Fishing

Free Key West Fishing Tournament Kicks Off Dec 1

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Anglers of all ages and abilities can target more than 40 species of fish in the Key West Fishing Tournament, a free-entry multidivision challenge that takes place Dec. 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021.

Now in its 55th year, the tournament features divisions for men, women, junior anglers ages 10 to 15 and Pee Wees under 10 years old — making it ideal for families that want to share the angling experience.

Participants can fish from a boat, bridge or land. At any time during the eight-month timespan they can enter their catches at an official tournament weigh station or online at enter.keywestfishingtournament.com. Weigh stations can be found at several locations in the Lower Keys and Key West.

Key West FishingCelebrating the diverse variety of fish found in Florida Keys waters, the tournament provides recognition and trophies to anglers posting the heaviest catch of each of 33 species. Six different line classes and three artificial casting categories further heighten the competition.

Other awards recognize the most releases of barracuda, blue marlin, bonefish, dolphin, permit, sailfish and tarpon. The Key West Fishing Tournament strongly encourages the release of game fish and will not recognize any killed sailfish, marlin, spearfish, tarpon, redfish, warsaw grouper or shark for award purposes.

All participants receive certificates noting their catches and qualify for a variety of awards including coveted “Master Angler” titles.

Event information: keywestfishingtournament.com or 305-923-5934

Source: Key West Fishing Tournament Kicks Off Dec. 1 with Free Entry for Anglers | Florida Keys Newsroom

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FWC Approves Stone Crab Regulations Changes Effective Oct 1 2020

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At its July meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved changes to recreational and commercial stone crab regulations. Florida’s stone crab fishery has experienced a long-term decline in harvest and is likely undergoing overfishing. FWC staff worked with stakeholders on these changes that are intended to increase the stone crab population and … Read more

Find FWC Fishing Regulations on Your Phone

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Looking to keep up to date on Florida’s saltwater fishing regulations? Find them on Fish Rules App. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is excited to announce it is now partnering with Fish Rules App. In addition, a new freshwater version of the app is being created and is anticipated to be rolled out later … Read more

FWC Saltwater Public Comments

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FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision

The FWC welcomes comments on any species, even those not featured on this page, at any time via the comment form below, email at  or phone at 850-487-0554. The following topics are either tentatively slated to be brought before the Commission in the near future or items FWC staff plan to begin working on. This is not an all-encompassing list and topics … Read more

Scientists Fight to Save Smalltooth Sawfish

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Smalltooth Sawfish

Sawfish are the world’s most threatened marine fish, with all five species classified as endangered or critically endangered. Florida used to host two of the species, but now only the Smalltooth Sawfish remains. The last largetooth sawfish was reported in Florida in 1943, according to Tonya Wiley, president of the Havenworth Coastal Conservation based in … Read more

Smalltooth Sawfish What To Do When You Hook One

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Sawfish

The smalltooth sawfish, the only sawfish found in Florida, has been protected in Florida since 1992 and became federally listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2003. Little was known about the species when it became listed but since that time, scientists have learned a lot about its biology and ecology. When I started … Read more

George Poveromo Video – Marathon Florida Keys YellowTail and Tuna

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George Poveromo BlackFin Tuna

An example of why anglers flock to the Florida Keys. George Poveromo and local ace Ariel Medero begin their October trip by “yellowtailing”. Within minutes of dropping anchor and chumming, clouds of “flags” (large yellowtails) materialize behind the MARC VI. Between traditional yellowtailing tactics and live-chumming, the duo limits out and releases dozens more.   … Read more

Spotted Seatrout New Regulations Begin Feb 1 2020

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Spotted SeaTrout

Spotted SeaTrout Statewide Regulations Update At its December meeting in Panama City Beach, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rule changes for spotted seatrout. Changes will go into effect Feb. 1, 2020. These changes DO NOT replace the SW Florida red-tide-related closures listed below. Monroe County Florida Keys will follow the South … Read more

George Poveromo Fishing Key Largo 20 Species Salute

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Fishing Key Largo

George Poveromo and Chris Hanson fishing Key Largo shallow Atlantic patch reefs and backcountry waters. On light Penn tackle, they encounter fish on the patches the likes of Bonefish, AfricanPompano, Snappers, Cero and Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Groupers, Ladyfish and Sharks. Snook Regulations Then, in the back country, the duo scores Snook, Redfish, Tripletail and Goliath groupers. … Read more

FWC approves blackfin tuna rule changes

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At its October meeting in Cape Canaveral, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved regulation changes to create a recreational limit for blackfin tuna of two fish per person or 10 fish per vessel, whichever is greater, and to extend these regulations into federal waters. These changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020. … Read more

New Fishing Rule Begin January 1

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 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has approved several Saltwater Fishing Rule changes beginning January 1, 2020. To stay up to date on all Florida Fishing regulations go to https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/. Some major changes for the Florida Keys are listed below. Blackfin tuna and shortfin mako changes effective Jan. 1, 2020 Starting Jan. 1, … Read more

Applications available for FWC’s 2019-2020 High School Fishing Program

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Applications available for FWC’s 2019-2020 High School Fishing Program The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2019-2020 High School Fishing Program offers high school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to apply for the Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Fishing Grant. This grant program is focused on recruiting new anglers, retaining active anglers and … Read more

FWC Approves Draft Changes to Spotted Seatrout Rules

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Spotted Seatrout

One of my favorite fish to catch and eat is the Spotted Seatrout. The rules may be changing for both Commercial and Recreational fishing and are quite complicated and different in different areas of the state. At its meeting in Cape Canaveral, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved several draft rule changes … Read more

Stonecrab season opens Oct 15 new recreational trap requirements

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Florida Keys Foods

Do you love eating StoneCrab claws? Did you know YOU can place your own Recreational Stonecrab traps? Stonecrab season begins Oct. 15. Read on if interested. Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season opens Oct. 15 in state and federal waters. New Recreational Trap Requirements Recreational harvesters who are age 16 and older … Read more

Fishing Memes

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This page will only be visible to Patrons. Below are some of Keys Treasures Favorite Fishing Memes. You are free to use them in your Social Media posts. Just click on the thumbnail to enlarge it and copy image. Then you can post it where ever you like. I would appreciate it if you would … Read more