The Best Fishing

The Keys: The Keys boast world-class deep-sea fishing; the prize is such big-game fish as marlin, sailfish, and tuna. There's reef fishing as well, for "eating fish" like snapper and grouper; and backcountry fishing for bonefish, tarpon, and other "stalking" fish. Dozens of charter-fishing boats operate from Key West marinas and from other, less popular keys. Islamorada, in the Upper Keys, is the sport-fishing capital of the world. Anglers compete for trophy sailfish, marlin, wahoo, and kingfish at many annual big-money tournaments. Seven-Mile Bridge, linking the Middle and Lower keys, is known as "the longest fishing bridge in the world"; it's also a favorite spot for local fishers who wait for barracuda, yellowtail, and dolphin to bite.

Lake Okeechobee: Many visitors to the Treasure Coast come to fish, and they certainly get their fill from the miles of Atlantic shore and from inland rivers. If you want to fish freshwater and nothing else, head for Lake Okeechobee, the state's largest lake, which is chock-full of good eating fish. It covers more than 467,000 acres -- that's more than 730 square miles. At one time, the lake supported an enormous commercial fishing industry. Due to a commercial fishing-net ban, however, much of that industry has died off, leaving the sport fishers all the rich bounty of the lake.

Stuart: Known as the "Sailfish Capital of the World," Stuart is an angler's haven. The fish bite year-round, but peak months are December through March and June through July. Sailfishing is an art of its own -- beginners must learn that exact moment to let the reel drag so that the fish run with the lure.

Boca Grande: The deep, shadowy holes of Boca Grande Pass, between Gasparilla and Cayo Costa islands off Fort Myers, harbor the mighty tarpon, the "silver king of the seas." Teddy Roosevelt and his rich buddies used to bag tarpon in these waters, and anglers from around the globe still compete every July in the World's Richest Tarpon Tournament.

Destin: Florida's largest charter-boat fleet, with more than 140 vessels, is based in this Panhandle town, which calls itself the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." Anglers here have landed championship catches of grouper, amberjack, snapper, mackerel, cobia, sailfish, wahoo, tuna, and blue marlin.

• Daytona Beach
• Florida Keys
• Fort Lauderdale
• Fort Myers
• Jacksonville
• Miami
• Orlando
• Sarasota
• St. Petersburg
• Tampa