Fla Keys Vacation reccos...

[Duffman]

Thinking of going late July/early August. Never been down before.

Will have my son and his buddy along. Two fifteen year olds who would fish 24/7/365 if they could! A place with surf or pier fishing for the boys to keep busy and want to book some charters to. They love light tackle stuff and both are learning to fly fish as well.

Of course..:p..a place that keeps the wife happy!

Thanks for any info boys.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thinking of going late July/early August. Never been down before.

Will have my son and his buddy along. Two fifteen year olds who would fish 24/7/365 if they could! A place with surf or pier fishing for the boys to keep busy and want to book some charters to. They love light tackle stuff and both are learning to fly fish as well.

Of course..:p..a place that keeps the wife happy!

Thanks for any info boys.

Key West if you want to spend money, keep the wife happy and have other tourist things to do besides fishing. Islamorada or Marathon if it's fishing your are after and want to bore your wife... Pick you poison ;)

PM'd you my phone number if you wanna talk Duff... Been up and down the keys and every key is different.

[tautog]

Rent a place right on the water. There are plenty of hotels or condos on deepwater canals. Buy shrimp and chum and they can catch small mangrove snapper, jacks and small barracuda right at the hotel. If there is some current and the water is over 4 feet, there should be lots of small fish to keep them busy.

[captmark]

Duff, look up Hawks Cay Resort for the wife (mine loves it) right on the ocean side great fishing Ocean and bay side I can recommend a few charters for back water and ocean side, been a transplanted from the area. Their really are no piers but lots of bridges and cuts to fish on. We some times rent a pontoon boat which you can can fish just about anywhere inshore. send me a pm if you want any local info around Marathon. Just one word of advice believe it or not its one of the busy seasons down their, with the kids out of school from Fla and they open up their lobster season for diving for lobsters it does get pretty crazy their

[Ocean Explorer]

Check this out,,,3 bedroom 3 bath.Located on Stock Island,Key West...
I was told you were looking for something....Place is really nice and in a great location...

https://www.vrbo.com/858938

[Ocean Explorer]

Feel free to call me if interested...848-565-0519

[squall202]

I'm also headed down myself from 2/25-3/2 to islamorada and am looking for advice on charters. never been there before and can't decide on backwater/offshore/reef... any help is greatly appreciated.

[june181901]

If you are going with a non-angler then the best choice is Key West. Night life, restaurants and great fishing!

[OMC]

My family and I went last summer in August during Lobster Season and stayed in Key Colony Marathon. It was fantastic rented a CC for the week fished and lobstered everyday. The Condo was on the ocean side with a fishing pier. We caught everything Tarpon , Sharks , Snappers, Cuda and a variety of reef fish. Having the boat made it even better for our day trips with the wife. Planning on going again this year in Late June for a better shot at the tarpon. Thinking of staying in the Duck Key area. We did a day trip to Key West which was more than enough for us way to busy and crazy. If I want my wife to spend double the amount of our vacation then Key West. Lol

[ScowardNJ]

Since we are on the topic, I'll be in KW 2/23-2/27 if any NJFer's wanna split a charter PM me.

[Skolmann]

July/August is considered off season so lodging rates aren't that bad-just make sure your trip does not coincide with their lobster season as the Keys are packed then.

I've fished with Capt. Jeff Rella (marathonoffshorefishing.com) several times and plan on doing so many more.

There are party boats in Key Largo, Marathon and Key West (not sure if there is still one running out of Islamorada).

Great thing about the Keys is that you can fish off of almost every bridge. I've caught everything from snapper, grouper, jacks, Spanish mackerel, barracuda and hooked (although never landed) tarpon and big sharks while fishing off the bridges.

I can provide you a list of my favorite restaurants in the Keys if interested.

[Duffman]

Thanks guys. Touched base with a few of you yesterday. Great info to go on. Much appreciated. Time to book it.

Doc sent ya a pm. Thanks.

[Rocky]

Since we are on the topic, I'll be in KW 2/23-2/27 if any NJFer's wanna split a charter PM me.

I will be down in KW in March, close but no cigar.

[blindalfred]

Rent a place right on the water. There are plenty of hotels or condos on deepwater canals. Buy shrimp and chum and they can catch small mangrove snapper, jacks and small barracuda right at the hotel. If there is some current and the water is over 4 feet, there should be lots of small fish to keep them busy.

Advice is right on for the boys. We just got back from Biscayne, Key Largo and Key West. As long as you're not trophy hunting you'll have a blast with smaller species and small individuals of larger species (barracuda for example). Enjoy.

[TerriMc223]

My wife and I honeymooned in Key West last year during Easter week. She's a teacher and had that time off so it worked out well. Key West is a bit $$$ but lots of fun and it was not overrun with spring breakers at that time. We flew to Miami and drove down through the keys from there. Great views all along Rt 1. especially the 7 mile bridge.
I only got out fishing twice but there are lots of choices there as well as throughout the keys. One of the big surprises in KW was all the roosters and chickens free ranging all over town! Really! Cool six toed cats at Hemingway's home too. He was a legendary big game fisherman and I hear he wrote a book or two as well! :)

[parrotinct]

I will be in Marathon Feb 17 - 19 can fish 2 of 3 days. Any recommendations for charters. Too early for Tarpon I hear, maybe just reef. Sails should be around

[Skolmann]

I will be in Marathon Feb 17 - 19 can fish 2 of 3 days. Any recommendations for charters. Too early for Tarpon I hear, maybe just reef. Sails should be around

I've fished with Capt. Jeff Rella (marathonoffshorefishing.com) several times and plan on doing so many more.

[captmark]

Parrot check out Silver Fox Sportfishing he does both he is in Key Colony just at the north end of Marathon, tell him I sent you down he will help you out

[Anthony]

I'd like to get down there myself. Maybe do
Some
Exploring for a retirement home. I'd really like to
Try snorkeling for some scallops.

[Skolmann]

Might be heading back down for a few days mid/late March.

Last time I was down there that time of year, we mohawked blackfin tuna one day and on snappers the next.

[Duffman]

Booked it and moved the date.

Hawks Cay last week June. Any other charter info would be much appreciated. Thanks fellas.

[Irish Jigger]

Tailwalker Charters at Hawks Cay is top notch!! Had a blast doing 3 trips last time down!!!

https://www.hawkscay.com/experience/florida-keys-fishing-charters/tailwalker-fishing-charters