Americans love fishing, whether that is in salt water or in fresh water, and American presidents are no exception to this pastime. Looking for more exotic fishing, presidents like Hoover and Carter traveled to the Florida Keys to get their fishing fix. Hoover visited Key Largo, soaking up some rays while casting his bait into the sea. Key Largo received another presidential visit when Franklin Delano Roosevelt sought a respite in Tavernier from the hustle and bustle of Washington. One of Key West’s most famous visitors was was Harry S. Truman.
While he wasn’t the biggest fisherman, his wife, Bess, certainly was. Harry would bait her hook and sit back to read a book while his wife would pull in tropical fish. They greatly enjoyed their visit to the Dry Tortugas as well (no doubt, Bess did some major fishing there too!). Even the strict, military man “Ike” Eisenhower had some time to visit Key West to cast his line a couple of times into its beautiful waters. Marathon had its presidential visit when Jimmy Carter and his family visited the Hawk’s Cay Resort to interact with dolphins. George H.W. Bush traveled to Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada several times before and after his term in office to experience tropical fishing. Learn more about presidential fishing trips in the Keys at the Harry S. Truman Little White House!
