Cudjoe Key

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  "name": "Cudjoe Key",
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  "status": "minimum",
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  "descriptionShort": "Cudjoe Key sits in the central Florida Keys, where shallow backcountry flats meet deeper channels. Permit, tarpon, and bonefish hunt the clear water year-round; spring and fall are prime.",
  "descriptionLong": "Cudjoe Key occupies a strategic position in the middle Keys, roughly 160 miles southwest of Miami. The island anchors access to some of the most productive shallow-water flats in the archipelago—a mix of turtle grass, sand, and marl bottom that holds permit, bonefish, and tarpon across seasons. The water here is notably clear, with visibility often exceeding 8 feet on calm days, making sight-casting the dominant technique. Depths range from 1 to 4 feet across the flats, with deeper channels cutting through that offer refuge for larger fish and provide natural highways during tidal transitions. Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) deliver the most consistent fishing, though winter months can produce exceptional permit and tarpon opportunities when weather cooperates. Summer sees increased heat and mosquito pressure, but dedicated anglers find fewer crowds and willing fish in early mornings. The surrounding waters drain into the Gulf of Mexico to the north and the Atlantic to the south, creating complex tidal patterns that concentrate bonefish and permit along channel edges and in the deeper pockets. Tarpon show up year-round but peak in late spring when they move through the backcountry on their way to spawning grounds. Cudjoe's central location means guides can reach multiple flats systems within 20 minutes, from the shallow Marquesas Keys to the east to the deeper water toward the Tortugas. The island itself is quiet and undeveloped compared to Key West or Marathon, offering a more intimate base for serious flats fishing. Local guides know the tidal nuances intimately and can read the water to locate feeding fish even on crowded days. Permit here average 15 to 25 pounds, bonefish run 4 to 8 pounds, and tarpon range from 40 to 150 pounds depending on season and location.",
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  "createdAt": "2026-06-15T17:08:36.899Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-15T17:09:53.356Z",
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