The 125-mile-long arc of islands that comprises the Florida Keys creates one of the most unique fishing environments in the world, and means a noteworthy or at least edible catch is possible virtually any time of year.

 

Florida Bay, edged by the “inner” curve of the Keys and the Florida mainland, is referred to locally as the backcountry. Warm, nutrient-rich waters from the Caribbean Basin pour into the Straits of Florida, combining with water flowing out of the shallow-water nurseries of the Everglades and Florida Bay to create a profuse food chain. That in turn sustains massive amounts of bait fish, which attract abundant stocks of game fish to the Keys, like bonefish, permit, redfish, snook and trout, as well as tasty yellowtail snapper.