With strict Bahamian bag limits currently in effect, many anglers are turning to the Florida Keys' deep, dark depths for relief from the heat!

AS SEEN IN THE JULY / AUGUST 2007 ISSUE

Over the last few years, deep-dropping has emerged as one of the most productive fishing methods available to Florida's resident and visiting anglers. Some have even gone as far as calling the technique “catching” rather than “fishing.”

Just like everything else in life though, successful deep-dropping isn’t as simple as it may seem, so don’t be fooled into thinking that consistently hauling up tasty deep water fish is a bowl of cherries with no pits. Sure, anyone can drop a baited rig way to the bottom and then flip a switch to retrieve it. Who knows, they may even catch a fish or two every now and then. But accomplished deep water fishermen know that there is much more to successful deep-dropping than only what meets the eye.

During the last few seasons, I've devoted long hours with my eyes glued to the fish-finder trying to make sense of this deep, dark and mysterious world. The vast majority of that time has been spent exploring the oceanside depths bordering the Atlantic coast of the fabulous Florida Keys.