Florida Keys road trip advice

[Hookthatsnook]

Hey guys I am new on here and am looking for some advice. I am planning to head to florida January 9th through February 20th. I will be making multiple stops along the way but want to ultimately do most of my fishing in the Keys. Has anyone on here used a pro angler in the Keys? I have been to the keys multiple times and know some good flats to hit but I was wondering if anyone has gone out to the reefs and or offshore? I will be staying mostly in the upper to middle keys but am gonna camp at Bahia Honda also. I am also looking for any info if guys are fishing the bridges it seems like the current really rips through there. I am not super experienced with the kayak as I have only had it two years and mostly do freshwater or bay fishing. Any advice, tips, fishing partners or good launch spots will be appreciated. I am brining my gopro and will post updates here. I plan to mostly fly fish but also wanna hit the reefs for some mutton snappers and go offshore for some kingfish dolphin and blackfins. I am used to poling my kayak as i fish mostly shallow water flats but really have little experience fishing deeper water using anchors etc... anyone think I'll have any problems with police for the kayak sticking out too far? I am gonna have a light on it at night and also a big red flag mounted on the kayak. Thanks for any and all help!

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[Cowpokey]

Jealous! Haven't been to the Keys in quite a while, but did take a kayak with me when I went. Mostly fished mangroves with a fly rod for snapper and barracuda, that was fun. Crazy Charlie is a great all around fly for shallow water. Don't have any launch advice, I would imagine there will be plenty of launch locations along the way when you get to the Keys...but don't have any actual spots.

You should be fine with a flag and a light on the kayak for transport.

[HereFishyFishy]

Jealous too. I was down there a few years ago and got todo some bridge fishing. I caught a bunch using a Jig head with shrimp in the lee of the bridge pilings for snapper at dusk. I would literally cast so that it bounced off the pilings at the water line.


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[mweber02]

I think we are all jealous! That's quite a long trip to get away. The only advice I have is to take me with you... I'll pretend to know what I'm doing.

[bruce19365]

Doc Irv and I are also headed to Florida on the 9th but we are fishing the Kissimmee area. We've talked of fishing the keys but I have been down there several times and never thought the water beyond Marathon calm enough for me in a PA14. The northern keys or Everglades water I would like to do. The wind is usually blowing and puts a chop on the water and it is usually stronger the farther south you go. I feel much better on a flats skiff with a motor when fishing the middle keys. If you stay close to shore you should be ok, just watch the weather. I've fished the bridges at Islamoralda & Marathon - from a flats skiff - and the water does rip through them at a good clip depending on tide and wind. If you are fishing alone be careful and a marine radio is a must.

[surfdog]

Bahia Honda is a great place to launch, hit the bridge there will be plenty of fish there. I don't think you will want to go off shore with the pa.

[Retriever]

I am at the seven mile bridge right now. Wind blowing, cloudy and 65*. I went up sister creek yesterday and a bunch of boats were chumming pilchards into the mangroves and throwing lives. Didn't see any hook up but I would guess either snook or tarpon. Sister creek is a great sheltered kayak area that I would explore on windy days. Lots of stuff in the cuts and around the mangroves. I have kayaked the bridge into past but you need To watch yourself. Try to gauge slack tide as the current is fast. Knights key is more expensive than Bahia Honda but is closer to the fishing areas I haunt. They have a decent ramp included in site rental. Hope you have blast.

[Hookthatsnook]

I am gonna install a roof rack and then a bed extender with a tee that way I can park easy and drive down the road without someone hitting me. Thanks everyone. I will create a thread documenting where I'm at and with pics and vids.

[Runnin]

It gets windy down there at this time of year. I've had trips where the wind never went below 25mph for a week straight. If you miss major cold fronts , you should be good. The latter part of your stay should be the better half.

Watch current in the channels. They can get really strong. Your PA should be fine most times. If you go up on flats, you will have trouble with your fins. Otherwise OK. In addition to bridges which are good, there are lots of patch reefs here and there and many hold nice yellowtail, small grouper, and are good places to throw lures for barrauda. I've fished lots of these reefs in Islamorada area.

If you have a chance to drive, make the trip to Everglades park at some point. Snake Bight is a great area and has lots of trout, snook, and redfish. It is accessed at Flamingo area in Everglades NPS. You can get there from Islamorada by boat but it is 25 mile trip and goes through some really skinny water. Car would be much easier but it will take you a while.

Have fun!

[Hookthatsnook]

I just got back from a 5 day trip 2 weeks ago it was 54 degrees and wind blowing 25mph in Islamorada. I would not have even launched a kayak in that mess. In addition to the Keys, I plan to fish the Loxahatchee, Macarthur State park, Key Biscayne, The Keys ( annes beach, bahia honda , possibly key west) looking for a bonefish or permit, Ft Lauderdale Intercoastal ( jacks, Tarpon), West Miami - Kendall canals for peacocks and exotics, Mosquito Lagoon for reds, and maybe ten thousand islands. Try to mix it up a bit. I have high hopes of tarpon, snook, bonefish, and permit on fly. But in reality I'm happy catching jacks and cudas all day. Nothing like being on the water sight fishing. I have my yeti cooler mounted as my poling platform. I am taking 3 fly outfits and 2 spin and one conventional. It will be good as I will get better on the kayak and also get much better fly casting. If all else fails i can baitfish and catch a good fresh dinner. I'm so excited cannot wait to get there...