Middle Keys Fishing- What You Will Catch in the Florida Keys
By Drew Dinan FromtheYak.com
From battling awe-inspiring swordfish in the deep depths of the Atlantic, to stalking shallow water flats in search of world-record bonefish; the Middle Keys fishery is all about variety, and even more about trophy catches.
Offshore, anglers head to pursue the hard-fighting game fish glorified in those old black and white photos you've seen hanging on the walls of your favorite Florida Keys watering holes. From the edge of the reef, out to the strong Gulf Stream currents and lively Marathon Humps, the Middle Keys offshore waters are rich with blue marlin, black fin tuna, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin (mahi mahi), swordfish, and more.
Closer to shore, and just a few miles from the dock, you'll find the only living coral barrier reef system in the continental United States. The reef, which is home to magnificent coral arrangements, colorful fish, exotic plants, and a diversity of animals and wildlife found nowhere else in the world, is the place to go for non-stop action and to load the coolers with delicious fillets. Mutton, mangrove and yellowtail snapper; black, red and gag grouper; mackerel and cobia are just a few of the challenging and tasty fish you will catch at the reef.
Resting below the Atlantic are the remains of several shipwrecks where strong predator species and large bottom dwellers now call home. Wreck fishing in the Middle Keys will test your strength and endurance as you reel in the monsters of the deep; which include enormous goliath grouper, sharks, amberjacks, large mutton snapper, and more.
Inshore, the Middle Keys are home to a number of productive shallow water flats where fly fisherman and light-tackle anglers can target the Keys' most sought after game fish. From Duck Key to Marathon, the Middle Keys are teaming with bonefish, permit, tarpon, redfish and snook. And, the Middle Keys are just a short boat ride from the backcountry waters of Everglades National Park, where you'll find some of the best fishing in the entire world.
The calm waters of Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico provide more just a refuge for anglers when the winds begin to howl, they also offer some of the best and most exciting fishing in the Middle Keys. From the Seven-Mile Bridge, all the way to the deep Gulf Wrecks, anglers of all skill levels will enjoy the constant rod-bending action and multitude of species that can be caught while fishing in the Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico.
FISHING SEASONS
While a vast number of species can be caught year-round in the Middle Keys, there are certain times of year that are best to target specific fish
Summer: Dolphin highlight the Middle Keys summer fishing season. Large schools dolphin push into the Keys as the waters warm, providing anglers an excellent opportunity to head offshore and pursue these acrobatic and delicious game fish.
Spring: Springtime marks the Florida Keys tarpon run when 100-plus pound silver kings pass through the Middle Keys inshore waters. Tarpon season is one of the most popular and exciting times to fish in the Middle Keys and people from all over the world travel here to do battle with one of fishing's most prized catches.
Fall: Fall is an excellent time to fish the reef for snapper and grouper species, as well as to head into the backcountry in search of snook, and to fish the Gulf wrecks for large cobia.
Winter: Winter is sailfish season. Large numbers of sailfish migrate into the Middle Keys as waters begin to cool, providing anglers great opportunities to catch these exciting and high-flying game fish.
Be sure to visit TryCharterFishing.com to read next week's Florida Keys fishing report.
