We’re taking our youngest son down to Boy Scout Sea Base on Summerland Key in late June. We’re staying (me, my wife and hopefully other son) up on Conch Key. We have been going down to the Keys for a while now but, we’ve never stayed that far south AND, for the first time, I’m not taking the boat, I’m taking down kayaks. As much as I love going out to the reefs to fish, I am in need of some rest and figure if we don’t drag the boat down, we’ll make it a more laid back week as we won’t feel like we have to be up a the crack of dawn everyday and out on the water.
That being said, my son and I are going to do some kayak fishing. The problem is, I have never done any inshore/flats fishing down there, having always gone out to the nearshore reefs. I am looking for input/advice/suggestions for such fishing on and near Conch Key. We’ll have a trailer so we’re not relegated solely to that area.
Get hold of Rapchizzle, he’s been a Scout Sea Base counselor/fishing guide at Summerland for several seasons. That’s where I met him. He knows those waters.
I don’t know much of anything about kayak fishing, but there is a LOT of good protected inshore waters that sure look fishy around there.
Inshore fishing is good around Summerland Key. The gulf side is protected and usually pretty calm. Barracuda and Mangrove Snapper are abundant. In Spring, lots of Tarpon are passing through. Coupon Bight almost always has a few Tarpon hanging around.
Been fishing the Keys for most of my life. Worked there when I was younger, cousin has a place on Ramrod Key. Over the years I’ve stayed out of the Gulf and off the reefs. I have better luck and better fish in the main channels coming in from the Atlantic side. 1-1 1/2 miles inshore.
We look for dips in the main channel with swift currents, 12-20 feet of water. Some of the biggest Grouper and Snapper I catch are in this area.
This particular strategy works well in June when most game fish have moved north. Using cut bait with 2-4 oz Carolina style, you’ll have to deal with the sharks. Always throw a pinfish free-line for Tarpon.
We drift across “holes”
Good luck to ya!
My son and I made two trips down to Seabase, and on the second trip had the pleasure of fishing with Rapchizzle for the week. Great captain and a fantastic place. Your son is going to have a blast.
Since then, we’ve made two more trips as a family and have another planned for the end of the month. We will be camping at Bahia Honda state park, and are also bringing the fishing kayaks. The FloridaSportsman website has some good intel and fishing reports. There is a kayak angler called “kayakerinkeywest” that has been posting a lot of reports and videos lately and he clearly has it dialed in.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I’ll check it out. I wish I was going to Seabase, he is do the Florida Fishing Adventure. You can’t beat the price for all the fishing he is going to get to do.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
My son and I made two trips down to Seabase, and on the second trip had the pleasure of fishing with Rapchizzle for the week. Great captain and a fantastic place. Your son is going to have a blast.
Since then, we’ve made two more trips as a family and have another planned for the end of the month. We will be camping at Bahia Honda state park, and are also bringing the fishing kayaks. The FloridaSportsman website has some good intel and fishing reports. There is a kayak angler called “kayakerinkeywest” that has been posting a lot of reports and videos lately and he clearly has it dialed in.
Thanks for the kind words. I was just thinking about you and your son a few days ago. It’s about time for him to go work down there as a mate during his summers, yeah?
quote:Originally posted by Rapchizzle
Thanks for the kind words. I was just thinking about you and your son a few days ago. It's about time for him to go work down there as a mate during his summers, yeah?
I've been encouraging him to do just that. I know that if he doesn't, when he is older, he will regret it tremendously. It would be a great learning opportunity for him and a heck of a lot of fun too. Plus, then I'd have a junior Keys guide on the payroll. :smiley:
Looking forward to the trip. Peapod. As my oldest gets older, I keep thinking this may be one of the last “family” trips we take.
As far as keeping goes, that has never been a big deal to me as I just love catching but, the wife does love some fresh fish so I do like to be able to put something on the table.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
I’m not looking to load the freezer. Never am. I guess mangroves, triple tail, trout, and Reds look to be the best bet. I need to see if snook are still in season. I caught some keepers back in November in Charlotte Harbor that I let go . If I get one this time, it may not be so lucky.
My son is down there now for his spring break. He and his friend were kayaking off the ocean side of Bahia Honda today and caught enough yellowtail and mangrove snapper for a nice dinner. They also caught some mutton snapper, but they were all undersized.
I think I’m gonna explore the bay up to the NP. Try and get a Tarpon and Permit off of the list. May try for some reef fish, but I will get enough of that in here starting next month.
quote:My son is down there now for his spring break. He and his friend were kayaking off the ocean side of Bahia Honda today and caught enough yellowtail and mangrove snapper for a nice dinner. They also caught some mutton snapper, but they were all undersized.
Any intel he wouldn’t mind sharing would be much appreciated. Wasn’t aware you could catch YT that close to shore but that’s good to know.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
I found an article saying you could catch them on the gulf side as well in 15’ of water. The trick is finding the secret reefs that aren’t published. I would appreciate any PM’d intel as well, and will repay.
quote:Originally posted by DFreedom
Any intel he wouldn't mind sharing would be much appreciated. Wasn't aware you could catch YT that close to shore but that's good to know.
Just spoke to him. He said he would do a full write up when he gets back home, with places to get bait, spots to drop the kayaks in, and some places he had good luck. He's down there for the week, so it will probably be sometime next week before he gets the chance to get you some information.