THE LOWER KEYS HAVE SOME OF THE BEST SPEAR FISHING IN THE WORLD
Twenty miles north of Key West, Florida in
Sugar loaf Key (mile marker 20). What makes this location special
is the abundance of marine life. Once you launch from the Blimp
Road ( mm 21.5 )there is a great view of Tarpon Belly, Knockemdown
Key and the rest of Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. About
a mile and three quarters to the north sets Tarpon Belly Keys.
Spear fishing at Tarpon Belly- This old shrimp farm
has two man made canals, they divide the main island into three small
islands. The canal on the west side has a concrete wall you can dive into
water 15 feet deep or so. Under the overhanging mangroves in this
canal is where you will find the elusive Gray Snapper. What happens
is when the tide goes out, especially during a moon tide this becomes one
massive fish tank tank with a captive audience ! I have found that
the east canal usually has better water clarity. I have seen dozens of different
species in this water, barracuda, Amber jack, Spiny Lobster, Hog fish, Sharks,
several different types of Snapper. When I go to Tarpon Belly I am gunning
for a massive Mangrove snapper ! And usually I do quite well.
Spear fishing in bomb holes - Thanks to the U.S.
Government bombing the Lower Keys years ago we have a unique environment.
Most places in the flats are only a few feet deep , but if you know the
location of a few of Uncle Sam's little divots ( 6 to 20 feet ) there
is quite the " Octopus's Garden ! Sorry I can't publish the locations
of the bomb holes ! Get out there and look.
Spear fishing in Streams - One of my favorite places
to spear fish is the undercuts of saltwater streams in the Keys. Even
on days when the wind and sea are rough we can find a little stream
to hide from the open ocean. This is the area I find to be most productive
and sometimes the most dangerous. I have found myself pinned against the
undercuts with the current holding me in place. I like to get dropped off
"upstream " and float " downstream" that way I don't wear myself
out and can cover great distances. If you follow the law to the letter and
have that dive flag with you, boats will know exactly where you are in the
stream. But at the same time you should never have any rope attached to your
body when you are free diving the under cuts of a tidal saltwater stream.
Solution, post a divers down flag upstream and downstream of the stream
you will be spear fishing.
