Were working on planning a family trip to the keys next summer. Frankly im not sure what key to go to. We want to bring our 19’ down and keep it on the dock to do inshore and nearshore reef trips and snorkeling and such. Im thinking Marathon Key area for inshore fishing and DIY snorkeling and reef fishin. Whats a better key if not marathon? We want to take two inshore charters one for 4 people inshore on a comfortable big bay boat for snook reds trout and maybe a close reef, for the basics and so we can go back later that week and catch fish… i think marathon is the best for that? And a OTF and light action bonefish and tarpon or snook trip for 2, but im willing to drive for that one, what key for the sand flats fishing and all. What else to do on marathon besides fishin… gotta please the fam. What fish are in season in the summertime?
Try Parmer’s Resort on Little Torch Key.
They have boat tie ups right at your cabins.
Close to Looe Key for snorkeling.
Close to Looe Key Resort Dive Shop and their Tiki Hut restaurant for killer burgers and rum runners.
Close to Bahia Honda for tarpon and shark fishing.
Close to Big Pine Key for grocery store and sight seeing Key Deer.
Close enough to Key Largo for tourist stuff.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 18 year old ( has decided being with parents isn’t cool)
1 - 15 year old (still does not mind hanging with the 'rents)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
Cudjoe is my favorite. Since it is a family trip you are much better off renting a house than any other lodging. You can rent a nice house that sleeps 6 or 8, with full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, washer/dryer and all the comforts of home for about $1200 for a full week. Tie your boat up at the front door. Great marina on site with non-E fuel, bait, good boat ramp, everything you need.
Cudjoe has the closest access to Looe Key, the best snorkeling in the Keys IMO. Easy access to the Gulf flats, or you can be fishing the patch reefs or trolling for sails/dolphin/wahoo 20 minutes after leaving the dock on the Atlantic side.
It’s also close to Big Pine and Key West. Plenty of attractions in Key West. People watching being one of the best [:0] The Mel Fisher Treasure Museum is a must see.
We’ve been renting a house every year in the Venture Out Resort. Very nice place. We’ve used a couple of different rental companies, some manage some of the houses, some others, these 2 are both good…
http://www.waterfrontkeys.com/
http://www.flakeysrentals.com/cudjoe-key.htm
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Try Parmer's Resort on Little Torch Key.
I don’t know if things have changed, but we were planning to use Parmers for our annual boat builders meet last summer. We sent a couple of scouts to check it out and it was very run-down, dirty, seedy,…they used to have a great reputation. It was reported at the time they were in bankruptcy and changing hands or something, hopefully it’s improved.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larryquote:
Try Parmer's Resort on Little Torch Key.
I don’t know if things have changed, but we were planning to use Parmers for our annual boat builders meet last summer. We sent a couple of scouts to check it out and it was very run-down, dirty, seedy,…they used to have a great reputation. It was reported at the time they were in bankruptcy and changing hands or something, hopefully it’s improved.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Well that sucks. I hope things have turned around, it was a great place.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 18 year old ( has decided being with parents isn’t cool)
1 - 15 year old (still does not mind hanging with the 'rents)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
Lower keys for sure. I’m on Summerland and would recommend anywhere from Big Pine to Sugarloaf. Excellent backcountry fishing and less pressure on the reef than marathon. I have personal friends who are charter guides here that I fish with that could do whatever you’re looking to do. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions about the fishing, lodging, etc. I’d shot for the full moon in June or July as the reef is usually hot around those times of the summer. Been loading up on big snapper lately. Dolphin has been sporadic at best and yellowtail have remained consistent. Muttons are in shallower than normal and the grouper have been cooperating with me as well. Big tarpon are around if you know where to look and that I can tell you also.
Lower Keys for sure 
Don’t. Forget no the “No name pub” on Big Pine, cool place and good food.]
I agree with Larry. I just got back from Cudjoe after Memorial Day and we flat out killed it. Great central location. Tight lines -
Fish to live.
Thanks yall! Rap i’ll definitely PM you aboyt guides and such later down the road.
Again, we want to stay on thr island with great close reefs(19’ boat) and good inshore fishing, where we can charter a nive big bay boat for some comfortable fishing since 2 of the 4 arent experienced. And so we can DIY snorkel and reef fish for yellowtail and snapper and whatever wants to play on my big tackle.
What lower key to drive to for sand flats so we can hire a skinny water fly and light tackle for 2 for bones,tarpon and snook.
What fish are running in the summertime in the backcountry, the reefs and all?
Ill definitely look at little Torch and Cudjoe… those keys seem in good proximity for many things besides fishing,unfortunately we cant just fish! As far as lodging were definitely renting a house on a canal from VRBO.com or domething. Is it better to get grocerys on big pine or before you cross into the keys?
There is a good grocery store on Big Pine, but it’s a little higher priced than the mainland. For everything you want to do you can’t beat the area around Cudjoe and Big Pine. They are only about 10 minutes apart.
quote:
What fish are in season in the summertime?
Yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, some groupers, a variety of reef fish, dolphin, wahoo, tuna are all in season. From Cudjoe, we catch all the above, plus tarpon and sailfish, cuda, sharks… I’ve never had any luck with the snook in the Keys.
quote:
Don't. Forget no the "No name pub" on Big Pine, cool place and good food.]
X2. I lost a dollar bill in there with my name on it. See if you can find it for me
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Big Pine Key…
Me and a few buddies trailered a 23 Key West down a few years ago, stopped off in Lauderdale for some offshore fishing and then moved on to the Keys.
We stayed at the Big Pine Key resort, its right there on the left as you come over the bridge. We camped the first year we did this and another year stayed in the rooms that they offer as well. You can get bait, ice and food along with showers etc… if you decide to camp. Another cool thing is that you can keep your boat in the camp site in the water or at the dock near your room.
My tent was literally 12 ft from the boat, nothing like waking up and hopping on.
Theres a lot of great areas to explore, kayak and snorkel, and if you have kids they will get a kick out of the key dear, they will come right up for a snack or even a picture.
Be careful though, i packed mu lunch one morning before heading out on the water one day and as i was loading the boat up with supplies a Key dear decided it was going to have my lunch for breakfast:stuck_out_tongue:. Ha!
Fishing was great and so was the spear fishing as well.
Have fun.
You have two ears and one mouth, science would say you should listen twice as much as you speak.
Big Pine Key…
Me and a few buddies trailered a 23 Key West down a few years ago, stopped off in Lauderdale for some offshore fishing and then moved on to the Keys.
We stayed at the Big Pine Key resort, its right there on the left as you come over the bridge. We camped the first year we did this and another year stayed in the rooms that they offer as well. You can get bait, ice and food along with showers etc… if you decide to camp. Another cool thing is that you can keep your boat in the camp site in the water or at the dock near your room.
My tent was literally 12 ft from the boat, nothing like waking up and hopping on.
Theres a lot of great areas to explore, kayak and snorkel, and if you have kids they will get a kick out of the key dear, they will come right up for a snack or even a picture.
Be careful though, i packed mu lunch one morning before heading out on the water one day and as i was loading the boat up with supplies a Key dear decided it was going to have my lunch for breakfast:stuck_out_tongue:. Ha!
Fishing was great and so was the spear fishing as well.
Have fun.
You have two ears and one mouth, science would say you should listen twice as much as you speak.
Here’s a place that rents pretty reasonable…no big bells and whistles but very clean and right on the water as you can see. Brotherinlaws sister and her husband go there a coup,e times a year…and it is a weekly/ monthly rental. Said they are real nice folks to deal with. Also heard there’s a boat rental place near if you don’t take a boat with you.
Chris Morrison is a great charter captain of you go near where he is.
miss’n fish’n
212 SEAHUNT CC
Sea Squirt 16