Florida Keys Fishing

Enjoy your fishing experience with these tips from the local group Reef Relief

• It is illegal to dump trash at sea; plastic bags and other debris can injure or kill marine animals. Try to retrieve fishing gear and equipment, especially monofilament line.
• Avoid harassing fish and invertebrates; it only makes them wary of people.
• Accidental boat groundings damage the reef. Prop damage destroys shallow seagrass beds. Consult tide & navigation charts and steer clear of shallow areas. Remember, "Brown, brown, run aground. Blue, blue, sail on through".
• Use reef mooring buoys if available. Otherwise, anchor in sandy areas away from coral and seagrasses so that anchor and chain do not drag or grate on nearby corals or tear-up seagrass beds.
• Practice good seamanship, and safe boating. Maintain a safe distance from other fishermen. Know and observe size and catch limits; release any fish you can't eat.
• Avoid disturbing wildlife. Keep boating speeds and noise to a minimum, and avoid boat wakes near isolated mangroves.
• Camping, campfires, and collecting of any kind is prohibited on all National wildlife Refuges. Personal watercraft and airboats are prohibited in all National Parks.