“The Keys have always been a place that has a kind of allure to it…  It’s not the number of fish that you catch. It’s more about the opportunity to be around stuff that you just can’t be around anywhere else in the United States. There’s no other place you’re gonna get bones, tarpon and opportunities at permit like you do in the Keys” – Jameson Redding

Combining Caribbean vibes with easy access from the mainland, the Keys emits a unique energy from the bustling patios of Duval Street to the tranquil waters of the flats. The crystal clear waters give adventure anglers a rare opportunity to sight fish for some of the trickiest species—permit and bonefish, tarpon and barracuda.

But like so many fishing paradises, hurricane season slams the Keys year after year. Local fishing guide Randy Morrow has lived through 13 storms. As he shares footage from Hurricane Irma’s wrath, he reflects on the damage and recovery of both the resilient locals and the fish.

Editor’s Note: Don’t miss the other two films in the Resilient Paradise series: Bahamas & Louisiana.