Heading to Marathon at the end of August & was hoping for some suggestions on cool things to see & do and some good beach or bridge fishing locations. We will stay in Marathon but of course be checking out the other Keys. I have only been to the Keys once about 10 years ago on a Cruise Ship that dropped us off at Key West for 6 hrs or so. Please keep in mind that I will be with my wife & 3 year old son, thanks guys/gals.
If you are expecting sandy beaches alike here or FL, you will be disappointed. There are some some small beaches scattered up and down the Keys (Anne’s, Sombrero, Founder’s Park and a few others) but they are small. There are some decent places on some of the smaller Keys to pull off on the side of the road and swim, etc… Many of the bridges offer good fishing, especially at night. There is a good bit of info on teh web for bridge fishing in the Keys or find a local tackle shop. Your son might enjoy seeing the tarpon getting fed at Robbies. Hopefully some others will be along to throw out some ideas. I usually stay up in the Islamorada/Tavernier area.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Drag your boat or rent one. I’ve been there twice, first time like you just a quick stop on a ship. But the second time I went with the x-wife and x-inlaws. They drug their camper down there in December. I though it was going to be horrible, but actually it was the best camping I’ve ever done. lol My brother in-law and I took a charter out to do some sailfishing, but we had both of his sisters and little brother with us. We got 6 miles out put the lines in the water, with in 10 minutes we had two gaffer mahis in the box. 4-5ft swells, both girls and little bro-inlaw were puking. The capt. was nice enough to go back in and drop them off. But he would only take us a mile and a half out after that, crying about gas prices. anyways we found a live bottom and caught mangrove snapper for the rest of the trip, ended up with 30 or more. Sorry for rambling on, but the water is beautiful, the fishing is great, everything else is icing on the cake. Hope yall have fun!
1971 NEWPORT DAYSAILER 21’
1970 MAKO CC 22’
Thanks guys, I am doing a charter for Mahi & Sails but that is just for me. They are not going with me just in case of what BREEZE1 said, do not want to spend that much & have to go back because my son or wife get sick. I did know that there was not much for beaches but have found out about some close by where we are staying that we will go to. Any other suggestions on activities would be greatly appreciated.
http://bahiahondapark.com/. Good beach, pretty water, good times.
If at first you don’t succeed, drink another beer!!!
Sea Pro 190CC Yamaha F150
The Cracked Conch Cafe was always my favorite place to eat in Marathon. We took my brother there once and he was extremely reluctant to go in because it didn’t look fancy enough. By the time he finished eating, he could not stop bragging on the place and he’d take dive students there on his Keys trips.
I hope they are still good.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 19 year old (boy of leisure)
1 - 1 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
Thanks guys. The park looks like it has a lot to offer & love trying out local eating spots.
Very cool. As far as fishing, there are a few abandoned bridges that you can fish from.
Your wife and kid will love seeing the Key deer. Go down to No Name Key right after sunset and ride around the neighborhood, usually can see hundreds of them and they will come right up to your windows.
While there, eat at the No Name Cafe, it’s actually on Big Pine before the causeway going to No Name. Intereting place and good food. Lot of deer there too. All of Big Pine is a Key Deer refuge and there is a big piece of it that’s mostly mangrove swamp. There is a wildlife drive, visitors center and hiking trails. But you’ll see more deer eating in peoples yards than you will at the park.
The Mel Fisher treasure museum on Key West is worth a visit for sure.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Key deer. They are little things. You will see 10 point bucks that don’t weigh 50 pounds.
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 LarryKey deer. They are little things. You will see 10 point bucks that don’t weigh 50 pounds.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
They are cute, but don’t get caught feeding them. Big no-no.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 19 year old (boy of leisure)
1 - 1 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC