Islamorada isn’t called the Sport Fishing Capital of the World by accident -warm Gulf Stream waters pull a large variety of game fish toward the islands day in and day out, making our own tropical paradise an international gateway for pro and part time anglers alike. Whether you enjoy trolling a couple of miles offshore or hunting in the still waters of the backcountry flats, Islamorada has the barracuda you’ve been shopping for.

More fishing contests are held in the Keys than anywhere else in nationally and offer a chance to observe other generations, test your methods, and perhaps even get a bit of fame and fortune. There are oftentimes at the least ten different competitions taking place from Key Largo to Key West every month, featuring anything from dolphinfish to tarpon. You^ll also find fishing tournaments are intended for lady anglers or for children, and many profit various charitable organizations.

Backcountry guides can lead your expedition to the most prize positions for tarpon, permit, and bonefish, all of which are first-rate for both catch-and-release and eating. Offshore charters are the smartest method for big game fishermen to critter marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, and sailfish. A few charters have created nighttime trips in boats as large as 50’ with fancy conveniences, for instance private rooms. Reef fishing for grouper and snapper keeps you closer to shore and absolutely guarantees you’ll dine well that evening.

Getting Prepared for Your Exciting Trip

When picking out a charter outfit, choose whether you need to fish with your own tackle or have it furnished for you, and learn about the level of bait and live well capacities. Determine your angling skill and personal experience levels and use a captain accordingly, becaue of the fact that you don’t want your guide handing over you a hand line and a bucket of squid and then ignoring you, or explaining basics if you’re a very experienced angler. Most captains will happily manage a range of skill levels, but it’s best to be sure before selecting your charter.

Never fail to bring spf 15 or higher and a camera so you can catch and release but still brag about your adventure escapades once you go home. Release any fish you cannot eat once you^re back home because over fishing at present will wipe out the fish supply for future fishermen. If you’re not taking your fish, return the fish to the water as fast as you can; remember, the faster you can wind your catch of a lifetime in (the less time it spends struggling), the better it will be when returned to the waters.

Advice & Tricks

Hunters in search of dolphin should get cracking very very early, go for nearly 120 feet of water, and search for diving birds or drifts of floating sea grasses. Setting out chum slicks helps draw in tinier fish, and whenever you’ve got a blue runner or some other bait fish on your line, leave it there since the dolphin will be drawn to it. Dolphin pass over through areas very fast, so it helps to search for other boats and constantly troll instead of staying in one spot.

Amberjacks put up a substantial fight and could take a long time for even an experienced angler to reel in. Search for large big Jacks at wide sunken ships in over 100 feet of water, and smaller ones in and around the reefs between November and March. Use a leader of 18 to 25 feet and at least 50 lb. test, and take live bait if you can do it. Don’t ease up on your pole, or you’ll lose it overboard when they strike.

Most guides say the most certain way to catch a barracuda is with a tube lure in more or less fifteen to 25 feet of water, and to keep the rigging going through the water or the barracuda will become leery and wary. While barracuda are a tremendous sport fish because they’ll put up a fantastic fight, they’re by and large not used for food. Virtually all of the bigger fish (over 5 lbs.) have turned out to be poisonous to human beings due to their diet of reef algae. Ciguatera poisoning is rarely fatal, but never desirable. Smaller barracuda can be carved into steaks and used for food.

The Florida Keys Lobster

The spiny lobster mini-season pulls lobster-lovers from all over the globe, so you need to gather your reservations and list of things to do early on. These lobsters travel the regions from Brazil to Bermuda, although a bulk of them comes to the Keys area expanses. Once you have one, see that your net or bag is in the right place before they run away, because these creatures get away by jetting backwards through the water. Bring your critter to most Key largo restaurants and they’ll cook it for you, or just order theirs and relish the taste without the effort. FL Keys lobster are very similar in taste and texture to Maine lobster, only littler. They’re peachy boiled, steamed, or grilled, and sold whole, as tails, and as meat in many fish groceries.

The two-day Sport Lobster Season happens the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and ending Thursday at midnight. The newest dates are:

• July 27 - 28, 2005
• July 26 - 27, 2006
• July 25 - 26, 2007

During this period, there’s a prohibition on diving and snorkeling within 300 feet of marinas, canals, and private shorelines to check damage done by overzealous lobster hunters. You^ll find bag limits, restricted areas, and gear regulations. For thorough and new regulations, please contact the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-488-4676 .

The commercial lobster season goes from August to March. Only commercial license holders may trap lobster & stone crabs, and Florida no longer gives out commercial licenses. Existing licenses must be purchased from another fisherman.