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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | I'm heading down to Florida in March (Everglades and Keys) and hoping to take a day for some fishing while in the Keys. Seems like there are a gazillion guides out there, where to start?
We're staying on Grassy Key. According to the "fish calendars" it looks like Redfish and Snook are the best bite at that time while Tarpon not so good? I was hoping to get into Tarpon but it might not be the right time. Any other species worth fishing in late March?
I would appreciate hearing any experience/advice on guides, what to fish for etc. Shoot me an email: [email protected]
Thanks,
Jono
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| I don't have any answers to your questions but I'm going down in April and would like to try for Tarpoon also looking forward to any replies. |
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Posts: 7123
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | 2007, me and Crash are going tarpon chasing. Anyone ever been to Costa Rica? |
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Posts: 2378
| The wife and I are also looking at Costa Rica in the next year or two. Interested to hear any past experiences anyone has had. |
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| Alright you guys, this is my thread!!!! HA!
Seriously, would love to hear any of it but am really hoping for some direction on guides, charters, etc in the keys. There are a million "captains" down there...how many truly know how to fish and how many just own a boat and collect fees?
Hey if anybody is going down there (grassy key, marathon, etc.) the same time I am then maybe we can find a day trip and split the bill. I'll be going on my own (wife isn't interested in going out for this one) so would be cool to split costs for the charter. Party boats do not appeal to me.
Costa Rica sounds cool! Maybe the next destination in 2006.
Jono
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | Slamr in Costa Rica ????? Can you say Jurrasic Park IV 
Edited by JohnMD 12/13/2004 4:23 PM
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| I'll be fishing the Keys the last week of March. Tarpon are there, espcially in the warm areas and the night bites gets rollin! In April, there are more migrating tarpon coming in, in huge #'s...But do not over look March. You can have a shot a 200lb fish! |
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | My dad uses a guide in the Everglades and Keys that is great. Not only is he a great guide, he has a great personality too. I've never laughed so hard in my life. We caught a lot of fish too. Here is a link to his website. http://www.saltwaterjunkie.com
If you have any questions, let me know. |
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| Jono,
I was in the Keys two years ago in January. I'm not sure where you are staying, but the Ilsamodora area is where I went to find a captain. I was staying in Key Largo and the marina was about 30 miles south of there. I didn't get out fishing the flats but I went out and did some reef fishing with light tackle. I had a blast!! The reef fish fight like crazy. Anyway, all the locals told me to go the the marina in Islamodora that is where the best guides and fishing was.
I was fishing for sailfish two days before up by Miami. I had a 6 1/2 foot sail kick my butt! There were only two of us on the boat and we had a double so I couldn't share the rod and the captain couldn't chase the fish with the boat. Mine would run at the boat when the other guys was going out. We both ended up so tired we lost them both. Mine jumped and got the line around it's bill and the other dude's pulled off. I learned doubles are hard cuz you can't chase them with the boat.
I hope you have good luck!! Stop at the Saltwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Islamodora if you get a chance. The saltwater plastic trailers are way tougher than the freshwater stuff. I have some 4" & 6" grubs that the muskies don't seem to be able to chew up much.
Send me a PM if you want more info.
Later,
Brett Waldera |
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| Check out robbies marina. Not sure if its in marathon or islemorada. You can hand feed monster tarpon there. Makes for great photos.
John Mannerino
#473 |
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| Thanks guys for the info...
John Mannerino...a lot of the guide books I've been reading talk about "Robbie's pet tarpon" sounds like fun.
Tahoe...thanks for the words of encouragement on the Tarpon, I think that's what I'll shoot for...I wanna get freaked by a giant.
Setme...I appreciate the link, I'll check it out.
Brett...hey maybe that dunwright will work down there! LOL! Thanks for chiming in, hope you're doing good. Sails sound like a blast wish I had more time down there to do it all. The hall of fame sounds like a cool stop.
Jono
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Posts: 7123
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Hey, dumb question on this one.....any reason that muskie gear wouldnt work for tarpon, sharks, barracuda etc.? |
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| Slamr, I was wondering the same thing.
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | No reason at all. My dad has the same exact setup as me. Calcutta 400 and a St. Croix MH 7 foot rod. The biggest problem is the amount of line. A Tarpon can strip off a lot of line really fast. Many times you have to chase them with the boat.
The baits are usually much smaller, so spinning reels are used a lot. |
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Any info on FL Key fishing?