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Tackling the Backcountry: Preparing for a Backcountry Fishing Adventure in the Florida Keys

Are you prepared for a fishing experience like no other on Earth? Because that’s what awaits anglers lucky enough to try their luck in the “backcountry” of the Florida Keys. Beginning in Florida Bay, which is within the Everglades National Park, the backcountry covers miles of shallow, beautiful, often crystal-clear water. That water is packed with many of the world’s most sought-after sportfishing game species. Though fishing the backcountry of the Florida Keys isn’t without challenges. With a little preparation and a selection of performance fishing shirts, the Florida backcountry is truly an angler’s paradise.

 

Performance Fishing Shirts
 

Prepare for the Conditions

When most anglers think, or, more likely, daydream about the backcountry of the Keys, they think of a beautiful balmy day, the warm sun illuminating the glass-clear shallow water. There’s a good reason for that conception—that is the traditional backcountry fishing experience. However, the same environmental conditions responsible for those perfect days in the Sunshine State can also bring high winds, high chop, and hard rain to the Keys, often with little notice. Check the conditions beforehand, of course, but come prepared for some rough stuff just in case.

Dress for the Occasion

Along with food, water, and all importantly, enough bait and tackle, the right fishing apparel is essential for preparation. For Florida fishing, the name of the game is—cover up. You want as little direct contact between your skin and the sun’s rays as possible. To do so, invest in professional-grade high-performance fishing shirts fabricated from high-tech moisture-wicking performance polyester. They provide UV-protection and full-coverage while being lightweight enough to provide cool airflow. Wear a hat for additional protection, and a pair of good polarized sunglasses are a must. They protect the eyes, plus the in-water vision improvement they offer is hugely beneficial for sight-fishing snook, tarpon, permit, and so many other species.

Don’t Underestimate the Backcountry

The backcountry is not an environment to take for granted. Features like shallow water and, in many sections, both natural and artificial cover, is much of what draws such a plentiful array of top-tier game fish species. However, that can also make boating the Keys’ backcountry hazardous. The average depth throughout much of the backcountry is about 3 feet. Rising and dropping tides can therefore make quite a difference, as can wind and submerged structures. Anyone who’s not confident of their boating ability, or ability in those conditions, would be wise to head out the first time, at least, with a guide or knowledgeable local buddy.

Don’t Skimp on the Tackle

Finally, don’t skimp on the variety of tackle you bring. The backcountry species include snook, tarpon, bonefish, spotted sea trout, permit, jack crevalle, and many more. With their sizes ranging from modestly-sized Spanish mackerel to sharks and goliath groupers, there are opportunities in the backcountry for flyfishing, light rigs, heavy gear, and much more.

About Gillz®

As long as Kent Hickman can remember, he has loved fishing. As a Florida native, Kent grew up with no shortage of opportunities for world-class fishing, and he took full advantage of them from the beginning. Kent’s love of angling eventually inspired him to join the tournament circuit and fish professionally. However, Kent ran into an issue: professional anglers faced conditions that were often brutal and unforgiving, and he had no luck finding fishing apparel that stood up to the challenge. Anglers like him needed gear that kept them dry, cool, and comfortable; gear that protected them from the elements and the harmful rays of the harsh Florida sun. So, he rose himself to the challenge. In 2009 Kent founded Gillz® to provide anglers who loved the sport as much as he did with stylish, high-tech, high-performance fishing apparel, fishing masks, shirts for fishing, accessories, hats, and more.

Experience the difference Gillz® gear can make for you at Gillz-gear.com 

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