Fla. Keys kayak fishing

[arrowhead]

Does any Barners have any experience or info on kayak fishing in the Keys, around Marathon in particular. We are going in April and I want to take the kayak to fish the Gulf side. Been looking through internet search but haven't found much information. Thanks

[barrell]

Its hard to beleive but he best place to have a kayak in the us is in the keys yet there are very few kayak fisherman in the upper and middle keys. In the everglades its hot as well as key west. You can stop anywhere you want in the 100 miles between Homestesd and key west and launch. Have a ball. Gulps and live shrimp are the ticket down there. Bring a minnow bucket for the live shrimp. a fish finder would also be very important to learn the area quikly.

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/florida_pics_010_Custom_.jpg

[insomniac]

I agree with barrel on doing research in the keys before you go. One of the best things to do is to see if you can get the navagation charts for the florida keys which can be bought by special order from a marine store up here. Kayaking can be very good just watch out for sharks on the flats and when you have a fish on if you get a shark following up let out line and let the fish run.Big bulls, blacktips, and lemons come out of nowhere. There is alot of water to work in the middle keys thats a foot or less with mangrove cover right on US1. Then at night hit the bridges with a "bridge rod" : 8 ft preferably and 50 pound braid and atleast a 30 pound flouro shock leader for tarpon and snook.

Barrel awesome pic and great example for IMO the best fishing destination in the world.

[logic186]

Arrowhead check your email.

[arrowhead]

thanks for the info, I've fished the ocean side in a power boat but I'm going to cartop the yak down this year. I'm excited' it will be a great adventure. The sharks don't bother the boat , or do they. They won't think I'm a big mullet ,will they. How do plastic baits work? Is live bait the way to go?

[deaduck]

fished with a guide right out side of key west about 4years ago can't remember his name he had a nice little set up he had 4or 5 yaks 5 hours of fishing for 75 bucks he was from north jersey we fished the edges of the channels and the mangroves it was the beginning of aug. when I was there the fishing was a little slow caught some nice yellowtails a couple jacks and some cudas if I remember right in fla.you need a saltwater fishing license.

[rirockfish]

what about Gators?

[aimless]

This site should answer some of your questions. Getting the license ahead of time saves some time down there and is only a couple bucks more.

http://www.keyskayakfishing.com/fishing-license.html

[Marathon Runner]

Put at Sombrero Beach and you can fish the mangroves down Sisters Creek and the cuts back into Boot Key. There are plenty of snapper, snook, jacks and tarpon along that along that cut. Also there is a big flat right in front of Boot Key for bones. Burdines, Capt. Hooks or even the Kmart have free charts for that area.

[arrowhead]

Thanks Marathon Runner for the info. I pulled out my chart of the area and located the spots you mentioned. Looks good.