[catfishonthelake]

I had a blast in the keys fishing from shore on lures and live bait. Was catching nice-sized barracuda on X-raps and bigger ones and bonnethead and lemon sharks on bait. I didn't know what I was in for at the time and just had a 3-piece Medium heavy rod with a 4000 Shimano. I just bought some toothproof from one of the tackle shops and made quick leaders with haywire twists for the sharks and cudas. I got spooled by a massive cuda that was definitely well north of 30 pounds. It took 175 yards of line off my reel in about 30 seconds. Saw the party boats coming back from Bud and Mary's with tiny snappers and said I'd rather just fish from the dock. We stayed just south of Islamorada at the Lime Tree Bay Resort. That's where that dock is. It's supposed to be for the hotel but you'd probably get away with fishing there. No one ever said anything to me and it's not like it's Jersey. My uncle kept buying live shrimp that would just die and all I bought 5lb. bricks of thread herring that caught just about everything. If you're gonna take a charter, definitely call Kerber, but I'm sure you'll be doing shore fishing as well, so get some toothproof and some thread herring. Go to that dock if you can too. I've been to Key West since then but always wanted to go back to that dock. Had a total blast.