Sealed With A Fish In Florida

Individuals who tour the Florida Keys will find a tropical Caribbean paradise in their own back yard. In spite of being only 90 miles from Cuba and a brief plane ride from any one of the Caribbean resort islands, the Florida Keys are part of the United States and joined by highway to the mainland. No boats or planes required.

The Keys are in fact a string of islands that start with Key Largo in the north and end with the storied Key West in the south, residence to Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. Between, there are actually hundreds of islands, a number of which remain uninhabited. Because of the Keys’ unique geographical place in the warm waters flanked by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, and because of the numerous coral reefs and sand bars that make up the island chain, the Keys are home to a number of the finest salt water fishing in the United States and have colorful beach vacation rentals to cook up your catch in.

Beginning in the north with Key Largo and the islands in its vicinity, Islamorada is a major vacation spot for sport fishermen. Islamorada is its own island, but it is in near enough proximity to Key Largo and the mainland that it sees a sizeable amount of passage from those two places. Lodging in a vacation rental at Key Largo and fishing at Islamorada is a distinct possibility, while Key West, a two hour drive down U.S. Highway 1, is a bit out of reach.

Each fishing season brings tournaments and competitions to Key Largo and Islamorada. Bonefish are a common catch near the island, while deep sea fishing for sailfish is a common pastime. If you plan on fishing, keep in mind that a fishing license is necessary in Florida waters, no matter what sort of fish you plan to catch or what season of the year. A permit is obtainable from bait shops, marinas, and is regularly supplied as part of the fee for a charter vessel.

Speaking of charters, there are seemingly countless opportunities to hire charter fishing vessels in the Florida Keys. Many motels, hotels, and vacation rentals retain their own charter vessel or fleet, and the number of private charters that can literally be seen from the freeway may prove amazing to a person from other areas of the United States.

At the other end of the island chain, the fishing in Key West is as wide-ranging as it is outstanding. The clear backcountry waters off Key West provide an opportunity for angling. An experienced guide into the backcountry is an absolute requirement for those interested in fly fishing or merely exploring the unspoiled wilderness of Florida Keys.

For some genuine fishing excitement, stay in one of many gorgeous romantic travel spots and charter some deep sea fishing off Key West.