection of fishing tackle for you to use if you don’t have your own gear. All that’s required from you for a great day’s fishing is sunscreen, sunglasses a hat and your food and drink for the day.
Our next articles will describe in greater detail a day fishing for grouper, tuna, sailfish or tarpon, but for the time being we’d suggest that you to get out there and catch some of our wonderful fish.
