Thread: Trip from Lakeland to Key West and back. Part 3

Originally Posted by yobuck

I lived on Duck key (mm61) for over 10 years so the places you mention and the pics are very familiar.
Bahia Honda state park on the (west) end of the long bridge is a worthwhile place to visit.
Actually this is really the best time of year to visit the keys to fish. The tarpon run is in full swing right now,
and all the bridges (especially Bahia Honda) are a great place for them. Capt Pips charter service operated right
there near Porkeys, and others also along that strectch before the bridge. The old bridge visable in the photos, is now
a fishing pier from both ends. Knights key campground on the ocean side of rt 1 is also right there at the entrance to
the bridge. It is a good location for easy access to both the ocean and the gulf. Lots of those small restaraunts will cook and serve
the fish you caught, cleaned of coarse. No crappies in the keys, but there are lots of grunts on the reefs. Ill take grunts
over about anything if I have a choice, and yes ive eaten lots of walleyes also. Sorta like catching big bluegills in salt water.
The name of the game for bottom species in the keys is chum and lots of it. You can cut up a pin fish or one of the fish your after for baiting your hook or jig, but without chum you will catch little to nothing while bottom fishing the reefs. I always had 6 of the 10 lb blocks of frozen chum with me at minimum for a 4 hour trip.

yobuck,

Great reply thanks for sharing and adding to my report. We saw many fishermen along the way, fishing from the bridges, figured it must be a good time of the year.

Before moving to Florida, I did a lot of Surf Fishing in Mexico. I targeted the Rooster Fish and Jack Crevalle from the beach and the Mahi Mahi from the boat.

Thanks again for your post.

pescador

Originally Posted by pescador

yobuck,

Great reply thanks for sharing and adding to my report. We saw many fishermen along the way, fishing from the bridges, figured it must be a good time of the year.

Before moving to Florida, I did a lot of Surf Fishing in Mexico. I targeted the Rooster Fish and Jack Crevalle from the beach and the Mahi Mahi from the boat.

Thanks again for your post.

pescador

Well thank you for posting those pics which were a reminder to me and others here also as to how nice a visit there can be.
A large percentage of those who visit there have thoughts and desires to live there.
After having spent a considerable time there living my own dream, I would advise renting a house for a year at least before deciding.
Remember one thing, there is only one road, meaning you can either go that way, or go that way.
Sooner or later you've seen all you care to see in both directions. And regardless of the fact that it is a great place for an avid fisherman,
there will be long periods where its not possible to fish or at least have good fishing due to poor conditions and theres no place to hide
from it. Its best if your wealthy enough for a place there and a place elsewhere and go to enjoy what you came for and then leave and
go someplace that has crappies. lol