[NachoLibre]

I'm planning family getaway during the first week of April. I was all set on Marathon because of great fishing and easy access to a week-long boat (and fishing gear) rental. Now my wife says that Marathon doesn't have enough things for our kids to do. (They're 6 and 3), so I'm looking into other options.

Any suggestions on where we can go (in FL) where we can:

• rent a house
• rent a 22' to 25' boat
• have access to good bottom fishing and trolling (snapper, grouper, mahi)
• have options for our kids to do stuff

Ultimately, this is our fishing vacation, so I might have to put my foot down for Marathon, but you know how that goes :2guns::2guns::surrender:

Thanks!

 

[chuckebs]

Take your kids to the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon. You will be a hero and get to fish more.:clapping2:

 

[Echo]

Martin, put your foot down. Marathon is beautiful,plenty for the kids to do. Your centrally located, One day take the long drive to Key West. One day play with the dolphins, Theater of the Sea. Depending on where your staying you can pull off at most bridges and go swimming. Take the trolly on 7 Mile Bridge to the bird santcuary. I can on on for an hour if you wish..

 

[Timbo]

Take them all to the Hungry Tarpon restaurant just south of Islamorada. (North coming from Marathon) Not necessarily for the food although it is fine but behind the place is a dock where for the small price of a bucket of bait you can hand feed the tarpon! Also there is Captain Robbie's party boat on the southeast side of Islamorada. They'll take you all out to fish for yellowtail, etc just a couple miles from the dock. Look on their website for a coupon for free rod rental.
(not affiliated in any way but I did go on that boat and used a coupon) Bahia Honda park is a great beach and fishing area for the whole family! It's a little south of Marathon. There's a lot to do in the Keys!

 

[Echo]

Tim isn;t the place you feed Tarpon called Robbies ????

 

[longstriper]

Go to Orlando. Wait in 2 hour lines for it's a small world, 80 degree heat, and everyone will be happy. Just kidding. I think the previous poster is correct.

We have a place in florida and go down during the winter..Outstanding freshwater bass scene during the spawn from late jan-march, and lots for the family to do..But in April, you get prime tarpon and great weather as well..and there is a lot to do in the keys than further north in Fla. Just my opinion, but i'd take my family and small kids in a second to Marathon and take in the beach..Good luck!

 

[Sea King]

Marco Island - there's a beach for the kiddies plus fishing for Dad. Plus you could rent a house with a pool. Lots of shopping there and in Naples for the Mrs! Saw a fishing show today with Roland Martin catching 200# Goliaths within sight of the island.

 

[Echo]

Too crowded.. I love everything about Naples, but damn theres just too many people there.
Hint: Anytime theres a 24 hour drugstore on EVERY corner of the main drag, it's time to leave.
Not to mention all the cars with their blinkers on 24/7.. I LOVE senior citizens.....LOL

 

[Timbo]

Tim isn;t the place you feed Tarpon called Robbies ????

Yes, it's a small tackle/dive shop right behind The Hungry Tarpon restaurant. You have to go through the shop to a little pier. It's part of a marine santuary, or so I'm told. Anyway fishing is not allowed in the immediate area.

 

[flattyfrank]

Yes, it's a small tackle/dive shop right behind The Hungry Tarpon restaurant. You have to go through the shop to a little pier. It's part of a marine santuary, or so I'm told. Anyway fishing is not allowed in the immediate area.

Robbie's of Islamorada: Offering the widest diversity of recreational marine activities in Islamorada, Florida Keys - Offshore, Backcountry and Partyboat Fishing, Boat Rentals, Guided Tours, and Tarpon Feeding.
Boat rentals there too. I won't eat at the Hungry Tarpon, if you want to know why, pm me. First time I went Tarpon fishing, my guide suggested feeding the tarpon there to get used to seeing big fish up close. Thought it might help when they showed on the flats. I still got over excited when the first cast was needed :clap:

 

[Baldzilla 2.0]

Boy you need to talk to me tomorrow...we are gonna be down there then too...doing the kid thing, and you and I can sneak off and fish when the rug rats are at Disney!!

 

[twiskman]

I want in!!! Im still waiting for Martin to adopt me! C'mon Papa... Ive got a job, and Ive been oh so good. Please take me with you!!!

 

[sunman]

Yes, it's a small tackle/dive shop right behind The Hungry Tarpon restaurant. You have to go through the shop to a little pier. It's part of a marine santuary, or so I'm told. Anyway fishing is not allowed in the immediate area.

I've fished the bridge pilings right in front of Robbies.

 

[reeltor]

I think Marathon would be a good choice for a family trip. Try
Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor and see what others have said about it as a family vacation. Also search Islamorada, and Keys further south for things to do with the kids. Not too long ago someone posted about a family trip in the Keys and how enjoyable it was for the family.
You need to armed to win this fight!

 

[wino]

Florida sucks.:thumbup:

 

[Jay F.]

The fishing in FLA is no good, weather sucks too. I was just in sw florida for a month, lots of shallow water and good fish. The kon-tiki on islamorada is where I have stayed in the past, lots of fun especially if you have access to a boat.

 

[NachoLibre]

Thanks for all the help, guys. My initial thoughts were confirmed and I'll be getting a place in Marathon, along with a boat rental. The kids can go to Sombrero Beach, Bahia Honda, Dolphin Center, etc. I can also take them snorkeling and fishing on the boat.

 

[hackeyfly]

Too crowded.. I love everything about Naples, but damn theres just too many people there.
Hint: Anytime theres a 24 hour drugstore on EVERY corner of the main drag, it's time to leave.
Not to mention all the cars with their blinkers on 24/7.. I LOVE senior citizens.....LOL

My Mom was just in St. Pete a few days ago, now at Pine Island. She claims the place is a ghost town, and the tour trolley/bus operators say they've never seen it so slow. If ya got cash in the bank, now is probably a GREAT time to go south, all the wannabe's are staying home trying to avoid their creditors;-)
Pat in Joppa

 

[wino]

My Mom was just in St. Pete a few days ago, now at Pine Island. She claims the place is a ghost town, and the tour trolley/bus operators say they've never seen it so slow. If ya got cash in the bank, now is probably a GREAT time to go south, all the wannabe's are staying home trying to avoid their creditors;-)
Pat in Joppa

Somebody forgot to tell our snowbirds that times are bad, traffic is terrible, restaurants and stores are doing fine around here. Charterboat business has picked up.

 

[hackeyfly]

Somebody forgot to tell our snowbirds that times are bad, traffic is terrible, restaurants and stores are doing fine around here. Charterboat business has picked up.

Well duh, everybody knows all the money is on the east coast;-)
Pat in Joppa