Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. Considered a smaller part of the Atlantic Ocean, it is an ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. The shape of its basin is roughly oval and approximately 810 nautical miles (1,500 km) wide and filled with sedimentary rocks and debris. It is part of the Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Straits between the U.S. and Cuba, and with the Caribbean Sea (with which it forms the American Mediterranean Sea) via the Yucatan Channel between Mexico and Cuba. Tidal ranges are extremely small due to the narrow connection with the ocean. The gulf basin is approximately 615,000 mi² (1.6 million km²). Almost half of the basin is shallow intertidal waters. At its deepest it is 14,383 ft (4,384 m) at the Sigsbee Deep, an irregular trough more than 300 nautical miles (550 km) long. It was probably formed approximately 300 million years ago as a result of the seafloor sinking.

Today, there are 7 main areas of the gulf:[3]

Gulf of Mexico Basin, which contains the Sigsbee Deep and can be further divided into the continental rise, the Sigsbee Abyssal Plain, and the Mississippi Cone.

Northeast Gulf of Mexico, which extends from just east of the Mississippi Delta near Biloxi to the eastern side of Apalachee Bay.

South Florida Continental Shelf and Slope, which extends along the coast from Apalachee Bay to the Straits of Florida and includes the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas.

Campeche Bank, which extends from the Yucatan Straits in the east to the Tabasco-Campeche Basin in the west and includes Arrecife Alacran.

Bay of Campeche, which is an isthmian embayment extending from the western edge of Campeche Bank to the offshore regions just east of the port of Veracruz.

Western Gulf of Mexico, which is located between Veracruz to the south and the Rio Grande to the north.

Northwest Gulf of Mexico, which extends from Alabama to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Saltwater light tackle flats fishing and fly fishing on the crystal clear grass flats of the Gulf Of Mexico bordering Hernando County, Pasco County and Citrus County .

these waters range from the Tampa Bay area north to Crystal River . This encompasses all of Hudson , Hudson Beach , Hernando, Hernando Beach , Weeki Wachee, Bayport, Crystal River and Homosassa.

The West Central or Nature Coast area of Florida encompasses all of Pasco county, Hernando county and Citrus county. It is one of the fastest growing regions in the country known for its beautiful climate, an abundance of natural areas and wildlife. This area has earned a reputation as a shallow water light tackle fishing and fly fishing hot spot(TARPON COUNTRY),famous for some

of the best sight casting opportunities for Giant Tarpon, Trophy Size Spotted Sea Trout Cobia and Giant Jack Crevalle and much-much more!!

Some of Florida ’s finest saltwater flats fishing occurs along florida ’s nature coast. This area of the Nature Coast has some of the best light tackle backcountry and flats fishing that the state of Florida has to offer, and using light tackle or fly fishing is angling at its best. There are hundreds of miles of shoreline, oyster bars and acres of sea grass flats that attract an abundance of saltwater game fish presenting an angling challenge for the accomplished angler, as well as an exciting new experience for the novice.

Sea grass flats.

Flats, ledges, rocks, oyster bars.