Cape Romano Shoals is a dynamic and expansive shallow-water system located at the southern tip of a large island, roughly 78 miles north of Key West, where the Florida coastline shifts direction. This area consists of a series of irregular sandbars and shoals extending up to 10 miles south from Cape Romano itself. The bottom is characterized by clean, shifting sand with depths ranging from 1 to 20 feet, creating miles of shallow flats and troughs that are constantly reshaped by tides, currents, and storms. This environment, where tidal energy from the Gulf of Mexico converges with the intricate estuarine systems of the Ten Thousand Islands, provides a rich habitat for a variety of saltwater gamefish. The water clarity is typically good, especially over the white sand bottoms, but can be influenced by wind, tides, and freshwater input from the adjacent preserves. Strong currents are common, particularly on the seaward side of the shoals and during spring tides, with an average tidal range of about 1.9 feet.