Backcountry Fishing Key West is done in and among the islands to the North and the West of Key West. The shallow areas are called the ‘flats’ and the deeper areas are called channels or basins. Most of the islands that make up the Key West backcountry are mangrove islands. These islands don’t actually have much land mass to them so the water passes right through. This whole eco system acts as a huge estuary and are home to an enormous population of little fish waiting to be big fish. Feeding on shrimp, squid, crabs and whatever else comes through in the daily flush of tides. All the while growing up to one day move offshore.