You can’t write the history book on fishing without Islamorada. The sport fishing capital of the world is in the birth place of saltwater fly fishing. Islamorada has an abundance of fishing at an arm’s length. The fishery can only sustain itself if fish are caught and released properly. Andy Danylchuk, a scientific advisor at Keep Fish Wet, works towards creating better outcomes for each fish that anglers release. Keep Fish Wet takes it one step further to provide a series of principles and tips that are based on science. The three core principles are: minimize air exposure, eliminate contact with dry and rough surfaces, and reduce handling time. Anglers have the opportunity to put conservation into action each time they plan to release a fish.

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Islamorada is the quiet fishing village with a big nickname – the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. A great percentage of its residents are fishing captains and anglers. From sailfish to swordfish to bonefish, species are abound. How much is a Florida Keys bonefish worth? The answer: approximately $75,000 over its lifetime. But mishandling bones is a big issue, which is why the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, in partnership with organizations like the Lower Keys Guides Association, has launched the “Save the Slime” awareness campaign to reduce harm to bonefish during catch and release.

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All along this Village of Islands—Plantation, Windley, Upper Matecumbe, Lower Matecumbe, Indian, Lignumvitae and Tea Table Key—bonefish use their conical snouts to push through fertile seagrass and root out a bounty of crustacean, invertebrate and small finfish forage.

Convenient for anglers, much of the action occurs over flats adjacent to Islamorada’s downtown area (mostly Upper Matecumbe), within close proximity to renowned landmarks such as Cheeca Lodge and Spa, Worldwide Sportsman, Library Park, the 1935 Hurricane Monument and Robbie’s Marina.

Bonefish roam oceanside flats, especially when clear, calm days facilitate sight-fishing, but Florida Bay’s vast habitat holds the lion’s share. The bayside also offers more wind breaks on blustery days.

Capt. Jared Raskob says fresh shrimp or crushed blue crab top the natural baits, while fly-fisherman often fool bones with crustacean patterns. Whatever your choice, know that Islamorada bones are a wily lot with zero tolerance for intrusion.

“It’s like playing a game of chess,” Raskob says. “You’re trying to find a way to get your bait into their window of opportunity without them knowing how it got there.”

Get it right and your hook-set launches a shallow-water missile that’ll disappear half your spool in a blink. Blow it with a splashy cast or too much pressure wake and bonefish will validate their nickname, “gray ghost.”

Learn to catch ’em here and you can catch these shiny speedsters anywhere they swim.

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Islamorada proudly bills itself as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, and for good reason. From here, an angler can catch creek-mouth snook in Everglades National Park, tempt a bonefish on the shallow flats around the village’s six islands and head offshore to battle a sailfish—all in the same day.

No matter the length of your angling bucket list, you can check off a whole bunch of species in Islamorada.

The ocean and backcountry flats host bonefish, permit and tarpon, the most sought-after triumvirate in the shallow-water game. Over grass flats and around the mangrove islands in Florida Bay and the national park, anglers can target snook, redfish and sea trout, as well as a variety of shark species, mangrove snapper, tripletail and cobia.

Weather from March through June and from September through November delivers preferred water temperatures for inshore fishing. During summer, visitors depart early in the morning, before the shallows heat up, or fish late in the afternoon, when temperatures cool and a spectacular sunset is almost guaranteed. 

Offshore, yellowtail and mutton snapper as well as grouper, king and cero mackerel swarm structure and coral reefs out to more than 100 feet deep. The same spectacular marine and fish life attracts scuba divers from all over the country.

Just outside the reef line, sailfish swim through the Keys. Plan to visit from November through April for the best opportunity to hook one of these acrobatic, hard-fighting billfish.

The offshore humps, where the ocean floor rises to within 400 feet of the surface, attract baitfish and opportunistic predators such as blackfin tuna, amberjacks and sharks. The humps produce year-round, but spring typically marks the peak of the bite, when the most and biggest fish are landed.

Dolphinfish, also known as mahi-mahi, usually top the list of popular offshore species for anglers hoping to catch dinner. Sharp-eyed captains look for weedlines, floating debris and diving birds to locate schools of the colorful fish, which show up in the spring, but in recent years have proved most abundant from August through early December.

Anglers often stop to catch dolphin on their way out to the swordfish grounds, which lie 25 to 30 miles offshore. Daytime swordfishing, where captains drop baits to the bottom in depths of 1,500 feet or more, was pioneered in 2003 by several innovative Islamorada fishing fanatics.

All Islamorada restaurants, from fancy to family style, offer fresh, local seafood. Lodging options range from high-end resorts to Old Florida motels to floating houseboats, where visitors can rest up and spend the following day on land viewing the works of painters and sculptors at the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District.

Non-anglers can find a different type of fish thrill by hand-feeding the 100-pound tarpon that gather at Robbie’s Marina and taking in a marine mammal show at Theater of the Sea, all of which make a visit to Islamorada a capital idea.

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Blackfin Tuna

The Middle and Upper Keys offer exceptional blackfin tuna fishing in late summer, says Capt. James Chappell, of Catchalottafish Charters. “From August to the first half of November, fish are consistent and solid-size 10-plus-pounders,” he says. “We get a push in the spring, but it’s unreliable with all the sharks.”

The best structures offshore are the massive humps that protrude from the ocean floor. “Marathon Hump, 409 Hump and Islamorada Hump are the best,” says Chappell. “I live-chum blackfin with pilchards. I like any sort of visual fishing, and chumming also allows for different techniques such as catching tuna on a fly rod.”

When live-chumming, Chappell uses 20- to 30-pound spinning tackle connected to 15 feet of 25-pound fluorocarbon leader, terminating with a 2/0 Mustad or Owner Mutu circle hook. In the winter, blackfin move in toward the reef to feed on the baits that move with the fronts, says Chappell.

Run to the Dry Tortugas

Once you’ve made peace with the lack of facilities and creature comforts, the fishing around the Dry Tortugas offers just about anything you want, especially out on the offshore rips for dolphin, tuna and billfish.

Summer is the traditional time for small-boat anglers, as the weather is suited to making the crossing and safely exploring in comfort. Good runs of blackfin tuna hang with mackerel schools that head south into these waters.

Fishing Tackle Considerations

Spinning rods loaded with 20-pound mono will cover most blackfin fishing. For jigging, go heavier with 50-pound braid. “If I get something nice hooked up, I want to be able to get it up and out of he water ahead of the predators,” says Florida Keys captain Steve Sanchez.

Depending on how long you plan to fish, you probably won’t be able to carry enough chum and live bait. Charter captains routinely load their livewells with pilchards before leaving the dock to give themselves a head start. Carry live and frozen shrimp, ballyhoo and as much chum as you have room for.

For terminal tackle, load up on extra leader in the 30- to 50-pound range. Sanchez also points out that trolling lipped Rapalas in the late-summer heat is a winning strategy, especially when compared to sitting still in the hot humid temperatures.

Florida Keys: A Fish for Every Season

Check out this Florida Keys calendar guide, formulated from interviews with respected Keys captains, that highlights a different species each month of the year.

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From December to June, delicious and hard-fighting bottom species like red grouper and mutton snapper are available to anglers. (Be mindful of the seasons in 2017.) The full-moon spawn in May attracts masses of muttons, followed in June by their movement into shallow water. In the Gulf, a falling tide is best, says Capt. Mike Weinhofer, of Compass Rose Charters. Productive structures are the ledges or small rock outcroppings over flat-bottom areas. Key West has the Bar, which is 45 feet deep on top, but drops to 110 feet over just 50 yards.

“My favorite place to catch muttons is down to the west [near the Dry Tortugas], in less than 20 feet of water, using live ballyhoo on spinning rods with some backbone,” he says. “I use Fin-Nor spinners with 30-pound Sufix 832 braid, tipped with 30- to 40-pound fluoro leader tied to a small white bucktail.

“The mutton and grouper fishing tend to get better the farther west you go,” says Weinhofer, who adds that one fishery few anglers know about is the many true American red snapper off Key West. “The numbers of red snapper are staggering — a totally underutilized fishery that’s catch-and-release for all but a few days a year,” he says. “I love fishing around the Dry Tortugas for bottom species. It’s an untouched wonderland.”

A Tasty Bottomfish Recipe

Chef Steve Black details an easy recipe to learn and prepare for groupers and snappers. His preference is for cod or salmon, but bottom species work great too. This recipe has two parts — slaw preparation and the fish. The recipe serves four.

INGREDIENTS (Part 1)

• 1 carrot, peeled, julienned
• 1 English cucumber, peeled, de-seeded, julienned
• 2 stalks celery, julienned
• 1 bunch kale, chiffonade cut
• 2 TBSP ponzu vinaigrette (any brand)
• 1 TBSP rice wine vinegar
• 1 TBSP olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS: After preparing all of the vegetables, mix together in a bowl and check seasoning. Add kosher salt and fresh black pepper if needed (though the ponzu vinaigrette dressing should season it alone). Then store covered in the refrigerator.

INGREDIENTS (Part II)

• 4 grouper or snapper fillets
• 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
• 2 TBSP sesame seed oil
• 2 TBSP chopped chives
• 1 TBSP seasoning salt
• 2 TBSP mayonnaise
• 2 TBSP red miso paste (any flavor miso will work)
• 1 TBSP ponzu vinaigrette (any brand)
• 2 TBSP chopped chives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Mix together the olive oil, sesame oil and 1 TBSP of the chopped chives.
3. In another bowl mix the mayonnaise, red miso paste and ponzu vinaigrette to smooth out any lumps. Add the remaining 1 TBSP of chopped chives to the mayo mix.
4. Season the grouper on all sides with a little seasoning salt.
5. Spoon some of the sesame oil mixture on top of all fish fillets and place on roasting pan.
6. Place fish in the oven and roast for 10 minutes until the fish is almost cooked through.
7. Remove from oven and spread an even coating of the red miso mayonnaise mix on each fillet.
8. Return to oven to cook an additional 5 minutes or until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145F. (I personally like to remove the fish when it hits 140F or so and let the carry-over cooking hit 145F after a few minutes while letting the fish rest.)
9. Plate up the slaw mix ad top with the grouper. Enjoy!

About the Chef: Steve Black attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and began his hotel career at the Sheraton Boston Hotel & Towers in 1984. In 1990, Chef Black traveled abroad to Strasbourg, France, where he had the opportunity to work with several 5-Star Michelin Chefs. Returning to the U.S. in 1992, he moved to San Diego, California, and joined the culinary teams at the La Costa Resort & Spa and at the Hyatt La Jolla Aventine. In 1993, he became the Executive Chef at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island. During his off time, Steve fishes the offshore waters from San Clemente Island down to Ensenada and everywhere in between from his 25-foot Boston Whaler Revenge.

The Sailfish Season Continues

The Florida Keys winter and spring sailfishery is hot even during slow years, making the fishery incredibly dependable. In 2012, Capt. Scott Stanczyk recorded an epic sailfish bite, releasing 47 sails in a single day out of Bud N’ Mary’s in Islamorada. In 2017, Team Indigenous won the 27th annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament in January, releasing eight sailfish. Team Relentless took second place, scoring seven sails. The 2017 year might be considered a down year in terms of numbers, but there are still plenty of fish to be caught into May.

From Stuart north, anglers generally troll ballyhoo; to the south, live baits fished under kites or slow-trolled are the norm. At times, expect exciting pitch-baiting opportunities too. The run to fish is often within 10 miles, and fish are sized from 30 to 40 pounds.

Capt. Dean Panos keeps as many baits in the water as possible when kite-fishing, especially after hooking and fighting a fish. When Panos kite-fishes, he typically includes three baits on two kites. Once there’s a hookup, other team members concentrate on keeping their baits in the water while the angler is fighting his fish.

Explore the State Parks in the Keys

Florida state parks offer some of the best fishing, boating and kayaking in the Keys. A couple of the parks have worldwide recognition, while others don’t get nearly as much attention. Below, three Florida Keys state parks that are friendly to fishermen. Check them out the next time you travel the Keys by water or road.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

The first undersea park in the United States, Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located at MM 102.5 and encompasses about 70 nautical square miles. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1972.

Canoeing, kayaking and salt-water fishing in designated areas. The park offers 2.5 miles of marked mangrove wilderness and tropical hammocks in upland areas. There are three designated swimming areas with beaches on Largo Sound. A beach wheelchair is available upon request.

Fishing is permitted in designated areas in accordance with Florida state law. Spearfishing, possession of spearfishing equipment, and collection of tropical fish is prohibited inside the park.

Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

At 287 acres and festered with tropical hardwood hammock, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park offers a rare look at island-style living in the Upper Keys in the 1930s. The tiny island is located about a mile west of the Overseas Highway at MM 78.5 in Islamorada. Not surprisingly, the park is accessible only by boat.

The island is open Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an entrance fee of $2.50 per person. Guided tours are offered from December through April, Friday through Sunday.

Anglers can fish for a variety of species, including bonefish on the flats, tarpon in the channels, snapper, and Spanish mackerel. Supposedly, snook are also found in the area.

Curry Hammock State Park

Curry Hammock State Park, in Marathon, offers the largest uninhabited piece of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key. The park is located at 56200 Overseas Highway, MM 56.2.

Curry Hammock is a secret hot spot for shallow-water fishing. When conditions are windy, the park’s oceanfront is a popular bet. The park features beautiful mangrove creek and miles of pristine coastline, and preserves essential Keys native ecosystems that include mangrove swamp, rockland hammocks and seagrass beds.

The flats nearby often hold permit and bonefish, and the channel alongside the park produces sharks and snapper.

(Information provided by The Florida Keys and Key West and Florida State Parks)

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Shark Fishing is Hot

With blacktip, spinner, bull and hammerhead sharks readily available from February to April, guides such as Capt. Nate Wheeler target the different species for their sporting qualities. When casting a live crab for permit, don’t be surprised if an oversize bonnethead shark finds it first — the mini hammerheads go nuts for sand-dollar-size crustaceans.

“Fun blacktips and spinners trail schools of baitfish such as mullet and ladyfish that invade the Keys in the winter months,” says Wheeler. “As soon as the tarpon start pushing through in March and April, many ‘capital’ sharks like bulls and hammerheads follow them in.”

The large channels running between Keys flats and islands, measuring anywhere from 5 to 25 feet deep, provide plenty of food and good habitat for sharks. “I really prefer to fish for sharks on the edges of channel flats in shallow water, so you can watch them track and eat your bait,” says Wheeler.

Wheeler prefers to use light-tackle spinning gear, 25 pounds or less, for maximum sport when fishing the flats near Big Pine and Sugarloaf keys. Much larger conventional tackle is necessary for the bigger sharks, he says.

Bonefish on Artificial Lures

Different fish stories persist in South Florida of bonefish attacking bait schools intended for different species, but none ignite any degree of confidence. Still, options do exist for spin anglers who want to trick bonefish without relying on live baits like shrimp and crabs.

Most captains I spoke with agreed that the simplest lure to tempt a bonefish is the skimmer jig. Sometimes called a bonefish jig or flats jig, it’s flat with a tip shaped like a diamond or a circle. The hook and jig eye always point toward the surface to deter snags with grassy or rocky bottom where bonefish live. The hook is dressed with bucktail, fly or synthetic material to mimic shrimp and crabs. Different than traditional boxing-glove jig heads, the slender skimmer wobbles in the water and falls at a slower rate.

“Lightly twitch the rod so the jig hops off the bottom like a shrimp,” says Capt. Mo Estevez, who fishes South Florida regularly. “With a pure jig — which has no smell — you’re appealing to bonefishes’ keen eyesight. The jig’s productivity is dependent on the ability and skill of the angler. It’s tough to get the right action.”

Many captains tip the jig with fresh shrimp to appeal to a bonefish’s olfactory senses, but that’s no longer a true artificial. Instead, use artificial-shrimp scent (like Berkley Gulp! Alive, Pro-Cure or Carolina Lunker Sauce) on your jigs. Color combos are wide ranging for the jigs, but browns, oranges, whites and pinks are top picks. In general, choose colors that mimic the same color as the bottom substrate or the colors of the local crustaceous fauna. Pick ⅛-, ¹⁄₁₆- or ³⁄₁₆-ounce jigs based on how shallow the flat is.

“Skimmer jigs work for anglers who don’t fly-fish,” says Estevez. “With the higher tide, bonefish feel and act safer with more water over their back. Still, I prefer low water on an incoming tide to spot them as they ‘pop’ onto the flats from deeper water.”

Popular jig brands include Hookup Lures Weedless Bucktails or Capt. Harry’s Flats Jigs, but many lure makers offer their own patterns.

The Tarpon Season Begins

Weather. It’s the word that one of the Keys’ best-known veteran inshore guides, Capt. Tom Rowland, comes back to over and over. That’s because it’s a critical factor for success and because “if the conditions are good, I can catch tarpon out of Key West almost any day of the year.” The Key West area hasn’t developed a reputation as one the world’s premier tarpon spots without good reason. “It’s a unique and awesome tarpon fishery,” Rowland says. “We can catch tarpon by just about every imaginable method and every situation in the Keys.”

For example, an angler fishing right in Key West harbor with an expert like R.T. Trosset, who chums them up, may hook as many as 50 tarpon in one tide. Impressive — if less dramatic — numbers are likely for anglers fishing popular tarpon lures or casting flies. If you want beaucoup light-tackle action, you can find lots of aggressive 5- to 40-pounders throughout the year. But for the big bruisers, those averaging in the vicinity of 80 pounds, plan to fish February and March, and some years right into June.

You certainly don’t have to travel to Africa for huge fish. “I’ve guided anglers to many tarpon over 200 pounds, and some of those on fly,” says Rowland. Also, unlike west Africa, Key West does offer opportunities to sight-cast flies to tarpon in clear, shallow water. If the heat of summer gets oppressive, try tarpon fishing at night; it’s cool and often extremely productive. Several major airlines fly directly into Key West from southeastern cities. Places to stay and eat and world-class guides with top-shelf boats abound.

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Permit

Before permit head to deeper waters in April to spawn, Capt. Lenny Leonard targets them on the shallow flats of the Lower Keys. From the Gulf’s Content Keys west to the Marquesas, permit fishing is available most months of the year, with February and March attracting the largest fish to the flats. Look for flats with hard bottom and plenty of current — chances are permit will be feeding or staging nearby. When fishing the flats, watch for the flash of the fish’s sides reflecting direct sunlight.

“I believe those fish are pre-feeding at this time,” says Leonard. “They head shallow to eat and warm up their bellies — almost an incubation period for the eggs.”

Leonard sight-fishes shallow flats in less than 3 feet of water, preferring fly tackle, though he guides both fly and spin anglers regularly.

“Using a live crab seems to work best, but permit will definitely eat a live shrimp presented properly on a diamond bucktail jig,” he says. On fly, Leonard prefers an 8- to 10-weight setup with a floating line. “Since most of the crab-imitator fly patterns have dumbbell eyes, there’s no need to use a sinking fly line if the fly sinks,” he says.

Besides fun fishing for permit, proficient fly anglers can compete in the March Merkin Invitational Permit Tournament from March 13 to 16. This year the tournament is held at Key West Harbour Yacht Club on Stock Island. The rules are simple: fly-caught fish must be boated, measured, tagged and photographed on a measuring device. At the close of each fishing day, a catch form, marked tape and tagging data sheet must be submitted. All proceeds from the tournament go to the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and the Lower Keys Guides Association.

Jimmy Johnson Tournaments Take Over

Famed football coach Jimmy Johnson loves to fish in the Florida Keys. This March, he helps host a trifecta of fishing tournaments.

Jimmy Johnson’s Celebrity Pro-Am Championship, Dates Wednesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 9

A chance for Jimmy Johnson’s celebrity friends to fish with pro anglers for a fun day of competition. Rings will be awarded to the top celebrity anglers and top boat as they fish for billfish and other species. The Pro Am takes place on Thursday, March 9 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Results will be scored via a point system based on the number of fish caught (whether released or boated).

Jimmy Johnson’s National Billfish Championship: March 8 to March 11

The National Billfish Championship is 2-day billfish tournament that features some of the top anglers in the country. Fishing teams compete for a guaranteed purse of $1 million. Registered anglers receive one point for their boat for each eligible billfish release in the tournament. All team and individual prize categories are awarded based on the individual or team’s overall point standings. Throughout its short 5-year history, this tournament has awarded almost $2 million in prize money and 5 championship rings. General boat entry starts at $2,500 and $5,000.

Schedule:

Wednesday, March 8: 4-6PM registration and captain’s meeting

Friday, March 10: 7:30AM-4PM lines in and out

Saturday, March 11: 7:30AM-2PM lines in and out

Jimmy Johnson’s National Sportfish Championship: March 11

The Sportfish Championship takes place Saturday, March 11 in Key Largo during the Jimmy Johnson Fishing Week. Anglers compete for dolphin, wahoo, tuna, cobia and kingfish. This one-day, fun-fish competition awards a purse and coveted rings to winners. Boat entry starts at $375.

Schedule:

Friday, March 10: 4-6PM registration and captain’s meeting

Saturday, March 11: 7:30-2PM lines in and out, followed by weigh-in at Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill Contender Barge

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Kingfish

Take a break from sailfishing this winter in the Florida Keys. Instead, cash in on the dynamic king mackerel fishing available in the Gulf. Capt. Tony Murphy heads to the Gulf of Mexico’s green waters in the colder months to target 30-plus-pound king mackerel. From December to February, look for water temperatures from 72 to 76 degrees along reef edges to find the kings.

“The break in 45 to 52 feet of Gulf water is great in February,” he says. “In the Atlantic, we fish the inside reef edge from 75 to 120 feet. A west tide is optimal, especially with the predominantly east wind.”

Murphy’s favorite tactic is chumming the kings into a feeding frenzy with live pilchards, then casting a fly rod for the mackerel. But on a normal charter, he uses Shimano Terez rods and Saragosa spinners loaded with 50-pound braid.

“For a leader, I’ll use two rod lengths of 30-pound fluorocarbon connected to 12 inches of No. 5 wire with an Albright knot,” Murphy adds. “The hook size will depend on the type and size of live bait.”

Barracuda Take the Spotlight

Competitors used spin and fly tackle to target aggressive barracuda in the 2017 Cuda Bowl, taking place on Feb. 3-4. The all-release flats tournament got its name because it’s scheduled every year two days before the NFL Super Bowl.

Heidi Andrews of Vero Beach, Florida, released 281.5 inches of barracuda to win the spin division of the 2017 Cuda Bowl Tournament in Key West. Andrews earned the title of divisional grand champion fishing with Captain Aaron Snell of Key West. She also was named top lady angler.

Only flats skiff-type boats with a poling tower were used in the two-day tourney.

Jim Knowles of Round Hill, Virginia, won the Cuda Bowl’s fly division championship after releasing barracuda totaling 229.75 inches. He was guided by Captain Peter Heydon of Key West.

The largest barracuda in the spin division was released by Tom del Bosque of Boca Raton, Florida. He caught the fish, measuring 53.5 inches, guided by Key West’s Captain Jimi McKillip. Joe Skrumbellos of Davie, Florida, scored the largest barracuda on fly tackle at 46.5 inches.

The flats challenge drew 61 anglers who released 418 barracuda.

More Hot Tournaments in February

Tournament anglers can compete to catch the most inches of snook and redfish on fly in the Spring Backcountry Fly Championship Series. Mark your calendars for Feb. 24 and 25 to compete in this Islamorada-based tournament. In this challenge, one inch equals one point, so the bigger the fish the better! Awards are given to the grand champion and runner-up, and to the anglers who catch the largest snook and redfish. The field is limited to 30 boats.

Late February offers offshore anglers the opportunity to target nine offshore species in a family-format tournament. From Feb. 24 to 26, the Islamorada Winter Classic will take place out of Islamorada, Florida Keys. Trophies are awarded to top boat teams in weight and release categories, as well as private vessel and charter divisions. Junior and teen divisional winners also have opportunities to win. Target species include sailfish, barracuda, dolphin, cobia, wahoo, tuna, mackerel, hogfish and snapper.

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The Florida Keys

Driving south down U.S. 1 in Florida, it’s easy to become hypnotized by the green and blue waters surrounding top fishing destinations such as Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West. There are plenty of stretches along the main drive that allow car travelers to watch boaters catch tarpon or snapper. How distracting!

The Florida Keys is a coral archipelago stretching far into the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, providing numerous launch points to some of the most diverse and productive salt waters in North America. The coral shores lead to pristine flats and coral reefs, with the reef edges acting as the final step out to deep bluewater. Anglers in flats skiffs and bay boats explore the extensive grass-and-sand flats, deep channels and bridge structures. Light-tackle boats make hay along the wrecks and reefs. Offshore center-consoles and sport-fishers roam the open waters in search of pelagics. The Keys remain a saltwater angler’s paradise.

Backflip to Bellyflop

You don’t have to travel across the globe for great sailfish action. The Florida Keys winter sailfishery seems to be getting better and better. The fish run pretty small, and the seas can run pretty big (when north winds driven by frontal systems offer the rugged conditions that get sailfish packs tailing down-sea in numbers). From Stuart, Florida and farther north, anglers generally troll ballyhoo; to the south and into the Keys, live baits fished under kites or slow-trolled are the norm.

Why Should You Fish the Florida Keys?

Hot sailfishing from January into May. The run to fish is often within 10 miles; for some areas it might be just two or three. No shortage of charters, marinas, etc. At times, many exciting sight-casting/pitch-baiting opportunities. Most sails run 30 or 40 pounds, so fish light. Weekends might get a bit crowded in popular areas offshore.

January Offshore Fishing Events in the Keys

Key Largo Sailfish Challenege

Light-Tackle Action

Beginner, amateur and veteran anglers can kick-start the new year with a healthy dose of light-tackle competition and camaraderie at the 21st annual Key Largo Sailfish Challenge, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6-8.

New this year, up to six anglers can form a team to put their 20-pound line skills to task, competing for cash prizes and trophies for the top three finishers.

The winter subtropical fishing event kicks off Friday with a 6 p.m. registration, followed by cocktails at the tournament’s headquarters, Sundowners on the Bay, located at mile marker 103.9 bayside.

Saturday, Jan. 7, lines-in begins at 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. Sunday anglers can fish 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. A final evening of cocktails, dinner buffet and awards ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. Entry fee for a boat’s first angler is $495 and each additional angler pays $450.

Cheeca Lodge’s Presidential Sailfish Tournament

Cheeca Lodge

The second leg of the three-event Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship series, the 27th annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, is scheduled Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 19-21, in Islamorada. Kickoff for “The Presidential” is set for Thursday, Jan. 19, at Cheeca Lodge, mile marker 82 oceanside, at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail party and buffet dinner to follow.

Up to 25 boats can register. Entry fee is $695 for the first angler per boat. Additional anglers’ entry fee is $645, up to four per boat, until Jan. 6, 2017. After Jan. 6, the entry fee for the first angler increases to $750 and each additional angler is $700.

Friday and Saturday, anglers combine their 20-pound or less line with light-tackle skills to wrestle the high-flying sailfish, known for their acrobatics and tail-walking the waves. Only circle hooks can be used. Fishing is from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

A courtyard-to-ballroom gala banquet is set for Saturday evening when trophies, created by Islamorada artist Pasta Pantaleo, are to be awarded the tournament’s top anglers.

The Gold Cup Series traditionally concludes with the mid-week final leg, the Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament, set for Jan. 25-26, 2017, when the overall Gold Cup Series champion is crowned.

January Inshore Fishing in the Keys

Redfish

Keys redfish cooperate all year long, allowing captains such as Islamorada’s Rick Stanczyk to take advantage during the cool months. Stanczyk runs a 22-foot SeaCraft bay boat and shies away from super-shallow fishing for reds, so his top months are the cooler ones, from December to February. He favors the creeks near the Northwest Cape on Florida’s mainland, casting medium-light Shimano spinning outfits spooled with 20-pound braid, 30-pound leader and natural baits.

“During these months, redfish tend to push out of the very shallow flats into the channel runoffs, island moats and creeks of the mainland Everglades,” he says. “The areas may be anywhere from 2 to 10 feet deep. In many instances, we catch them over hard, rocky bottom.”

During a cold front with a hard north wind, reds school up heavily in areas like these channels. On a high, rising tide, redfish move out of the holes and find similar structure along the shorelines.

“My favorite technique is probably pitching live shrimp or pilchards around the shorelines, islands, and in the creeks of the mainland,” Stanczyk says. “You have a shot at catching redfish, snook or even little tarpon while doing this. You can also chum areas that look productive and attract fish away from structure.”

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