Key West draws fishermen of all types, from light-tackle enthusiasts to fly fishermen wading through the shallows fishing by sight rather than by chance to deep sea anglers determined to haul in prize catches in excess of 100 lbs. Trolling, drift fishing or bottom fishing all have their place in this region where you can fish in waters a mere few feet deep one minute, and fathoms-deep drop-offs minutes later.
Key West Attractions
When you aren't fishing, you may want to take in some of the local sights. For family fun, museums, art galleries and nature-oriented attractions make the perfect diversion. The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory contains a tropical forest complete with hundreds of exotic butterflies and birds. At the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, you can get a feel for how the famous author lived. Dozens of art galleries dot the town as well. Beaches encircle the island, some sandy, others somewhat rocky. Two beaches featuring piers are Higg's and Rest beaches. Smathers Beach is a favorite with tourists for its many concessions stands, volleyball nets and water sports rentals.
Activities
Key West offers plenty of fun and adventurous activities other than fishing, such as the Southernmost Scavenger Hunt, where you explore the town while finding clues to the prize. You can take a high-speed catamaran or a seaplane out to Dry Tortugas National Park, or search for thrills with the Ghost Tours of Key West, where a guide leads you by lantern through some of the scarier locales in Key West. For those who prefer a party atmosphere, join the Key West Pub Crawl and sample cocktails from five bars to prepare you for the conch blowing contest.
Fishing
The warm waters of southern Florida are home to some of the world's most prized game fish, including blue marlin, sailfish and the giant tarpon. Over 200 species of game fish swim the crystalline waters of the Keys. Many, like the tarpon and bone fish, keep to the "flats," stretches of clear, shallow water that extend far into the sea. Try deeper waters to catch grouper or snappers. Deep-sea fishing requires heavy deep-sea gear, but fly-fishing has become very popular along the flats.
Fishing Lodges
For lodging that specializes in accommodating fishermen, make your reservations at the Marquesa Hotel, Crowne Plaza Hotel or Ocean Key Resort. Some larger establishments geared toward fishermen include the Sheraton Suites and the Westin Key West Resort and Marina. Many other large inns are happy to accommodate your needs, including the Double Tree Grand Key Resort, Simonton Court Historic Inn and Radisson Hotel Key West.
What to Eat in Key West
Key West is only 90 miles from Cuba so Cuban and other Caribbean foods have a strong influence on the local cuisine. Seafood is a top item in most restaurants, with a wide variety of fresh fish brought in every day. As Key West is a trendy place, you will find many fusion eateries on the island, as well as "comfort food" establishments such as pizzerias and fast food joints. However, if you prefer ethnic foods other than those from the Caribbean region, Key West offer visitors Mexican, Slavic, German, Polish, Chinese, Japanese and French restaurants.
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