April 16-23 Prep List

[Al B]

The family (Ellen & Ryland 8YO) is headed back to the keys in April. Not sure whether we'll be staying at the Futura Yacht Club in Islamorada, or a place in Marathon. While it'll be a family get away, fishing will definitely be part of it. If we can get some E wind, and push the warm water in, I'll be on a tarpon mission. But, also want to do some reef fishing. While a headboat is fine, I'm thinking of renting a boat for a couple days, and would like recommendations on where to rent from (slip included in rental @ Futura).

A 48 qt. roller-cooler will be one of my pieces of luggage, and I'm shipping some rods down. The cooler will be packed with an airator, cast net, reels and a bunch of tackle (various hooks, leader, jigs, plugs, sibikis.. a landing net has always posed a packing problem)... so fishing off the dock, or on a rental boat will be do-able.

I read a few of the other posts on guide recommendations, and will book a Tarpon trip regardless of the weather. If anyone's interested in splitting a trip, doing a headboat/reef day, or splitting a rental, let me know. We'll DEFINITELY be doing the "cook your catch" at Lazy Dayz a couple times, and I'll go out on a limb and say we'll be at Lore-Lai for some cocktails around sunset... LOL.

[Perchguy]

Went to the Keys with the wife and 3 kids for the first time last year and am hooked for life. We are going back again April 16-24. We rented a 1/2 duplex with pool on the water and a boat (22' Whaler) from Conch Realty www.keyrentals.com and were really happy. Prices can't be beat. The boat was only around $800 for the whole week. Boat is not a brand new shiny unit but very solid and functional. Were renting the same duplex and boat this year. Had a blast fishing the reef and patch reefs last year. I bought a cheap landing net last year and stuffed it in the back of the garage at the duplex when we left. Hoping it is still there. Can't wait to get back. Only 70 days but who is counting......

[Al B]

I went for the first time in '84 on Spring Break... and keep going back. I'll check out Key Rentals, usually use www.vrbo.com or www.homeaway.com .. thanks. Thanks for the Boat Rental link... can't beat 600/3 day.

[Perchguy]

Either follow the link or google Conch Realty. Their website is a little confusing but their prices are great.

[guanacay]

Some of the boat rental places will rent you a landing net. Not sure if you have to be a boat renter or not. Maybe just buy a cheap one at Kmart and donate it to the place you're staying.

Ever considered driving down? We've flown twice and drove a million times. I much prefer to drive. You can bring all your own stuff, have your car with you and not hassle with the stupid airport. On numerous occasions, I 've towed my boat down too. You can fit a lot of stuff in the boat. We rent a boat now because we don't want the added headache of towing.

[Al B]

Guanacay - I've driven down several times, and agree that it's easier for transporting chit. But, 22 hrs with an 8YO isn't pretty.. nor is the recovery time. Trailering my Regulator down isn't an option, and it's not "skinny water friendly".

The landing net issue is covered (the guy that owns the rental unit is letting me use his).

We're booked at Futura. If any of you guys are interested in splitting a charter one day, let me know. Or, do a "buddy boat" trip on one of the 3 days I'll have the boat.

COUNTING THE DAYS.

[Water_boy]

Al B, That's the same type of setup I have for when I fly down and the same basic necessities. I bought an igloo 72 Qt marine cooler on wheels, I have traveled with it many times as checked luggage and so far it's have held up great. I freeze the fish I catch down there and wrap it in towles and store in the cooler for the flight home, most times they are still frozen when I get back. A couple things for your packing list, bring a boat bag with the same basic things you probably already bring on your own boat like fuses, electrical tape, DC electrical tester, wire, etc many of the rental boats have working pumps for their livewells and working lights but they disconnect them because they don't want you to drain the battery and they don't want you out at night.

[Al B]

Ahhhh... good advise... hadn't thought of emergency boat maintenance stuff.

[Water_boy]

Another thing.... probably too much informatin but in addition to non-functioning lights and bait well pumps I've found it's even more rare to find a rental boat with a working cigarette lighter plug so if you want to charge your phone, run a portable GPS etc etc it might be a good idea plan for that. I have a 12v DC electrical splitter I bought at at west marine, I think I paid about $25 for it. It has a male cigarette lighter plug on one end and two female cig lighter recievers on the other, it's designed to split a single cigarette lighter outlet into two ports. I cut the male end off exposing the bare wire, the first thing I do is find a dry area inside the console and screw that into the electrical buss or something else that's hot, alligator clips would probably make that connection easier, just a thought.

Depending on how long I'm going to be in town I also bring a cheap aquarium air pump with me, that way I don't piss through D cell batteries at the house trying to keep shrimp alive.

[guanacay]

But, 22 hrs with an 8YO isn't pretty.. nor is the recovery time.

I know all about that. I've done it with two for years.

2003 - 10 month old and pregnant wife
2004 - 1 year old and baby
2005 - 2 year old and 1 year old
2006 - 3 year old and 2 year old
2007 - 4 year old and 3 year old
2008 - 5 year old and 4 year old
2009 - 6 year old and 5 year old
2010 - 7 year old and 6 year old

:) You get the picture. It's actually getting worse as they get older. Now they fight and scream at each other. But it beats the stupid airport.