Sometime in April, when the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys warm to a certain triggering temperature, thousands of prehistoric-looking fish called tarpon appear in schools on the shallow-water flats of Florida Bay. Soon after, they begin an annual circular migration on the Atlantic Ocean side from the middle Keys around Islamorada to Key West and back. Their backs are green. Their sides are covered in bright silvery scales the size of a half-dollar. They are muscular. And they are huge–fish six feet long and weighing more than 100 pounds are common.

Incredibly, these monsters with bucket-size mouths can be fooled into taking a comparatively tiny artificial “fly” that’s two or three inches long. It’s a team effort: An experienced guide stands on the poling platform at the stern of an ultralight skiff and an angler perches on the bow in anticipation, fly line draped in careful coils for a quick cast. The very best tarpon anglers talk about “feeding” a fish rather than simply casting to it. As large as the quarry is, it’s a game of finesse. Once one of these leviathans actually inhales your offering–if you aren’t crying for your cardiologist–get ready for some of the most spectacular, head-shaking leaps and reel-screaming runs in fly fishing.

There are other places throughout the Caribbean to catch tarpon, but the unique combination of exceptionally large fish swimming in crystal-clear water makes tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys the ultimate sight-fishing experience.

Airports (listed in order of distance from Islamorada)

Ocean Reef Club (07FA),
Key Largo; 4,500-ft runway;
36 miles northeast; private-use,
VFR only, (305) 367-2611.

The Florida Keys Marathon Airport (KMTH);
5,000-ft runway; 30 miles southwest;
avfuel, jet-A. FBO:
Marathon Jet Center, (305) 743-1995;
Paradise Air, (305) 743-4222 or (877) 538-8234.

Homestead General Aviation (KX51);
3,000- and 4,000-ft runways;
avfuel, jet-A; 53 miles north.
FBO: Roberts Air South, (305) 246-0179.

Kendall-Tamiami Executive (KTMB);
4,000- and 5,000-ft
runways; avfuel, jet-A;
66 miles north.
FBOs: Reliance Aviation, (305) 233-0310;
FalconTrust Air, (305) 871-3105 or (866) 219-5567;
International Flight Center, (305) 238-8122.

Miami International (KMIA);
8,600-, 9,300-, 10,500- and
13,000-ft runways; avfuel, jet-A;
79 miles northeast.
FBOs: SheltAir Aviation Services
Miami, (305) 871-5664;
Tursair Fueling, (305) 869-4800;
Signature Flight Support, (305) 526-6344.

Key West (KEYW), 4,800-ft
runway; avfuel, jet-A;
80 miles southwest.
FBO: Island City Flying Service,
(305) 296-5422.

Outfitters

The Saltwater Angler
Hilton Resort Marina
Key West, Fla. 33040
(800) 223-1629

Florida Keys Outfitters
81.9 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, Fla. 33036
(305) 664-5423
www.floridakeysoutfitters.com

Airports (listed in order of distance from Islamorada)

Outfitters

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