3 couples headed down beginning of August for trip. Happens to be opening Lobster season. I plan to trailer the flats boat down and rent a house on a canal.
The big question is what Key to go to.? Seems like we are torn between Isamorada or Key largo. The girls will fish some, but want to chill and snorkel. Also would like a little activity at night. Guys will be looking to bag some tarpon and try for some bones and jacks. Looking to get a guide one of the first days to get a lay of the land.
Any thoughts of where to head?
Yes watch for storms and be prepared to be check by Fish and Game if you are down there during loster season. There will be a lot of traffic on the water. Also if you are thinking of going for any loster get a tag for them and watch for other knucleheads some can be real jerks. Have fun, wish I was going… Love the Keys.
Goals achieved with little effort are seldom worthwhile or lasting.
-Coach John Wooden
Ditto to Big Pine Key. Try getting an efficiency unit at Old Wooden Bridge Fish Camp. It’s rustic but has a pool, shipstore and great access to fishing close by. 305-872-2241
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We grew up in Fla and hit the Keys every year. I dont like lobster so lobster season is not a big deal for us. The upper Keys has more reefs to chose from in regards to snorkeling. Hawk Channel can be a bumpy ride in a flats boat to the reefs. We enjoy night fishing for yellowtail and mangrove snapper along the reef line. Kids love it. I dont do alot of inshore fishing and flats fishing, I hear Islamorada backcountry is nice. We usually tow our camper and boat down there staying at Pennekamp and Bahia Honda. Big Pine is nice and the Newfound Harbor area is sheltered. Overall for fishing and snorkeling with the kids the upper Keys is best in my opinion. If snorkeling is not a prime reason, then pretty much any where is good, but I would go with the Big Pine Key suggestions. Too bad you are not going in June versus August. Tropical lows can pop up,not just a big hurricane, but a rainy slow moving tropical wave or depression can dump alot of rain. If gas prices climb, you may be the only one’s down there…
We stayed in Key Largo last year and had a really good time though the waether did not cooperate (wiiiinnnndy). Rented a 4 BR/2 BA house on a canal for right at $1,000. Had great dockage and was about a 10 - 12 minute boat ride to open water. Check out VRBO.com for some great deals down there.
Was at the Big Pine Key fishing lodge the last week of April and would recommend it. They have their own launch, pool, everything from rustic camping to hotel to mobile efficiency (we had one of these), lots of Key deer everywhere.
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I’d suggest Parmers Resort on Little Torch. You can tie your boat to a dock outside of your cottage. They have several cottages that are multi-rooms and everyone could stay in the same efficiency.
Big Pine gets my vote also…but there is (or was last time I was there) very little night life without driving to Key West. Ocean Pointe Condos (between Islamorada and Key Largo) is the best deal going in the keys. Nice condos, marina, ramp, free breakfast, close to good stuff from restaurants, shopping, fishing and snorkeling. Their prices change all of the time, but usually very cheap.
It has been 3 years since I have been, used to go several times a year. There are tons of new places just sitting there begging for a buyer or renter. Best restaurants are in Islamorada, IMO.
Islamorada tops my list. More family-like, plus wonderful inshore fishing/lobsters/offshore fishing, plus some nightlife.
Note: In the bulk of the Keys areas, one can go into the gulf side of the islands several miles…you will start to see additional small mangrove islands in the distance. Slowly/cerefully find your way in-between approx the middle of any two of them and you will find a narrow/deep ‘cut’ out of the flats area on into the greater gulf…FISH THERE!!!
You may want to think about going down after or before the first week of the lobster season, as it can be a zoo on the water and on the highway. As someone mentioned, if you do go during that first week, be prepared to get boarded and checked several times a day. I am personally a big fan of Grassy/Long/ Marathon area. There is a nice State Park/ Rec area on Long Key.
Thanks for all the suggestions. We are stuck with this week, but found a good house in Islamorada near MM92. Can’t wait. Might ask for some favorite spot recommendations as it approaches.
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I would go to the lower keys that time of year. Its grand slam season as they call it. Bonefishing is easier there and there are still a few fish, as opposed to islamorada where they have pretty much disappeared after the cold spells. Permit fishing is excellent, and the small tarpon are easier to come by. Also by august, most of the seasonal fishing people are gone and the flats can be devoid of other boats. So big pine, sugarloaf, summerland etc would be places to check out. I don’t much care for the marathon/grassy areas because there aint much backcountry behind them. I have only been twice in august, and while it can be really hot weather, the fishing is great. Let me know know where you decide and I will give you some great guides for that area, the beauty of august is that you can get the best guides on fairly short notice. I use several down there from homestead to KW that are great with children.
enjoy
i’ve been there in august. not any hotter than it is here, but the sun is more intense.
bonefish will be off the flats by 9:30 looking for cooler water, and the permit will follow the bones. most of the tarpon will be in the deep channels at the bridges, easy to catch with dolphin bellies, but you need the right tackle or the sharks will get them. some dolphon offshore. grouper are in deep water also. patch reefs may have some fish. islamorada has a decent ramp bayside. that’s where i met my guide.
lobster season is a zoo. traffic will be slow, and long lines at restaurants, insane drivers too.
i’m going to write a book on where i’ve fished at the wrong time of year.