Yes, Key West is renowned for excellent fishing, particularly deep-sea and backcountry fishing. It’s known for its variety of fish species and diverse fishing opportunities.
Here’s a more detailed look at why Key West is a great fishing destination:
Deep-sea fishing: Key West offers year-round deep-sea fishing opportunities with the chance to catch fish like sailfish, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin, and king mackerel.
Backcountry fishing: The calm, shallow waters of the mangroves, bays, and channels on the Gulf side of the island make it ideal for backcountry fishing, also known as “fishing the flats”. You can target species like bonefish, permit, redfish, and snook.
Other fishing opportunities:
- Flats fishing: Steath replaces brute force in these remote and distant fishing grounds.
- Reef fishing: You can target fish like grouper and snapper around reefs and wrecks.
- Shore fishing: Shore fishing is permitted at locations like The Edward B.
Key West is known for its excellent tarpon fishery, especially during the spring and summer months when they are most active.
To get the most out of your fishing trip, consider:
- Fishing charters: Many charter boats offer deep-sea, backcountry, and reef fishing experiences.
- Local bait and tackle shops: They can provide information on current fishing conditions and species.
- Obtaining a Florida saltwater fishing license: A license is required to fish in Key West and the Florida Keys.