Little Torch in Feb.

[Bill Banks]

I'll be in Little Torch for the whole month of Feb. We'll be pulling a 25' Wellcraft that we'll keep at the house we rented. I've been to Sugerloaf a couple years ago but did't have my own boat.
Any thing to help me get on some fish would be great
Thanks Bill

[Captain Bill Welder]

Ocean side of Little Torch or Gulf side?

From your head pin at Little Palm Island run 210º or 170º until you become familiar with the shallow water at Looe Key.

If fishing offshore not much need to run further than 250 feet (3 miles past the reef) in February.

The reef bite will be hot.

If blowing over 20+ kts you can fish the north side of Hawks Channel pretty comfortably. The further west you go the more patch reefs you will find inside of Hawks. Big kings and black grouper will be in shallow water. Some cobia ocean side but more cobia in the gulf in February.

[Bill Banks]

Thanks Capt. Bill for the reply.
Were staying about the middle of Little Torch on Maricoba Dr.
I've fished American Shoal several years ago. By the time I was getting comfortable with the waters it was time to go home.
I heard a rumer that chum could be hard to find, so I was going to bring a grinder. I think the place has a freezer. Do you know of any place that would rent a freezer if I need one?
Four days to go before we hit the road, I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas.
Catch 'em up
Capt.Bill Banks

[Captain Bill Welder]

There is not now or never has been to my knowledge a shortage of chum in the keys. Leave your grinder home. Leave your chum bag home also and buy a wire cage for your chum. Cudjoe Sales on Cudjoe Key has the best price.

I would assume that your rental has a freezer but you might check with the owner/agent. I don't know of anyplace that rents freezers but in a pinch, Home Depot has small inexpensive freezers that you could buy and load in your boat and take home with you.

Maraciabo is on the very south end of Little Torch with very easy access via day markers oceanside.

[blue lou]

Chum and bait has never been a problem down there for us, there is a wreck right off the Little Palm Island pier, that's good on a day you need to hide. Oprah and the other froo froo guests might not be happy, but oh well. Very good advice above. You should have no issues in a 25, but Feb is a crap shoot with the winds. There is always somewhere fishable. Livelinning spanish for sharks in the gulf side is a goof. trolling streches for Blackfin tuna is as mindless as it gets, and plenty of fish will come to your chum in/around the reef. We'll be down in Feb, Marathon or BPK, haven't decided which. You'll have a great time I'm sure.