Bob T Epstein

Fishing in the Florida Keys Bob T Epstein

Before Ponce De Leon charted the 1,700 islands in 1513 now known as the Florida Keys, Calusa and Tequesta Indians were fishing with spears and nets for the cornucopia of fish species they survived on. Today, 30 islands make up the habitable areas, cobbled together by 43 bridges and surrounded by waters holding more than 600 varieties of fish. The fishing paradise has brought multiple presidents--Herbert Hoover, George H. Bush, John Kennedy, Harry Truman, and, more than 100 years ago, Teddy Roosevelt--to fish in the Florida Keys. Ernest Hemingway and Ted Williams, who were both avid fishermen, made their homes here. Movies stars like Lee Marvin fished the Keys for tarpon, bonefish, sailfish, marlin, and tuna. Today, millions make their pilgrimages to the Fishing Capital of the World.