Different Types of Fishing
Different Types of Fishing
Fishing, while once a necessity for survival, has become one of the most popular and beloved recreations out there. Whether for competition or just to relax on a lazy Sunday morning, fishing can be whatever the fisherman wants it to be: adventure, a hobby, or even just to allow for bonding between family members or friends. The Florida Keys offer prime fishing that truly cannot be found anywhere else in the United States, let alone the world.
Big Game/Offshore Fishing
Also known as offshore sport fishing or blue-water fishing, big game fishing is one of the faster paced types of fishing. Fishermen seek out fish known for their sporting qualities (i.e. size) as they coast through the deep ocean waters. Big game fishing began shortly after the invention of the motorboat in 1898 and the credit of the sport's invention goes to Charles Frederick Holder, a marine biologist and conservationist. Fish like tuna (Bluefin and yellowfin), billfish (broadbill swordfish and marlin), and various species of sharks
(Mako, Great White, and Hammerhead) are the most commonly recognized in the game of offshore sport fishing. North America is currently the holder of the most saltwater sport fishing square mileage in the world, running from Florida to the Gulf of Maine.
Latin and South America also boast a thriving sport fishing community with billfish and tuna predominant in the offshore fishing landscape. Countries like Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador are just a handful of the Latin American countries that are home to massive fleets of sport fishing boats. However, the coastal currents off the shores of Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province make this area prime for fishing.
Key West Fishing Charters offer heart pounding offshore fishing tours that might even lead guests to score a trophy catch! Experienced captains know the best places to find fish like King Mackerel, Cobia, and Sailfish, guaranteeing a thrilling catch if guests manage to hook one of these powerful species. As the boat sets sail, guests relax in comfort as they take in the sights and sounds of the water while the captain does the hard work, monitoring water color, the diving birds, and observing weed lines to find the best fishing spots of that day.
Bone Fishing
Reef fishing, also known as bone fishing, takes place over saltwater coral reefs in search of a particular kind of fish called the bonefish. Enthusiasts claim this type of fishing takes the most skill of all the types of fishing, requiring great knowledge to successfully locate this elusive fish.
Bonefish are a small fish that are primarily found in tropical waters, offshore flats, or backwater regions (near mangroves, usually). They can weigh in anywhere from a slim five pounds to a hefty twelve pounds. They are especially popular in Key West fishing and the Bahamas because of the regions' clear, warm water.
One way to catch bonefish is to toss chum into flat water to attract the fish to the area, then throwing a baited hook into the group to attract a fish onto the line. Seasoned bonfishers tend to scoff at this technique, saying it doesn't offer enough of a challenge. The most common way to bonefish is usually done with an experienced guide using a paddleboat to navigate flat waters. Trolling motors cannot be used in this type of fishing because the bonefish are so easily spooked, thus the use of pole boats. The guide usually pushes the boat through the water while the fishermen keep an eye out for the fish and cast their baited hook upon sighting.
Once hooked, the fish offer a fight that rivals even that of some of the largest species of sport fish. Bonefish have reportedly snapped lines that are rated for fish twice their size!
Joining Key West Fishing Tours for a flat water experience is a one of a kind experience. As a guide with a steady hand pushes the boat through startlingly clear waters, guests will see hundreds of fish clear to the bottom of the water. Bonefish are a desirable catch but fishermen can also hope to snag a Permit or a Tarpon on their excursion. The only way to get the full experience without missing out on anything is definitely to join fishing tours in Key West.
Fly Fishing
While the stereotypical fly-fishing takes places in scenic mountain rivers, fly-fishing is also popular in salt water. Standing in warm, gently lapping seawaters is simultaneously soothing and exciting in its uniqueness.
In fly-fishing, artificial lines are cast with a fly line and a fly rod, with the fly line being just heavy enough to toss the fly towards the desired target. Saltwater species that live offshore are attracted to the fly as they chum with baitfish or the boat trolls a hookless lure alongside the boat. Targeted species in saltwater fly-fishing are mainly Barracuda, Tarpon, Permit, and Crevalle Jacks.
Fly-fishing can be great for beginner and experienced fishermen alike, although the difficulty does vary from day to day and even season to season. Each season is different and fishermen should consult their guides to learnwhich fish is best caught at that time of year. Wintertime is best for those wanting to catch Barracuda, while spring is best for those wanting to catch a Permit with a fly. But no matter what time of year it is, there is always great fishing!
Fishing tours in Key West are a wise investment because the charters carry all of the necessary equipment for a successful fishing tour so fishermen can have the experience without the expense of pricey gear. Even if the fisherman is local, a tour allows them to become a weekend fisherman and still have the experience without the cost. A charter tour is also beneficial to new fishermen, giving them hands on experience as they learn from a seasoned pro. And regardless of the fisherman's experience, having a guide who knows firsthand where the best fishing waters in the area are is in invaluable, especially if they want to finally catch the trophy fish they've been longing after for years.