Keys TravelerSport Fishing Edition

fla-keys.com/fishing lanning your next exotic destina­ And Islamorada’s reefs are prime for tal shelf, anglers find blue marlin and tion fishing expedition? There’s no yellowtail snapper, one of the tastiest other species of billfish as well as dol­ Preason to leave the U.S. and no fish of the sea. Chefs at area restau­ phin, wahoo and blackfin tuna around reason to look farther than the Florida rants will take fillets, skillfully carved by the East Crack, a deep vertical fissure The Florida Keys Keys & Key West. captains and mates, and prepare them where water depths range from 750 to The region owes the abundance of in several different styles. You can’t get 1,500 feet. Such severe bottom relief fantastic inshore and offshore angling fish any fresher. attracts hordes of baitfish and, in turn, World-Class Angling in the U.S.A. opportunities to its unique geography; Marathon predators. it’s here that five of the planet’s great­ Moving southwest along the island Key West est natural wonders come together. chain, anglers arrive in the Middle Keys When you finally come to mile marker The Florida Keys are at the center of and Marathon. This is arguably one of 0 in the Southernmost City, you’re only the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean, the world’s premier tarpon fishing des­ 20 miles from world-famous Wood’s the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Stream tinations, especially along the world- Wall. It’s the continuation of the con­ current, Florida Bay and the Florida famous Seven Mile Bridge. Though tinental shelf and features the Middle Everglades. many fishermen target the silver king and West cracks. This is the stretch of The entire 125-mile-long island chain during daylight hours, Marathon’s water Ernest Hemingway roamed. offers year-round, world-class access charter community has been able to But Key West also offers exceptional to backcountry, inshore and offshore cool things off — making it one of the shallow-water habitats for permit. The fishing, including species such as world’s best evening tarpon fisheries. late legendary fly fisherman Del Brown tarpon, yellowtail snapper, kingfish, Marathon also features a great landed over 500 of the wary gamefish dolphin (mahi-mahi) and sailfish. deepwater habitat called the Marathon on fly in the region. But just as each Keys island com­ Hump. It’s literally an underwater moun­ Expansive grass flats, big flood tides munity has its own flavor, each region tain where the Gulf Stream current and abundant populations of the per­ enjoys its own specialized fishery upwelling forces bait to the surface, mit’s favorite food source — crabs — — unlike any found elsewhere in the attracting pelagic species such as have made this a go-to permit destina­ angling world. blackfin tuna, dolphin and sharks. tion. Add the abundance of world-class Key Largo Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys fishing guides, and it’s easy to see why For shallow-water anglers, Key Largo Want to experience the “Primal Pull?” no other destination comes close when is one of the finest destinations for Then Big Pine and the Lower Keys you’re chasing this holy grail of light- seeking the elusive flats slam: a per­ is the place for blackfin tuna as well tackle fishing. mit, bonefish and tarpon all in one day. as deepwater snapper and grouper. No matter what your fishing fancy, Why? Savvy skiff guides have access Located just off American Shoal is a the Florida Keys & Key West have to the bonefish- and permit-rich waters series of sunken U.S. Navy ships called something for every angler — every of Biscayne National Park. After releas­ the Destroyers. Ranging from depths day of the year. ing your first two, it’s off to the remote of 180 feet to nearly 600 feet of water, For more information, visit wilds of Everglades National Park for the shipwrecks offer plenty of nonstop, fla-keys.com/fishing. your tarpon. Reach your goal? Upgrade drag-smoking action to put tackle to Captain Ted Lund is a former editor of to a super slam by adding a redfish the test year-yound. Saltwater Sportsman magazine and a and a snook. Farther offshore toward the continen­ Florida Keys fishing fanatic. Key Largo also is a Keys sailfish hotspot, especially during winter ANDY NEWMAN when the high-leaping “spindlebeaks” chase baitfish on the edge of the reef, producing “showers” of ballyhoo that serve as beacons to the prized gamefish. Islamorada For over 100 years Islamorada has been known as the Sport Fishing Capi­ tal of the World. Now it has another gem to add to its crown: Daytime Swordfishing Capital of the World. Thanks to an innovative group of professional charter captains, this unique daytime fishery for broadbill swordfish has blossomed. Using state-of-the-art tackle and techniques developed right here, you’ll present baits at depths ranging to 2,000 feet. By Captain Ted Lund It’s possible to log several releases of these rare gamefish in one day — with Richard Stanczyk, left, and Vic Gaspeny display a broadbill ROB O’NEAL some scaling more than 400 pounds. caught while daytime swordfishing off the Florida Keys.

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ne clear, crisp spring day in 1908, the renowned South 100-pound-plus tarpon in the Florida Keys — particularly stories Florida charterboat skipper Charlie Thompson was fishing surrounding the exploits of personalities like Zane Grey, Herbert for tarpon off Long Key. According to his daughter, he Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt and, in later decades, Ernest Hemingway Ospotted none other than Henry Flagler standing on the and Ted Williams. shoreline near his newly built Long Key Fishing Club. Flagler later As the popularity of tarpon fishing burgeoned, a cottage industry told him that the sunlight glancing off the silvery backs of the huge expanded with the increasing demand for more suitable boats, better school of tarpon around Thompson’s boat produced a mesmerizing equipment and expert guides. No longer did one have to dress light effect. in jacket and tie while balancing in a wooden boat ill-equipped for Other anglers besides Flagler became similarly smitten with the fishing. Specialized clothing for flats angling became available and unbelievable bounty of Florida Keys sport fishing for sailfish, wahoo, motorized vessels were designed specifically for light-tackle and fly- tuna, mackerel, snapper, grouper and scores of other species. But fishing enthusiasts targeting tarpon. tarpon became a particular hit because of the species’ close-to-shore In the 1960s new personalities began to take center stage in Keys availability, massive size and powerful fighting prowess. tarpon angling — flats masters such as Stu Apte, Billy Pate and Al First glamorized in books in the 1800s as a monstrous “tarpum,” Pflueger. the tarpon later was nicknamed the “silver king” due to its regal size Fishing guides like Islamorada’s Jimmie Albright became world and the distinctive hue of its huge scales. Tarpon fishing became famous for their craft. And yet, despite all the inordinate skills more common soon after the turn of the century, thanks in large developed by experts to successfully stalk silver kings often part to Flagler’s East Coast Railway connecting Key West to Florida’s weighing more than themselves, even neophytes to the sport like mainland. Henry Flagler could experience the exhilaration of catching and With the ensuing 1920s tourism boom came fascinating articles releasing a tarpon. appearing in national publications about anglers dueling with And it’s still happening every day in the Florida Keys.

4 fla-keys.com • fla-keys.co.uk • fla-keys.it • fla-keys.de • fla-keys.ie • fla-keys.fr • fla-keys.nl • fla-keys.be • fla-keys.cn Keys Traveler Keys Traveler fla-keys.com • fla-keys.co.uk • fla-keys.it • fla-keys.de • fla-keys.ie • fla-keys.fr • fla-keys.nl • fla-keys.be • fla-keys.cn 5 ANDY NEWMAN When and where to fish for popular Florida Keys game fish SPECIES SIZE HABITAT SEASON TACKLE* Amberjack 30-75 lbs. reef, wreck, March–May 20-80# humps Barracuda 7-35 lbs. all areas year-round fly, spin, baitcast Bonefish 5-16 lbs. flats May–Oct. fly, spin, baitcast Cobia 15-80 lbs. reef, wreck, Nov.–April fly, spin, baitcast bay Dolphin 5-65 lbs. blue water April–Oct. fly, spin, baitcast (Mahi-Mahi) Grouper 10-500 lbs. reef, wreck May–Dec. spin, (multiple species) 20-50# Cero Mackerel 3-10 lbs. reef, wreck Nov.–April fly, spin, baitcast King Mackerel 8-70 lbs. reef, wreck Oct.–April spin, 12-30# Spanish Mackerel 3-7 lbs. bay, bridge, Nov.–March fly, spin, baitcast Randy Towe wraps a guide on reef one of his custom rods. Blue Marlin 80-600 lbs. blue water May–Oct. 50-80# White Marlin 30-125 lbs. blue water April–Sept. 12-30# Islamorada captain makes rod-building an art Ê Permit 8-40 lbs. flats, wreck March–Nov. fly, spin, baitcast hen Randy Towe was 10 Infatuated with sport fishing, that the entire package has been Redfish 3-20 lbs. backcountry year-round fly, spin, baitcast years old he asked his Towe moved to Islamorada at assembled by just one person: Sailfish 30-80 lbs. reef edge, Nov.–May fly, spin, Wmother to buy him a $200 age 19. He mated on an offshore Captain Randy Towe. blue water 12-20# custom fishing rod. charter boat and earned enough Towe not only builds rods alone, Shark 10-600 lbs. all areas year-round fly, spin, baitcast, His mother didn’t agree with the money to pay his $250-per-month he also prefers to fish customers in (multiple species) 30-80# investment, so he convinced her rent and cover his living expenses. the same manner — whether it’s in Snapper (Mangrove) 1-6 lbs. bridges, bay year-round spin to spend considerably less. The In 1983, he secured his U.S. the backcounty for tarpon, bonefish and reef young fisherman then purchased Coast Guard captain’s license and and snook on his 18-foot Action parts and built his own rod. began taking customers out in the Craft skiff or offshore for yellowtail Snapper (Mutton) 5-20 lbs. flats and reef April–Sept. fly, spin, baitcast Now more than 40 years later, backcountry. He was making $350 snapper, sailfish, blackfin tuna or Snapper (Yellowtail) 2-6 lbs. reef year-round spin Towe not only continues to build per trip and “living the dream.” dolphin fish on his 34-foot Pursuit. Snook 6-35 lbs. backcountry March–Nov. fly, spin, baitcast rods for himself, he also crafts But that didn’t seem to keep Towe’s rods cost anywhere from Swordfish 70-700 lbs. blue water year-round 50-130# them for others — all from his him busy enough, so he rented a $300 to $1,400 apiece, but are store in the Florida Keys. small business space and started a crafted to last a lifetime. Tarpon 25-150 lbs. bridges, flats, March–Aug. fly, spin, baitcast rod-building business just because “There is nothing I build that I bay it offered him a “therapeutic don’t test,” Towe said. “And I have Tuna (Blackfin) 5-38 lbs. blue water, off­ year-round fly, spin, Keys Traveler opportunity to take a break from the testing grounds of the Florida shore humps 20-30# Sport Fishing Edition fishing.” Keys in my own backyard.” Wahoo 15-80 lbs. blue water Nov.–June spin, 30# Editor: Andy Newman His brand, Captain Randy Towe’s Many of Towe’s customers come Managing Editor: Carol Shaughnessy Signature Series Handmade to him because they are serious Copy Editor: Buck Banks Rods, has become well known to anglers — some even focused “Keys Traveler” is published by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, the official dedicated anglers. on breaking world records — and visitor marketing agency for the Florida Keys “I make everything from fly to the rods become highly prized The Florida Keys lay claim to more world saltwater angling For details on fishing & Key West. Director: Harold Wheeler; Sales heavy offshore trolling rods,” Towe possessions. records than any other destination on the globe, according Director: Stacey Mitchell; Keys Fishing to the International Game Fish Association. tournaments in the Keys: Umbrella: Jim Sharpe, president; Tim Greene, said. “I build exactly what customers “I had to testify in court when A saltwater fishing license is required to fish from a pier, vice president; John Crockett, secretary/ fla-keys.com/fishing want, how they want it to feel and a couple got divorced,” Towe bridge, boat or from shore in all Florida waters. Visitors treasurer; Bernice Dionne, Tammie Gurgiolo, who fish on a certified charter, party or backcountry boat Dianne Harbaugh, Rob Harris, Barbara Hewlett, what they want to do with it.” recalled. “They were arguing over a *Tackle is specified as spin, fly, baitcast Karen Thurman and Mike Weinhofer. do not need a license because the captain and boat carry Towe said his rods are all about set of fly rods and reels. necessary documentation. or conventional with appropriate line © 2017 MCTDC fit, finish and top-quality parts. “She got them,” he remembered, More information on fishing licenses and saltwater fishing class (# means line test breaking Cover photo of a charterboat heading to When someone purchases a “and she had me take his name off regulations is available at myfwc.com/fishing. strength in pounds). Alligator Lighthouse by Andy Newman STEVE BLY Towe-built rod, he can rest assured of them.” — Andy Newman

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The 125-mile-long Florida Keys island Driving Data to Keys/Key Largo Weather/Climate Ê chain is linked to mainland Florida by U.S. FROM MILES KM HOURS Wherever you are right now, chances are Highway 1, the Overseas Highway. Visitors Miami 50 80 1 the weather is better in the Florida Keys. can fly into Miami International Airport (MIA) Fort Myers 200 320 4 That’s true even on a summer day. The or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Tampa 300 480 6 Orlando 280 450 5.25 hottest it’s ever been in Key West is 97° F Airport (FLL) and from there can reach (36° C), and that was in 1880. At the the Keys by airport shuttle bus or rental Distance from Miami peak of summer, the average high air car. Travelers can reach Key Largo, the REGION MILES KM MILE MARKER temperature is about 89° F (32° C). The gateway to the Keys, in about an hour from Key Largo 50 80 107–90 Keys are devoid of superhighways or Islamorada 76 122 89–66 Miami or an hour and 45 minutes from Fort urban sprawl to absorb and radiate the Lauderdale. Marathon 111 178 65–45 Lower Keys 128 205 45–4 sun’s heat. And the subtropical islands are Air Service to the Florida Keys Key West 159 254 4–0 cooled by sea breezes. In the winter, the Keys are typically the For an up-to-date roster of commercial Via Bus warmest region in the continental U.S. airlines and on-demand charter operators Bus/shuttle connections from MIA and There has never been a frost in Key West, serving Key West International and Florida FLL to the Florida Keys allow traveling to the according to the U.S. Weather Service. Keys Marathon International Airports, go Keys without renting a car. Below are the average monthly air to fla-keys.com/gettinghere/#air. Have your own boat? temperatures for the past 30 years, Driving Directions Ê The Keys feature an abundance of according to the Key West weather office. Temperatures in blue shades are Fahrenheit From Miami International Airport (MIA), excellent marinas from Key Largo to Key and those in light red are Celsius. take LeJeune Road south to 836 West. West. Many are integrated into resorts and Take the Florida Turnpike south toward Key have boat ramps. So whether you choose West. to cruise down from the Florida mainland in The Turnpike ends at U.S. 1 in Florida City. your boat or car with a boat trailer, there’s Follow U.S. 1 south about 22 miles to a choice of perfect locations for your Keys Key Largo and you are now in the Florida angling experience throughout the island Keys. chain. From Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Inter­ national Airport (FLL), exit the airport and follow the signs for I –595 West. Take 595 facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest to the Florida Turnpike and follow the signs Help and More Information for the Florida Keys. If you’re traveling in the Keys and From farther north, take the Florida @thefloridakeys need any help, call the toll-free Visitors’ Turnpike south to just below Fort Assistance line at 1-800-771-KEYS. It’s Lauderdale, where Exit 4 joins the southern staffed 24 hours a day. To contact visitor portion of the Turnpike that ends at U.S. 1 offices in the Keys, call 1-800-FLA-KEYS. in Florida City. Follow U.S. 1 south into the youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV The Keys website at fla-keys.com has a Florida Keys. live chat feature with visitor information From Florida’s west coast, take I –75 Insta specialists available during regular U.S. (Alligator Alley) east to the Miami exit, and weekday business hours to aid travelers in south to the Turnpike Extension. keysvoices.com @thefloridakeys vacation planning.