Key West - Absolutely Florida!

t the end of the chain of keys are finally a few beaches, though they do not compare to the state's natural and wide wonders up the coast. If you want to go to the beach, here are your options: Smathers Beach, off south Roosevelt Boulevard west of the airport; Higgs Beach, along Atlantic Boulevard between white street and Reynolds Road; and Fort Zachary Beach, located off the western end of Southard Boulevard.

Although there is an entrance fee ($3.75 per car, plus more for each passenger), Fort Zachary is the most recommendable of the beaches, since it also includes a great historical fort, a Civil War museum, and a large picnic area with tables, barbecue grills, bathrooms, and showers. It also includes a great historical fort, a Civil War museum, and a large picnic area with tables, barbecue grills, bathrooms, and showers.

FISHING
Key West has got it all. From bone fish to tarpon to Dolphin and tuna, grouper to cobia and sharks, too. Besides diving and snorkeling, fishing is probably the most popular outdoor activity in the Keys and the most expensive, especially if you don't have your own boat. It is on the little, open skiffs that you can find incredible diversity of fishing experiences in the same day. In the morning you can fish offshore for sailfish or dolphin and then by afternoon get a quick shot close to shore to pick up tarpon, permit, grouper, or snapper. Here in Key West you can probably pick up more cobia--one of the best fighting and eating fishes around--than anywhere else in the world.

For another challenge, try tarpon--one of the most agile and acrobatic fighters in the sea. As soon as it's hooked, it'll do a dramatic walk on water called the "tail walk." Shark fishing is also popular.

For a look at real competition, watch the charter captains and their bookers in and around Mallory Square. Booking through one of the kiosks in town is usually the most costly way to go. Realize that most bookers earn 20 percent of a captain's fee per person in addition to an additional monthly fee. So you can usually save yourself some money by booking directly with a captain or going straight to one of the docks. You can negotiate a good deal at Charter Boat Row located at 1801 N. Roosevelt Ave. (across from the Shell station) where there are more than 30 charter fishing and party boats. Whichever you are looking for, just show up to arrange your outing, or call Garrison Bite Marina, 305/292 8167 for details. The advantage of the more expensive but smaller charter boats is that you can call the shots, ask to go where you want, catch what you want. These "light tackles" are easier to maneuver, which means you and one or two others can go to backcountry spots for tarpon and bonefish as well as out the open ocean for tuna and dolphin. You'll really get to feel the fish and get some good fights.

Larger boats which can carry up to six or seven people work out to be cheaper and are best for kingfish, billfish and sailfish. The huge commercial party boats are more for sightseeing than serious angling, although you can get lucky and get a few bites at one of the fishing holes. One especially good deal is the Gulfstream II, 305/296-8494. This all-day charter goes out daily from 9:30a.m. until 4p.m. You'll pay $30, plus $3 for a rod and reel. This 65 foot party-boat usually has at least 30 other anglers. Bring your own cooler or buy snacks on the boat. Beer and wine is allowed.

However, for serious anglers, nothing compares to the light tackle boats that go out from Oceanside Marina (305/294-4676) in Stock Island, at 5950 Peninsula Avenue, a mile and a half off US 1. It's a 20 minute drive from Old Town on the Atlantic side. Here there are more than 30 light tackle guides, which range from flatbed, backcountry skiffs to a 28 foot open fisherman. There are also a few larger charters and a head or party boat that goes to the Dry Tortugas. Call the dockmaster for details.