Following in the Wake of Hemingway - Fishing Key West

Ever since bigger-than-life Papa Hemingway put Key West on the big gamefish charts, sportfishing anglers have been heading to Key West waters. Key West's first claim to fishing fame may be the deep sea and offshore fishing Papa loved, but backcountry, flats and light tackle fishing is just as popular.

Targeted species include: marlin, sailfish, shark, dolphin (the fish, also called mahi mahi), grouper, snapper, amberjack, wahoo, tuna, mackerel, tarpon, bonefish, and cobia.

Let our fishing reports be your guide to Key West fishing.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Ban on Grouper Fishing in Key West Waters

A four month ban on fishing for grouper in state and federal waters went into effect for Key West and Florida Keys waters yesterday.

The ban through April 30 means anglers -- commercial and recreational -- will not be allowed to bag shallow-water grouper — including gag, black, red and yellowfin — caught in federal and state Atlantic waters from North Carolina to Key West. The ban also extends into state waters on the Gulf of Mexico side of Monroe County.

This comes at a terrible time for local restaurateurs and fishing captains already stretched by a poor economy. To see this new regulation during the height of tourist season just makes things tougher.

"This couldn't come at a worse time,' Key West Captain Andy Griffiths told the Palm Beach Post. "My business already is off 80 percent because of the economy.'

What do you think of the ban?

The grouper in the photo above was caught on the Mr. Z in Key West in November 2009.

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