Fishing the Florida Keys

[donnymac]

Contemplating a little light tackle solo R&R for late Feb or early March. Have never fished Florida or east of Texas for that matter.

Just looking for any thoughts from those that know the drill down in the Keys. Not interested in deep water. In shore only.

All comments welcome. PM fine also.

Thanks.

 

[Sinovac]

These websites are good resources:

http://www.fla-keys.com/fishing/

http://m.myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/

http://ocean.floridamarine.org/boating_guides/florida_keys/pages/fishing_regulations.html

You may want to consider a guide if you have limited time.

 

[txviper]

Donny, I can tell you one thing. Make sure you don't go on the dates that they have the gay pride celebration. My brother and I made that mistake one time.

 

[Specracer]

That is key west, there are lots of other keys.... We spend a week a year on big pine, 30 miles north, it's beautiful. I don't fish, so can't help much....

 

[Sinovac]

Donny, I can tell you one thing. Make sure you don't go on the dates that they have the gay pride celebration. My brother and I made that mistake one time.

Sure, your "brother."

 

[Xcentric]

^^^Hey, the family that plays together, stays together.

 

[txviper]

Think I just threw up a little bit.

 

[PeakCompletions]

to still vomit after this amount of time it must have been really bad bud...

 

[1418]

Islamorada is an excellent area. Great shallow water fishing. Try www.skinnyskiff.com for some recommendations. Also make a run to Flamingo in the Everglades, its not too bad of a ride by water. And what's this no deep water fishing? Heck 5 minutes to the reef and you will be in world class Sailfishing waters...

 

[donnymac]

These websites are good resources:

http://www.fla-keys.com/fishing/

http://m.myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/

http://ocean.floridamarine.org/boating_guides/florida_keys/pages/fishing_regulations.html

You may want to consider a guide if you have limited time.

Thanks much for the info. Will run the traps mañana from work. And most definitely plan to use a guide.

 

[donnymac]

Donny, I can tell you one thing. Make sure you don't go on the dates that they have the gay pride celebration. My brother and I made that mistake one time.

Sean I will make sure those dates are absolutely avoided. I hate to even initiate the search!
Good advice though. Thanks.

 

[donnymac]

Islamorada is an excellent area. Great shallow water fishing. Try www.skinnyskiff.com for some recommendations. Also make a run to Flamingo in the Everglades, its not too bad of a ride by water. And what's this no deep water fishing? Heck 5 minutes to the reef and you will be in world class Sailfishing waters...

Thanks! Given this is trip One, I want to balance beer and in shore. Maybe next trip go deep.
Florida water is whole new world to me. 5 minutes to deep water? Wow. Sounds like Kona. I had no idea.
As to sail, that is one fun fish to catch. Have you tried Guatemala? An absolute world class blast. Been there 5 times. All catch and release. Water like glass.
I will owe you Florida boys a beer or two...
Thanks.

 

[MAD IN NC]

Islamorada is an excellent area. Great shallow water fishing. Try www.skinnyskiff.com for some recommendations. Also make a run to Flamingo in the Everglades, its not too bad of a ride by water. And what's this no deep water fishing? Heck 5 minutes to the reef and you will be in world class Sailfishing waters...

Agree! Took my son fishing there for his 25th B-Day... Hotel is Marriott right across from the marina. Literally 5-10 minutes you are on reef. Go for the "tilefish" or Grouper... Fantastic! Then two miles up the road in a seafoodhouse that will freeze and ship the filets to you....

donnymac, what 1418 says is well worth it!

 

[donnymac]

Agree! Took my son fishing there for his 25th B-Day... Hotel is Marriott right across from the marina. Literally 5-10 minutes you are on reef. Go for the "tilefish" or Grouper... Fantastic! Then two miles up the road in a seafoodhouse that will freeze and ship the filets to you....

donnymac, what 1418 says is well worth it!

All advice much appreciated. The next 5 days I am on the road with time to finish running traps between meetings.

A great Forum pays off one more time! Thanks to all.

 

[donnymac]

Donny, I can tell you one thing. Make sure you don't go on the dates that they have the gay pride celebration. My brother and I made that mistake one time.

Sean - I started my homework. You do not want to be there June 11-15. Thank you!!!